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[s0001] [193.2] About half an Hour afterwards they came all up in a Body a-stern of us, and pretty near us, so near that we could easily discern what they were, tho' we could not tell their Design: [193.3] And I easily found they were some of my old Friends, the same Sort of Savages that I had been used to engage with; [193.4] and in a little Time more they row'd a little farther out to Sea, 'till they came directly Broad-side with us, [193.5] and then row'd down strait upon us, 'till they came so near, that they could hear us speak. [193.6] Upon this I order'd all my Men to keep close, lest they should shoot any more Arrows, [193.7] and made all our Guns ready; [193.8] but being so near as to be within hearing, I made Friday go out upon the Deck, and call out aloud to them in his Language to know what they meant, which accordingly he did; [193.9] whether they understood him or not; that I knew not: [193.10] But as soon as he had call'd to them, six of them, who were in the foremost or nighest Boat to us, turn'd their Canoes from us, [193.11] and stooping down, shew'd us their naked Backsides, just as if in English, saving your Presence, they had bid us kiss-. [193.12] Whether this was a Defiance or Challenge, we know not; or whether it was done in meer Contempt, or as a Signal to the rest; [193.13] but immediately Friday cry'd out they were going to shoot, [193.14] and unhappily for him poor Fellow; they let fly about 300 of their Arrows, [193.15] and, to my inexpressible Grief, kill'd poor Friday, no other Man being in their Sight. [193.16] The poor Fellow was shot with no less than three Arrows [193.17] and about three more fell very near him; such unlucky Marksmen they were. [193.18] I was so enrag'd with the Loss of my old Servant, the Companion of all my Sorrows and Solitudes, that I immediately order'd five Guns to be loaded with small Shot, and four with great, [194.19] and gave them such a Broad-side, as they had never heard in their Lives before, to be sure. [194.20] They were not above half a Cable Length off when we fir'd; [194.21] and our Gunners took their Aim so well, that three or four of their Canoes were overset, as we had reason to believe, by one Shot only. [194.22] The ill Manners of turning up their bare Back-sides to us, gave us no great Offence; [194.23] neither did I know for certain, whether that which would pass for the greatest Contempt among us, might be understood so by them, or not; [194.24] therefore in Return, I had only resolv'd to have fir'd four or five Guns at them with Powder only, which I knew would fright them sufficiently: [194.25] But when they shot at us directly with all the Fury they were capable of, and especially as they had kill'd my poor Friday, whom I so entirely lov'd and valu'd, and who indeed so well deserv'd it; I not only had been justify'd before God and Man, [194.26] but would have been very glad, if I could, to have overset every Canoe there, and drown'd every one of them. [194.27] I can neither tell how many we kill'd, or how many we wounded at this Broad-side; [194.28] but sure such a Fright and Hurry never was seen among such a Multitude; [194.29] there were 13 or 14 of their Canoes split and overset in all, and the Men all set a swimming; [194.30] the rest frighted out of their Wits, scour'd away as fast as they could, taking but little Care to save those whose Boats were split or spoiled with our Shot. [194.31] So I suppose, that they were many of them lost. [194.32] And our Men took one poor Fellow swimming for his Life, above an Hour after they were all gone. [194.33] Our small Shot from our Cannon must needs kill and wound a great many: [195.34] But in short, we never knew any Thing how it went with them; [195.35] for they fled so fast, that in three Hours or thereabouts, we could not see above three or four straggling Canoes; [195.36] nor did we ever see the rest any more; [195.37] for a Breeze of Wind springing up the same Evening, we weighed [195.38] and set Sail for the Brasils. [195.39] We had a Prisoner indeed; [195.40] but the Creature was so sullen, that he would neither eat or speak; [195.41] and we all fancy'd he would starve himself to Death: [195.42] But I took a Way to cure him; [195.43] for I made them take him and turn him into the Longboat, [195.44] and made him believe they would toss him into the Sea again, and so leave him where they found him, if he would not speak: [195.45] Nor would that do; [195.46] but they really did throw him into the Sea, [195.47] and came away from him; [195.48] and then he follow'd them; [195.49] for he swam like a Cork, [195.50] and call'd to them in his Tongue, tho' they knew not one Word of what he said: [195.51] However, at last they took him in again, [195.52] and then he began to be more tractable; [195.53] nor did I ever design they should drown him. [195.54] We were now under Sail again; [195.55] but I was the most disconsolate Creature alive, for want of my Man Friday, [195.56] and would have been very glad to have gone back to the Island, to have taken one of the rest from thence for my Occasion, [195.57] but it could not be; [195.58] so we went on. [195.59] We had one Prisoner, as I have said; [195.60] and $'t $was a long while before we could make him understand any thing: [195.61] But, in time, our Men taught him some English, [195.62] and he began to be a little tractable; [195.63] afterwards we enquir'd what Country he came from, [195.64] but could make nothing of what he said; [196.65] for his Speech was so odd, all Gutturals, and spoke in the Throat in such an hollow odd Manner, that we could never form a Word from him; [196.66] and we were all of Opinion; that they might speak that Language as well, if they were gagg'd, as otherwise: [196.67] Nor could we perceive that they had any Occasion, either for Teeth, Tongue, Lips or Palat; but form'd their Words, just as a hunting Horn forms a Tune with an open Throat. [196.68] He told us however, some time after, when we taught him to speak a little English, that they were going with their Kings to fight a great Battle. [196.69] When he said Kings, we ask'd him how many Kings? [196.70] He said, they were Five Nation, we could not make him understand the Plural S. and that they all join'd to go against Two Nation. [196.71] We ask'd him, what made them come up to us? [196.72] He said, to makee to great Wonder look: Where it is to be observ'd, That all those Natives, as also those of Africa, when they learn English, they always add two E's at the End of the Words where we use one, and make the Accent upon them, as make`e` take`e`, and the like; [196.73] and we could not break them of it; [196.74] nay, I could hardly make Friday leave it off, tho' at last he did. [196.75] And now I name the poor Fellow once more, I must take my last Leave of him; poor honest Friday! [196.76] We buried him with all the Decency and Solemnity possible, by putting him into a Coffin, and throwing him into the Sea: [196.77] And I caus'd 'em to fire eleven Guns for him; [196.78] and so ended the Life of the most grateful, faithful, honest, and most affectionate Servant that ever Man had. [196.79] We went now away with a fair Wind for Brasil, [196.80] and in about twelve Days Time we made Land in the Latitude of five Degrees South of the Line, being the $Northeastermost Land of all that Part of America. [196.81] We kept on S. by E. in Sight of the Shore four Days, when we made Cape St. Augustine, [197.82] and in three Days came to an Anchor off of the Bay of All Saints, the old Place of my Deliverance, from whence came both my good and evil Fate. [197.83] Never Ship came to this Part that had less Business than I had; [197.84] and yet it was with great Difficulty that we were admitted to hold the least Correspondence on Shore, [197.85] not my Planter himself, who was alive, and made a great Figure among them; not my two Merchants Trustees, not the Fame of my wonderful Preservation in that Island, could obtain me that Favour: [197.86] But my Partner remembring, that I had given 500 Moidores to the Prior of the Monastery of the Augustines, and 272 to the Poor, went to the Monastery, [197.87] and oblig'd the Prior that then was, to go to the Governor, and get Leave for me personally, with the Captain and one more, besides eight Seamen, to come on Shore, and no more; and this upon Condition absolutely capitulated for, that we should not offer to land any Goods out of the Ship, or to carry any Person away without Licence. [197.88] They were so strict with us, as to landing any Goods, that it was with extream Difficulty that I got on Shore three Bales of English Goods, such as, fine broad Cloaths, Stuffs, and some Linnen, which I had brought for a Present to my Partner. [197.89] He was a very generous, broad-hearted Man, tho' like me, he came from little at first; [197.90] and tho' he knew not that I had the least Design of giving him any Thing, he sent me on Board a Present of fresh Provisions, Wine, and Sweat-meats, worth above 30 Moidores, including some Tobacco, and three or four fine Medals in Gold: [197.91] But I was even with him in my Present, which, as I have said, consisted of fine broad Cloath, English Stuffs, Lace, and fine Hollands. [198.92] Also I deliver'd him about the Value of 100 lib. Sterl. in the same Goods, for other Uses; [198.93] and I oblig'd him to set up the Sloop which I had brought with me from England, as I have said, for the Use of my Colony, in order to send the Refreshments I intended to my Plantation. [198.94] Accordingly, he got Hands, [198.95] and finish'd the Sloop in a very few Days, [198.96] for she was ready fram'd [198.97] and I gave the Master of her such Instructions, as he could not miss the Place, [198.98] nor did he miss them, as I had an Account from my Partner afterwards. [198.99] I got him soon loaded with the small Cargo I sent them; [198.100] and one of our Seamen that had been on Shore with me there, offer'd to go with the Sloop, and settle there upon my Letter to the Governour Spaniard, to allot him a sufficient Quantity of Land for a Plantation; [198.101] and giving him some Clothes, and Tools for his Planting-Work, which he said he understood, having been an old Planter at Maryland, and a Buccaneer into the Bargain. I encouraged the Fellow, by granting all he desired; [198.102] and as an Addition, I gave him the Savage, which we had taken Prisoner of War, to be his Slave, [198.103] and order'd the Governour Spaniard to give him his Share of every thing he wanted, with the rest. [198.104] When we came to fit this Man out, my old Partner told me, there was a certain very honest Fellow, a Brasil Planter of his Acquaintance, who had fallen into the Displeasure of the Church; [198.105] I know not what the Matter is with him, says he; [198.106] but on my Conscience, I think he is a Heretick in his Heart, and he has been obliged to conceal himself for fear of the Inquisition; that he would be very glad of such an Opportunity to make his Escape, with his Wife and two Daughters; [199.107] and if I would let them go to the Island, and allot them a Plantation, he would give them a small Stock to begin with; [199.108] for the Officers of the Inquisition had seiz'd all his Effects and Estate, [199.109] and he had nothing left but a little Houshold-Stuff, and two Slaves. [199.110] And, adds he, Tho' I hate his Principles, yet I would not have him fall into their Hands; [199.111] for he would assuredly be burnt alive, if he does. [199.112] I granted this presently, [199.113] and join'd my English Man with them, [199.114] and we conceal'd the Man, and his Wife and Daughters on board our Ship, till the Sloop put out to go to Sea; [199.115] and then having put all their Goods on board the Sloop, some time before we put them on board the Sloop, after he was got out of the Bay. [199.116] Our Seaman was mightily pleas'd with this new Partner; [199.117] and their Stock indeed was much alike rich in Tools, in Preparations, and a Farm, but nothing to begin with, but as above: [199.118] However, they carried over with them, which was worth all the rest, some Materials for planting Sugar-Canes, with some Plants of Canes; which he, I meant, the Portugal Man, understood very well. [199.119] Among the rest of the Supplies sent my Tenants in the Island, I sent them by their Sloop, three Milch Cows, and five Calves, about 22 Hogs among 'em, three Sows big with Pig, two Mares, and a Stone-Horse. [199.120] For my Spaniards, according to my Promise, I engag'd three Portugal Women to go, [199.121] and recommended it to them to marry them, and use them kindly. [199.122] I could have procured more Women, [199.123] but I remember'd, that the poor persecuted Man had two Daughters, [199.124] and there was but five of the Spaniards that wanted; [199.125] the rest had Wives of their own, tho' in another Country. [200.126] All this Cargo arriv'd safe, and as you may easily suppose, very welcome to my old Inhabitants who were now, with this Addition, between sixty and seventy People, besides little Children; of which, there was a great many. [200.127] I found Letters at London from them all by the Way of Lisbon, when I came back to England; of which I shall also take some Notice immediately. [200.128] I have now done with my Island, and all Manner of Discourse about it; [200.129] and whoever reads the rest of my Memorandums, would do well to turn his Thoughts entirely from it, and expect to read of the Follies of an old Man, not warn'd by his own Harms, much less by those of other Men, to beware of the like; not cool'd by almost forty Years Misery and Disappointments, not satisfy'd with Prosperity beyond Expectation, not made cautious by Affliction and Distress beyond Imitation. [200.130] I had no more Business to go to the East-Indies, than a Man at full Liberty, and having committed no Crime, has to go to the Turn-key at Newgate, and desire him to lock him up among the Prisoners there, and starve him. [200.131] Had I taken a small Vessel from England, and went directly to the Island; had I loaded her, as I did the other Vessel, with all the Necessaries for the Plantation, and for my People took a Patent from the Governour here, to have secur'd my Property, in Subjection only to that of England; had I carried over Cannon and Ammunition, Servants and People, to plant, and taking Possession of the Place, fortified and strengthen'd it in the Name of England, and increas'd it with People, as I might easily have done; had I then settl'd my self there, and sent the Ship back, loaden with good Rice, as I might also have done in six Months time, and order'd my Friends to have fitted her out, again for our Supply; had I done this, and staid there my self, I had, at least, acted like a Man of common sense; [201.132] but I was possest with a wandering Spirit, [201.133] scorn'd all Advantages; [201.134] I pleased my self with being the Patron of those People I placed there, and doing for them in a Kind of haughty majestick Way, like an old Patriarchal Monarch; providing for them, as if I had been Father of the whole Family, as well as of the Plantation. [201.135] But I never so much as pretended to plant in the Name of any Government or Nation, or to acknowledge any Prince, or to call my People Subjects to any one Nation more than another; [201.136] nay, I never so much as gave the Place a Name, [201.137] but left it as I found it, belonging to no Man; and the People under no Discipline or Government but my own; who, though I had Influence over them as Father and Benefactor, had no Authority or Power, to act or command one way or other, farther than voluntarily Consent moved them to comply. [201.138] Yet even this, had I stay'd there, would have done well enough; [201.139] but as I rambled from them, and came there no more, the last Letters I had from any of them, was by my Partner's Means; who afterwards sent another Sloop to the Place, and who sent me Word, tho' I had not the Letter till five Years after it was written, that they went on but poorly, were malecontent with their long Stay there. That Will. Atkins was dead: That five of the Spaniards were come away, and that tho' they had not been much molested by the Savages, yet they had some Skirmishes with them; that they begged of him to write to me, to think of the Promise I had made, to fetch them away, that they might see their own Country again before they dy'd. [201.140] But I was gone a Wild-Goose Chase indeed; [202.141] and they that will have any more of me, must be content to follow me thro' a new Variety of Follies, Hardships, and wild Adventers; wherein the Justice of Providence may be duly observed, and we may see how easily Heaven can gorge us with our own Desires, make the strongest of our Wishes be our Affliction, and punish us most severely with those very Things which we think, it would be our utmost Happiness to be allowed in. [202.142] Let no wise Man flatter himself with the Strength of his own Judgment, as if he was able to chuse any particular Station of Life for himself. [202.143] Man is a short-sighted Creature, [202.144] sees but a very little Way before him; [202.145] and as his Passions are none of his best Friends, so his particular Affections are generally his worst Counsellors. [202.146] I say this with Respect to the impetuous Desire I had from a Youth, to wander into the World; [202.147] and how evident it now was, that this Principle was preserv'd in me for my Punishment. [202.148] How it came on, the Manner, the Circumstance, and the Conclusion of it, it is easie to give you Historically, and with its utmost Variety of Particulars. [202.149] But the secret Ends of Divine Power, in thus permitting us, to be hurried down the Stream of our own Desires, is only to be understood of those who can listen to the Voice of Providence, and draw religious Consequences from God's Justice, and their own Mistakes. [202.150] Be it, I had Business, or no Business, away I went. [202.151] $'T $is no Time now to enlarge any farther upon the Reasons, or Absurdity of my own Conduct. [202.152] But to come to the History. I was embarked for the Voyage, [202.153] and the Voyage I went. [202.154] I should only add here, that my honest and truly pious Clergyman left me here; [202.155] a Ship being ready to go to Lisbon, he ask'd me Leave to go thither, being still, as he observed, bound never to finish any Voyage he began. [202.156] How happy had it been for me, if I had gone with him! [s0157] [203.158] But it was too late now. [203.159] All things Heaven appoints are best. [203.160] Had I gone with him, I had never had so many Things to be thankful for, [203.161] and you had never heard of the Second Part of the Travels and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. [203.162] So I must leave here the fruitless exclaiming at my self, and go on with my Voyage. [203.163] From the Brasils, we made directly away over the Atlantick Sea, to the Cape de bon Esperance, or as we call it, The Cape of Good Hope; [203.164] and had a tolerable good Voyage, our Course generally South-East; [203.165] now and then a Storm, and some contrary Winds, [203.166] but my Disasters at Sea were at an End; [203.167] my future Rubs and cross Events were to befal me on Shore; that it might appear the Land was as well prepared to be our Scourge, as the Sea, when Heaven, who directs the Circumstances of Things, pleases to appoint it to be so. [203.168] Our Ship was on a Trading Voyage, [203.169] and had a $Supracargo on board, who was to direct all her Motions after she arrived at the Cape; only being $limited to certain Numbers of Days, for Stay, by Charter-party, at the several Ports she was to go to. [203.170] This was none of my Business, [203.171] neither did I meddle with it at all. My Nephew, the Captain, and the Supra-Cargo adjusting all those things between them, as they thought fit. [203.172] We made no Stay at the Cape longer than was needful, to take in fresh Water, [203.173] but made the best of our Way for the Coast of Coromandel. [203.174] We were indeed inform'd, that a French Man of War of fifty Guns, and two large Merchant Ships, were gone for the Indies, [203.175] and as I knew we were at War with France, I had some Apprehensions of them. [203.176] But they went their Way, [203.177] and we heard no more of them. [s0178] [204.179] I shall not pester my Account, or the Reader, with Descriptions of Places, Journals of our Voyages, Variations of Compass, Latitudes, Meridian-Distances, Trade-Winds, Situation of Ports, and the like; such as almost all the Histories of long Navigation are full of, and makes the Reading tiresome enough, and are perfectly unprofitable to all that read it, except only to those who are to go to those Places themselves. [204.180] It is enough to name the Ports and Places, which we touch'd at, and what occurred to us upon our passing from one to another, [204.181] We touch'd first at the Island of Madagascar; where, tho' the People are fierce and treacherous, and in particular, very well armed with Lances and Bows, which they use with inconceivable Dexterity; yet we fared very well with them a while, [204.182] they treated us very civily; [204.183] and for some Trifles which we gave them, such as Knives, Scissars, &c. they brought us eleven good fat Bullocks, middling in Size, but very good in Flesh; which we took in partly for fresh Provisions for our present Spending, and the rest, to Salt for the Ship's Use. [204.184] We were obliged to stay here some Time after we had furnish'd our selves with Provisions; [204.185] and I, that was always too curious, to look into every Nook of the World wherever I came, was for going on Shore as fast as I could. [204.186] It was on the East Side of the Island that we went on Shore one Evening; [204.187] and the People, who by the Way are very numerous, came thronging about us, [204.188] and stood gazing at us at a Distance; [204.189] but as we had traded freely with them, and had been kindly used, we thought our selves in no Danger: [204.190] But when we saw the People, we cut three Boughs out of a Tree, [205.191] and stuck them up at a Distance from us, which it seems, is a Mark in the Country, not only of Truce and Friendship, but when it is accepted, the other Side set up three Poles or Boughs, which is a Signal, that they accept the Truce too; [205.192] but then, this is a known Condition of the Truce, that you are not to pass between their three Poles towards them, nor they to come past your three Poles or Boughs, towards you; so that you are perfectly secure within the three Poles, [205.193] and all the Space between your Poles and theirs, is allow'd like a Market, for free Converse, Traffick, and Commerce. [205.194] When you go there, you must not carry your Weapons with you; [205.195] and if they come into that Space, they flick up their Javelins and Launces, all at the first Poles, [205.196] and come on unarm'd; [205.197] but if any Violence is offer'd them, and the Truce thereby broken, away they run to the Poles, [205.198] and lay hold of their Weapons, [205.199] and then the Truce is at an End. [205.200] It happen'd one Evening when we went on Shore, that a greater Number of their People came down than usual, [205.201] but all was very friendly and civil, [205.202] and they brought in several Kinds of Provisions, for which we satisfied them, with such Toys as we had; [205.203] their Women also brought us Milk, and Roots, and several Things very acceptable to us, [205.204] and all was quiet; [205.205] and we made us a little Tent or Hut, of some Boughs of Trees, [205.206] and lay on Shore all Night. [205.207] I knew not what was the Occasion, [205.208] but I was not so well satisfied to lye on Shore as the rest; [205.209] and the Boat lying at an Anchor, about a Stone-cast from the Land, with two Men in her to take Care of her, I made one of them come on Shore, [205.210] and getting some Boughs of Trees to cover us also in the Boat, I spread the Sail on the Bottom of the Boat, [205.211] and lay under the Cover of the Branches of Trees all Night in the Boat. [s0212] [206.213] About two a-clock in the Morning, we heard one of our Men make a terrible Noise on the Shore, calling out for God's Sake, to bring the Boat in, and come and help them, [206.214] for they were all like to be murther'd; [206.215] at the same Time I heard the firing of five Muskets, which was the Number of the Guns they had, and that, three Times over; [206.216] for it seems, the Natives here were not so easily frighted with Guns, as the Savages were in America, where I had to do with them. [206.217] All this while, I knew not what was the Matter; [206.218] but rouzing immediately from Sleep with the Noise, I caus'd the Boat to be thrust in, [206.219] and resolved, with three Fuzees we had on board, to land and assist our Men. [206.220] We got the Boat soon to the Shore, [206.221] but our Men were in too much Haste; [206.222] for being come to the Shore, they plunged into the Water to get to the Boat with all the Expedition they could, being pursued by between three and four hundred Men. [206.223] Our Men were but nine in all, [206.224] and only five of them had Fuzees with them; [206.225] the rest had indeed Pistols and Swords, [206.226] but they were of small Use to them. [206.227] We took up seven of our Men, and with Difficulty enough too, three of them being very ill wounded; [206.228] and that which was still worse, was that while we stood in the Boat to take our Men in, we were in as much Danger as they were in on Shore; [206.229] for they pour'd their Arrows in upon us so thick, that we were fain to barricade the Side of the Boat up with the Benches, and two or three loose Boards, which to our great Satisfaction we had by mere Accident or Providence in the Boat. [207.230] And yet, had it been Day-light, they are it seems such exact Marks-men, that if they could have seen but the least Part of any of us, they would have been sure of us. [207.231] We had by the Light of the Moon a little Sight of them, as they stood pelting us from the Shore with Darts and Arrows; [207.232] and having got ready our Fire-Arms, we gave them a Volley, that we could hear by the Cries of some of them, that we had wounded several; [207.233] however, they stood thus in Battle Array on the Shore till Break of Day, which we suppose was, that they might see the better to take their Aim at us. [207.234] In this $Condition we lay, [207.235] and could not tell how to weigh our Anchor, or set up our Sail, because we must needs stand up in the Boat, [207.236] and they were as sure to hit us, as we were to hit a Bird in a Tree with small Shot. [207.237] We made Signals of Distress to the Ship, which, tho' we road a League off, yet my Nephew, the Captain, hearing our Firing, and by Glasses perceiving the Posture we lay in, and that we fir'd towards the Shore, pretty well understood us; [207.238] and weighing Anchor, with all Speed, he stood as near the Shore as he durst with the Ship, [207.239] and then sent another Boat with ten Hands in her to assist us; [207.240] but we call'd to them not to come too near, telling them what Condition we were in: [207.241] However, they stood in nearer to us; [207.242] and one of the Men taking the End of a Tow-Line in his Hand, and keeping our Boat between him and the Enemy, so that they could not perfectly see him, swam on board us, [207.243] and made fast the Line to the Boat; upon which we slipp'd our little Cable, [207.244] and leaving our Anchor behind, they tow'd us out of Reach of the Arrows, we all the while lying close behind the Barricado we had made. [208_misnumbered_as_228.245] As soon as we were got from between the Ship and the Shore, that she could lay her Side to the Shore, she run along just by them, [208_misnumbered_as_228.246] and we pour'd in a Broad-side among them loaden with Pieces of Iron and Lead, small Bullets, and such Stuff, besides the great Shot, which made a terrible Havock amongst them. [208_misnumbered_as_228.247] When we were got on board, and out of Danger, we had Time to examine into the Occasion of this Fray; [208_misnumbered_as_228.248] and indeed our Supra-Cargo who had been often in those Parts, put me upon it; [208_misnumbered_as_228.249] for he said, he was sure the Inhabitants would not have touch'd us after we had made a Truce, if we had not done something to provoke them to it. [208_misnumbered_as_228.250] At length it came out, viz. that an old Woman who had come to sell us some Milk, had brought it within our Poles, with a young Woman with her, who also brought some Roots or Herbs; [208_misnumbered_as_228.251] and while the old Woman, whether she was Mother to the young Woman or no, they could not tell, was selling us the Milk, one of our Men offer'd some Rudeness to the Wench that was with her, at which the old Woman made a great Noise. [208_misnumbered_as_228.252] However, the Seaman would not quit his Prize, [208_misnumbered_as_228.253] but carry'd her out of the old Woman's Sight among the Trees, it being almost dark. [208_misnumbered_as_228.254] The old Woman went away without her, [208_misnumbered_as_228.255] and as we suppose, made an Out-cry among the People she came from; who upon Notice, rais'd this great Army upon us in three or four Hours; [208_misnumbered_as_228.256] and it was great Odds, but we had been all destroy'd. [208_misnumbered_as_228.257] One of our Men was kill'd with a Launce thrown at him just at the Beginning of the Attack, as he sally'd out of the Tent they had made; [208_misnumbered_as_228.258] the rest came off free, all but the Fellow who was the Occasion of all the Mischief, who paid dear enough for his black Mistress; [208_misnumbered_as_228.259] for we could not hear what became of him a great while. [209.260] We lay upon the Shore two Days after, tho' the Wind presented, [209.261] and made Signals for him; [209.262] made our Boat sail up Shore and down Shore, several Leagues, but in vain; [209.263] so we were oblig'd to give him over, [209.264] and if he alone had suffer'd for it, the Loss had been the less. [209.265] I could not satisfie my self, however, without venturing on Shore once more, to try if I could learn any Thing of him or them; [209.266] it was the third Night after the Action, that I had a great Mind to learn, if I could by any Means, what Mischief we had done, and how the Game stood on the Indians Side: [209.267] I was careful to do it in the Dark, lest we should be attack'd again; [209.268] but I ought indeed to have been sure, that the Men I went with had been under my Command, before I engag'd in a Thing so hazardous and mischievous as I was brought into by it, without my Knowledge or Design. [209.269] We took twenty stout Fellows with us as any in the Ship, besides the Supra-Cargo and my self, [209.270] and we landed two Hours before Midnight, at the same Place where the Indians stood drawn up the Evening before. [209.271] I landed here, because my Design, as I have said, was chiefly to see if they had quitted the Field, and if they had left any Marks behind them of the Mischief we had done them; [209.272] and I thought, if we could surprize one or two of them, perhaps we might get our Man again by Way of Exchange. [209.273] We landed without any Noise, [209.274] and divided out Men into two Bodies, whereof the Boatswain commanded one, and I the other; [209.275] we neither saw or heard any Body stir when we landed, [209.276] and we march'd up one Body at a Distance from the other, to the Place, [210.277] but at first could see nothing, it being very dark; till by and by, our Boatswain that led the first Party, stumbled, and fell over a dead Boy. [210.278] This made them halt a while, [210.279] for knowing by the Circumstances that they were at the Place, where the Indians had stood, they waited for my coming up. [210.280] Here we concluded to halt till the Moon began to rise, which we knew would be in less than an Hour, when we could easily discern the Havock we had made among them; [210.281] we told two and thirty Bodies upon the Ground, whereof two were not quite dead: [210.282] Some had an Arm, and some a Leg shot off, and one his Head; [210.283] those that were wounded we suppos'd they had carried away. [210.284] When we had made, as I thought, a full Discovery of all we could come at the Knowledge of, I was resolv'd for going on Board; [210.285] but the Boatswain and his Party sent me Word, that they were resolv'd to make a Visit to the Indian Town, where these Dogs, as they call'd them, dwelt, [210.286] and ask'd me to go along with them; [210.287] and if they could find them, as still they fancied they would, they did not doubt getting a good Booty, [210.288] and it might be, they might find Tho. Jeffery there, [210.289] that was the Man's Name we had lost. [210.290] Had they sent to ask my Leave to go, I knew well enough what Answer to have given them; [210.291] for I would have commanded them instantly on Board, knowing it was not a Hazard fit for us to run, who had a Ship, and Ship-loading in our Charge, and a Voyage to make, which depended very much upon the Lives of the Men; [210.292] but as they sent me Word they were resolved to go, and only ask'd me and my Company to go along with them, I positively refus'd it, [210.293] and rose up, for I was sitting on the Ground, in Order to go to the Boat. [211.294] One or two of the Men began to importune me to go, [211.295] and when I refus'd positively, began to grumble, and say they were not under my Command, and they would go: [211.296] Come Jack, says one of the Men, will you go with me? [211.297] $I $'ll go for one; [211.298] Jack said he would, [211.299] and another followed, and then another: [211.300] And in a Word, they all left me but one, whom I persuaded to stay, and a Boy left in the Boat; [211.301] so the Supra-Cargo and I, with the third Man, went back to the Boat, where we told them we would stay for them, and take Care to take in as many of them as should be left; [211.302] for I told them it was a mad Thing they were going about, [211.303] and supposed most of them would run the Fate of Thomas Jeffery. [211.304] They told me, like Seamen, $they $'d warrant it they would come off again, and they would take Care, &c. [211.305] So away they went: [211.306] I entreated 'em to consider the Ship and Voyage; that their Lives were not their own, and that they were entrusted with the Voyage in some Measure that if they miscarry'd, the Ship might be lost for want of their Help, and that they could not answer it to God or Man. [211.307] I said a great deal more to 'em on that Head, [211.308] but I might as well have talk'd to the Main Mast of the Ship; [211.309] they were mad upon their Journey, [211.310] only they gave me good Words, [211.311] and begg'd I would not be angry: That they would be very cautious, and they did not doubt but they would be back again in $about $an Hour at farthest; [211.312] for the Indian Town, they said, was not above half a Mile off, though they found it above two Miles before they got to it. [211.313] Well, they all went away, as above; [212.314] and tho' the Attempt was desperate, and such, as none but mad Men would have gone about, yet to give them their due, they went about it as warily as boldly: [212.315] They were gallantly armed, $that $'s true; [212.316] for they had every Man a Fuzee or Musket, a Bayonet, every Man a Pistol; [212.317] some of them had broad Cutlasses, some of them Hangers, [212.318] and the Boatswain and Two more, had Pole-Axes: Besides all which, they had among them thirteen Hand-Grenadoes. [212.319] Bolder Fellows, and better provided, never went about any wicked Work in the World. [212.320] When they went out, their chief Design was plunder, [212.321] and they were in mighty hopes of finding Gold there; [212.322] but a Circumstance which none of them were aware of, set them on Fire with Revenge, [212.323] and made Devils of them all. [212.324] When they came to the few Indian Houses which they thought had been the Town, which was not above half a Mile off; they were under a great Disappointment; [212.325] for there were not above 12 or 13 Houses; [212.326] and where the Town was, or how big, they knew not: [212.327] They consulted therefore what to do, [212.328] and were some time before they could resolve: [212.329] For if they fell upon these, they must cut all their Throats, [212.330] and it was ten to one but some of them might escape, it being in the Night, tho' the Moon was up; [212.331] and if one escaped, he would run away, and raise all the Town, so they should have a whole Army upon them: [212.332] Again, on the other hand, if they went away, and left those untouch'd for the People were all asleep they could not tell which Way to look for the Town. [212.333] However, the last was the best Advice; [212.334] so they resolved to leave them, and look for the Town as well as they could. [212.335] They went on a little Way, [212.336] and found a Cow tied to a Tree; [212.337] this they presently concluded, would be a good Guide to them; [213.338] for they said, the Cow certainly belong'd to the Town before them, or the Town behind them; [213.339] and if they untied her, they should see which Way she went; [213.340] if she went back they had nothing to say to her; [213.341] but if she went forward, they had nothing to do but to follow her: [213.342] So they cut the Cord, which was made of twisted Flags, [213.343] and the Cow went on before them, [213.344] in a Word, the Cow led them directly to the Town, which as they report, consisted of above 200 Houses, or Huts; [213.345] and in some of these, they found several Families living together. [213.346] Here they found all in Silence, as profoundly secure, as Sleep, and a Country that had never seen an Enemy of that Kind could make them; [213.347] and first, they call'd another Council, to consider what they had to do; [213.348] and in a Word, they resolv'd to divide themselves into three Bodies, and to set three Houses on Fire in three Parts of the Town; and as the Men came out, to seize them and bind them; if any resisted, they need not be ask'd what to do then, and so to search the rest of the Houses for Plunder; [213.349] but they resolv'd to march silently first, thro' the Town, and see what Dimensions it was of, and if they might venture upon it or no. [213.350] They did so, [213.351] and desperately resolv'd that they would venture upon them; [213.352] but while they were animating one another to the Work, three of them that were a little before the rest, call'd out aloud to them, [213.353] and told them they had found Tom. Jeffery; [213.354] they all run up to the Place, [213.355] and so it was indeed; [213.356] for there they found the poor Fellow hang'd up naked by one Arm, and his Throat cut; [214.357] there was an Indian House just by the Tree, where they found sixteen or seventeen of the principal Indians who had been concern'd in the Fray with us before; and two or three of them wounded with our Shot; [214.358] and our Men found they were awake, and talking one to another in that House, [214.359] but knew not their Number. [214.360] The Sight of their poor mangled Comrade so enrag'd 'em, as before, that they swore to one another they would be reveng'd, and that not an Indian who came into their Hands should have Quarter, [214.361] and to Work they went immediately; and yet not so madly as by the Rage and Fury they were in might be expected. [214.362] Their first Care was to get something that would soon take Fire; [214.363] but after a little Search, they found that would be to no Purpose; [214.364] but most of the Houses were low, and thatch'd with Flags or Rushes, of which the Country is full; [214.365] so they presently made some wild Fire, as we call it, by wetting a little Powder in the Palms of their hands, [214.366] and in a Quarter of an Hour they set the Town on fire in four or five Places; and particularly that House where the Indians were not gone to Bed. [214.367] As soon as the Fire began to blaze, the poor frighted Creatures began to rush out to save their Lives; [214.368] but met with their Fate in the Attempt, and especially at the Door, where they drove 'em back, the Boatswain himself killing one or two with his Pole-Axe. [214.369] The House being large, and many in it, he did not care to go in, [214.370] but call'd for a Hand-Grenado, [214.371] and threw it among 'em, which at first frighted 'em; but when it burst, made such Havock among 'em, that they cried out in a hideous manner. [215.372] In short, most of the Indians who were in the open Part of the House, were killed or hurt with the Grenado, except two or three more who press'd to the Door, which the Boatswain and two more kept with their Bayonets in the Muzzles of their Pieces, and dispatch'd all who came that Way. [215.373] But there was another Apartment in the House where the Prince or King, or whatever he was, and several other were, [215.374] and these they kept in till the House, which was by this time all of a light Flame, fell in upon them, and they were smother'd or burnt together. [215.375] All this while they fir'd not a Gun, because they would not waken the People faster than they could master them; [215.376] but the Fire began to waken them fast enough, [215.377] and our Fellows were glad to keep a little together in Bodies; [215.378] for the Fire grew so raging, all the Houses being made of light combustible Stuff, that they could hardly bear the Street between them, [215.379] and their Business was to follow the Fire for the surer Execution. [215.380] As fast as the Fire either forc'd the People out of those Houses which were burning, or frighted them out of others, our People were ready at their Doors to knock them on the Head, still calling and hallooing to one another, to remember Thom. Jeffery. [215.381] While this was doing, I must confess I was very uneasie, and especially when I saw the Flames of the Town, which, it being Night, seem'd to be just by me. [215.382] My Nephew, the Captain, who was rouz'd by his Men too, seeing such a Fire, was very uneasie, not knowing what the Matter was, or what Danger I was in; especially hearing the Guns too; [215.383] for by this time they began to use their Fire-Arms; [215.384] a thousand Thoughts opprest his Mind concerning me and the Supra-Cargo what should become of us: [215.385] And at last, tho' he could ill spare any more Men, yet not knowing what Exigence we might be in, he takes another Boat, [215.386] and with 13 Men and himself, come on Shore to me. [s0387] [216.388] He was surpriz'd to see me and the Supra-Cargo in the Boat with no more than two Men; [216.389] and tho' he was glad that we were well, yet he was in the same Impatience with us to know what was doing; [216.390] for the Noise continu'd, [216.391] and the Flame encreas'd: [216.392] In short it was next to an Impossibility for any Men in the World, to restrain their Curiosity, to know what had happen'd, or their Concern for the Safety of the Men: [216.393] In a Word, the Captain told me, he would go and help his Men, let what would come. [216.394] I argu'd with him, as I did before with the Men, the Safety of the Ship, the Danger of the Voyage, the Interest of the Owners and Merchants, &c. [216.395] and told him, I would go, and the two Men, and only see if we could at a Distance learn what was like to be the Event, and come back and tell him. [216.396] It was all one, to talk to my Nephew, as it was to talk to the rest before; [216.397] he would go, he said, [216.398] and he only wish'd he had left but ten Men in the Ship; [216.399] for he could not think of having his Men lost for want of Help, [216.400] he had rather lose the Ship, the Voyage, and his Life and all; [216.401] and away went he. [216.402] In a Word, I was no more able to stay behind now, than I was to perswade them not to go; [216.403] so in short, the Captain order'd two Men to row back the Pinnace, and fetch twelve Men more, leaving the Long-Boat at an Anchor, and that when they came back, six Men should keep the two Boats, and six more come after us; so that he left only 16 Men in the Ship; [216.404] for the whole Ship's Company consisted of 65 Men, whereof two were lost in the last Quarrel, which brought this Mischief on. [216.405] Being now on the March, you may be sure we felt little of the Ground we trode on; [217.406] and being guided by the Fire, we kept no Path, [217.407] but went directly to the Place of the Flame. [217.408] If the Noise of the Guns was surprizing to us before, the Cries of the poor People were now of quite another Nature, [217.409] and fill'd us with Horror. [217.410] I must confess, I never was at the Sacking a City, or at the Taking a Town by Storm. [217.411] I had heard of Oliver Cromwell's, taking Drogheda in Ireland, and killing Man, Woman, and Child. [217.412] And I had read of Count Tilly's sacking of the City of Magdeburgh, and cutting the Throats of 22000 of all Sexes. [217.413] But I never had an Idea of the Thing it self before, [217.414] nor is it possible to describe it, or the Horror which was upon our Minds at hearing it. [217.415] However, we went on, [217.416] and at length came to the Town, tho' there was no entring the Streets of it for the Fire. [217.417] The first Object we met with, was the Ruins of a Hut or House, or rather the Ashes of it, [217.418] for the House was consumed; [217.419] and just before it, plain now to be seen by the Light of the Fire, lay four Men and three Women kill'd; [217.420] and as we thought, one or two more lay in the Heap among the Fire. [217.421] In short, there were such Instances of a Rage altogether barbarous, and of a Fury, something beyond what was human, that we thought it impossible our Men could be guilty of it, [217.422] or if they were the Authors of it, we thought they ought to be every one of them put to the worst of Deaths. [217.423] But this was not all, [217.424] we saw the Fire encreas'd forward, [217.425] and the Cry went on just as the Fire went on; so that we were in the utmost Confusion. [217.426] We advanced a little Way farther, [218.427] and behold, to our Astonishment, three Women naked, and crying in a most dreadful Manner, come flying, as if they had indeed had Wings, and after them sixteen or seventeen Men, Natives, in the same Terror and Consternation, with three of our English Butchers, for I can call them no better, in their Rear, who, when they could not overtake them, fired in among them, [218.428] and one that was killed by their Shot, fell down in our Sight. [218.429] When the rest saw us, believing us to be their Enemies, and that we would murder them as well as those that pursued them, they set up a most dreadful Shriek, especially the Women; [218.430] and two of them fell down as if already dead with the Fright. [218.431] My very Soul shrunk within me, [218.432] and my Blood run chill in my Veins, when I saw this; [218.433] and I believe, had the three English Sailors that pursued them come on, I had made our Men kill them all. [218.434] However, we took some Ways to let the poor flying Creatures know, that we would not hurt them, [218.435] and immediately they came up to us, [218.436] and kneeling down, with their Hands lifted up, made piteous Lamentation to us to save them, which we let them know we would: Whereupon they crept altogether in a Huddle close behind us, as for Protection. [218.437] I left my Men drawn up together, [218.438] and charg'd them to hurt no Body, but if possible to get at some of our People, and see what Devil it was possess'd them, and what they intended to do; and in a Word, to command them off; assuring them, that if they stay'd till Day-light, they would have an hundred thousand Men about their Ears. [218.439] I say, I left them, and went among those flying People, taking only two of our Men with me; [218.440] and there was indeed a piteous Spectacle among them. [218.441] Some of them had their Feet terribly burnt with trampling and running thro' the Fire, others their Hands burnt; [218.442] one of the Women had fallen down in the Fire, [218.443] and was very much burnt before she could get out again; [219.444] and two or three of the Men had Cuts in their Backs and Thighs from our Men pursuing; [219.445] and another was shot thro' the Body, [219.446] and died while I was there. [219.447] I would fain have learned what the Occasion of all this was, [219.448] but I could not understand one Word they said; tho' by Signs I perceived that some of them knew not what was the Occasion themselves. [219.449] I was so terrified in my Thoughts at this outrageous Attempt, that I could not stay there, but went back to my own Men, [219.450] and resolved to go into the Middle of the Town thro' the Fire, or whatever might be in the Way, and put an End to it, cost what it would. [219.451] Accordingly, as soon as I came back to my Men, I told them my Resolution, [219.452] and commanded them to follow me, when in the very Moment came four of our Men with the Boatswain at their Head, roving over the Heaps of Bodies they had killed, all covered with Blood and Dust, as if they wanted more People to Massacre, when our Men halloo'd to them as loud as they could halloo, [219.453] and with much ado one of them made them hear; so that they knew who we were, [219.454] and came up to us. [219.455] As soon as the Boatswain saw us, he set up a Halloo like a Shout of Triumph, for having, as he thought, more Help come, [219.456] and without bearing to hear me, Captain, Says he, noble Captain, I am glad you are come! [219.457] We have not half done yet, villainous Hell-hound Dogs! [219.458] $I $'ll kill as many of them as poor Tom. has Hairs upon his Head. [219.459] We have sworn to spare none of them, [219.460] $we $'ll root out the very Nation of 'em from the Earth. [219.461] And thus he run on, out of Breath too with Action, [219.462] and would not give us Leave to speak a Word. [219.463] At last, raising my Voice, that I might silence him a little, Barbarous Dog, said I, what are you doing? [219.464] I $wo $n't have one Creature touch'd more, upon Pain of Death, [220.465] I charge you upon your Life, to stop your Hands, and stand still here, [220.466] or you are a dead Man this Minute. [220.467] Why, Sir, says he, do you know what you do, or what they have done? [220.468] If you want a Reason for what we have done, come hither. [220.469] And with that he shewed, me the poor Fellow hanging with his Throat cut, [220.470] I confess, I was urged then my self, and at another Time would have been forward enough; [220.471] but I thought they had carried their Rage too far, [220.472] and I thought of Jacob's Words to his Sons Simon and Levi. [220.473] Cursed be their Anger, for it was Fierce; and their Wrath for it was Cruel. [220.474] But I had now a new Task upon my Hands; [220.475] for when the Men I carried with me saw the Sight, as I had done, I had as much to do to restrain them, as I should have had with the other. [220.476] Nay, my Nephew himself fell in with them, [220.477] and told me in their Hearing, that he was only concerned for Fear of the Men being overpowered; [220.478] for as to the People, he thought not one of 'em ought to live; for they had all glutted themselves with the Murder of the poor Man, and that they ought to be used like Murderers. [220.479] Upon these Words, away run eight of my Men with the Boatswain and his Crew, to complete their bloody Work; [220.480] and I seeing it quite out of my Power to restrain them, came away pensive and sad; [220.481] for I could not bear the Sight, much less the horrible Noise and Cries of the poor Wretches that fell into their Hands. [220.482] I got no Body to come back with me but the Supra-Cargo and two Men; [220.483] and with these I walk'd back to the Boats. [220.484] It was a very great Piece of Folly in me, I confess, to venture back, as it were alone; [221.485] for as it began now to be almost Day, and the Alarm had run over the Country, there stood above forty Men armed with Lances and Bows at the little Place where the 12 or 13 Houses stood mention'd before; [221.486] but by Accident I miss'd the Place, [221.487] and came directly to the Sea-side; [221.488] and by the Time I got to the Sea-side it was broad Day. [221.489] Immediately I took the Pinnace, [221.490] and went aboard, [221.491] and sent her back to assist the Men in what might happen. [221.492] I observ'd about the Time that I came to the Boat-side, that the Fire was pretty well out, and the Noise abated; [221.493] but in about half an Hour after I got on Board, I heard a Volley of our Mens Fire-Arms, [221.494] and saw a great Smoke; [221.495] this, as I understood afterwards, was our Men falling upon the Men, who, as I said, stood at the few Houses on the Way, of whom they kill'd sixteen or seventeen, and set all those Houses on Fire, but did not meddle with the Women or Children.