Content Warning

Some of the works in this project contain racist and offensive language and descriptions that may be difficult or disturbing to read.  Please take care when reading these materials, and see our Ethics Statement and About page.

A
RELATION
OF THE
Great Sufferings
AND
Strange Adventures
Of HENRY PITMAN,
Chyrurgion to the late Duke of Monmouth, contain-
ing an Account;

1. Of the occasion of his being engaged in the Duke’s Service. 2. Of
his Tryal, Condemnation, and Transportation to Barbadoes, with
the most severe and Unchristian Acts made against him and his Fellow-sufferers, by the
Governour and General Assembly of that Island. 3. How he made his escape in a small
open Boat with some of his fellow Captives, namely, Jo. Whicker, Peter Bagwell, William
Woodcock, Jo. Cooke, Jeremiah Atkins, &c. And how miraculously they were preserved
on the Sea. 4. How they went ashore on a uninhabitable Island, where they met
with some Privateers that burnt their Boat, and left them on that desolate place to shift
for themselves. 5. After what manner they lived there for about three Moneths, until
the said Henry Pitman was taken aboard a Privateer, and at length arrived safe in Eng-
land. 6. How his Companions were received aboard another Privateer that was after-
wards taken by the Spainards, and they all made Slaves; And how aftar six Moneths
Captivity they were delivered, and returned to England also.

Licensed, June 13th, 1689.

London, Printed by Andrew Sowle; And are to be Sold by John Taylor, at the Sign
of the Ship in Paul`s Church-Yard, 1689.

(3)

A RELATION, &c.

AS a necessary Introduction to the following Relation, it will
be convenient that I give account of the occasion of my being
engaged with the rest that went in to the Duke of Monmouth,
and how far I was concerned in that Action.

Being at that time but newly returned from a Voyage to Italy, I went
to see my Relations at Sandford in Sommerset-shire, where I had not
been long before the Duke Landed at Lime, and making forwards, was
advanced as far as Ilmister; upon which I was induced partly out of
my own Curiosity, and partly by the Importunity of some of my
Acquaintance, to go and see whether his strength and number was an-
swerable to what the common Rumor had spread abroad; and to that pur-
posed rode accompanied with my Brother, and some other Friends to
Taunton, whither the Duke by this time was marching with such Forces as
he had got together.

After some stay there, having fully satisfied my Curiosity by a full
view both of his Person and his Army, I resolved to have returned home,
and in order thereunto I took the direct Road back again with a Friend,
who had the same Intention with my self, but understanding upon the
Road that if we went forward, we should be certainly intercepted by
the Lord of Oxford‘s Troop, then in our way, we found our selves of ne-
cessity obliged to retire back again to the Duke`s Forces, till we could
meet with a more safe and convenient opportunity: but after some time
losing my Horse, and no opportunity presenting it self, I was prevailed
with by the importunate desires of my Friends and Acquaintance then
in the Army, to stay and take care of the sick and wounded men, to
which I was the rather induced, in regard I thought my self liable to the
same punishment, should the Duke be defeated, as those who still remain-
ed in the Army; but more especially for that I saw many sick and woun-
ded men miserably lamenting the want of Chyrurgions to dress their
Wounds, so that Pity and Compassion on my fellow Creatures more
especially, being my Brethren in Christianity, obliged me to stay and
perform the Duty of my Calling among them, & to assist my Brother Chi-

(4)

rurgions towards the relief of those that otherwise must have languisht
in misery; tho’ indeed there were many did, notwithstanding our utmost
care and diligence, whose Lives perhaps might have been preserved to
this day, had we had a Garrison, wherein to have given them Rest, and
not have been constrained through the Cruelty and Inhumanity of the
King’s Soldiers, to expose their wounded and fractured Limbs to the vio-
lent agitation and shoging of the Carts in our daily Marches. But as I
was never in Arms my self, so neither was I wanting in my care to dress
the Wounds of many of the King’s Soldiers, who were Prisoners in the
Duke’s Army, using the utmost of my care and skill for both: And
thus I continued in full Employment, dressing the wounded in the Night
time, and marching by Day till the fatal rout and overthrow of the whole
Army.

In my flight homewards I was taken Prisoner, and committed to Ilche-
ster Goal by Col. Hellier, in whose Porch I had my Pockets rifled, and my
Coat taken off my Back by my Guard; and in that manner was hurried
away to Prison, where I remained, with many more under the same Cir-
cumstances, until the Assizes at Wells; tho’ perhaps there could not any
thing have been proved against most of us, to have done us much
harm, had they not extorted Confessions from us by sending certain
Persons to the Prisons where we were, who called us forth one after ano-
ther, and told us, That the King was very Gracious and Merciful, and would
cause none to be executed but such as had been Officers, or otherwise Capital Offen-
ders; and therefore if we would render our selves fit Objects of the King’s Grace
& Favour, our only way was to give them an Account where we went into the Duke’s
Army, and in what Capacity we served him, &c. otherwise we must expect no
mercy or favour from the King, who would certainly punish all such wilful and ob-
stinate Offenders. By which means they drew us into the Acknowledgment
of our Guilt, and our Examinations and Confessions were written and
sent to the King, before the Lord Chief Justice Jefferies came to try us:
so that he knew before-hand our perticular Crimes, and likewise received
Orders from the King (as ’tis supposed) who, and what Number to ex-
ecute; but seeing our former Confessions were sufficient only to find the
Bill against us by the Grand Jury, and not to prove us Guilty (the Petty
Jury being obliged to give their Verdict according to the Evidence in
Court) the Lord Chief Justice fearing lest we should deny what we for-
merly confest, and by that means put them to the trouble of proving it
against us, caused about twenty eight Persons at the Assizes at Dorchester,

(5)

to be chosen from among the rest, against whom he knew he could pro-
cure Evidence, and brought them first to their Tryal, who pleaded Not
Guilty; but Evidence being produced they were immediately condemned,
and a Warrant signed for their Excution the same After-noon. The sud-
dain Execution of these men so affrightned the rest, that we all, except
three or four, pleaded Guilty, in hopes to save our Lives, but not with-
out large Promises of the Kings Grace and Favour; for the Lord Chief
Justice told us, That if we would acknowledge our Crimes by pleading
Guilty to our Indictment, the King who was almost all Mercy, would be
as ready to forgive us, as we were to rebel against him; yea, as ready
to pardon us as we would be to ask it of him: and now was that common
saying verified, Confess and be hanged; for notwithstanding his large Pro-
mises of Grace and Favour, we were all condemned to be drawn, hanged,
& quartered, & by his order there was 230 executed, besides a great Number
hanged immediately after the Fight; the rest of us was ordered to be
Transported to the Caribe Islands, and in order thereunto my Brother and
I, with near 100 more, was given to Jeremiah Nepho, and by him sold
to George Penne a needy Papist, that wanted Money to pay for our Trans-
portation, and therefore was very importunate with my Relations to
purchase mine and my Brothers freedom, which my Relations at first
were unwilling to do, having no assurance of performing Articles at such
a distance, and therefore thought it best to defer it until we came to
Barbadoes, or otherwise to agree to pay him as soon as they should receive
an account of our being set free: But this not satisfying him, having pre-
sent occasion of Money, he threatned that if they would not pay him now,
he would give orders to his Brother-in-law in Barbadoes that our freedom
should not be sold us after we came there, but that he should treat us
with more rigour and severity then others; with these Threats on the
one hand, and Promises of particular Favour on the other, he at length
prevailed with our Relations, to give him threescore Pounds, upon con-
dition that we should be free when we came to Barbadoes, only owning
some Person whom we should think fit to nominate as a titular Master,
and in case that these, with other Conditions, was not performed, the
said George Penne was bound with his Brother John Penne in a Bond of 120 l.
to pay the threescore Pounds back again: And thus we may see the buy-
ing and selling of Free-men into slavery, was beginning again to be re-
newed among Christians, as if that Heathenish Custom had been a necessary
dependance on arbitrary Power.

(6)

And in order to our Transportation, we were removed to Weymouth,
and Shipt aboard a Vessel that belonged to London, which in a few days set
Sail for Barbadoes, where we arrived in about five Weeks time, but had
a very sickly passage, insomuch that nine of my Companions were buried
in the Sea. We had not been many days in Barbadoes, before the Go-
vernour of the said Island summoned the General Assembly, who wel-
comed us with the following Unchristian and Inhumane Acts.

An Act for the governing and retaining within this Island all such Rebels con-
vict as by his most sacred Majesties Order or Permit, have been or shall be
Transported from his Europian Dominion to this Place.

WHereas a most horrid, wicked and execrable Rebellion was lately raised and
prosecuted within his Majesties Dominions, by James Scot, late Duke of
Monmouth, and Archibald Campbell, late Earl of Argile, and their tray-
terous Complices, with intent to destroy his Majesties most sacred Person and
royal Family, to overthrow his Crown and Government, and to render his Dominions
the Theatres of Blood and Misery. In prevention whereof, it hath pleased the
divine Providence, which is ever peculiarly watchful to guard the Thrones of
Princes, to accompany his Majesties Counsel and Arms with such Success and
Victory, that the said Rebels and Traytors were utterly defeated, for which im-
pious Fact many of them have since deservedly suffered the pains of Death, accord-
ing to Law, which the rest were liable unto, being equally guilty of those barbarous
Crimes, and must have undergone, but that his Majesty, in his Princely and un-
parralled Grace and Clemency hath been pleased to extend his mercy in sparing the
Lives of several Thousands of them, by comuting the Execution of their Sentance
unto a temporary Service in his American Colonies; and forasmuch as his sacred
Majesty hath signified it as his royal Pleasure, that the said Rebels, or so many of
them as should be transported to his said American Collonies, should be there held
and obliged to serve the Buyers of them, for, and during the full space of and
term of ten Years at least, and that they be not permitted in any manner whatso-
ever to redeem themselves by Money, or otherwise, until that time be fully expi-
red. Therefore we his Majesties most dutiful and loyal Subjests, his Lieutenant
Governour, Council, and general Assembly of this his Majesties said Island, ta-
king the Premises into our serious Consideration, and being zealous to render all
due and ready Obedience to his Majesties Command, as also to make apparent with
how great abhorrence and detestation we resent the said late wicked, inhumane

(7)

and damnable Rebellion, and all those that were Promotors and Actors therein,
have thought it becoming our duty to Bnact, and it is hereby Enacted by the
Right Honourable Edward Steed, Esq; Lt. Governour and Commander in chief
of this and other the Caribbe Islands, the Honourable, the Council, and general
Assembly of this Island, and Authority of the same, That what Person or Per-
sons soever were guilty of the aforesaid Rebellion, and have been therefore Con-
vict, which either already have been, or hereafter shall be brought to this Island,
either by his Majesties order or permit for the purpose aforesaid, shall be held,
compelled and obliged to serve and obey the Owner or Purchaser of him or them in
their Plantations within this Island, in all such Labour or Service as they shall
be commanded to perform, and do by their Owners, Masters or Mistresses, or
their Overseers, for the full time and term of Ten Years, from the day of their
Landing, and disposed of fully to be compleated and ended, any Bargain, Law,
Usage or Custom in this Island to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding; and
to the intent that no Disobedience may be suffered or done upon his Majesties said
Orders and Expectations concerning the said Rebels convict, but that they may be-
come fully liable unto, and bare the aforesaid mark of their monstrous Villany.
It is farther enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That if any Master of a Ship,
Importer, Owner, Master or Purchaser of any of the Rebels aforesaid, shall ac-
quit, release or discharge them, or any of them, or do permit them, or any of
them to redeem themselves by Money, or other Reward, or Recompence, or Con-
sideration whatsoever, respecting either themselves or the said Rebels convict,
before the term of ten Years Service in this Island, as aforesaid, be fully com-
pleated and ended, or shall conive at, or assist unto their, or any of their Re-
moves, With-drawings or Escapings from off this Island, the Party or Parties so
offending herein shall therefore forfeit and pay unto his Majesty, his Heirs and
Successors the sum of two Hundred Pound Sterling for each, or every one of the
said Rebels, which by him or them shall be either aquitted, released, discharged
or permitted to be redeemed, or conived at, or assisted unto, a remove, with-
drawing or escaping off this Island, before the full end of the Term aforesaid,
over and above the value or recompence for which it was permitted or done; and
farther shall suffer Imprisonment in the Common Goal of this Island, for the space
and term of one whole Year, without Bail or Mainprize, and be for ever there-
after uncapable of bearing any publick Office within this Island.

And it is hereby further enacted and ordained by the Authority aforesaid, that
if one or more of the aforesaid Servants or Rebels convict, shall attempt, endea-
vour or contrive to make his or their escape from off this Island, before the said
term of ten Years be fully compleat and ended, such Servant or Servants for his

(8)

or their so attempting or indeavouring to make escape, shall upon proof thereof
made to the Governour, receive by his Warrant 39 Lashes on his bare Body on
some publick day in the next Market-Town to his Masters place of abode, and on
another Market day in the same Town, be set in the Pillory by the space of one
Hour, and be burnt in the Fore-head with the Letters F. T. signifying Fugitive
Traytor, so as the Letters may plainly appear in his Fore-head: but for all other
Misdimeanours and Miscarriages they shall be prosecuted and punished according
to the Laws of this Island provided for the governing of other Servants.

And to the end the said convict Rebels may be the better known & distinguisht,
it is hereby further enacted and ordained, that within eight days after the arrival
of any Ship or Vessel to this Island, in which any of the said convist Rebels are
brought, the Master of the said Ship shall deliver to the Governour, and in to the
Secrataries Office of this Island, a true List or Catalogue of those Names upon
Oath, and the Merchant or Merchants to whom they come confined, or who have
the disposal of them, shall also within eight dayes after finishing the Sale, give
unto the said Office a just account of the Persons Names to whom they were sold,
and disposed of; and in case of failure herein, the same shall forfeit to the King,
his Heirs and Successors the sum of Two Hundred Pounds Sterlings, and the
Merchant or Merchants shall forfeit in like manner the sum of two Hundred
Pounds Sterling.

And for such of the said convict Rebels as have been already Imported before
the making and publishing of this Act, the Master and Merchant of such Vessels
are hereby required forth-with to deliver to the Secratary such List or Cata-
logue as aforesaid, upon Penalty of the like forfeiture, which said List or Cata-
logue the said Secretary is required to receive and write out fairly, and cause to
be hung up in his Office, that all Persons concernced may have free recourse thereto.

And in case the first Buyer shall sell, or assign over any such Rebel or Rebels con-
vict, to any other Inhabitant or Inhabitants of this Island, the Vender is hereby
required to give notice thereof to the Secretary, to the end the Name or Names
of such Servant or Servants may be changed in the Secretarys Office, from the
first to the second, or other Purchaser or Assigns may stand charged as the first.

And in case of the death of any of the Servants aforesaid, it is hereby further
enacted, That the present Owner shall within fourteen days make, or cause Oath
to be made before the next, or some Justice of the Peace, of the Name and
Death of such a Servant, and that he really was in the Record, and not another
of the same Name, that by means of the Certificate sent to the Secretary’s Office
that the Secretary may charge him dead.

And if any Owners or Vendors shall fail in either of the Cases aforesaid, he

(9)

or they shall forfeit to his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors the sum of twenty
five Pound Sterling, and for the Secratary’s pains therein, and also in case of
changing Masters or Mistresses, the Secratary may receive for such Person, dead
or assigned over six Pence, and no more.

And to the end none of the Servants or convict Rebels may remove or escape
from this Island by obtaining Tickets under wrong Names, or other fraudulent or
illegal Methods of this kind, it is hereby further enacted and ordained by the Au-
thority aforesaid, that all Justices of the Peace that shall hereafter take Affidavits,
to be sent to the Secratary’s Office; for Persons that design to go off this Island shall
always express and insert in those Affidavits, that the Person so going off, and de-
siring a Ticket, is not one of those Servants and convict Rebels, without which
the Secratary is hereby forbidden to grant or produce a Ticket; and the Secra-
tary is also required to use the same method in such Affidavits as shall be taken
before himself, under the Penalty of forfeiting to his Majesty, his Heirs and Suc-
cessors the sum of two hundred Pound Sterling, for his neglect in either of these
cases, and whosoever obtaining a Ticket lawfully out of the Secratary’s Office,
being of the Name of any of those Rebels, or otherwise, and shall permit any of
the said Rebels of that Name, or others, to have such Tickets by which he may be
in a probable way of making his escape off this Island, shall forfeit to the use of our
Soveraign Lord the King, his Heirs and Successors, the sum of one hundred Pound
Sterling, if he be able to pay the same, and also suffer Imprisonment in the Com-
mon Goal by the space of six Moneths, without Bail or Mainprize, the said Com-
mitment to be made, and Execution to be levied by Warrant from the Govern-
nour, upon proof made before him by two Witnesses, or one Witness, with preg-
nant Circumstances; but in case such Persons be uncapable to make Payment of
such Forfeiture, he is hereby ordered to lie in Prison during the space of six
Moneths, and be set once in the Pillory by the space of two Hours at a time, in each
of the four Market-Towns of this Island on four several dayes.

And for the encouragement of all such as shall inform or discover any false,
fraudulant or wicked Practice of this kind, it is hereby enacted, that one fifth
part of all forfeits in the Act mentioned, shall be to the use and benefit of such
Informers.

And to the end the Restraint continuing and holding the said Rebels convict
within this Island, during the term aforesaid, may be the effectually and fully se-
cured and provided for, and also for preventing the Servants, Slaves and Deb-
tors of this Island from running of, by which some have perished in the Sea, It is
is hereby further enacted and ordained by the Authority aforesaid, that every Owner
or Keeper of any small Vessel, Sloop, Shallop, Wherry, Fishing Boat, or any

(10)

other sort of Boat belonging to this Island, shall within twenty dayes after publica-
tion hereof, give into the Secratary’s Office of this Island in the sum of two hun-
dred Pound Sterling, excepting the small Boats and Wherries, who are to enter
in the sum of ten Pound Sterling, that he will not convey or carry off from this
Island any of the asoresaid Rebels convict, or any other Person that hath not a law-
ful Ticket, or will permit, suffer, or consent to the same, but will use his utmost
skill, care and diligence in securing and guarding his small Vessel, Sloop, Shallop
or Boat, in such manner as may most probably prevent the Escapes of such Fugi-
tives; and if any Owner, or Keeper of such small Vessel, Sloop, Shallop or Boat,
shall hereafter make Sale, Change, or any other Alienation thereof, without first
giving notice in the Secratary’s Office, that new security may be there taken, such
Vessel, Shallop or Boat shall be forfeited to his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors,
and the vendor to be further obliged to put in Security to answer all Damages that
may happen by reason of such Sale, before security so given; and the like Method
and Forfeitures is hereby required and appointed unto Masters of Ships in case
they shall sell, or dispose of any Beat to any of the Inhabitants of this Island. And
whosoever shall hereafter build or set up in this Island any small Vessel, Sloop, Shallop
or Boat, shall, when he or they builds the same, enter in to the Security aforesaid,
under the Penalty of forfeiting the materials thereof to his Majstey, his Heirs
and Successors.

And be it further ordained and enacted, that the Secratary shall have, and
recive for the Bond and Certificate for Wherrys, fishing Boats, and other small
Boats, only fifteen Pence; and for all other Vessels of a greater bulk five Shil-
lings each, as has been accustomary.

And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that it shall be Fellony in
every Master of every Shallop, Sloop, Wherry or other Boat belonging to this
Island, that runneth away with any Shallop, Sloop, Wherry, or other Boat which
they command.

And it is further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that if any Woman in
this Island, Owner or Mistress of any such convict Rebels, by any means whatsoever
shall Inter-marry with any of the said convict Rebels, whereby the said Rebels may
become free feom their Servitude, or suffer or consent to the Marriage of their
Daughters, or other near Relations, by which such Servant is freed, conived at,
or eased from his servitude aforesaid, that upon notice thereof given to the Go-
vernour and Coucil of such Marriage or Marriages, such Rebel or Rebels afore-
said shall notwithstanding be by the Governour and Council ordered to serve the re-
mainder of his time to some other Person whom the Governour and Council shall
think fit, and the Woman so marrying, as aforesaid, is to forfieit to our Soveraign

(11)

Lord the King, his Heirs or Assigns the sum of two hundred Pound Sterling,
and suffer six Moneths Imrisonment for such her inter-marrying with any of the
said Rebels convict.

And lastly, it is enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that the Act be published
by the Minister of the several Parishes in this Island, in their several Parish
Churches once in every six Moneths from the Date hereof, upon such Penalty as
the Governour and Council for the time being shall think fit to impose on the Person
so neglecting to publish the same.

Given under my Hand the fourth day of January, 1685.
Edw. Steed.

BUt to return to my discourse, we were consigned to Charles Thomas
and his Company, with perticular Orders and Instructions from
George Penne not to sell me nor my Brother, but permit us to make choice
of some Person to own as a titular Master; however, they were so un-
kind, they would not allow us that liberty, but compelled us contrary
to our Desires and Inclinations to live with one Robert Bishop, pretend-
ing that they had not absolutely sold us to him, but could remove us
again in case we disliked our place; and that the ofore-mentioned George
Penne might not be obliged to repay the Money we gave him, they told
us we should have the yearly Salary of twenty Pounds, which they were
to receive for our Service: But these pretences were only to amuse us, for
afterwards when we were constrained by the great unkindness of our
Master to address our selves unto them, not only in Person, but also by
many importunate and affectionate Letters, intreating them to use their
utmost endeavour and interest with our Master in order to remove us,
but we found it in vain for they had possitively sold us, and also given it
in on their Oaths at the Secrataries Office.

When our Master perceived that we were uneasie, and unwilling to
serve him, he grew more and more unkind unto us, and would not give
us any Clothes, nor me any benefit of my Practise, whereby to enable me
to provide for my self; for I was obliged to give him an account of what
Physick I administred out of his Plantation, and he received the Money
for the same. Our Diet was very mean, five Pound of salt Irish Beef,
or salt Fish a Week for each man, and Indian or Guiny Corn ground
on a Stone, and made into Dumplins instead of Bread; which
course and meane fare brought me to a violent Flux, insomuch that I
was focced to complain to my Master, desiring him to allow me some

(12)

Flower instead of Indian Corn to make Dumplins withal, and humbly re-
commended to his consideration my Profession and Practice, which I hoped
would render me deserving of better Accomodation than was usually al-
lowed to other Servants; but he, not moved with Pity, angrily replyed,
I should not have so good. Whose unkind answer moved me so, that I had
the confidence to tell him, That I would no longer serve him, nor any
other as a Surgeon, unless I were entertained according to the just Merits
of my Profession and Practice, and that I would chuse rather to work in
the Field with the Negroes, than to dishonour my Profession by serving
him as a Physitian and Surgeon, and to accept of the same entertainment
as common Servants. My angry Master at this was greatly enraged, and
the fiery Zeal of his immoderate Passion was so heightned by some lying
Stories of a fellow Servant, that he could not content himself with
the bare execution of his Cane on my Head, Arms and Back, although
he had played so long thereon like a furious Fencer, until he had split him
in pieces, but he also confined me close Prisoner in the Stocks, which
stood in a open place, exposed to the scorching heat of the Sun, where
I remained about twelve Hours, until my Mistriss, moved either with
Pitty or Shame, gave oder for my release.

It would be too tedious to give a perticular Account of the many other
Abuses and Unkindnesses we received at his Hands, and therefore it shall
suffice to say that in this condition we lived with him about fifteen
Moneths, until by his debauched and extravagant course of Life he had run
himself so extreamly in Debt, and perticularly to those Merchants that
sold us to him, that he could not well pay for us; for which reason we
were removed from him, but the Merchants were forced to remit the
Money due for our Service, before he would return us. And now being
returned again, we remained in the Merchants Hands as Goods unsold;
and because I would not consent to be disposed of at their pleasure, they
threatned to Horse-whip me, and put me to servile Imployment.

But we had not been long here before my Brother dyed, and I being wea-
ried with long and fruitless Expectation of my Pardon, and no less per-
plexed and tired with the great Abuses I had received at their Hands, re-
solved to attempt the making my escape from off the Island; to which
purpose after several contrivances and ways that came into my Head, and
those well weighed with all the consequent Circumstances that possibly
I could foresee, I concluded at length to proceed after this manner:

Being introduced by a Friend into the acquaintance of one John Nuthall,

(13)

a Carver, whose condition was somewhat mean, and therefore one that
wanted Money to carry him off the Island, I imparted my design unto
him, and employed him to buy a Boat of a Guiney Man that lay in the Road,
promising him for his Reward not only his Passage free, and Money for
his present Expences, but to give him the Boat also when we arrived at
our Port.

By the way, it is to be understood, that the means which enabled me
to defray these extraordinary Charges, was a private Consignation of
Goods from my Relations to a perticular Friend in the Island, who took
care to dispose of them for me. John Nuthall therefore readily consented
to what I proposed, and after I had enjoyned him to secrecy, I delivered
him twelve Pounds to buy the Boat, which accordingly he did, and gave
in Security for the same at the Secratary’s Office, conformable to the Cu-
stom and Laws of the Island; nevertheless, all that would not prevent
the Jealousie of the Magistrates that sprung from the consideration of his
Poverty, and the little service they knew the Boat would do him, where-
upon they sent for John Nuthall, and strickly commanded him to discover
who it was that had employed him to buy the Boat, and threatned to put
him to his Oath; nevertheless they could get nothing out of him, for the
man had so much Courage, that he confidently denyed that any Person
had employed him, but that he bought the Boat meerly for his own use.

Yet was not all this sufficient, they still threatned to sease the Boat, un-
less he gave in better security; Upon which he came to me, to advise
what was best to be done, I ordered him forwith to sink the Boat;
which as it very much abated the suspition of the Magistrates, so it secu-
red the Boat from seisure: While these things were in agitation, one of
John Nuthall‘s Creditors, to whom he owed seven Pounds for Tools,
threatned to Arrest him, unless he paid him down the Money, which
was no small surprise to a Man that had no Money to make his Pay-
ment; however, having a days respite to procure satisfaction, he came
and told me, That unlses I would supply him with Money to pay his Debt, ne-
cessity would constrain him to discover my design; So that well knowing the
danger I was in, I was forced to supply him. And here I must not omit
to relate that by this time I had discovered my design to two of my Ac-
quaintance under the same Circumstances, Thomas Austin and John Whicker,
who readily agreed to be my Companions, and gave me what Money
they could well spare to help carry on the design, but my self was the
chief contriver and manager of the whole, having more time and liberty

(14)

than they; for I usually met John Nuthall every Night at some convenient
place, remote from the Town by the Sea side, where after we had con-
sulted together, he took his Instructions how to proceed.

In this interval of time, the Boat being sunk, and by that means the
suspition of the Magistrates quite over. John Nuthall‘s debt paid, and he
again secured to Secresie, we began to think of providing Necessaries
for our intended Voyage, which as they occured to my thoughts, I set
them down, that so nothing might be forgotten, which take as followeth,
A hundred weight of Bread, a convenient quantity of Cheese, a Cask of
Water, some few Bottles of Canary, Madera Wine, and Beer: These
for the support of Nature; and then for Use, a Compass, Quadrant, Chart,
half Hour-Glass, half Minute-Glass, Log and Line, large Tarpaulin, a
Hatchet, Hammer, Saw and Nailes, some spare Boards, a Lanthorn and
Candles: All which were privately conveyed to a Friends House not far
from the Water-side, to be in a readiness against the time. Which af-
ter I had bethought my self, who besides to make choice of for my Com-
panions, was the next thing to be considered of, but that a luckey chance
after a short expectation, presented us with one; for within few dayes
the Governour of Mevis putting in at the Barbadoes, the Governour, for
his more noble entertainment, caused the Malitia of the Town to be
in Arms, which was attended with Revelling, Drinking and Feasting to
excess; the consequence of which I easily conjectured would be drowsie
Security and Carelesness: This time I therefore thought most proper
for our intended enterprize, and gave notice thereof to my intended
Companions, most of whom I kept ignorant of my design until now, fear-
ing it should by any means be discovered, and ordered them not to carry
home their Arms, but to bring them after it was Night to a certain
Store-house by the Wharf, where I designed to put to Sea: the Store-
house being then under the care of John Wicker, one of my Confederates,
and therefore a most happy convenience to conceal both them and their
Arms till it was time to set Sail.

In the mean time John Nuthall employed two lusty Blacks to empty the
Water out of our Skiff, and set her a float, and then brought her to the
Wharf before the Store-house, whither by this time we had conveighed
our Necessaries, keeping the Blacks within the Store-house, that they
might have no opportunity to discover our design. About eleven a Clock
at Night, thinking it time to embark in our small Vessel, we assigned
one of our Company to stand Centry at the head of the Wharf, to give

(15)

us notice if the Watch should happen to come that way; and then with
all speed we put our Provisions and Necessaries aboard; which we had
no sooner done, but we had an Alarm that the Watch was approaching
to the head of the Wharf: a misfortune which so surprized us, that we
all of an instant betook our selves to our Heels, and for my own part
soon recovered a Friends House, giving all for lost, supposing my Com-
panions were fallen into the Enemies hands. But whilst I was condoling
my Misfortune to my Friend, and giving him a lamentable account of
our attempt and discovery, and also consulting whither to retire in the
Country to lie dormant if possible, till some better opportunity offered it
self, I heard a Person at the Window enquiring for me. At first I was
in a dreadful fear, lest it was one of the Watch in quick persuit after me,
but knowing him by his Voice to be one of my Companions, I gladly re-
ceived the account he gave me, which was, that the Watch came only to
call up one of their Number that was to watch with them that Night, and
then went away without taking the least notice of the Boat. However,
I was so disheartened by this unlucky Accident, that I was altogether un-
willing to make a second attempt, till at length over-ruled by the Im-
portunity of my Friend, more especially when he told me that they
all waited for me, and could not go without me (for neither of them
had any skill in Navigation) and considering the baseness of disappoint-
ing so many Persons whom I had ingaged in so much danger, I resolved
once more to hazard a burnt Forehead and sore Back, and going with
him to the Water side, I found my Companions by the Boat waiting for
me, and not a little glad to see me come again; then we put the Negroes
into the Store-house, charging them not to stir forth, or make any
noise till the Morning; and to incourage them to be faithful to us; I gave
them three half pieces of Eight for their good Service.

This done, and thus delivered from our Fears, we embarked in our
small Vessel, being in number eight, namely, John Whicker, Peter Bagwell,
William Woodcock, John Cooke, Jeremiah Atkins, and my self, which were
Sufferers on the account of the Duke of Monmouth; the other two was
John Nuthall who bought the Boat for me, and Thomas Waker. Thomas
Austin, of whom I formerly spake, was so possessed with fear of being
cast away, that he would not go with us: About Midnight we put off
to Sea, designing for Quirasao, a Dutch Island, that lies about 200 Leagues
thence, for we durst not go to any English Island, for fear we should be
taken and sent back again. We rowed softly forward within a Pistols

(16)

shot of the Fort; for there lay at that time a Man of War in the Road,
which made us not a little afraid of being discovered by those watchful
Enemies, but Providence so ordered it, that we passed both without dis-
covery. However, by that time we were got clear of the Fort and
Shiping, our Boat being so extream leaky, had taken in so much
Water, that we were almost ready to sink, not daring to heave it out
before for fear of making a noise to alarm our Enemies: But having the
conveniency of a Tub and large wooden Bowle, we fell to work, and in
a little time we pretty well emptied our Boat, and then we set our Mast
and hoisted our Sail, and steered our Course South-West as near as I could
judge, (intending to make the great Granada) for our Candles being brui-
sed into one mass of Tallow, and our Tinder and Matches wet, we
could not strike a light to steere by our Compass, neither indeed had we
any Candles lighted for the same Reason, during our whole Voyage, so
that in the Night we were forced to steere by the Stars, and when it
was cloudy, by the Wind.

That which troubled us most, was the leakiness of our little Vessel, for
although we endeavoured all we could to stop her gaping Seams, with
our Linnen, and all the Rags we had, which we tallowed with our brui-
sed Candles, yet she was so thin, so feeble, so heavy loaden, and wrought
so exceedingly, by reason of the great motion of the Sea, that we could not
possibly make her tight, but was forced to keep one Person almost con-
tinually Night and Day, to throw out the water, during our whole Voyage;
the same Night most of my Companions were so Sea sick, that notwith-
standing we were all ready to sink, I could hardly perswade them to
throw out the Water, and my place being at the Helm to guide and go-
vern the Boat, I could not safely go thence; however at length, through
great Importunity and earnest Perswasions, I prevailed with them to
take a little pains to preserve us from drowning. My Companions now
began to wish themselves at Barbadoes again, and would willingly have
returned, but I told them, there was no possibility of it, being so far to
leward of the Island. One of them through Carelesness in heaving out
the Water, threw over our wooden Bowle, and we running away with
a large Wind, could not go back to take it up, so that we had nothing
left to throw out the Water but our Tub, which obliged them to be more
careful of it, for our Lives were concerned therein.

May the 10th, in the Morning we were got almost out of sight of the
Island, at least far enough from being descried from thence: And per-

(17)

ceiving no sort of Vessel in persuit of us, we began to be cheered up with
the thoughts of our Liberty, and the hopes of our safe arrival at our
desired Port: But then alas! the Night no sooner approacht, but we
were assailed with a brisk Gale of Wind, under which misfortune ano-
ther worse befell us, that we split our Rudder, so that we were forced to
lower our Sail, and with an Oar to keep our Boat before the Sea, whilst
one of my Company (a Joyner) mended our Helm, by nailing to it two
pieces of Boards, that done, we went cheerily on again.

May the 11th, we had indifferent good Weather, and my Companions
pretty well recovered of their Sea sickness, and now we had time to put
things in a better posture in our Boat, and to raise her, which we did by
nailing on Tarpolings from her sides to our Oars, that were lasht fast
about nine Inches above, which did us good service in keeping out the
Sea: We likewise made a Tilt, with a Hamock over the hinder part of
our Boat, to defend us from the scorching heat of the Sun.

May the 12th, this Morning notwithstanding we steered South-West to
weather the Great Granada the Currant had set us so much to the North-
ward, that we made the Granadilloes to bear West of us, which obliged us
to steere more Southerly to weather the Great Granada.

May the 13th, the last Night we weathered the Great Granada, and
steered down the South side of the same, and then shaped our Course
for the Testegoes, for I could not take any true Observation by my Qua-
drant, because of the uneven motion of the Sea, and the nearness of the
Sun to the Zenith, and therefore was constrained to steere a Course from
Island to Island, though the farther way about.

May the 14th, We had fair Weather, and a fresh Gale of Wind, and
about Noon, as I remember, we made the Testegoes, bearing South, South-
West, and before Night made the North-East end of the Magaretaes. But
by this time being so extreamly spent for want of sleep, having been obli-
ged for the most part Night and Day to steere the Boat, I was desirous to
take a little Rest, but first I directed one of my Companions how to
steere down by the said Island, and then composed my self to Sleep, in
which interval of time my Companions eagerly longing for fresh Water,
regard ours stunk so extreamly as it did, stood in for the Land, and loar’d
the Sail, designing to go ashore, at which time I happily awoke, and ap-
prehending the great danger of falling into the Hands of the Indians, who
had already kindled a Fire on the Shore not far from us, I caused the
Sail again to be hoistup, & hasted away with all Expedition, & being favou-

(18)

red with a brisk Gale of Wind got soon out of fear or danger of those
savage Canibals.

May the 15th, we had fair Weather, and very pleasant Sailing down
the North side of this Island: But when we had got about the middle of
the Island my Companions were no less importunate than before to go
ashore for fresh Water; to which I at length consented, partly because
I saw that part of the Island free from Inhabitants, and partly enticed
by the fair appearance of a sandy Bay, and the Water seemed so smooth,
that I thought we could not injure our Boat by running her ashore, in
regard we had neither Anchor nor Grapling to ride her off. But con-
trary to our expectations, and to our great surprisal, we found the Ground
near the Shore exrream foul, and the Sea heaved us so fast in, that we
could not possibly avoid being split on the Rocks, had not I leapt into the
Sea to fend her off, which whilst I laboured to do with my Feet against
the Rock, till I was almost spent, my Companions with their two Oars
rowed her off, at which our Hearts were filled with Joy, and our Mouthes
with Praises to the Lord, who had so wonderfully preserved us from be-
ing cast away on this Island, where probably we must either have been
starved our selves, or have become Food for those inhumane Man-eaters.
From the West end of this Island we directed our Course for Saltatudos, but
that After-noon the Wind increased, and a white Ring encircled the
Moon, which I thought presaged ill Weather, and to our great sorrow
proved too true, for about nine at Night a dreadful Storm arose, which
made us despair of ever seeing the Morning-Sun; and now the Sea be-
gan to foam, and to turn its smooth Surface into Mountains and Vales,
our Boat was tossed and tumbled from one side to the other, and so vio-
lently driven and hurried away by the fury of the Wind and Sea, that I
was affraid we should be driven by the Island in the Night time, and
therefore we brought our Boat too, with her Head against the Sea; but the
Wind and Sea still increasing we was forced to bear up before it, with only
Sail sufficient to give her steeridge way. And now in vain we began to
wish our selves at the Barbadoes again, or which was worse on that Island
on which we were so lately like to have been wrackt, believing that a
Misery then, which now we should have thought a happiness; and that
which confirmed us the more in the certainty of our approaching Ruin,
was an unexpected Voice, which to our thinking, seemed to hallow to
us at a great distance. But the Omnipotent, who is never unmindful of
the Cries of his People in Distress, heard our Prayers; so that when all

(19)

our Hopes were given over, and we had resigned our selves into his
Hands, expecting every moment when the wide gaping Sea would de-
vour and swallow us up, God of his infinite Mercy and unspeakable
Goodness, commanded the violence of the Winds to cease, and allayed
the fury of the raging Waves, eternal Praises to his Name for evermore.

May the 16th, this Morning at break of Day saw the Island of Salta-
tudos just before us, and when it was sufficiently light that we could dis-
cern how the Land lay, we steered down the North side, intending to go
ashore at some convenient place to refresh our selves after that dreadful
Storm, and to take on board some fresh Water, and if possible to stop
the leaks of our Boat, in order to proceed in our Voyage for Quirasoe,
and accordingly when we came to leward of a small Island hard by the
other, we stood in directly for the shore, thinking it a convenient place
to Land, which we had no sooner done, but we saw a Canow coming
thence directing her Course towards us; at which sight being a little sur-
prised, my Companions provided their Arms, and charged their Mus-
quets and Blunderbuss with pieces of Glass-Bottles (for we coming
from Barbadoes in so great a hurry and fear, through forgetfulness they
left their Bag of Bullets on the Wharf.) When they were come some-
what nearer, that we could perceive them to paddle like Indians, we bore
up and were running from them; which as soon as they perceived they
waved their Hats, and hailed us, by which we knew they were not In-
dians, as we supposed, and therefore permitted them to come nearer, and
perceiving them to be white men, we enquired what they were, they told
us, They were English men in distress, &c. and waited for an opportunity to go
off the Island. The account we gave them of our selves was very short,
That we came from one of the Windward Islands, by which they suppo-
sed we had fled for Debt, and should have continued in that belief, had
not Thomas Waker, one of my Companions, privately informed them,
that there was only he and John Nuthall that were Debtors, the rest
of us being Rebels; for he thought thereby to ingratiate himself and
Friend into their favour. But these Privateers (for so they were as we
afterwards understood) hated them the more for their Treachery, and
loved us the better, confessing that they were Rebels too, adding, That if
the Duke of Monmouth had had One Thousand of them, they would soon have
put to flight the King’s Army. But to proceed, when we came to the shore
the Privateers assisted us to hall up our Boat, that she might not be injured
by the Sea, having no conveniency to ride her off; which done, they

(20)

shewed us the Well of fresh Water, which was hard by their Huts,
where we refreshed our selves a little, and with our Sail we made a shade
to keep the Sun from us, and when we had so done, we lay down under
it to refresh our selves with Rest and Sleep, having had but little of either
all our Voyage, being so extreamly thronged together in our little Boat.
These Privateers at first were very kind to us, and gave us some of their Pro-
vision, and related to us the Story of their Adventures, which to the best of
my memory was thus that they formerly belonged to one Captain Yanche,
Commander of a Privateer of 48 Guns, that designed to plunder a Spanish
Town by the Gulf of Florida, called St Augusteen, and in order thereunto
sent thirty of them out into the Gulf of Florida, to take Canows from the
Indians for the more convenient and speedy Landing their men, but they
going ashore on the Main to turn Turtle, was set upon by the Indians, and
two of them killed on the place; however at length they put the Indians
to flight, and some time afterwards took two or three Canows, and one
Indian Prisoner, who conducted them to his own and his Fathers Planta-
tions (on condition they would afterwards set him free) where they
stored themselves with Provisions, and other Necessaries; but it cost
them dear, for their Quarter-Master and one more of the Company was
poysoned, by their unwary eating of Casader Roots, the rest of them went
with those Canows and Indian which they had taken, to the place ap-
pointed, expecting to meet their Man of War, but could not find him,
and therefore being necessitated to shift for themselves as well as they
could, they came to this Island, hoping to meet here with some Vessel
loading of Salt, in which they might get passage for some English Port,
but was disappointed here also, for the Ships were all gone before they
came.

After we had sufficiently refresht our selves with Rest and Sleep, and re-
turned to the Lord the Praises due unto his Name for this wonderful & mi-
raculous deliverance, we thought it time to consider how to stop the Leaks
of our Boat, and to raise a Deck over her with Rinds of Trees, &c. that we
might proceed in our intended Voyage for Quirasoe, our Intentions were
no sooner perceived by the Privateers, but they endeavoured to perswade us
from it, alledging the insufficient of our Boat, and the Dangers we were so
lately exposed unto, advising us rather to go with them in their Pereagoes
a Privateering, than to hazard our lives by a second attempt; with the like
Argument they would have easily prevailed with my Companions to con-
sent to go with them, had I not perswaded them to the contrary. But

(21)

when the Privateers saw it was in vain to perswade, they thought to com-
pel us by burning our Boat, supposing then that we would chuse rather to
go with them, then to stay upon the Island till Shiping came for Salt, which
would be eight or nine Moneths, and in the mean time to be in danger of
being taken by the Spainards for Privateers, or otherwise to be starved
with Hunger; for we had no more then four or five pound of Bread for
each man left. But this contrivance answered not their Expectations; for
notwithstanding they burnt our Boat, and took our Sails; and other U-
tensils from us, I continued my resolution, and chose rather to trust di-
vine Providence on that desolate and uninhabitable Island, than to par-
take or be any ways concerned with them in their Piracy, having confi-
dence in my self, that God who had so wonderfully and miraculously
preserved us on the Sea, and brought us to this Island, would in like
manner deliver us hence, if we continued faithful to him. And in order
to our better Accomodation and Preservation on this Island, I gave the
Privateers 30 pieces of Eight for the Indian they took on the Main (but
was not so true to their Promise as to set him at liberty (which I expect-
ed would be serviceable unto us in catching Fish, &c.)

About the 25th of May, twenty two of the Privateers having first rai-
sed the sides of their Pereagoes with Boards (fastened with the Nails they
saved in the burning our Boat) and fitted them for the Sea, they set sail, lea-
ving four of their Company behind that refused to go with them, as also
a Spanish Boat that was of no service to them, neither could be of any use
to us, unless we had Sails to sail her, and a Rudder to guide her, both of
which we wanted.

In this condition they left us, deprived of all ways and means of getting
off until the season aforesaid, unless God by a perticular Providence should
direct some Vessel or other to touch here.

But before I proceed to give account of our manner of Life in this place,
I think it necessary to give a short description of the Island it self, which
is scituated in the Latitude of 11 Degrees, and 11 Minutes North Latitude,
its extent is about twelve Miles in length, and two or three in breadth,
and is about one hundred and twenty Leagues from Barbadoes, called by
the Spainards Tortuga, from the great plenty of Turtle that resorts thither,
but our English gives it the Name of Saltitudos, because there is such great
quantity of Salt yearly brought from thence; the Spaniard claims the Pro-
priety of this Island, lying so near the Main where they inhabit, and
therefore will sometimes take our English Vessels as they are loading of

(22)

Salt, of which they took two the Season before we came there. The
East and West end of this Island is for the most part Sand, the middle
consists of hard and carggy Rocks, that are very poreous, resembling honey
Combs, and therefore we called them Honey-Comb Rocks: There is plen-
ty of small Bushes growing out of the Sand, and Shrubs from between
the Rocks, but no Timber Trees on the whole Island.

One the South side near the East end, is the Salenaes, or salt Ponds, from
whence the Salt is brought; which is thus made, the Sea or salt Water
penetrates through the beachy Banks of the Sea, and over-flows a large
Plain of two or three Miles circumference, near a Foot deep, where by
the scorching heat of the Sun the thin Aqueous part is exhaled, and the
Saline part is Coagulated into pure white Christaline Salt; and because
there is a continual supply of Salt Water from the Sea, the Sun continues
exhaling and coagulating, until the whole Salenaes is deeply covered over
with Salt, so that all they have to do is only to rake it together, and carry
it aboard. There is great plenty of Birds and Fowl, as Pellicans. Flammans,
Parakets, Mocking Birds, and a innumerable company of Sea-Fowl, and
some Vegitable Productions, of which I shall have occasion to treat here-
after.

But to return from this Digression, the Privateers had no sooner left
us, but we found our selves of necessity obliged to seek out for Provision,
and being led by the Example of those four Privateers that staid behind,
we walked along the Sea-shore to watch for Tortoise or Turtle, which
when they came up out of the Sea to lay their Eggs in the Sand, we turn-
ed them on their Backs, and they being uncapable of turning themselves
again, we let them remain so till the day following, or until we had con-
veniency of killing them; for if they were sufficiently defended from the
heat of the Sun by a shade, which we usually built over them, they would live
several days out of the Water: And thus we walked to and fro in the
Night time to turn Turtle, and in the Day time we were imployed in kil-
ling them, whose Flesh was the chiefest of our Diet, being roasted by
the Fire on wooden Spits; and sometimes when we designed a Feastival
we left some part of the Flesh on the Calepatch and Calapee, that is, the
Back and Breast Shells, which we roasted, by setting them upright in two
forked Sticks thrust into the Sand, before a large Fire: what we did not
eat we cut into long and slender pieces, and after we had salted it very
well, we dried it carefully in the Sun on ranges of Sticks set up for that
purpose; for we had no other way of preserving it, having nothing to

(23)

wet salt it in, but we found it so difficult to divide their shells, that we broke
our knives, and were forced to make new ones out of the swords my Com-
panions brought with them, which we did after this manner; first, we broke
them into suitable lengths, and softned them in the Fire, and then rub-
ed them on a Stone to a fit shape and thinness, and after we had hardened
them again, we fixt them in Hafts, and made them more serviceable
then our former. And here for the better Information of some Persons I
think fit to describe these Sea Beasts (if I may so call them) which are
somewhat of an Oval form, strongly defended on the Back and Breast
with a thick Shell, and have four Fins covered with thick Scales, that
serve them instead of Legs when they come ashore; they feed on Woose or
Sea Grass that grows out of the Rocks, which I judge is the true reason
they do not eat Fishy; they breathe, and therefore are obliged to come
frequently up to the surface of the Water, on which they sometime float
so sound a sleep, that they give Sea-men opportunity with a Boat to take
them up; their Flesh is very delightsome and pleasant to the taste, much
resembling Veal, but their Fat is more yellow; the she or Female Turtle
comes up on the Shore to lay their Eggs in the Sand three times in the
Year, in the Moneths of April, May and June, where they are brought
to Maturity by the sweet Influence of the Sun; and when the young ones
are hatcht they musters out of their Cells, and marches into the Sea, but
not without danger of being devoured by the Sea-Fowl, that wait to de-
stroy them; each of these Tortoises lay about 140 Eggs at one time in
about an hours space; which are full as large as Hens Eggs, but with this
difference that these are round, and covered only with a thick strong
Membrane or Skin, nor will their whites harden by heat, as the whites
of Hens Eggs; their Yolks we beat in Calabashes, with some Salt, and
fryed them with the fat of the Tortoise, like to Pancakes, in a piece of
a earthen Jar found by the Sea-side, which we did eat instead of Bread.

I never saw any Creature so long a dying as these, for after we had cut
their Throats, divided their Bodies, and cut their Flesh into small and
minute parts, every part and portion would continue twitching and mo-
ving it self a long time: They have a three-fold Heart, said to be the
Heart of a Fowl, of a Beast, and of a Fish, which will stir and pant se-
veral Hours after is it taken out of their Bodies.

Our continual feeding on these Tortoises, brought us to a violent loose-
ness, which I speedily stopt with an Opiatick Tincture; which I provided
on another occasion; for before we came from Barbadoes, I thought of a way

(24)

to deliver our selves out of our Enemies Hands, (in case we should be
taken) without shedding of Blood; and it was thus, I dissolved a suf-
ficient quantity of Opium in a Bottle of rich Cordial Water, which we car-
ried with us in the Boat, intending to give it to those Persons that should
take us, which I supposed they would readily drink, and by that means
would be overtaken with so profound a Sleep, that we should have op-
portunity sufficient to make our escape from them.

We were obliged to go many Miles from the Well of fresh Water,
to turn Turtle, and to fetch Salt from the Salenaes, which necessitated us
to carry our Water with us in a Cask over those uneven Rocks, which
soon wore out our Shoes, and compelled us to make our soft and tender
Feet, unwillingly to salute those hard and craggy Rocks, which was very
irksome to us at first, but time and necessity made it more familiar and
easie, that at length the Bottoms of our Feet was hardened into such a
callous substance, that there was scarce any Rocks so hard but we could
boldly trample them under our Feet.

When the season of the Tortoises coming ashore was expired, and
we had gotten a considerable quantity of their Flesh salted and dryed for
our Winter store, we set about building of Houses to defend us from the
stormy Weather, which we were shortly to expect, which we did so ar-
tificially, and covered them so well with course Grass that grew by the
Sea side, that neither the violence of Winds, nor fierceness of Storms
could easily injure or offend us. Our houshold Goods consisted chiefly in
two or three earthen Jarrs left us by the Privateers, some few Calebashes
and Shels of Fish that we found by the Sea side: in our Houses we form-
ed little kind of Cabbins to repose our selves in, with as much ease as pos-
sibly we could.

In these little Huts or Houses we spent most of our time, sometimes
Reading or Writing, and at other times I went abroad with my Indian a
Fishing, at which he was so dextrous, that with his Bow and Arrow he
would shoot a small Fish at a great distance; sometimes we caught some
Craw-Fish, which we broiled over the Coales, and for change of Diet
we sometime eat a sort of Shell-Fish that live on the Rocks, and are
like Snales, but much larger, called Wilks.

And, as there is no Mountain so barren, on which their may not be
found some Medicinal Plant, so neither was this Island so unfruitful, but
it aforded us two Vegetable Productions of great service unto us, the one
we called Turks Heads, being of an Oval form, beset on every side with

(25)

sharp Prickles like a Hedge-Hog, out of which there grew in the upper
part a longish red and pleasant Fruit, about the bigness of a small Nut,
in taste resembling a Strawberry; the other was much more serviceable to
us, called Curatoe, of an oval body or stump like the former, but out of
this grew long thick Leaves, whose edges were prickly, and its juice so ex-
ceeding sharp and pungent, that it was not easily suffered on the bare
Skin, with which we washed our Linnen as with Soap, for it would
scour excellent well; through the Leaves is dispersed long and thready
Fibres, with which when we had separated and dryed it in the Sun, we
made very good Thread, and mended our Clothes therewith in Needles
which we made of Bones; with the Leaves I made a most excellent Bal-
som for Wounds, by boyling them in the Fat of the Tortoises, which I
brought to a fit consistency by adding Bees Wax thereunto. Thus much
of its external use, its internal follows: After we had cut off the Leaves
about three or four Inches distant from the Body, we digged a great Hole
or Pit in the Sand, and heated it exceeding hot, and put the said Body
therein, covering it up in the hot Sand, where we permitted it to remain
five or six days, in which time the juice that was before so extraordinary
sharp and corrosive, by this digestion became so strangely changed, that
it was extreamly sweet and pleasant, like the Syrup of baked Pears.

And after we had pressed it forth, and fermented it with a propor-
tionable quantity of Water, it became a most pleasant and spirituous Li-
quor to drink; the innermost part of the Body or stump we cut into
slices, and eat it like Bread. At this Island there is an innumerable Com-
pany of Sea-Fowl, that lay their Eggs in the Sand, over-spreading at
some places near twenty Yards, as near together as the Birds can well
sit to lay them, and when the young Ones are hatched, they run about in
great Companies like Chickens a considerable time before they are able
to fly, which often afforded us pleasant diversion to persue and take
them, which when we had skined, salted and dryed in the Sun, we
could preserve a long time, but they did eat extream Fishy, much like
Red-Herrings.

We endeavoured to make a Pot to boil our Turtle in, by tempering the
finest Sand with the Yolks of Turtles Eggs and Goats Hair, for we could
find no Clay nor Earth in the whole Island, but could not possibly make
them indure drying, so that we were forced to eat our Turtle roasted by
the Fire on wooden Spits.

There is a pleasant fragrant Herb grows out of the Sand among the rocks

(25)

sharp Prickles like a Hedge-Hog, out of which there grew in the upper
part a longish red and pleasant Fruit, about the bigness of a small Nut,
in taste resembling a Strawberry; the other was much more serviceable to
us, called Curatoe, of an oval body or stump like the former, but out of
this grew long thick Leaves, whose edges were prickly, and its juice so ex-
ceeding sharp and pungent, that it was not easily suffered on the bare
Skin, with which we washed our Linnen as with Soap, for it would
scour excellent well; through the Leaves is dispersed long and thready
Fibres, with which when we had separated and dryed it in the Sun, we
made very good Thread, and mended our Clothes therewith in Needles
which we made of Bones; with the Leaves I made a most excellent Bal-
som for Wounds, by boyling them in the Fat of the Tortoises, which I
brought to a fit consistency by adding Bees Wax thereunto. Thus much
of its external use, its internal follows: After we had cut off the Leaves
about three or four Inches distant from the Body, we digged a great Hole
or Pit in the Sand, and heated it exceeding hot, and put the said Body
therein, covering it up in the hot Sand, where we permitted it to remain
five or six days, in which time the juice that was before so extraordinary
sharp and corrosive, by this digestion became so strangely changed, that
it was extreamly sweet and pleasant, like the Syrup of baked Pears.

And after we had pressed it forth, and fermented it with a propor-
tionable quantity of Water, it became a most pleasant and spirituous Li-
quor to drink; the innermost part of the Body or stump we cut into
slices, and eat it like Bread. At this Island there is an innumerable Com-
pany of Sea-Fowl, that lay their Eggs in the Sand, over-spreading at
some places near twenty Yards, as near together as the Birds can well
sit to lay them, and when the young Ones are hatched, they run about in
great Companies like Chickens a considerable time before they are able
to fly, which often afforded us pleasant diversion to persue and take
them, which when we had skined, salted and dryed in the Sun, we
could preserve a long time, but they did eat extream Fishy, much like
Red-Herrings.

We endeavoured to make a Pot to boil our Turtle in, by tempering the
finest Sand with the Yolks of Turtles Eggs and Goats Hair, for we could
find no Clay nor Earth in the whole Island, but could not possibly make
them indure drying, so that we were forced to eat our Turtle roasted by
the Fire on wooden Spits.

There is a pleasant fragrant Herb grows out of the Sand among the rocks

(26)

which we called wild Sage, whose Leaves we smoaked instead of Tobacco, and
for want of a Pipe I smoaked it in a Crab`s Claw, of which there was
plenty, but they were so poor we did not eat them.

There is also an Insect, called a Soldier, having a Shell like a Snail;
but some say this Shell is not proper to themselves, for having weak and
tender Bodies, they get possession of these Shells to defend themselves a-
gainst the injury of the Air, and attempts of other Creatures; as they
grow bigger they shift their Shells, and get into larger, being common-
ly those of Peridwinkles; they have instead of a Foot a instrument like a
Crabs Claw, wherewith they close the entrance of their Shells, and there-
by secures their whole Bodies; when they are set near the Fire they pre-
sently forsake their quarters, and if it be presented to them again, they
go backwards; they commonly keep in great Companies about the
Rocks near the Well of fresh Water, and when they intend to change
their Lodgings, there sometimes happens a serious ingagement, mana-
ged with that clasping Instrument, till the strongest by Conquest gets
Possession, which he carries about with him on his Back during his
Pleasure.

Another little Insect is worthy to be mentioned, called Lizards, and
were so familiar and friendly, that they would come boldly among us,
and do us no harm; they have four begs, their Bodies are adorned with
divers delightsome Colours; they feed on Flies, and for that reason was
serviceable unto us in killing them, which they performed with great
nimbleness and cunning, for they lay down where they suppose the Fly
would come, putting their Heads into as many different postures as the
Fly shifts places, and when they find their advantage they start so di-
rectly on their Prey with open Mouth, that they seldom miss it; they
are so very tame that when we were eating, they would come on our
Meat and Hands to catch Flys.

After we had spent about three Moneths in this desolate and discon-
solate Island, we saw a Ship attended with a small Sloop, steering to-
wards the Shore, at which we were at once possest with Hopes and Fear,
with Hopes that it was some English Vessel, in which we might probably
get a passage thence, and with fear lest it should be a Spaniard, who
doubtless would make us Prisoners if they could take us, supposing that
we were Privateers.

The four Privateers that remained with us all this time drew near the
Sea side, where the Ship was at an Anchor; and after they had discove-
red them to be Privateers, made signs to them to send their Boat ashore,

(28)

where they halled up their Periagoes, and stayed there about a Fort-
night, waiting to seise some Spanish Vessel that might come that way,
which they designed if possible speedily to board before the Spaniards
could get themselves in a posture of defence; but not meeting here with
any Prize, went to Windward, where they took a Canow loaden with
Pork, and meeting with some English Vessel at one of the Windward
Islands, they parted Companies, some went for Carolina, and the others
went in a small Sloop to Blanco, where they met with a Man of War, a
Privateer, that had taken a Portugees, a great Ship, called the Grand Gu-
staphus, loaden with Wine and Linnen-Cloth, &c. When they had shared
her Cargo, they parted Companies, the French with their shares went for
Petty Guavers in the Grand Gustaphus, and the English being informed by
those other Privateers of our being on Saltatudos, came thither with their
Man of War, and took me off, as is before exprest.

In about five or six days after we left Saltatudos, we made Porto Rico,
and our Vessel being so extream leaky, some of the Company were for
putting into Mona, but the rest not consenting, we steered betwixt
Porto Rico and Hispaniola, and so to the Eastward of the Abroletaes or Han-
kerchers, where there were divers Vessels on the Wrack diving for Plate;
but we stopt not here, but continued our Course to the Northward, un-
til we came into the Latitude of Illa Terra, and then steered away
West for the Island, and as we were running down we saw a Ketch, to
which we gave Chase, and in a few Hours came up with her, who told
us, that they came from New York, and was bound for Providence; as soon
as the Privateers understood that Providence was inhabitated again, they
altered their Resolutions, and designed to go with them to that place,
and accordingly kept them company; the Night following we met with
bad Weather, and was like to run ashore on Illa Terra, through the care-
lesness of our Pilot, had not a Person from the Quarter-Deck, that was
more watchful then the rest, espied the Land just before us; but this was
not all, for after we had tacked about, and was lying by with the Heads
of both Vessels off ashore, the men on board the Ketch were so drunk
with the Wine the Privateers had given them, that they suffered their
Ketch to drive aboard us, and with the violence of the blow she gave us
broke down our Cat-head, and had we not by a perticular Providence
got free from her, we had both unavoidably sunk down in the Sea, for
our Vessel was so extreamly leaky before, that at the same time she had
three Foot of Water in her Hold; and our Pumps being both out of

(29)

order, we were forced to convey it out with Tubs. The next day we
steered into Providence, and came to Anchor under the command of a
small Stochadoe Fort, built by the new Inhabitants, who had not been here
above 8 Moneths, but had so well improved their time, that they had built
a Town by the Sea side, and elected a Governour from among themselves,
who with the consent of twelve more of the chief men of the Island made,
and enacted divers Laws for the good of their little Common-wealth,
being as yet under the protection of no Prince.

The Privateers found here a kind Reception by the Inhabitants, and
after they had gotten their Goods ashore, they ran their Ship a Ground,
and burnt her, giving their Guns to the Inhabitants to fortifie the Island,
designing to divide themselves into small Members, and to go thence to
some other place where they might sell their Goods, and betake them-
selves to honest course of Life. The Governour of this Island was a very
sober man, an Independent, and usually preached to the Inhabitants every
first day of the Week, at which time he caused a Gun to be fired for a
signal, to give notice to the People when he was going to begin. Whilst
I remained here, the Privateers had two false Alarms, supposing the Spa-
niards were come again to dispossess them of the Island; for this being
formerly a Harbour for Privateers, and a Nest of Robers, the Spaniards
on a time, when most of the men were on the old Wrack, pillaged and
burnt their Town, and carried away, as it was reported, thirty thousand
Pound in Plate and Money, and took some of the Inhabitants Prisoners,
the others fled to Illa Terra, where they remained till this Island was re-
setteld by those new Inhabitants that came from Jamaica, and other parts.
The Island it self is very fruitful, and if the report of the Inhabitants be
true, the quickest in production of any I ever heard or read of; there is
plenty of wild Hogs in the Woods, which the Inhabitants often kill, and
good store of wild Grapes, with which they make good Wine, and divers
sorts of Fruits, as Oranges, Lemons, Limes, Guavers, &c. Also medicinal
Herbs, as Tea Radix, Contra Yerva, Jesuits Bark, &c. Of eatable Roots,
there is Partatoes, Yams and Edders, &c.

The Ketch with whom we came in company to this Island, sold part
of their Bread and Flower to the Privateers for Linnen Cloth, and some
they sold to the Inhabitants: And in about a Fortnights time they set
Sail for Carolina, and I with them; but as we were sailing down amongst
the Bohemia Islands, towards the Gulf of Florida, we were like to be cast
away on the Rocks and Shoals that lay in our way, but through mercy we

(30)

got clear. When we came on the Coast of Carolina, we met with blow-
ing Weather, and by the mistake of our Captain fell in to the Southward,
where we came to an Anchor, but the Wind was so high, that in weigh-
ing of him our Cable broke: The next day we came to an Anchor again
just before the Bar of Carolina, for our Captain was afraid to go in with
his Vessel, for fear they would seise him, because he had been dealing
with the Privateers, and for that reason he only sent in his Boat to get
some fresh Provision, and to put on Shore a Passenger that came with us;
and because I found no Vessel here bound directly for England, I resolved
to go with them for New-York: And here also we had the Misfortune to
lose our other Anchor, insomuch that when we came to Sandy-Hook, we
were forced to ride our Vessel by two of her Guns, which we had flung
for that purpose, until our Boat had got us a small Anchor from on board
some other Vessel. The next day we went up to New York, where, as I
was walking one Morning on the Bridge, I accidently met with a Person
I knew, that came lately from Barbadoes; at first I was surprized, but
having Confidence that he would not discover me, I went to him, and
desired his company to some House, where we might privately discourse
together: He was glad to see me safe there, and accordingly to my de-
sire he went with me to a House hard by, where I gave him an account
of my Adventures, and what had happened to me since I left Barbadoes;
and he in requital gave me an Account of the different Resentments Peo-
ple had of our departure, and how that after we were gone our Masters
had hired a Sloop to send after us; but thinking it in vain, they
did not persue us; however, they sent our Names, and the de-
scription of our Persons to the leward Islands, that so if any of us
came thither, we might be taken Prisoners and sent up again: At one
time it was reported, that we had gotten aboard a Dutch Vessel, and was
bound for Holland: at another time that we were taken Prisoners at
St Christophers, and to be sent back in Chains, which made our Masters
rejoyce, and insultingly to boast of the severe Punishments they would
inflict upon us; and was resolved, as they said, that I should be hanged
for an Example to others, because I was the chief contriver and manager
of our escape: But these Hopes and Insulstings of theirs were soon over,
for when at length they could hear no true account of us, they concluded
that we perished in the Sea. I had not been long at New-York before I
got passage in a Vessel bound for Amsterdam, and in order thereunto took
out a Ticket from the Secrataries Office by another Name; and in about
five Weeks time we arrived at Cows, on the Isle of Weight, where this

(31)

Vessel stopt to clear; and as soon as I had got my Chest, &c. ashore, I
embarqued for Southampton, where I left my Chest at a Friends House,
and returned in a disguise to my Relations, who before this time (un-
known to me) had procured my Pardon, and joyfully received me as one
risen from the Dead; for having received no account from me since I
left Barbadoes, they did almost despair of ever seeing me any more.

NOw unto the Eternal and True God, the sacred Foun-
tain of all Mercies, that have been with me in all
Dangers and times of Tryal, who miraculously preserved me
on the deep Waters, and according to the multitude of his
Mercies delivered me, when appointed to dye, unto him do I
with sincere Gratitude dedicate the remainder of my dayes,
Humbly imploring that the Angel of his presence may always
attend me, and the Remembrance of his repeated Favours
more and more engaged my Heart to serve him, that in Te-
stimony of my abundant Thankfulness, I may return to him a
perpetual Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving, henceforth
and forever.

From my Lodging at the Sign of the Ship, in St Paul‘s Church-Yard;
London, June the 10th, 1689.
Henry Pitman.

(32)

An Account of the Adventures of my Compa-
nions since I left them on Saltatudos, com-
municated to me by John Whicker since his
arrival in England.

Dear Doctor, in answer to your Request I have given you the fol-
lowing Account;

ABout a Fortnight after you left us on Saltatudos, two of our Com-
panions, John Nuthall and Thomas Waker having made Sails of the
Cloth the Privateers left us, and fitted the Spanish Boat for the Sea, went
from us, designing for Quirasoe; but the Boat being so large and unruly,
and they so unskilful in Navigation, that I fear they either perished in
the Sea, or was driven ashore on the Main amongst the cruel Spaniards;
for we never heard of them since.

The next day after they departed from us, arrived here a small Pri-
vateer Boat of about four Tuns, in which were eight English men and a
Negro, that formerly belonged to the Ship in which you embarqued, but
that they left her, and went ashore upon a Island, called Fernando,
which lies to the Southward upon the Coast of Brazil. Their reason for
leaving their Ship was this; Having been out of Carolina about an Year
and Half, and had made nothing of a Voyage considerable, resolved for
the South Seas, coming to the Streights of Magdaleen, met with very
bad Weather, which forced them to put back again, and resolved to
turn Pirates; but these eight men being averse to the rest of their Com-
panions design, went ashore upon the Island aforesaid, carrying with
them what they had on board, intending to go from thence in a small
Boat, which was given them by the Ship’s Crew, with some Rigging,
and other necessaries, which they designing to build upon, and raise her
higher in case of bad Weather, having in their Company two Carpen-
ters and a Joyner; taking their leaves of each other, the Ship put to
Sea, next Morning saw a Sail at a considerable distance, but making the

(33)

best of their way, soon came up with her, and finding her to be a Portu-
geizs, they laid her aboard, and took her with very little resistance, although
she was a bigger Ship, and had more men then the Privateers; having made
her their prize, brought her away to the same Island, on which were
their Companions, and turned the Prisoners ashore among them, giving
them a Boat and Oars: But this caused no small trouble among the Eng-
lish, who were then Inhabiters with them; but being well armed, they kept
them at a distance from their appartment all that day; but the next
Night the Spaniards ran away, carrying with them their own Boat, and the
English mens too; then were they in a bad condition, not having a Ship
nor boat with which they could convey themselves from that desolate Island
then were they constrained to cut & fall a sort of Trees, called Mangroves,
and in the best manner they could, sawed out Boards, Planks, and other
Timbers fit for their use, and began to build a new Boat from the Keel,
and in six Weeks, or thereabouts, finisht her, being in burthen as they
judg’d four Tuns; no one being idle, but imploying themselves, some
about their new Vessel, while others (by turn) travelled the Island to
shoot Provision, which was a sort of Birds, call’d Boobes, something re-
sembling our English Sea-Gulls, or Pyes, (but bigger.) This Island
affords a fort of very large and pleasant Figgs, which they also fed on
sometimes.) There are a great many wild Dogs, very large and fat,
which eat very little or nothing but Figs. Likewise in the day time there
comes ashore Sea-Lyons, which will sit by the Water-side, and make a
hideous roaring; they are hairy about their Head and Neck, much like
our Land Lyons; their Paws very lage, with a Skin like the Foot of a
Swan, which serves them to swim withal; they are very fearful and ti-
merous, not suffering a man to come nigh them, but presently makes to the
Sea; they live under Water as well as above. Having lancht and rig-
ged their Boat, they put on board their Provision, which was only a
small Cask of Pease that was given them by the Ship, which they kept by
them for their Sea store. Having Water and all things aboard, took
their departure from Ferdinando, aforesaid, committing themselves to
the protection of Almighty God, and the mercies of the Seas, directing
their Course for Tabago: But missing it, the Pilot ordered to bear up the
Helm for Saltatudos, at which place they arriv’d, but almost famish`d (for they
had neither Pease nor Water for the space of five or six days before. Having
lain some dayes at the East end of the Island unknown to us, and being
in great want of Provision, resolved to travel the Island to see if they

(34)

could find out any Food, by chance they found some salt Turtle, which
we had laid upon a Tree, and covered it over with a Callapatch, to se-
cure it from the Weather.

Three of these men being very ill principled and loose kind of Fellows,
waiting their opportunity when three of their Companions were
abroad, went aboard and fetcht their Arms, then came ashore to
their Hut, where the other two were, and presented a Pistol to each of their
Breasts, and swore if they would not carry every thing aboard they were
dead men. The two men being surprized, and not able to make any
resistance, the three having all the Arms in their Custody, were forced
to comply, and carry all aboard. Which done, they charged them that
if they did not acquaint them when the other came home, they would make them Ex-
amples. They promised very fair, having done this, they went aboard, wait-
ing for their coming home. In the Evening the other three men came to
their Hut, not mistrusting what had happened, but finding the Hut rifled, and
every thing gone, enquired the meaning of it, which having under-
stood, bethought what to do; to tarry they were afraid; to go they could
not tell where; for they had travelled all Day, and could not find a drop
of fresh Water, neither was there any at the Hut, for the other had car-
ried all aboard, being very faint one was resolved to hail the Boat, and
beg a little; the other kept close to hear how he would fare, who having
hailed them, they made answer he should have some: So coming ashore
laid hold on him, and tyed his Hands behind him, and left him in Custody
with one of them while they went to look for the rest: The reason
why they endeavoured to take them, was because they had hid their Mo-
nies in the Sand, and did not keep it in their Chests; but in the mean
time while they were looking for the other, the Prisoner by means of a
Knife he had in his Pocket, cut loose the Line with which his Hands
were tyed, and made his escape: Being thus exiled from his Companions
bethought himself of ranging the Island to look for men; for the Turtle
which they found came afresh into his Memory: all this time he had no
Victuals, nor a drop of Watter, but was constrained to drink his own,
being so excessive hot, at length having travelled about the Island till
almost ready to faint, he came near our Huts, and seeing us dressing of
Turtle with nothing on, only a pair of Drawers, the man made a stand,
thinking we had been Indians, for we were tan’d with the Sun as yellow
almost as them; at length advanced, and enquired if we were English
men: We told him we were; then he begg’d for a little Water, which

(35)

we gave him, and some of our Turtle. And after some Conference, he told
us his condition, and desired us to help him to regain what was so un-
gratefully taken from him and his fellow-sufferers, by their own Country-
men and Boats Crew, which we readily agreed to; and when we had
fixt our Arms, we travelled all Night till we came where the Boat lay,
which was about six or seven Miles from that place. When we came
near the place, we hid our selves in the Bushes by the Sea side,
waiting their coming ashore next Morning, which they usually did as we
were informed. Morning being come, two of them came ashore, and the
Negro slave bearing a Vessel to fetch Water, and they with their Arms,
leaving one aboard with about twelve pieces by him ready loaden; when
they were come on shore, we appeared with our Arms ready cockt,
enclosed them, and took them Prisoners; then we brought them to the
Water-side, and shewed the other aboard what we had done, command-
ed him not to Fire, but to jump over board, and swim ashore to us, which
he immediately did: So taking them all Prisoners, we put them ashore,
leaving them some of our Provision; the rest we put aboard in order to
prosecute our Voyage for New-England. So victualling and watering our
small Frigot in the best manner we could we left them upon the Island, and
the 24th of August took our Departure from Saltatudos, and in about six
dayes time made the Island of Porto Rico, but our Pilot not being very
well acquainted with that Country, supposed it to be the high Land of St
Domingo upon Hispaniola, & therefore ordered to bear up the Helm, & stand
away to the Westward before the Wind: the next day we could see no
Land, which caused no small trouble amongst us, being dubious where
we were. Towards the Evening we made the East end of Hispaniola:
then our Pilot saw his error, that we had lost our passage between the
two Islands, Hispaniola and Portarico, before-mentioned, we were sailing
down the South side of Hispaniola about nine dayes; having sometimes
very little Wind, at other times Turnadoes, that we could not carry Sail.
Our Water being all spent, we were forced some to drink their own
Water, others to drink salt Water taken up by the side. Running
along close aboard shore, we espied three men running with all the haste
that possibly they could, till they came to a Canow which lay at the
Mouth of a Creek, which immediately they rowed up into the Country
among the Woods, we imagining they were afraid of us, supposing us to
be Spaniards, then we came to an Anchor, and my self with one more, (a
Carpenter) swim’d ashore, but with a great deal of difficulty, for the
Rocks lying so far off the shore, had like to have dasht out our Brains:

(36)

Coming ashore we swom up the Creek, but the Tyde being so strong
against us, we were forced to return back again; neither finding the
men, nor hopes of getting fresh Water, therefore we swom aboard again.
Weighing our Anchor, we steered within the Isle of Ash, which lies
almost to the West end of Hispaniola, our Pilot looking over his Wag-
goner, found that within this Island was a fresh Water Creek, into
which we designed to run, but through mistake run about two Leagues
up into a wrong Creek, where we could find no fresh Water, that with
drinking salt Water our Mouthes were almost grown together, and
hardly able to speak; but God Almighty was pleased to send us a very
great shower of Rain, which lasted so long, that by means of a Sheet
held up by the four Corners, with a weight in it, we caught about
two Gallons of Water. So loaring our Sails we haled up the Creek into
the Woods, and went ashore, and concluded to dig a Well; when we
had digged about four or six Foot deep, we found fresh Water to our
great Comfort and Satisfaction; lying ashore all Night to take up the
Water as it sprung, we were almost stung to death with a sort of Flys,
called Musquetoes and Merrywings, which draw’d Blisters and Bladders in
our Skin; that we lookt as if we had had the Small Pox, which was very
tedious for our Bodies to endure. By next Morning we had got about
forty Gallons of Water aboard, with which we put to Sea again; but
we had not been at Sea above three Hours, before we saw a Sail within
the West end of the Isle of Ash, before-mentioned; we bore up our Helm,
and stood away for her; In a short time we saw her come to an Anchor:
supposing her to be a Jamaica Sloop, for she had our Kings Jack & Antient
out: We hailed them, whose answer was (from Jamaica) so coming
to Anchor by their side, they laid us aboard with two Canows, full of
Spaniards, all armed as Pirates, and carried us aboard their Sloop; stript
us naked, and put us down in their Hold, having nothing to lay our
naked Bodies upon only their Ballast Stones, or a top of their Water
Cask; the Provision they allowed us was course and short, about half
a Pint of Indian Corn a day for a man for nine dayes together.

The place where they carried us, is called St Jago, a Spanish Town
upon Cuba, we remaind in this condition above six Moneths; when
they went to Sea, we were carried as their Slaves, (to pump Ship) wash
their Clothes, and beat Corn in great wooden Morters, and Negroes
with naked Swords, always standing by as Overseers, that our Hands
have been bladdered and so sore, that we could hardly hold any thing:

(37)

When at home, our business was to row the Canow up two Leagues in
the Country (full of Jars to fetch Water) which we were forced to
carry upon our naked Backs a great way to fill them; sometimes into
the Woods to cut Wood, bare-footed and bare-leged, neither Shirts to
our Backs, nor Hat to our Heads, but only a Rag sufficient to cover
our Nakedness. Our Provision, as I told you before, was Indian Corn
boiled in Water, but a larger share than at first.

About the latter end of October we were divided, my self with three
more were put on board a small Barque, the rest of my Companions re-
mained aboard the Sloop, both Vessels being bound down to leward of Cape
Cruse, having information of a Dutch Trader that lay there before a small
Town, called Byan; in which Voyage we were taken all very sick in
the Ague, as well Spaniards as English, which reduced us to a deplorable
condition, having nothing to yield us any comfort. In this distemper
dyed one of our Companions. Jeremiah Atkins of Taunton during his
Sickness, they were very cruel to him, not suffering us to carry him
down into the Hold, but made him lie Day and Night upon the Deck;
all we could do for him, was to cover him with the bark of a Cabbage-
Tree, to keep the Sun from him by Day, and the Dew by Night: In
this languishing condition he lay about a Week, and then dyed; when
dead, they threw him over board, letting him float a Stern, without
using any means to sink him, as is usual. Returning back again for St.
Jago, without their expected Prize, off of Cape Cruse, my self and one
more of our Companions was taken again from on Board the Barque,
and put aboard the Sloop, and two other of our English were put aboard the
Barque, who took their departure from us at Cape Cruse aforesaid, bound
for Carthagena, a Spanish Town upon the main Continent. In five dayes
we arrived at our Port of St Jago, where we lay about a Moneth, and
having kreen’d our Sloop, put to Sea again; bound for the North side of
Hispaniola to take French-men. Turning up to Windward of Cuba, we met
with a Jamaica Sloop bound for the Wrack, the Spaniard commanded
him to hoist out his Canow, and come aboard; which he refusing, went
his way, having weathered Cape Myeeze, which is the Eastward point
of Cuba; we stood along shore bound for a small Town, call’d Barracco,
where in two dayes we arrived: we lay there till the latter end of October,
at which place our Sloop drove ashore, and struck off about fourteen
Foot of her false Keel; but after a great deal of trouble got her off again;
at this place they got two Hogs, and a quantity of Plantins, a sort of Food

(38)

that grows upon Trees; they are made use of instead of Bread among
the Inhabitants in the West-Indies. We then proceeded in our Voyage
for Hispaniola, and fell in with a place, called the Mould, off which
place we saw two Sail, an English Vessel that came from Jamaica,
bound for New-York, and a French Sloop bound for Pettygwavers, a French
Town to leward on the North side of the said Hispaniola; having a fresh
Gale we came up with the English man, brought him by the Lee, com-
manded the Captain aboard, with four of his men, and put twelve
Spaniards aboard his Ship. Then chasing the French-man, came up with
him about an hour after Night: the French-man stood it out and fought
us, making a stout Resistance, although they had not above seven or
eight men, and in the Spaniards were thirty five Men, eight Guns, six
Patterreroes, and every man his small Arms: The French making such
a bold Resistance kept them off, till such time as they had an opportunity,
to run their Sloop a Ground in the Mould, in the dark, by which means
they saved their lives, otherwise they had been all dead men, as the Spaniards
swore if they took them: In the next Morning we run into the Mould,
and brought out their Sloop, and put about ten Men aboard, bringing both
Prizes away for St. Jago. From the English Captain they took 900 l. in
Money, and plundred him of all he had, save the suite of Clothes that he
wore, and waited the Governours motion to make a Prize of the Ship,
which would have been done, had not the Spanish Governour received
advice of the Duke of Albermales arrival at Jamaica; upon which news
the Governour paid the English Captain 600 l. of his Money back again,
and sent him away to Jamaica, and all the English Prisoners, that would
go with him were free by his consent. By this time arrived the
Barque, in which was the other three of our Companions, who were
very glad to hear of our and their Redemption, we embarqued once again
Free-men together, by God’s Grace bound for Jamaica, where we
safely arrived about the latter end of March: So seperating our selves
we endeavoured in the best manner we could to get passage for England
our native Country, desiring God Almighty to deliver us, and all our
dear Country-men Protestants, from the barbarous Cruelty of the Spaniards
and Papists.

FINIS.

Advertisements.

The Quintessence or Powers of Scurvey-Grass, both Plain
and Purging.

BEing endued with the lively Colour, Taste and Smell of the Herb, containing
its essencial Virtues and Qualities, and is much to be preferred before the
Spirit commonly sold, in all cases wherein that is recommended, as in the Scurvey,
Dropsie, Jaundice, Hipocondirack Melancholly, &c. Price 1s. a Bottle.

Magisterium Anodinum.

SO called, from its great and admirable Faculty, in easing all manner of Pains
in any part of the Body, which it does, not only by taking away that painful
Sensation, but by correcting or removing the material cause the excites it: A
Medicine so well corrected, and friendly to Nature, that it far exceeds both in ease
and virtue the common Preparations of Mathew’s Pill, or of any of that Nature yet
exposed to the World. Price 1 s. a Box.

Spiritus Catholicus.

THis Spirit is of most subtile and volatile Parts, and is a specifick in most Di-
seases of the Head, as Appoplexies, Lethargies, and all manner of
sleepy Diseases, Falling Sickness, Convulsions, Megrim, Vertigo or
Giddiness of the Head, Cattarhs, &c. The smell of it powerfully revives those that
are in Fits or Fainty, and for the most part gives ease in Pains of the Head,
in a few Minutes time. It Cures the Plurisie, Quinsie, without Blood-letting, and
all manner of Inflamations, either external or internal. It is a famous Medi-
cine in all Obstructions of the Liver, Spleen, messentery Womb, &c. and the Di-
seases of those parts; The Cholick, Stone, Gout, Scurvey, Hypocondriack
Melancholly, Kings-Evil, Rickets, Feavers & Agues, &c. Price 1 s. a Bottle.

Pillulæ Catharticæ.

A Most excellent Purging Pill, in all Cases where Purging is necessary, as
in the Scurvey, Dropsie, Gout, Venerial Disease, Appoplexies, Epi-
lepsies, old and invelerate Head-Aches, Cholick and Iliack Passion, Jaundice,
Green-Sickness, &c. Price 1 s. a Box.

These Medicines are all Prepared and Sold (with Printed Directions, giving a more full
Account of their Virtues, &c.) by Henry Pitman, at the Sign of the Ship in St. Paul`s-Church-
Yard.

Tags