He searcht a pretty while again before he could find any more, at last he found in a blind corner a Book, and bringing it to light, what should it be, but Mr. Smiths Great Assize; Look you here (said he) what I have found at last? before which at last you must appear, and there answer for all the Villanies you have committed, and then will these very Books (thou hast stoll’n) come in as evidences against thee; but hoping thou wilt escape there, they shall convict thee here, and so presently sent his Man for a Constable, who coming, we straight way marcht to the Mayors. As ill luck would have it, we were to pass by both the Hosiers Shop, and the Shooe-makers, who enquiring of the rabble what was the matter, were informed that they were carrying a young Thief to the Mayor, for stealing Books; the Shooe-maker was the first I past by, who seeing me, knew me presently, crying out, this is the young Rogue that stole my shooes; and not long after the Hosier was in the same tone; this is one of the Rascals that stole my Stockins, so joyning with the multitude, we soon arrived at the Mayors house; entring which, the Mayor being acquainted with the matter, came down into a large Hall, where my Accusers each in his order declared my guilt, not omitting any circumstance that might aggravate my crimes. The Mayor much wondred that I should be so notoriously Roguish at those years, and askt, what I had to say for my self. May it please your Worship (quoth I, bowing so low that my nose e’ne toucht the Ground) I am fatherless, and Money-less, Friendless, and Helpless, and being ready to starve, I begged up and down the Town, but to very little purpose; for I beg’d so long without relief, that I knew not how to prolong my Life, without falling into these indirect courses. Had not the People been thus hard hearted, I had not been so sharp witted. What did you do with the Shooes and Stockins you stole? I sold them (said I) for Bread and Beer. Where, said he? May it please your Worship, I am a stranger in this place and if you hang me I know not where the house stands now. But what did you intend to do with these Books? And if it please you, Sir, I intended with all diligence to enquire whether any Ship was going for Barbadoes, or any English Plantation abroad and I would go in her; being able to read a little, (and knowing my self to be a wicked Boy) I thought to carry them along with me, to the intent I might both mend my reading; and by my reading those good Books, endeavour to mend my life. All the standers by amazed to hear me speak after this manner; but more especially the Mayor, who protested, although he was near four-score, he had not in his whole life time observed the like President; and withal publickly confest he knew not what to do in this business: at length (after he had pawsed a while) said he; young man, you shall have your desire, you shall go to Barbadoes; here is a ship in the Harbour now ready, only expecting a wind; but that you may not forget your Native Countrey, this Town in particular; but more especially your matchless Rogueries, you shall be sharply whipt according to your deserts, and from the House of Correction immediately shipt away. You Gentlemen, that have been sufferers by this young Rogue, see that my sentence be punctually performed; and if you please to give your selves farther satisfaction, let each person offended, give the Offender three lashes apiece, above the general number appointed. I was straightways hurried from thence to the House of Correction; not only Guarded, but regarded by half the Town; my Accusers stuck to me to the very last, neither was there wanting those (to the number of a score) that verily believ’d I had abused them too (having lost several things lately) which accompanied me, hoping to give themselves some satisfaction, by having each of them a fling at my ——. The illest lookt Rogue that ever dropt out of a Carts arse at Tyburn, was superlatively handsom to this Baboon, bare-arst, Monkey-fac’d Jerker, that was to correct my Rogueship. His eyes were of two different colours, and of as different motions; they would turn from each sometimes to the utmost Angles of his face, as if they loathing each other, would not admit of that correspondency which good eyes bless themselves withal: and then again furiously return, angerly endeavouring to pry into each others Cells, how they might extinguish the malignancie of that sight, each other hated for the Neighbour-hood. The Hair of his Head and Eye-brows hung over his Fore head, and part of his Face, like that of an Iceland Shock; Nature when she formed him was very frollicksom, and summon’d all the faculties of her art to make a thing appear ridiculously monstrous; for the colour of his Face appear’d less lovely than a Molotto’s, the sides of his Cheek like two pieces of Tann’d-Hide flie-bitten; his Nose about an inch longer than Mother Shipton is pictur’d with, and somewhat more curved; his Mouth opened as wide as an Oligators; and his Teeth within that vast Concave, alike straggling, his Chin was like the Rump of a Goose. When he did sweat (as he did rarely otherwise) his neck lookt very like a Collar of Brawn, standing in its own Pickle; his back was borrowed from a Cammel, his Belly from a Swine, his Leggs from a Crane, much longer, though not quite so small; But I believe the Devil helpt him to Arms, for my Doublet and Shirt being stript over my ears, there was an Engine brought much like a Pillorie, in which there was three holes; the middlemost for my Head, and one of each side for my hands: These Principal Members of mine being there fixt, he takes up a Stick in his hand with five or six Cords at the end thereof, with which, at the first blow, I thought he had cut me in two, following that with three or four more, and in the end did so lay about him, that my very Accusers were forc’d to intreat him to give over; and when that would not do, they were compell’d to hold his hands. To conclude, he had so out-done their expectations, that they had now nothing else to do but to pity me; but this was not all, my greatest affliction was yet behind. For lest those deep furrows the Rogue had plowed up on my Back should fester or rankle, he had provided a Bason of Water and Salt to wash my Wounds withal, which caused a pain intollerable. The severity of that punishment, hath ever since wrought so strongly on my imagination, that it makes me tremble, when I but cast my eye on any Book of the same Volume of a Practice of Piety.
Mr. Mayor had ordered, that the place of my torment should be that of my rest too for that night, and in the mean time had sent for the Master of the Ship that was bound for Barbadoes, (having a part in her himself) and inform’d him that he had a purchase for him; a young Lad which he should take aboard, giving him an account how he came by him: it was all one to the Master, he cared not what they were, provided strong and healthy: the Sea and Gallows refuse none. The next morning I was conveyed aboard; the Master knew me at first sight, and said to me, Did not I tell you, if you were worse than your promise I should meet with you again? Truly Master, (said I) I did not forget what I promised, the occasion of so long absence was only a desire I had to furnish my self with some Commodities suitable to our Voyage; yesterday I was coming in all hast to you, but that taking up some odd trifles by the way staid me a while, but I’le assure you they cost me very dear. The damn’d Dog-whipper that was with me, did cut what I was about to say in two, resolving forsooth, to have his saying, telling the Master he need not be asham’d to entertain me in his Ship, for to his knowledge I was no less than a Lace-Merchant, and had had great quantity about me. The Master dismissing the Fellow giving him a Tester for his care of me, took me into his Custody; first carrying me into his Cabin to divert himself with the relation of my Adventures; perceiving that the rehearsal of but two or three gave him infinite satisfaction; I assumed the boldness (being encouraged thereunto by his intreaty) to give him a plenary relation, not only of what had lately past since my arrival at Barnstable, but gave him a true and full account of all transactions before I left the famous City of Bristol, the place which I am engaged to for my Nativity.
CHAP. X.
He is shipt for a Plantation. He gives an account of the Passengers aboard, relating what kind of Cattle they were, and discovers from their own mouths, things very observable, in some of their Lives and Conversations.
The soreness of my flead back had so taken me off my mettle, that for three days, I did little more than eat and sleep; but hating thus to truant away my life without acting or observation; I pull’d up a good heart, resolving to make the best of a bad Market; the first thing I had to do was to get my Cargo aboard, not knowing how, or whom to trust. I saw there was no way more feisable than to acquaint our Master herewith: wherefore one Morning, seeing him enter his Cabin alone, I followed him close at the heels, and falling presently on my knees, I begg’d him in the most commiserating terms my invention would afford, that he would not only be secret in what I should discover to him, but also be assistant to me. What, Sirrah (said he) have you some new piece of Roguery to act, and would you have me to be your accomplice in it? Far be it from me, Sir, said I; the Fact is already done, and by what means known: but the purchase none knows but myself where it is, wherefore all that I desire is, that discovering the place, you will lend me your assistance to bring it hither, Sir, it is a just thing I beg of you; I have suffered the Law; and therefore it is mine; The very Turks condemn that as lawful prize to the use of the theevish Slave, that can carry it off (though but over the Threeshold) without being taken notice of; so I hope, as I have been cleanly in my conveyance, so my punishment will authorise and clear the purchase. Hearing me plead so notably and pittying my condition, told me that none should be concerned in the securing of my dear bought Goods but himself, and therefore commanded me to tell him where they were; which accordingly I did, and he thereupon immediately fetcht them, locking them up in his own custody, and promising me, as soon as they were Landed, restitution; and that you shall not suspect, Sirrah (said he) that I will embezel any of them, you shall have an Inventory of them, which was thus: Imprimis Six pair of Worsted Stockins, one pair of Children Shoees, five clean Pipes, two Blew Leather Points, one Pair of Boys Shoes, Two Brass Thimbles, one Alchymy Spoon, one sawcer, one Knitting sheath and four Needles with it, one old Womans pair of eyes, (Spectacles I mean) which I stole from her Nose as she slept at her own dore, two Horn-books, the pillage of Two Children going to School; besides Giggs, Bouling-stones, Marbles, and Span-Bounters innumerable.
As my Master was taking in writing an exact account of my Estate, I thought he would have crackt a Gut by his excessive laughter; but when that stitch-begetting-tickling humour would give him leave, he askt me, what I intended to do with these commodities when I Landed? or what Merchant I had advised withal in the proper transportation of these Goods? Or whether (said he, laughing aloudly) have you received any Letters of advice from your Correspondence beyond Sea? He was not so jocundly vain as I was really serious, which so increast his laughter, that I was forc’d to exercise a great deal of patience, before I could have liberty to return him suitable Answers to his Questions. At length without the least alteration of my countenance I told him, that what I had collected to my great cost and labour, I thought were as proper for transportation to that place we were bound to, as I had consulted the principal Merchants of Europe; for there is nothing said I in all my Cargo but what is very useful, and that to all sorts of Persons, Sexes, or Ages. For my stockins, Points, &c. will very well accommodate either Male or Female; the Knitting-sheath and Thimbles, for the young Wenches; the Spectacles, I guess, may serve any old Woman from Threescore to an Hundred; the Horn-Books they may teach their Children by, to read; and let me alone with the Gigs, Bowling-stones and Counters to teach them to play, I mean, Sir, not to play with them, but for them, and if I win (as I know I shall) their purchasing them again, shall be my daily gain.
He seem very well pleased to hear me make such silly Propositions to my self for my future advantage; but I propounded to my self greater advantages, laid on a more solid Basis; and I did not fear my hopes would wither, or prove ineffectual, since as I plainly perceiv’d, I had my Masters love and countenance to cherish them. Being now dismist, I walkt to and fro the Ship, making my self acquainted with the Sea-men, my childishness conversing with their bruitishness, as cheerfully as possibly I could, who seemed well pleased with me, though seldom pleased with any thing else but store of strong liquors aboard, and a lusty plump Wench ashore. From aloft, I got between Decks, and there I found a many beastly fellow Travailers, Dog-like kennell’d, higglede pigglede altogether; I was heartily welcom’d in amongst them, but I was much troubled to see them so much more in years than my self, till looking narrowly about me, I espyed a young Girl of about sixteen, as I judged. O Sister, quoth I, as confidently, I am glad to see you here, but much more glad that I shall have your company in this Voyage. The Baggage at first seemed somewhat sullen and coy, but in two or three dayes we grew so inwardly acquainted; that if I were aloft, ahead[ahead], or abaft, or wheresoever, she would be at my elbow. One day asking her the cause of being a Shipboard, She told me, her Father and Mother dyed when she was but three years old, and left her to the tutelage of an Aunt, whose cruelty increast towards her, as she increast in years, debarring her even from that convenient sustenance that supports Life, so that she was forced to steal her Belly-timber, or be half-starved. This early-forward-fruit was well complexioned, and well featured, having a good natural Genius, attended with an extraordinary boldness, both which made me love this Cockatrice Whirligig, what shall I call her, and became at last much delighted in her conversation. Singling her out one day, we got upon the Poop together, where, after many childish flurtings, she perceiving how inquisitive and desirous I was to know what was the cause her Aunt was thus willing to part from her, by sending her to Barbadoes; she very briskly told me, she would give me the satisfaction required, and expecting she would have made a sigh to the Prologue to her following Discourse, I found it otherwise, for she smilingly thus began, to the same purpose, though not in the same words.
My Aunt doth think she hath fully revenged her self of all the injuries I have done her, by thus banishing me from her presence, and my Native Countrey, to a place I never heard of, till I was doom’d to be an Inhabitant therein; and glad I am that slavish sentence hath freed me from a more cruel doom of living under the Tyrany of a principal Shee-Divel. My Father dying, left me as I am inform’d an hundred pound, which by my Mothers death soon after was almost doubled; my Aunt, before her decease, had so insinuated into her easie nature, that she wheedled her to let this Money lie in her hands for my use, promising my mother, that if I lived to be of age, or marryed, I should have the sum intire, without substracting a penny, under what pretence soever, and would tender me as her own daughter: My Mother dying with the satisfaction of my being well provided for, I was taken into the use of my Aunt, and for a while was indifferently lookt after, going to school with her own Son and Daughter. But some years being past over my head, I found my self differenced from her Children, as much as might be, slighted, and abused, and my Couzens often beaten for their too much familiarity with me: and that which was worse, I was circumscribed of necessary provision. Having alwayes a bold daring Spirit, I troubled my self as little as I might, but made my wit and industry supply me, with what my Aunt was defective in; neither was I the sole sufferer in this affliction, the servants bearing a part with me, having no other proportion at Meals, than what her niggardly hand made dividend of, not making the meat conformable to our stomacks, but our stomacks to the meat; having dined, she lockt up all fast: The servants did not half so often grumble at her, as my Guts; and that she might know how dissatisfyed they were, I went one day with an Hammer, and nailed up the House of Office dore; she having an occasion to make use of it, could not be admitted, but being in great haste, was glad to apply her self to her own Bed-chamber, which I am sure she perfumed to the purpose. Coming down in a great rage, she enquired into the cause of this odd project, and who the authour should be. To be short, she was acquainted that it was I, who being summoned to appear before her; Huzzy, said she, was it you that nailed up the Privy door? I was forced to plead Guilty. And what was the reason (Mrs. Ne’re be good) you did so? Why truly forsooth (quoth I) you feed well and plentifully, and therefore Nature might command and require you to give her easement; and to that purpose you have in your Chamber a Close-stool; but we your servants, as we eat little or nothing, so we seldom have occasion to go to that house, which to us is altogether useless. She knew not whether she were best be angry, or pleased; but dissembling her passion, said, well Huzif, if you complain, you shall have less: the less you eat, the cleaner will be your sheets, and so left me. Seeing her ultimate resolution was to keep me short of Victuals; I resolved to try some means whereby I might feed without her knowledge. Fortune favoured me so much, that one afternoon going up into her Chamber, wherein stood a great Chest she usually laid up her provision in, I saw the Key in it, which she by forgetfulness had left behind: I presently stept to it, and opening the Lid, found there a Turkey Pie, which I made so bold with, that I took as much as would have served me three dayes, if I had eaten nothing else, and that continually. I got me down the stairs with all possible speed, to prevent discovery, and secure my Provant; I soon found a place for that purpose, and having hid it, I began to consider what I had done, and that my Aunt would soon know, who it was that frighted her Turkey away, none else but me daring to be so bold; while I was deeply musing with[with] myself, our Cat came purring by me, as if she had been sent by my good Angel, to be the Sacrifice that should free me from that punishment that would inevitably attend this Crime; so taking her up in my arms, I ran up into the Chamber, and having claw’d with my Nails the flesh, and the Crust sufficiently, I committed poor Puss to answer for what I had done. My Aunt a while after missing her Key, went hastily to her Chamber, and seeing it in the Chest, condemned her own carelesness, and looking thereinto to see whether all was well, the Cat bounc’d out into her face; the suddain surprizal made her make a noise more discordant, than if twenty Screetch-Owls had been in Consort. Being alarm’d at this bellow, I was the first that got to my Aunt, and very inquisitive I was of her to know, what was the matter. Oh! said she a scurvy Cat, I negligently shut in the Chest, hath almost frighted me out of my wits, besides what other mischief she hath done me. But when she came to see what work supposedly the Cat had done, I was in good hopes that my Aunt would have taken a lodging in Bedlam.