For three or four days we sailed along the shore, and got to the southward of Port Dauphine, but at last the wind shifted, and blowed so hard we could sail no longer; so that in short, we drove on shore within three or four leagues of the place where we are at present. We saved all our lives, with our money, guns, powder, shot, &c. but the long-boat was staved in pieces.
The natives, who lived near the sea, perceiving our distressed condition, came down to succour us, and carried us up to their town; for they found we had a smattering of their language; and as we had a negro with us they were no way afraid, though they never saw any white men before: nay, they were so civil, that we wanted for nothing with which they could assist us. However, they soon sent up into the country to inform their deaan, or king, of our arrival; who sent his son, and a commanding officer with fifty men to bring us up before him. Though they were all armed with guns and lances, yet we refused to go with them, and were as resolute as we durst be in opposing them: but they soon made themselves masters of our ammunition.
Captain Drummond was for defending ourselves to the last extremity, and not to deliver up our arms; but being fully persuaded, that it was impossible to get off from them by force, on account of their number, I advised him to comply; and see if we could not obtain our desires by softer measures. We told them we desired to go to Port Dauphine, (St Augustine’s Bay being too far for us to travel by land,) but in short, we could not prevail; for they obliged us to go with them.
We made it three days’ journey to the place of their king’s residence: when we came there, and were carried before him, he was drinking toake, (which is made of honey and water like mead;) his sons and generals were with him, and all perfectly merry. He asked captain Drummond to drink, but the captain, pretending to be sick, refused it. I was their interpreter; the king bid me tell him, he should want for nothing the country afforded. The captain desired I would return for answer, that as he wanted to be in his own country, he begged he might be permitted to go where we might get shipping.
On this the king, with a stern aspect, replied, let the captain be informed, if he does not know when he is well used, I do; there are several kings on this island, who have white men among them, and why shall not I? Since our gods have been so good as to send you here, you shall never go with my consent, as long as I govern here.
Upon this, captain Drummond’s colour rose, and looking sternly at the king, let him know (said he to me) that had I suspected this beforehand, he should never have seen my face alive; I would have sent some of their black souls to hell. It is not their gods but fortune that has put me into his power, and the same fortune may again deliver me out of it. Hereupon he got up without taking his leave, and went to our cottage. I stayed long enough to tell the king what he had said, and without waiting for an answer, got up, and followed the captain.
The king seeing captain Drummond go away in a passion, in order to appease him, sent one of his generals with an ox for us to kill; and desired the captain to make himself easy, since both he and his friends should be well provided for; if we could eat an ox every day we should be welcome to it. The captain sent my companion’s wife, whose name was Deude, with a compliment to the king, and to return him thanks for the care he took to provide so plentifully for our support; but withal to tell him, we did not think life worth preserving without the freedom of enjoying it; and if we were not permitted to go home to our native country, no indulgence whatsoever could make us easy.
In this state we continued about a fortnight, before we made any attempt to escape; but at last, considering we were about five days’ journey from Port Dauphine, we agreed to go thither; to steal away by night, and get what provision we thought proper: as to ammunition, or arms, we had none, nor could we get any: except that my companion had two pocket pistols, which the natives had not discovered when they plundered us; and the country being woody, we thought we should be able to conceal ourselves well enough.
According to this resolution, on a moonlight night, we got out of the town undiscovered; and were soon among the thickets. By daylight, however, they missed us; and the news being carried to the king, he ordered us to be pursued. They soon tracked us, for our shoes distinguished our footing, and came up with us before night; but as they knew we had nothing to defend ourselves, they did not offer any violence to us; but only told us we must go back with them to their king. Captain Drummond peremptorily declared, that we would not go back. When they saw our resolution, and that fair words were ineffectual, they then took hold of us. My companion, not having his hands secured, took out his pistols, and wounded one of them. They seemed enraged at this action, however they did nothing more than bind us, till they had made a strict search for more pistols; but finding no more, they marched back with us to their king. As soon as he saw us, he looked upon us with a frowning and menacing aspect, and having but one eye and thin jaws, his countenance seemed still more terrible. He bid me tell the captain and all of them, that if ever we offered to run away again, he would make us dearly repent it. As to the man who was wounded, though we were apprehensive of being called to account for it, neither he nor any one else said any thing about the matter.
This was about two months ago; since that time nothing remarkable has happened, till yesterday news came of your being cast away; and the king immediately ordered me down with the message I have delivered to you from him. My friends are guarded for fear they should make their escape, and come to you; as for my own part, I endeavour to sooth him and tell him I will remain with him as long as I live; and he puts some confidence in me. This, sir, is a short, but true narrative of the miseries and misfortunes we are under; and which, I am afraid, will be more now our numbers are increased.