A few weeks after their departure I embarked on board of a small Privateer, carrying only two swivels, and seventeen men: we sailed and cast Anchor at the Island of Marie-Galante, to take some provisions; and again went out for Sea. Soon after, we met with a large Merchant-Man; passing by we hoisted an English colour to deceive her, and having men on board that could speak the English Language perfectly well, we hailed her; she was come from Martinico and going to England, and had fourteen guns: our Captain said to us, "they think that we are English, but let her sail on, and when night comes we will attack her:" so we followed her at a distance, till the time was come to perform the intrepid design; coming near all was silent, and every one of our Men were ready to jump on board at the first signal; and when near enough orders were Given, and our wishes fulfiled; for we took her with very little resistance, and conveyed her to Curacao, a Dutch Island. The cargo consisted of five-hundred and fifty-four hogsheads of Sugar, twelve ditto of Coffee, and eighteen bales of Cotton; which when sold gave every one a prize of fourteen hundred dollars. Being young and foolish, I soon spent a great part of my Money with my comrades, in drinking, dancing, Gambling, &c.
I was sometimes intoxicated for a whole week, and every night at the ball room, along with bad company. I was two months in Curacao, and spent five-hundred and forty dollars; after which we proceeded with a larger Ship, which was ready for Sea, in which we sought for a better fortune. A few days after we were out, another prize fell into our hands, which we sent to the place above mentioned; and proceeded on our Voyage, and went to Bonaires, a dutch Island, to take some refreshment. After we quitted that place, we perceived that our Ship had a leak, for we had fourteen inches of water in the hold every hour, which forced us to enter into the Harbour of Porto-Cabello, a large Spanish City on the coast of the Meridional America: we were there two months; and proceeding further, we cast Anchor at Cocoa-madrilla, a Spanish Town on the same coast as before mentioned, and remained there but a few days: we went out and cruized for a long while, and having captured no Ships we went into the harbour of la Guaires, another Spanish City, to take some provision, for we were short of them.
During our stay there the Lieutenant of the Ship and two men went to take a walk on shore, and were taken up, and put in the inquisition, because they did not bow to the HOST: for as it was related to us by them, that when they were passing through the streets they saw a great procession of Clergymen, going with a large silver Cross, to give the Extreme-Unction to a sick person; they not knowing the rules of the Country, passed by, and took no notice: when they were examined, and found under French colours, the inquisitioner could do nothing at them, but release them.
We went out of that abominable Harbour with the design to go back to the happy Island of Guadeloupe.
On our way back we took two prizes, but were retaken again; so we went and cast Anchor at St. Martin, a French and Dutch Island, and were but a few days there; and straightway we sailed for Basse-Terre the Capital City of Guadeloupe, and from thence to Point-a-Pitre, where I Landed my little treasure which consisted of one hundred and twenty pounds; as I had a Cousin there who was a sober man, I deposited the money in his hands to begin a small trade; and I was determined not to go on the Sea for a long while, as I thought my money would suffice me to live in a decent manner; when I was just going to begin trade, my Cousin was taken very ill of the putrid fever, and was in great danger of his life. One day he called me, (he was then very ill,) and said, "I have lent the money that you have deposited in my hands, to Mrs. Pero[15]:" I said, very well, you are wise enough to know what you do? he said do not fear, the money is in good hands. I did not care much about him lending my money, because I knew that he was too good to do me any injury; but growing worse every day, I began to be afraid; and was going to speak to him to inquire whether had Mrs. Pero given him a receipt or not, I was prevented by her, saying, "he wants some repose and you must not disturb him." She knew too well the matter, or she would not have prevented me speaking to my Cousin: she was nights and days watching in his room for fear I should speak to him. I had no witness who could testify whether she had given him a receipt or not: and was so tormented in mind about it, that I did not know what to do, till I saw he was dying, when I resolved to go into the next chamber where his trunk was, and look in to it if I could find any paper concerning my money: at the time I was looking into the box, she came in, and said, "what are you looking for?" a receipt I said, Madam? she knew then what I meant, and said, "do not be afraid, I have got your money, and you shall have it back again, whether your Cousin live or die." I was a little reconciled by what she said, but she took care that no one was present when she said it: and the day after my Cousin breath'd his last.
I was very much affected at the Death of so near a relation, and went in the Country for a month to alleviate my sorrows: when I returned to Town, I went and asked her for my money, that I wanted it to begin some business: she said I will satisfy your request. And went to her desk, she brought me five and twenty Portugueses[16] which she laid on the table, saying, "this is the remainder of your money, here is a bill[17] of what I have paid for your Cousin." I took the bill and read it: there was so much for physic, and the Doctor's trouble, for board and lodging, for the funeral, and for goods of different sorts, &c. It was the most shameful bill I ever saw; I began to fly into a passion, saying "this bill does not concern me at all, besides, I am not compelled to pay the debts of my Cousin." She then began to grin, saying, "if you are so impudent and insolent you shall have nothing at all, because I am ignorant whether the money was yours." I was so irritated that I thought my anger would have choaked me, I did not know what to do, having neither attestation nor receipt; so I was forced with great reluctance to take the five and twenty Portugueses, and to leave the rest to her.
With the little I had I bought some goods, and went to St. Croix, an Island belonging to the Danes, where I sold my little Cargo, and got double of my money: and after I had settled my business there, I went to St. Thomas, an Island belonging to the same, and there I purchased some other goods to go back to Guadeloupe, when there, I sold them for three times as much as they cost me: seeing fortune smiled on me, I took courage, and bought goods with all the money I was worth; but not being well enough in health to undertake the voyage, I trusted a friend with my business: he went to St. Thomas again, and sold the goods at a very good price, and some others were purchased for to return; when only three miles from the Harbour where he was to land, he was taken by the enemy; which ruined me totally. I was then worth nearly three-hundred Pounds, but all was lost.
I now began to look for another kind of business, and was recommended by some of my friends to a Gentleman, (a planter,) to be his Clerk, and to look over his plantation; but did not remain long there, though I performed my duty with zeal, and was loved as their own child; the reason was, I could not be happy from the Sea, though I knew it was very dangerous. I acquainted my Master of my thoughts; he told me to go and try again, and if I had not good luck to come back to him; for says he, "my house shall always be open for you." I took my leave of him, and went again upon the roaring Ocean, seeking after the fortune of this World: on our way we cast anchor at Desirada, an Island not far from Guadeloupe, and stay'd there only a few days. After we departed from the Island forementioned, we were some time without seeing any vessel, but one morning we saw a large Ship, which we soon perceived was an English Frigate; we lost no time, but put all the sails out to make our escape if possible. We were almost out of sight of the enemy, when the greatest misfortune happened unto us; our mast being too much loaded with sails, and the wind being very high, by which cause the mast broke, and fell down. Having neither mast nor sails to effect our escape, we were obliged to stay where we was, and were taken prisoners. We were well treated by the enemy while we stayed on board their Ship; and were afterwards landed at the Island of Martinico, and put under close confinement in a prison Ship. Being the first time I ever was confined, I was plunged into a gulf of despair and grief; every day I was scheming how I should make my escape, till at last I found a way for my purpose; and guided by resolution, was determined to fulfil my scheme. It was the ninth day after my confinement, when I, and two others escaped from prison, by breaking an iron bar which fastened the port-hole, and letting ourselves down into the Sea by the means of a rope: we swam about half a mile before we could reach the shore; having gained the land, I wrung my clothes, which consisted only of a shirt and trousers: we began our journey through a great shower of rain, and when passing through the town, the sentry called? we immediately ran away as fast as we could for fear of being taken again; but the third of our band being left behind, was taken again; and I, and my comrade proceeded on through brambles and briers all the night long; and when the sun was beginning to spread its beams upon the surface of the Earth, we entered into a thicket to hide ourselves, and take a little rest: while I rested myself my comrade watched, and so on by turns till the approach of night, which enabled us to pursue our way through its gloomy shadow.
Being excessively harassed by fatigue and hunger, we endeavoured to see whether we could find some wild fruit to satisfy our inward wants, but all our efforts were in vain, for nothing was to be found through the darkness of the night; and as morning was coming on apace, we retired to an adjacent wood. In the pitiful and perishing situation in which we were, I could not help but lament my deplorable fate and condition; when on a sudden I felt for the first time, a glimpse of the love of GOD, and many ideas came into my mind such as this? rely on GOD, and He will help thee, and stand by thee. With all these thoughts I fell upon my knees, and began to pray in the midst of the wood, saying, as well as I could.
"Now, O! GOD that I am in distress I call upon thy power and goodness, because I know that there is no other that can alleviate my pain but thou. O! GOD, though I am in trouble, yet I feel that it is good for me to be so, for I have a comforter to fly to; but forgive me that I have liv'd so long without doing the duty which I ought to have done towards thee, for it was nothing else but the pleasures of this perverse World which banished me from thee, and my misery and trouble has drawn me near unto thee: do help me, and guide my steps that I may fall into no dangers, and bring me safe back to the land where I come from; and with thy help O! GOD, I vow to serve thee according to my knowledge all the days of my life here on Earth, and hope to praise thee above when time shall be no more." AMEN.