But I thought [it] no time now to hear any more of their talk; but betook me to my heels: and so soon as I was without the town, I went out of the Port way [the road to Algiers] into [the] woods; and kept desert ways that night and day following.
And the next night, I came within the liberties of the King of Argire; where I knew the Cabyles [Kabyles] could not fetch me back again.
Many dangerous wild beasts in that country.
In this order I escaped their hands, by the mighty power of GOD. For understand, in these desert mountains there are all manner of wild beasts, in great number; as lions, bears, wolves of marvellous bigness, apes, wild swine; and also wild horses and asses, with many other hurtful beasts: yet was I never in danger of any of them.
In this country of Cabyles, there are divers kinds of very pure metals, as gold, silver, and lead; and good iron and steel: but they, for want of knowledge and skill, make no use of any metal except iron and steel. Although at such times I have been present, while the Smiths have tried their iron, I have seen, among the dross of the iron, very perfect gold. Which they, perceiving me to behold, were very inquisitive to understand, Whether it were gold, or any other metal of substance?
But I told them, It was but a kind of dross whereof we made colours for painting in England.
They carried me out to the mountains, and shewed me the rocks where they gathered their iron; which rocks had veins of very pure gold. Which I would not reveal to them, but answered as before: because I doubted [feared] if the King once knew me to have experience in such mysteries, he would keep me the more straight[ly]; whereby I might have remained in bondage during my life.
Now when I was within the country of Argire, I was out of dangers from the pursuers; and then did I walk by day and kept the common ways.