Then turned he back, and did accompany me to the city.
When I came there, I would have gone to the English House; but he led
me violently to my old Master [p. 372], where I rested me a day and
night: my Master not being very earnest, for because, in this time that
I was absent [1587-1588], all the English captives were redeemed and
sent home.
Wherefore I went to the English Consul, hoping to be presently
[_instantly_] delivered: who gave me very good words, but did not shew
me that favour which he professed.
I could make some discourse of his unkind dealing with me and others of
our countrymen; which I will leave till [a] more fit occasion.
For, understand, that while I was with him, there came a messenger
from my old Master, with whom I was before I went to Genoa [_in the
previous year, 1587_]; who would have carried me away by force: but I
would not go, requesting the Consul to take order for my delivery.
But he persuaded me to go with him, saying, that he would, in time,
provide for my liberty.
But by means I would not yield to go to my Master, nor yet the Consul
would not take order for me: I was taken by the King's Officers, and
put in chains in the King's prison, among other captives.
And at the next setting out of the gallies, I was put to my old
occupation; where I remained a galley slave for three years and above
after [1588-1592.] In which time, I was eight voyages at sea: and at
such times as the gallies lay in harbour, I was imprisoned with the
rest of the captives, where our ordinary food was bread and water; and,
at some times, as once or twice in a week, a small quantity of sodden
wheat.
* * * * *
To conclude, I passed my time in sickness and extreme slavery until,
by the help of an honest Merchant [? _Master RICHARD STAPAR, see page
369_; _or rather STAPERS, see Vol. III., page 169_] of this city of
London, and having a very fit opportunity by means of certain [of]
our English ships which were ready to set sail, bound homeward, upon
Christmas Even, being the 24th of December 1592, I came aboard [_at
Algiers_] the _Cherubim_ of London; which, weighing anchor, and having
a happy gale, arrived in England towards the end of February [1593]
following.
* * * * *
Thus have you heard how it hath pleased the Almighty GOD, after many
and great miseries, to bring me to the port which I longed greatly to
see: beseeching GOD, of his mercy, to prolong the days of our most
gracious and renowned Queen; whose fame reacheth far, and whose most
happy government is in admiration with foreign Princes.
So wishing all to the glory of GOD, and
[the] furtherance of the Gospel,
I end.