CHAP. XIV.
The Author's Passage from the Southern Countries to Goa, where he was imprison'd by the Inquisition. The Story of a Chinese whom he met with there, and the Manner how they got their Liberty.
The Captain of the Ship was a true Spaniard, who in every Action discover'd the Pride and Genius of his Country, so that tho' I should have been glad to have known by what happy Accident this Ship was conducted to the Coasts of a Country where no Body trades, it was impossible for me to learn it, for there was not one of the Ship's Company that knew any thing of the Matter, and I was afraid to ask the Churl for fear of being huff'd as others had been. The Surgeon who spoke a little Latin, only said to me one Day that they came from the American Islands, whither they had convoy'd some Merchant Ships, and carry'd Orders concerning the Release of four or five Ships which the Chevalier Tyssot Governor of Surinam had caus'd to be stopp'd by way of Reprisal, and that immediately after the Delivery of those Orders they sail'd towards the Southern Countries where they went Ashore twice. At the first time, continued he, nothing presented worthy of the Captain's Attention. At our second Landing which might be about seventy or eighty Leagues from the Place where you were, ten Men were sent Ashore, but only two return'd who were those that were left to take care of the Long-Boat, for the others had been attack'd by the Natives of the Country who pursued them as far as the Downs, where they took and cut them to pieces in Sight of their Comrades, who had much ado to escape because the Water was low, and their Boat was on dry Ground. We had a Desire to have landed there also where we found you, but I fancy the Account you gave of those Parts, put our Captain quite out of Conceit with it, which whether true or not, I thought I heard say that we were going in a straight Line to Goa.
Accordingly I observ'd, tho' I knew not why, that we had entirely abandon'd the Country where we had been, and that we were steering towards the North-East. But we could not finish our Voyage without stopping, for the Captain was oblig'd to put in at the Isle of Bourbon, five or six Degrees East of Madagascar, where we stay'd ten Days to recruit ourselves, and to take in fresh Water.
During the short Stay we made here, the Sailors continually diverted themselves as long as their Money would hold out. The Day before we came away, some of those that were Ashore got drunk, particularly one, a Native of Seville about thirty five Years of Age, a very clever Fellow with large Whiskers which he curl'd every now and then, and took more care of than of all the rest of his Body. As drunk as he was, he came to the Long-Boat, and no sooner was aboard, but he fell fast asleep. His Companions that came after him, jogg'd him some on one Side, and some on another, and made a hundred Grimaces to excite him to laugh with them. A young Portuguese who was very near as drunk as he, being also desirous to try a Frolic, softly pull'd out his Scissors, and slily cut off the Spaniard's Left Whisker. They all abhorr'd this Action, blam'd his Imprudence, and told him no Good would come of it. And the next Morning the Spaniard being told by some Babler who it was that had play'd him that scurvy Trick, he came to the Capstane where the other was helping to weigh the Anchor, and without speaking one Word to him run his Knife up to the very Hilt in his Breast. The Portuguese however had Strength to give the Spaniard such a cursed Blow upon his Head with a Lever he held in his Hand, that he fell down stone-dead, and the Portuguese himself after a little staggering fell with his Nose against the Bridge of the Forecastle, where he lost almost all his Blood in the Space of a Quarter of an Hour, and gave up the Ghost in my Arms. Thus we lost two brave Men at once, to the great Trouble of the Captain, who thereupon made an Oath that he would punish the first of his Men that he saw in Liquor in such a Manner as to make him remember it. This however was no hinderance to our sailing, so that we arriv'd happily at Goa the 13th Day of April, 1663.
This famous City is situated in an Island of the same Name, which is at least fifteen Miles in compass at the Mouth of the River Mondouï. It has a good Harbour, a very famous Arsenal, and an incomparable Hospital. As I had no Engagement on board the Ship, the Captain had the Goodness to let me settle on that Island, and follow my Profession there without demanding any thing for my Passage. Most of my Comrades also went Ashore, some one Way, some another.
I was directed to an Inn where the Landlord was extremely civil. I had not been an Hour at his House, but he was so complaisant as to offer me Lodging there gratis, 'till I could find a House to my Fancy. I made a hearty Supper, and went to Bed betimes. It was hot Weather, so that I laid myself down without any Thought near the Bed-Post, with my Left Arm hanging out of the Bed almost to the Ground. When I had been there at least four Hours, and was in my first Sleep, something soft and lukewarm which mov'd up and down upon my Hand, made me draw it up, but I was too drousy to think what it might be. Falling into a Doze, soon after, the same thing happen'd again and again, 'till being at last thoroughly awak'd, I was surpriz'd to see something walk thro' the Room which seem'd as big as a Calf. My Blood came into my Face, for I could not imagine what it was, and tho' I verily believ'd that all the Tales of Witches and Apparitions were old Women's Stories, and had fasten'd the Door of my Chamber, in which I knew not that there was another Bed besides mine, yet I then doubted of the Truth of my Hypothesis. In the mean time, this frightful Object after having taken some Turns about the Room, thought fit to return directly to me. Upon this I drew back, crept to one side as fast as it advanc'd to the other, and when I was almost out of Bed as I thought, my Honour which was very great before, increas'd prodigiously when I found something stir behind me. To be plain, I was in a mortal Agony to see myself beset on all Sides. The Palpitation of my Heart was inconceivable, could hardly fetch Breath, and was all over in a Sweat. In short, the very Moment that the one made as if he would throw himself upon me, I heard a Voice from the other saying, What's the matter, are not you well? At these Words I gave a dreadful Groan, which plainly shew'd the Fright that I was in. Don't be afraid, reply'd he, and who are you? said I, trembling all the while. I am John, said he, a Sailor on board the Ship that you came in. The D—-l take you, said I, you have put a Trick upon me that surely will cost me my Life. I am half dead already, and if I han't Relief, 'tis impossible for me to recover. How the D—-l came you hither? continued I, and who is there in the Chamber besides you? No Body, said he, and if you perceive any thing, it can only be the Captain's Dog, which follow'd me hither last Night. A Dog, said I, what, is it as big as an Ass? 'Tis the great black Shock-Dog that you have seen a hundred times, said he, but Fear is apt to magnify Objects, and to be sure he appear'd to you bigger than he is. 'Twas that cursed Cur then, said I, that came and lick'd my Hand three or four times before I was quite awake. But once more I pray, how came you into my Room? The Captain, reply'd he, went to sup with a Friend where he detain'd me 'till ten o' Clock, and then bid me come and lie here this Night. When I came, the Inn-keeper said he had no room for me, but that if I had come an Hour or two sooner, I might perhaps have taken half a Bed with a Stranger who was just arriv'd in the St. Jago, and upon his explaining himself a little farther, I was sure it must be you; so that after having told him that we both came in the same Ship, he permitted me upon my Word and Honour that you would not take it ill, to come and bear you Company. All this, my Friend, would have been perfectly right, reply'd I, if you had but spoke to me when you came into the Room. I would have done so, said he, but you slept so sound, that I thought it would be a Sin to disturb you. These Circumstances reviv'd me very much, and I found my Spirits recover by degrees, but they had been too much disorder'd for me not to guard against the Consequence; therefore as soon as 'twas Day, I made my Portuguese get out of Bed, and charg'd him to send for a Surgeon who breath'd a Vein, and took away five or six Ounces of Blood, so that God be thank'd my Panic had no Consequence, tho' certainly I never was in such a Terror before. My Landlord, who scarce knew me again was affected at this Incident, but we laugh'd at it afterwards, and he diverted every one that came to his House with the Story.
I lodg'd ten Days after over-against the Dominicans Convent here, which is a very fine one. Tho' I stay'd here but a very little time, I had the Happiness to perform several Cures, which procured me the Acquaintance of many People of Worth. One of the Dominicans having broke his Leg by a Fall down Stairs, sent for me, and tho' the Bone was shatter'd, yet I made such a Cure of it, that at two Months end he walk'd as well as ever. This was of very great Service to me; for the honest Friar thought he could never do enough to shew his Love and Gratitude, and not only himself, but all of his Order were fond of my Company at all my leisure Hours, and I us'd to entertain them with a Narrative of my Travels. Besides, they recommended me where-ever they went, so that my Practice increased every Day, which brought me in a great deal of Money, and I thought my self in a fair Way of acquiring a considerable Estate. But Thanks to my unlucky Star, a fresh Affair happened which gave me a great deal of Trouble, and had like to have cost me my Life.
The Inhabitants of Goa are made up of all Religions, Pagans, Jews, Mahometans, but the Catholic is the prevailing Religion, and the only one that is publickly exercis'd, The Clergy are very rigid, and the Laity extremely superstitious, but you must not think this proceeds from a Principle of Devotion, the former being stupidly ignorant, and the latter excessively debauch'd, the Women especially having the Character of inconceivable Lasciviousness. Being a little at Ease, and having an Opportunity to frequent several Companies, I often took the Liberty to banter those Eaters of Crucifixes and Swallowers of Images, who think they may with Impunity cut a Purse with one Hand as it were, provided they tell their Beads with the other. A Man of my Profession enrag'd to see how much Business I had, at the same time that he could hardly get Bread; having heard me talk after this manner several times, was such a Villain as to go and accuse me of Heresy before the Inquisition, which is the most terrible and the most unjust Tribunal in the World. For as I was going one Day to the Governor's, who had sent for me to bleed one of his Domestics, I was scarce fifty Paces from his House, but an Officer came and said I must go with him, and at the same Instant four of his Tipslaves surrounded me, and seizing me by the Collar carry'd me on the 26th of June 1669 to Prison, where they loaded me with Fetters like the vilest of Criminals.