But he persuaded me to go with him, saying, that he would, in time, provide for my liberty.
But by means I would not yield to go to my Master, nor yet the Consul would not take order for me: I was taken by the King's Officers, and put in chains in the King's prison, among other captives.
And at the next setting out of the gallies, I was put to my old occupation; where I remained a galley slave for three years and above after [1588-1592.] In which time, I was eight voyages at sea: and at such times as the gallies lay in harbour, I was imprisoned with the rest of the captives, where our ordinary food was bread and water; and, at some times, as once or twice in a week, a small quantity of sodden wheat.
To conclude, I passed my time in sickness and extreme slavery until, by the help of an honest Merchant [? Master Richard Stapar, see page [369]; or rather Stapers, see Vol. III., page 169] of this city of London, and having a very fit opportunity by means of certain [of] our English ships which were ready to set sail, bound homeward, upon Christmas Even, being the 24th of December 1592, I came aboard [at Algiers] the Cherubim of London; which, weighing anchor, and having a happy gale, arrived in England towards the end of February [1593] following.
Thus have you heard how it hath pleased the Almighty GOD, after many and great miseries, to bring me to the port which I longed greatly to see: beseeching GOD, of his mercy, to prolong the days of our most gracious and renowned Queen; whose fame reacheth far, and whose most happy government is in admiration with foreign Princes.
So wishing all to the glory of GOD, and
[the] furtherance of the Gospel,
I end.
FINIS.