_Guzman finds himself in the most cruel situation of his life; but
it pleases Heaven suddenly to put an end to his troubles, and he
recovers his liberty._
I had every reason to be content with the life I led in the service of
the young Knight, who kept so good a table that I had frequent
opportunities of treating my comrades; in which I should not have
forgotten Soto, notwithstanding what had passed between us; but this
rascal, who had never forgiven me, took great pains to nourish my hatred
by constantly speaking ill of me before my master’s servants as well as
those of the Captain. These servants, who none of them liked me,
listened to him with pleasure, and did not fail to report every thing to
their patrons; and, among other slanders, that I was only waiting for an
opportunity to make some good hit, and that, sooner or later, the Knight
would know me for the rogue I really was.
Although imputations coming from such a source ought not to have been
looked upon without suspicion, they did not entirely fail in making some
impression on my master’s mind; and I soon perceived, notwithstanding
the implicit confidence he pretended to place in me, that he kept a
strict watch over all my actions. On my side, without taking notice of
his unjust suspicions, I continued to serve him with fidelity, keeping
my eyes always open to any snares my enemies might lay for me. In spite
of all my vigilance, however, I fell a prey to Soto’s malice, who
instigated one of the Knight’s servants to steal a piece of plate out of
his master’s cabin and hide it under my bed between two boards. I soon
missed it, and told my master of the loss in a manner which ought to
have convinced him that I was not the thief. But I was not believed, and
it was at last found where it had been concealed. The Captain, thinking
that I had stolen it, in spite of all I could allege in my defence,
condemned me to receive fifty lashes; but my master begged me off, on
condition that if any thing were again lost, I should have no mercy.
Finding, by this adventure, that I had secret enemies, who were
determined to ruin me, I humbly prayed the Captain and my master to take
another in my place, and permit me to return to my oar, rather than be
exposed to such another misfortune. My master misinterpreted my
intentions; and, thinking that I was more desirous of returning to the
Commissary’s than of continuing in his service, he determined to keep me
whether I would or no. Patience, therefore, was my only remedy, and I
stood as much on my guard as I could night and day; yet, watchful as I
was, I could not escape. My master having returned from the town one
night, sent for me to assist in undressing him. I gave him his gown and
nightcap; and while I carried his sword and gloves from one cabin to
another, some rascal stole the hat-band. I never could find out how this
trick had been executed; but when I was brushing the hat the next
morning, I discovered that the band was missing. At this sight I turned
as pale as death; looked for it every where, but all in vain; there were
thieves on board that galley at least my match.
Nothing was left for me to do but to implore the Knight’s mercy; but
when I related my new misfortune to him, as well as the malignity of my
enemies, to which I attributed it, he laughed in my face. “Mr. Guzman,”
said he, with a sneer, “I am well persuaded that you are a person of the
greatest integrity, although you have not that reputation on board this
galley; and I have been told, more than once, of my boldness in having
trusted you. Once more, I think you an honest man, and am, therefore,
sorry to tell you, that if you do not forthwith produce my hat-band, you
must be delivered over to the Under-commissary, who will, doubtless,
treat you according to your deserts. This you may rely upon,
notwithstanding your protestations of fidelity.”
This was the Knight’s answer, and the Captain came up at that moment. As
soon as he knew what was the matter, and found that I persisted in
denying that I had taken the hat-band, he flew in such a passion, and
beat me so cruelly, that I fell down half dead. To increase my misery, I
was driven from the poop and sent to the last seat on the prow, the most
uneasy seat of all, and that in which the slaves work hardest. In
addition to this, the Commissary had orders not to spare me, under pain
of the Captain’s displeasure. This officer, however, really pitied me,
and, notwithstanding the orders he had received to treat me with rigour,
allowed me to rest for a full month, seeing that I was quite incapable
of hard labour.
I regained my strength by degrees; and no sooner had I re-commenced my
duty at the oar than Heaven, satisfied with the hardships I had already
undergone, took compassion on me, and released me from my pitiable
situation. Soto, who had a devilish design in his head, which he could
not execute without my assistance, my seat being near the powder-room,
became extremely desirous to be reconciled with me. With this view he
availed himself of the mediation of a Turk, who had the liberty of going
fore and aft as he pleased in the galley; not doubting that I longed in
my heart to be revenged for the cruel treatment I had met with, and
that I loved liberty as well as others. He entreated me, through the
Turk, to forget the past, and restore him my friendship, which he
confessed he had justly forfeited. I pretended to be very desirous to be
reconciled to him; upon which the Turk addressed me in these terms:
“Soto has charged me to communicate to you a project which he has formed
to deliver us all. It is concerted, that as soon as we reach the coast
of Barbary, which we are fast approaching, we are to rise, cut the
throats of the officers and soldiers, beginning with the Captain,
proclaim _Liberty_ to the rest of the galley-slaves, who will
immediately assist us, render ourselves masters of the galley, and seek
an asylum amongst the Turks. This enterprise has been in contemplation,”
continued he, “upwards of two months. We have a sufficient quantity of
arms concealed, all our measures are taken, and we have resolved to
save ourselves, Turks as well as Christians, or perish in the attempt.
All that is required of you is to blow up the powder-room at a signal
given. This is our plot; and after the cruel treatment you have
experienced from the Captain, we have thought that you would not refuse
to join us.” I replied to the Turk, that he might depend there was
nothing I was not capable of undertaking to be revenged on the Captain,
and that he might assure the conspirators that I would do what was
expected of me. This, however, was very far from my intention. When the
day approached that the plot was to be put in execution, I requested a
soldier who came near my seat to tell the Captain that I had a secret of
the greatest importance to reveal to him. “But,” added I, “tell him to
send for me immediately; his life depends upon his compliance.” The
Captain considered this as a trick of mine to reconcile myself to him,
and regain my post in his kinsman’s service; and though he did
condescend to hear what I had to say, he resolved to make me suffer for
it, if I was only trifling with him. He sent for me, however, and I
discovered all I knew; told him where the arms lay concealed; and named
the principal inventors of the plot, at the head of which I did not
forget to rank my friend Soto.
The Captain, perceiving now that it was no trifling matter, resolved to
proceed with caution, and ordering all the soldiers to their arms,
commanded a search to be made, and found a vast quantity of fire-arms
and other weapons in the place I had pointed out. He then caused the
ringleaders of the conspiracy to be seized, who, being put to the
torture, confessed all. Soto and one of his comrades were condemned to
be drawn in quarters by four galleys, and the rest were decimated, of
whom five were hung, and the others had their noses cut off. Soto,
before he died, owned that it was by his contrivance the piece of plate
and hat-band had been taken out of the Knight’s cabin, and that I was
innocent of it. The Captain commended me highly for my zeal and
fidelity, after the unjust usage I had met with; asked my pardon
publicly; ordered my irons to be struck off; gave me the liberty of the
galley; and he and all the officers signed a letter setting forth the
considerable service I had rendered the King in saving the galley and so
many lives; which was transmitted to Court to procure an order from his
Majesty for my enlargement. It were needless to state with what a
grateful heart I returned thanks to Heaven for such a revolution in my
prospects, promising to amend, and live better for the future.
Thus, friendly Reader, I have given you an account of the principal
adventures of my life. What followed after the King was graciously
pleased to grant me my liberty, you may expect to hear, should I live
long enough to tell you.