_He is shipt for a Plantation. He gives an account of the Passengers
aboard, relating what kind of Cattle they were, and discovers from
their own mouths, things very observable, in some of their Lives and
Conversations._
The soreness of my flead back had so taken me off my mettle, that for
three days, I did little more than eat and sleep; but hating thus to
truant away my life without acting or observation; I pull’d up a good
heart, resolving to make the best of a bad Market; the first thing I had
to do was to get my _Cargo_ aboard, not knowing how, or whom to trust. I
saw there was no way more feisable than to acquaint our Master herewith:
wherefore one Morning, seeing him enter his Cabin alone, I followed him
close at the heels, and falling presently on my knees, I begg’d him in
the most commiserating terms my invention would afford, that he would
not only be secret in what I should discover to him, but also be
assistant to me. _What, Sirrah_ (said he) _have you some new piece of
Roguery to act, and would you have me to be your accomplice in it?_ Far
be it from me, Sir, said I; the Fact is already done, and by what means
known: but the purchase none knows but myself where it is, wherefore all
that I desire is, that discovering the place, you will lend me your
assistance to bring it hither, Sir, it is a just thing I beg of you; I
have suffered the Law; and therefore it is mine; The very _Turks_
condemn that as lawful prize to the use of the theevish Slave, that can
carry it off (though but over the Threeshold) without being taken notice
of; so I hope, as I have been cleanly in my conveyance, so my punishment
will authorise and clear the purchase. Hearing me plead so notably and
pittying my condition, told me that none should be concerned in the
securing of my dear bought Goods but himself, and therefore commanded me
to tell him where they were; which accordingly I did, and he thereupon
immediately fetcht them, locking them up in his own custody, and
promising me, as soon as they were Landed, restitution; and that you
shall not suspect, Sirrah (said he) that I will embezel any of them, you
shall have an Inventory of them, which was thus: Imprimis _Six pair of
Worsted Stockins, one pair of Children Shoees, five clean Pipes, two
Blew Leather Points, one Pair of Boys Shoes, Two Brass Thimbles, one
Alchymy Spoon, one sawcer, one Knitting sheath and four Needles with it,
one old Womans pair of eyes, (Spectacles I mean) which I stole from her
Nose as she slept at her own dore, two Horn-books, the pillage of Two
Children going to School; besides Giggs, Bouling-stones, Marbles, and
Span-Bounters innumerable_.
As my Master was taking in writing an exact account of my Estate, I
thought he would have crackt a Gut by his excessive laughter; but when
that stitch-begetting-tickling humour would give him leave, he askt me,
what I intended to do with these commodities when I Landed? or what
Merchant I had advised withal in the proper transportation of these
Goods? _Or whether_ (said he, laughing aloudly) _have you received any
Letters of advice from your Correspondence beyond Sea_? He was not so
jocundly vain as I was really serious, which so increast his laughter,
that I was forc’d to exercise a great deal of patience, before I could
have liberty to return him suitable Answers to his Questions. At length
without the least alteration of my countenance I told him, that what I
had collected to my great cost and labour, I thought were as proper for
transportation to that place we were bound to, as I had consulted the
principal Merchants of _Europe_; for there is nothing said I in all my
Cargo but what is very useful, and that to all sorts of Persons, Sexes,
or Ages. For my stockins, Points, _&c._ will very well accommodate
either Male or Female; the Knitting-sheath and Thimbles, for the young
Wenches; the Spectacles, I guess, may serve any old Woman from
Threescore to an Hundred; the Horn-Books they may teach their Children
by, to read; and let me alone with the Gigs, Bowling-stones and Counters
to teach them to play, I mean, Sir, not to play with them, but for them,
and if I win (as I know I shall) their purchasing them again, shall be
my daily gain.
He seem very well pleased to hear me make such silly Propositions to my
self for my future advantage; but I propounded to my self greater
advantages, laid on a more solid Basis; and I did not fear my hopes
would wither, or prove ineffectual, since as I plainly perceiv’d, I had
my Masters love and countenance to cherish them. Being now dismist, I
walkt to and fro the Ship, making my self acquainted with the Sea-men,
my childishness conversing with their bruitishness, as cheerfully as
possibly I could, who seemed well pleased with me, though seldom pleased
with any thing else but store of strong liquors aboard, and a lusty
plump Wench ashore. From aloft, I got between Decks, and there I found a
many beastly fellow Travailers, Dog-like kennell’d, _higglede pigglede_
altogether; I was heartily welcom’d in amongst them, but I was much
troubled to see them so much more in years than my self, till looking
narrowly about me, I espyed a young Girl of about sixteen, as I judged.
_O Sister_, quoth I, as confidently, _I am glad to see you here, but
much more glad that I shall have your company in this Voyage_. The
Baggage at first seemed somewhat sullen and coy, but in two or three
dayes we grew so inwardly acquainted; that if I were aloft, ahead, or
abaft, or wheresoever, she would be at my elbow. One day asking her the
cause of being a Shipboard, She told me, her Father and Mother dyed when
she was but three years old, and left her to the tutelage of an Aunt,
whose cruelty increast towards her, as she increast in years, debarring
her even from that convenient sustenance that supports Life, so that she
was forced to steal her Belly-timber, or be half-starved. This
early-forward-fruit was well complexioned, and well featured, having a
good natural Genius, attended with an extraordinary boldness, both which
made me love this Cockatrice Whirligig, what shall I call her, and
became at last much delighted in her conversation. Singling her out one
day, we got upon the Poop together, where, after many childish
flurtings, she perceiving how inquisitive and desirous I was to know
what was the cause her Aunt was thus willing to part from her, by
sending her to _Barbadoes_; she very briskly told me, she would give me
the satisfaction required, and expecting she would have made a sigh to
the Prologue to her following Discourse, I found it otherwise, for she
smilingly thus began, to the same purpose, though not in the same words.
_My Aunt doth think she hath fully revenged her self of all the injuries
I have done her, by thus banishing me from her presence, and my Native
Countrey, to a place I never heard of, till I was doom’d to be an
Inhabitant therein; and glad I am that slavish sentence hath freed me
from a more cruel doom of living under the Tyrany of a principal_
Shee-Divel. _My Father dying, left me as I am inform’d an hundred pound,
which by my Mothers death soon after was almost doubled; my Aunt, before
her decease, had so insinuated into her easie nature, that she wheedled
her to let this Money lie in her hands for my use, promising my mother,
that if I lived to be of age, or marryed, I should have the sum intire,
without substracting a penny, under what pretence soever, and would
tender me as her own daughter: My Mother dying with the satisfaction of
my being well provided for, I was taken into the use of my Aunt, and for
a while was indifferently lookt after, going to school with her own Son
and Daughter. But some years being past over my head, I found my self
differenced from her Children, as much as might be, slighted, and
abused, and my Couzens often beaten for their too much familiarity with
me: and that which was worse, I was circumscribed of necessary
provision. Having alwayes a bold daring Spirit, I troubled my self as
little as I might, but made my wit and industry supply me, with what my
Aunt was defective in; neither was I the sole sufferer in this
affliction, the servants bearing a part with me, having no other
proportion at Meals, than what her niggardly hand made dividend of, not
making the meat conformable to our stomacks, but our stomacks to the
meat; having dined, she lockt up all fast: The servants did not half so
often grumble at her, as my Guts; and that she might know how
dissatisfyed they were, I went one day with an Hammer, and nailed up the
House of Office dore; she having an occasion to make use of it, could
not be admitted, but being in great haste, was glad to apply her self to
her own Bed-chamber, which I am sure she perfumed to the purpose. Coming
down in a great rage, she enquired into the cause of this odd project,
and who the authour should be. To be short, she was acquainted that it
was I, who being summoned to appear before her_; Huzzy, _said she_, was
it you that nailed up the Privy door? _I was forced to plead Guilty._
And what was the reason (Mrs. Ne’re be good) you did so? _Why truly
forsooth_ (quoth I) _you feed well and plentifully, and therefore Nature
might command and require you to give her easement; and to that purpose
you have in your Chamber a Close-stool; but we your servants, as we eat
little or nothing, so we seldom have occasion to go to that house, which
to us is altogether useless._ She knew not whether she were best be
angry, or pleased; but dissembling her passion, said, _well Huzif, if
you complain, you shall have less: the less you eat, the cleaner will be
your sheets_, and so left me. _Seeing her ultimate resolution was to
keep me short of Victuals; I resolved to try some means whereby I might
feed without her knowledge. Fortune favoured me so much, that one
afternoon going up into her Chamber, wherein stood a great Chest she
usually laid up her provision in, I saw the Key in it, which she by
forgetfulness had left behind: I presently stept to it, and opening the
Lid, found there a Turkey Pie, which I made so bold with, that I took as
much as would have served me three dayes, if I had eaten nothing else,
and that continually. I got me down the stairs with all possible speed,
to prevent discovery, and secure my Provant; I soon found a place for
that purpose, and having hid it, I began to consider what I had done,
and that my Aunt would soon know, who it was that frighted her Turkey
away, none else but me daring to be so bold; while I was deeply musing
with myself, our Cat came purring by me, as if she had been sent by my
good Angel, to be the Sacrifice that should free me from that punishment
that would inevitably attend this Crime; so taking her up in my arms, I
ran up into the Chamber, and having claw’d with my Nails the flesh, and
the Crust sufficiently, I committed poor Puss to answer for what I had
done. My Aunt a while after missing her Key, went hastily to her
Chamber, and seeing it in the Chest, condemned her own carelesness, and
looking thereinto to see whether all was well, the Cat bounc’d out into
her face; the suddain surprizal made her make a noise more discordant,
than if twenty Screetch-Owls had been in Consort. Being alarm’d at this
bellow, I was the first that got to my Aunt, and very inquisitive I was
of her to know, what was the matter._ Oh! _said she_ a scurvy Cat, I
negligently shut in the Chest, hath almost frighted me out of my wits,
besides what other mischief she hath done me. _But when she came to see
what work supposedly the Cat had done, I was in good hopes that my Aunt
would have taken a lodging in_ Bedlam.
* * * * *
_As I laid hold on all opportunities to fill my belly, so some I
studied;_ as for Example, _twice or thrice a week we had a baked
pudding; I bought me a little dish about the bigness of a Porringer, and
out of the Pan I would fill it, a fruitful Pudding to have always a
young one at the side on’t. The Dow which I commonly carried to the
Bake-house, never went home so much in the Loaf, for I seldom failed to
have a Cake out of it; both which I practised so long till my Aunt found
me out, and soundly bang’d me for so doing. For these, and such like
faults I was so often and so unmercifully beaten, that I was resolved to
be reveng’d on her. One day she being invited abroad, I was resolved to
be even with her at home in this manner, One pair of stairs she had a
stately Dining-room, wherein there was a Cup-board on which (being
spread with a very fine cloath) stood variety of all manner of curious
Glasses, such as she valued above her Plate, and took great delight in
them, being prouder of shewing those to her guests, than some are in
appearing in a fine new Gown to their Sweet-hearts. These I was resolved
should fall down to my revenge, and be crusht a pieces by the weight of
my indignation and fury; but before I would begin to act this doleful
Tragedy, I went, and made all things ready; that is to say, I took a
large Spannel that we had, and leading him to the Street dore, I ran out
into the middle of the Street, calling him after me; he followed me, and
I led him a dance so long, till he had dirtied himself sufficiently,
then going in adoors, I stole up softly the back-stairs, and the Dog
following me into the Dining-room; then did I take his feet, and make
them imprint the form thereof on the Cloth; having so done I pull’d the
cloth, and down came the Glasses to the Floor, and by the fall not one
of them escaped; this being done, I got into the next Room, and crept
underneath the Bed; the fall of the Glasses soon came to the Ears of
those that were below, who coming up, found none in the Room, but the
Dog, and seeing the print of his claws in the Cloth, ne’re examined the
matter farther, but to work they went with him, who wanting words to
justifie his innocence, escaped the punishment by flight; whilst they
pursued him, I stept down the stairs, without being known to have a hand
in the Plot, how my Aunt resented this sad accident, I will give those
leave to judge, that ever had the like loss._
_But this story I am about to tell you, succeeded not so well as the
former; for it fell to my own scurvy Lot, to be punished with that which
might have proved a piece of Revenge, though I intended no such matter,
and which was worse, detected me as the author of the former. Our Maids
being in the Fields, bleaching of Clothes, my Aunt commanded me to frie
some Tripes for her Dinner, which she had brought in from Market; I
laying them caresly upon the Dresser, whilst I was cleaning the
Frying-pan, our aforesaid Dog swallowed up one half of them at one
mouthful, without chewing them, and had near dispatcht the other half,
before I could come to the rescue of my Aunts Dinner; I hastily threw
down the Pan, which caused my Aunt to come running in, to see what was
the matter; she seeing me busily and eagerly imployed about the Dog,
stept back in a place covered from my sight, where she might both hear
and see. I basted him so long, holding him fast, that he disgorged one
parcel of the Tripes, which I taking up laid them on the Dresser_; come,
_said I, basting him the while_, this is not all you Thief; I must have
more yet; _the Dog, as if he had understood me, discharged himself of
the Theft, and I verily believe, did not detain one single mouthful
behind: so much for his honesty_. So, so, _said I_, ’tis well, get you
gone you Rogue, as long as you did as I did bid you, break my Aunts
cup-board of Glasses, I made much of you, but when you turn thief, and
steal, you must be beaten into better manners.
_My Aunt all this while was exercising her patience even to a miracle,
and would not speak a word, because she would see what I intended
farther. Hereupon I took my Tripes, and giving them a rench or two in a
pail of water, I dryed them, flowred them, and into the Pan they went,
and fell a frying them, with as much confidence as if they had had no
mischance befaln them. Being fryed with my sawce, and all other things
ready, I was going in haste to call my Aunt to Dinner, as she met me,
and seeming to take no notice, seats her self at the Table, and turning
one piece then another, then a third, she takes the Dish, and twirls it
round, saying_, they were not fryed to her mind, and that I did this on
purpose, that I might have them all my self, and so you shall, _said
she_ and that I may be sure you do not slight good victuals (being too
much Corn-fed) I will give you leave to sit down by me for once.
_I knew not what to say, which way to look, nor what to think, but
perceived by my Aunts eyes, which were all of a flame, that she had
discovered something that had highly offended her; I would have spoken
something but she interrupted me, saying familiarly, leave off talking
and eat your meat: I being somewhat backward, and she taking notice
thereof_; how now Mrs. Minks, (_said she_) is not that good enough for
you, which is too good for me? Huzif, I will have none of your
Dogs-leavings, and since you would not let him eat it, you shall eat it
for him your self; and then I shall talk a little further with you;
_Seeing there was no help, I did eate of the Tripe, at every other bit,
much good may do you, quoth she, eat heartily, and spare not. I chewed
it like him that was gnawing a piece of his own Boots; but down it must
go. When she thought I had eaten enough for that time, she fell upon me
in that manner, that I had much ado to keep that I had within me, which
I was resolved to do, lest she should make me fry it again to my
Supper._
_Having tired her self with beating me, she told me that this was not
for the breaking of her Glasses, she had another of another nature for
that, since she knew it was not a Dog, but a Bitch-Fox, that had done
her all that mischief. Whereupon she drove me up stairs before her, and
lockt me into a Room, till she had breath to talk further with me._
_I was ready to die with fear to think what she intended to do with me;
at nights approach she came to me with one of her Maids, and having
lockt the dore to them, they unstript me, and naked as ever I was born,
they tyed my hands to the Bed-post, and lasht me with Whipcord, till she
had made me all over of a gore blood. Her Son hearing by the Maid how
cruelly I was delt withal, adding further, that he wondred how his
Mother could be so hard hearted, as to tear my skin. Natural affection
enforced him to pity me, and that pity began to increase that affection,
which he hath had more than these two years for me; so that, as he
confest to me afterwards there was no greater trouble to him, then that
he could not condole with me in my affliction. Having been confined two
or three days to my Chamber, my Aunt was persuaded to make further tryal
of me, and if I proved not then answerable to her expectation, she would
for ever discard me. Upon these terms I was released, and found my
Couzen overjoyed that I was enlarged. He was somewhat younger than my
self, about fifteen years old, of an inclination very prone to love what
was youthful or beautiful; and finding me very flexible to entertain his
amorous propositions, followed me so close, that he obtained what he
desired._
‘Thus we continued some time together, and knowing how covetous his
Mother was, and not allowing him hardly any thing to spend, I studyed
how I might assist him in his expence abroad: I was one day in the Shop,
and looking into the Counter for something, I found a board at the end
of the Till, loose, which taking up, I could easily put in my hand, and
take out what Money I pleased; having now taken out the Board, I knew
not what to do; for I fastned it but very slenderly, neither could I do
otherwise, having no time to do what I would. Wherefore in the morning
early, before my Aunt was up, I got into the Shop, and with a small
Perser I boared a couple of holes quite through the end, and two sides
of the Box, and so with Wire I fastned it, to my hearts content, but not
so but I could loosen it again at my pleasure. My heart leapt to think,
how this project taking effect, neither I, nor my friend could want
Money at any time. Could I have concealed this to my self I would have
done it, and so supplyed (as I thought convenient) my Couzen with Money,
the more to engage his affection to me. But I was forc’t to tell him
thereof, (whom I knew as forward in any sort of wickedness as any body)
because he was continually in the Shop. Having given him an account of
my projection, I thought he would have been transported with joy, and
was restless, till he had made an experiment; which having done, and
finding my contrivance, an inexhaustible Mine to him, I thought he did
intend to lock me in his arms everlastingly. Now did our freedom daily
increase, and nothing obstructed them but want of liberty to enjoy them.
But, as what is violent, is seldom permanent; so must our delights have
an end, and so much the sooner, by how much they exceed in measure.
Being not satisfied with stealing a kiss, or so forth in the day time,
We pitcht upon a Night, when he should run the hazard of coming into his
Mothers Chamber where I lay in a Trundle-bed under her; and be with me
all night: He watcht his opportunity, staying up late, and I in
pursuance of the design, had left the chamber door open, and so our
desires were accomplisht. But now (a mischief on’t) we were so shackled
in the fetters of a lasting sleep, that notwithstanding my Aunt bawl’d
to me I know not how many times, it being late in the morning to rise
and look after her business, yet I made no answer; at last started out
of the Bed, and stepping to mine, to see if I were not dead, found her
Son inclosed in my Arms both fast asleep. But she awakened us so hastily
out of our sleeps, that we lookt like a couple of Bedlamites, and so
confounded with shame, that we had not a word to say. To be short, she
first resolv’d to turn me out of doors, not caring whether I went with
or without Cloaths; but then considering she should disparage her Son,
by shaming of me; concluded to send for the Master of the Vessel we now
are in, and after some discourse I was commanded to go with him, glad I
was to go any where to be out of her reach; her Son, hearing of my sad
sentence, would have followed me, but was interrupted; however
yesterday, attempting by the way I had found out to supply me with
Money, he was catcht in the act by his Mother, and sent immediately to
Prison, where I understand he is like to lie till we set Sail.’
I was so attentive in the hearing what she related befell her, that I
did eat her words as they fell from her. To retaliate her kindness, I
gave an account of what I had lately run through, at least wise, as much
as I thought convenient; and by this time the Seamen began to take
notice of our private conference, and by our familiarity they had seen,
gave their judgments openly, that they thought there would be a
_Westminster_ wedding between us, before we should arrive at our
intended Port. Hereupon we broke up School, and descended straight
between Decks, there we found our Comerades tongues all imployed like a
_Dover_-Court; I for my part was resolved to be silent, that I might the
better gather from them what they were, and what lewd things they had
acted upon the Stage of this world.
But how often did I be-Ass my Rogueship, calling my self ten thousand
Fools for having so good an opinion of my Rogueries, (thinking them no
other than the very quintessence of wit) when I heard them discourse of
what they had done, which they all did with more freedom, than a dying
man would confess his Sins to his Ghostly Father. And so they might very
well do; for being past all shame (_perit cui pudor periit_) and the Law
having past sentence on them, they could not suffer again for the same,
without a recommission.
The Wind coming about fair, and we all ready, command was given to weigh
the Ankor; just as it was a Peek, and our Fore-top-sail loose, and
seeing then that there was no help but that I must go, I fully purposed
to have leapt overboard (so attractive is our native Soil) had not the
consideration of my Estate aboard, with that of my Mis, which I must
leave behind, pulled me back.
Whilst I was thus ruminating with myself, we had spread all our Canvas,
the wind blowing fresh, we spoon’d away before it like an arrow out of a
bow. Coming into the Ocean, I found my self possest with a new Spirit,
and if there was ever any such thing as transmigration of Souls,
certainly it was at that time, some new drown’d Sea-mans Soul hovering
on the Deep, took up its habitation in my body, entring in at my mouth
as I gap’d for breath, which the swiftness of the Ships sailing, and
tossing of the Waves together, had almost totally deprived me of. I was
so nimble and so active, that if I saw any halling Sheets aft, or
hoising of Sail, would be sure to be with him; which our Master taking
special notice of, encouraged me therein, so far that venturing first
into the tops, I afterwards upon it grew so bold, that when occasion
required, I often helpt to furl a Sail, but being not my Crafts-Master,
being more bold than skilful, one day I was in the Main-top, and getting
astride the Yard-arm, (to make my self the better acquainted with it) I
dropt off into the Sea, and had we not been becalmed, I had been drowned
irrecoverably. Throwing me out a Rope, I got aboard, no more concerned
with the danger I escaped from, than if I had been that while asleep in
a Cabbin. My Master lookt on this accident as a certain Omen of my being
a Sea-man, and thereupon made me his Cabbin-boy promising me when I had
served him a time according to custom, he would advance me according to
my deligence and fidelity, as for my ingenuity he questioned not.
We had not been above a Month at Sea, but by imploying all the leasure
time I had among my Comrades, I had gained so intimate acquaintance, and
so perfect a knowledge of them, that I shall endeavour to give you a
Character of them; there was nineteen of them in all, besides my
Mistress, whose late Adventures I have given you an account of; and
therefore shall pass her by and only tell you what the rest were, but
first, what their Professions are.