I did not quit my position till I thought I had full assurance that GOD would protect me under all my troubles and trials.
As night was drawing nigh, we began our nocturnal journey as usual. Two days and nights were gone without having tasted either food or rest; when passing through a Village, an old Woman who was sitting before the door of her house, called us: I did not know whether I should go or not, but I said to the comrade of my misfortunes, let us go and see what she wants. Coming near to her, she said, "I know my friends that you are deserters from prison? be not afraid I will do you no harm, knowing what it is myself, for my Son is a prisoner in a French Country, and I should not like that any one should ill use him if he was in the same case as you are now." She questioned us upon many subjects concerning the state of her Son, and at last she said, "I think you must be wanting of food, since you left prison?" I answered that for two days we had not had any: immediately she went into the house, and beckoned us to follow her. Being in the house she told us to sit down, while she dressed some meat, which she did with great dexterity: and presenting the same to us, I said, "O GOD! since thou hast been pleased to provide food for us this night, bless it we beseech thee with thine own power and will." AMEN.
The old Woman was much pleased to hear what I had said; and after we had satisfied our wants, she gave us some more meat tied up in a cloth, and shewed us the road that led to St. Peter's Town: we thanked her for all her kindness, and proceeded on our march all the night long until morning, which forced us as usual to retire into some thicket or wood: there I began to thank GOD for having preserved us from dangers and pursuits till the present moment; I then took the cloth which contained our provision: having spread it, I called upon GOD to give his blessing. My comrade said, "you pray too much, do you think that GOD takes notice of what you say?" surely said I, because, if He did not take notice of what I said and asked him, He would not have provided for us: well says he, "all your nonsense will bring nothing but bad luck."
After we had refreshed ourselves, I tied up carefully the remainder of our food, and said to him, if you desire to take a little rest, I will watch in the mean time: he did so, and when asleep, I went a few yards further and rested myself in prayers, for they were the best refreshment I ever could take; after my duty was performed, I was easy and full of an unknown joy which I could not describe.
Some time after my comrade got up and told me to rest myself and he would watch his turn; but I told him that I was not wearied, and it would be better to search the wood, to see whether we could find any fruit; he agreed with my proposal, and we went seeking for some provisions, for ours were getting very short: after a long while rambling up and down, we found at last a great quantity of wild fruit of all sorts, some of them were very pleasant to the taste; we gathered as much as we could carry, and as it was already dark, we came out of the wood and travelled on as usual. We were several nights and days rambling up and down in the greatest misery, till at last one night we arrived at St. Peter's Town: there I, and my comrade parted. I went on board of an Irish Ship which was in the Harbour, and he on board of another. I was well received on board of the Ship, but as I was very hungry and having had no refreshment for some time, I told them my situation; and they gave me some food. I was after introduced to the Captain, who told me that I might stay in the Ship and work with the other men: I was about three weeks on board working very hard, and receiving very ill treatment. One day a Negroe came on board about some business, and I asked him many questions about the people of the Town, and especially about two Gentlemen which I perfectly knew; one was a Knight, and the other a Baronet. I sent by the Negroe a few lines to them, and as soon as they received them, they hurried to come to see me: they were struck at the first sight to see me in such a deplorable situation, as they knew my parents, they could not help but mourn and pity my miserable state: they told me to go with them on shore, which I did with great pleasure, though I was ashamed of myself being very dirty. Arrived at their house I was put into a bath to wash me, for I had need of it; and clothes were provided for me: after I was dress'd I could not believe that it was the unhappy me, when looking at my ragged clothes which I had on but a few minutes ago; I was in a perfect state of happiness, for nothing concerning the necessaries of life was wanting for me. I was in that state of affluence for three months, and wheresoever they went, they took me with them, so that I was acquainted with the best company of the Town: but for all that I did not forget my GOD.
Some time after they procured me a passage on board a Ship that was going to St. Thomas: all necessaries, both for life and body were provided for me, and ten guineas which they gave me when we parted, also letters of recommendation.
We went out of the Harbour and sailed towards Dominica, where we cast Anchor to take some passengers, and from thence we sailed to St. Kits, where a part of the convoy were waiting for us, after to St. Bartholomew, for some other business, and from thence to St. Thomas, where we arrived safe after a good voyage.
I went to the Gentlemen for whom I had letters of recommendation, and was received with great civility and kindness; one of them took me to his house while I stay'd at St. Thomas's. The first Sunday I went to Church with him and another Gentleman that I did not know, and that same Gentleman said to me after we came out of Church; "I hope you love GOD, young man?" I said yes, well, said he, "in all your troubles trust to the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and whatsoever you stand in need off, ask it in his name, and I am sure He will grant it unto you, for He has promised through His Blood to make intercession for us." I kindly thanked him for his instruction, and he withdrew.
I remained at St. Thomas three weeks, and took an opportunity of going to Guadeloupe; but before I took leave of the Gentleman where I was at, I thanked him for all his goodness: he said, "you are welcome to stay longer if you chuse;" I returned him my thanks saying, I wished to see Guadeloupe. "Here is a purse (says he,) which I beg your acceptance of;" then shook hands with me, and retired, he one way, and I the other. I immediately went on board, and in a few minutes were out of sight of the place where I received so much kindness. I had a pleasant and short voyage, and safely landed at that most desired Island of Guadeloupe. I hasted to see my acquaintances; and having inquired after my Brothers, I heard that they were taken prisoners, and conducted to Plymouth in great Britain.
As I had nothing do and no desire to go to Sea any more, I went again to my late master (the Planter:) who was very glad to see me, and encouraged me by raising my wages, which made me apply the more to my business.