Thus being at liberty again I made full account to bee at Bourdeaux against the next morning. To which end I marched all the night, making noe stay in any place, but in the morning when I thought my selfe to be neere Bourdeaux, I perceived my selfe to bee two leagues directly backward further from Bourdeaux, then I was in the evening before I made myne escape. And finding my selfe in a wood through which I had passed two dayes before, because it was an extraordinary thick misty night, which was a meanes that I knew not how to deserne the east from the west by moone or starrs whereby I might have directed my course according to my intentions, the day being at hand I durst not venture to march farther for feare of being discovered, but lodged my selfe in a greate thicked of thornes, for I feared to be discovered in the wood. I lay hiden till about two of the clock in the after noone some cattle came neere mee, which following an ould over growne path for grasse, and forcing through directly upon me, made me run forwards out of the thicked, forI feared the boyes that kept the cattle would follow them in the reare, and the thornes and bryars were soe thick and soe closely growne togeather that it was impossible for mee to creepe through on eather side. Soe being driven by these brute beasts out of the private receptacle into a more perspicuus place, I fell presently into the vew of some boyes that looked to the cattle, whereof some went presently to make knowne that I was in the wood. Not long after the wood was besett, and all the high wayes, by which unavoydably I was to pass whensoever I should offer to gitt out from thence, were strongly gaurded by the countrymen living thereabout.
Now I found myselfe as bad as taken againe; for though I could not be easily found out and aprehended in the wood, by the many impassable thicketts therein, yet could not I hide my selfe from hunger and cowld, which were now my greatist enemyes following mee close whether soever I went or turned my self. I went all the night from one end of the wood to the other, trying all the passages round about, whether I might nott make my way through any of them, butt the guards being soe stronge and vigilant I wearied my self to noe purpose that whole night. In the morning Iretired myself into the thickest and most retired parte of the wood, and continued there till evening, nott appearing to anybody all that day, except some hounds which belong'd to the lord that lived close to the wood side came hunting to mee, but having looked upon mee with silence they went away. The night drawing on the gaurd about the wood were sett as strong and as many as the night before, wherby I was deprived of all hopes of escape; and seeing before mee in case I continued in that condition any longer, nothing else but present and unavoydable distruction both of health and life, because I had bin without releefe both of meate and drinke now about the space of fowre dayes, I thought it more expedient for mee to make myne escape by some desperate meanes, though there were never soe little probability in them, rather then to yeild my selfe to those of whom I could expect noe comfort then what those cruell and most exquisit torments they had prepared for mee accompaned with a most ignominous death would have afforded mee. I resolved therefore to cut two bundles of bulrushes upon which I could presume to swim over the river of Garrone which was about two English myles from the wood. But before I came to the River I was to pass through a greate moras abouthalfe a myle broad, running all along close by the wood side, which side was not gaurded by the contrymen, because the morast it selfe tho unknowne to mee was a sufficient gaurd to keepe mee from running away. Thus I tooke two bundles of rushes, and went into the said morast; which though it proved soe deepe and soe dificult that I sunck to my midle in the quagmire, where I should have bin past getting out againe if it had not bin for the bundles of bulrushes which supported mee whilst I recoverd myselfe, yet could I not be diverted from my resolution, till after I had wrought my selfe almost through the midle of it, and soe was forced to returne from whence I came.
Being come to the wood againe, wet to the midle and exhausted all my strenght, I sate under a tree, examining and bewayling my mesirable and hopeles condition. I counted my selfe reduced to that extreamity wherein infallibly I should have perisht, being opressed with hunger within and seeing the whole creation against me without, soe that in naturall reason I could not see how or by what meanes I might have the least hope, either for my restoration or for my present sustenance. I sent up to heaven many earnist and importunate requests that the Lord would bee pleased to shorten my mesiryor else to worke some meracle for my dileverance and present releife. Now although I earnestly wished and confidently expected my disolution, which I thought would have befalne mee that night or sudenly after, in soe fainting a condition I was in (for besides the failing of my strenght being hindred soe long from sleep both by feare and cowld, I was not onely uncapable of my reason, but alsoe careles and altogeather weary of my life), yet would I, I know not by what naturall instinct, seeke to gitt some ease for my almost senseles body, as long as occation would give way to it.
Knowing therefore that under the wood side at the end of the said morast there stood a lord or gentlemans house which had some stabling about it, I endeavored to repaire to one of the stables for some shelter, whereby I might defend my selfe from the extreamity of the ayre, which was very sharp then; and coming into the stables I went round about groaping and feeling all along the wall for a private place to hide my selfe. At length I met with a scaffold in the corner raised a foote and a half from the ground, and climing upon the same I passed likewise along the wall till I did tread with my foote upon a little bagg wrapped up in an ould coate, the which after I had taken up and unwrappedI perceived to be a bagg full of scrapps or crusts of bread as are used to bee gathered of the table after meales, weiging some 4 or 5 pounds. This singular providence of the Lord had such a reflection upon my body and sperritt, as that whereas before I might have bin counted halfe dead, now I received a new life againe. Now having gott both bread to sattisfie the rage of my hunger for three or fowre dayes, and covering to defend my selfe from the vehement cowld, I could not bee overjoyed of the sight of this wonderfull mercy of God without which, in my conjecture, I was absolutely to perish. This unexpected releife gave such comfort to my drooping spirit as that I was confidently assured there by that the Lord had thoughts of peace and not of distinction to mee, however hee suffered mee to bee under the cloud of affliction at present, having found such a booty. Taking away the said things theirfore I went with a light hart to the wood againe, takeing along with me a burthen of straw wrapped into the coate least by scattering of it I should be dogged out againe; and when I had fetched another burthen of straw I lodged myselfe in a private place in the wood, and pulling of my wett cloaths I wrapped myselfe into the long coate I had found in the stable. In thismanner I made a poore shift to keepe my selfe from starving that night.
The next morning I imployed my tyme in drying my cloaths againe in the sun, which did shine very bright all that day longe. The night followeing I went againe round about the wood, trying the guards how I might secretly slip by some of them, which I found to be very difficult, till after midnight I percieved the watchmen of one post were asleepe, or by reason of the cold altogether departed from their station, because I heard none of them (for to be silent or stand still without acting some apish tricks is an impossible thing for most men of that nation, which often tended to my advantage to keepe me from falling into their hands unawarrs in the darke); then I made bold to steale through, and once more gott an inlargement of my restraint in which I had bin for those 3 dayes.
Now I was free, and intended to hold my former course. I mistooke my way againe, going too much west of Burdeaux, because of the cloudie ayre which deprived mee of the sight of the moone and starres, soe that after I had marched the quantity of 4 leagues, I was neverthelesse as farre as I was the day before from Burdeaux. And as it hapned all alonge that all my troubles were soe chaine-like linked togetherthat the end of one calamitie was alwayes the beginning of another, soe heere did providence keepe the same method in exercising my patience with further trialls[27]. For before daylight I fell in my march uppon a great plaine-heath, which after itt was light I found to bee 4 or 5 miles broad. Now when I was in the middle the day broake in uppon mee, wherby I was exposed to the sight of all that mett mee; yett was I arrested by none till I came over the plaine, then even as I was to leave the great comon and entering into the inclosed feilds againe, my way fell thorough a small village, wher as I passed through I saw two or three boores or paisants standing in a doore. These men taking notice of my habit (the discription wherof they had learned out of the hew and cry) called after me, but I not mooved by their call kept on my pace till some of them gott on horse back others following on foote they overtooke me before I could hide myselfe in any convenient place. I ran for feare into a ditch full of water, but they pulled me out from thence with great cruelty. Having me thus at their mercy they tooke first all my money from me, which was about eighty pistolls in gold besides what I had in silver coyne. Suspecting that I had hidden somein the water out of which they tooke me, setting their fowling peices often to my brest theirby to make me confesse whether it were so or not, and when they could finde no more money about me they fell to strip me of my cloaths, and takeing so much as the shirt from my back they left me naked in the feilds as I came into the world, telling me that naked I came and naked I must goe out of the world againe. One of them presently putt on my worsted coate and drawers, flinging away his owne drawers and wastcoate that were of thin canvis ragged and torne. Another, which tooke away my hat, resigned unto me his old bonit. Of these leavings I was forced to make use of to cover my nakedness withall, though it was an habbit very unsutable for the season, for their had beene a hard niping frost ever since my escape from Pulliac, and continued so for two weeks together.
So parting one from another we went every one his way, they towards their houses and I towards Burdeaux, though it had beene better for those villands to have knocked me on the head then to have dismissed me, for it was their duty to carry me according to order to the safe keeping of the next magistrate, only for that they should not keepe all the booty to themselves they let me goe whetherI would without restraint. Because I was now become a worme and no man, a scorne to all that saw me, I thought that now no body would count me worthy of takeing, theirfore I retourned to march openly by day. But the mallice of these rogues that robbed me was such and so great that rather then I should escape they would make an alarum (though it should be to their owne hurt) by sounding the horn, wherby they tooke the alarum from one towne to another, so that before I had martched a league hearing the alarum behinde and before and round about me, I was forced to fall into the bottom of a thick hedge to save myselfe from being taken againe. Their I continued from nyne till two of the clock of the afternoone till the cold and frost had so benumed all my members of my body that I was uncapable of any motion, and noe more senceable of any greate and sharp cold but onely inclyning to a fainting sleepe, soe that I was affraid if in case I continued fowre howres longer there till I might march at night againe, I should be past ever rising againe. Therefore when I saw a plaine contry man not farr of from mee passing I made bold to call him, with an intencion to promise him a good some of mony if he would take me into his house, and keepe mee there private for fowre or fiveweekes till I might git some letters of creditt from my frinds by way of Bourdeaux. But when hee came to see mee even spechles by shaking and quaking for cold, the owld man seeing my condition desired mee to come home with him to his house, which was hard by in a little village consisting not of above 12 houses. Having brought mee to his house hee made mee presently a good fire to gitt life into my starved joynts againe, and gave mee some bread and drinke such as his house afforded for my refreshment.
Whilst I thus refreshed me by the fire side there came severall of the neibours to looke upon mee in my comfortles condition, whereby some conjecturing that I was the man conserning whom they had received the hue and cry, presently sent for the Justice of the peace, which lived not farr from thence. He came about five of the clocke to waite upon mee, and was overjoyed that he had gott such a bird in his nett whose feathers hee thought would be at least 1200 livers in his way. Having variously discorsed with me and earnestly enquired in whose hands in Bourdeaux I had the 1200 livers mentioned in the hue and cry, hee tooke mee along with him into a larger house, where himselfe alsoe lying he caused mee to bee kept by a gaurd of contrymen. Thenext morning, because I could not give him a satisfactory answer to his demands especially concerning the 1200 livers, hee sent a messenger to Bourdeaux which was some 3 leagues from thence, for a confessor as he termed it to bee there against the next morning for to begin the same processe againe with mee as those at Bourdeaux and Puliack would have done, if God had not prevented it. In the meane while the gentleman being willing to gitt as much by my ruine as could bee went to consult with some of his frinds that were there, how hee might gitt some of the monies that I had lost the other day within his jurisdiction. Finding hee was not like to compasse his ends, he began to carry himselfe more affable to mee then before with all manner of faire promisses, namly that hee would helpe mee to my cloathes againe and to halfe the mony which I had lost, if soe be I could find out the men that robed mee or their houses. Wher upon, though I was sufficiently convinced that onely his and not my profitt was concern'd in the plott, yet being altogeather in his power, I could not chuse but yeild myselfe to his desires, and promised to goe back the same way I came the day before, and not returne before I had found out the houses of those men that had robbed mee. Then he provideda gaurd of fowre men with fowling peeces to goe along with me, and two greate doggs with a little one which were to attend my returne, which would bee in the night, least I should ever slip in the wood through which wee were to march. And because my feete being very much spoyled by the frost I indured before, I could make but small hast to follow my leaders, they furnished mee with a lame horse, on which I might make some shift to keepe pace with my gaurd, and yett not to run away from them neither.
In this equipage wee began our march about 2 of the clock in the afternoone, and found the house wherein the robbers lived within an howre and halfe after our departure. But before wee were come halfe the way to them, least the theeves wee sought for should conceave any suspition, and so absent themselves if from farr they should see mee come in their companie, wee went into a farmers house that lived by the way, and borrowing a long coate from him made of a thick white frize, they put it about mee, therewith to disguise me. This pollisie of theirs did exceedingly rejoyce mee, because it not onely conforted my naked body for the present, but it spoke moreover to mee that the Lord thereby was preparing new meanes for mydeliverance, for by the helpe of this coate I thought my selfe in a capacity to lye out of dores againe in the field, which otherwise it was impossible for mee to doe for want of cloathes. I began therefore to make provision for a new jorney by filling my bosome with bread where and whensoever occation would serve mee, for both in the farmers, and severall other houses they made my gaurd (and me for my gaurds sake) wellcome, by setting alwaye a pott of wine and a greate househould loafe before us, by which meanes I gott as much bread as did serve mee two dayes after. At length when wee had found the place where the robbers dwelt, three of my gaurds went into the house and would not suffer mee to goe with them, but left mee in another howse with one of the gaurd, giving to the people of the house a strickt charge besides to looke to mee least I should make an escape. Having dispatched their Masters arrand, and returned into the house where they left mee, I asked them whether they would not helpe mee to my cloathes againe according to their promisse. They replied that I should find a man at home that would keepe me warm enough without cloathes, meaning the hangman, which was sent for him from Burdeaux to be theire against our retourne.
The night coming on a pace we prepared fora martch againe, and tooke our leave from the house we were in. Comeing forth those of my guard went two before and two behinde keepeing close to my horse heeles because it was very darke. When we weere gott againe so far as the farmers house where they borrowed my longe coate, they desired me to restore the coate to the owners againe. In the meane while the farmer himselfe came forth of the house entreating my guard to come into the house, and being entered the men that gaurded me set themselves round about a table while I was walking up and downe the roome with the borrowed coate on my back still. And seeing by and by the attentions of the men taken up with their cupps, and the doggs which were taken along on purpose to observe my motion in the darke striving about the warmest place in the chimney corner, I thought it to be the season for which I had looked with great expectation ever since I gott the coate on my backe. I made bold theirfore to step out of the roome with leasure as though I had some private businesse to doe without, and assoone as I was gotten out I pulled of the coate, and taking it under my arme I went in hast to try once more my heeles, which though they weere lame before yet now they were become as light as everthey were. I ran with all speed towards the open plaine feild which was on one side of the house. I was not gott halfe musket shott from the house before they came to looke for me, and finding me to be gone, they called presently forth the doggs, and sett them with a great and impetuous storme against the wood which was on the other side of the house, suspecting that I had taken that wood for my refuge rather then the open feilds. But I being gon the cleane contrary way, and the doggs amazed and confounded with the rageing cry of six or seaven men so that they could not take notice of me as I ran on, the poore men lost their labours and I gott my libberty by the assistance of God, together with a good warme coate to my back.
In the end of the game, to take all possible heed from falling into their or any mans hands againe, I steered my coarse directly back againe, to a wood which I knewe formerly being stripped not fair from thence. There I intended to conceale my selfe, and not to goe from thence till hunger should force mee, for I feared because of the nessessity they knew that I was in, I must goe to Bourdeaux for releife, that now they would raise for mee more then ever they did, but if it were soe that I could be some where in secritt two or three dayes till theheat of their fury against mee were some what cooled, then I supposed their gaurds would bee either more careles, or altogeather removed, that soe I might with more safety gitt throw to Bourdeaux by night. And coming into the wood, I found in the same a Church with an empty parson's house, and continued there, for the space of two dayes. The first night I lodged my selfe in the oven for feare of any bodyes coming into the house, for I knew not in the darke that I was soe far from neighbours. But the next day when it was light, I chose for my habitation a great come chest which stood upon leggs a foote and ½ high from the ground, and was in all about seaven foote deepe, and there I spent the rest of the time, as long as I stayed there, onely in the night I went forth to squench my thurst, out of the trench that went about the church yard. This was the best lodging that I had since I leaped over the wall at Bourdeaux; for in the morning after I first came in I found in a corner an owld sack full of wooll of about 15lb. weight, which being most in great fleeces was of singular use to mee in supplying the want of cloathes, for I contryved to wrap my whole body to the knees into itt, putting the wooll to my skin and tying my canvas wastcoate and britches on the tope of it whereby I became aswarme although not soe fashonnably clad as ever I was.
The stoare of my provision being totaly exhausted, I was now nessesitated to quitt this place, after I had sojorned there two dayes and two nights. In the 3d night I undertooke to march againe towards Bourdeaux, which was some 4 leagues from thence. Upon my march I found the gaurds through the whole night to bee strickly kept in all the villages, yet I made shift to pas them all by the healp of the great and continuall noyse the watchmen continually made, which gave me allwayes sufficient warning to goe by tims about, and soe avoyd the gaurds that layd waite for me. Yett for all that I could not reach Bourdeaux undiscovered, for when I came with in a league of the Citty, there was I met in the morning about 4 of the clock in a plaine place (where two wayes met) by a man that was one of the cheif of those that gaurded mee when I made my last escape, and which was also the principall authour of my borrowing my long coate. He desired mee to make hast to goe with him to Bourdeaux, though hee had noe armes at all. At lenght his patience being tired, and thincking infallibly I must come to Bourdeax for releif both of meate and cloathes, hee went before, out of anintention to lay waite for mee through others, either by the way or at the Cittie gatts. Now I was againe possesed with a new fright, for to goe directly without any delay into the Citty would bee my present mine, and to tarry without in the feilds did threaten noe less, because I wanted both food and rayment; yet counting it my best to make choyce of the lesser evill, I resolved to keepe my selfe in the feild, soe long as I might bee able to subsist without meate (for though I had lost my warme coate againe, yet could I make some shift to endure the weather by reason of the wooll where with my whole body was covered after the manner expressed). Soe thinking it a greater happines to perrish by hunger and frost (if it had soe pleased unto God) then to have yeilded my selfe to myne adversaryes crueltys, I tooke up in this beleefe the bottome of an hedge for my bed within an English myle from Bourdeaux and remained two dayes.
Again the 3dday before it was light I drew neere to the towne into the suburbs, to the end that I might with more expedition gitt to the water side in the beginning of the next evening before it would bee toe late; and having layin hidden in the ruines of an owld house all the day long I went soe soone as it was darke, and came tothe water side, where the shippers are used to have their constant meetings. There I first met with an Hollandish merchant of a shipe, unto whom I made knowne my desire to goe along in his ship, engaging my selfe to pay unto him the sum of 5000 livers for his reward, where and whensoever hee should land without the kingdom of France. But this man, because I was not able to speake plaine Hollandish without mixing some English amongst it, tould me that I was an English rogue, and hee would rather bee a meanes to helpe me to the gallowes then to carry mee in his ship. Thus taking my answer from this inhuman Hollander I went to another man that was master's mate of a great Lubeckish ship, which was ready to sett sayle the next day. This Lubecker having received my complaints was mooved with compacion, and tooke mee on board, where both hee and all the men of the ship expressed greate love to mee, and put mee into another habitt againe with ould cloathes, furnishing mee among themselves with dublitt, britches, long coate and other nessisaryes, soe that I looked now like a rationall man againe, whereas in my former habitt I seemed to bee a distracted person. As for passage they doubted not but they should prevaile with the master of the ship who did lye one shoare that night, but camethe next morning on shipboard, in the meane time they entertayned mee with the best accomodation they had.
Being thus tenderly entertayned that night, when I wakened the next morning, I found my feete in which I had felt noe warmnes many dayes before, soe much swelled, and soe full of paine, after this warme lodging, that I was not able to stand upright without greate greefe, nor to abide my shoes upon them. Now as soone as the master came, all the men in the shipp made intercession for mee to gitt his consent for my passage, and my selfe promised him as much as I did the Hollander for my transportation before mentioned; but he being of a dogged surly disposition would give no eare to my complaints nor take to hart my woefull mesery, pleading for the safety of his ship and goods, which by my being their would be exposed to the danger of confiscation, in case said he that I weere found theirin by the searchers. Yet he said if so be that I could get so far as Blaye, and shew myselfe their on the shore side, his men should fetch me into the ship after it had beene searched, and so I might then goe along with him to Lubeck. Here my sorrowes were multeplyed againe in an unspeakable manner, because as all my former endeavours even so this project which I had taken for my last refuge was fruitllesse. Asmuch as my hart was refreshed the day before, when getting on ship board I came from dispaire to some hopes of a deliverance, so much and farr more was I now dejected, being reduced from hope to dispaire againe. For although the maister of the ship made some promisse to take me along with him if I could get to Blay, yet being altogether deprived of the present use of my feet, I could not conceive any hopes to gett thither and so to enjoy the comfort of his promisse neither. This desperate condition of myne gave so sad a spectacle to beholders in the ship that it fetched teares from their eyes when they saw me tourned into the boate againe, for they looked upon me as one that was going to a wofull and miserable end.
Now when I was carryed on the shore againe the men in the ship, who was much greived with the maisters obstanacy, made a collection among themselves, and fournished my pocket with a French crowne in money, and giving me five or six dayes provision of bisket and pootered beefe they landed me on the other side of the river, with an earnest expectation that I should strive to the utmost of my power to get to Blaye, which was eight leagues from thence, and their they would watch for my coming to fetch me on ship board.
Being set on shoare about two of the clock in the afternoon, I did force myselfe to march, though my feet raged as if they had beene full of needles, and every step I sett was like a knife run through my heart, yet to strive for my life I would hazzard the losse of my feete, and have endured the greatest paine in going to Blaye then to fall into the hands of mine enimyes againe. Thus I marched in great paine all that day and the night following, without any obstruction because I was unknowne of that side of the water. The next morning about tenn of the clock I was met with a younge ougly looking country fellow, who hearing by my tongue that I was a stranger, bore me company, till he met two men of his aquaintance, then he together with them fell upon me, and tooke the crowne from me, and most part of the bisket which the seamen in the ship had bestowed on me, pretending that I was a spy left behind by the Spanish fleet which was lately in the river, and so my cloaths being not worth the taking they lett me goe. But within halfe an houre after upon better consideration they made an alarum after me by sounding the horne, which was presently taken round about, wherby I became subject to as much persecution as I had beene on the other side of the water, for although I had other habit yet didall the country take me for the man that was discribed in the hue and cry the two weeks before, seing that all that came to speake with me reviled me for an English trator. The alarum was so great that the troopers which quartered their abouts went the rounds on the high wayes till evening, and at night the countrymen kept their guards as strictlie as those did on the other side of the water.
Heere I was cast into a new despaire againe, for besides that I had lost all hopes of getting to Blay, by reason that my feete were nott onely very much swelled by the frost after the manner aforsaid, butt my soales were alsoe blistred that I was now disabled for going any more, there was moreover this block cast in my way, that I was now described and besett with guards in a waterish and inhedged country, and had yett a great river betweene mee and Blay to passe over, where without all doubt I was laide waite for in case I had bin able to goe further. Being by these meanes forced to desist from my resolution to meete the shippe att Blay, I fell into an hedge to hide mee from the rage of the countrymen and troopers which did every where attend mee. There I lay in a deplorable condition, sorely oppressed with greif both of body and minde; my feete full of ragingpaine were noe more able to carry mee, myne heart broke within mee with the conceit that alwayes my later calamities proved more desperate then the former, and the more that I strove to gett out of my misery that still the more I should sinke the deeper into the same. Hence I could nott butt fall into these thoughts, that the Lord had utterly rejected mee, that hee would bee favourable noe more, seing hee had sett mee as a marke into the which hee would shoote all his arrowes of anger; for when I looked for a time of healing behold my troubles increased, having bin frustrated in this attempt which I tooke for the last remedy of myne evill, I gave it for lost in regard I was now altogether disabled to make any further escape as I was formerly wont to doe when I was taken. In so hopeless a condition I spent my tyme under the said hedge that day and the night following, making an end of my provision that the robbers had left me.
The next day continuing still in the same place, because I was not able to goe nor knew I whether to goe, the hedge wherin I lay being very thin, I was discovered by some boyes that kept sheep (about two of the clock in the afternoone) their abouts, who as soone as they had seene me ran to the villadge hard by to give notice of my being their. Wher uponseing myselfe discovered, though before I was not able to stand on my feet, yet did feare so far overcome me that to shun any danger as long as possible I could make any shift to crawle a little way from thence to hide myself in a securer place. But as I was gott a quarter of a myle from the place where I lay in, it began to raine very hard; so seing a great house not far of I had a desire to try whether I could finde same shelter about the same, and coming neare it I entered into a stable one of whose doores was opened towards the feild the other into a court before the house. This stable being large was accomodated not only for cattell on the one side but also for all manner of other uses, for I found theirin a winepresse round about, their was also laid some cart loads of faggotts of greene furrs betweene which and the presse I did hide my selfe thinking it a great happinesse to be out of the cold winde and raine into a dry place wherby I hoped to have a warme nights lodging. Perceiving but little company about the house, when I came first into the stable I lay their with great confidence, not suspecting any body knew of my being their, yet before I had beene their halfe an houre, the good man of the house with two of his servants came home from the feild and received information conserning me of his son, a little boy ofsome 13 or 14 yeares old, who see my coming into the stable and watched me ever since then, wherby he knew that I was not come forth againe. Here upon great and small come into the stable rejoyceing for to have gotten the theife for whose sake all the townes and villages theirabouts had been fame to keepe guard all the night past, and being assured that I could have no other hiding place but under the furrs they sent for two longe hay forkes to remoove them all to come att me. I, in the meane tyme full of terror and trembling as soone as I perceived that I was discovered, forced myselfe under the winepress which was joyned to one side of the wall, the bed their of lay on two peices of timbre which being some five foot one from another were no thicker then my body so that with hard shift I could worke betwixt the bed and the ground upon my belly to the wall. Being crept under it as farr as I could, I tooke an old peece of wood which accidentally lay their and left it with other small sticks in the outside under the bed theirby to prevent in them all suspicion of my being under the presse. Now when they had remooved all the furrs and come to the full sight of the bed of the winepress they tooke it for granted that I could not be their, because the hollownesse between the ground and the bed was so flat in theirapprehentions that they judged it altogether uncapable of receiving a man, theirfore they only ran the forke into the peice of wood which I had laid out of the mouth of the hollow, and having tourned the same they made no further scruple of that place, but were taken with great wonder and amazment, being confident I had beene seene going into the stable and not coming out againe, or if I was gott out it was not by naturall meanes but by witchcraft. Nevertheless suspecting that perhaps he might be mistaken in watching my coming forth either into the feild or into the court (though both the doors of the stable were so placed that from one station he could looke them both) because it was now darke, and their were more stables and a great deale of timber in the court where I might hide myselfe in case I were got out of the stable, the maister of the house sett his two men to watch in the court all the night over till the next morning that they might make a more exact search for me.
The two watchmen walked the round in the court all the fore part of the night, while in the meane tyme about eleaven of the clock, being weary to lye longer in so cumbersome a posture, I gott forth from underneath the winepress, where I had lyen now about nyne houres flatt on my belly till all my joyntsfelt like dead, because being pressed close to the ground I had no roome to turne myselfe nor to make any motion with my body. Being gott out of this straite lodging I sheltered myselfe betweene the cattle that stood on one side of the stable observing the motion of the said watchmen, which having borne the labour of the day and now walked till now about midnight began to longe for some rest, because they could not perceive all that tyme the least signe of my being their abouts. They blamed the boy for making such trouble with his groundless fancies and came into the stable where I was, laying themselves downe to sleepe hard by the doore that went into the court, and after they had a little reasoned that I could not breake open the doore about the court without making a great noyse they went boldly to sleepe while I heartely prayed for their good rest. As soone as I judged them to be fast a sleepe I passed by them into the court where I found all the doors locked and the walls so high that by no meanes I could gett over them. I walked an houre up and downe devising by what shift I might get out into the feilds, at length finding no other meanes to escape I pitched upon a doore which went into a vineyard joyning to the house, and seeing this doore went not close to the threshold upon theground but lacked so much of his full length as that I could put my fist under it, I tooke a small peice of a tree and lifted the said doore from the hinges and after I had loosened it, being both in feare and hast, I could not prevent the falling of it to the ground, wherby presently the whole house tooke an alarum, but I having now before me a great hole to get out by would make no stay to looke for the issue of that alarum but ran a pace till I gott without the bounds of that vineyard.
Thus in the midst of my greatest trouble I received comfort againe, though it was but such as in relation to a better condition was comparable to dispare it selfe, for although I had drawne my foot out of the snare yet knew not where to fix my biding but must of necessity fall into another againe. I was become like a ship that upon a tempestuous sea hath lost his rudder and sailes and can no more be guided by the discretion of the steersman to any harbour of safty, but left to the mercyless waves to be overtourned and swallowed up in the deepe, to be cast upon the rocks of despaire. Even so was I at this instant deprived of all hope and counsell to direct my course either to the right or left for safety, seing nothing but signes of unavoidable destruction round about me.
Being thus at liberty againe to seeke another hiding place I walked or rather crawled upon my pittifull feet out of one feild into another, not knowing nor careing which way I went, till againest day I lit on another barne which stood by itself about a stones cast from the dwelling house. Coming to this barne I found a little haystack piled up against a wall the which, the weather being very ill, was a great invitation to me to take up my lodging on the top of it, perswadeing my selfe that no body would suspect or seeke me theire. In this confidence I made shift to get to the top of it, and having prepared me a place wherin I might lye both secret and warme I fell presently a sleepe, not wakeing till about nyne of the clock. Being wakened I saw two country fellows at the barne doore standing on purpose to watch least I should get away before those came for whom they had sent to aprehend me. Here the comfort my last nights escape had gotten in me was tourned into dispaire againe, although I knew not by what meanes or after what manner I had beene discovered so soone, only I ghesed that either some body had seene me goe into the barne, or else the servants when they came to feed a couple of oxen which stood in a pertition made in the corner of the barne had heard me make some noyse in myhard sleepe. How ever it came these same fellows thought themselves very sure of me, mocking and jearing with my pittifull condition, and demanding of me why I would rather come to be taken in their barne then their neighbours house which was but halfe a mile from thence. I had bewitched their neighbours eyes, but I should not bewitch theirs. With such and the like jeasts they passed their tyme till the good wife of the house called them to dinner; then they went to the dwelling house, and fetched their meat, with an intent to dine without the doore that so they might both eate and have an eye to the prisoner.
As soone as they were gone I raised myselfe from my couch and perceiving in the little pertition where the oxen stood that their was a hole broken in the wall some nyne foot from the ground for to let the light in I hasted downe from the stack and went into the said stable and making meanes by a long beame to get up to the hole, after I had looked out of it, I found that it would be very narrowly overlooked by them that stood in the doore of the dwelling house. Yet because the watchmen that were at dinner saw a little more to that side of the doore where they could not give so good attendance to the hole as to the barne doore, I retournedto creep out and fell into a thicket of briers which were under the hole, and on that side of the barne. Being gotten to the ground I crept in the bottom of these bryers till I came at the back of the barne, then could I goe whether I would without disturbing the watchmen, being at their dinner. Now because it was daylight I durst not venture far to seeke a hiding place for feare of being betrayed againe, I was constrained to fall into a ditch under a thick hedge near the high way that came from Burdeaux. I had not lien long their before the alarum conserning me was made as fresh as ever it was. The troopers went too and fro upon the high wayes, and all the travillers that passed by me made me the cheife subject of their discourse, giving to my hearing (because I laid on the way side) their severall judgments upon me, one counting me a crafty fellow, another tooke me for a witch by reason that I had beene so oft in hold and yet escaped as oft again beyond their expectations that had me in coustody.
All these things that I heard and saw could promisse nothing else but a finall ruine to me, neither could I since I was disapointed in my journey to Blaye think upon any way more wherby I might conceive any hopes of life; yet as every day brought forth new troubles, so new troubles led meupon new devices, new devices gave me new experiences of the wonderfull mercyes of God. Even so while I lay in the bottom of the hedge struggleing for life, I began to have new consultations againe; though I had hitherto beene frustrated in all my attempts, as longe as I enjoyed breath I thought it my duty to nature to thinke upon others. However the latter project semed to be more desperate then the former. I resolved theirfore to retourne to Bourdeaux againe being no further then three leagues from thence, and to apply myselfe to some Hambrough marchants, thinking if the Lord would yet looke upon my afflictions that he was able to incline their harts towards me, and make them instruments of my recovery, and keepe me also out of the hands of my enimyes which lived their, but if he intended to bring me to a wofull end in this world I counted it as expedient for me to submit to his good pleasure their, as in the country where not the least hope of life did appeare to me.
To prosecute this resolution, as soone as it was darke I laboured to get forward to Burdeaux with as much speed as I could. Finding the guards very vigilant in all villages I made shift to pass by them with going about where occation served, but as I came to an open market towne within two leaguesof Burdaux I met with a small river at the hither end of the towne. Because of the low waterish grounds and deepe ditches and thick hedges, this place was so barrocaded up with carts and ladders and through all the night so strongly guarded that by no means it was possible for me to get through or by it, although I spent all the whole night in trying all manner of wayes to gett by. Against morning I went a little back to hide myselfe in a great empty barne which stood aloane in an inclosed feild, in hope that it would not be frequented much by day by any people, because their was nothing in it but some rotten and decayed straw under which I lay hid. Their I took my rest undiscovered till about one of the clock, their came halfe a dozen children which in their play running up and downe a top of the straw came to tread upon me as I lay in my sleep. Herby they presently discovered me, saying that I was the theife for whom they had watched all the last night, they would goe to tell their fathers of my being theire. And so they being gon their way I thought it not safe for me to stay their till the inhabitants should come to take me with delibration, theirfore I went forth to seeke another hiding place, but could finde none ready to my hand, because of the ditches under the hedges were brim full of water.In the meane while I came accidentally to see the barrecado which the townes men had made the night before for my sake to be without any guard (for they thought I durst not march by day in view of the people—they kept only guard in the night tyme) I resolved to make use of this opportunity, and to venture through the towne at noone day. Thus comitting myselfe to the Lord I marched with confidence through the towne whilest the people theirin least expecting my coming, because it was about dinner tyme I did not meet many on the streets, divers men looking over the doores, and seeing me goe fistling as though I heard nothing, knew not what to make of me. I went in a poore seamens habbitt, yet by that tyme I was gott through the other end of the towne they bethought themselves better, and suspected that I was he for whose sake they watched the last night, calling after me and desiring me to tarry, and I refused to hearken to their call, they cryed aloud their was the traytor we looked for the last night. But before they could be ready to come or send after me, I being now got through the towne went backward behind the middle of the towne, where I did hide myselfe againe whilest some of the townes men pursued me in the way to Burdeaux.
I continued my march the next night carrying nevertheless about me and before me the alarum all the night longe till I came to the river side, only now being in a dry country I could shunne at pleasure all their guards by goeing about, receiving always sufficient warning by the singing and clamouring they used where they were. The morning following I gott to the river side some two English miles before Burdeaux, taking up my quarters on the bottom of a steep hill overgrowne with small wood on purpose to overlooke all the conveniences how I might get privately in the evening tyme into the Citty, their to put my last project in practice. And when it was broad day light that I could see all about the sittuation of the towne and river I found myselfe in another mistake, wherby all my hopes were dashed with one blow as it were to peeces; for I was perswaded all this while that their was a bridge extant over the river into the Citty, over which I intended to have pased in the duske of the evening when no body would have taken notice of me, but now I was come neer the Citty I found no such thing, and counted myselfe to be in as great a strait as ever I was, for to desire passage over the water of any waterman I durst not venture, unlesse I would be carried by him directly into the hands ofmyne enimyes againe, neither had I any money to pay for my passage, and to be transported for charrity I could not expect from any in that country. I was now as neare if not neerer to despaire as the Israelites were at the Red Sea, being persecuted by innumerable enimyes that were round about, and sorely oppressed with hunger within, besides the pittifull condition of my feet. I gave over all hope of life, unlesse the Lord would work further mirracles for my deliverance as he had done formerly.
In this comfortlesse condition I kept my lodging upon the hill till night, then I went downe into the plaine which was all along the river side, to see whether I could get a peece of bread by begging in the darke (for I had beene now foure dayes without) thinking that no body would be ready to apprehend me if I fell not upon a guard. And as I came to a house, asking but in vaine for a peece of bread for God's sake, I perceived that they were making fire into a baking oven standing in an out house in the garden which together with the house was incompased with a deepe moate round about. This same sight caused me to looke to the oven while the bread was bakeing, to that end I got into the next vineyard and made passage into the said garden with a bundle of sticks which lay in that vineyard, fillingthe moate with them being ready to my hand. Being by this meanes gott into the garden I watched with great longing till the bread was put into the oven, and when it had an hours baking I made bold to step to the oven, and tooke the iron shutter downe wherwith the mouth was stopped rearing it against the wall upon some cloggs of wood; then I reached forth a loafe with the bread shovill, but having got it to the mouth of the oven the iron shutter fell downe and made a very great noyse, which so frighted me that I let the shovill fall and run for my life. The man of the house came presently running towards the oven, but I was gone before he could see me, and so my designe to get bread came to nothing. Afterwards I walked about all the night, out of one vineyeard into another on the water side, studdying how I might get over the water. At length my deliberations came to this result, that I intended to seek a boat some where on the river side, wherin I might endeavour to put myselfe over the river by stealth in the night tyme, though it semed very difficult to me, both for breadth of the river and for the luggish and unweildiness of the boates which were their abouts, for I could find no less then such as would carry at least three horses at one tyme, which could not be guided by one man and without a rudder too. Yetnecessity compelling me to make use of such occasions as I could get, I was fully resolved to prosecute this conclusion, only as the tyde fell out I could not put it into practice before two or three dayes were past when I might have a flowing water about ten or eleven of the clock at night.
The maine question now in debate with me was how I should subsist so many dayes longer without bread, for having fasted already foure dayes I was now theirby, as also by former hardship, brought so low that to my thinking I could not be able to goe another day. But the determination of that query was so far above the reach of my reason that I could not contribute the least thought towards it. Theirfore I did cast myselfe wholy upon the Lord's providence and went against daybreake to my former lodging upon the hill againe, the lower ground next to the river not yeilding me as yet any convenient hiding place by reason of the watery ditches under the hedges. Their I sat and had a faire prospect which was very fitt to overlook the country, but not the end of my mesery. Because it was Sunday I beheld all the inhabitants merry and joviall below, while I was ready to faint for hunger and greife above. No earthly thing had place in my thoughts but bread, bread, great store of which was not farfrom me but to come by very hard for me. About tenn of the clock I saw both men and women to flock very thick to the Church which was neare an English mile from thence, the which sight gave me occation to think that whilest the most part of men were at masse I might goe downe without any great danger, and try the charrity of the maids and women that were left at home to looke to the houses, if perhaps they would take pitty on me and succour me with a peece of bread. And when I came downe I came from one house to another to beg for releife, useing all the arguments of perswation as ever any begger in the world did, yet could not stir the least compassion in any of them what pittifull expressions soever I made to them, but instead of an almes they bestowed so many heavy curses and ill wishes upon me. Whereat neverthelesse I was not daunted, but hunger helping me to beare all reproaches I continued to solicite though to no purpose one house after another, till at the length I came at a house where no body was at home, but were all at the masse. Wherupon to try all manner of conclutions for my releife I made bold to climbe into the window, not fearing any neighbours because all the houses stood by themselves a great way asunder, and seing the chimney to have some live coales in it, I doubtednot but the cubbard would also afford some bread. I broke open the window and went into the house streight way to the cubbard, not minding anything else in the house. Having opened the cubbard I found nothing else then a loafe of a peck of houshold bread one quarter wherof was eaten, I borrowed the rest, together with a pipkin full of fatt gathered both of boyled and roaste meate holding about a pinte. Having performed what I came in for I went out at the window againe, and being by that meanes provided by the spetiall providence of God and theirby enabled to subsist for some dayes till the tide would fall out later to carry on my designes to get over the water by night.
I went now to consider of a place where I might spend this prey in rest and safty, and knowing that all the sittuation theirabouts would not aford me a better accomodation then the presse house joyned to the same dwelling house where I borrowed the loafe, both being under one roofe only distinguished by a partition wall in the midle, I went into the same, in hopes that the people of the house when they came home would not once suppose me to have tarried so neare the place wher I had comitted such a fact, but that they would rather perswade themselves that I was gon further to conceale myactions. This presse house was very full of lumber, and their was amongst the rest a great coupe or fat about nyne foot high and seaven foot wide. I liked this coupe so well that I made use of it for my lodging as long as I should stay on this side of the water, supposeing that their I should lye in no bodys way to be discovered, because no body could get neither in nor out of the same without a ladder. But having first made provision how to get in and out by meanes of a long rope and longe notched peece of wood reared up within the tubb, went into the same and fell to feed upon such cheare as God had sent me, giving God praise both for this seasonable releife and for so necessary and convenient lodging prepared for me, for I estemed myselfe now to want nothing having meate within the fatt with me, and their lay four hogsheads of small wine or burick (made with water wherwith the grapes are washed after they are pressed over againe) in a room which was instead of a seller under the dwelling house, but the dore of it came into the press house. Their as often as I was dry and nobody in the way I went to drinke my fill with a reed out of the bung-hole opened with an iron naile which I continually carryed about me.
I had not beene longe in the fatt before my landlordcame home, who with all the rest of his houshold was much amazed at the honesty, yet at the boldness of the theife was offended, because he had offered to breake open nothing but the cubbard, and carryed away nothing but the bread, and the fat driping. When he made his complaints to his neighbours of his ill fortune, they told him that I had been begging at their doores, and that I was not come back againe that wayes, but if he would finde me out he must goe forewards his house. Borrowing in the meane tyme another loafe he went to dinner with his family which consisted of two men besides himselfe and two women. After diner they went all up and downe to inquire whether I had bent my course. One of the men being wiser then the rest my foot prints were easily diserned from other folks who all both great and small made use of wooden shooes which having no high heeles make farre another print then other shooes doe, and doeing after this manner they found indeed I was come into the house, but that I was neither retourned nor gon beyond the house, so they concluded that infallably I must be still in the presse-house hidden under the lumber that was theirin. They began theirfore to remove with great confidence all the lumber and empty caskes that was in the pressehouse, which was so tedious a worke that it kept them busy from two of clock till darke night, having not the least conjecture all this while of the great fatt wherin I lay fearing and trembleing, because they were sure that without a ladder I could not get out nor into the same. Thus having wearyed themselves with searching for me in vaine till evening they gave over searching, and I kept quiet possession of my tub till Wedensday in the morning.
I came forth somtymes for drinke and motion of my body, especially in the night tyme, but when the Lord intended to let me see another experiment of his power and love towards me, he let it come to passe that on Weddensday in the morning about day break I fell as I was in my sleepe into a violent coughing, caused by some humors falling into my throat, of which though it were for my life I was not able to refrain myselfe, so that those that were in the dwelling house came theirby to heare distincly wher I was and had beene ever since Sunday noon; for the great tubb made such an eccho, that they presently called to me out of the window of the dwelling house that looked into the pressehouse congratulating and jearing me with my strangly conceited lodging. Theirupon the good man of the house sent imediatly his two men to guard the dooreof the presshouse, and himselfe when it was breake of day went to advise with his neighbours how to send to their Justice of peace to give notice of my condition.
Now my hopes began again to faile, being falne into the hands of those who in regard of their owne wrong they had received from me would use their uttmost endeavours to look more narrowly to my coustody then ever any did before, yet considering how the Lord had owned me hithertoo with so many wonderfull deliverances I would not cast away all courage, what grounds of dispaire soever came into my way, but perswaded myselfe confidently that he would not have wrought so many wonderfull evasions heretofore if he intended to destroy me in the end. Theirfore I doubted not but that the Lord would finde some way to deliver me even from these present feares, though the manner how was hidden from mine eyes till noon. For then it came to passe that the watchmen which otherwise stood constantly at the doore of the press-house had their dinner brought them, for the eating of which they seated themselves on the ground some what to the left hand of the doore, so that I had liberty to creep out of the great fatt without their sight, and to passe by the doore without their sightinto the roome where the foure hogsheads of beverick before mentioned were. Now having heretofore observed the structure of the house, and knowing their were a paire of stairs built after the Scotch fashon without the maine wall by which they went up into the dwelling roome, and that underneath the staires their was a concavity fitted for a hogstye into the which their was made a hole through the maine wall out of the roome where the drinke lay, I went whilest the watchmen minded their dinner to creepe through that hole, and being with much pains (because it was both little and high from the ground) gott through I laid close in the said hogstye till evening; not dareing to stir forth because of the watchmen standing at the presshouse which was hard by the front of the stairs, the doore of the hogsty being on the backe of the same. After the watchmen had dined they went to their station againe in the press-house, fastening the doore, and sett themselves on jeering and mocking the theife in the tubb, not knowing the change of my quarters. Againe evening when it became dark they drew themselves to a place not far from the tubb. Their they made themselves merry with useing all manner of idle talke to me as they thought in the tubb, desiring me to content my selfe with my lodging onenight longer and I should be releived the next morning betymes. It being quite darke I went out of the hogstye, where I had lyen since one of the clock in great feare, because their went a foot path close by me on which much people used to walke, and could as they came along fully see me in the hogstye, which had no corner to hide me in but was only a square hole capable to receive one hogg. But by providence it began to raine very hard soon after I was got into it, and continued so till ten of the clock at night, by reason wherof they that went by had either their faces covered or were faine to look to their feet to keep themselves from slipping.
Then I made for the water side to looke for the boate that I had made choyse of on Saturday night before, and having found it I ventured about ten of the clock to goe over in it, giving myselfe to the streame which of itselfe carried me upwards being some two miles below Burdeaux, and with a strick wrought to make way to cross the River which their abouts was neare an English mile broad, and by these meanes I arived safely on the Chartrux in Burdeaux about twelve of the clock at night, discharging the boate after my arivall by comitting it to the care of the streame againe. Being landed I went to hide myselfe and take up my rest in the ruins ofan house in the subbearbs on the other side of the towne. In the morning as soon as it was light I retourned to the Charterux to inquire for some Hambrough marchants, and having found two of them living in one house, I declared to them my straits that I was in, desiring them in charrity to assist and helpe me till I could get releife by letters of credit from my freinds. I durst not aquaint them with the grounds and circumstances of my mesery upon what account I had beene persecuted (for then they would have beene affraid to medle with me), only I told them that I was coming with other company from Rochell and I fell sick, wherby I was forced to stay behind for two or three dayes, and being recovered I came along with a guide, and being halfe the way betweene Rochell and Burdeaux I was set upon by three robbers who tooke all that I had from me, stripping me also of my cloaths. These gentlemen gave some credit to my complaint with much to doe, being neverthelesse full of doubts whether or no I was not an imposture or vagabond run away from the Spanish or French army, yet could they not altogether withdraw their comiserations from my pittifull complaints, especially hearing of mine acquaintance with severall men of credit inHambrough. Theirfore as the credit which they gave to my relation was mixed with doubts so they recomended me to a poore drinking house, where upon their word I had some poore entertainment mixed with sorrow. It was such as came short of that I had in the tub before I was discovered, only it served very narrowly to keepe body and soule together till I gott other releife. Very loathsom and musty bread, or livers, sheep and hoggs lights, were my best faire on flesh dayes. On fasting dayes (videl:) Frydayes and Saturdayes I was glad to be contented with sopps made of the said bread scalded with water and greased over with stinking oyle.
And with all this I should have beene contented and have counted myselfe happye might I but have enjoyed withall a kinde looke of my landlady once a weeke, but she was such an inveterate and malicious woman, desended as I thought of an infernall progenety, as that I never knew the like of her. Her humour was such that she would maunder all the weeke like a cursed dog, and if a straw crossed her the whole house trembled at her indignation, none, not the goodman of the house himselfe dareing to come into her presence till her fury was spent; and when she wanted other matter of scolding my poverty was the maine subject of her malice, becauseshe perceived the recomendation of my freinds (the marchants that brought me thither) to proceed from a coole affection she respected me no better then a begger that is maintained for God's sake, upbraiding me dayly with the poore entertainment she gave me, and threatening oft to tourne me out of doores. So impetuous and formidable was the carriage of this Proserpina, and made me so tame and so aplicable that upon her command I served her for a scullion boy in all occations, waiting upon the ghests that came to drink their to carry their potts to the celler, and performing all manner of servile duties all the tyme of my being their. She made me tourne the spitt, the which preferment indeed was more agreable to my present habbit then my stomack, nor did the action itself so much greive me as the conceit to think I should not eat of the roast meat but take only the smell for my paines. In this practise I continued almost a moneth, keeping constantly within doores both for shame of my poore habbit and for feare of myne enimies, till I got releife by a bill of Exchange from my freinds. Then I changed my lodging, and put my selfe into another habbit againe.
I prepared for a journey to retourne by land to Roan, by the way of Paris. Now because I hadbeene so frighted with that nation I feared my journey would proove but uncomfortable to me if I should travaile without aquaintance, I made choyce of a younge man whom I had learned to know in my poore lodging but lately mentioned. This young man was borne and had his parents in Roan, but had beene for many yeares in the Low Countryes, by reason wherof he spoke good Dutch; he had beene lately taken by an English vessell and set on shoare near the River of Garrone. Having understood his desire to be at Rouen I promissed to beare his charges if he would goe along with me; he was much pleased with this offer of mine only he desired to take the consent of some of his friends. Now this young man beyond my expectation had a kinsman in Bourdeaux who was a familiar friend and daly aquaintance of one that was among the number of my principall adversaries liveing in the Citty. Both the kinsman of my chosen companion and my adversary spoke very good English, for they had lived a longe tyme in England, and when the said yonge man had asked his kinsman's advice about my proffers made to him, the kinsman was very inquisitive to know my name and my condition; then having obtained both and theirupon conferred with myne adversary, they came to finde that I was theman which was upon the stage eight weeks agoe (when I applyed myselfe to the Hambrough marchants their lay a great necessity upon me to keepe the same name by which I was persecuted, or else I could not have sent letters of credit in another name) then they went to contrive after what manner they might renew my troubles againe. Now what the reason was they did not areast me presently before I went from Burdeaux I know not, only besides the pertickular providence of God. I think it was either for feare that the English marchants living in Burdeaux with whom they had much dealings, would take notice of their mallice to the English nation, or else knowing that I intended to goe to Rochell they judged it more convenient that I should be accused and tryed where the other of my persecutors were, especially the first and cheife author of my mesery being of that number. They gave instruction to my comrade how he should betray me at Rochell to the said persecutors of mine which then would take further care of myne accusation.
In the meane tyme I was altogether ignorant of these new plotts, not having the least suspission of my comrade that he would have played the traytor with me till I came to Roan in Normandie. Butthe Lord who had saved me out of all former troubles would anihilate even this device against me. For when on the 16thday of January I departed from Bourdeaux with my traytor, goeing by the water so farr as Blaye we lodged their that night, having another gentleman from Tours bound to goe the same way with or in our company. The next morning[28]before we sett forth we met their accidentally with three horses and a guide which were to retourne to Poicters. This oppertunity happened very comodiously for our tourne, seing that I and the other gentleman might gaine a days journey in the shortness of the way to Paris, for that the gentleman from Tours and I made choice to goe by the way of Rochell was only for want of occation to goe the nearest way to Paris. Theirfore I and the said gentleman, being glad of such an ocasion to shorten our journey, compounded with the messenger from Rochell with whom we had contracted at Bourdeaux for our passage to Rochell, giving him halfe fright rather then to loose a dayes journey. My tretcherous companion, having laboured as much as he could to hinder our purpose to goe by the way of Poicters, was much discontented that by this meanes he lost all hopes of coming to Rochell theirto discharge himselfe of his dutye he owed to his cousin, yet that he might not be wanting in any thing that he might reward me with an ill tourne for all my kindnesse to him all the way through France, he sent presently a letter from Blay to his cousin in Bourdeaux to give him notice that we were not like to come at Rochell, but that we were gone another way to Paris, desiring him to send further instructions how he should behave himselfe in the businesse to a certaine house in Paris, where he would call for it when he should come thither.
Thus we marched very lovingly to Paris, I having not the least jealousy of his perfidious dealings, I made him every way equall with me both for entertainment and accomodation, bearing all his charges and expences by the way coming to Paris. As soone[29]as we were got into our lodging he went forth to looke for his directions, which were to be sent after him by the post by his kinsman above mentioned, and their he received my accusation subscribed both by my adversaryes at Rochell and of those that were of my examination at Bourdeaux, together with a letter of recomendation to a gentleman that was borne in Paris, who had a brother that kept an inne at Rouen, this gentleman was totake care of my examination and accusation according to the instructions he had received from Bourdeaux in writing and from my comrade in word of mouth. Theirfore the day following, as I and my Judas came to take horse at the messengers house, he tooke the paines to travaile with us from Paris to Roan their to execute his commission against me. Now by the way both he and those that were in our company whom he had aquainted with his designe began to put forth many merry conceits and perswations of my future troubles, yet continuing their jeasts that I could not aply any thing to my selfe openly, but only I entertained some suspition within myself not taking however any notice of their apish gesticulations, but carryed my selfe as though I had not perceived the meaning of them.
Being come to Roan this gentleman who was to mannage the businesse by letter of attorney perswaded me to take up my lodging in his brothers house, unto which, not to shew myselfe unwilling or any ways daunted, I willingly consented, still hopeing that perhaps I might be deceived in my suspisions that I had collected out of their foolish mockeryes, for I could not imagine that my comrade unto whom I shewed so much love and freindshippe would have rewarded me with so perfideous dealings.Because it was darke night when we entered the citty, their could be nothing done that night, but the next morning betymes they went about their erand; being in the meane tyme perswaded that I knew not nor suspected any thing of their plott against me because I carryed myselfe with a merry countenance among them.
But the Lord, who heretofore had found out many wonderfull wayes for my deliverance, sent here also his angell to give me warning of the bloody devices they had contrived against me. For ther was a yonge man from Rochell who intended to travaile by land so far as Deepe, and had beene in our company ever since we came from Poicters. He taking to hart the cruell entertainment that was prepared for me, was mooved with compassion of my woefull misery that I was like to fall into. Very suddenly theirfore when oppertunity served, in the morning he tooke me into a private corner, and told me that I was to be examined in a rigorus way by the hangman the next day after uppon some artickles that my comrade had brought along with him from Bourdeaux, and that I might give the better heed to his words he made a circumstantiall relation to me of all what had passed at Bourdeaux with me, and what was lately mentioned concerning this new plott,adviseing me to absent myselfe if I loved my life and safety. Further said he, 'the reason that you are not yet areasted is, because your comrade told them that you are quite bare of moneys, and that you intend this day to take up some from your marchant; they will not lay hold of you till you have taken so much as you will that they may have the better booty, theirfore they let you goe freely whether you will, for they all think that you suspect nothing of their designe.'
Now I came to see the trueth of the suspition I conceived the day before upon the roade, but being aquainted with the greediness of my adversaryes, I made the use of it. When I had beene forth in the morning and taken up some money of my marchant, I retourned againe to my tretcherous comrade, at my dinner tyme imparting to him that I had beene with my marchant to receive of him 500 livers, but he having not the money ready in the morning desired me to come about three or foure of the clock in the afternoon. This pollicy I used because I durst not venture to make an escape in the day tyme for feare of being watched by some body, but in the darke I thought I might goe any whether. The Lord blessed my endeavour accordingly, for this excuse of myne concerning the receiving themoney was taken for a reall trueth, so that they suffered me to goe forth againe in the afternoon, not doubting my retourn, for to make all sure I bought in the forenoon a couple of books and some lining, and left them on the table in my chamber in the presence of my comrade with my pistolls and sword and other necessaryes in a little port-mantle.
Now when night drew on that it was a little duskish I bought another sword, a pockett pistoll, a paire of shooes, and a leather bagg the which I filled with bread. Having made this provision I crossed the river of Seine in a boate, I intending to goe on foot to Caen in Normandie, which was some 28 leagues from Roan, their to look for some English ship wherin I might be transported to England. For brevity sake I forbeare to make any relation of the pertickulars of every day. Only because hue and cry followed me close where ever I came I durst not come neare any towne or house, but was constraned to keepe the open feild twelve dayes together, or for the most part in sollitary woods, dureing which tyme their was a most vehement frost, and the ground was all covered with snow wherby I was often dogged as a hart by his track. For eight dayes I could neither sit nor lye downebut where I was first faine to bestow halfe an houres worke to cleare the snow from the ground; and above all the rest the night after the fifth of February proved most pernicious to my feet, for the night and day before their was a great storme with snow and tempest, wherby the ground became so deeply covered with snow, that as I was marching the night after, every step I made I trode halfe and somtymes whole knee deep in the snow. By which meanes the snow melting upon my leggs and runing downe into my shooes, my stockins began to be frozen to my toes like as it were a cold stone before I was awar of it; for whilest I was in motion I thought no snow could indanger me, how wet soever my feet were, but having lost all the feeling out of them, I did not presently pull of my stockings as soone as I came to sit still, and that while the frost gott such an advantage upon me that it would have cost me both my feet had I not bouried them after the sun was up in a heape of snow, wherby the frost was drawn out againe, yet the flesh about the great and little toe of my left foot being past recovering I was forced to have it cut of as soone as I had oppertunity of tyme and place.
During this progresse I had no other sustenancebut what I brought out of Roan, and what afterwards I got with great hazard of my life. The provision that I carried out of Roan with me lasted three dayes, having fasted after that was spent two dayes, I ventured in the duske of the evening into a little towne called Bullie, their to buy some bread, thinking that no body would take notice of me at such a tyme in the evening. But as soone as I was gott into the towne, the townesmen being informed of my coming before hand by two travillers, which on horseback overtooke me a little before I gott to the towne, besett presently the two passages of the towne with a gaurd, while they went to consult how to lay hold on me in a more legall way. For the towne lyeing close to the river and backed with very steep and unaccessable hills had but two passages to come in and out, which being guarded though they let me goe about the towne, yet they counted me as sure in their hands as if they had had me in a safer coustody. Perceiveing this, as soone as I came into the towne by the people staring and mocking me, I forgot my hunger, and could not looke for bread, but only meanes to get out of the towne againe. And it being now become quite darke I tourned up and downe in the towne till I gott out of the peoples sight, makeing towards the other passageswhich were a musket shott without the towne, theire to try whether I could make some shift to steale by the guards (for I had beene formerly a little aquainted with the place as I travailed through it foure moneths before that tyme); but coming to the passage I found it altogether impossible to gett by, the place being so narrow and the guards so carefull, and while I was walking under the hills not farre from that passage their came two men with fowling peeces on their shouldiers from the guard upon me before I was awar of it, intending to goe home to supper and leave me to my selfe assuring themselves that I could not escape any whether. Then I went from one place to another making severall endevours to get through, but I wearyed myselfe in vaine, till about eleven of the clock at night I tooke a resolution to try whether I could try the hills (though they were such as that I beleeive no body since the creation had made use of that way before me). Yet the Lord (to disapoint my enimies in their devices) carried me over the same, after I had beene climbing from one hill to another some three houres, and the hilt of my sword and my knife were the cheife meanes to get over these steep places, I could take no hold with them in the rubbish that lay upon therocks while I crept upon my hands and knees upwards.