CaptainCondentwas aPlymouthMan born, but we are as yet ignorant of the Motives, and Time of his first turning Pyrate; he was one of those who thought fit to retire fromProvidence(on GovernorRoger’s Arrival at that Island) in a Sloop belonging to Mr.Simpson, ofNew York, aJewMerchant, of which Sloop he was then Quarter-Master. Soon after they left the Island, an Accident happened on board, which put the whole Crew into Consternation; they had among them anIndianMan, whom some of them had beat; in revenge, he got most of the Arms forward into the Hold, and designed to blow up the Sloop. Upon which, some advised scuttling the Deck and throwing Grenade Shells down, butCondentsaid, that was too tedious and dangerous, since the Fellow might fire thro’ the Decks and kill several of them; he, therefore, taking a Pistol in one Hand, and his Cutlash in the other, leaped into the Hold; theIndiandischarged a Piece at him, which broke his Arm, but, however, he ran up to and shot theIndian. When he was dead the Crew hack’d him to Pieces, and the Gunner rippingup his Belly, tore out his Heart, broiled and eat it.
After this, they took a Merchant Man, called, theDuke of York; and some Disputes arising among the Pyrates, the Captain, and one half of the Company, went on board the Prize; the other half, who continued in the Sloop, choseCondentCaptain; he shaped his Course for theCape de VerdIslands, and in his Way, took a Merchant Ship fromMaderas, laden with Wine, bound for theWest Indies, which he plundered and let go; then coming to the Isle ofMay, one of the said Islands, he took the whole Salt Fleet, consisting of about 20 Sail; he wanting a Boom, took out theMainmast of one of these Ships, to supply the Want: Here he took upon him the Administration of Justice, enquiring into the Manner of the Commander’s Behaviour to their Men, and those, against whom Complaint was made, he whipp’d and pickled. He took what Provisions and other Necessaries he wanted, and having augmented his Company, by Voluntiers and forced Men, he left the Ships and sailed to St.Jago, where he took aDutchShip, which had formerly been a Privateer; this prov’d also an easy Prize, for he fired but one Broadside, and clapping her on board, carried her without Resistance, for the Captain and several Men were killed, beside some wounded by his great Shot.
This Ship proving for his Purpose, he gave her the Name of theFlying Dragon, went on board with his Crew, and made a Present of his Sloop to a Mate of anEnglishPrize, whom he had forced with him; from hence he stood away for the Coast ofBrazil, and in his Cruize, took severalPortugueseShips, which he plundered and let go.
After these, he fell in with theWrightGalley, CaptainJohn Spelt, Commander, hired by theSouth-SeaCompany, to go to the Coast ofAngolaforSlaves, and thence toBuenos Ayres. This Ship he detained a considerable Time, and the Captain being his Townsman, treated him very civilly; few Days after he tookSpelt, he made Prize of aPortuguese, laden with Bale Goods and Stores; he new rigg’d theWrightGalley, and put on board her several Goods.
Soon after he had discharged thePortuguese, he met with aDutch East-IndiaMan of 26 Guns, whose Captain was kill’d the first Broadside, and took her with little Resistance, for he had hoisted the Pyrates Colours on boardSpelt’s Ship.
He now, with three Sail, steer’d for the Island ofFerdinando, where he hove down and clean’d theFlying Dragon; having careen’d, he put 11Dutchmenon board CaptainSpelt, to make Amends for the Hands he had forced from him, and sent him away, making him a Present of the Goods he took from thePortugueseShip. When he sail’d himself, he ordered theDutchto stay atFerdinando24 Hours after his Departure; threatning, if he did not comply, to sink his Ship; if he fell a second Time into his Hands, and to put all the Company to the Sword. He then stood for the Coast ofBrazil, where he met aPortugueseMan of War of 70 Guns, which he came up with; thePortuguesehal’d him, and he answer’d,from London, bound forBuenos Ayres: ThePortuguesemann’d his Shrouds and chear’d him, whenCondentfired a Broadside and a Volley of small Arms, which began a smart Engagement for the Space of 3 Glasses; butCondentfinding himself over-match’d, made the best of his Way, and, being the better Sailor, got off.
Few Days after he took a Vessel of the same Nation, who gave an Account, that he had killed above 40 Men in theGuarda del Costa, beside a Number wounded; he kept along the Coast to the Southward, and took aFrenchShip of 18 Guns,laden with Wine and Brandy, bound for theSouth-Sea, which he carried with him into the River ofPlate. He sent some of his Men ashore to kill some wild Cattle, but they were taken by the Crew of aSpanishMan of War; on their Examination before the Captain, they said they were twoGuineyShips, with Slaves belonging to theSouth-SeaCompany, and on this Story were allowed to return to their Boats: Here five of his forced Men ran away with his Canoe, he plundered theFrenchShip, cut her adrift, and she was stranded. He proceeded along theBrazilCoast, and hearing a Pyrate Ship was lost upon it, and the Pyrates imprisoned, he used all thePortuguese, who fell into his Hands, who were many, very barbarously, cutting off their Ears and Noses; and as his Master was a Papist, when they took a Priest, they made him say Mass at the Main-mast, and would afterwards get on his Back and ride him about the Decks, or else load and drive him like a Beast. He from this went to theGuineyCoast, and took CaptainHillin theIndian Queen.
InLuengoBay he saw two Ships at Anchor, one aDutchmanof 44 Guns, the other anEnglishShip, called theFame, CaptainBowen, Commander; they both cut and ran ashore, theFamewas lost, but theDutchShip, the Pyrate, got off and took with him. When he was at Sea again he discharged CaptainHill, and stood away for theEast-Indies. Near the Cape he took anOstend East-IndiaMan, of which Mr.Nash, a noted Merchant inLondon, was Supercargo. Soon after he took aDutch East-IndiaMan, discharged theOstender, and made forMadagascar; at the Isle of St.Mary, he met with some of CaptainHalsey’s Crew, whom he took on board with other Stragglers, and shaped his Course for theEast-Indies, and in the Way, at the Island ofJohanna, took, in Company of two other Pyrateshe met at St.Mary’s, theCassandra East-IndiaMan, commanded by CaptainJames Macragh; he continued his Course for theEast-Indies, where he made a very great Booty, and returning, touch’d at the Isle ofMascarenas, where he met with aPortugueseShip of 70 Guns, with the Vice-Roy ofGoa, on board. This Ship he made Prize of, and hearing she had Money on board, they would allow of no Ransom, but carried her to the Coast ofZanguebar, where was aDutchFortification, which they took and plunder’d, razed the Fort, and carried off several Men who enter’d voluntarily. From hence they stood for St.Mary’s, where they shared their Booty, broke up their Company, and settled among the Natives: Here aSnowcame fromBristol, which they obliged to carry a Petition to the Governor ofMascarenasfor a Pardon, tho’ they paid the Master very generously. The Governor returned Answer, he would take them into Protection if they would destroy their Ships, which they agreed to, and accordingly sunk theFlying Dragon, &c.Condentand some others went toMascarenas, whereCondentmarried the Governor’s Sister-in-Law, and stay’d some Time; but as I have been credibly inform’d, he is since come toFrance, settled at St.Maloes, and drives a considerable Trade as a Merchant.
Inthe Year 1700, Capt.William Beavis, Commander of the Ship, called theAlbemarle, then in the Service of theEast-IndiaCompany, sail’d fromEngland, bound forSurrat, in theEast-Indies, but after having been some Months at Sea, having the Misfortune to meet with contrary Masorns, he lost his Passage, so that he was forced on the Coast ofZanguebar, in the higherEthiopia, or the Continent ofAfrick, where he endeavoured to find out some Place of Safety, that the Ship might ride secure, and where he might meet with some Necessaries for refreshing his Company, while he waited for the Change of Winds, which he could not expect in less than three or four Months.
They came in with the Land, and cast Anchor on the ninth ofNovember, the Year before-mentioned; the Tenth it blew hard, but on the Eleventh the Weather being pretty fair, the Captain sent the Yawl on Shore, in two different Places, at considerable Distance from each other, they found the Land every where sandy, and all over green with Shrubs, but saw no Houses,nor could they discover the least Track of any human Creature; however, they saw Deer, but could not come near enough to have a Shot at them; they also found the Dung of Wolves, Hares, and some other Animals, but saw none; and near the Water-side they found the Shells of a great Number of Craw-Fish, but met with none alive; wherefore, they guessed that they were left here by some Creatures, who fished them up and usually fed upon them.
Finding this Place altogether inhospitable, they weigh’d Anchor and sail’d along the Shore, till the 17th of the same Month, when the Captain looking thro’ his Spying-glass, saw three or four Men walking along the Sea-Side, and sometimes sitting down, but could not discern any House, Fire, or Smoak, but when they had sail’d about a League farther, they perceived an Inlet or Bay, where the Captain fancied there might be a River; he could also perceive several tall Trees, which were the first they had seen since they came upon the Coast, which made the Captain conjecture, that there must be some Inhabitants.
Upon this, they came to an Anchor, and manning out the Boat, the Captain sent Mr.Baldwinthe third Mate in her, to go into the Bay, in order to discover whether there was any River which discharged itself into it; when they were in with the Shore, they perceived about fifty or sixty People standing upon a Bank near the Water-side, and one separating himself from the Rest, approached nearer to them, and held up a white Piece of Linnen at the End of a Stick, and waved it at them, which they understood to be a Flag of Friendship, and which the Boat answered by the like Signal; then the Person on Shore beckon’d to them with his Hand, which they took to be an Invitation to come on Shore, and accordinglythey ventured; there were two of the Boat’s Men who spoke a littlePortuguese, who saluted this Man in that Language; as soon as they came near him, his Gesture appeared very civil, but they could not understand a Syllable of what he said in Answer, but by his Signs, they fancied he invited them to come to their Huts, in order to eat and drink.
However, they did not think fit to stay longer at this Time, but returned on Board, to give the Captain an Account of what had pass’d, and to let him know, that they could discover no River in the Bay; they described the People to be pretty tall and well made, their Colour jet black, their Heads and Beards close shaved, wearing upon their Heads Turbants made of a Kind of Linnen, and a Sort of Sash made of Dungeree Linnen about their Wastes, the Rest of their Bodies being quite naked; whereupon, consulting with a Molotto, one of the Ship’s Company, who understood theTurkishandArabianLanguages, what he thought the Language of these People might be, he judg’d it to be a Kind of corruptedArabick, because their Dress was not unlike that of theArabiansof the Desert, and that it was not unlikely, but that they might be some Way descended from them; wherefore, the Captain resolved to mann the Boat again, and to send the Molotto ashore with them, to try if he could so far understand their Language, as to learn from them, where there was fresh Water, or any other Refreshments to be had; and also to enquire for some Port or Bay, where the Ship might be with Safety till the breaking up of those Easterly Winds.
The Wind blew so fresh all that Day, which was the 19th, that they could not send the Boat on Shore. At Night they watched to see if theycould discover any Appearance of Fire any where upon Land, but they could discern nothing like it; wherefore, it seemed strange to them, that in a Country inhabited, there should be neither Smoak by Day, nor Fire by Night, which made them suppose, the Huts of the Natives were far up the Country.
However, the next Day the Boat was sent on Shore with the Molotto Interpreter, and Mr.Courserthe fourth Mate; and for Fear of any Surprize, the Captain ordered them to carry Arms in the Boat. When they approach’d near the Shore, several of the Natives made towards the Waterside, but seeing the Boat’s Men take their Arms in their Hands at their Landing, they fled affrighted up the Country, nor would they ever come near them after; the Men went a little Way up the Land and met with some Huts, which were covered with the Shells of Turtles, which Creatures it is supposed the Natives catch in their proper Season for Food, and then making a Covering of their Shells for their Houses; they also saw several Cows, at some Distance, which are very swift at running, and not larger than our Deer; they saw some other Animals, but took none, and so returned on Board without gaining any Intelligence.
The Mistake here was, that they did not lye off with their Boat, and make a Signal as they did at first, which would have disposed the Natives to have staid for them, as they did before, but going ashore abruptly with Arms in their Hands, frighten’d the Natives, as if they had come to kill them; wherefore, there was no Expectation of making any Discovery here, which induced the Captain to weigh Anchor, and steer a little farther Westward.
The next Morning, which was the twenty second, they came to an Anchor, and sent their Boat on Shore again, with Mr.Baldwinthe third Mate, and the Gunner; there being some high Hills not far from the Place where they landed, the Mate and Gunner resolved to walk to the Top of one of the highest of those Hills, in order to take a View of the Country beneath. About four in the Afternoon they returned again to the Ship, bringing Word, that there was a pleasant Valley on the other Side, about five Miles in Length, and near as far in Breadth, but that they could see no Houses or other Signs of Inhabitants, but that the Valley seemed to abound with Deer, and several other Creatures; they brought on Board three Antilopes, and two large Guiney Hens, which they shot, and saw great Numbers of both these Creatures about the Bushes on the Sides of those Hills; the Antilopes were small, but extreamly beautiful, their Bodies no bigger than that of a Hare, but their Legs much longer, their Colour was a Mixture of black and white, very smooth, and very bright, with Horns about three Inches long.
They weigh’d and crept along ashore to the Westward, and next Day, which was the Twenty third, the Captain with his Spying-glass saw seven or eight Men near the Shore; wherefore, he sent the Boat to endeavour to speak with them. As soon as they saw the Boat approach them, they went off; the Men however went on Shore, and at some Distance saw two Camels and two Asses loaden, pass along with Men attending them; they did what they could to speak with these too, but when they perceived the Boat’s Men to make towards them, they drove so fast there was no coming near them.
The next Morning the Weather being clearer than ordinary, the Captain looking thro’ his Glass, fancied he saw several tall Spires to the Westward; he weigh’d Anchor, and stood away for them; by four in the Afternoon, he plainly perceived a large Town, and by six came to an Anchor right over against it; however, he did not send the Boat on Shore that Night, but next Morning he ordered Mr.Baldwinthe third Mate, Mr.Salethe Purser, with the Molotto before-mentioned, who spoke theTurkishandArabianLanguages, to take the Yawl with four Hands, and to carry with them a white Flag, that they might appear to come in a friendly and peaceable Manner, charging them at the same Time to say or do nothing which might appear harsh or offensive. The Boat was no sooner in with the Shore, but the Natives flock’d as it were to meet them, and appeared very courteous: The Molotto spoke to them inArabianTongue, giving them to understand, that they were driven upon their Coasts by the Misfortune of having lost their Voyage, that they were in Want of Water, and begg’d they would shew them where they might be supplied, and that if they would think fit to furnish them with fresh Provision they would pay them in Money, or any Goods or Curiosities ofEurope.
It happened the Language they spoke was a Kind ofArabick, so that the Molotto could discourse with them perfectly well; they answered him, that the King was absent from the City, and that they could do nothing till his Return, but that he would be there as that Night, for they had sent him Word of the coming of a Ship, as soon as it appeared in Sight. That however, they might assure themselves, that all they requested should be granted, and shewed them where there were several fine Springs of Water: TheseSprings being a pretty Way from the Water-side, and the Ground near them craggy and uneven; the Molotto told them it would be difficult to rowl their Casks so long a Way, and over such bad Ground, and ask’d them if there were not any Spring nearer the Sea. They answered them no, but that the King would give them Oxen to draw their Casks to the Boat; and so they returned on Board with a Present from the King’s Son of a Sarne of mash’d Dates, a matted Jar of Sweet-Meats, and four Sheep.
Betimes the next Morning, being the 26th, the Captain sent the Yawl on Shore again with the same Officers, to know if the King was come, and to beg Leave to bring on Board some fresh Water, ordering them to make a Signal for the Long-Boat to be sent on Shore, in Case they obtained the Permission to water; the Yawl had not been long gone before the appointed Signal was made, and the Long-Boat was accordingly sent immediately; after which, the Captain perceived the Yawl was returning back again to the Ship: She came with four Hands in her to advise the Captain, that the Long-Boat would immediately return with a Cow as a Present to him, and to put him in Mind, that it would be proper to send something back for a Present to theShubander, (the Name by which they call the King’s Son) with whom they,viz.the third Mate Mr.Baldwin, the Gunner, and the Molotto Interpreter, who served in the Ship as a Quartier, were gone to dine.
The Captain was surprized at their Indiscretion, and the more because he had ordered them, to be upon their Guard for Fear of Treachery, having furnished them with Arms for that Purpose, and charged them not to stir far from their Boat; however, there was no Remedy now, so that hesent the Yawl back again with a Present of a small Looking-glass (a great Curiosity there) for the Prince, ordering one Man to carry it, and to tell the Mate, Gunner, and Molotto to come off as soon as they could, the rest to lye a little off with the Yawl, their Arms ready, but out of Sight.
The Captain observing the Yawl with his Glass, perceived the Men contrary to his Orders were gone on Shore, and looking again a little after, saw the Boat without a Mast, or so much as one Hand in her, drag’d towards the Town quite on Shore, and in a little Time after she was hawl’d out of Sight.
This Rashness of his Men gave him a great Deal of Uneasiness, he apprehended some fatal Consequence from it, (and indeed he had Reason) for he knew the Natives of some Part of the Coast were Cannibals; therefore, for Fear of venturing too much at once, he resolved not to trust the Long-Boat on Shore, till he had some Tideings from the Yawl.
All that Day he pass’d with the utmost Uneasiness, keeping a Man continually on the Watch, looking towards the Shore with a Spying-glass, to try if any Thing could be discovered of his Men on the Shore, but all to no Purpose; for nothing could be discerned either of them or the Boat the whole Day. That Night was spent in many doubtful Reflections, and Tears for the Condition of those who were on Shore. Next Morning the Captain resolved to send the Long-Boat towards the Land, with Mr.Nynhis first Mate, and some other of his Officers in her, ordering them to shew a white Flag, as soon as they should discover any People to come near them; but not to venture to go ashore, but to talk and make Signs to the Natives out of the Boat, and to tryto discover the Reason of our Mens being detained; and in Case they found they kept them Prisoners, or intended them for Slaves, to try by Means of the Molotto Interpreter to treat with them for their Ransom.
Mr.Nynobey’d his Orders punctually, and when he came near the Land he lay by, with a white Flag display’d at the End of a Mast, at which Time he observed a great Body of People coming from the Town towards the Sea-Side; the Captain could also discern them from the Ship with his Spying-glass, and judg’d them to be betwixt four and five Thousand, but instead of coming to parley, they marched in a Body behind a Bank, which stood opposite the Boat, where they lay in a Kind of Ambuscade, without returning any Signal, or shewing any Inclination to speak with the Boat.
This look’d plainly, as if they intended to surprize the Men, in Case they should venture to land; wherefore Mr.Nynresolved to return on Board, and plying along Shore, in order to find the Passage thro’ the Ridge of Rocks of Coral, which runs along ashore, the Natives let fly a Shower of Arrows at the Boat, which however did no Harm, because they fell short; upon which Mr.Nyncommanded his Men to fire their Arms towards the Banks, in order to frighten them, for being so intrench’d, he knew he could do them no Harm; after which he returned on Board.
The Captain now began to despair of ever seeing his Men more; the best he could think which could befal them, was, to be made Slaves, for still he did not apprehend that they had met with so melancholy and cruel a Fate, as their Confidence in the Natives had really brought upon them; he therefore resolved to make one Attempt more, in order to learn some News of whathad befallen them: In order to which, he thought of a Stratagem, by which he should run no Hazard of losing any more of his Men, and by which it seemed probable he must hear of them if they were alive. He writ a Letter, which Letter he caused to be fix’d to the Top of a long Pole, which he ordered to be carried on Shore in the Silence of the Night; the Men were to fix the Pole in the Ground, and to make it the more conspicuous, there was a Flag also fastened to the Pole.
He did not doubt, but that if any of his Men had the Liberty of walking about, they would come for the Letter which they must see, and if they had not that Liberty, the Natives not being able to read it themselves, would carry it to them.
In this Letter he advised Mr.Baldwin, and Mr.Sale, the third Mate and Purser, to treat about their own Ransom themselves, and that of the five Men with them (including the Molotto) and since there was no other Way of procuring their Liberty, he would comply with the Terms, let them be what they would; he directed them to fix their Answer upon the same Pole, and least they should want Pen and Ink, he inclosed a Pencil, and also a Sheet of Paper. And in Hopes an Answer should be left, he commanded the Pole to be fix’d just at the Waters Edge, where there was no Bank near, that it might be taken off without the Danger of an Ambuscade.
This was the best Expedient he could think of, for relieving his unhappy Countrymen, who now, alas! were past all Relief. Accordingly the Boat was sent with the said Letter, and two of the Men went on Shore and fixed it, and having returned into the Boat, the Boat put off, and came to an Anchor at some Distance from the Shore, in order to observe what should become of theLetter; they waited till Noon to no Purpose, then taking up their Anchor, in order to come on Board for some Refreshment, they were but a little while under Sail, when they saw a Man come and carry off the Pole; a little while after which, as they ply’d along the Shore, and were opposite to the Bank before described, they were saluted with a Volley of Musquet-Shot, one Ball falling into the Boat, and several others come very near it; wherefore, they made all the Sail they could to give the Captain an Account of what had pass’d.
The Fire Arms they made use of were these they found in the Boat, where they also met with six Cartouch Boxes full of Charges, and their making use of them in this Manner, convinced the Captain that they had no Mind to come to any Parley with them, or to listen to any Terms about the Release of their unhappy Ship Mates; however they were continually upon the Watch, looking out with wishing Eyes, in Expectation of seeing the appointed Signal made for the Answer of the Letter; long they expected to no Purpose, which made the Captain think something very fatal had happened to them, and that he should never see them more; but in the midst of his Despair, a Thought came into his Head, which administred to him a little Comfort, he fancied that perhaps they might be carried up the Country, to the Place where the King at that Time was gone, and that the Natives might send the Letter after them, which might be the Reason there was no Answer yet left. Upon this little Glimmering of Hope, he resolved to wait some Days longer, for he was willing to lay Hold of any Hope, rather than bear the Thoughts of going away without them.
Thus Day after Day they waited in Expectation of some Answer, sending the Boat to lye off near the Shore, to be ready in Case any Signal should be made.—One Day they perceived a great Number of People to come out of the Town, and make towards the Shore, which gave them an Expectation that the Delivery of their Friends was at Hand; they watched their Motions with earnest Eyes, hoping every Minute to see a Flag of Truce, instead of which, they observed them to march directly behind the Bank, where they seem’d to place themselves in a Kind of Ambuscade.
Now there seem’d to be an End of all their Hopes, the Boat return’d on Board, and made a Report to the Captain of what they saw, who calling a Consultation of all his Officers to hear if any Thing could be offered for the Relief of their Companions; it was proposed by one to send the Boat on Shore, to burn some Junks which were hawl’d up about a Musquet-Shot from the Water-side, but the Captain considered, that tho’ this might gratifie their Revenge, it would bring no Relief to their poor captive Friends: On the contrary, the Natives might be provoked to destroy them for it, if they had not done it already, besides as these Junks lay not far from the Bank, their Men might be exposed to the Arrows of the Natives (who now lay in continual Ambuscade) and so they might run the Hazard of losing more Men without the least Advantage to themselves, or unhappy Companions.
Wherefore, this Project was laid aside, and the Winds often blowing hard, and the Captain not judging it safe to lye any longer in that open Road, he weighed Anchor on the fourth ofDecember, steering along ashore, in Search of some Bay or Inlet, where they might ride shelter’d from the Wind and Weather; and still with a Viewthat if either their Companions might have an Opportunity of making their Escape, or the Natives should relent and think of letting them go for a Ransom, they might be near enough to receive them. After about three or four Hours gentle Sail he dropp’d an Anchor, the Town ofMagadoxathen bearing N E b’E of them, they perceived it was all along a flat smooth Shore, without any Bay or other Shelter, for Ships to ride; wherefore, the next Day, which was the fifth ofDecember, they stood off to Sea, and then came to a Consultation, what Measures to take in their present Condition; and having considered that they had met with no Place where they could ride with any Safety, and if they should meet with a convenient Bay much farther down the Coast, it would be of no Service to their unhappy Companions, who would never hear of them; and besides they could not venture to traffick with the Natives for Refreshments, for Fear of Surprize and Treachery; and their Men beginning to grow weak and distempered for want of fresh Provisions, they resolved to make for the Island ofJoanna, being forced to leave their Companions to Providence, in great Trouble and Anxiety for their unhappy Fate.
We shall leave them to pursue their Voyage, which was happy enough, bating this Accident, and relate what had pass’d on Shore, as we had it from a Manuscript, written by the Molotto Interpreter, who was the only Person who escaped, and return’d toEngland, after he had lived sixteen Years amongst the Barbarians.
It has been already taken Notice that Mr.Baldwinthe third Mate, and Mr.Salethe Purser (unhappily for them) not observing the Cautions the Captain gave them to be upon their Guard, were so indiscreet, to be tempted to accept of an Invitationto dine with the King’s Son; so that having sent the Yawl on Board again, for a Present as has been related, they with the Molotto Interpreter went towards the Town, accompanied by several of the Natives, who made them the Invitation in the Name of the King’s Son. They were no sooner arrived at the first Gate of the City, but they were surrounded by a great Multitude of People, and violently dragg’d into a little Door under the Gateway, and shut up in a dark Hole. When they had remained here about the Space of two Hours, they heard a very great Noise without; soon after which, the Doors leading to their Dungeon were all opened, and they were dragg’d out again; when they were out, they found that what occasioned that great Noise, was the Return of their Men, whom they had sent on Board for a Present for the King’s Son, who were seized in the same Manner they had been, and being encompassed by such a Number of People, they lost them in a Minute; they were also separated from one another, and the Molotto desiring to know of them the Meaning of all this, and in what they had offended them, they only answered him, that they must go before theAccabo, (the Name by which they call the King, who had not been out of Town as they gave out before) accordingly he was conducted with a sufficient Guard, expecting there to meet his Companions again.
When he arrived at the King’s House (which shall be hereafter described) he was led thro’ several Rooms to that where the King was present, whom he found sitting upon the Ground, the Floor being matted; he was dress’d in a long Pair of Drawers of blewish purple Silk, which reach’d down to his Toes, having neither Shoes nor Stockings on, a large Mantle of the same Silk,and a white Turbant on his Head; there were eight others who sat about him, whose Dress was the same with his, as to Form and Fashion, but their Drawers and Mantles were made of a blew and white strip’d Dungeree Stuff, instead of Silk; these were his Councellors and Favourites. The King spoke to him in a Kind ofArabick, asking of what Country he was? he answered ofCantoninChina. Then he ask’d him, how he came to associate himself with those horrid white Men? The poor Molotto began to tremble at this Question, but excus’d himself by speaking in their Favour, highly extolling them for their Civility of Behaviour, as well as Generosity, and praising them in all Things to the King, telling him, he was sure the Captain would ransom them, if it was his Pleasure to consent to it; to which he returned no Answer, but ask’d what the Ship had in her, the Molotto gave him an Account of her Lading; then he desired to know whether the rest of the Men would come on Shore, he answered, he could not tell, but in Case they were suffered to return again on Board, he was sure they would come on Shore, and that the Captain himself designed to come and see the King, as soon as they should return; but the King made no Offer of suffering that, but commanded him to be carried back to Prison.
The Prison which they callHaulaub, is a square Stone-Building, about twenty Foot high, and flat at Top, fronting one of their broadest Streets; there are no Windows or Iron Bars, as we see in our Prisons, but there are several little Holes about eight or nine Inches square, quite thro’ the Wall, thro’ which, the Place within receives both Light and Air. Here the poor Molotto was put, very anxious about the Fate of his poor Companions, whom he had not seen since their being separatedat their first coming out of the Dungeon; wherefore, seeing an old Man looking thro’ one of the Holes before described, he enquired of him what was become of them, who gave him this melancholy Account; that those who came last out of the Boat, which were the four Sailors sent on Board the Ship for the Present for the King’s Son, were kill’d in the Streets by the Multitude, and that making some Resistance, they were torn to Pieces, every Man thinking himself happy that could procure a Piece of their Flesh, shewing a Bit of about two Ounces, which he begg’d of one who had got a great Piece, which many of them eat; that they were all from their Childhood taught to have an Aversion to white Men, and that these were the first that had been seen in the Memory of Man, that as to the tall Man and the little Man which had been in the Dungeon with him (which were Mr.Baldwinand Mr.Sale, the Mate and Purser) they were by the King’s Order carried to theBoderzau(a Place where Tygers and other fierce Beasts are kept for the King’s Pleasure) and delivered up to be torn to Pieces by those Animals.
This was in Effect, the true Account of the most bloody Massacre that was committed upon these unhappy Men; the Story of which, it may be imagined, must throw the poor Molotto into the utmost Consternation and Fear, as imagining himself to be near suffering some cruel Death; sometimes he flattered himself that they would spare him, because of his being a Molotto, but on the other Side, when he reflected on his having given the white Men a good Character, he look’d upon himself to be a dead Man, thinking that alone was sufficient to destroy him.
Betwixt these Doubts and Fears he pass’d the Night, in a Place all covered with Nastiness, where there was not the least Conveniency for easing Nature, and where, had his Mind been at rest, it would have been hard for him to have slept. In the Morning a Man look’d thro’ one of the Holes, and with great Joy in his Countenance, told him, there were more white Men coming on Shore; the Fellow did not relate it as good News to him, but told it for the Pleasure they should have in destroying more of them. The Molotto wish’d within himself, that he could have given Notice of what had pass’d, and some Advice to beware of themselves, but it was safest for him to keep his Wishes to himself; therefore he said nothing. Some Hours after he was sent to go again before the King; now he thought his Execution was at Hand, but when he was brought into the King’s Presence, they put a Letter into his Hand, commanding him to tell what it meant, for that those who had come on Shore had stuck it upon a Pole, and went off before they could be spoke to. He saw at one Cast of an Eye, that it was from the Captain, who talk’d of Ransom, and a sudden Thought came into his Head, that if he had explained it to the King, they would make him some Way instrumental, in decoying more of the Men on Shore, in order to murder them; and knowing his Companions to be past all Ransom, he said he did not know the Ways of the white Men, and could not understand what that meant. The King then ask’d him if he could persuade the white Men, who were at that Time lying at an Anchor, in their Boat some Distance from the Land, to come on Shore, he answered he would endeavour to do it, if it was his Pleasure; upon which the King whisper’d with some others, who were near him, but said no more of it, as beingunwilling to trust him. And the Truth on’t is, he designed to tell them what had pass’d, and if the Natives did not hold him fast, to throw himself into the Sea, and venture to swim to them, not doubting, but those in the Boat might with their Fire Arms, secure him from being pursued, but they gave no Opportunity of making the Attempt.
The King then call’d for one of the Fire-Arms, which had been taken in the Boat, and commanded him to shew them how they were to be used, which he was forced to do; and they made use of them soon after, by firing at the Boat as has been related. He was then carried back to Prison, and talking with the Jaylor (whom in their Language they callKasboo) he ask’d him what he thought the King intended to do with him? The Jaylor answered, he was sure he did not intend to have him kill’d, as the white Men had been, because he had ordered him to give him Food; this News a little revived his drooping Spirits, accordingly he brought him some Plantanes and Bonanas, which was the first Nourishment he had taken since he came on Shore; and having refreshed himself therewith, and with anAlaboof Water, that is, a Vessel not unlike a Pitcher, he begg’d for something to clean the Place, the Jaylor brought him a Parcel of green Sticks tied together, which they call aTosee, and serves for the Use of a Broom; with this and a Thing like a Shovel, he made a Shift to sweeten the Place pretty well; when it was done, he observed an old Man looking thro’ one of the Holes at him, with whom he fell into Discourse, and enquired of him whether the Ship was gone, the old Man told him no, but that there was another Boat with white Men lying off the Land, and that there were great Numbers of People from the Townlying in Wait for their coming on Shore. He begg’d this old Man to get him a few Palmatu Leaves to lay on the Floor under him, which the old Man did, so that that Night he rested very comfortably to what he had done before.
The next Morning he was again sent for before the King, who ask’d him, if he could kill aCowaywith one of those Musquets? he answered he could, and glad he was to be so employed, thinking by these Means he might please the King, at least gain his Favour so far, as to induce him to spare his Life. He was led out to the River-side, the King himself being in Company, and one of the Musquets was put into his Hand, he took the Ball and beat it into a great Length, and then divided it into small Bits about the Size of Swan Shot, for he would not venture to shoot with a single Ball, not knowing but his Life might depend upon the Success of his Shoot, by these Means he kill’d one the first Shot. The King seemed very well pleased, and made him charge the Piece again in the same Manner, and taking it into his own Hands discharged it at anotherCowaywhich he also kill’d.
ACowayis a fine beautiful Bird larger than a Swan, and not much unlike it in Shape, the Body is as white as Milk, but the Tuft it wears on its Head, as also its Tail, are adorned with Variety of Colours, the Bill is a little crooked, and uneven, its Legs of a fine Yellow, but its Form is best expressed by the Figure. They are in great Plenty always living near the Water, hatching fourteen or fifteen young Ones at a Time, and set four Times a Year; they are excellent to eat, nor do they taste at all fishy.
After this, he was ordered back to his Prison, as he went along he ask’d the Jaylor (with whom he was now grown more familiar) what he thoughtthe King intended to do with him. TheKasbooor Jaylor told him, he believed he intended to keep him there till the Ship (which they call aSchabew) and the white Men were gone, and that then he would order him to be releas’d from his Confinement, and employ him in some Service. The Jaylor seem’d to talk to him, and use him in a much kinder Manner than before; and when he arrived at the Prison, he brought him aPatue(in their Language a Dish) of boiled Rice with Oyl, which is look’d upon to be very good Food; he left him two largeAlaboesor Pitchers of Water, sufficient to drink and to clean his Kennel, after which, he took a comfortable Nights Rest.
The poor Fellow now began to wish that the Ship was gone, since he had no Prospect of making his Escape, and that their Departure would procure him greater Liberty. Next Morning seeing the old Man who had furnish’d him with the Palmatu Leaves, looking thro’ one of the Holes at him, he enquired of him, whether the Ship was still in Sight? He told him it was, that there were still great Numbers of People lying behind the Bank, having with them those Things which were taken in the Boats, describing the Musquets, and great Numbers of Arrows, ready to shoot if they should either Land, or come near enough with their Ship; he begg’d of him to let him know what should happen, and particularly to inform him when the Ship should go off: The old Man whose Name wasMorasab, seem’d obliging and kind, and promised him to do so, and that he would return towards Night (which in their Language they callRaham.)
A little after theKasbooor Jaylor came in, bringing some Plantanes and Bonana’s to him for his Breakfast, and opened a Door which went into a little back Yard, where there was a Spring offine fresh Water, bidding him draw what Water he pleased in hisAlaboes, and clean his Prison, leaving the Place open to him for that Purpose, there being no Way for him to get out; towards Evening he came to him again, bringing him some boyl’d Rice and Oyl, and then he shut up the Door before described, and leaving him Water enough, left him for that Night.
Morasabappeared at one of the Holes according to his Promise, acquainting him, that the Ship remained still in the same Station, and that the Boat had not been seen near the Land that Day. Next MorningMorasabcame again, and with great Joy told him, the Ship was then going off, being under Sail; a little after theKasbooor Jaylor came in as usual, bringing some boyl’d Rice, and gave him the same Account of the Ship.
Tho’ he despaired now of ever getting off, yet he expected to be enlarged from his Prison, and enjoy Liberty, the sweetest Thing to Man. In the EveningMorazabcame again to let him know, that the Ship was almost out of Sight, and that the King had sent a Party of Men to the East, and another to the West, to watch the Coast, and lye in Wait for the white Men, in Case they should Land any where else for Water or to get Provisions. The next Day he came again and gave him Notice, that Word had been brought to the King that the Ship had been seen again a great Way off to the Westward, but that the Men had not come on Shore; and the Day following he visited him again, with an Account, that News was brought to the King that the Ship was gone off again, and sail’d out of Sight.
Upon this, he expected to be immediately releas’d from his Confinement, yet he was kept close to his Prison ten Days longer; the Reason as he afterwards found, was, least the Ship might behovering somewhere upon the Coast, and having his Liberty he might find an Opportunity of escaping to her; but when they seem’d pretty well assured that the Ship was quite gone off, the King sent for him, and ask’d him, if he should give him his Liberty, whether he would attempt to escape? He promised he would not, and indeed any Attempt now would have been in Vain, for to escape would have been a Thing impossible; upon which, the King appointed him to attend upon his Person, and to live with his other Servants, giving him Orders at the same Time not to go out of the City.
There was nothing at all uncomfortable in the Life he led here, for the Service was easy, having very little to do; his chief Business was carrying up the Pataes or Dishes for the King’s Dinner, who eat upon the Ground, the Floor being sometimes covered with a Mat instead of a Cloth, and sometimes bare without any Thing; the Diet was generally boiled Rice, with broiled Meat, sometimes Venison, sometimes wild Goat; as also Fowl of all Sorts, which are smaller than those ofEurope, but of an excellent Taste; they have also several Fowl not known to us; their Beef and Mutton are both excellent, but small; they also had Variety of Fish which they dress, either by boiling or broiling, as for Sawce, the King himself had none, exceptKajan, Pepper, for they eat most of their Things very hot, and boiled Rice is what serves them instead of Bread.
Thus he lived in Plenty, eating as much as he would of what was left, when the King had done Dinner, so that few People as to Eating and Drinking tasted so great a Variety as he did; the Diet of the common Sort of People, consists generally of Plantanes, Bonana’s, boiled Rice (which they callPasida) and Oil, and a Dish they callKaja, which is Plantanes and Rice boiled together, sometimes indeed they have Venison and wild Goat, which they kill themselves, but whatever it is, they eat it out of the Crock it is boiled in, for none but those of great Condition have the Use ofPataesor Dishes; if it be broiled, whether it be Fish or Flesh, they eat it off the Coals, and to avoid burning their Fingers, they take a Bit of green Stick which they break half through, and so bending it together, it serves the Use of a Pair of Tongues as well as a Fork, in turning the Meat upon the Coals as well as taking it off when it is ready. As for Knives and Forks the King himself is not acquainted with the Use of them; so that he pulls his Meat to Pieces with his Fingers, which is generally so well done that it requires no great Labour.
It was about two Months before he ventured to stir abroad beyond the Palace; but one Day one of the Servants who had Business about the City, ask’d him to go along with him, and in Discourse told him, the King would not be displeas’d, if he should go out often; upon this Encouragement he used to walk about the City almost every Day, chusing the Time when the King went to sleep, which was constantly his Practice every Afternoon. He took this Liberty three or four Months together, sometimes being absent several Hours without receiving the least Reprimand; he made an Acquaintance with several in the City, and had Leisure to satisfie his Curiosity, in observing every Thing that appeared new and strange, to one who had lived so long amongst theEuropeans.
The City ofMagadoxalies (as has been observ’d) in the Latitude of one Degree and fifty one Minutes: It is built betwixt two Hills or rather on the Sides of two Hills, the greatest Part of it standing on the Declivity of that Hill nextthe Sea, so that there is scarce any of it to be seen by any Ship in the Road, or that passes by, which indeed are but few; for scarce any ever touch there, except driven by ’Stress of Weather, as was the Case of theAlbemarle. They have no Vessels of their own, except a few employ’d in Fishing, which they call Juncks, and not above ten or twelve of those; and tho’ some of them are large enough to carry thirteen or fourteen Ton, they never venture far from the Land.
The City contains betwixt three and four thousand Houses, some built of rough Stone, others of Marble, of which they have many Quaries, extreamly fine, and of various Colours, but they want the Art of polishing it; but the most esteemed and most expensive Houses, are those of rough Stone covered over with a Kind of Plaister, which is peculiar to this Country; after it is laid on, it is not above three Days in drying, and grows as hard and durable as the Stone itself; but the greatest Curiosity of it is, that they can make it of what Colour they please; and as the Houses of all Persons of Condition are covered with it, it has a mighty pretty Effect to the Eye, for some have their Houses white, others red, some yellow, and some blue, that of the King was green, while the Inside is floor’d with the same Plaister, the Rooms all differing in Colour from each other, which Variety makes the City appear very beautiful, tho’ the Streets are very narrow and very nasty.
Notwithstanding the Houses look so bright without Side, their Furniture within consists of very little more than Cobwebs, for they have neither Tables, Chairs, nor Glasses, they have indeed Matts which serve them instead of Table-Cloths by Day, and Beds by Night, upon whichthey lie without either Pillow or Bolster, with a Covering of Mokaz or thick Dungeree over them, which is so call’d from a Tree of that Name, of the Bark of which it is made, which being beaten, is drawn into long Threads, and wove or rather work’d with fine Needles made of Wood, either thick or thin, according to which it is intended; and to such a Perfection are they arrived in this Sort of Manufacture, that they can make it as smooth, and as soft, as a Piece ofEnglishBroad-Cloth, and much stronger.
We should have observed that they have no such Things as Glass-Windows to their Houses, however there are either large round or square Vacancies in every Room to receive both Air and Light; these Sort of Windows are covered generally all Day with Shutters of thick Plank, in which many Holes are bored, in order to keep out the Heat of the Sun. As for Chimneys they have no such Thing: In all great Houses there is a Room appropriated for the Dressing the Victuals, where the Fire is made in a Corner upon the Ground, and those that are employ’d in that Service must be well smoaked. The common People frequently make their Fires without Doors, for Rice and Fish they never eat without some Sort of Dressing, but Flesh, to save Trouble and Fire, they frequently eat raw.
The King maintains nothing which has the State or Air of a Court, having no Guards about his Person, so that he frequently walks abroad in the Streets in the Dress before described, without either Shoes or Stockings: All those that meet him pass him by, and go on upon their Business without shewing him any external Mark of Respect; nay so little a Notion have they of Ceremony, that it is common for Persons of both Sexesto ease Nature in the Streets, perhaps when the King is passing by, and yet he is as well obey’d as any Prince in the World.
The Nobility walk about in as careless a Manner as the King, and are known by their Turbants; the better Sort of the common People wear Caps of various Colours, the Rest go intirely naked.
The Queen also walks about the Streets without either Guards or Attendants, and would pass as unregarded as the King, were it not that the Gaiety of her Dress must draw the Eyes of the Spectators; she commonly wears a Garment of either purple or green Silk, which being tied about her Waste reaches down to her Heels, with Variety of white, red, and green Feathers artfully disposed in her Hair, however she is bare-footed like the Rest, whilst all the poorer Sort of the Sex go quite naked, without thinking they carry any Thing about them they ought to be ashamed of.
The Wives of the Men of Condition indeed all wear Clothes, and are dress’d in the same Fashion with the Queen, tho’ not all so gay or so rich; but whatever their Habits may be, they take Care always to shew their naked Breasts, which hang down to their Bellies, if they have had any Children; and which we suppose is look’d upon as a Beauty, by their taking Care to expose them to View; they also paint the Nipples red, which is the only Art they use in setting off their Persons; they bring their Children into the World with little or no Pain, and without an Hour’s Confinement from the common Occupations of Life.
The only Occasion when the King appears with any Thing that looks like Pomp or Magnificence is, when he rides abroad to take the Air, then he is mounted upon one of his Elephants, with his Favourites and Companions about him; theyhave a Way of fixing upon the Back of the Elephant, a Frame of Boards about eight or ten Foot Square, on which, he, with such as he carries with him to bear him Company, sit as commodiously as if in a Room, whilst two of his Servants on Foot conduct the Beast; yet even here, tho’ he goes thro’ any Crowd of People, no Man stops to do him Homage, or to pay him any Sort of Obedience, nor does he seem to expect it, having no Notion, that the Subjects are to be kept in Awe by the Shew of Grandeur which surrounds their Prince: A Mark of good Sense, beyond what is to be met with in the Courts ofEuropeanPrinces.
His Way of maintaining an inward Respect in the Hearts of the People which they have Sense enough to know, is preferable to that External which consist only in Shew and Appearance, and sometimes conceals Contempt and Hatred at Bottom, is by doing Justice in his Person, according to the best of his Judgment and Capacity; he is himself both King and Judge, and decides all Disputes betwixt Man and Man (which indeed are very few) by a personal Hearing of the Cause of Complaint. He is assisted by seven or eight Persons, who always sit about him for that Purpose, and may be called his Councellors; nor was it ever so much as suspected that any of these, either for Bribe, or Reward, or Promise, endeavoured to influence the King in his Judgment.
It rarely happens that any Persons is condemn’d to die; for as every Thing they feed on, except Rice, Plantanes, Oil,&c.is acquired by hunting and fishing, there are few Occasions for Theft amongst them; however, when any Person has merited that Punishment, the common Way of executing is, by throwing the Criminal, into the Den (which they callBodyzaw) amongst the wild Beasts,such as Tygers, Leopards, and Crocadiles which are kept hungry before-hand for that Purpose.
There are many other Creatures kept in thatBodizawor Den which are peculiar to this Country, such as theAugazet, which is the largest of all their Beasts, except the Elephant; it is of a white or rather yellowish Colour, with Streaks of Black running like Veins all over it, and also black Spots, the Face is not unlike that of a Cat, it has long sharp Claws; when it is wild, it is extreamly fierce, but may be rendered as gentle and tractable as a Household Dog.
ABozeeis an amphibious Creature, which always lives by the Sides of Rivers, and feeds principally upon Fish; it has a long Bill, and in all Respects the Shape and Form of a Bird, but wants Wings to fly, and instead of Feathers, is covered all over with a hard Scale resembling the Bark of a Tree, and so tough that an Arrow will not enter it; their Legs are very thick and scaled in the same Manner with their Bodies, having sharp Claws to their Feet; the Natives are more afraid of this Creature than of any other in the whole Country, especially, if they are obliged to travel any where by Night, near the Sides of Rivers, for they say it is so fierce and voracious, that it will seize either Man or Beast.
TheMassauis another amphibious Creature, very large, whose Body is scaly like that of theBozee, but it is of a different Colour, being reddish; the Bill also differs from that of theBozee, for it is short and shaped like that of a Pidgeon; It is a timorous Creature, that upon hearing the least Noise immediately rushes for the Water; its Food is chiefly Weeds.
ASachewis a Beast about the Size of a large Lion, of a dark brown Colour, with Shades of black all over the Body, and a Scale down hisBack as hard as Horn, the Eyes are extreamly fierce, and in all Respects a terrible Creature to look at, but yet a Child would frighten it.—At the Sight of any human Creature it flies with great Swiftness to the Woods.
One of the King’s Diversions is, to go to thisBodizawor Den of wild Beasts to see them play; they are perfectly under the Command of their Keepers, and are taught to play Tricks like Dogs; nay, it is almost his only Diversion, unless sleeping half the Day can be called a Diversion. As for riding out upon his Elephants, as we took Notice before, he does it so seldom, it can scarce be reckon’d amongst his Pleasures.
Ease, Plenty, and the Heat of the Climate have render’d the People in general inclined to be slothful, they have no Trade with the Neighbouring Nations, nor do they desire to have any; it is true, they have a little Sort of Traffick amongst themselves, as those that hunt and shoot Goats, Venison,&c.give them often in Exchange for Dungeree Stuffs; they have also Gold and Silver amongst themselves, but very base;—they don’t seem inclined to Cruelty, unless against white Men, whom they are taught to hate, tho’ they scarce ever see any; but there is a Kind of historical Tradition amongst them (for they have no Books) that their Country was once invaded by white Men, who committed many Cruelties upon them, and indeed it is likely that thePortuguesemight formerly have landed amongst them, while they were making theirIndiaDiscoveries, and perhaps might have treated them like Slaves, from whence comes this Tradition, and which is the Case of their inbred Hatred to white Men to this Day.
Thus the Molotto had Leisure to divert himself with observing the Customs and Manners of these strange People, who have no Commerce orCommunication with the Rest of the World. One Day as he was walking in the City, he was extreamly surpriz’d and terrified at the Sight of a Bird of a monstruous Size, which stalk’d close by him in the Street: It was what they call aPyone, but he had never seen one of them before, so that tho’ it is tame and inoffensive, it is no Wonder he should be frighten’d at it.
APyone, as to Shape, differs from all Birds amongst us; their Colour is a whitish brown, and in the Pinion of each Wing they have five black, and five scarlet Feathers, very broad, and above a Foot long; their Legs are of a bright red, something small for so large a Body, and above three Foot in Length; their Necks are also extreamly long, so that from the Foot to the Top of their Heads they are generally ten Foot in Heighth; they breed in the Mountains, never sit on more than two Eggs at a Time, which always produce a Male and Female: The People catch them when they are young, and let them loose in the Streets, taking Pleasure in the Sight of them, for they do no Mischief, and feed on any Thing they can pick up.
He was so encouraged by this Indulgence which was shew’d him, that he thought he might go where he pleased, and that the Restriction which was laid upon him, was as good as taken off; wherefore, he was tempted by his Curiosity one Day to walk out of the City, and was seen by a great many People. The Day following theAccaboor King, with a stern Countenance, ask’d him if he had been out of the City? He was so terrified at his Looks, knowing also, that he had been commanded not to take that Liberty, that he was not able to answer: The King’s Son who was present, smilingly ask’d him, why he did not speak? This recovered him a little from his Astonishment, so that he had the Courage to own he had;then the King with a more pleasing Aspect, desired to know of him, whether he had been to see hisMoorzacks, or Tombs, he answered no; tho’ he had a great Desire of seeing them, because he had heard much Talk of them. So the Thing pass’d over without any farther Reprimand for this Time.
The next Day in the Afternoon, the King rid out on an Elephant in the Manner before described, ordering the Molotto to attend him, and went to visit theMoorzacks, or Monuments of his Ancestors, which are situated about three or four Miles from the City: The Magnificence and Beauty of these Tombs, are almost incredible, considering that it is in a Country ofBarbariansthat they are made; the Molotto was greatly surprized at their extraordinary Grandeur; the King took Notice of his Astonishment, and was not displeased at it, and enquiring of him how he liked them, the Molotto answered, he had never seen any Thing equal to them, in all his Life, and that he believed Strangers would travel from all Parts of the World to see them, did they but know such Things were there. The King then enquired of him concerning the Tombs of the white Men, and ask’d several Questions about the Ceremonies used in Funerals in all the Countries he had been in; the Molotto gave him the best Account he could, still extolling the Beauty of these Monuments above those of all the World. The King then enquired of him whether he knew how Gunpowder was made, he answered no; that it was made by the white Men, and that he was but little acquainted with their Ways. He answer’d in this Manner, knowing that if he should speak with Respect of white Men, it might do him some Prejudice, because of the Aversion he found they had towards them. Upon the whole, the King appeared pleased withthe Conversation of this Day, and the Molotto fancied he should grow into Favour.
But two or three Days after, an Accident happened which put him again into a Fright, going out to walk as usual, he ventured as far as theMoorzacks, or Tombs, for he took a singular Pleasure in the Sight of them. It happened in the mean Time that they wanted him, he was not to be found in the King’s House, or about the City; upon which, there were several Persons sent in Search of him different Ways, one of them found him among theMoorzacks, or Tombs, and brought him home, he was dismally frightened, when he understood the King’s Displeasure; wherefore, as soon as he came into his Presence, he fell down upon his Face, as is practiced by those with whom he is displeased. The King ask’d him in an angry Tone where he had been? he answered at theMoorzacks, or Tombs; then the King enquired of those that had been sent in Search of him, whether it was true, they assured him they had found him there; upon hearing of which, he seemed to be immediately pacified, and said to him (Korah) which signifies properly to rise, but is never said, except when he forgives. Then the King ask’d him, if he would not attempt to run away, provided he should appoint him to live constantly among the Guards, who were maintained for watching those Monuments? he answered no; and that he should be pleased to pass the Remainder of his Days in so delightful a Place, without ever having a Wish for seeing his own Country again.
For this Time he was dismiss’d, but next Day being call’d up before the King, he was told that he must go to theMoorzacks, or Tombs, there to wait and do Duty as one of the Guards; there was aBamzauor Priest sent along with him, whowas to instruct him in his Duty there. On the Way as he went, theBamzauor Priest told him, that he must live constantly among the Monuments, and that he would have Meat, Drink, and Lodging provided for him without any Trouble, that he must not take the Liberty of coming to the City, or going beyond the Bounds prescribed, which the Rest of the Guards whom they callPassauswould shew him; that he must be obliged to watch every second Night, to take Care that the Lamps which burnt in the Tombs were supplied with Oil, and never went out, and to keep the Tombs from any Filth or Nastiness.
When they arrived at the Place, theBamzauor Priest commanded all thePassausor Guards to be called together, acquainting them that the King had sent this Molotto amongst them to do the same Duty, and ordered one whom he called out from amongst the Rest, to return to the King with him, it being the King’s Pleasure that the Molotto should supply his Place. This was readily obeyed, and they departed together.
ThePassausor Guards received him civilly enough, they immediately began Acquaintance with him, explaining to him all the Particulars of their Duty, and shewed him the Bounds within which he was to confine himself; telling him if he pass’d those Limits, they must be obliged to kill him. This Order seemed a little too severe, but he fancied it was only said to terrify him, least he should take it into his Head to attempt an Escape; he flattered himself so for two Reasons, First, because of the Indulgence which had been shewn him when he ventured to exceed his Orders in going out of the City; and secondly he took Notice that theBamzauor Priest spoke to thePassausor Guards apart, which he fancied was instructing them to keep him in Ignorance as tothe Truth of their Orders; they brought some boiled Rice and Oil cold, and told him he must watch that Night, because it was the Turn of the Person in whose Place he was come; in order to which, they brought him a Watch-Coat made of Hair, which they work very curiously with Needles, so that the whole Coat is of one entire Piece without a Seam; it hangs from the Shoulders down to the Ground, but has no Sleeves, so that it is more like a Cloak than a Coat.
The Sun being set, which is the Time they enter upon the Watch, every two Men began to fix theirPohalick, over against the Door of theMoorzackthey were to watch; but to understand this Matter, it will be necessary to explain what aPohalickis,—APohalickis a Kind of a Tent, contrived to shelter them from the Inclemencies of the Weather, for the Nights are sometimes very cold there, especially if it rains; wherefore, they take four Poles of about eight Foot long, which, instead of fixing in the Ground, are plac’d in four Stone-Sockets, placed on Purpose, opposite to eachMoorzack, for that Use, with Cross-Poles reaching from one to the other; but instead of Canvass they hang over it a Covering of Palmatu Leaves sewen together; the two oldest Standers have their Post opposite to the King’sMoorzack, the Rest are posted according to their Seniority, for they are exact Observers of the Rules of Precedence; the youngest also in each Pohalick, fetches Wood for Fire, which is also absolutely necessary, as well to keep off the Musketoos which would be, otherwise, very troublesome, as to correct the Damps. As soon as the Sun rises, he also takes down the Pohalick, sweeps up the Ashes very clean, which remain of the Fire, and carries them away, that the Place may appear perfectly neat. It is his Duty also to goto theBankoos(so they call the Steward of theMoorzacks) for the Provision of the Day, which he is afterwards to dress both for himself and his Comrade.
This Part of the Duty was not disagreeable to the Molotto, for having no Books to read, he would have grown melancholly for Want of something to divert his Time, had he been entirely idle; their Allowance of Provision was sufficient, and very good in its Kind. OnSundaysandTuesdaysit was Flesh, either Beef, Mutton, or Goat, and Rice for Bread. OnWednesdays, Kaja (we have already told what that is)MondaysandFridays, Fish and Plantanes.ThursdaysandSaturdaysPlantanes, Rice, and Oil. Their Fish was excellent in its Kind, but they usually dress’d it without taking out the Guts, and which they eat with it instead of Sauce, but the Molotto corrected this Part of their Cookery, and having gutted the Fish before he broiled it, he found his Comrades very well pleas’d, and they always managed it so after.
While he pass’d his Life here pleasantly enough, one Day theAccabo, or King, sent a Guard to fetch him to the City; he was extreamly frightened at this unexpected Turn, and enquired of those that conducted him, into the Meaning of it, but they could give him no Account of it, but hurried him along very quick; when they arriv’d at the City, they did not carry him before theAccabo, or King, as he expected, but conducted him strait to theHaulob, or Prison, where he had been before confined. He had not been there above two Hours when his old FriendMorasabcame to make him a Visit, whose Opinion he ask’d concerning his Confinement,Morasabtold him, he judged it to be for no other Reason, than because there had been aSchabew, or Ship, seen that Morningat a great Distance off the Coast, that there were Men on the Hills then watching of her, and others lying in Wait to surprize any that should attempt to come on Shore. While they were in Discourse, theKasbooor Jaylor came in with some boiled Rice and Fish, and confirmed whatMorasabhad told him, and cheared him up by assuring him, that no Harm was intended him, that he was only confined to prevent his making his Escape. The Molotto knowing that every Thing he should say, would be told again the King, because any Person may speak to him with the utmost Freedom at any Time, except when he is sitting in Judgment, told theKasboo, that he had given over all Thoughts of visiting his native Country more, having neither Wife nor Children; nor was he desirous of seeing any other Part of that Country, having taken a firm Resolution to obey the Orders very punctually of never going beyond the Limits of theMoorzacks; theKasbootold him, that if he had any Value for his Life, it would be best for him to do so, for if he should at any Time be catch’d attempting any Escape, he would be served just as the white Men had been, the Molotto answered he should deserve it, since the King had been so gracious to him, not only to give him his Life, but to appoint him to live in a Place which he liked above any Thing he had ever seen.
All this Discourse was reported that Night to the King, the Consequence of which was, that he was sent for the next Morning; the first Question the King ask’d him was, whether thatShabewor Ship which had appear’d in Sight, was the same in which he came? He answered, he could not tell, unless he was to see it, (but that could not be done now, for she was gone off without coming to an Anchor, or sending her Boat on Shore.) TheKing then ask’d him, whether he had a Desire to return back to theMoorzacks? He answered, it was what he longed for of all Things, and repeated the same Things concerning the Pleasure he took in that Place, which he had done before to theKasboo; he found this tickled the King’s Vanity, and put him into good Humour, wherefore, he commanded him to be conducted back, whither he arrived with a much lighter Heart than he left it, having the Satisfaction also of seeing his Comrades mighty well pleas’d at his safe Return amongst them.
Here he pass’d his Time without any Care, having every Thing provided for him, being at Leisure all the Day long to divert himself as he would, for except taking his Watch in his Turn, he had nothing to do, but to clean theMoorzacksevery new Moon, both within and without, and to take Care that the Lamps around them should be supplied with Oil, and never go out.
He observ’d his Companions employed their Leisure Time all in some Work, most of them in making some little Curiosities, which the Towns-People used to walk out, and buy of them, and which enabled them to purchase Liquor and other Things they had an Inclination for; his Comrade in particular used to amuse himself with making Fishing-Nets, but these Nets are very different from those used inEurope, they are made of Sea-Grass, wove out into a certain Length, and the Fisherman before he uses them, fastens to them a certain Number of Hooks (for they are ignorant of the Art of contriving Nets to catch Fish without Hooks) his Comrade with a great Deal of Ease used to make one of these a Week, and he observing how he work’d them, did not doubt but he could do the same; therefore he begg’d of his Comrade to give him a little of his Sea-Grass,with which he began to make Trial, and succeeded so well, that in a few Days he finished a Net, which he truck’d away for a Quantity of Sea Grass.
He was now set up for a new Trade, and was so industrious in it, that he work’d his Nets with much more Curiosity than any of his Partners, and of Consequence had better Business; so that in a little Time he was able to purchase a Piece of Dungeree Linnen with his own Earnings, of which he made himself a Wastecoat after theEnglishFashion, and a Pair of long Drawers; but he had not worn them above a Day or two when theBankoo, or Steward of theMoorzacks, commanded him to leave off the Wastecoat, that he might appear like the rest, who wore nothing but a Piece of any Stuff they could get, about their Wastes, to cover their Nakedness.