Nothing was left for me to do but to implore the Knight’s mercy; but when I related my new misfortune to him, as well as the malignity of my enemies, to which I attributed it, he laughed in my face. “Mr. Guzman,” said he, with a sneer, “I am well persuaded that you are a person of the greatest integrity, although you have not that reputation on board this galley; and I have been told, more than once, of my boldness in having trusted you. Once more, I think you an honest man, and am, therefore, sorry to tell you, that if you do not forthwith produce my hat-band, you must be delivered over to the Under-commissary, who will, doubtless, treat you according to your deserts. This you may rely upon, notwithstanding your protestations of fidelity.”

This was the Knight’s answer, and the Captain came up at that moment. As soon as he knew what was the matter, and found that I persisted in denying that I had taken the hat-band, he flew in such a passion, and beat me so cruelly, that I fell down half dead. To increase my misery, I was driven from the poop and sent to the last seat on the prow, the most uneasy seat of all, and that in which the slaves work hardest. In addition to this, the Commissary had orders not to spare me, under pain of the Captain’s displeasure. This officer, however, really pitied me, and, notwithstanding the orders he had received to treat me with rigour, allowed me to rest for a full month, seeing that I was quite incapable of hard labour.

I regained my strength by degrees; and no sooner had I re-commenced my duty at the oar than Heaven, satisfied with the hardships I had already undergone, took compassion on me, and released me from my pitiable situation. Soto, who had a devilish design in his head, which he could not execute without my assistance, my seat being near the powder-room, became extremely desirous to be reconciled with me. With this view he availed himself of the mediation of a Turk, who had the liberty of going fore and aft as he pleased in the galley; not doubting that I longed in my heart to be revenged for the cruel treatment I had met with, and that I loved liberty as well as others. He entreated me, through the Turk, to forget the past, and restore him my friendship, which he confessed he had justly forfeited. I pretended to be very desirous to be reconciled to him; upon which the Turk addressed me in these terms:

“Soto has charged me to communicate to you a project which he has formed to deliver us all. It is concerted, that as soon as we reach the coast of Barbary, which we are fast approaching, we are to rise, cut the throats of the officers and soldiers, beginning with the Captain, proclaim Liberty to the rest of the galley-slaves, who will immediately assist us, render ourselves masters of the galley, and seek an asylum amongst the Turks. This enterprise has been in contemplation,” continued he, “upwards of two months. We have a sufficient quantity of arms concealed, all our measures are taken, and we have resolved to save ourselves, Turks as well as Christians, or perish in the attempt. All that is required of you is to blow up the powder-room at a signal given. This is our plot; and after the cruel treatment you have experienced from the Captain, we have thought that you would not refuse to join us.” I replied to the Turk, that he might depend there was nothing I was not capable of undertaking to be revenged on the Captain, and that he might assure the conspirators that I would do what was expected of me. This, however, was very far from my intention. When the day approached that the plot was to be put in execution, I requested a soldier who came near my seat to tell the Captain that I had a secret of the greatest importance to reveal to him. “But,” added I, “tell him to send for me immediately; his life depends upon his compliance.” The Captain considered this as a trick of mine to reconcile myself to him, and regain my post in his kinsman’s service; and though he did condescend to hear what I had to say, he resolved to make me suffer for it, if I was only trifling with him. He sent for me, however, and I discovered all I knew; told him where the arms lay concealed; and named the principal inventors of the plot, at the head of which I did not forget to rank my friend Soto.

The Captain, perceiving now that it was no trifling matter, resolved to proceed with caution, and ordering all the soldiers to their arms, commanded a search to be made, and found a vast quantity of fire-arms and other weapons in the place I had pointed out. He then caused the ringleaders of the conspiracy to be seized, who, being put to the torture, confessed all. Soto and one of his comrades were condemned to be drawn in quarters by four galleys, and the rest were decimated, of whom five were hung, and the others had their noses cut off. Soto, before he died, owned that it was by his contrivance the piece of plate and hat-band had been taken out of the Knight’s cabin, and that I was innocent of it. The Captain commended me highly for my zeal and fidelity, after the unjust usage I had met with; asked my pardon publicly; ordered my irons to be struck off; gave me the liberty of the galley; and he and all the officers signed a letter setting forth the considerable service I had rendered the King in saving the galley and so many lives; which was transmitted to Court to procure an order from his Majesty for my enlargement. It were needless to state with what a grateful heart I returned thanks to Heaven for such a revolution in my prospects, promising to amend, and live better for the future.

Thus, friendly Reader, I have given you an account of the principal adventures of my life. What followed after the King was graciously pleased to grant me my liberty, you may expect to hear, should I live long enough to tell you.

THE END.
London: Printed by John Nichols and Son,
25, Parliament-street.

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