 CHAPTER VI. OF THE INTERESTING NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF OLAUDA EQUIANO. CHAPTER VI. OF THE INTERESTING NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF OLAUDA EQUIANO. CHAPTER VI. Some account of Brimstone Hill in Montserrat, favourable change in the author's situation. He commences merchant with three pints, his various success in dealing in the different islands and America, and the impositions he meets with in his transactions with Europeans, a curious imposition on human nature, danger of the serfs in West Indies, remarkable instance of kidnapping a free mulatto. The author is nearly murdered by a Dr. Perkins in Savannah. In the preceding chapter I have set before the reader a few of those many instances of oppression, extortion, and cruelty which I have been a witness to in the West Indies. But were I to enumerate them all, the catalogue would be tedious and disgusting. The punishments of the slaves on every trifling occasion are so frequent and so well known, together with the different instruments with which they are tortured, that it cannot any longer afford novelty to recite them, and they are too shocking to yield delight either to the writer or to the reader. I shall therefore hereafter only mention such as incidentally befell myself in the course of my adventures. In the variety of departments in which I was employed by my master, I had an opportunity of seeing many curious scenes in different islands, but above all I was struck with a celebrated curiosity called Brimstone Hill, which is a high and steep mountain, some few miles from the town of Plymouth, in Montserrat. I had often heard of some wonders that were to be seen on this hill, and I went once with some white and black people to visit it. When we arrived at the top I saw under different cliffs great flakes of brimstone occasioned by the steams of various little ponds, which were then boiling naturally in the earth. Some of these ponds were white as milk, some quite blue, and many others of different colors. I had taken some potatoes with me, and I put them into different ponds. In a few minutes they were well-boiled. I tasted some of them, but they were very sulfurous. The silver shoe-buckles and all the other things of metal that we had among us were in a little time, turned as black as lead. Sometime in the year 1763 kind providence seemed to appear rather more favorable to me. One of my master's vessels, a Bermuda's sloop, about sixty tons, was commanded by one Captain Thomas Farmer, an Englishman, a very alert and active man, who gained my master a great deal of money by his good management in carrying passengers from one island to another. Very often his sailors used to get drunk and run away from the vessel, which hindered him in his business very much. This man had taken a liking to me, and many different times begged of my master to let me go on a trip with him as a sailor, but he would tell him he could not spare me. Though the vessel sometimes could not go for want of hands, for sailors were generally very scarce in the island. However, at last, from necessity or force, my master was prevailed on, though very reluctantly, to let me go with this Captain, but he gave great charge to him to take care that I did not run away, for if I did he would make him pay for me. This being the case, the Captain had for some time a sharp eye upon me whenever the vessel anchored, and as soon as she returned I was sent for on shore again. Thus I was slaving as if it were for life, sometimes at one thing, sometimes at another, so that the Captain and I were nearly the most useful men in my master's employment. I also became so useful to the Captain on shipboard that many times, when he used to ask for me to go with him, though it should be but for twenty-four hours to some of the islands near us, my master would answer he could not spare me, at which the Captain would swear, and would not go on the trip, and tell my master that I was better to him on board than any three white men he had, for they used to behave ill in many respects, particularly in getting drunk, and then they frequently got the boat stove so as to hinder the vessel from coming back as soon as she might have done. This my master knew very well, and at last, by the Captain's constant entreaties, after I had been several times with him, one day to my great joy my master told me the Captain would not let him rest, and asked me whether I would go aboard as a sailor, or stay on shore and mind the stores, for he could not bear any longer to be plagued in this manner. I was very happy at this proposal, for I immediately thought I might in time stand some chance by being on board to get a little money, or possibly make my escape if I should be ill-used. I also expected to get better food and in greater abundance, for I had felt much hunger often times, though my master treated his slaves, as I have observed, uncommonly well. I therefore, without hesitation, answered him that I would go and be a sailor if he pleased. Accordingly, I was ordered on board directly. Nevertheless, between the vessel and the shore, when she was in port, I had little or no rest, as my master always wished to have me along with him. Indeed, he was a very pleasant gentleman, and but for my expectations on ship-board I should not have thought of leaving him. But the Captain liked me also very much, and I was entirely his right-hand man. I did all I could to deserve his favour, and in return I received better treatment from him than any other I believe ever met with in the West Indies in my situation. After I had been sailing for some time with this Captain, at length I endeavored to try my luck and commence merchant. I had but a very small capital to begin with, for one single half-bit, which is equal to three pence in England, made up my whole stock. However, I trusted to the Lord to be with me, and at one of our trips to St. Eustatia, a Dutch island, I bought a glass tumbler with my half-bit, and when I came to Montserrat I sold it for a bit, or six pence. Luckily, we made several successive trips to St. Eustatia, which was a general mart for the West Indies, about twenty leagues from Montserrat. And in our next, finding my tumbler so profitable, with this one bit I bought two tumblers more, and when I came back I sold them for two bits, equal to a shilling sterling. When we went again I bought with these two bits four more of these glasses, which I sold for four bits on our return to Montserrat. And in our next voyage to St. Eustatia I bought two glasses with one bit, and with the other three I bought a jug of Geneva, nearly about three pence in measure. When we came to Montserrat I sold the gin for eight bits, and the tumblers for two, so that my capital now amounted in all to a dollar. Well husbanded and acquired in the space of a month, or six weeks, when I blessed the Lord that I was so rich. As we sailed to different islands I laid this money out in various things occasionally, and it used to turn out very good account, especially when we went to Guadeloupe, Granada, and the rest of the French islands. Thus I was going all about the islands, upwards of four years, ever trading as I went, during which I experienced many instances of ill usage, and have seen many injuries done to other Negroes in our dealings with Europeans. And amidst our recreations, when we have been dancing and merrymaking, they without cause have molested and insulted us. Indeed, I was more than once obliged to look up to God on high, as I had advised the poor fishermen some time before. And I had not long been trading for myself in the manner I have related above, when I experienced the like trial and company with him as follows. This man being used to the water was upon an emergency put on board of us by his master to work as another hand on a voyage to Santa Cruz. And at our sailing he brought his little all for a venture, which consisted of six bits worth of limes and oranges in a bag. I had also my whole stock, which was about twelve bits worth of the same kind of goods, separate in two bags, for we had heard these fruits sold very well in that island. When we came there, in some little convenient time, he and I went ashore with our fruits to sell them. But we had scarcely landed when we were met by two white men, who presently took our three bags from us. We could not at first guess what they meant to do, and for some time we thought they were jesting with us. But they too soon let us know otherwise, for they took our ventures immediately to a house hard by and adjoining the fort. While we followed all the way begging them to give us our fruits, but in vain, they not only refused to return them, but swore at us, and threatened that if we did not immediately depart they would flog us well. We told them these three bags were all we were worth in the world, and that we brought them with us to sell when we came for Montserrat, and shewed them the vessel. But this was rather against us, as they now saw we were strangers as well as slaves. They still therefore swore, and desired us to be gone, and even took sticks to beat us, while we, seeing they meant what they said, went off in the greatest confusion and despair. Thus, in the very minute of gaining more by three times than I ever did by any venture in my life before, was I deprived of every farthing I was worth. An insupportable misfortune! But how to help ourselves we knew not. In our consternation we went to the commanding officer of the fort, and told them how we had been served by some of his people. But we obtained not the least redress. He answered our complaints only by a volley of implications against us, and immediately took a horse whip in order to chastise us, so that we were obliged to turn out much faster than we came in. I now, in the agony of distress and indignation, wished that the ire of God in his forked lightning might transfix these cruel oppressors among the dead. Still, however, we persevered, went back again to the house, and begged and besought them again and again for our fruits. Till at last some other people that were in the house asked if we would be contented if they kept one bag and gave us the other two. We, seeing no remedy whatever, consented to this. And they, observing one bag to have both kinds of fruit in it, which belonged to my companion, kept that, and the other two, which were mine, they gave us back. As soon as I got them, I ran as fast as I could, and got the first Negro man I could to help me off. My companion, however, stayed a little longer to plead. He told them the bag they had was his, and likewise all that he was worth in the world. But this was of no avail, and he was obliged to return without it. The poor old man, wringing his hands, cried bitterly for his loss, and indeed he then did look up to God on high, which so moved me with pity for him that I gave him nearly one-third of my fruits. We then proceeded to the markets to sell them, and Providence was more favourable to us than we could have expected, for we sold our fruits uncommonly well. I got for mine about thirty-seven bits. Such a surprising reverse of fortune, in so short a space of time, seemed like a dream to me, and proved no small encouragement for me to trust the Lord in any situation. My captain afterwards frequently used to take my part, and get me my right when I have been plundered, or used ill by these tender Christian depredators, among whom I have shuttered to observe the unceasing blasphemous excretions which are romantically thrown out by persons of all ages and conditions, not only without occasion, but even as if they were indulgences in pleasure. On one of our trips to St. Cat's I had eleven bits of my own, and my friendly captain lent me five bits more, with which I bought a Bible. I was very glad to get this book, which I scarcely could meet with anywhere. I think there were none sold in Montserrat, and much to my grief from being forced out of the Edna in the manner I have related. My Bible and the Guide to the Indians, the two books I loved above all others, were left behind. While I was in this place, St. Cat's, a very curious imposition on human nature took place. A white man wanted to marry in the church, a free black woman that had land and slaves in Montserrat, but the clergyman told him it was against the law of the place to marry a white and a black in the church. The man then asked to be married on the water, to which the parson consented, and the two lovers went in one boat, and the parson and clerk in another, and thus the ceremony was performed. After this the loving pair came on board our vessel, and my captain treated them extremely well, and brought them safe to Montserrat. The reader cannot but judge of the irksomeness of this situation to a mind like mine, in being daily exposed to new hardships and impositions, after having seen many better days, and having been, as it were, in a state of freedom and plenty, added to which every part of the world I had hitherto been in seemed to me a paradise in comparison of the West Indies. My mind was therefore hourly replete with inventions and thoughts of being freed, and, if possible, by honest and honourable means, for I always remembered the old adage, and I trusted has ever been my ruling principle that honesty is the best policy, and likewise that other golden precept to do unto all men as I would they should do unto me. However, as I was from early years a predestinarian, I thought whatever fate had determined must ever come to pass, and therefore, if ever it were my lot to be freed, nothing could prevent me, although I should at present see no means or hope to obtain my freedom. On the other hand, if it were my fate to not be freed, I never should be so, and all my endeavours for that purpose would be fruitless. In the midst of these thoughts I therefore looked up with prayers anxiously to God for my liberty, and at the same time I used every honest means and endeavoured all that was possible on my part to obtain it. In process of time I became master of a few pounds, and in a fair way of making more, which my friendly captain knew very well. This occasioned him sometimes to take liberties with me, but whenever he treated me waspishly, I used plainly to tell him my mind, and that I would die before I would be imposed on as other negroes were, and that to me life had lost its relish when liberty was gone. This I said, although I foresaw my then well-being or future hopes of freedom, humanly speaking, depended on this man. However, as he could not bear the thoughts of my not sailing with him, he always became mild on my threats. I therefore continued with him, and from my great attention to his orders and his business I gained him credit, and through his kindness to me I at last procured my liberty. While I thus went on, filled with the thoughts of freedom, and resisting oppression as well as I was able, my life hung daily in suspense, particularly in the serfs I have formerly mentioned, as I could not swim. These are extremely violent throughout the West Indies, and I was ever exposed to their howling rage and devouring fury in all the islands. I have seen them strike and toss a boat right up an end, and maim several on board. Once in the Granada Islands, when I and about eight others were pulling a large boat with two punch-ins of water in it, a surf struck us, and drove the boat and all in it about a half-stone's throw among some trees and above the high water mark. We were obliged to get all the assistance we could from the nearest estate to mend the boat and launch it into the water again. At Montserrat one night, impressing hard to get off the shore on board, the punt was overset with us four times. The first time I was very near being drowned, however the jacket I had on kept me up above water a little space of time, while I called on a man near me who was a good swimmer, and told him I could not swim. He then made haste to me, and just as I was sinking he caught hold of me, and brought me to sounding, and then he went and brought the punt also. As soon as we had turned the water out of her, lest we should be used ill for being absent, we attempted again three times more, and as often the horrid surf served us as at first. But at last, the fifth time we attempted, we gained our point at the imminent hazard of our lives. One day also, at Old Road in Montserrat, our captain, and three men besides myself, were going in a large canoe in quest of rum and sugar, when a single surf tossed the canoe in amazing distance from the water, and some of us even as stones throw from each other. Most of us were very much bruised, so that I and many more often said, and really thought, that there was not such another place under the heavens as this. I longed therefore much to leave it, and daily wished to see my master's promise performed of going to Philadelphia. While we lay in this place, a very cruel thing happened on board of our sloup which filled me with horror, though I found afterwards such practices were frequent. There was a very clever and decent, free young mulatto man who sailed a long time with us. He had a free woman for his wife, by whom he had a child, and she was then living on shore, and all very happy. Our captain and mate, and other people on board, and several elsewhere, even the natives of Bermudus, all knew this young man from a child that he was always free, and no one had ever claimed him as their property. However, as might too often overcomes right in these parts, it happened that a Bermudus captain, whose vessel lay there for a few days in the road, came on board of us, and seeing the mulatto man, whose name was Joseph Clipson, he told him he was not free, and that he had orders from his master to bring him to Bermudus. The poor man could not believe the captain to be an earnest, but he was very soon undeceived, his men laying violent hands on him, and although he showed a certificate of his being born free in St. Kitts, and most people on board knew that he served his time to boat building, and always passed for a free man. Yet he was taken forcibly out of our vessel. He then asked to be carried ashore before the secretary or magistrates, and these infernal invaders of human rights promised him he should, but instead of that, they carried him on board the other vessel. And the next day, without giving the poor man any hearing on shore, or suffering him even to see his wife or child, he was carried away, and probably doomed never more in this world to see them again. Nor was this the only instance of this kind of barbarity I was witness to. I have since often seen in Jamaica and other islands free men whom I have known in America, thus villainously trepanned and held in bondage. I have heard of two similar practices, even in Philadelphia, and were it not for the benevolence of the Quakers in that city, many of the sable race who now breathed the air of liberty would, I believe, be groaning indeed under some planter's chains. These things opened my mind to a new scene of horror to which I had been before a stranger. Hitherto I had thought only slavery dreadful, but the state of a free negro now appeared to me equally so at least, and in some respects even worse, for they live in constant alarm for their liberty. And even this is but nominal, for they are universally insulted and plundered without the possibility of redress, for such is the equity of the West Indian laws that no free negro's evidence will be admitted in their courts of justice. In this situation is it surprising that slaves, when mildly treated, should prefer even the misery of slavery to such a mockery of freedom? I was now completely disgusted with the West Indies, and thought I should never be entirely free until I had left them. With thoughts like these my anxious, boating mind recalled those pleasing scenes I left behind, scenes where fair liberty in bright array makes darkness bright and in a lumens day, wherein our complexion, wealth, or station can protect the wretch who makes a slave of man. I determined to make every exertion to obtain my freedom, and to return to old England. For this purpose I thought a knowledge of navigation might be of use to me, for though I did not intend to run away unless I should be ill-used, yet in such a case, if I understood navigation, I might attempt my escape in our sloop, which was one of the swiftest sailing vessels in the West Indies. And I could be at no loss for hands to join me. And if I should make this attempt, I had intended to have gone for England. But this, as I said, was only to be in the event of my meeting with any ill usage. I therefore employed the mate of my vessel to teach me navigation, for which I agreed to give him twenty-four dollars, and actually paid him part of the money down. Though when the captain, after some time, came to know that the mate was having such a sum for teaching me, he rebuked him, and said it was a shame for him to take any money from me. However, my progress in this useful art was much retarded by the constancy of our work. Had I wished to run away, I did not want opportunities, which frequently presented themselves, and particularly at one time soon after this. When we were at the island of Guadalupe, there was a large fleet of merchantmen bound for old France, and seamen then being very scarce, they gave from fifteen to twenty pounds a man for the run. Our mate and all the white sailors left our vessel on this account, and went on board of the French ships. They would have had me go also with them, for they regarded me, and they swore to protect me if I would go. And as the fleet was set to sail the next day, I really believe I could have got safe to Europe at that time. However, as my master was kind, I would not attempt to leave him, and remembering the old maxim that honesty is the best policy, I suffered them to go without me. Indeed my captain was much afraid of my leaving him and the vessel at that time, as I had so fair an opportunity. But I thank God this fidelity of mine turned out much to my advantage hereafter, when I did not in the least think of it, and made me so much favor with the captain, that he used now and again to teach me some parts of navigation himself. But some of our passengers, and others, seeing this, found much fault with him for it, saying it was a very dangerous thing to let a negro know navigation. Thus I was hindered again in my pursuits. At the latter end of the year 1764 my master bought a larger sloop, called the Providence, about seventy or eighty tons, of which my captain had the command. I went with him into this vessel, and we took a load of new slaves for Georgia and Charlestown. My master now left me entirely to the captain, though he still wished for me to be with him. But I, who always much wished to lose sight of the West Indies, was not a little rejoiced at the thought of seeing any other country. Therefore, relying on the goodness of my captain, I got ready all the little venture I could. And when the vessel was ready, we sailed to my great joy. When we got to our destined places, Georgia and Charlestown, I expected I should have an opportunity of selling my little property to advantage. But here, particularly in Charlestown, I met with buyers, white men, who imposed at me, as in other places. Notwithstanding, I was resolved to have fortitude, thinking no lot or trial is too hard when kind heaven is the rewarder. We soon got loaded again, and returned to Montserrat, and there, amongst the rest of the islands, I sold my goods well. And in this manner I continued trading during the year 1764, meeting with various scenes of imposition, as usual. After this, my master fitted out his vessel for Philadelphia in the year 1765, and during the time we were loading her, and getting ready for the voyage, I worked with redoubled alacrity, from the hope of getting enough money by these voyages to buy my freedom in time, if it should please God, and also to see the town of Philadelphia, which I had heard a great deal about for some years past. Besides which, I had always longed to prove my master's promise the first day I came to him. In the midst of these elevated ideas, and while I was about getting my little merchandise in readiness, one Sunday my master sent for me to his house. When I came there, I found him and the captain together, and on my going in, I was struck with astonishment at his telling me he heard that I meant to run away from him when I got to Philadelphia, and therefore he said, I must sell you again. You cost me a great deal of money, no less than forty pounds sterling, and it will not do to lose so much. You're a valuable fellow, continued he, and I can get any day for you one hundred guineas from many gentlemen in this island. And then he told me of Captain Doran's brother-in-law, a severe master, who ever wanted to buy me to make me his overseer. My captain also said you could get much more than a hundred guineas for me in Carolina. This I knew to be a fact, for the gentleman that wanted to buy me came off several times on board of us, and spoke to me to live with him, and said he would use me well. When I asked what work he would put me to, he said, as I was a sailor, he would make me a captain of one of his rice vessels. But I refused, and fearing at the same time by a sudden turn I saw in the captain's temper he might mean to sell me. I told the gentleman I would not live with him on any condition, and I would certainly run away with his vessel. But he said he did not fear that as he would catch me again, and then he told me how cruelly he would serve me if I should do so. My captain, however, gave him to understand that I knew something of navigation, so he thought better of it, and to my great joy he went away. I now told my master I did not say I would run away in Philadelphia neither did I mean it, as he did not use me ill, nor yet the captain. For if they did I certainly would have made some attempts before now. But as I thought that if it were God's will I should ever be freed it would be so, and on the contrary if it was not his will it would not happen. So I hoped if ever I were freed, whilst I was used well it should be by honest means. But as I could not help myself he must do as he pleased. I could only hope and trusted the God of heaven. And at that instant my mind was big with inventions and full of schemes to escape. I then appealed to the captain whether he ever saw any signs of my making the least attempt to run away, and asked him if I did not always come on board according to the time for which he gave me liberty, and, more particularly, when all our men left us at Guadalupe, and went on board of the French fleet and advised me to go with them, whether I might not, and that he could not have got me again. To my no small surprise and very great joy the captain confirmed every syllable that I had said, and even more, for he said he had tried different times to see if I would make any attempt of this kind, both at St. Eustatia and in America, and he never found that I made the smallest. But on the contrary I always came on board according to his orders. And he did really believe, if I ever meant to run away, that as I could never have had a better opportunity I would have done it the night the mate and all the people left our vessel at Guadalupe. The captain then informed my master, who had been thus imposed upon by our mate, though I did not know who was my enemy. The reason the mate had for imposing this lie upon him, which was because I had acquainted the captain of the provisions the mate had given away or taken out of the vessel. This speech of the captain was like life to the dead to me, and instantly my soul glorified God, and still more so on hearing my master immediately say that I was a sensible fellow, and he never did intend to use me as a common slave, and that but for the entreaties of the captain and his character of me he would not have let me go from the stores about as I had done, that also in so doing he thought that by carrying one little thing or other to different places to sell I might make money, that he also intended to encourage me in this by crediting me with half a punchion of rum and half a hogshead of sugar at a time, so that from being careful I might have money enough in some time to purchase my freedom. And when that was the case I might depend upon it he would let me have it for forty pounds sterling money, which was only the same price he gave for me. This sound gladdened my poor heart beyond measure, though indeed it was no more than the very idea I had formed in my mind of my master long before. And immediately I made him this reply, Sir I have always had that very thought of you, indeed I had, and that made me so diligent in serving you. He then gave me a large piece of silver coin such as I had never seen or had before, and told me to get ready for the voyage, and he would credit me with a tears of sugar and another of rum. He also said that he had two amiable sisters in Philadelphia from whom I might get some necessary things. Upon this my noble captain desired me to go aboard, and knowing the African medal he charged me not to say anything of this matter to anybody, and he promised that the lying mate should not go with him any more. This was a changing deed in the same hour to feel the most exquisite pain and in the turn of a moment the fullest joy. It caused in me such sensations as I was only able to express in my looks. My heart was so overpowered with gratitude that I could have kissed both their feet. When I left the room I immediately went or rather flew to the vessel. Which being loaded my master as good as his word trusted me with a tears of rum and another of sugar when we sailed, and arrived safe at the elegant town of Philadelphia. I soon sold my goods here pretty well, and in this charming place I found everything plentiful and cheap. While I was in this place a very extraordinary occurrence befell me. I had been told one evening of a wise woman, a Mrs. Davis, who revealed secrets, foretold events, etc. I put little faith in this story at first as I could not conceive that any mortal could foresee the future disposals of providence, nor did I believe in any other revelation than that of the holy scriptures. However, I was greatly astonished at seeing this woman in a dream that night, though a person I never held before in my life. This made such an impression on me that I could not get the idea the next day out of my mind, and I then became as anxious to see her as I was before indifferent. Accordingly, in the evening after we left off working, I inquired where she lived, and being directed to her, to my inexpressible surprise, beheld the very woman in the very same dress she appeared to me to wear in the vision. She immediately told me I had dreamed of her the preceding night, related to me many things that had happened with a correctness that astonished me, and finally told me I should not be long a slave. This was the more agreeable news, as I believed it the more readily from her having so faithfully related the past incidents of my life. She said I should twice be in very great danger of my life within eighteen months, which, if I escaped, I should afterwards go on well. So, giving me her blessing, we parted. After staying here for some time until our vessel was loaded, and I had bought in my little traffic, we sailed from this agreeable spot for Montserrat, once more to encounter the raging serfs. We arrived safe at Montserrat, where we discharged our cargo, and soon after that we took slaves on board for St. Eustatia, and from thence to Georgia. I had always exerted myself and did double work, in order to make our voyages as short as possible. And from thus overworking myself while we were at Georgia, I caught a fever and egg. I was very ill for eleven days and near dying. Eternity was now exceedingly impressed on my mind, and I feared very much that awful event. I prayed the Lord therefore to spare me, and I made a promise in my mind to God that I would be good if ever I should recover. At length, from having an eminent doctor to attend me, I was restored again to health, and soon after we got the vessel loaded and set off for Montserrat. During the passage, as I was perfectly restored and had much business of the vessel to mind, all my endeavours to keep up my integrity and perform my promise to God began to fail. And in spite of all I could do, as we drew nearer and nearer to the islands, my resolutions more and more declined, as if the very air of that country or climate seemed fatal to piety. When we were safe arrived at Montserrat, and I had got ashore, I forgot my former resolutions. Alas, how prone is the heart to leave that God it wishes to love, and how strongly do the things of this world strike the senses and captivate the soul. After our vessel was discharged, we soon got her ready, and took off again, as usual, some of the poor oppressed natives of Africa and other Negroes. Then we set off again for Georgia and Charlestown. We arrived at Georgia, and having landed part of our cargo, proceeded to Charlestown with the remainder. While we were there, I saw the town illuminated. The guns were fired and bonfires and other demonstrations of joy shone on account of the appeal of the Stamp Act. Here I disposed of some goods on my own account, the white men buying them with smooth promises and fair words, giving me however but very indifferent payment. There was one gentleman particularly, who bought a punchion of rum from me, which gave me a great deal of trouble, and although I used the interest of my friendly captain, I could not obtain anything for it. For being a Negro man, I could not oblige him to pay me. This vexed me much, not knowing how to act, and I lost some time in seeking after this Christian. And though when the Sabbath came, which the Negroes usually make their holiday, I was much inclined to go to public worship. I was obliged to hire some black men to help pull a boat across the water to God in quest of this gentleman. When I found him, after much entreaty, both from myself and my worthy captain, he at last paid me in dollars. Some of them, however, were copper, and of consequence no value. But he took advantage of my being a Negro man and obliged me to put up with those or none, although I objected to them. Immediately after, as I was trying to pass them in the market amongst other white men, I was abused for offering to pass bad coin. And though I showed them the ban I got them from, I was within one minute of being tied up and flogged without either judge or jury. However, by the help of a good pair of heels, I ran off, and so escaped the bastinatos I should have received. I got on board as fast as I could, but still continued in fear of them until we sailed, which I thanked God we did not long after, and I have never been amongst them since. We soon came to Georgia, where we were to complete our lading, and here worse fate than ever attended me. For one Sunday night, as I was with some Negroes in their master's yard in the town of Savannah, it happened that their master, one Dr. Perkins, who was a very severe and cruel man, came in drunk, and not liking to see any strange Negroes in his yard, he and a ruffian of a white man he had in his service beset me in an instant, and both of them struck me with the first weapons they could get hold of. I cried out as long as I could for help and mercy, but though I gave a good account of myself, and he knew my captain, who lodged hard by him, it was to no purpose. They beat and mangled me in a shameful manner, leaving me near dead. I lost so much blood from the wounds I received that I lay quite motionless, and was so benumbed that I could not feel anything for many hours. Early in the morning they took me away to the jail. As I did not return to the ship all night, my captain, not knowing where I was, and being uneasy that I did not then make my appearance, he made inquiry after me, and having found where I was, immediately came to me. As soon as the good man saw me so cut and mangled, he could not forbear weeping. He soon got me out of jail to his lodgings, and immediately sent for the best doctors in the place, who at first declared it as their opinion that I could not recover. My captain on this went to all the lawyers in the town for their advice, but they told him they could do nothing for me as I was in Negro. He then went to Dr. Perkins, the hero who had vanquished me, and menaced him, swearing he would be revenged on him, and challenged him to fight. But cowardice is ever the companion of cruelty, and the doctor refused. However, by the skillfulness of one Dr. Brady of that place, I began at last to amend. But although I was so sore and bad with the wounds I had all over me, that I could not rest in any posture, yet I was in more pain on account of the captain's uneasiness about me than I otherwise should have been. The worthy man nursed and watched me all the hours of the night, and I was, through his attention and that of the doctor, able to get out of bed in about sixteen or eighteen days. All this time I was very much wanted on board, as I used frequently to go up and down the river for rafts and other parts of our cargo, and stow them when the mate was sick or absent. In about four weeks I was able to go on duty, and in a fortnight after, having got in all our lading, our vessel set sail for Montserrat, and in less than three weeks we arrived there safe toward the end of the year. This ended my adventures in seventeen sixty-four, for I did not leave Montserrat again until the beginning of the following year. End of the first volume. They ran the ship aground, and the four parts stuck fast and remained unmovable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves. Acts twenty-seven, forty-one. How be it we must be cast upon a certain island, wherefore sirs be of good cheer, for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told to me. Acts twenty-seven, twenty-six, twenty-five. Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof, in thoughts from the visions of the night when deep sleep fall upon men. Job four, twelve, thirteen. Lo, all these things worketh God often times with man, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. Job thirty-three, twenty-nine, thirty. End of chapter six and volume one. Chapter seven of the interesting narrative of the life of Olouda Equiano. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. THE INTERESTING NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF Olouda Equiano by Olouda Equiano. CHAPTER SEVEN The authors discussed at the West Indies. Form schemes to obtain his freedom. Ludicrous disappointment he and his captain meet with in Georgia. At last, by several successful voyages, he acquires a sum of money sufficient to purchase it. He acquires to his master, who accepts it, and grants his manumission to his great joy. He afterwards enters as a free man on board one of Mr. Kingship's, and sails for Georgia, in positions on three negroes as usual, his venture of turkeys, sails for Montserrat, and on his passage his friend, the captain, falls ill and dies. Every day now brought me nearer my freedom, and I was impatient till we proceeded again to see that I might have an opportunity of getting a sum large enough to purchase it. I was not long ungratified, for in the beginning of the year seventeen sixty-six, my master bought another sloop, named the Nancy, the largest I had ever seen. She was partly laden, and was to proceed to Philadelphia. Our captain had his choice of three, and I was well pleased he chose this, which was the largest, for from his having a large vessel I had more room and could carry a larger quantity of goods with me. Accordingly, when we had delivered our old vessel, the Prudence, and completed the lading of the Nancy, having made near three hundred percent, by four barrels of pork I brought from Charlestown, I laden as large a cargo as I could, trusting to God's providence to prosper my undertaking. With these views I sailed for Philadelphia. On our passage, when we drew near the land, I was for the first time surprised at the sight of some whales, having never seen any such large sea monsters before. And as we sailed by the land one morning, I saw a puppy whale close by the vessel. It was about the length of a wary boat, and it followed us all the day till we got within the capes. We arrived safe and in good time at Philadelphia, and I sold my goods there chiefly to the Quakers. They always appeared to be a very honest, discreet sort of people, and never attempted to impose on me. I therefore liked them, and even after chose to deal with them in preference to any others. Once on the morning while I was here, as I was going to church, I chanced to pass a meeting house, the doors being open and the house full of people, it excited my curiosity to go in. When I entered the house, to my great surprise, I saw a very tall woman standing in the midst of them, speaking in a noddable voice something which I could not understand. Having never seen anything of this kind before, I stood and stared about me for some time, wondering at this odd scene. As soon as it was over, I took an opportunity to make inquiry about the place and people. When I was informed they were called Quakers, I particularly asked what that woman I saw in the midst of them had said, but none of them were pleased to satisfy me. So I quitted them, and soon after, as I was returning, I came to a church crowded with people. The church yard was full likewise, and a number of people were even mounted on ladders, looking in at the windows. I thought this strange sight, as I had never seen churches, either in England or the West Indies, crowded in this manner before. I therefore made bold to ask some people the meaning of all this, and they told me the reverent Mr. George Whitfield was preaching. I had often heard of this gentleman, and had wished to see and hear him, but I had never before had an opportunity. I now therefore resolved to gratify myself with a sight, and I pressed in a bit the multitude. When I got into the church, I saw this pious man exhorting the people with the greatest fervour and earnestness, and sweating as much as I ever did while in slavery on Montserrat Beach. I was very much struck and impressed with this. I thought it strange I had never seen divines exhort themselves in this manner before, and I was no longer at a loss to account for the thin congregations they preached to. When we had discharged our cargo here, and were loaded again, we left this fruitful land once more, and set sail for Montserrat. My traffic had hitherto succeeded so well with me, that I thought, by selling my goods when we arrived at Montserrat, I should have enough to purchase my freedom. But as soon as our vessel arrived there, my master came on board and gave orders for us to go to St. Eustatia, and discharge our cargo there, and from thence proceed for Georgia. I was much disappointed at this. But thinking, as usual, it was of no use to encounter with the decrease of fate. I submitted without repining, and we went to St. Eustatia. After we had discharged our cargo there, we took in a live cargo, as we call a cargo of slaves. Here I sold my goods tolerably well, but not being able to lay out all my money in this small island to as much advantage as in many other places. I laid out only part, and the remainder I brought away with me neat. We sailed from hence for Georgia, and I was glad when we got there, though I had not much reason to like the place from my last adventure in Savannah. But I longed to get back to Montserrat and procure my freedom, which I expected to be able to purchase when I returned. As soon as we arrived here, I waited on my careful doctor, Mr. Brady, to whom I made the most grateful acknowledgments in my power for his former kindness and attention during my illness. While we were here, an odd circumstance happened to the captain and me, which disappointed us both a good deal. A silversmith, whom we had brought to this place some voyages before, agreed with the captain to return with us to the West Indies, and promised at the same time to give the captain a great deal of money, having pretended to take a liking to him, and being, as we thought, very rich. But while we stayed to load our vessel, this man was taken ill in a house where he worked, and in a week's time became very bad. The worse he grew, the more he used to speak of giving the captain what he had promised him, so that he expected something considerable from the death of this man, who had no wife or child, and he attended him day and night. I used also to go with the captain at his own desire to attend him, especially when we saw there was no appearance of his recovery, and in order to recompense me for my trouble, the captain promised me ten pounds when he should get the man's property. I thought this would be a great service to me, although I had nearly money enough to purchase my freedom, if I should get saved this voyage to Montserrat. In this expectation I laid out above eight pounds of my money for a suit of super fine clothes to dance with at my freedom, which I hoped was then at hand. We still continued to attend this man, and were with him even on the last day he lived, till very late at night when we went on board. After we were got to bed, about one or two o'clock in the morning, the captain was sent for and informed the man was dead. On this he came to my bed, and waking me, informed me of it, and desired me to get up and procure a light, and immediately go to him. I told him I was very sleepy, and wished he would take somebody else with him, or else, as the man was dead, and could want no farther attendance to let all things remain as they were till the next morning. No, no, said he, we will have the money tonight, I cannot wait till tomorrow, so let us go. Accordingly I got up and struck a light, and the way we both went, and saw the man as dead as we could wish. The captain said he would give him a grand burial, in gratitude for the promised treasure, and desired that all the things belonging to the deceased might be brought forth. Among others, there was a nest of cranks of which he had kept the keys whilst the man was ill, and when they were produced, we opened them with no small eagerness and expectation, and as there were a great number within one another, with much impatience we took them one out of the other. At last, when we came to the smallest and had opened it, we saw it was full of papers which were supposed to be notes, at the side of which our hearts lived for joy, and that instance the captain clapping his hands cried out, Thank God, here it is! But when we took up the trunk, and began to examine the supposed treasure, and long looked for bounty, how uncertain and deceitful are all human affairs, what had we found? While we thought we were embracing a substance, we grasped an empty nothing. The whole amount that was in the nest of cranks was only one dollar and a half, and all that the man possessed would not pay for his coffin. Our sudden and exquisite joy was now succeeded by a sudden and exquisite pain, and my captain and I exhibited for some time most ridiculous figures pictures of shagrin and disappointment. We went away greatly mortified, and left the disease to do as well as he could for himself, as we had taken so good care of him when alive for nothing. We set sail once more for Montserrat, and arrived there safe, but much out of humour with our friend, the silversmith. When we had unladen the vessel, and I had sold my venture, finding myself master of about forty-seven pounds, I consulted my true friend, the captain, how I should proceed in offering my master the money for my freedom. He told me to come on a certain morning, when he and my master would be at breakfast together. Accordingly, on that morning I went, and met the captain there, as he had appointed. When I went in, I made my obeisance to my master, and with my money in my hand, and many fears in my heart, I prayed him to be as good as he's offered to me, when he was pleased to promise me my freedom as soon as I could purchase it. This speech seemed to confound him. He began to recoil, and my heart that instant sank within me. What, said he, give you your freedom? Why, where did you get the money? Have you got forty pounds sterling? Yes, sir, I answered. How did you get it? replied he. I told him very honestly. The captain then said he knew I got the money very honestly, and with much industry, and that I was particularly careful. On which my master replied, I got money much faster than he did, and said he would not have made me the promise he did, if he had thought I should have got money so soon. Come, come, said my worthy captain. Clapping my master on the back. Come, Robert, which was his name. I think you must let him have his freedom. You have laid your money out very well. You have received good interest for it all this time, and here is now the principle at last. I know Gustavus has earned you more than a hundred a year, and he will still save you money, as he will not leave you. Come, Robert, take the money. My master then said he would not be worse than his promise, and taking the money told me to go to the secretary at the register office, and get my manumission drawn up. These words of my master were like a voice from heaven to me. In an instant, all my trepidation was turned into a notable bliss, and I most reverently bowed myself with gratitude, unable to express my feelings, but by the overflowing of my eyes, while my true and worthy friend, the captain, congratulated us both with a peculiar degree of heartfelt pleasure. As soon as the first transports of my joy were over, and that I had expressed my thanks to these my worthy friends in the best manner I was able, I rose with a heart full of affection and reverence, and left to the room in order to obey my master's joyful mandate of going to the register office. As I was leaving the house, I called to mind the words of the psalmist, in the 126th psalm, and like him I glorified God in my heart in whom I trusted. These words had been impressed on my mind from the very day I was forced from Damford to the present hour, and I now saw them as I thought fulfilled and verified. My imagination was all rapture as I flew to the register office, and in this respect, like the Apostle Peter, whose deliverance from prison was so sudden and extraordinary that he thought he was in a vision, I could scarcely believe I was awake. heavens, who could do justice to my feelings at this moment? Not conquering heroes themselves in the midst of a triumph, not the tender mother who has just regained her long lost infant and presses it to her heart, not the weary hungry mariner at the sight of the desired friendly port, not the lover, when he once more embraces his beloved mistress after she had been ravished from his arms. All within my breast was tumult, wildness, and delirium. My feet scarcely touched the ground, for they were winged with joy, and like Elijah, as he rose to heaven, they were with lightnings paired as I went on. Everyone I met I told of my happiness and blazed about the virtue of my amiable master and captain. When I got to the office and acquainted the register with my errand, he congratulated me on the occasion, and told me he would draw up my manumission for half prize, which was a guinea. I thanked him for his kindness, and having received it and paid him, I hastened to my master to get him to sign it, that I might be fully released. Accordingly, he signed the manumission that day, so that before night, I, who had been a slave in the morning, trembling at the will of another, was become my own master, and completely free. I thought this was the happiest day I had ever experienced, and my joy was still heightened by the blessings and prayers of the sable race, particularly the aged, to whom my heart had ever been attached with reverence. As the form of my manumission has something peculiar in it, and expresses the absolute power and dominion one man claims over his fellow, I shall beg leave to present it before my readers at full length. Montserrat, to all men and to whom these presents shall come. I, Robert King, of the parish of St. Anthony in the St. Island, merchant, send greeting. No ye, that I, the aforesaid Robert King, for an inconsideration of the sum of seventy-pound current money of the St. Island, to mean hand paid, and to the intent that a negro man slave, named Gustavus Vassa, shall and may become free, have manumitted, emancipated, enfranchised, and set free, and by these presents do manumit emancipate, enfranchise, and set free the aforesaid negro man slave, named Gustavus Vassa, for ever, hereby giving, granting, and releasing unto him the said Gustavus Vassa, all right, title, dominion, sovereignty, and property, which as Lord and Master over the aforesaid Gustavus Vassa I had, or now I have, or by any means whatsoever I may or can hereafter possibly have over him the aforesaid negro, for ever. In witness whereof I the above said Robert King, having to these presents set my hand and seal, this tenth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-six, Robert King signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of Terrelagae, Montserrat, registered the within manumission, at full length, the eleventh day of July, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-six, in Liberty, Terrelagae, registered. In short, the fair as well as black people immediately styled me by a new appellation, to me the most desirable in the world, which was free man, and at the dances I gave my Georgia superfine blue cloths made no indifferent appearance as I thought, some females, who formerly stood aloof, now began to relax and appear less coy, but my heart was still fixed on London, where I hoped to be ere long, so that my worthy captain and his owner, my late master, finding that the bend of my mind was towards London, said to me, we hope you won't leave us, but that you will still be with the vessels. Here gratitude bowed me down but the generous mind can judge of my feelings, struggling between inclination and duty. However, notwithstanding my wish to be in London, I obediently answered my benefactors that I would go in the vessel and not leave them, and from that day I was entered on board as a navel-bodied sailor at thirty-six shillings per month, besides what perquisites I could take. My intention was to make a voyage or two entirely to please these my honoured patrons, but I determined that the year following, if it pleased God, I would see Old England once more and surprise my old master, Captain Pascal, who was hourly in my mind, for I still loved him, not withstanding his usage of me, and I pleased myself with thinking of what he would say when he saw what the Lord had done for me in so short a time, instead of being, as he might perhaps suppose, under the cruel yoke of some planter. With these kind of reveries I used often to entertain myself and shorten the time till my return, and now, being as in my original free African state, I embarked on board the Nancy after having got all things ready for our voyage. In this state of serenity we sailed for St. Eustatia and having smooth seas and calm weather, we soon arrived there. After taking our cargo on board we proceeded to Savanna in Georgia in August 1766. While we were there, as usual I used to go for the cargo at the rivers in boats, and on this business I have been frequently beset by alligators which were very numerous on that coast, and I have shot many of them when they have been near getting into our boats, which we have with great difficulty sometimes prevented, and have been very much frightened at them. I have seen a young one sold in Georgia alive for six pence. During our stay at this place one evening a slave belonging to Mr. Reed, a merchant of Savanna, came near our vessel and began to use me very ill. I entreated him, with all the patience I was master of, to desist as I knew there was little or no law for free Negro here, but the fellow, instead of taking my advice, persevered in his insults and even struck me. At this I lost all temper and I fell on him and beat him soundly. The next morning his master came to our vessel as we lay alongside the wharf, and desired me to come assured that he might have me on the town for beating his Negro slave. I told him he had insulted me and had given the provocation by first striking me. I had told my captain also the whole affair that morning and wished him to have gone along with me to Mr. Reed to prevent bad consequences, but he said that it did not signify and if Mr. Reed said anything he would make matters up and had desired me to go to work which I accordingly did. The captain being on board when Mr. Reed came he told him I was a free man and when Mr. Reed applied to him to deliver me up he said he knew nothing of the matter. I was astonished and frightened at this and thought I had better keep where I was than go ashore and be flogged round the town without judge or jury. I therefore refused to stir and Mr. Reed went away swearing he would bring all the constables in the town for he would have me out of the vessel. When he was gone I thought his threat might prove too true to my sorrow and I was confirmed in this belief as well by the many instances I had seen of the treatment of free negroes as from a fact that had happened within my own knowledge here a short time before. There was a free black man a carpenter that I knew who for asking a gentleman what he worked for for the money he had earned was put into jail and afterwards this oppressed man was sent from Georgia with false accusations of an intention to set the gentleman's house on fire and run away with his slaves. I was therefore much embarrassed and very apprehensive of a flogging at least. I dreaded of all things the thoughts of being striped as I never in my life had the marks of any violence of that kind. At that instant a rage seized my soul and for little I determined to resist the first man that should offer to lay violent hands on me or basically use me without a trial for I would sooner die like a free man than suffer myself to be scorched by the hands of ruffians and my blood drawn like a slave. The captain and others more cautious advised me to make haste and conceal myself for they said Mr. Reed was a very spiteful man and he would soon come on board with constables and take me. At first I refused this council being determined to stand my ground but at length by the prevailing entreaties of the captain and Mr. Dixon with whom he lodged I went to Mr. Dixon's house which was a little out of town at a place called Yamatra I was but just gone when Mr. Reed with the constables came for me and searched the vessel but not finding me there he swore he would have me dead or alive. I was secreted about five days however the good character which my captain always gave me as well as some other gentlemen who also knew me procured me some friends. At last some of them told my captain that he did not use me well in the Mithas to be imposed upon and say they would see me redressed and get me on board some other vessel my captain on this immediately went to Mr. Reed and told him that ever since I eloped from the vessel his work had been neglected and he could not go on with her loading himself and mate not being well and as I had managed things on board for them my absence must retard his voyage and consequently hurt the owner he therefore begged of him to forgive me as he said he had never had any complaint of me before for the many years that I had been with him after repeated and treaties Mr. Reed said I might go to hell and that he would not meddle with me on which my captain came immediately to me at his lodging and telling me how pleasantly matters had gone on he desired me to go on board some of my other friends then asked him if he had got the constables warrant from them the captain said no on this I was desired by them to stay in the house and they said they would get me on board of some other vessel before the evening when the captain heard this he became almost distracted he went immediately for the warrant and after using every exertion in his power he at last got it from my hunters but I had all the expenses to pay after I had thanked all my friends for their attention I went on board again to my work of which I had always plenty we were in haste to complete our lading and were to carry twenty head of cattle with us to the West Indies where they are a very profitable article in order to encourage me in working and to make up for the time I had lost my captain promised me the privilege of carrying two bullocks of my own with me and this made me work with redoubled order as soon as I had got the vessel loaded in doing which I was obliged to perform the duty of the mate as well as my own work and that the bullocks were near coming on board I asked the captain leave to bring my two men according to his promise but to my great surprise he told me there was no room for them I then asked him to permit me to take one but he said he could not I was a good deal mortified at this usage and told him I had no notion that he intended thus to impose on me nor could I think well of any man that was so much worse than his word on this we had some disagreement and I gave him to understand that I intended to leave the vessel at this he appeared to be very much dejected and our mate who had been very sickly and whose duty had long devolved upon me advised him to persuade me to stay in consequence of which he spoke very kindly to me making many fair promises telling me that as the mate was so sickly he could not do without me and that as the safety of the vessel and cargo depended greatly upon me he therefore hoped that I would not be offended at what had passed between us and swore he would make up all matters when we arrived in the West Indies so I consented to slave him as before soon after this as the bullocks were coming on board one of them branded the captain and buried him so furiously in the breast that he never recovered of the blow in order to make me some amends for his treatment about the bullocks the captain now pressed me very much to take some turkeys and other fowls with me and gave me liberty to take as many as I could find room for but I told him he knew very well I had never carried any turkeys before as I always thought there were such tender birds that they were not fit to cross the seas however he continued to press me to buy them for once and what was very surprising to me the more I was against it the more he urged my taking them in so much that he ensured me from all losses that might happen by them and I was prevailed on to take them but I thought this very strange as he had never acted so with me before this and not being able to dispose of my paper money in any other way induced me at length to take four dozen the turkeys however I was so dissatisfied about that I determined to make no more voyages to this quarter nor with this captain and was very apprehensive that my free voyage would be the worst I had ever made we set sail for months rat the captain and mate had been both complaining of sickness when we sailed and as we proceeded on our voyage they grew worse this was about November and we had not been long at sea before we began to meet with strong northerly gales and rough seas and in about seven or eight days all the bullocks were near being drowned and four or five of them died our vessel which had not been tight at first was much less so now and though we were but nine in the whole including five sailors and myself yet we were obliged to attend to the pumps every half or three quarters of an hour the captain and mate came on deck as often as they were able which was now but seldom for they declined so fast that they were not well enough to make observations about four or five times the whole voyage the whole care of the vessel rested therefore upon me and I was obliged to direct her by my former experience not being able to work a traverse the captain was now very sorry he had not taught me navigation and protested if ever he should get well again he would not fail to do so but in about seventeen days his illness increased so much that he was obliged to keep his bed continuing sensible however till the last constantly having the owners interest at heart just an benevolent man ever appeared much concerned about the welfare of what he was interested with when this dear friend found the symptoms of death approaching he called me by my name and when I came to him he asked with almost his last breath if he had ever done me any harm God forbid I should think so I replied I should then be the most ungrateful of wretches of sorrow by his bedside he expired without saying another word and the day following we committed his body to the deep every man on board loved this man and regretted his death but I was exceedingly affected at it and I found that I did not know till he was gone the strength of my regard for him indeed I had every reason in the world to be attached to him for besides that he was in general mild affable generous faithful benevolent and just he was to me a friend and a father and had it pleased providence that he had died but 5 months before I verily believe I should not have obtained my freedom when I did and it is not improbable that I might not have been able at any rate afterwards the captain being dead the mate came on the deck and made such observations as he was able but to no purpose in the course of a few days more the few bulks that remained were found dead but the turkeys I had though on the deck and exposed to so much wet and bad weather did well and I afterwards gained near 300% on the sale of them so that in the event it proved a happy circumstance for me that I had not bought the bulks I intended for they must have perished with the rest and I could not help looking on this otherwise trifling circumstance as a particular providence of God and I was thankful accordingly the care of the vessel took up all my time and engaged my attention entirely as we were now out of the variable winds I thought I should not be much puzzled to hit upon the islands I was persuaded I steered right for Antigua which I wished to reach as the nearest to us and in the course of 9 or 10 days we made this island to our great joy and the next day after we came safe to Montserrat many were surprised when they heard of my conducting I took a loop into the port and I now obtained a new appellation and was called Captain this elated me not a little and it was quite flattering to my vanity to be the styled by as high a title as any free man in this place possessed when the death of the captain became known he was much regretted by all who knew him for he was a man universally respected at the same time the sable captain lost no fame for the success I had met with increased the affection of my friends in no small measure end of chapter 7 Recording by Corrie Samuel The author to oblige Mr. King once more embarks for Georgia in one of his vessels a new captain is appointed they sail and steer a new course three remarkable dreams the vessel is shipwrecked on the Bahama bank but the crew are preserved principally by means of the author he sets out from the island with the captain in a small boat in quest of a ship their distress meet with a wracker sail for Providence are overtaken again by a terrible storm and are all near perishing arrive at a new Providence the author after some time sails from thence to Georgia meets with another storm and is obliged to put back and refit arrives at Georgia meets new impositions two white men attempt to kidnap him officiates as a parson at a funeral ceremony bids adieu to Georgia and sails for Martinico as I had now by the death of my captain lost my great benefactor and friend I had little inducement to remain longer in the West Indies accept my gratitude to Mr. King which I thought I had pretty well discharged in bringing back his vessel safe and delivering his cargo to his satisfaction I began to think of leaving this part of the world of which I had been long tired and returning to England where my heart had always been but Mr. King still pressed me very much to stay with his vessel and he had done so much for me that I found myself unable to refuse his requests and consented to go another voyage to Georgia as the mate from his ill state of health was quite useless in the vessel accordingly a new captain was appointed whose name was William Phillips an old acquaintance of mine and having refitted our vessel and taken several slaves on board we set sail for St. Eustacea where we stayed but a few days and on the 30th of January 1767 we steered for Georgia our new captain boasted strangely of his skill in navigating and conducting a vessel and in consequence of this he steered a new course several points more to the westward than we ever did before this appeared to me very extraordinary on the 4th of February which was soon after we had got into our new course I dreamt the ship was wrecked amidst the surf and rocks and that I was the means of saving everyone on board and on the night following I dreamed the very same dream these dreams however made no impression on my mind and the next evening it being my watch below I was pumping the vessel a little after eight o'clock just before I went off the deck as is the custom and being weary with the duty of the day and tired at the pump for we made a good deal of water I began to express my impatience and I uttered with an oath damn the vessel's bottom out but my conscience instantly smoked me for the expression when I left the deck I went to bed and had scarcely fallen asleep when I dreamed the same dream again about the ship that I had dreamt the two preceding nights at twelve o'clock the watch was changed as I had always the charge of the captain's watch I then went upon deck at half after one in the morning the man at the helm saw something under the lee-beam that the sea washed against and he immediately called to me that there was a grampus and desired me to look at it accordingly I stood up and observed it for some time but when I saw the sea wash up against it again and again I said it was not a fish, but a rock being soon certain of this I went down to the captain and with some confusion told him the danger we were in and desired him to come upon deck immediately he said it was very well and I went up again as soon as I was upon deck the wind, which had been pretty high, having abated a little the vessel began to be carried sideways towards the rock means of the current still the captain did not appear I therefore went to him again and told him the vessel was then near a large rock and desired he would come up with speed he said he would and I returned to the deck when I was upon the deck again I saw we were not above a pistol-shot from the rock and I heard the noise of the breakers all around us I was exceedingly alarmed at this and the captain having not yet come on the deck I lost all patience and growing quite enraged I ran down to him again and asked him why he did not come up and what could he mean by all this the breakers said I around us and the vessel is almost on the rock with that he came on the deck with me and we tried to put the vessel about and get her out of the current but all to no purpose the wind being very small we then called all hands up immediately and after a little we got up one end of a cable and fastened it to the anchor by this time the surf was foaming around us and made a dreadful noise on the breakers and the very moment we let the anchor go the vessel struck against the rocks one swell now succeeded another as it were one wave calling on its fellow the roaring of the billows increased and with one single heave of the swells the sloop was pierced and transfixed among the rocks in a moment a scene of horror presented itself to my mind such as I had never conceived or experienced before all my sins stared me in the face and especially I thought that God had hurled his direful vengeance on my guilty head for cursing the vessel on which my life depended my spirits at this forsook me and I expected every moment to go to the bottom I determined if I should still be saved that I would never swear again and in the midst of my distress while the dreadful surfs were dashing with unremitting fury among the rocks I remembered the Lord I was undeserving of forgiveness and I thought that as he had often delivered he might yet deliver and calling to mind the many mercies he had shown me in times past they gave me some small hope that he might still help me I then began to think how we might be saved and I believe no mind was ever like mine so replete with inventions though how to escape death I knew not the captain immediately ordered the hatches to be nailed down on the slaves in the hold where there were above twenty all of whom must unavoidably have perished if he had been obeyed when he desired the man to nail down the hatches I thought that my sin was the cause of this and that God would charge me with these people's blood this thought rushed upon my mind that instant with such violence that it quite overpowered me and I fainted I recovered just as the people were about to nail down the hatches perceiving which I desired them to stop the captain then said it must be done I asked him why he said that everyone would endeavour to get into the boat which was but small and thereby we should be drowned for it would not have carried above ten at the most I could no longer restrain my emotion and I told him he deserved drowning for not knowing how to navigate the vessel and I believed the people would have tossed him overboard if I had given them the least hint of it however the hatches were not nailed down and as none of us could leave the vessel then on account of the darkness and as we knew not where to go and were convinced besides that the boat could not survive the surfs we all said we would remain on the dry part of the vessel and trust to God till daylight appeared when we should know better what to do I then advised to get the boat prepared against morning and some of us began to set about it but some abandoned all care of the ship and themselves and fell to drinking our boat had a piece out of her bottom near two feet long and we had no materials to mend her however necessity being the mother of invention I took some pump leather and nailed it to the broken part and plastered it over with tallow grease and thus prepared with the utmost anxiety of mind we watched for daylight and thought every minute an hour till it appeared at last it saluted our longing eyes and kind providence accompanied its approach with what was no small comfort to us for the dreadful swell began to subside and the next thing that we discovered to raise our drooping spirits was a small key or island about five or six miles off but a barrier soon presented itself for there was not water enough for our boat to go over the reefs and this threw us again into a sad consternation but there was no alternative we were therefore obliged to put but few in the boat at once and what is still worse all of us were frequently under the necessity of getting out to drag and lift it over the reefs this cost us much labour and fatigue and what was yet more distressing we could not avoid having our legs cut and torn very much with the rocks there were only four people that would work with me at the oars and they consisted of three black men and a Dutch Creole sailor and though we went with the boat five times that day we had no others to assist us but had we not worked in this manner I really believe the people could not have been saved for not one of the white men did anything to preserve their lives and indeed they soon got so drunk that they were not able but lay about the deck like swine so that we were at last obliged to lift them into the boat and carry them on shore by force this want of assistance made our labour intolerably severe in so much that by putting on shore so often that day the skin was entirely stripped off my hands however we continued all the day to toil and strain our exertions till we had brought all on board safe to the shore out of thirty-two people we lost not one my dream now returned upon my mind with all its force it was fulfilled in every part for our danger was the same I had dreamt of and I could not help looking on myself as the principal instrument in effecting our deliverance for owing to some of our people getting drunk the rest of us were obliged to double our exertions and it was fortunate we did for in a very little time longer the patch of leather on the boat would have been worn out and she would have been no longer fit for service situated as we were who could think that men should be so careless of the danger they were in for if the wind had but raised the swell as it was when the vessel struck we must have bared a final farewell to all hopes of deliverance and though I warned the people who were drinking and entreated them to embrace the moment of deliverance nevertheless they persisted as if not possessed of the least spark of reason I could not help thinking that if any of these people had been lost God would charge me with their lives which perhaps was one cause of my laboring so hard for their preservation and indeed every one of them afterwards seemed so sensible of the service I had rendered them and while we were on the quay I was kind of chieftain amongst them I brought some limes oranges and lemons ashore and finding it to be a good soil where we were I planted several of them as a token to any one that might be cast away hereafter this quay as we afterwards found was one of the Bahama Islands which consist of a cluster of large islands with smaller ones or quays as they are called interspersed among them it was about a mile in circumference with a white sandy beach running in a regular order along it on that part of it where we first attempted to land there stood some very large birds called flamingos these from the reflection of the sun appeared to us at a little distance as large as men and when they walked backwards and forwards we could not conceive what they were our captain swore they were cannibals this created a great panic among us and we held a consultation how to act the captain wanted to go to a quay that was within sight but a great way off but I was against it as in so doing we should not be able to save all the people and therefore said I let us go on shore here and perhaps these cannibals may take to the water accordingly we steered towards them and when we approached them to our very great joy and no less wonder they walked off one after the other very deliberately and at last they took flight and relieved us entirely from our fears about the quay there were turtles and several sorts of fish in such abundance that we caught them without bait which was a great relief to us after the salt provisions on board there was also a large rock on the beach about ten feet high which was in the form of a punch-bowl at the top this we could not help thinking Providence had ordained to supply us with rainwater and it was something singular that if we did not take the water when it rained in some little time after it would turn as salt as sea water our first care after refreshment was to make ourselves tense to lodging which we did as well as we could with some sails we had brought from the ship we then began to think how we might get from this place which was quite uninhabited and we determined to repair our boat which was very much shattered and to put the sea in quest of a ship or some inhabited island it took us up however eleven days before we could get the boat ready for sea the manner we wanted it with sail and other necessaries when we had got all things prepared the captain wanted me to stay on shore while he went to sea in quest of a vessel to take all the people off the key but this I refused and the captain and myself with five more set off in the boat towards New Providence we had no more than two musket-load of gunpowder with us if anything should happen and our stock of provisions consisted of three gallons of rum four of water some salt-beef some biscuit and in this manner we proceeded to sea on the second day of our voyage we came to an island called Abiko the largest of the Bahama islands we were much in want of water for by this time our water was expended and we were exceedingly fatigued in pulling two days in the heat of the sun and it being late in the evening we hauled the boat ashore to try for water and remain during the night when we came ashore we searched for water but could find none when it was dark we made a fire around us for fear of the wild beasts as the place was an entire thick wood and we took it by turns to watch in this situation we found very little rest and waited with impatience for the morning as soon as the light appeared we set off again with our boat in hopes of finding assistance during the day we were now much dejected and weakened by pulling the boat for our sail was of no use and we were almost famished for want of fresh water to drink we had nothing left to eat but salt-beef and that we could not use without water in this situation we toiled all day in sight of the island which was very long in the evening seeing no relief we made ashore again and fastened our boat we then went to look for fresh water being quite faint for the want of it and we dug and searched about for some all the remainder of the evening but could not find one drop so that our dejection at this period became excessive and our terror so great that we expected nothing but death to deliver us we could not touch our beef which was as salt as brine without fresh water and we were in the greatest terror from the apprehension of wild beasts when unwelcome night came we acted as on the night before and the next morning we set off again from the island in hopes of seeing some vessel in this manner we toiled as well as we were able till four o'clock during which we passed several keys but could not meet with a ship and still famishing with thirst went ashore on one of those keys again in hopes of finding some water here we found some leaves with a few drops of water in them which we lapped with much eagerness we then dug in several places but without success as we were digging holes in search of water we put forth some very thick and black stuff but none of us could touch it except the poor Dutch Creel who drank above a quarter of it as eagerly as if it had been wine we tried to catch fish but could not and we now began to repine at our fate and abandon ourselves to despair when? in the midst of our murmuring the captain all at once cried out a sail! a sail! a sail! this gladdening sound was like a reprieve to a convict and we all instantly turned to look at it but in a little time some of us began to be afraid it was not a sail however at a venture we embarked and steered after it and in half an hour to our unspeakable joy we plainly saw that it was a vessel at this our drooping spirits revived and we made towards her with all the speed imaginable when we came near to her we found she was a little sloop about the size of a gravesend hoi and quite full of people a circumstance which we could not make out the meaning of our captain, who was a Welshman swore that they were pirates and would kill us I said, be that as it might we must board her if we were to die for it and if they should not receive us kindly we must oppose them as well as we could for there was no alternative between their perishing and ours this council was immediately taken and I really believed that the captain, myself and the Dutchman would then have faced twenty men we had two cutlasses and a musket that I brought in the boat and in this situation we rode alongside and immediately boarded her I believe there were about forty hands on board but how great was our surprise as soon as we got on board to find that the major part of them were in the same predicament as ourselves they belonged to a wailing schooner that was wrecked two days before us about nine miles to the north of our vessel when she was wrecked some of them had taken to their boats and had left some of their people and property on a key in the same manner as we had done and were going, like us, to New Providence in quest for a ship when they met with this little sloop called a wrecker their employment in those seas being to look after wrecks they were then going to take the remainder of the people belonging to the schooner for which the wrecker was to have all things belonging to the vessel and likewise their people's help to get what they could out of her and were then to carry the crew to New Providence we told the people of the wrecker the condition of our vessel and we made the same agreement with them as the schooner's people and, on their complying, we begged of them to go to our key directly because our people were in want of water they agreed, therefore, to go along with us first and in two days we arrived at the key to the inexpressible joy of the people that we had left behind as they had been reduced to great extremities for want of water in our absence luckily for us the wrecker had now more people on board than she could carry or victual for any moderate length of time they therefore hired the schooner's people to work on our wreck and we left them our boat and embarked for New Providence nothing could have been more fortunate than our meeting with this wrecker for New Providence was at such a distance that we never could have reached it in our boat the island of Abaco was much longer than we expected and it was not till after sailing for three or four days that we got safe to the farther end of it towards New Providence when we arrived there we watered and got a good many lobsters and other shellfish which proved a great relief to us as our provisions and water were almost exhausted we then proceeded on our voyage but the day after we left the island, late in the evening and whilst we were yet among the Bahama Keys we were overtaken by a violent gale of wind so that we were obliged to cut away the mast the vessel was very near-foundering for she parted from her anchors and struck several times on the shoals here we expected every minute that she would have gone to pieces and each moment to be our last so much so that my old captain and sickly useless mate and several others fainted and death stared us in the face on every side all the swear is on board now began to call on the God of Heaven to assist them and sure enough beyond our comprehension he did assist us and in a miraculous manner delivered us in the very height of our extremity the wind lulled for a few minutes and although the swell was high beyond expression two men who were expert swimmers attempted to go to the boy of the anchor which we still saw on the water at some distance in a little punt that belonged to the wrecker which was not large enough to carry more than two she filled different times in their endeavours to get into her alongside of our vessel and they saw nothing but death before them as well as we but they said they might as well die that way as any other a coil a very small rope with a little boy was put in along with them and at last with great hazard they got the punt clear from the vessel and these two intrepid water-heroes paddled away for life towards the boy of the anchor the eyes of us all were fixed on them all the time expecting every minute to be their last and the prayers of all those that remained in their senses were offered up to God on their behalf for a speedy deliverance and for our own which depended upon them and he heard and answered us these two men at last reached the boy and having fastened the punt to it they tied one end of their rope to the small boy that they had in the punt towards the vessel we on board observing this throughout boat hooks and leads fastened to lines in order to catch the boy at last we caught it and fastened a hawzer to the end of the small rope we then gave them a signed pull and they pulled the hawzer to them and fastened it to the boy which being done we hauled for our lives and through the mercy of God we got again from the shoals into deep water and the punt got safe to the vessel it is impossible for any to conceive our heartfelt joy at the second deliverance from ruin but those who have suffered the same hardships those whose strength and senses were gone came to themselves and were now as elated as they were before depressed two days after this the wind ceased and the water became smooth the punt then went on shore and we cut down some trees and having found our mast and mended it we brought it on board and fixed it up as soon as we had done this we got up the anchor and away we went once more for new providence which in three days more we reached safe after having been above three weeks in a situation in which we did not expect to escape with life the inhabitants here were very kind to us and when they learned our situation showed us a great deal of hospitality and friendship soon after this every one of my old fellow sufferers that were free parted from us and shaped their course where the inclination led them one merchant who had a large sloop seeing our condition and knowing we wanted to go to Georgia told four of us that his vessel was going there and if we would work on board and load her he would give us our passage free as we could not get any wages whatever and found it very hard to get off the place we were obliged to consent to his proposal and we went on board and helped to load the sloop though we had only our victuals allowed us when she was entirely loaded he told us she was going to Jamaica first where we must go if we went in her this however I refused but my fellow sufferers not having any money to help themselves with necessity obliged them to accept of the offer and to steer that course though they did not like it we stayed in New Providence about seventeen or eighteen days during which time I met with many friends who gave me encouragement to stay there with them but I declined it though had my heart not been fixed on England I should have stayed as I liked the place extremely and there were some free black people here who were very happy and we passed our time pleasantly together with the melodious sounds of the cat-guts under the lime and lemon trees at length Captain Phillips hired a sloop to carry him and some of the slaves that he could not sell to Georgia and I agreed to go with him in this vessel meaning now to take my farewell of that place when the vessel was ready we all embarked and I took my leave of New Providence not without regret we sailed about four o'clock in the morning with a fair wind for Georgia and about eleven o'clock the same morning a short and sudden gale sprung up and blew away most of our sails and as we were still amongst the keys in a very few minutes it dashed the sloop against the rocks luckily for us the water was deep and the sea was not so angry but that after having for some time laboured hard and being many in number we were saved through God's mercy and by using our greatest exertions we got the vessel off the next day we returned to Providence where we soon got her again refitted some of the people swore that we had spells set upon us by somebody in Montserrat and others that we had witches and wizards amongst the poor helpless slaves and that we never should arrive safe at Georgia but these things did not deter me I said, let us again face the winds and seas and swear not but trust to God and he will deliver us we therefore once more set sail and with hard labour in seven days time arrived safe at Georgia after our arrival we went up to the town of Savannah and the same evening I went to a friend's house to Lodge whose name was Moser, a black man we were very happy at meeting each other and after supper we had a light till it was between nine and ten o'clock at night about that time the watch or patrol came by and discerning a light in the house they knocked at the door we opened it and they came in and sat down and drank some punch with us they also begged some limes of me as they understood I had some which I readily gave them a little after this they told me I must go to the watch house with them this surprised me a good deal after our kindness to them and I asked them why so they said that all Negroes who had light in their houses after nine o'clock would be taken into custody and either pay some dollars or be flogged some of those people knew that I was a free man but as the man of the house was not free and had his master to protect him they did not take the same liberty with him they did with me I told them that I was a free man and just arrived from Providence though we were not making any noise and that I was not a stranger in that place but was very well known there besides said I what will you do with me that you shall see replied they but you must go to the watch house with us now whether they meant to get money from me or not I was at a loss to know but I thought immediately of the oranges and limes at Santa Cruz and seeing that nothing would pacify them I went with them to the watch house where I remained during the night early the next morning these imposing ruffians flogged a negro man and woman that they had in the watch house and then they told me that I must be flogged too I asked why and if there was no law for free men and told them if there was I would have it put in force against them but this only exasperated them the more and instantly they swore they would serve me as Dr. Perkins had done and they were going to lay violent hands on me and one of them, more humane than the rest said that as I was a free man they could not justify stripping me by law I then immediately sent for Dr. Brady who was known to be an honest and worthy man and on his coming to my assistance they let me go this was not the only disagreeable incident I met with while I was in his place for one day while I was a little way out of the town of Savannah I was beset by two white men who meant to play their usual tricks with me in the way of kidnapping as soon as these men accosted me one of them said to the other this is the very fellow we are looking for that you lost and the other swore immediately that I was the identical person on this they made up to me and were about to handle me but I told them to be still and keep off for I had seen those kind of tricks played upon other free blacks I did not think to serve me so at this they paused a little and one said to the other it will not do and the other answered that I talked too good English I replied I believed I did and I had also with me a revengeful stick equal to the occasion and my mind was likewise good happily however it was not used and after we had talked together a little in this manner I stayed in Savannah some time anxiously trying to get to Montserrat once more to see Mr. King my old master and then to take a final farewell of the American quarter of the globe at last I met with a sloop called the Speedwell Captain John Bunton which belonged to Grenada and was bound to Martinico a French island with a cargo of rice and I shipped myself on board of her before I left Georgia a black woman who had a child lying dead being very tenacious of the church burial service and not able to get any white person to perform it applied to me for that purpose I told her I was no parson and besides that the service over the dead did not affect the soul this however did not satisfy her she still urged me very hard I therefore complied with her earnest entreaties and at last consented to act the parson for the first time in my life as she was much respected there was a great company both of white and black people at the grave I then accordingly assumed my new vocation and performed the funeral ceremony to the satisfaction of all present after which I bade adieu to Georgia and sailed for Martinico End of chapter 8