IN November 1681, I went on Board the William and Mary of Bristol, of 120 Tuns Burden, 7 Guns and 4 Paterero's, William Bowry Commander, being bound from Bristol to Plymouth for a Convoy, from whence we went with our Convoy (the Turkish Tyger) to Cales, where she left us; when the Fleet was safe arrived, we staid there for good Company [Page 2] or Convoy; but none coming, our Merchants went to a French Commander of 26 Guns that was bound for Marseilles; who agreed with them to carry us safe thither: In order there­unto he went aboard and fired a Gun, which hearing, we set sail after him. We were not above three Leagues out of Cales, but he hoisted his Top­sails, and left us; however we got safe to Malaga, where we again waited for a Convoy: but after we had staid there a con­siderable time, expecting we should have met with one, we were forced to go without, be­ing loaded with Herrings which were likely to be spoiled. From thence we went to Allicant, where we met with two Flem­mings bound for Marseilles, one of 16 Guns, the other of 22, [Page 3] with whom we set Sail about Four a Clock in the Morning: and four hours after we met with the Bristol Frigat, who en­quired from whence we came? We gave them account whence we came, and whither bound. We ask'd from whence they came? they answered, From Al­gier. We enquired what was the best News there? they answered, Good News, for they had made Peace with Algier; so we brought to, and our Master hoisted out his Boat, and went aboard them, and procured a Copy of the Articles of Peace made between the English and Algerines: after which he sailed with the two Flemings in Company to Mar­seilles, where we lay 19 days for Pratique, which being gained, we went into the Mould and delivered our Loading; after [Page 4] which our Master was very ur­gent for us to take in our Load­ing, and so return; but the Mer­chants said we must wait a while, and we should have it; so we took in our Ballast, and our Master took in the Mer­chants at Santra Pee: and after­wards we went to Santra Pell, and took in Loading of Oil, and set Sail for Bristol: but coming homewards, we put into Malaga, where there was a Ship that came from Tunis, bound for Lon­don, in which were two Lions and two Barbary Horses, being a Present for the late King Charles the Second, whose Commander came on board us, to give our Master a Visit. We enquired of him whither he was bound? he said, To Tangier, but to make no stay but one day. Our Master told him he should be glad of [Page 5] his Company homewards: who said he should be likewise glad of his Company; upon which our Master went ashoar, ha­ving some Concerns with the Merchants. The same day the Londoner sail'd away, leaving us behind. Next day, being the 2d of August 1681, in the Mor­ning we set Sail alone; and co­ming within six Leagues of Tangier, we saw a Ship give us chase, when they came up with us, ask'd us whence we came? we said from Marseilles. We en­quired the same of her; who answered, From Algier: so he bid our Master hoist out his Boat: our Master answered, he would not for any Ship he should meet withal. Our Master further told him, he should hoist out his Boat if he had any thing to do with him, and if he came to [Page 6] him, he should see he had a Pass; so he sent his Lieutenant aboard us in his own Boat, to whom our Master shewed his Pass, and he acknowledged it to be good, and calling to his Commander, told him the same, who never­theless desired our Captain to come abord with his Pass: our Master told him, that if the Lieutenant would stay on board us, one of our Men should go aboard, and shew him the Pass. The Lieutenant agreed thereto, and when the Captain had view­ed the Pass, the Moors went in­to their own Ship, and loading their Pistols they stuck them in the Waste-band of their Drawers under their Coats, and every one of them had likewise a Cut­lass stuck on their Waste: so they entred aboard us all at once, firing their Pistols, and cut and [Page 7] wounded us with their Cutlasses. ^* They had on board them 300 Men and 16 Guns; when they had thus taken our Ship, they carried us to Sally, and sent our Ship into Memora, having secu­red us in a place under Ground: our Diet they gave us was a little black Bread and Water. There they kept us four days, and then sent us to Memora to discharge the Ship they took from us, and sent the Oil with which we were loaden, in Skins, upon Camels and Mules, to the Emperor of Morocco. After we had work'd there very hard all [Page 8] Day in delivering the Ship, they put us down in the Hold of their Ship in Irons, and afterwards sent us to Macqueness, where the Emperor's Castle is, and where he keeps all his Slaves, and we were delivered up to the Vice-Roy, (the Emperor being then in Camp against a City to the Southward, called Tarradant in Barbary) and by his Negroes we were driven to work all day, driving and cursing of us, bid­ding us turn Moors, and at Night we were driven to a place where the rest of the Christians lay, being like a Vault under ground.

In the Year 1680, the English Captives that were under this inhuman Tyrant, the Emperor of Morocco, bewailing their own Condition, making moan to one another, and praying to God for Deliverance, at last concluded [Page 9] amongst themselves to draw a Petition to our late King Charles the Second of Great Britain, giving him to understand their miserable Condition in this Cap­tivity: which being done, the King took it into Consideration, and sent over Captain Francis Nicholson; who being come, and seeing the Cruel Bondage his poor Country-men were in, their hard Labour and cruel Fare, having therewith many cruel Stripes and Blows, he could not but lament their Condition, and prayed God that he might come to some Composition with that Hellish Tyrant for them. The Emperor at the same time sent for the Shack, or Chief o­ver all the Jews in his Domini­on, and bid him build a Town, which would be better for the Jews than the Cane Houses, (his [Page 10] Name was Abraham Memoran) and at that time Captain Ni­cholson made an Agreement with the Emperor for the Christians, and the English and Portuguese were delivered him up, the Em­peror wishing them a good Jour­ney to Tangier; the Captain took them out of the Town that Night, which the Shack of the Jews hearing of, that came to the Emperor, telling him, if he would let him have the Christians to build the Jews Town, he would give him as much Money as the Captain had agreed with him for: the Em­peror bid him come again in the Morning. Then the Shack or Chief of the Jews went imme­diately home to his House, and got a Present ready, and sent it in to the Emperor's Wife, that she might follicite the Emperor [Page 11] for him: which having received, she sent word back by the Eu­nuchs, that she would endea­vour to prevail with him, which she did. And the next Morning he spoke again with the Emperor, who immediate­ly sent out his Negroes to drive back the Christians, which were hurried again to their Works in a cruel manner. The Moors of his City Macqueness seeing that, cursed the Jews for doing it: But the Captain could in no wise prevail with this grievous Ty­rant the Emperor, (notwith­standing the Captain had done what in him lay to have got the Christians away) who said he would not part with them till the Town was finished. So they went to work with great Chops, and Baskets to carry Earth in; and the Negroes were set over [Page 12] them to keep them at it from Morning to Night. When the Town was finished, he put in his Negroes: but the Curse of the Jews fell upon their own Go­vernour, his Mischief returned on his own Head, as will short­ly be shewn. In the mean time the poor Christians were grie­vously hurried and punished by those Hellish Negroes at the Command of this wicked and inhuman Tyrant the Emperor, and had scarce time to take any Nourishment, or eat any of their bad Bread that was allowed them, but with a great many Threats, Stripes and Blows by the Negroes, bidding them turn Moors. In which conditi­on they prayed to God to pre­serve them in their Faith; in which, through his Assistance, they remained constant.

[Page 13]Sometime after Captain Ni­cholson being gone from thence, the Emperor laid Siege against a City called Tarradant, in the South-part of that Dominion, being kept by a King whose Name was Mully Hammet: and having been there a considera­ble time, he sent to the Chief of the Jews, to bring him up some Goods which he wanted from Macqueness. When he had gotten Mules, and car­ried them to the place where Emperor was in Camp, the Vice-Roy's Son being there with the Emperor, went to the said Shack or Chief of the Jews, and desired him to assist him with some Money, and his Father would repay him, when he, viz. the Chief of the Jews, should return to Macqueness. He told him his Father owed him al­ready [Page 14] several thousand Ducats, and would not pay him any, for as yet he could get none from him: and said moreover, if he should die and perish, he would not lend him a penny. Of which Passages he acquain­ted his Father, writing a Letter thereof to Macqueness. After­wards the Chief of the Jews went to Macqueness to the Vice-Roy called Coid Birry, and told him he had acquainted the Em­peror of the Care he had in his Absence of his Castle and Busi­ness; he taking little notice of him, but returning him Thanks for his Kindness, he went away. But Coyd Birry the Governour (being so called in the Empe­ror's Absence) ordered one of his chief Negroes in a little time after to go and take such a Horse which he described to [Page 15] him, and go to the place where the Country-People kept their Market, to see if he could find the said Chief of the Jews; and if he saw him, take little notice of him; but if he had an op­portunity, watch as he went home to his House, and kill him. The Negro did as he was ordered, and espying the Shack, or Chief of the Jews, go­ing home to his House, in a Road which lay through a parcel of Olive-Trees, the Negro came to him, pretending Kindness to him, being glad to see him, &c. and riding by his side along on Horse­back, spied his opportunity very diligently, so spurred his Horse over him, rode upon him and trode out his Brains. Word there­of was quickly carried to the Vice-Roy, that the Chief of the Jews was killed, at which [Page 16] he seemed to be sorry, that the People might take no notice thereof, and acquainted the Em­peror therewith, and had made search, but knew not who had done it. The Emperor sent him word back, that if he did not find out who did it, he would cut off his Head, and ordered the said Vice-Roy to put the Governour of the Jews Son to be the Chief in his stead; but the old Jew was soon forgoten by the Emperor.

When the Emperor had laid Siege some Years against Tarra­dant, and could not take it, he returned home to Macqueness. After he had been at home a cer­tain time, he went against that City with about 70000 Horse and Foot, and declared that if any Christians knew what belonged to mining, he would set them [Page 17] to work; and if they took the Town, they should have their Liberty; so four English Men undertook the Work, the Moors digged, and they gave Directions. The Mines being finished, and 30 Barrels of English Powder row­led into the Mine, and a Train laid; the Christian that fired it was blown up: and a Breach was made in the Castle-Wall, but they could not enter, their Enemies fired so thick upon thm, killing a great many of Mully Ishmaell the Emperor's Men. They mined again un­der the Burges, or small Forts: after Powder was put in, and a Train laid, he that gave fire to it, had his Arm struck off, the Burg was blown up with the People thein. And the Empe­ror Mully Ishmaell coming to view the Breach, and being told [Page 18] by the People, the Christian had lost his Arm, he ordered his chiefest Doctor to take care and heal him; for in case he did not see to him carefully, he should lose his Head. Mully Hammet got up his People to the Breach, and kept out the Em­peror and his Forces, that they could not enter. Afterwards Mully Hammet went out of his Castle with a small Guard, and meeting with some of the Em­peror's Scouts, one of them knowing Mully Hammet, cock'd his Piece and shot him to death: Then Mully Hammet's Guard fought with Mully Ishmael's Scouts, and there were several killed on both sides. Some of Mully Hammet's Guards retired into the Castle, and acquainted the chiefest of them that were in the Castle, that their King [Page 19] was killed: presently they pro­claimed Mulle Rann (being the chiefest of the Governours in Mully Hammet's time) to be their King. Which News being carried to the Emperor by his Scouts, he enquired who had killed Mully Hammet? they told him one of the Scouts, which he sent presently for by a Messenger, and bid him acquaint him that he should have a good Reward for killing him; he being brought before the Emperor, expecting a great Reward for so doing, after he had examin'd him, he rewarded him with calling of him Dog, and said he should die for killing Mully Hammet, and immediately caused him to be made fast to a Mule's Tail, and so had him dragged through the Camp, and ordered one to go be­fore and declare, that it was for [Page 20] killing of Mully Hammet; he was dragged so long till his Body was torn in pieces; after that he had him put in a place where the Country People used to come into the Camp. Mully Ran kept the Castle and City, and the Emperor's Forces made more Mines in order to take the City and Castle, which being finished, they blew up the Town-Walls, and several small Forts, with the People in them, and made so great a Breach that Mully Ishmaell entred his Men and took both the City and Castle, and promised the Peo­ple he would be kind to them: but when he took the Town, he secured their Arms, Ammu­nition and Treasure, and car­ried the People of that place to Macqueness: and being come down to Macqueness, he put all [Page 21] the Christians, and several hun­dreds of the Natives to work there to make a Court, and Houses for his Women. And coming on a certain time, (as he uses constantly to do) although it rained very fast, as he was go­ing into one of the Houses, the Master-Workman and his Assi­stants going to hoist up a piece of Timber, the Rope that held it broke, and the Timber fell, with which he suddenly retired back, and sent for the Master-Workman in great Passion, threatning him for taking no better care: he told him he was as careful as he could be for his Life in doing it, saying, it was a Mischance he could not pre­vent; nevertheless he took a Piece out of one of his Boys Hands, and shot him to Death, and went among the Christians [Page 20] [...] [Page 21] [...] [Page 22] raving and tearing as if he would have killed them all, set­ting his Negroes and Guard to beat both the Moors and the Christians that were at work; which they did with such Vio­lence, that many of them had their Heads and Arms misera­bly broken, making his Build­ings more like a Slaughter-house than a place of Work; and at the same time ran two of his Moors through with his Launce. So that he makes no more to kill a Man at his Pleasure, than to kill a Dog.

In a little time after the Em­peror was come to Macqueness, the three Christians that were Miners, desired their Liberty as he had promised: He granted it, and ordered a Letter to the Governour of Sally, that he [Page 23] should send them away by the first opportunity; a Ship being ready, they desired their Liberty, being at Sally, in order for their Journey; but the Governour in­stead of granting it, abused and railed on them, saying, they should pay him so much a Head, or they should not go. The English Man that lost his Arm, turned back and acquainted the Emperor thereof, telling him what the Governour said, who wrote a Letter and sent him with two of his chief Negroes, saying, If he would not let them go off, he would cut off his Head: The Governour hearing that, durst not detain them any longer. So the three English Men, whose Names were Willi­am Chalender, Robert Jackson, and Benjamin Newman, through the Goodness of God arrived at [Page 24] London, and came again to their own Country.

In the Year 1683, Captain Venetia the younger, a Pirate be­longing to Sally, met with one Mr. Bellamy, an English-Man, who was bound for Leghorn in a Pink of 8 Guns, to whom he gave Chase: and when he came up to Mr. Bellamy, the Pi­rate examined him from whence he came? he answered, From London; and enquired likewise of him whither he was bound? who said, To Leghorn. Mr. Bel­lamy asked him from whence he came, and what Place he belonged to? he said, To Algier. The Pirate commanded Bellamy to hoist out his Boat, and bring his Pass aboard, who answered, he should hoist out his own if he had any business with him, [Page 25] which he did, and sent his Lieu­tenant aboard on Bellamy. One of Mr. Bellamy's Men that had been a Captive in Sally, know­ing the said Pirate, told the Master he knew him very well, and that he belonged to Sally. When the Lieutenant came to Bellamy's side, Mr. Bellamy placed some of his Men with their small Arms at the entring, and said, one Man should not enter him save the Lieutenant, who viewed Mr. Bellamy's Pass, acknowledging it to be good. The Lieutenant returning a­board their own Ship, acquain­ted the Captain, saying, We'll fire at them and afright them; in order to which, he command­ed them to make ready; the Pirate firing at Mr. Bellamy, he fired at them again, so they fought a considerable time: [Page 26] Mr. Bellamy killed and wounded about thirty of his Men, and he wounded some of Bellamy's Men: but for want of Powder Mr. Bellamy was forced to yield. When Venetia had taken him and his Company, and brought them aboard his own Ship, lea­ving several of his own Men in their stead, he began to ex­amine Mr. Bellamy why he had killed and wounded so many of his Men? Who answered, he would have killed all the rest, and him too, if he had had Powder; with that the Pirate cut him down with his Cutlass, and rip'd him open, and said, there was an end of a Dog, so threw his murdered Body into the Sea, and carried all his Men into Sally, and from thence to Macqueness. Thus have these bloody Heathenish Crew de­ceived [Page 27] many of our Country-men, telling them they belong­ed to Algier, when they belong­ed to Sally. I pray God keep all my Country-men, and all good Christians out of the Hands of that barbarous and inhuman Crew, the worst that live upon the Earth! and that all may be­ware of them, hath caused me thus to write; being one that by sad Experience, and from a certain Knowledg I have had of them, can assure these things to be nothing but a real Truth; and bless God, that he has thought me worthy to escape them, and that I am now come safe to the Land of my Nati­vity.

In the Year 1685, a Ship being bound from London to Barbadoes, in which were four [Page 28] Women, two of them being Mother and Daughter; one of those Heathenish Pirates meet­ing them, gave them Chase, and coming up to them, examined them strictly from whence they came, and whither bound? who told them as afore, From Lon­don to Barbadoes; (the Pirate was Venetia the younger, who had 300 Men, and 18 Guns) after the Commander had en­quired the same of them, he un­derstood what they were, they telling him, that they came from Algier; so they demanded of him to shew his Pass, and said he must hoist out his Boat; they seeing him not provided with Guns to defend himself, could make no Resistance, which being done, the Captain of the Pirate took them into his Ca­bin, and would shew himself [Page 29] kind to them, treating them, and giving them Dates. In the mean while the Lieutenant and Moors girded their Pistols and Cutlasses on their Wastes, and with the English-man's Boat went aboard his Ship, and took all that were aboard him, with the four Women. And the Cap­tain asked who the young Wo­man was, and whether she was ever married? Account being given him concerning her, he ordered her to be put in the Cabin, lest any of his own barbarous Crew should offer to lie with her, and so sailed away for Sally. Being come there, the Captain of the Pirate brought them they had taken to Macque­ness, and the Women were car­ried before the Eunuchs. The Captain giving an account to the chief Eunuch, that one of [Page 30] those Women was a Virgin; but for the Men, they were driven by the Negroes to hard Labour. And afterwards all the Christi­ans of the Ship and the 4 Women were brought up to Macqueness; the Women were brought be­fore the Emperor's Eunuchs, and an account given to the Chief of them by the Moors Captain, that one of them was a Virgin, and she was immediately sent to the Emperor's Women: and the Eunuch sent to the Vice-Roy, acquainting him how he had disposed of the Virgin, who ordered the other Women to be brought to his House, and or­dered the Negroes to drive the poor Christians to hard Labour, who at Night were lock'd up amongst the other Christian Captives, having no Sustenance allowed them for that day; and [Page 31] what their poor Brethren offered them, they could not eat, being such Bread as I have already described, so bad, that the Beasts in that place refused to eat it: and what betwixt their Diet and Lodging on the cold ground, together with the Negroes hard Usage, many of them fell sick. And to add to their Extremity, were threatned and abused by the Negroes to turn Moors; but they daily prayed to God to strengthen them in their Afflicti­ons, and in his great Mercy work some way for their Deli­verance out of this dreadful Bondage.

Afterwards the chief Eunuch sent word to the Emperor, that he had a Christian Virgin a­mongst the rest of his Women. The Emperor ordered him to send her up to the Camp, with [Page 32] a parcel of his Eunuchs to guard her thither. When she came to the Camp, the Empe­ror urged her, tempting her with Promises of great Rewards if she would turn Moor, and lie with him. She earnestly desired of the Lord to preserve and strengthen her to resist his earnest Perswasions, and great Proffers, which he used, to have his Desires fulfilled. When he could not prevail so, he fell to threatning her, and put her a­mongst his Negro Women, and threatned to kill them if they offered to shew her any Kind­ness, where they kept her, beat­ing and abusing her for several days. She prayed still to the Lord to strengthen her, and held a Resolution to withstand him; who again sought to pre­vail with her, tempting and [Page 33] promising of her great things, if she would turn, which she still refused: so he caused her to be stript, and whipt by his Eu­nuchs with small Cords, so long till she lay for dead; and he caused her to be carried away out of his Presence that time, and charged his Women none of them should help her till he sent for her, which was not till two days after, and in the mean time to have no Suste­nance but that black rotten Bread: at which time he sought again to prevail with Promises and Threats, which she still withstood, praying to the Lord that she might be preserved from him, and be delivered from his cruel Hands. Then he prick'd her with such things, as commonly his Women use instead of Pins, being as sharp. [Page 34] Thus this beastly and inhuman Wretch by all ways he could invent, sought to force her to yield, which she resisted so long, till Tortures, and the hazards of her Life forced her to yield, or resign her Body to him, tho her Heart was otherwise in­clined. So he had her wash'd, and clothed her in their fashion of Apparel, and lay with her; having his Desire fulfilled, he inhumanly, in great haste forc'd her away out of his Presence; and she being with Child, he sent her by his Eunuchs to Macqueness (who delivered her with the Emperor's Charge concerning her) to the chief Eunuch, and after that she was delivered of two Children.

About four Years ago, two English-men and a French-man [Page 35] being at Memora; and as they were passing along the River, on a certain time in a Boat, with some Moors, one of which was a Lieutenant, he ordered the Christians to go on Shore to fetch a little of their black Rusk and Water: And as they were pas­sing along the River to take their Pleasure, the Christians said one to another, Now is the time, with the Lord's leave, for us to see for our Liberty: The French-man said, The Moors would be too many for them: The English-men said, Fear not, let us trust in the Lord, and he'll deliver us. So they going a­board with their Bread and Wa­ter, the Lieutenant bid them get out their Oars, and pull up like Dogs as they were; which they bore patiently. At Night some of the Moors lying down, they [Page 36] fell upon those Moors that were awake. They then fearing the Christians would be too hard for them, called out, and awaked the other Moors. Then the Lieutenant and other Moors came, and he drew his Knife, and stabb'd one of the English-men to death, the other knock'd him down, and they fought so long till Blood was spilt on both sides. The next day the English-man and French-man were car­ried up to Macqueness in Irons, before the Emperor, and by the Moors was informed of what was done. The Emperor up­on Examination, told them if they did not immediately turn Moors, he would kill them. The French-man yielded: the Emperor then threatned the English-man, if he did not turn, he would quickly kill him. He [Page 37] made Answer, God's Power was greater than the Devil's; and let him do what he would, he should not make him turn Moor. The Emperor called for his Sword, and immediately fell to cutting him, threatning him still to turn; he said he was brought up in the Faith of Je­sus Christ, and he would not forsake it. Then this inhuman Wretch in great spleen cut him till he fell down, and hack'd and hewed him as if he had been butchering an Ox, and caused the Negro Boys to run his Body full of Holes with Knives, till his Body was as full of Holes as possible it could be; when he had so done, Bring, saith he in his own Language, four English Dogs to fetch that Dog away: and as they carried his Body away, the Negro Boys [Page 38] stoned them, saying, that should be the end of them if they did not turn Moors; but they were glad to go quietly without an­swering again; if they had made any Reply, they had cer­tainly been fallen upon by the Negro Boys. So their greatest Satisfaction was, his dying in the Christian Faith, and his counting that more precious than his own Life, holding the same stedfast before that cruel Tyrant, whilst he had Breath in his Body. Then they carried him to the place where they lodged under ground, so took off his Irons and kept him there all Night, and the next Morning carried him where he was to be buried, the Negroes still stoning of them as they went along. As soon as they had laid his Body in the Ground, [Page 39] they were hurried by the Ne­groes to work again after their usual manner.

The Tyrant coming a certain time to view his Work, exami­ning what was the reason they went no faster on? They an­swered, Several of the Christi­ans were fallen sick: So this in­human Tyrant went to the place where they lay, which was un­der Ground (acting the part of Herod, in killing at his Plea­sure, as well as of Pharaoh, who of old encreased the Israelites Bondage, in causing them to make Brick, and allowing them no Straw. But we read of the End of those cruel Tyrants.) So by the Emperor's Order his Negroes fell to haling and drag­ging them out of that place, when in that weak and feeble condition that they could not [Page 40] stand on their Legs when drag­ged before him; he instantly killed seven of them, making their Resting-place a Slaughter-house. The very Moors were terrified to see so inhuman and bloody an Action. It is a Pro­verb, The more Rain, the more Rest: but God knows it was most commonly our Lot to be driven and kept closest at our Work when it rained; yea, when it rained most fast, our Work was nothing lessened, but the more encreased: and besides the Christians, he sets thousands of his own Natives to work with great Chops, and to carry Earth on their Heads in Baskets from one place to another. And let it rain never so fast, (there falling store of Rains in the Winter Season) he'll stay by them, set­ting his Negroes to drive them [Page 41] with Whips of small Cords and Sticks from Morning till Night; and if he's minded to eat, he often sends home to his Castle, and hath his Victuals sent him, lest the Slaves should neglect his Work.

He hath great Buildings in his Castle, which will not be finished in his time, and there he keeps the poor People at work, in order to suppress and keep them low.

His small Forts at his Castle are more for a show of great Strength, to make his Enemies afraid, than for any use he puts them to, making them into Store-houses, and turning them to such-like uses.

In the Year 1688, the Ty­rant coming out one time to see his Works, as constantly he did, [Page 42] a sort of stuff they used instead of Mortar, being Earth, Lime and Sand mixed together, to build their Walls with; and ta­king up a handful thereof, he did not like it: upon which he sent his Negroes to fetch the Master-Workman to him, which being haled by the Neck before him, he asked why more Lime was not mixt with the Earth? he made answer he wanted Lime, and that was the reason the Stuff was no better: he sent for the Shack of the Negroes and Christians that were at work, examining him after the same manner? who said he wanted Mules to bring them Lime: he then sent for the Mules to see how many there were, and want­ing one of his number, which the Negro said he had at his House, and was lame, he ordered his Ne­gro [Page 43] Boys to keep him fast, while he sent some of the rest to enquire whether the Negro said true? but they finding not the Mule that was wanting, he ordered the Negro, immediately to be stript unto his Drawers, and fastened to a Mule's Tail, which was done, and he was dragg'd so the space of half a Mile to Prison, there to remain; and had the Master-Workman stretch'd out by four Negroes, two at his Hands and two at his Feet, beating of him till he could not turn himself, bidding him take care of his Mules, saying, if when he came again he found such bad stuff for his Work, he would cut off his Head. So immediately he sent his Negro Boys to fetch the seventy Chri­stians that were at hard Labour making a Wall; so asked one [Page 44] of them if he could speak his Language? who said he could, examining him in like manner about the Stuff? who answered, he durst not for fear acquaint him of the Badness of it: so he took one of his Sticks they used to carry after him, and calling him Dog, bid him hold his Head fare to strike at: having strucken him down, he knocked down all the rest with his own Hands, and broke their Heads so miserably, that the place was all bloody like a But­cher's Stall, and none of them durst make Resistance, for if they had, he would presently have killed them. So he bid them rise like Dogs as they were, saying, if they used any more such bad Stuff in his Work, he would kill them all.

[Page 45]In 1689, the Emperor sent down to the Coyde, or Gover­nour of Tangier, to take a view of Alarache, where was a Gari­son belonging to the King of Spain. The Governour taking view thereof, he sent him far­ther Orders to prepare for the taking it, if he could possibly. So sending back to the Emperor to provide him Forces, the Em­peror sent him down 40000 Horse and Foot, besides the For­ces he had there: And he laying Siege to the Place, the Spanish Boats fetch'd off the Officers Wives and Children. They af­terwards raised a small Fort, to keep all small Vessels or Boats from fetching any Thing off. Which the Friars taking notice of, hoisted up a Flag of Truce; and came to a Treaty with the [Page 46] Governour of the Moors, till they had been with the Empe­ror at Macqueness. When come thither, they told him, that if he would let them go, and take what was their own with them, they would give him the Place, with the Christians, and all the Ammunition and Guns. To which he agreed, saying, He would. They returning again to Alarach, ordered the Governour of the Moors to make a Feast; and going to their own Garison, told their own Governour, that they had made an Agreement with the Emperor, and that they should march into Ceuta in their own Arms, saying, They had better do so, than go into Slavery amongst the Christians. The Governour, and the Go­vernour of the King of Spain dining together: When Dinner [Page 47] was over, he bid him send for his Men, and send them with all speed to Ceuta. They being come, he commanded them to lay down their Arms; which he, (to wit, the Moors Governour) quickly secured, telling them, they must go up to the Empe­ror at Macqueness, for he had a mind to see them, and after­wards they must return to Ceuta. So the Moors took the great Guns, with their Carriages, Muskets and Powder, carrying them all to the Emperor, with a Band of Men to guard them thither. Being come thither, he set his Negroes to drive them to work; ordering the great Guns to be unmounted, and laid flat on the Ground betwixt the two Walls, with those Guns that were brought from Memo­ra. So the Negroes kept them [Page 48] at hard Slavery, beating and whipping them all day long; and at Night they were to lodg under-ground; allowing them such Bread as his other poor Captives have, and Water to sustain them alive.

After the poor Christians had undergone their hard Labour and cruel Stripes, for the space of five Months time, many of them fell sick and died: then this Tyrant came and enquired, what was become of them? they gave him account, that se­ven hundred of them were tur­ned Moors, and five hundred were dead. After that the poor Christians concluded to draw a Petition to the King of Spain, and lay before him their mise­rable Condition under this Ty­rannical Emperor, having but [Page 49] now and then rotten Bread, and Water when they could catch it, and therewith cruelly pu­nished to add to their Extremi­ty. The King of Spain recei­ved their Petition; and viewing it, declared to his Council what a Condition his poor Subjects were in under this cruel Tyrant the Emperor of Morocco. And the said King took it into consi­deration, and sent over an Am­bassador to the Emperor, to see if he could agree with him for his Subjects that were there in Slavery. The Ambassador be­ing come, an Agreement was made betwixt them, that the King of Spain should give a thou­sand Moors for an hundred Chri­stians. And for the Souldiers Wives that were not carried off, and young Children, they agreed for 4 Moors a Head. The Ambassa­dor [Page 50] bargained with the Empe­ror, to have the Christians down to Tittivan, lying near unto Tangier, and there to remain till the Moors were brought over, and left at Ceuta, a Place not far from thence. After which the Ambassador returned home to the King of Spain, acquainting his Master what a miserable Condition his poor Subjects were in, working from Morning to Night, allowing them nothing but old rotten Barley-bread and Water; not suffering them to have any thing to lie upon, after their hard Labour and cruel U­sage by the Moors, nor no Appa­rel to wear, but daily beating them, and often with his own Hands, to force them to turn Moors. The King of Spain or­dered his Ambassador to take as many Moors as he had agreed [Page 51] for: So he went and got the Moors together, and went over to Ceuta with them; when being come thither, he went to Tittivan; and leaving the Moors in Ceuta, he spoke to their Governor, told him the Moors were ready at Ceuta, and that as many Christians as he was pleased to send to Ceuta, there should be so many Moors surrendred as they had agreed for. When the Moors were all deli­vered up, and the Christians brought in; The Moors Gover­nour brought them up to Mac­queness to the Emperor; the Emperor enquired of them how they had fared in Christendom? They answered, they had al­lowed them a Jacket and a pair of Breaches once a Year; and for their Provision, they had a certainty of Rusk, and hot Beans once a Day. But being come [Page 52] to their own Country, they be­gan to lament the Christian Captives poor Condition, seeing daily what they endured with Hunger, Cold and Stripes; and many times the Tears fell from their Eyes for Grief to see it; some of the Moors saying, We are Christians, (privately to them) but durst not publickly own it: And at another time told the Captives, (when they saw the Emperor's Cruelty, of­ten murdering one or other at his Pleasure; and themselves had nothing allowed them but a little of that rotten Barley-bread, and a little Butter that stunk) that they had rather be in Spain than there. And some of the Moors got back again into Spain, acquainting the People there what a cruel Tyrant their Emperor was, and how misera­bly [Page 53] he used the poor Christians. And when the Spanish Ambas­sador returned with the Christi­ans, into their own Country, the King asked them how they had fared? Who gave a large Account, as aforesaid, of the hard Bondage and Slavery the Empe­ror of Morocco had kept them in whilst they were under him. The King said, it was well they had kept their Faith, as they had done, whilst there. And his Ambassador drew a Petition to the King his Master, imploring his Favour to remember them that were left behind, and take their suffering Condition into his Christian Consideration; which he did, and ordered them some Relief. Those that were left behind, likewise petitioned him to allow them something Yearly: Which was done, and [Page 54] care taken that it should be sent over for their Use: As likewise our Factories at Cales and Portu­gal, having enquired how it was with them; and understood the English fared no better than the rest, contributed towards their Necessities, and sent it o­ver from Cales to Tittivan, to one Mr. Anthony Packer a Mer­chant there, desiring him to or­der it them for their Relief: Who accordingly did, and they therewith bought them a few Clothes to cover their Naked­ness. So they wrote back to Mr. Anthony Packer, and to the Factories, returning them Thanks for their Kindness in remembring them, praying to God to prosper them in their Affairs. And I beseech God to open the Hearts of our Gracious King and Queen of England, [Page 55] as he hath done others, to grant some Relief for their distressed Subjects that are yet in that place, whose cruel Sufferings I could do no less than acquaint them with, being when I left them, in as poor a condition as ever.

The poor Christian Captives that are taken by any of those Hellish Pirates belonging to the Emperor of Morocco, are brought up to Macqueness, being kept at hard Work from Day-light in the Morning till Night, car­rying Earth on their Heads in great Baskets, driven to and fro with those barbarous Negroes by the Emperor's Order: and when they are drove home by the Negroes at Night to their Lodging, which is on the cold Ground, in a Vault or hollow [Page 56] place in the Earth, laid over with great Beams a-thwart, and Iron Bars over them, they are told in there like Sheep, and out in the Morning; and if any be wanting, he quickly se­cures the Negroes, and sends out a parcel of his Guard to look for them. Their Food is Bread made of old rotten Barley, and their Drink Water when they can get it: Many times when they are hurried to their Work in a Morning, not know­ing whether they shall be able to undergo their Afflictions till Night: and when they are drove home, expecting Rest, the Ty­rant sends some of his Negroes to hurry them again to work, either to hale down Walls, cut Gates, or the like, keeping them both Night and Day many times without either Bread or Water, [Page 57] which is all their Sustenance: when they have done that, the Negroes dare not to drive them home before he gives order, lest they be killed for so doing; when they have his Order, they drive them home, tell them o­ver, and so lock them up un­til Day-light in the Morning. And in this Captivity I have been, with the rest of my poor Country-men for the space of Ten Years, being so long since taken; but now, through the Mercies of God, I am come to see my Native Country, and cannot but condole their Mise­ries I have left behind under that cruel Tyrant the Emperor of Morocco; beseeching Almigh­ty God, that none of my Coun­try-men may ever come to have a share under that hard Task­master. There are three hundred [Page 58] and forty English-men, Subjects of our Gracious King, in this sore Captivity.

This Emperor, as I have been informed, touching his Birth or Descent, was begotten of a Ne­gro Woman by a white Man, one of the noblest of their Qua­lity in that time, and is a Mol­latto by his Colour; but when he's in a Passion, he looks just as he is, as black as an Infernal Imp; which his Natives take notice of, and can tell when he's angry. For his Apparel, he wears a fine Holland Shirt, with Sleeves so large that will make any ordinary Man a pair of Drawers, besides a large pair of Drawers of the same, with Breeches over them, and next to his Shirt a Garment of as fine Stuff as can be had, made of [Page 59] the fashion of a Wastcoat with­out Sleeves, and over that a Coat of as fine Cloth as can be bought, made almost of our fashion; he wears over that a sort of Garment which they call a Shilham, or Barnoose, but we may call it a short Cloak, being wrought all over with Silver and Gold, with a Cap to go over his Head, having at the top of it a great Bob with a Fringe, and at the bottom a great Fringe all round it: on the lower part from his Breast it is open, and the upper part made fast; and over that in cold Wea­ther he wears a Cloak, with a Cap to put over his Head: up­on his Head he wears sometimes a Turbet (as they call it) made of Silk; and when it is hot Weather, he wears a Garment made of a sort of Stuff like [Page 60] fine Crape, and a Hat; and on his Legs he wears fine red Boots, but different from our Fashion: he's oftner on Horse-back than on Foot; his Guard, which are of different Stature, wear some of them Shoes, and have over their Shirts and Drawers only Cloaks with Caps, some light coloured, and some dark: some­times he has an hundred follow­ing him, and at other times fifty, and sometimes more, he having thirty thousand Negroes of his own Slaves.

Every one of his black Guard have a Piece, and he has three or four Launces carried after him, and several Pieces ready charged, to kill with at his Pleasure ei­ther the Christians or his own Natives. When he falls out with his Guard, he strips and takes their Clothes, from them [Page 61] and puts them in Irons, and sets them to work. He seldom returns home after his going out in a Morning, without killing one or other before he returns, by running of them through with his Launce, shoot­ing them, or dragging them at a Mule's Tail, either Men or Women, seldom repenting for what he has done; Mahomet their great Prophet possessing them with a Belief, that if he kills any one, he merits Heaven by so doing; but if any Person should kill him, he cannot a­void going to Hell. He has Water carried after him by a Boy, which he drinks, to make the People believe he drinks no­thing else; and likewise hath short Sticks carried after him daily, to beat the poor Slaves at his Pleasure, which is hourly, [Page 62] to vex and punish them, de­lighting in nothing more.

He was first made a Coyde or Governour of some part of the Country, and by his Kind­ness and Affability to the Peo­ple, he gained Respect from them in that Country. Mully Sheade being then King, and living in the City of Fez, there died; and the Inhabitants there being all Whites, and he a Molla­to, they cried up Mully Hammet. Mully Ishmael being then beloved of his own People, he raised a small Army, and went against the said City and won it: having conquered Fez, he still strove to oblige the People; and one Guillan raised a small Army, a­gainst whom Mully Ishmael went. Guillan being a great Friend to our Nation, the Governour of Tangier offered him Assistance [Page 63] if he was pleased to accept it: he returned him Thanks, say­ing, it was bad enough for him­self and his own Army to be conquered, and it would be worse for the Christians if they should go with him; but engaging himself, Mully Ishmael conquer­ed him, and his People carried his Head up to Macqueness. When I was there, the Emperor kept two of Guillan's Sons in his Castle, and had them at School amongst his own Chil­dren, because of their Father's Courage and Stoutness.

Our English Governour was concerned at the loss of Guillan and his People. When the Em­peror had won most of his Country, and conquered Tar­radant, he soon after came to Macqueness, and ordered all his Bashaws or Governours to build [Page 64] Walls and great Houses upon their own Charge, on pain of losing their Lives. Some finish­ed their Houses, and some could not, having not wherewith to do it, being brought so low, he causing it to be so, that they might not rebel against his chief Son called Mully Sedan, for whom he hath the greatest Esteem above all his Sons, think­ing he may succeed after his Decease: but I hope in God, and wish it may never be, for the young Tyrant imitates his Father too much in cutting and killing the Slaves as bad as he almost, that the People begin to dread him as well as the old one.

The Emperor's Castle hath four Gates belonging to it. The City of Macqueness is an old decay'd place, the Castle stand­ing [Page 65] distant from it, and walled in some places double, and has a few old Iron Guns mounted upon them: For the Brass Guns that were taken from the King of Spain, he's afraid to leave them with any of his Governours, lest they rise against him, and had them brought up to Mac­queness, plac'd within the Castle Gates betwixt two Walls flat upon the Ground. The Build­ings within the Walls are very high, and several small Forts round the Castle-Walls. And lately he set the People to build two new Towns, (with which to plague his Country People, to bring them as low as he can) which I think will never be fi­nished in his time; and if he did it on his own Cost and Charge, he would not have so many Buildings. When Taxes [Page 66] are brought him in, he treasures it up, taking but little out a­gain.

The common Diet the Em­peror uses to eat, is made like a kind of Grain; they call it Cus­ [...]ozoo, being boiled and mixed with their Butter, which is far more loathsome and strong to us than our Butter in England; being put into Platters, they put thereon Mutton cut in small pieces: So he sits down, and thrusting his Hand into it, he shakes it a little to and fro, crambing it in his Mouth toge­ther. When he has done, he calls his Negroes to take what's lest to eat while he stands over them, and they are in great fear left he kill them; which he certainly would do, if one should eat more than another. Their Drink is commonly Water; 'tis [Page 67] said, he'l drink Wine; where­in he makes invalid the Do­ctrine of their great Prophet Ma­homet, who told the People, It was a great Sin to do it; yea, and he'l often be drunk too, (to the sorrow of his poor Slaves); though if any of the rest, if it be the greatest among them, be found in the like Case, if he comes to the knowledg of it, he'l kill them. His Guards a­bout him are made up of Negro Boys, of fourteen, sixteen, or eighteen Years old. If he calls for the greatest Man in his Country about the least Crime, they presently run like so ma­ny Hounds; and they come Collering of him, as if he were a Bullock to be slaughtered: When he's hal'd so before the Emperor, he either kills him, or he's beaten, or put in Irons, [Page 68] and thrown into Prison; and af­ter this manner he governs his own People.

When he had Business with our Nation, and asked Advice of the Chief of his own Coun­try, none durst say his Concerns would go Well or Ill, for fear he would dislike what they said, although he would often require them to do it: So he first gives his own Judgment of the Mat­ter, and they say as he does. He is seldom true to his Word, ha­ving cheated most Kings and Princes that have had any thing to do with him; as in the Case of the Algerines, who made him pay dearly for it.

Whilst I was there, he made Peace with Holland and France; but soon broke it, taking since that time several Dutch and French Ships, making Slaves of [Page 69] their Subjects. If he swears one thing to Day, he'l swear quite another on the Morrow. Yet he did not out-wit (not­withstanding his Falshood and Treachery) the King of Spain's Ambassador, who surrendred not one of the Moors, till the Christians were got into the Spa­nish Garison.

If any Christian King or Prince sends an Ambassadour to this Emperor, (as in my Time there have been from England, Spain and France) when they come thither, he makes them wait a considerable time: And he's so high in his own Conceit, that except they be Persons of Qua­lity, he regards them not; and when they come before him, he'l be either in his Stable, or on Horseback, or sitting on an heap of Earth, and so speaks [Page 70] to them by an Interpreter, (and he will not allow a Penny to­wards their Charges, nor any Place to lodg in, be they who they will) and so sends for se­veral of the White-men, being Bashaws or Governours, the chiefest of his Country, who dare not for their Lives be Judges to speak otherwise than what he says first, for fear of him.

About twelve Years since, he sent an Ambassadour over to our late King Charles the Second, to Congratulate his Majesty, and Treat with him for Peace, or the like; and in the mean time sent out his Pirats to take our English Ships. Our King not thinking him to be so false, sent him a Present over by Hammet Benhado the Emperor's Ambas­sador; who is now as bar­barous to the poor Christians, as [Page 71] any belonging to the Emperor. He never goes to rest, but when dead Sleep overcomes him, and make him so drowsy, that he can't hold up his Head; and as he goes to rest, he often kills one or other of his Negroes, at home as well as abroad. Then in one of his Rooms in the Castle, he lies down on a kind of Quilt on the Ground; and sleeping that Night, he rises early in the Morning, and falls to his old Tyrannous and Inhumane Pra­ctices, domineering over his poor Slaves, and sets the Ne­groes to whip, stone and beat them, to work harder than ma­ny times it's possible for them to think they can hold out or en­dure till Night. The poor Christians, the English Cap­tives, daily praying to God, if it be his Will, to support them [Page 72] in this distressed Condition, and to keep them and deliver them from under this miserable Op­pression they are under, and re­strain the Hands of that bloody Tyrant: And when they think of their Native Country, and the Government thereof, they cannot but greatly lament their own Condition, erecting their Prayers to Heaven for the Pre­servation of their own King and Country; and that God would be pleased to open their Hearts to remember them in this sad and deplorable Condition. Thus bemoaning one another, they commit their Case to him, who is the wise Disposer and Orderer of all things, without whose Permission nothing can be acted or done, who can in his due Time grant them Relief.

[Page 73]On Fridays the Emperor goes to his Place of Worship, having first viewed his Slaves, being of several sorts, both Christians, Negroes, and a sort of People called Brabboes; the last sort be­ing Natives of the Country, which he suppresseth so much, that they are not able to pay him Taxes, keeping them at as hard Slavery as the rest. If he kills none in the Morning before he goes to Worship, they dread him for fear he will at his return: he rides thither and back again, going about Eleven of the Clock, and returns about One, against which time the poor Slaves order one or ano­ther to watch, and are in as great fear when they see him as if they must all be destroyed; and they all work more hard that day than all the rest of the Week. [Page 74] He killed seven and twenty Moors on one day; but there's none can tell the several thou­sands of poor Souls this unmer­ciful Tyrant hath slain since his Reign, which is now about two and twenty Years.

For his Women I think he knows not the number of them, he hath so many, both Whites, Blacks, Mollatoes, and Copper-colour'd; and for Apparel they have a piece of Silk of a Red or Yellow Colour, which they wear over their Heads. They wear Shifts or Smocks made of fine Linnen, big enough to make two Shifts, and fine Draw­ers that will reach down to their Heels, which are open or slit in the middle; and their upper Garment is fine Flannel, and a Silk Girdle about their middle upon each of their Breasts they [Page 75] wear Silver or Gold Pins, with which they fasten their upper Garment; and upon the Wrists of their Hands they wear on each a Silver Shackle, and likewise upon the Small of their Legs; and on their Feet red Slippers. He hath store of Children of several Colours. He hath built within his Castle fine Dwel­lings for himself to live and lodg in; and for his Women he hath built very fine Houses, two Courts very sumptuous; in the bigger of them are seven­ty two Marble Pillars, each at least three foot thick, to support the fine painted Works above; in the middle of the greater Court is a Marble Cistern with curious Spring-Water, which springs or boils up in the mid­dle thereof, and comes from a Fountain about two Miles from [Page 76] the Castle. If he desires to lie with any of his Women, he sends an Eunuch to fetch whom he pleases: she being come, he lies with her, after that he bids her begone; being as inhumane in this as in the rest of his Actions; and away she goes, lest he kill her. He allows his Women a quantity of Flower, and sends his Eunuchs to mea­sure it them out; and some­times goes to look over them himself, lest his Eunuchs cheat him. One of his Women came to him carrying a young Child in her Arms, desiring him to allow her a little more Flower and Butter; he bid her stay a while, and she should have it▪ then he called for some of his Eu­nuchs, and killed her, and caused them to pull the young Child in pieces Limb from Limb.

[Page 77]It's his Pleasure sometimes to shew his Women his fine Build­ings: before he goes, he sends his Eunuchs to drive away all the Men out of their sight, riding with a Lance himself before the Women, being two or three hundred following, where he rides in great Pomp, extolling this and the other Work, and admiring the Brave­ly thereof; but the Women dare not to speak a word other­wise than as he himself doth.

In the Year 1688, the Em­peror of Morocco sent a Letter to the Algerines, acquainting them that he heard they had a great many Christian Slaves; and since he had a great deal of Work to do, if they would sell him any of them, he would give them 150 Dollars a Head [Page 78] for five hundred of them, and send them away with all speed. They gathered three hundred French Men, and brought them to Tittivan; being landed there, the Governour had them to Macque­ness to the Emperor, to see them, and asked him if he liked them? who answered, Yes. Im­mediately by the Emperor's Order they were driven away by the Negroes in a barbarous manner. The Algerines expect­ing their Money from the Em­peror, having waited a long time for Payment, they resolved at once to demand it from him. When they asked him for it▪ he answered, he did not use to give Money for Christians that were brought into his Land▪ Then they charged him with breach of Promise, saying, they hoped he would not serve them [Page 79] so. He said, if they did not retire out of his Country, he would cut off all their Heads. So they retiring to Algier with speed, acquainted the King and his Pateroons how they had sped with the Emperor, giving Relation of what he said con­cerning the Christians. The King presently rais'd an Army of 50000 Men, preparing Ammu­nition and Field-pieces, who marched through Trimsind, a place at or near the Emperor's Dominions, where they entred without Resistance; and as they passed along, several of Mully Ishmael's People ran to them: Mully Ishmael's Coydes, or Go­vernours, acquainted him that the Algerines were coming a­gainst him: Mully Ishmael hear­ing thereof, raised an Army of Eighty thousand Horse and Foot, [Page 80] and made his Son Mully Sedan General thereof. Whilst his Army was a preparing, the Al­gerines were got up as far as a Town called Tezzo, within two days Journey of Fez, where they pitch'd. Mully Sedan went against them; and being there, the Algerines wrote a Letter to Mully Ishmael, acquainting him, that they did not come to fight with his Son, but to have met himself in Person: he sent them word back that his Son was able enough for them. Soon after they had received his Letter, they engaged Mully Sedan's Ar­my, and slew abundance of them. Many of Mully Sedan's People deserted him, joining with the Algerines. Then he sent with all speed to the Em­peror his Father, giving him account what had happened. [Page 81] When Mully Ishmael understood that, he gave out, that if any Christians would help, and stand by the great Guns, if he pre­vailed against the Algerines, he would give them their Liberty. So eight Englishmen told him they knew what belonged to the Guns, and they would go with him. So he ordered an hundred Moors to assist them, and to take out six great Guns (that they judged might be most service­able) from the place where they lay betwixt the Walls. They told him they wanted Carriages: He sent for Carpenters im­mediately, charging them to make Carriages strong and good, and that with all speed, upon pain of losing their Heads in case they neglected. Mully Sedan again sent the Emperor his Father word, that if he did [Page 82] not hasten to Battel, the Alge­rines would be in Fez in four days time. Mully Ishmael hear­ing that, was forced to go with all speed, raising what Forces he could, leaving for haste his Field-pieces behind him. The Empe­ror being come where his own Army lay, he made Peace with the Algerines General, and in order thereto, gave forty eighty Mules laden with Gold, and an Horse and Furniture worth 200000 Crowns.

About a Month before I came from Macqueness, one of our own Nation, namely Elias Roberts, being by the said Emperor put to look after a parcel of Sheep, he came himself to view them; and telling them over, found three of his number wanting, who thereupon sent for one of [Page 83] his chief Negroes that kept an account of them, and examined him what was become of them? he replied, the Christian kept, the Key, and lock'd them up every Night, and carried it with him to the place where he went to sleep under Ground. The Tyrant immediately sent his Blood-hounded Negroes to fetch the poor Christian, who was not far from them; being come, he asked him what was become of those Sheep that were want­ing? he made Answer, he went home every Night, having first fastned the Door, and that the Negro had a false Key to the Door; so turning to the Negro, and upon Examination finding him faulty, he presently shot him to Death, running his Launce through his Body in several places, and threatned the Chri­stian [Page 84] for not acquainting him therewith sooner, saying, if he would not turn Moor, he would kill him, as he had done the Negro, who lay dead before them. The Christian boldly replied, he was brought up in the Faith of Jesus Christ, and he would not turn Moor, and that he feared God, whose Power was greater than his; so the Empe­ror fell to cutting him, and afterwards had him very in­humanly stretched out by those bloody Negroes, and beaten till he was left for dead. Then he went away to his Works where English Captives were, and told them he had killed one of the Dogs their Brother, for taking no better care of his Sheep, calling them Dogs in his own Language, and bidding them fetch that Dog away; five or [Page 85] six of them went and brought the poor Man away, who had been so cruelly beaten by the wicked Wretch, his Body was so exceedingly bruised, he could not stir neither hand nor foot; neither could he feed himself for several days, but as we help'd him. Yet through God's Mer­cy, he was pretty well recover­ed before my Departure from thence. And thus when the poor Captives are by this un­merciful, and rather, as we may term him, inhuman Brute, beaten and killed at his pleasure, none dare make any Com­plaint to him; for instead of taking any Pity of them, he matters no more to kill a Chri­stian than to kill a Dog; and if any of them seeks for Fa­vour from this Tyrant, he's either killed, or sorely beaten [Page 86] by either him or his bloody Negroes.

A Moor, one of the Natives of the Country, having Com­passion on me, and seeing my sad Condition that I was kept daily in, which I cannot at large insert here, came to me, speak­ing his own Language, being Arabick, knowing I could un­derstand him; and he asked me if I would go to my Native Country? I replied, Are you in earnest or not? he answered, Yes, and would direct me, and go along with me himself to Marsegan, a Garison belonging to the King of Portugal. I told him, if he expected any Reward or Satisfaction from me for his Pains, I had nothing to give him; he said he knew that by my Condition. So I enquired of him where he lived? he answered, [Page 87] at a place called Assimore, which is not far from the Christian Garison; and he said, he would trust to the Benevolence of the Governour of that place, pro­vided I would speak to the said Governour for a Gratuity for him, when we should arrive there: I told him I should be worse than a Jew, if I did not do that; and they themselves count the Jews the worst and falsest of all People. Then I asked him in what time we should provide for our Journey? he said, as soon as I could find con­venient opportunity; and I far­ther prevailed with him to take in two more English-men along with us, whose Names were Tristram Bryan, born in Ply­mouth, and Edward Tucker, who came from New-England. And in five days time after we were [Page 88] fitted with a small quantity of Bread for the Journey, supposing we might accomplish our Jour­ney in ten Nights time, for we must of necessity hide our selves in the Day for fear of being discovered; yet we found it difficult enough to perform in two and twenty days, in which time we were put to great Hard­ships and Necessities on the way. The Particulars are as follow.

On the 26th of June, 1692, in the Evening, we set for­ward from Macqueness, and tra­velled as far as we could that Night in great fear of being pursued, with our Moor to di­rect us in the way, knowing that if they had found us, we had been killed, if not burnt, which would have been the Moor's Lot had we been taken: [Page 89] towards day we had a great River to pass; when we were got over, we found a small Coppise or Wood, where we rested the Day following, being the 27th. In the Evening when the Sun was set, our Guide was forward to be going, not know­ing how the Event would prove, and I had much ado to perswade him from going before 'twas dark. When we came into the Road out of the Wood we met ten Moors, and Mules and Asses laden with Goods for the Emperor, being Iron, which they had taken from one Savage an English Master that came from Bilboa; so we followed our Guide the Moor, who gave them the time of the Night, and they him likewise; and so we passed that time without any further trouble, they sup­posing [Page 90] us to be Moors, being we had on their sort of Apparel. So we travelled that Night, making what haste we could, and still in great fear, lest we should have been discovered by the Moors: when we rested, it was towards Day, in some Bram­bles or Bushes, seeing them pass along by us, driving of Sheep and Bullocks; but through Mer­cy they did not see us. And the next Night, being the 28th, we travelled all Night; and when Day appeared, we could not find a convenient place to lodg in, which we sought for; and about Sun-rising we found a place betwixt two Mountains where were Holes made with the Winter Rains coming off the Hills near a Path-way, to which we made, and espied se­veral Moors who went along [Page 91] the Road, that had Mules and Asses loaden with Iron, who saw us not. Some part of the Day we slept; and the Moor and I watcht; in which time the Moor gathered Palm, and made a Sling, to sling Stones at Lions and other wild Beasts that appeared.

So in the Evening, after Sun­set, (being the 29th) we tra­velled till we came to a River­side, where were a great parcel of Moors and Mules a baiting, that had Bail-Goods, which the Sally-Moors had taken in Prizes, to carry to the Emperor at Mac­queness; who strictly enquired of our Moor, from whence we came, and whither we were go­ing? He made answer, To Sal­ley, and came from Macqueness, and so our Moor bad them Good­night; and we travelled on [Page 92] (without further enquiry) a­long the River-side before we could get over. When we were over, there were a great many Bramble-bushes and Rush-bush­es; and our Moor feared there were Lions in that Place, so we made what haste we could up a Hill, on the top of which was a great Plain; and being very thir­sty, we travelled on a good way further, and heard a noise of Frogs and Toads; to which Place we came, and found a standing Water, which stunk; however we drank thereof to stay our Thirst, and 'twas sweet to us: and so went on till we found a ruined Castle, which had formerly belonged to the Portugues, at which our Moor would fain have rested; but I told him there might happen to be Moors there, because they u­sually [Page 93] rested in such Places in the Night. So we went fur­ther, till we came to a place where grew a great parcel of high Weeds, and there we re­sted that Day.

The 30th at Night, after Sun­set, we set forwards; but were very thirsty, the Sun having shone hot upon us that Day, having lain without shelter, on­ly the Weeds. I asked our Moor, how long it would be e're we could find any Water? He said, A little further there was a small River; but we thought it a long way to it, our Throats being so parch'd with Drought; so we drank Water, and eat a little Bread, which did greatly refresh us; and we went for­ward till near break of Day, where we rested in some Weeds till about two in the Afternoon; [Page 94] at which time three Women di­sturbed us two or three times, but saw not our Faces: So we three went forward, and our Moor stood, and enquired of them the way to Salley. Then the Women asked from whence we came? Who answered, From Tapholet, which was a City in that Country. They further asked, if he had lain in that place all Night? and asked what they were that were with him? He told them, Three of his Neighbours, and that they had lain there all Night, being Strangers. They said, It was a wonder that the Lions had not destroyed us, there being so ma­ny in that place, they devoured some of their Cattel almost eve­ry Night; and they told him it was about four Leagues to Sal­ley.

[Page 95]After Sun-set (July 1.) we travelled till we came to a Wood, where the Moor would have had us to rest; but seeing of Lights which the Country People had in their Tents, and hearing a Lion roar thereabouts, we went further, and came to a ruined Tower, where was a good Spring of Water; we drank and re­freshed our selves, but durst not stay for fear of Moors being in that place; and going a little farther, we came into a Valley, where was a Hole the Winter Rains had made, there we rest­ed; and after the Sun was risen, two Moors came to cut Palm: At which I awaked our Moor, who spoke to them, and gave them the time of Day, and they likewise to him. They enqui­red of him from whence he came, and whither he was go­ing? [Page 96] He told them, he came from beyond Tapholet, and was going to visit a great Saint at a Town called Temsnah; and ask­ed further, if there were none with him? He answered, there were three more. They asked, if we had lain there all Night? He said, we had; They said, it was to be wondred that the Lions had not devoured us; and came to look at us where we lay, speak­ing Arabick; but the Moor told them, we could not speak that Lingua; and we were covered all over with our white Blankets, being such as the Moors com­monly wear. So they went a­way and left us, telling us, We did well in going to visit the Saint. So we got up, and espy­ing a parcel of Bushes a little di­stance off, we removed thither, lest the two Moors should have [Page 97] informed of us at Salley, and so have come back to the place and found us. The Bush where we were hid, was near a River-side, but we durst not go to drink thereat, by reason of People which passed to and fro there by us all Day long.

July 2. After Sun-set, we at­tempted to go over the River; but it being so strong a Stream, and deep, we could not pass o­ver it: And in our going a great way further up the River-side, there happened to be several of the Moors; yet being Night, they saw us not, save only one Man of the Natives, which had tied up a bundle of Canes fast together to pass over the River with them; to whom our Moor gave the time of the Night; and he answering with the like to us, we parted: and going higher [Page 98] up, we found a place not so deep as the other part of the River; so got over, and travel­led up a Hill on the other side, where we found some Bushes, and there we rested, and our Moor lay on the out-side of them. In the Morning when the Sun was risen, came by us two Moors with two Asses, who said one to the other, it was wonder the Lions had not devoured that Man, meaning our Moor, who they saw lying by the side of the Bushes.

On the third Instant, after the Sun was set, we set forward, endeavouring to get to the Sea­side: but there being several People in the way, watching with their Dogs to keep the wild Beasts from their Gardens; which we hearing, were fain to flee further from them: so [Page 99] we travelled a little further, and rested among some Rushes.

The next Night, being the 4th of July, we travelled after Sun-setting as far as we could, being weary and faint, and rested

On the 5th; on which Day af­ter Sun was set, we set forward, and travelled till we came to a place where was a standing Wa­ter, being thereto led by a noise of Frogs; which although the Water stunk, yet drinking there­of, it was sweet to us; with that, and a little Bread, we were much refreshed; but at this time our Bread was gone, so we tra­velled a little further, and rest­ed.

The 6th Instant, after Sun-set, we went forward, and dis­covered a great many Lights which the Natives had in their Tents where they lodg: So we [Page 100] parted a while one from another, to find out the Roads. At length I came to a place where the Country People use to go to Market, where we again met together; and travelling awhile, we heard some Dogs, as I thought, did scent us; and near that place we met with a Lion lying by the Way-side; which the Moor seeing, before he roused, he struck him fair over the Head. So the Lion roared at him, and followed us half a Mile or more; but our Moor kept slinging of Stones at him so fast, that he left us. Then we came to a Valley, where was a Wood on each side: When Day appeared, we rested in the Wood, having no Bread to su­stain us; but we durst not en­ter the Wood till it was Day­light, for fear of the Lions: [Page 101] We then found a piece of Pot in the Wood, with which our Moor brought us some Water out of the Valley; for we durst not fetch it our selves, lest the People saw us: so when the Moor had brought us a Pot full of Water, (but in the mean time we were lamenting our sad Con­dition for want of Bread, having then no Sustenance but Palm-Berries, Grass and Weeds, and any thing we could eat, which was sweet to us) he said, in his own Language, God was great. So went from us about the space of four Hours; in which time he sold his Sash, and bought us a small quantity of Bread (about a pound and an half) therewith, and brought us a little of it, which we ate; and he fetch'd us a little more Water in the Pot: After we [Page 102] had eaten and drank of the Wa­ter, we went to sleep, two of us watching.

On the 7th, after Sun-set, we travelled on; and the Moor slung Stones, whilst we passed through the Wood, lest there should be Lions lurking thereabouts: ha­ving refreshed our selves with the Bread and Water, we rested amongst some Brambles, but could find no more Water that Night.

Then on the 8th Day at Night we came to another Wood, in which we travelled a great way, and kept two of us awake to watch against Li­ons and other wild Beasts.

On the 9th we set forward, and travelled in the same Wood, and still had no Water.

The 10th, after Sun-setting, we went till we came to an Hill [Page 103] of Rocks; at the bottom where­of we found a Spring of Wa­ter, and drinking thereof, we were greatly refreshed: and there was a little River, from which we went, till we came to some Trees or Bushes, and there rested.

About eight a Clock in the Morning, July 11. (it raining fast) we ventured to travel that Day, after we had rubb'd out a little Corn, and eaten, that the Moor had brought us, having no Bread to eat: so went to the top of an Hill, on which grew a Tree, which we climb'd upon, and espied the Sea at a great di­stance from us. We travelled all that Day, and the Night fol­lowing, till towards Day, that we rested, but had neither Bread nor Water.

[Page 104]On the 12th at Night, after Sun-setting, we travelled a good way, and heard a noise of Frogs and Toads; to which we made, and found Water, which we drank of; and although it was very brackish, yet it was plea­sant to us, by reason of our sore Drought. A little from thence we met with a Person of Quality, as we judged by his Habit and Attendance, having ten Men with him; to whom our Moor paid his Respects, and gave him the time of the Night. He answered him again in his own Language, and asked him whither we were going? Our Moor answered, To Santa Cruse: So he bid us, God speed: After­wards our Moor asked him from whence he came? He answered, From Assimore. So we depar­ted away, and travelled till we [Page 105] found some Bushes, wherein we rested that Day.

July 13. After Sun-setting we set out, and came so near to As­simore, that, listening, we heard the People in it, and saw the Town, which stood on the South-side of a Hill, and a Ri­ver by the Town, which was so deep, that we could not get over, because one of our Men could not swim. Then we tra­velled along the North-side of the River, till we came to a place where Cains grew, and there we rested by the River­side.

July 14. After it was Day, our Moor went to see his Fami­ly which dwelt there in that Town. We having been a con­siderable time without Bread, I requested our Moor to bring us a little, (which he did) and [Page 106] likewise to see if he could find any thing to carry my Country-man over the River; and about four in the Afternoon he retur­ned with some Bread, and said, he had found a Tree. After Sun was set, we went to view it, and found it not fit to swim withal: So we returned, and went back to the Cains, and there staid.

On the 15th Instant, when the Sun was risen, I desired our Moor to go and enquire of the People, where we might pass over the River? The People told him, there was no other Passage but by a Boat at the Town. So our Moor went a­bout a League further in the Country, where he saw a Man and a Woman upon a Mule cros­sing the River, and marked the place with some Stones, that we [Page 107] might find it, and so returned to us, and rested till Sun-setting. So we set forward, and had gone but a little way before we heard a Lion roar, but he did not come in our sight; then we came to the place where the Moor laid his Mark, and sat down to consult how to pass over there, we hear­ing of People in a Garden were near at hand: And in the inte­rim, we heard a Lion just be­hind us; so we hastened and got over the River, and travelled a little further, and rested.

July 16. After Sun-setting we travelled about a Mile further, where we saw a Town, that our Moor said was a Saint's Town, to which the People, that were not able to pay their Taxes to the Emperor, fled for Refuge.

[Page 108] July 17. After Sun-setting we travelled; and going till about Midnight we came within call of the Garison, ^* which was at Mersygan, belonging to the King of Portugal: So I called out, and the Souldiers made answer to me, and asked what we were? I replied, We were three Christians and a Moor: Which they presently acquain­ted the Governour of, and bid us hasten nearer, lest there should be any Moors in the hear­ing of us. Which we did, and running to a wrong place, they called to us again to make to [Page 109] the two Draw-bridges, where we sate down. So the Gover­nour, and the rest of the Offi­cers, came to the Wall; and af­ter he had examined us, he and the Guard let us in; and he or­dered his Servants to bring us into the House, and to give us some Relief; and he himself came to us, and wondred that so little satisfied us in our eating and drinking: So had us into a­nother Room, and asked me, If I did not know of three Men that were taken by the Moors from that Garison? I answered, I knew of two, but not the third. He bid me speak to the Moor, and ask him, If he would undertake to bring them thither to that place? So I spoke to the Moor, who bid me tell the Governour, That he would endeavour it to the utmost of [Page 110] his Power. So the Governour ordered us a Lodging; and in the Morning ordered his Clerk to write a couple of Letters, and gave them to the Moor, with forty pieces of Eight for bringing us thither, saying, If he did bring the two Portugue­ses, he would give him as much more as should maintain him and his Family as long as he li­ved. The Moor said, He would do his endeavour. So the Go­vernour ordered Dinner for us: And about four a Clock he again sent for me and the Moor; and bid me tell him, in his Lan­guage, That if he feared any thing in his Return, he would send some of his Troopers to conduct him on the Way. The Moor made answer, He should go more safe alone. After Sun was set, the Governour gave [Page 111] him Victuals to serve him, till he could shift for himself. And the Moor taking his leave, re­turned, and went on his Jour­ney.

About three Weeks after, a Portuguese Man of War came into that Garison to fetch a­bout 1800 Souldiers off from thence: So I desired of the Go­vernour we might go aboard with them: Which he was wil­ling, and in four Days after we had been aboard, most of the Souldiers being come off, the Captain sent a Letter to the Go­vernour, by the Coxon of the Pinnace, desiring him to hasten the remainder away. When the Pinnace went ashore, his Crew wondered to see any Moors there, and asked, What they did there? The Portugues told [Page 112] them, They came with a Flag of Truce, to treat for three Moors they had taken. They offered the Governour two thou­sand Dollars for them, being one of them was a Shack, or Governour; or Bullocks, or Sheep, or Corn, in lieu of Mo­ney. He answered, No; for they had taken three Troopers belonging to his Garison; and he heard that two of them were at Macqueness. They replied, They knew by whom he heard that, for the Christians that the Moor brought, had acquainted him therewith; but he had paid dearly for it, for, said they, he was taken with the Pieces of Eight, and Letters about him, and carried up to the Emperor and burnt: At which the Go­vernour was very sorry when he heard it. The Governour [Page 113] then told them, he heard two of his Troopers vvere alive at Macqueness, but he feared the third vvas dead, because he heard nothing of him; and bid them go up to the Emperor, and prevail vvith him, if they could, for the two Christians, and bring them, and they should have the three Moors. They told him, they could not do that. He made answer, Then they should never have the Moors. So at Night when they came on Board, I asked them what was the best News? Who said, Very bad; for they had seen a parcel of Moors, who had given account to the Governour, that the Moor that brought us to the Garison, was taken and burnt. At which I was much grieved, knowing the poor Moor's true-heartedness towards [Page 114] us, in bringing and directing us on our Journey, vvhen vve made our escape from Macque­ness. So setting sail for Lisbon, through God's Mercy we safe­ly arrived there, and vvent to the King's Palace, giving him Thanks for the Kindness the Governour had bestowed upon us, and the Moor that brought us to the Garison.

When vve came thither, se­veral of the Nobility enquired of us, What Nation vve vvere of? and told us, if vve desired it, vve might speak vvith the King; and acquainted him of us, vvho ordered us to come be­fore him; and enquired of us if vve could speak French or Por­tuguese? I said we could speak some Portuguese, and a little Lingua Franc: So he enquired from vvhence vve came? And [Page 115] I gave him account of our nar­row escape from that Slavery vve had been in under the Em­peror, &c. and told him how our Bread vvas gone in ten Days time, and that vve had been two and twenty Days in com­ing from Macqueness to the Ga­rison, and did eat nothing but Reach till the 23d Night. He much vvondered how vve vvere kept alive the rest of the time after our Bread vvas gone. I told him, through God's Assi­stance vve had shifted as vvell as vve could; for our Liber­ty being sweet to us, had cau­sed us to run these great ha­zards vve vvere exposed to. He further enquired after those Christians that are still in Sla­very; of vvhich I gave him an Account of all I could re­member: [Page 116] And desired him, out of the abundance of his Good­ness and Clemency to remem­ber them in their Afflictions. He told me, it vvas more than he ever heard before, and said, he vvould, before Winter came, take care to send them Re­lief, to buy them Victuals and Clothes; and enquired of me, Whether any of his Subjects desired me to lay their Con­dition before him? I answer­ed, No; but (by God's Per­mission) I had in part under­gone the same Afflictions they were in, and knew vvell e­nough how it vvas vvith them. He made answer, God vvould bless me for it. He likewise asked, If I knew vvhat num­ber of Ships vvere at Salley? I told him, eleven Sail. He said, [Page 117] He knew Venetia, for he had formerly been at his Palace. I said, It was our late King James's Pleasure to give him his Liberty; vvith much more that passed betwixt us.

VVhen this Venetia returned home to the Emperor, the Em­peror ordered him to build a Ship; and several English-men, that were newly taken Slaves he caused to draw Timber in a Cart from Memora to Salley, (which was twelve Miles di­stant) like so many Oxen, driving and whipping of them in a very barbarous manner. The Name of Venetia caused me to insert this here, to show the barbarous Cruelty of this inhumane VVretch; and so I shall leave him, and proceed.

[Page 118]VVe having taken our leaves here, took our Passage for Hol­land, where my two Country-men staid; but I took my Pas­sage for England, where, prai­sed be God for his great Mer­cies, I arrived safely, being by his good Providence at last delivered from under the Hands of this Inhumane Tyrant, and his Hellish Crew of Negroes; be­seeching Almighty God, that all my Country-men, in all their Affairs and Negotiations, may ever escape from his cruel Hands.