Part 5

In the yeere 1621, the first of November, there was one _Iohn Rawlins_, borne in _Rochester_, and dwelling three and twenty yeere in _Plimmoth_, imployed to the Strait of _Gibraltar_, by Master _Richard_, and _Steven Treviles_, Merchants of Plimmoth, and fraighted in a Barke, called the _Nicholas_ of _Plimmoth_, of the burden of forty Tun, which had also in her company another ship of _Plimmoth_, called the _George Benaventure_ of seventy Tun burthen, or thereabouts; which by reason of her greatnesse beyond the other, I will name the _Admirall_; and _Iohn Rawlins_ Barke shall, if you please, be the _Vice-admirall_. These two according to the time of the yeere, had a faire passage, and by the eighteenth of the same moneth came to a place at the entring of the straits, named _Trafflegar_: but the next morning, being in the sight of _Gibraltar_, at the very mouth of the straits, the watch descried five saile of ships, who as it seemed, used all the means they could to come neere us, and we as we had cause, used the same means to go as farre from them: yet did their _Admirall_ take in both his top sailes, that either we might not suspect them, or that his owne company might come up the closer together. At last perceiving us _Christians_, they fell from devices to apparent discovery of hostility, and making out against us: we againe suspecting them Pirats, tooke our course to escape from them, and made all the sailes we possibly could for _Tirriff_, or _Gibraltar_: but all we could doe, could not prevent their approach. For suddenly one of them came right over against us to wind-ward, and so fell upon our quarter: another came upon our luffe, and so threatened us there, and at last all five chased us, making great speed to surprise us.

Their _Admirall_ was called _Callfater_, having upon her maine top-saile, two top-gallant sailes, one above another. But whereas we thought them all five to be _Turkish_ ships of war, we afterwards understood, that two of them were their prizes, the one a smal ship of _London_, the other of the West-countrey, that came out of the _Quactath_ laden with figges, and other Merchandise, but now subiect to the fortune of the Sea, and the captivity of Pirats. But to our businesse. Three of these ships got much upon us, and so much that ere halfe the day was spent, the _Admirall_ who was the best sailer, fetcht up the _George Bonaventure_, and made booty of it. The _Vice-Admirall_ againe being neerest unto the lesser Barke, whereof _Iohn Rawlins_ was Master, shewed him the force of a stronger arme, and by his _Turkish_ name, called _Villa-Rise_, commanded him in like sort to strike his sailes, and submit to his mercy, which not to be gaine-saied nor prevented, was quickly done: and so _Rawlins_ with his Barke was quickly taken, although the _Reare-Admirall_ being the worst sayler of the three, called _Reggiprise_, came not in, till all was done.

The same day before night, the _Admirall_ either loth to pester himselfe with too much company, or ignorant of the commodity that was to be made by the sale of _English_ prisoners, or daring not to trust them in his company, for feare of mutinies, and exciting others to rebellion; set twelve persons who were in the _George Bonaventure_ on the land, and divers other _English_, whom he had taken before, to trie their fortunes in an unknowne Countrey. But _Villa-Rise_, the _Vice-Admirall_ that had taken _Iohn Rawlins_, would not so dispence with his men, but commanded him and five more of his company to be brought aboord his ship, leaving in his Barke three men and his boy, with thirteene _Turkes_ and _Moores_, who were questionlesse sufficient to over-master the other, and direct the Barke to Harbour. Thus they sailed directly for _Algier_; but the night following, followed them with great tempest and foule weather, which ended not without some effect of a storme: for they lost the sight of _Rawlins_ Barke, called the _Nicholas_, and in a manner lost themselves, though they seemed safe a shipboord, by fearefull coniecturing what should become of us: at last, by the two and twentieth of the same moneth, they, or we (chuse you whether) arrived at _Algier_, and came in safety within the Mould, but found not our other Barke there; nay, though we earnestly inquired after the same, yet heard we nothing to our satisfaction; but much matter was ministred to our discomfort and amazement. For although the Captaine and our over-seers, were loth we should have any conference with our Country-men; yet did we adventure to informe ourselves of the present affaires, both of the Towne, and the shipping: so that finding many _English_ at worke in other ships, they spared not to tell us the danger we were in, and the mischiefes we must needs incurre, as being sure if we were not used like slaves, to be sold as slaves; for there had beene five hundred brought into the market for the same purpose, and above a hundred hansome youths compelled to turne _Turkes_, or made subiect to more viler prostitution, and all _English_: yet like good _Christians_, they bade us be of good cheere, and comfort ourselves in this, that Gods trials were gentle purgations, and these crosses were but to cleanse the drosse from the gold, and bring us out of the fire againe more cleare and lovely. Yet I must needs confesse, that they afforded us reason for this cruelty, as if they determined to be revenged of our last attempt to fire their ships in the Mould, and therefore protested to spare none whom they could surprise and take alive; but either to sell them for money, or torment them to serve their owne turnes. Now their customes and usages in both these was in this manner.

First, concerning the first. The _Bashaw_ had the over-seeing of all prisoners, who were presented unto him at their first comming into the harbour, and to choose one out of every eight for a present or fee to himselfe: the rest were rated by the Captaines, and so sent to the Market to be sold; whereat if either there were repining, or any drawing backe, then certaine _Moores_ and Officers attended either to beate you forward, or thrust you into the sides with Goades; and this was the manner of the selling of Slaves.

Secondly, concerning their enforcing them, either to turne _Turke_, or to attend their filthines and impieties, although it would make a Christians heart bleed to heare of the same, yet must the truth not be hid, nor the terror left untold. They commonly lay them on their naked backs or bellies, beating them so long, till they bleed at the nose and mouth; and if yet they continue constant, then they strike the teeth out of their heads, pinch them by their tongues, and use many other sorts of tortures to convert them; nay, many times they lay them their whole length in the ground like a grave, and so cover them with boords, threatening to starve them, if they will not turne; and so many even for feare of torment and death, make their tongues betray their hearts to a most fearefull wickednesse, and so are circumcised with new names, and brought to confesse a new Religion. Others againe, I must confesse, who never knew any God, but their own sensuall lusts and pleasures, thought that any religion would serve their turnes, and so for preferment or wealth very voluntarily renounced their faith, and became _Renegadoes_ in despight of any counsell which seemed to intercept them: and this was the first newes wee encountred with at our comming first to _Algier_.

The 26. of the same moneth, _Iohn Rawlins_ his Barke, with his other three men and a boy, came safe into the Mould, and so were put all together to be carried before the _Bashaw_, but that they tooke the Owners servant, and _Rawlins_ Boy, and by force and torment compelled them to turne _Turkes_: then were they in all seven _English_, besides _Iohn Rawlins_, of whom the _Bashaw_ tooke one, and sent the rest to their Captaines, who set a valuation upon them, and so the Souldiers hurried us like dogs into the Market, whereas men sell Hacknies in _England_. We were tossed up and downe to see who would give most for us; and although we had heavy hearts, and looked with sad countenances, yet many came to behold us, sometimes taking us by the hand, sometimes turning us round about, sometimes feeling our brawnes and naked armes, and so beholding our prices written on our breasts, they bargained for us accordingly, and at last we were all sold, and the Souldiers returned with the money to their Captaines.

_Iohn Rawlins_ was the last who was sold, by reason of his lame hand, and bought by the Captaine that tooke him, even that dog _Villa Rise_, who better informing himselfe of his skill fit to be a Pilot, and his experience to bee an over-seer, bought him and his Carpenter at very easie rates. For as we afterwards understood by divers _English Renegadoes_, he paid for _Rawlins_ but one hundred and fiftie Dooblets, which make of _English_ money seven pound ten shilling. Thus was he and his Carpenter with divers other slaves sent into his ship to worke, and imployed about such affaires, as belonged to the well rigging and preparing the same. But the villanous _Turkes_ perceiving his lame hand, and that he could not performe so much as other Slaves, quickly complained to their Patron, who as quickly apprehended the inconvenience; whereupon hee sent for him the next day, and told him he was unserviceable for his present purpose, and therefore unlesse he could procure fifteene pound of the _English_ there for his ransome, he would send him up into the Countrey, where he should never see _Christendome_ againe, and endure the extremity of a miserable banishment.

But see how God worketh all for the best for his servants, and confounded the presumption of Tyrants, frustrating their purposes, to make his wonders knowne to the sonnes of men, and releeves his people, when they least thinke of succour and releasement. Whilest _Iohn Rawlins_ was thus terrified with the dogged answere of _Villa Rise_, the _Exchange_ of _Bristow_,[5] a ship formerly surprised by the Pirats, lay all unrigged in the Harbour, till at last one _Iohn Goodale_, an _English Turke_, with his confederates, understanding shee was a good sailer, and might be made a proper Man of Warre, bought her from the _Turkes_ that tooke her, and prepared her for their owne purpose. Now the _Captaine_ that set them at worke, was also an _English Renegado_, by the name of _Rammetham Rise_, but by his Christian name _Henrie Chandler_, who resolved to make _Goodale_ Master over her; and because they were both _English Turkes_, having the command notwithstanding of many _Turkes_ and _Moores_, they concluded to have all _English_ slaves to goe in her, and for their Gunners, _English_ and _Dutch Renegadoes_, and so they agreed with the Patrons of nine _English_ and one _French_ Slave for their ransoms, who were presently imployed to rig and furnish the ship for a Man of Warre, and while they were thus busied, two of _Iohn Rawlins_ men, who were taken with him, were also taken up to serve in this Man of Warre, their names, _Iames Roe_, and _Iohn Davies_, the one dwelling in _Plimmoth_, and the other in _Foy_, where the Commander of this ship was also borne, by which occasion they came acquainted, so that both the Captaine, and the Master promised them good usage, upon the good service they should performe in the voyage, and withall demanded of them, if they knew of any _Englishman_ to be bought, that could serve as a Pilot, both to direct them out of Harbour, and conduct them in their voyage. For in truth neither was the Captaine a Mariner, nor any _Turke_ in her of sufficiency to dispose of her through the Straites in securitie, nor oppose any enemie, that should hold it out bravely against them. _Davies_ quickly replied, that as farre as he understood, _Villa Rise_ would sell _Iohn Rawlins_ his Master, and Commander of the Barke which was taken, a man every way sufficient for Sea affaires, being of great resolution and good experience; and for all he had a lame hand, yet had he a sound heart and noble courage for any attempt or adventure.

When the Captaine understood thus much, he imployed _Davies_ to search for Rawlins, who at last lighting upon him, asked him if the _Turke_ would sell him: _Rawlins_ suddenly answered, that by reason of his lame hand he was willing to part with him; but because he had disbursed money for him, he would gaine something by him, and so prized him at three hundred Dooblets, which amounteth to fifteene pound _English_; which he must procure, or incurre sorer indurances. When _Davies_ had certified this much, the _Turkes_ a ship-boord conferred about the matter, and the Master whose Christen name was _Iohn Goodale_ joyned with two _Turkes_, who were consorted with him, and disbursed one hundred Dooblets a piece, and so bought him of _Villa Rise_, sending him into the said ship, called the _Exchange_ of _Bristow_, as well to supervise what had been done, as to order what was left undone, but especially to fit the sailes, and to accommodate the ship, all which _Rawlins_ was very carefull and dilligent in, not yet thinking of any peculiar plot of deliverance, more than a generall desire to be freed from this _Turkish_ slaverie, and inhumane abuses.

By the seventh of Januarie, the ship was prepared with twelve good cast Pieces, and all manner of munition and provision, which belonged to such a purpose, and the same day haled out of the Mould of _Algier_, with this company, and in this manner.

There were in her sixtie three _Turkes_ and _Moores_, nine _English_ slaves, and one _French_, foure _Hollanders_ that were free men, to whom the _Turkes_ promised one prise or other, and so to returne to Holland; or if they were disposed to goe backe againe for _Algier_, they should have great reward and no enforcement offered, but continue as they would, both their religion and their customes: and for their Gunners they had two of our Souldiers, one _English_ and one _Dutch_ Renegado; and thus much for the companie. For the manner of setting out, it was as usuall as in other ships, but that the _Turkes_ delighted in the ostentous braverie of their Streamers, Banners, and Top-sayles; the ship being a handsome ship, and well built for any purpose. The Slaves and _English_ were imployed under Hatches about the Ordnance, and other workes of order, and accommodating themselves: all which _Iohn Rawlins_ marked, as supposing it an intolerable slaverie to take such paines, and be subiect to such dangers, and still to enrich other men and maintaine their voluptuous filthinesse and lives, returning _themselves_ as Slaves, and living worse than their Dogs amongst them. Whereupon hee burst out into these, or the like abrupt speeches: "Oh Hellish slaverie to be thus subiect to Dogs! Oh, God strengthen my heart and hand, that something shall be done to ease us of these mischiefs, and deliver us from these cruell _Mahumetan_ Dogs." The other Slaves pittying his distraction (as they thought) bad him speake softly, lest they should all fare the worse for his distemperature. "The worse (quoth _Rawlins_) what can be worse? I will either attempt my deliverance at one time, or another, or perish in the enterprise: but if you would be contented to hearken after a release, and joyne with me in the action, I would not doubt of facilitating the same, and shew you a way to make your credits thrive by some worke of amazement, and augment your glorie in purchasing your libertie." "I prethee be quiet (said they againe) and think not of impossibilities: yet if you can but open such a doore of reason and probabilitie, that we be not condemned for desperate and distracted persons, in pulling the Sunne as it were out of the Firmament, wee can but sacrifice our lives, and you may be sure of secrecie and faithfulnesse."

The fifteenth of Januarie, the morning water brought us neere _Cape de Gatt_, hard by the shoare, we having in our companie a smal _Turkish_ ship of Warre, that followed us out of _Algier_ the next day, and now ioyning with us, gave us notice of seven small vessels, sixe of them being _Sallees_, and one _Pollack_, who very quickly appeared in sight, and so we made toward them: but having more advantage of the _Pollack_, then the rest, and loth to lose all, we both fetcht her up, and brought her past hope of recoverie, which when she perceived, rather then she would voluntarily come into the slaverie of these _Mahumetans_, she ran her selfe a shoare, and so all the men forsooke her. We still followed as neere as we durst, and for feare of splitting, let fall our anchors, sending out both our boates, wherein were many Musketeers, and some _English_ and _Dutch_ Renegadoes, who came aboord home at their _Conge_, and found three pieces of Ordnance, and foure Murtherers: but they straightway threw them all over-boord to lighten the ship, and so they got her off, being laden with Hides, and Logwood for dying, and presently sent her to _Algier_, taking nine _Turkes_, and one _English_ Slave, out of one ship, and six out of the lesse, which we thought sufficient to man her.

In the rifling of this _Catelaynia_, our _Turkes_ fell at variance one with another, and in such a manner, that we divided our selves, the lesser ship returned to _Algier_, and our _Exchange_ tooke the opportunitie of the wind, and plyed out of the Streights, which reioyced _Iohn Rawlins_ very much, as resolving on some Stratageme, when opportunities should serve. In the meane-while, the _Turkes_ began to murmurre, and would not willingly goe into the _Marr Granada_, as the phrase is amongst them: notwithstanding the _Moores_ being very _superstitious_, were contented to be directed by their _Hoshea_, who with us, signifieth a Witch, and is of great account and reputation amongst them, as not going in any great Vessell to Sea without one, and observing whatsoever he concludeth out of his Divination. The Ceremonies they use are many, and when they come into the Ocean, every second or third night they make their Conjuration; it beginneth and endeth with Prayer, using many Characters, and calling upon God by divers names: yet at this time, all that they did consisted in these particulars.

Upon the sight of two great ships, and as wee were afraid of their chasing us, they beeing supposed to bee _Spanish_ men of Warre, a great silence is commanded in the ship, and when all is done, the company giveth as great a skreech; the Captaine comming to _John Rawlins_, and sometimes making him take in all his sayles, and sometimes causing him to hoyst them all out, as the Witch findeth by his Booke, and presages; then have they two Arrowes, and a Curtleaxe, lying upon a Pillow naked; the Arrowes are one for the Turkes, and the other for the Christians; then the Witch readeth, and the Captaine or some other taketh the Arrowes in their hand by the heads, and if the Arrow for the Christians commeth over the head of the Arrow for the _Turkes_, then doe they advance their sayles, and will not endure the fight, whatsoever they see: but if the Arrow of the _Turkes_ is found in the opening of the hand upon the Arrow of the Christians, then will they stay and encounter with any shippe whatsoever. The Curtleaxe is taken up by some Childe, that is innocent, or rather ignorant of the Ceremonie, and so layd downe againe; then doe they observe, whether the same side is uppermost, which lay before, and so proceed accordingly.

They also observe Lunatickes and Changelings, and the Coniurer writeth downe their Sayings in a Booke, groveling on the ground, as if he whispered to the Devil to tell him the truth, and so expoundeth the Letter, as it were by inspiration. Many other foolish Rites they have, whereupon they doe dote as foolishly.

Whilest he was busied, and made demonstration that all was finished, the people in the ship gave a great shout, and cryed out, "a sayle, a sayle," which at last was discovered to bee another man of Warre of _Turkes_. For he made toward us, and sent his Boat aboord us, to whom our Captain complained, that being becalmed by the Southerne Cape, and having made no Voyage, the _Turkes_ denyed to goe any further Northward: but the Captaine resolved not to returne to _Algier_, except he could obtayne some Prize worthy his endurances, but rather to goe to _Salle_, and tell his Christians to victuall his ship; which the other Captaine apprehended for his honour, and so perswaded the _Turkes_ to be obedient unto him; whereupon followed a pacification amongst us, and so that _Turke_ tooke his course for the Streights, and wee put up Northward, expecting the good houre of some beneficiall bootie.