"Now, blessed be my genius!" said Rawlins, "that ever this motive was so opportunely preferred! and therefore we will be quiet a while, till the iron be hotter, that we may not strike in vain."
The 15th January, the morning water [tide] brought us near Cape de Gatte, hard by the shore; we having in our company, a small Turkish Ship of War that followed us out of Argier, the next day: and now joining us she gave us notice of seven small vessels, six of them being Sattees and one a Polacca; who very quickly appeared in sight, and so we made towards them.
But having more advantage of the Polacca than the rest, and loath to lose all, we both fetched her up, and brought her past hope of recovery; which when she perceived, rather than she would voluntarily come into the slavery of the Mahomedans, she ran herself ashore; and so all the men forsook her.
We still followed as near as we durst, and for fear of splitting [i.e., on the rocks], let fall our anchors; making out [sending] both our boats, wherein were many musketeers and some English and Dutch Renegadoes: who came aboard home at their congé [entered the vessel, without opposition], and found three pieces of ordnance, and four murtherers [see Vol. I. p. 500], but straightway threw them all overboard, to lighten the ship. So they got her off, being ladened with hides, and logwood for dyeing: and presently sent her to Argier, taking nine Turks and one English slave out of one ship, and six out of the lesser; which, we thought, sufficient to man her.
But see the chance! or, if you will, how fortune smiled on us. In the rifling of this Catalcynia [? Catalonian], the Turks fell at variance, one with another; and in such a manner that we divided ourselves [parted company]: the lesser ship returned to Argier and our Exchange took the opportunity of the wind, and plied out of the Straits; which rejoiced John Rawlins very much, as resolving on some stratagem, when opportunity should serve.
In the meanwhile, the Turks began to murmur, and would not willingly go into the Marr Granada, as the phrase is amongst them; notwithstanding the Moors, being very superstitious, were contented to be directed by their Hoshca, who, with us, signifieth a Witch [or rather Wizard]: and is of great account and reputation amongst them, as not going in any great vessel to sea without one; and observing whatsoever he concludeth, out of his divination.
The ceremonies he useth are many; and when they come into the ocean, every second or third night, he maketh his conjuration. He beginneth, and endeth with prayer, using many characters, and calling upon GOD by divers names.
Yet, at this time, all that he did, consisteth in these particulars. Upon the sight, and, as we were afraid, the chasing of two great ships, being supposed to be Spanish Men of War, a great silence is commanded in the ship; and when all is done, the company giveth as great a screech; the Captain still coming to John Rawlins and sometimes making him to take in all his sails, and sometimes causing him to hoist them all out, as the Witch findeth by his book and presages.
Then have they two arrows and a curtleaxe lying on a pillow, naked. The arrows are, one for the Turks, and the other for the Christians. Then the Witch readeth, and the Captain or some other, taketh the arrows in their hand by the heads, and if the arrow for the Christians cometh over the head of the arrow for the Turks, then do they advance their sails, and will not endure the fight, whatsoever they see; but if the arrow of the Turks is found, in the opening of the hand, upon the arrow of the Christians, they will then stay and encounter with any ship whatsoever.
The curtleaxe is taken up by some child that is innocent, or rather, ignorant of the ceremony; and so laid down again. Then they do observe whether the same side is uppermost, which lay before: and so proceed accordingly.