Latroon _and his friends arrive in_ Swalley _Road, they go ashore at_
Surrat, _are entertained with other Captains of Ships lately come to
an Anchor, by the President; he discovers an old Mistress of his and
his old fellow servant, waiting on a Captain in a disguising habit; he
renews his acquaintance with her; she tells him what befell her after
his unworthy shipping her to_ Virginia, _and the cause of her coming
for_ India. _She enters into a League with_ Latroon _to cheat her
pretended Master, which she did, the manner how. They sail together
from_ Surrat _homeward._
The next day after our coming to an Anchor in _Swalley_ Road, there came
in to us six sail of _Dutch_-ships from _Nova Batavia_; and two days
after came in four _English_ ships more into the same Port. One of the
Captains meeting with a Fleet of Friggats entring in at the Rivers
mouth, was boarded by them and unhapily blown up, himself and others of
his Company escaped, but were miserably burnt with powder. The ship
drave into _Swalley_ over the Bar and was tow’d on shore by our Boats
and Barges, but all in a manner consumed by the fire; there was a
_Dutch_-ship fought with the Friggats this while, which Sunk three of
them, and in the fight there was three more surpriz’d, the first by the
_Charles_ Barge, the next by our Long-boat, which we doubly mann’d, and
the last by the _Dutch_: they were but of little value, being laden with
_Paddee, Beech-leaves_ and other trifles.
Now did our Captain command the Skiffs to be mann’d, and taking me, the
Scrivener, Drugster, with some of the Ship, we went ashore, and
presented our selves to the President, who wellcom’d us in the best
manner he could, and to speak the truth, his entertainment was
magnificent; whilst we were frankly drinking Healths to our friends in
_England_, there came into us (who came ashore that morning) the
Captains of the other three Ships, with their Chief Officers, as also a
great many _Dutch_ Commanders and their Attendants, we used to say _The
more the merrier_, and so found it, for the President as he was a very
generous man, so he was prudent, and therefore by his noble deportment
towards us, was resolved to oblige us both.
We on the other side, strove to out-vy each other in gallantry of
Spirit, and in this manner we continued feasting three days, swimming in
an Ocean of Liquor.
In this time of our Jollity I minded especially a young man that waited
on one of the Captains; he had a very Sweet countenance, but his
Complexion was very much Sun-burnt by travelling; I did verily believe I
had seen the face before, and therefore very much eyed it, which he
perceiving fixt his eyes as often on me, for I never cast my eye that
way where he stood waiting, but I found him still looking towards me.
My heart renewed private intelligence what he was, but my reason could
not so much as guess from whence it came; for by the extraordinary
motion thereof beating strokes on my brest as nimbly as a Drummer a
Travale on his Drum-head; I look’d on him as one I knew, neither was I
alone thus, for at that distance I could perceive that the sight of me
did put him into a strange confusion.
As I was contriving how to have some private conference with him, his
Master commanded him to take some of the Boats Crew and go aboard and
fetch him something which he wanted, he had no sooner receiv’d the
Command, but casting his Eyes on me he endeavor’d to tell me by them, he
had an eager desire to speak with me.
He going out, I withdrew from the Company, desiring their excuse for a
while and follow’d him, but coming near him he trembled so he could
hardly move a foot forward, seeing him in that agony, I asked him what
ailed him? Bade him not be afraid, that I came not after him to mischief
him, or injure him in the least. I believe, said he, you intend me no
harm now, but it would have been well if you had never done me any. How!
replyed I, it is impossible I should be so cruel as to injure a face so
innocently harmless as thine appears: yes, Sir, you have, said he, and
were it not for something within me I have no name for, I would be
reveng’d on thy very soul for the abuse thou hast done me; I have now no
longer time left to discourse you, but to-morrow meet me under the
Southern Toddy-trees, and there I shall not fail to let you understand
the miseries of ——, and there he dropt his tears so fast that he could
hardly see his way before him. I was so amazed at what I had seen and
heard, that there I stood as a thing immovable, speechless, and almost
sensless; staying somewhat too long, the Captain came out to look me,
and found me in this posture staring up into the Skie; What’s the matter
man? said he, what wonders dost thou see there, thou dost so gaze? I
tell thee man, said he, this is no proper time nor place to take an
observation, we are now at Land; but he knew not what observation I had
taken, if he had he would have spoiled the Instrument if he could.
Recollecting my self, Your pardon good Sir, said I, I protest you drink
too smartly within, so that I was forc’d to come out to suck in some
little airy refreshment. This shall not excuse you, quoth he, therefore
come along with me. Coming in he told the whole company in what a
rediculous posture he found me, and did so Romance upon it, that he made
them all laugh. One while, said he, he was telling the Clouds he saw,
pleasing himself with the several monstrous shapes they bore, though I
could not see one in all our Hemisphere. Then he turned his ear up to
the firmament, as if he were hearkening to the Sweet harmony of the
Sphears, and in my conscience, if I had not prevented him, I had seen
him madly dance by himself without one stroke of Musick. After this he
turn’d his eyes upwards again, and fixing them there awhile, the nine
heavens or firmaments were so transparent to his sight, that looking
through them, he recounted their particular names to himself in order as
they were posited. He would have proceeded but that the company would
not let him, for my own part he might have talked till dooms-day without
any interruption from me, my thoughts being wholly imployed in searching
out the meaning of what the young man lately spake to me.
I observed after his return, he could not or would not look once towards
me as long as I staid. That night we parted some staying ashore, others
going aboard; but I, knowing what business I had to do the next morning,
lay all night with one of the Factors, a true Toper, and one that I had
been formerly merry with in _London_. I got up early and went to the
place appointed, where I staid not long e’re I saw him whom I expected
advancing towards me, I arose to meet him, so walking together we chose
a place where we sate down, which was both convenient, and secret for
our purpose. As I was about to speak he prevented it, by calling me
base, faithless, perjur’d man (I starting up, laid my hand on my Sword)
Nay hold, Sir, said he, think not to expiate your offence by murdering
the person against whom they were committed, so pulling off his Perriwig
discovered some short red hair? do you know this colour, said he, which
once you told me you lov’d beyond any other? Here is the same Dimple in
the Chin, and Mole on the Lip, and the same skin (stripping open his
doublet) which you have unreasonably praised for its excelling
whiteness; these were the flatteries you used to delude a poor credulous
maiden, whom you not onely sham’d but ruin’d. You cannot forget your
matchless treachery in seducing me aboard a _Virginia_ ship, in whom I
was carry’d thither and sold, you hoping by that villany to have been
for ever rid of me and mine.
I now saw who she was (my fellow servant when I was an Apprentice) and
knowing what she said to be a truth, I ask’d her forgiveness,
acknowledging all my unworthyness to her, and protested if she durst
trust me once more I would make her amends for all, at which she smil’d
(for she ever lov’d me too well to be angry with me) I taking hold of
this advantage did so press her to a forgiveness, that she could not
deny me, having seal’d it with a thousand kisses: and now dear _Jane_,
said I, I have a longing desire to know how you spent your time in
_Virginia_, and how you came hither with this Captain; that I shall do
briefly, she replyed.
_When I saw that you had so cruelly trappan’d me, and that all your love
was nothing but a deluding pretence to enjoy what you could, and be shut
of me afterwards as I saw you had done, I attempted to fling my Self
into the Sea, but being prevented in that, I betook my self to my Cabbin
where for grief I lay the whole Voyage so desperately ill that none had
any hopes of my life, for my Child dying as I suppose for want of those
that should carefully looke after it. Arriving at_ Virginia, _and
anchoring at_ Potomack River: _several_ Planters _came aboard of us, and
made a quick riddance of all the Passengers but my self, none offering a
pipe of Tobacco for me, for I was grown so weak I could not stand, and
so lean that I was a meer skinful of bones. The Master seeing me in this
condition, and judging I could not live two dayes to an end, commanded
me to be carried ashore to dye. A Planters wife that was very antient,
seeing me lie in that miserable and deplorable manner, took pity on me,
and took me home to her house, where she proved so good a Nurse to me
that every day I did sensibly amend. Being well, there was a great
contest between the Husband of this good old woman, and the Master whose
Servant I should be, a Suit was commenced, and upon tryal the Master was
cast he putting me a shore as useless to him, acquitted himself of all
future trouble with me. I being clear from him, my good Patron and
Patroness discharged me in open Court for having any thing to say to me,
for what necessaries they had provided for me during my sickness, being
now a free-woman I had a hundred good matches offered me, all which I
refus’d; there were some of the great ones too courted me for their lust
(for I had now recovered my complexion, and my eyes had shaken off that
dulness which had clog’d the swiftness of their motion) but all these
temptations prevailed not, the memory of you had too large a power over
my heart than to yield to any one else. But length of time began by
degrees to extenuate that esteem I had of you, so that I did not behave
my self so reservedly as formerly I had, but assumed a great deal of
freedome. One day my Master (as I now call him) coming to the house
where I was (for his Ship then rode in the River not far off us) took so
great a likeing to me at the first sight, that as he hath confess’d
since, he was never at quiet but when in my society; So that in a little
time he had so won upon my affections, that my carriage towards him
sufficiently demonstrated how dearly I loved him. To conclude, he made a
perfect conquest of me, and as the earnest of a perpetual tye, he fully
enjoyed me, and promised marriage if I would go with him as soon as he
came to_ Weymouth _in the west of_ England, _where stood his Habitation.
I greedily swallowed all his perswations (although one would have
thought me more wary, having been so notoriously cheated by you before,)
& the time coming when he would set sail, I march’d down to his Ship
with as many as would have compleated a Regiment which followed me,
looking upon me as the most absolute mirror of Chastity which ever
arrived in those parts, joyful I was to return to my native Country, and
as glad was my overcomer in that he had obtained so pretty a play-fellow
to pass away his time in his passage homewards. In seven weeks we came
upon the coast of_ England, _and was by the stress of weather put into_
Plymouth-_sound, where we rode with much difficulty between the Island
and the Land. The third day after our anchoring there, the wind ceasing
though the weather was somewhat hazy, he went ashore, and taking none
with him but my self Coxswain and his Crew. I wondred what he meant by
it, my fond hopes prompted me to believe that here he would perform the
promise he made me at_ Virginia, _but I found my self deceiv’d; for he
dismist the boat after he had fill’d their skins full of wine, and
commanded them to wait upon him in the morning._
There being now none left but he and I together; Dearest, said he, be
not troubled at what I shall tell you, and it shall be never the worse
for you. I have a Wife and Children at _Waymouth_, although to gain my
ends of you I pretended to have none; she is the most jealous woman in
the world, and well she may, for she knows there is no woman in the
Creation much more deform’d than her self, wherefore this I would have
you to do that I may continue your company; you shall change your
feminine habit for what is masculine, under which disguise you shall
pass as a young man I have met with abroad, which for fancy’s sake I
have chosen to be my Companion in my Travels. _I thought I should have
sunk into the Earth to hear him make this new confident proposition to
me after so many vowes and promises to make me his wife, but gathering
courage, I started out of his hand and would have gone down stairs, but
pulling me back, what said I, are all my expectations come to this? must
I be only your wandring whore at last? have I left so many wealthy
matches at_ Potomack _for this? no, I am in mine own Country, in a place
where I am not known, & I will wash and scour for a lively-hood rather
than submit so basely after so many worthy proffers. Notwithstanding a
thousand resolutions I had to leave him; yet such was the subtlety of
mans sly insinuation, that he made me unsay all that I had said in less
than half an hour; and I agreed to everything he would have me do.
Leaving me at the Tavern he went immediately, and bought a suite (which
he guest would fit me) with Hatt, Shooes, Stockings, and whatever was
requisite to cloath a young man fashionably, and brought them to me upon
tryal, they exactly fitted me. Now because we would not give any cause
of suspition to the people of the house where we were in changing my
habit, it was concluded on between us to walk out of the town somewhere,
he being well acquainted with all the places about the town, made choice
of_ Catdown, _where in the cleft of an hollow rock I unchas’d, throwing
my proper habit into the Sea, and although it was somewhat immodest I
was forc’d to beg his help in my new metamorphosis; he had procur’d me a
very_ All-a-mode _Perriwig, but before that would fit me he must play
the Barbar himself, which he did by cutting my hair off close to my
head. Being now clad with everything requisite from top to toe, we made
towards the town again, where entring the former house we were in, we
drank and were very merry, having a noise of musick, having supp’d one
bed serv’d us without suspition; in the morning came the boat for us
with the doctor in her, who asked my Master very seriously for the
Gentlewoman, he replyed she had kindred and friends in this place and
that she resolv’d to stay with them awhile; then he enquired what that
young man was; O, said he, he is of my former acquaintance, who having
little to depend on here, is resolv’d to see the world abroad with me.
Coming aboard our Master need not make a repetition of what he had
already said, the Doctor did it for him: now did we set sail steering
for_ Waymouth _which we did reach in a little time._
_I was entertain’d in his house with much civility from his wife, and
the servants observing what respect their Master shew’d me, paid me the
like. There was seldom a day wherein he had me not to a Tavern,
sometimes with company, but most commonly alone, and this life I led for
fourteen moneths; at the expiration of which my master being employed by
some Merchants in a Voyage to East_-India, _took me along with him by
which means we have the wonderful hap to see one another again._
My _Jinny_ having ended her discourse, I endeavoured to endear myself
unto her with all the outward demonstrations I could devise or imagine,
protesting for the future I would never violate my faith to her, that
she and I would run our fortune, live together, and she dying I would
voluntarily do so too, to accompany her to the other world.
Fearing lest I should detain her too long, and give her Master any cause
of suspition, I dispatch’d her away, and soon after went aboard our own
ship, but before I went I appointed her to meet me there two days after.
The Captain, my self, and all that were concern’d, went roundly about
our business, for since he had gone beyond the bounds of his commission,
he was resolv’d not to return home with her, but convert Ship and goods
to his own use; this in secret he acquainted me with, as knowing my
ingenious rogueship would be very helpful and assistant to him in all
his enterprizes; and that I might oblidge him to me in an absolute bond
of friendship, I seem’d to make him my Cabinet-counsel in all my
affairs, and did really inform him of the truth of the last Adventure,
knowing I could not carry on my design without his privity and help.
He did much wonder to hear me tell him that I had here also discovered
another of my wenches in man’s apparrel, but his wonder turn’d into
rejoycing when I told him how this wench should enrich our Stock by
robbing her or his pretended Master of his Gold and what else he had
valuable, and could hardly rest to think how I would effect my design.
Fear not, said I, his Gold is all our own, therefore let us lay out our
own as fast as we can, in the commodites of this place. The _Dutch_
thought we had the Devil and all of mony, to see our goods come tumbling
in upon us so fast, so that with what goods we took in at _Bantam_, and
what we receiv’d here, our ship wanted but little of her full fraught.
The time was come wherein I was to have another Mess of discourse with
my _Jinny_, who was punctual to her time, and there before me at the
place appointed. And after some few amorous ceremonies I seriously told
her that it was my intent never to part with her during life, she
answered that it was her desire, and that she would run any hazard to
bear me company; well, said I, make your self ready to go along with us,
for we are resolv’d to set sayl within these two dayes; that I shall
(she said) and know that I will not come with empty hands; my love shall
neither be burthensome to you, nor expensive; how prithee, how said I,
why thus, my pretended Master, as I have told you loves me dearly,
expressing it in whatever way I desire, and to let me see how great a
trust he dares impose upon me, and what confidence he hath of my
fidelity, I have the key of his Chest wherein is contain’d 8 hundred
Jacobuss’s, besides a box of rough diamonds with other stones of price,
all of which, or as much as I can carry off handsomely will I bring to
thee, so much efficacy hath my first Lover over me that I could be
content to undo all the rest to raise thee. I told her the notion was
very suitable to our present affair, and that it was the best and
easiest course I could propound for our happy living hereafter, and that
when she saw any white thing hanging in our shrowd she should then fall
to her work, which should be the token of our being all ready; which she
could easily do at any time, for the Captain being almost continually a
shore and she with him, it was but waiting for the boat (upon the sign
given) which at her command would carry her aboard and bring her with
the least word ashore. Moreover that having got the prize, she should
presently make down to the _Toddy-trees_, over against which we lay at
Anchor, and upon the signal of a Handkerchief, we would send our boat
instantly ashore to receive her. All which according to instruction was
exactly perform’d, the Captain whom she requited in this manner for all
his love being at that time dead drunk by an invitation of the Factors
of _Surrat_.
Having got my double Treasure aboard, and what lading we desir’d, our
Hold shut up, our Anchors weigh’d, and our Canvas spread, away we sail’d
over the Bar, with an hundred shot after us, for our Country-men as well
as _Hollanders_, concluded there must be some damn’d inexpressible
Treachery in this our suddain sailing, neither giving notice some days
before, or fairly taking our leaves by fireing of Guns according to
Custom; besides they knew we had not taken in our full Lading. Let them
fire their hearts out we valued them not, in derision we fir’d a Gun at
stern, and so stood to the Southwards.
I knew very well this female confident of mine would effectually do the
business we had plotted together, and so to divert my self and make
sport with the Captain of the discovery of my Rival, I wrote some few
Lines and nail’d them on a Toddy-tree on the shore directed to the said
Captain, which I knew would be discovered by some or other, and carried
to him the verses were as follow.
Noble Captain.
_’Twas a close plot y’ faith, but ’twould not hide
From me your_ wench, _which should have bin my_ Bride;
_You chang’d her Garb, but could not change her face;
Nor change her heart, where once I had a place
Nere thence to be remov’d although she show’d
Some love to you, the Debt to me she ow’d._
Love _was a stranger to her till I came.
Whom seeing lov’d, and loving lost her fame.
Sated with her delights I basely prov’d
Th’ ingrate that loath’d what I should still have lov’d.
I turn’d her off, well might she then perplex
Herself, and curse th’_ inconstance _of our_ Sex.
_To be reveng’d, with me she did confer,
To do her_ right _on those that_ wronged _her.
I was the first, but me she did forgive,
Because as one, we must together live.
You were the next, whose crimes are manyfold,
Yet have sued out your pardon with your_ Gold:
_Your subtle Wheedlings cheated her belief,
And would have filch’d her heart to play the_ Thief.
_You stole into her Secrets, so that she
May at_ Loves-bar _charge you with_ Felony.
_For thus purloyning, stealing hearts away,
And being caught you now shall soundly pay.
She vows to me, she’l spare you not a bit,
But keep intire the_ Purchase _of her_ Wit.
_What_ Protestations, _and what_ Oaths _you made,
Were broke by you as soon as they were said.
Your great pretences and your bouncing Stories;
The idle flashings of your fancy’d glories;
All which she minds not, since she hath requir’d
A Treasure which so long we both desir’d.
Now we are now almost quits (against your will)
This is the_ Sum _that must discharge our_ Bill:
Imprimis _so much; lying by her side,
And breaking promise, made her not your_ Bride.
Item _for changing_ Petty-coats _for_ Hose,
_And doing something, which I wont disclose._
Item _for making such a pretty toy,
Your_ wanton Mistris, _and your_ Cabbin-boy;
_Whom Morning, Noon, and sometimes very late,
Fail’d not to make your constant_ Trickry-mate.
_Thus stands th’ Account, and now we’re even just,
Discharging you of what we did intrust,
If not quite broke, for some new_ Credit _look,
You ne’re shall enter more into our_ Book.
I shall not trouble you with the particulars of an exact Journal of our
voyage from _Surrat_ till we came to _Venice_, to which part we were
bound, but only give you some light touches by the way.
The last day of _April_ we cross’d the _Æquator_, and the first of _May_
made a new way by judgement, and by observation our way was four Leagues
to the South-wards, having a rowling Sea out of the Souther board. The
fourth of _June_ in the morning we saw the Island _Mauritius_ and a
little after three or four small Islands appeared also; we stood in
betwixt _Mauritius_ and these Islands, and when we were thwart the point
of Rocks which lye on _Mauritius_ side, we edg’d off towards the Island,
giving that point and breach a good birth; our depth was twenty, and two
and twenty fathom hard ground, and being within one mile of the
westermost rock, we had twenty four fathom, the wind being at south
east, we left into the shore about a mile distant from it we anchored
that night. Here we rode near ten days, refreshing our selves with what
the Island afforded, as Goats, Hogs, and fresh fish good store. It is
reported here are many fish rank poyson, we did eat all sorts, as
_Mullets_, _Lantarasks_, _Whiskers_, _Rockfish and Garfish_, and many
others, but found no harm by feeding on them. We set sail hence and
about 28 Leagues distance from _Mauritius_, we pass’d by an Island
call’d the _Moschachenas_, near which we sprung a leak, that each hour
we pumpt above two hundred and fifty strokes, it being gusty whether and
a great Sea out of the South-east, but by our Carpenters it was happily
stopt, although it was under the next timber abaft the well near the
Keel, which by rummidging the Hold they found it so to be. The next
place we anchored at was the Island of _Johanna_, here we had much
lightning and thunder, the wind having been out of the Sea in the day,
and off shore in the night. This place affordeth very good flesh great
quantity of fish and fowl, we had a Bullock for ten long red Cornelion
heads; we had also excellent _Oranges_ and _Lemmons_, the people are
very loving and friendly, having two Governours or Captains among them,
the one call’d _Androm Pela_, and the other _Masse Core_, they desired
of us no other money for ought we bought than those red heads. Sailing
from hence we sprung our main top-mast, which our Carpenters taking down
fisht it and got it up again the same day. On the third of _September_
in latitude 16. d. 33 the wind at South east, we saw the Island of St.
_Helena_, to the west-ward of the Chappel thereof we anchored a mile
distant, the Captain caused the skiff to be hoisted out and so my
_Jinny_, the Scrivener, Drugster, and Doctor _&c._ we landed at
Lemmon-valley. Here with some Guns we carried with us we kill’d Hogs and
Goats, otherwise it is hard to take them, running at the sight of us up
inaccessible craggy Rocks. In ranging through the Isle, our men found
divers Oranges and Lemmon-trees but no fruit thereon, the _Dutch_ having
been there as we suppose, had gathered them, as appeared by their names
on certain Stones and Trees; we caught here _Mackrel_, _Breams_ and
_Borettoes_ good store.
__FINIS.__
To the Reader instead of the _Errata_.
_The Author hath his faults the_ Printer _too
All men whilst here do err, and so do you._
_And therefore_ Reader _pardon the_ Printer, _who promises amendment;
and I hope thy acceptance of this and the fourth part already published
will induce me to finish this_ Story _with a fifth & last part. In the
mean time the Author of this, hath lately written Printed and Published,
another Book entitled._
_The_ Unlucky Citizen, _experimentially described in the various
misfortunes of an_ Unlucky Londoner. _Calculated for the Meridian of
this City: but may serve by way of advice to all the Comonality of_
England. _More particularly to_ Parents _and_ Children, Masters _and_
Servants, Husbands _and_ Wives. _Intermixed with several Choice Novels,
Stored with variety of Examples and advice president and precept.
Illustrated with Pictures fitted to the several Stories._
_And let me assure thee_ Reader _that no more is promised in the Title
than is performed in the Book for it not only equals this in relating
variety of pleasant extravagancies and other Novels but it is profitable
in the many reflections and good advices given to the_ Reader, _and is
intended to be prosecuted in a second part wherein you shall have not
only real and true examples and experiences, but also as good and sound
advice as can be collected from any Book either Morall or Divine which
this age hath produced. Therefore despise it not because of the_ Unlucky
_Title, for it is or will be worthy of thy perusall._
Transcriber’s Note.
While acknowledging the ‘To the Reader’ message at the end of the text,
the Printer’s lapses in spelling, capitalization, hyphenation and
punctuation have been corrected where they are obviously typographical.
The word ‘Gaol’ is printed, more often than not as ‘Goal’, and all such
instances are retained. There are two instance s (74.3 and 189.30) where
the first ‘d’ in ‘Landlady’ is missing, once on a end-of-line
hyphenation, and once midline. The remaining fifteen instances are
spelled as we would expect. In the summary of Chapter XXII, the word
‘youngmen’ appears. In the text, the phrase appears either as separate
words, or somewhat more frequently, with a hyphen, but never as a single
word.
Due to the variability of hyphenation, where a hyphenation occurs on a
line or page break, the hyphen is retained or removed based on the
preponderance of the same word elsewhere. Where there are no other or
similar instances, the decision was based on modern usage.
The header of Chapter XII was misprinted as ‘II’.
The following table summarizes the issues encountered, and their
resolution:
24.26 (the time of child bearing being near Replaced.
approaching[,/)]
33.7 they presenting me with Gloves[,] Added.