IN the time when His Most Christian Majesty, the present French King, was in Provence, an Of­ficer of the late deceased Queen-Mother, walking in the principal place of Arles, where the Court was at that time, perceived a man, who by his habit of a Mariner, by his short hair, his great Mustachoes, and his tan'd countenance, made him judg, that he was neither of that Town, nor [Page 2]one belonging to the Court: and for as much as he earnestly look­ed upon all those which were then a walking there, he seemed to look about whether he could not know some one or other there: which occasioned the aforesaid Of­ficer more diligently to consider him; which when he had done, he imagin'd that he had seen him in some place heretofore. And af­terwards coming nearer to him, he demanded of him, Whether he had ever been in Barbary? Several times (replied this unknown per­son); but (pursued he) did I ne­ver see you at Tunis? At that ve­ry word the tone of his voice, and some lineaments of his visage, made him remember it was Cap­tain Marot, with whom he had [Page 3]been some time at the Consuls of Tunis about eight years since. Af­ter the mutual embraces of one a­nother, the aforesaid Officer com­ing to understand of him, that he was come from Rome to Arles with Letters of Recommendation from Cardinal Antonio to Cardinal Ma­zarine, to try if he could obtain the place or office of Pilot-Roy­al of the Galleys belonging to the French King, thought that he ought to assist him to the utter­most of his power, at leastwise to get him some acquaintance and friendship in a Court, where he knew not to whom he might ad­dress himself to be introduced. And as he remembred, Marot had heretofore made the recital to him of his extraordinary Adven­tures, [Page 4]he doubted not but this might be a very fit means whereby he might win the friendship of those whom he might have need of. This obliged him to bring him to dinner to the Office of the Queens Gentlemen of the Cham­ber, where he presented him to the company as one of his most fa­miliar friends, and as one that de­served to be succoured in the ex­tremity which his Courage and the traverses of his life had cast him into.

All of them gave him a very good reception; and being prom­pted by curiosity, they asked him many Questions, which he could not immediately resolve; which was the occasion that for the sa­tisfaction of the whole Company [Page 5]at one and the same time, so soon as Dinner was done, he made relation of his whole History near upon the matter in these ve­ry words.

I Am (said he) of this Pro­vince, born in the Town of Ciontat: My Parents were such as had more Honour for their patrimony, than Goods of Fortune. And forasmuch as I had always a particular inclination to the Sea, I was not above ten or twelve years old, when I made my first Voyage, which was to Alexandretta, in a Polach of Cion­tat. After I had served some years as Moussy, that is to say, Captains Boy; considering the small For­tune I was like to meet with in [Page 6]my Fathers House, I took up a re­solution to endeavour to obtain mine by the Sea, which, as you know, Gentlemen, is the true thea­ter of Fortune. And forasmuch as the way to make ones self capa­ble of higher employments, is to begin by such as are lower and more laborious; I entred my self as Mariner in a Vessel that was bound for Alexandria. This Voyage was followed by many o­thers, for the most part succesful; insomuch that I had already got something whereof to make some small beginning of Traslique by a Voyage from Alexandret to France. We were therein about thirty men, as well Mariners as passengers; our Navigation was succesful enough, till we came to [Page 7] Maltha, where we sounded; there the Chevalier de Bois Bandrand, having a mind to return from thence into France, embarqued in our ship.

Steering our course very succes­fully, we perceived one morning four sail that gave us the chase; we were not above four leagues from the small Island of Africa, called Pantellerie, where the di­sposition of the season was so contrary to us, and so favourable to our pursuers, that though we were becalmed, yet they had a very good wind; insomuch that they approached near to us with­in a Cannon-shot, in less than two hours.

Knowing them now at last to be Corsairs of Tunis, we disposed our [Page 8]selves to the Combat, notwith­standing the great inequality of our Forces: All of us took up a resolution rather to lose our lives than our liberty.

Immediately they attacqued us, and plyed us so well with their Cannon, that after we had enga­ged some ten hours, many of our men being dead, our Vessel al­most having lost all her tackling, and being ready to sink, they boarded us at last, and became Masters of our ship.

When I saw the fury of the first onset was great, and that the Turks although they were already Ma­sters of the ship, bastinado'd the first Christians that they got into their hands; I climbed up speedily to the top of the Main Mast. I let half an [Page 9]hour pass, they not perceiving all the while that I was there. Seeing now that all was appeased, and that they began to think upon remedying the disorders of the ship, I put my self in a posture of working; and hearing that many of them called the chief Commander Mustapha Raiz, I al­so tender'd my self to him, and calling him by the same name, demanded of him, if it should please him I should do such or such a thing. Now I knew well enough that it was convenient to do it at that time, insomuch as he said to me, Do it presently. I made use of this stratagem, that so coming into their hands not till their fury was over, and till I had made my self known to them, [Page 10]and qualified them by some small service that I did for them, I might avoid their Bastinadoes that I so stood in fear of. This succeeded so well to me, that I was in a man­ner the only person that was ex­empt from their cruel treatments.

After we were all chained, the Turkish Vessel and the Prize made sale towards Tunis; where, so soon as we were arrived, we were parted amongst those that were sharers, as being owners of the Pirate ship. The Bashaw chose me for his Dividend, and sent me into a place called the Bath, which is in a manner a little Cloi­ster, wherein he kept good store of slaves; I found there some of my Comrades; and for as much as I have always had the advan­tage [Page 11]of being well known, some Merchants of Provence which were at Tunis, coming to hear of my misfortune, came to see me, and one amongst them lent me seven or eight Piasters. This small sum of money did marvel­lously accommodate me, and gave me the occasion of helping the Chevalier de Bois Brandrand, and my other Comrades, the greatest part of which being much wound­ed, and without any money, were in a most miserable condition. That I might succeed in this affair the more prositably for them, and the more commodiously for my self, I asked the favour of the Guardian Bachy of the Bath, to give me leave to do what I could toward the getting of something [Page 12]whereby I might help them, that so they might be recovered from their wounds the sooner.

He having given me this liber­ty, I bestowed five or six Piasters in Tobacco, and some other small trifles, which I sold by retail. God blessed my small Trade in such a manner, that in a very few days I saw my money doubled. And for as much as I am a man of that humour, that what I gain easily, I spend in like sort, I got together one day the aforesaid Chevalier, my Captain, and seven or eight of the principal of our Comrades, and brought them to a Tavern to make merry, and paid for them all, and afterwards gave them over and above each one a Piaster. We were in this condition, when the [Page 13]Galleys of Algiers touched in at Tunis, to go to the Levant; and in regard that we belonged to the Levantines, they gave us to them of Algiers, who promised them in exchange, to go to the Coasts of Italy, to take some slaves of those Countreys, and to re-de­liver them the same number; be­cause that our Patrons, willing to return to the Levant, had rather have Italians than us. So now we are all in Galleys, except the a­foresaid Chevalier, who remained in chains at Tunis.

The Galleys of Algiers and Tunis being ten in number, set forth, and arrived together at the Coasts of Calabria, and by the Counsel of a Runnagate of that Countrey they surprized by night [Page 14]a small Town called Otaya, they sacked it, and pillaged it, and made slaves of all that could not save themselves by flight. In all my life I never saw a like deso­lation; all was halled pell mell into the Galleys. Great store of Monks and Nuns had the same treatments; even many Infants that were yet at the breasts, were made Captives before they knew what liberty was.

The Galleys having sailed up and down near the shore for al­most the space of a day, waited, if any of the neighbouring places would come to redeem any one, according to the custom. But no body coming, whether it were for want of money, or charity, or else that there were hardly any more [Page 15]persons upon that Coast, they took towards the Levant, and carried away all those miserable and unfortunate people.

Our Voyage was very quiet till we came to Valone, where the Christian Army having surprized those ten Galleys of Barbary, they were constrained, as all Europe knows, to fall upon the shelves or quicksands; where after they had landed us all, they left the Galleys to the Christians, and conducted us all to Constantinople. There it was that these new slaves were sold, excepting two fair Damosels that were presented to the Grand Seignior.

For my part, falling into the hands of one Murdat, or Amu­rat, at that time Bassa of Cyprus, [Page 16]I was put in a Galley, which parted thence shortly after with some others for the Sea.

Several years past, that I was continually in this misery; Voy­ages were often made: but be­cause I am afraid of troubling you too much, if I should rec­kon up all the particularities, I will come to the most important point of all my History.

Twelve years had lingred a­way since the loss of my liberty; neither did I find my self as yet in any likelihood of being able to recover it. Now the Galley in which I was, meeting with four others of Constantinople, in the parts of Alexandria of Egypt, those that had the command of it, ha­ving a mind to refresh themselves [Page 17]there for some weeks, caused all the Oars to be carried to the Magazines that are near the Port, that thereby they might take a­way all occasions from the Chri­stians of laying any design for their flight.

These necessary means being taken away from them, and all the slaves being under the chains, except the Scribes, the Captains were also without fear of any such thing happening, and only left about twenty Soldiers for the guard of each Galley.

Long it was that I had medi­tated upon some means for sav­ing my self alone, or at leastwise with some few of my Comrades, but I found no possibility thereof. That small knowledg which God [Page 18]had given me for the affairs of the Sea, had always been hurtful to me; and my Patron loving me as being a necessary person to him, oft told me, that I should never hope to return into my Country, and that he would have me dye with him. Moreover, knowing me to be of an active spirit, and fit for contriving any thing, he made me be looked to more narrowly than the rest; insomuch that I did not know almost either what to do or think. I saw nothing whereon to found any hope of li­berty: and considering with my self that I was to pass the rest of my life at the Oar, those long years presented themselves to me, being accompanied with so many inevitable miseries, that if it had [Page 19]not been for the apprehension of changing them into greater, I had endeavoured to terminate them by giving my self death. This thought alone, I say, of being al­ways chained to a Galley, bruised with blows, ill fed, almost naked, exposed to the rigors of cold and heat, and never to lye in a bed, did so incense my Courage to en­terprize all that I could for my deliverance from these miseries, that those designs which were least possible and most perillous, seem­ed to me easie and without dan­ger.

Under this consideration it was, that I enterprized to make an in­surrection among the Chiourmes of the five Galleys, and to cause them all to embarque in one.

[Page 20]I confess at first I was astonish­ed at the greatness of this Design, and the difficulty of executing it. To which much was added by the improbability that I foresaw there would be to keep the secret, be­fore that so many slaves of divers Nations, of different Per­swasions, of Religions and Hu­mours opposite one to another, could be well instructed therein, and come to an agreement about the means and time of the execu­tion of an Enterprize so perillous. But being fully resolved to re­venge my self, to save my self, or to dye, I put all to the hazzard, having nothing to fear the loss of.

I had always done whatsoever I was able, to make my self belo­ved [Page 21]of the Soldiers, and by the Slaves that were ne [...]r to the Bench that I belonged to. The which that I might the better effect, I gave them part of those dryed fruits, and other trifles, that the Captain of the Provincial ships had heretofore given me. Yea, and forasmuch as I had from time to time sent me from my Countrey some moneys, I also treated these Companions of my misery, so that they commonly called me in that Galley, The Rich Slave.

Now about this time, and in the conjuncture whereof I have spoken, having by good fortune some money by me, I invited all the Scribes of the Galleys to come on Friday to dine with me at my Bench, that so under this [Page 22]pretence I might discover to them my design with more ease and less danger of suspition. The Scribes (as I told you) are without any other Irons but one shackle upon their legs, that so they may be a­ble freely to perform their functi­on. They failed not to come a­bout noon-tide, which was the hour that I had appointed them. There was near us a Turkish Sol­dier that narrowly watched us, and who being not willing to let us meet together thus, but upon condition that we spake always the Frank Tongue, which he un­derstood, troubled us much, in re­gard that he not leaving us one minute, I could not propose my affair to my Guests: I thought it expedient therefore, that to make [Page 23]him the less severe an observer of our discourse, and of our a­ctions, it were best to engage him to dine with us, which he did without any great invitation. All dinner long (which continued a pretty while) there past several discourses of our Adventures and Combats; which was so far from advancing my affair, that it spent that time which I destined to make a declaration thereof unto them; insomuch that I despaired almost of discovering any thing that day; whenas God put it in­to my mind to take out a Prayer-book called the Hours of our La­dy, which I had in my Packet: and turning my self to the Turk, who having dined gratis, was of the best humour imaginable: Mu­stapha [Page 24](said I unto him, for so he was called), we Christians have a Custom amongst us, when­ever we meet together, to say certain prayers which our Religion orders us: wilt thou give us leave at pre­sent to pray to God out of this book? with all my heart (replied he) pray as much as thou wilt. And there­upon he took the Flaggon, and drank once more a good draught of Wine, although according to his Religion it was counted a great sin. Then seeing my self in a good way, I opened my book, and said in the Arabick Tongue, Biss­mylah, which signisies In the name of God. At this word the Turk touching his Turbant, said, Ah good word! I went on, and ma­king a shew of reading (mine [Page 25]eyes being fixed upon my Book) I said in our Countrey Language (which the Turk did no ways un­derstand, and which the most part of my Companions understood in a competent manner): My dear Comrades, I made use of the occasi­on of this repast, to communicate to you a design whereon our liberty de­pends. If you approve of it, to every proposition that I shall make, say, with a bow of your head at the same time, Em challah, that is to say, And it please God. And if you shall find any thing which you think cannot, or ought not to be done, you shall say Straffilla, which is as much as to say, God forbid: and so afterwards, I shall propose other means according to your li­king. By this stratagem we may [Page 26](under pretence of praying to God) deceive this Turk that spies our actions: And I am apt to think, that hearing us oft pronounce that adorable Name, and seeing us lift up our eyes to Heaven, he will ea­sily be perswaded that we are in this holy exercise.

Whereupon I proposed to them all the Enterprise in the order that I had projected it, and in what manner, and when it seem­ed good to me to execute it. All which was so conformable to their sentiments, that at every article lifting up their eyes towards Hea­ven, they said all with one consent, Einthalla. Even the Turk himself, being mollified by the very pray­ers which he thought we made, put himself into a posture of [Page 27]praying after his fashion, saying, Allah he ill allah Mehemned Resall allah; that is to say in Arabick, There is no other God but God, and Mahomet his Prophet.

After dinner the Scribes return­ed each one to his Galley, and as we had agreed among our selves, communicated the Enter­prise in gross only to the Voga­vans (or chief Rowers) of each Bench, enjoining them to keep the Secret till Friday following, when they might discover it to all the rest of the Slaves.

Friday amongst the Turks, is what Sunday is amongst the Chri­stians. Now it was the considera­tion of the time which these Infi­dels employ in Praying in their Mosches, or Temples, which made [Page 28]us chuse it as more fit than any other for this our design.

This day so much desired, be­ing arrived, and a little while af­ter those who from the top of their Towers are appointed to call the people together, had ceased, judg­ing that the greatest part of the Turks were at their Prayers; I arose bolt upright upon the highest part of the Bench that I belonged to, and cryed out many times with all my might, Vive St Jean & fuora Cadena, for that was the word we had agreed upon Upon this very moment the [...]250 slaves of the Levant readily repeated the same words, crying out in a horrible manner, and making a most dreadful noise with their Chains, they laid hold of all the [Page 29] Agabys or sticks that support the Tents of the Galleys, and rushing with fury upon the Soldiers, knock­ed down all them that put them­selves in a posture of defence. The rest being surprised, and troubled at the unlooked-for insurrection, cast themselves in a desperate manner into the Sea, and intrust­ed that pittiless Element with their Lives and Liberties, which we wou'd have taken from them. In the mean while the Scribes un­chaining in great haste the Voga­vants, in regard they were the stronger, and part of them unloos­ing the Chains of their Compani­ons, whilst the others sight against the Turks, in less than half a quar­ter of an hour the five Chiourmes, or five Seats or Benches of Row­ers, [Page 30]were freed from their Fetters. Then it was that this good begin­ning putting courage into all their hearts, in a little while they fully defeated the Guardians of the Galleys.

This being done, we laid hold of their Cimeters, and those who had none, provided themselves of sticks, Agaby's, and pieces of the Banisters of the Galleys which we had broken.

When I saw that they were all ready, I cryed as loud as I could, Fuora. At this instant we went out of the Galleys excepting 100 men, who stayed to guard that wherein we were resolved to em­bark our selves.

All the Sentinels in the mean time having seen our Combat [Page 31]from the top of their Towers, had advertised the Town thereof, in­somuch as at the moment we be­gan to march towards the Maga­zin, the Cannon of the Castles and of the Town were discharg­ed upon us, but slew few of our men; the opposition that we found at the dore of the Maga­zin, was much more great. About 200 Turks that were most con­cerned in our flight, were come forth of the City first of all, and by a continual firing of their Mus­kets, killed above a hundred of our men in a trice. Nevertheless for all their resistance, we so invelo­ped them, that I believe there hardly escaped ten of them.

Afterwards the dore of the Magazine being forced open, 200 [Page 32]of our men loaded themselves with sifty pair of Oars. Those that remained, made an alley, by standing in two ranks, and cau­sed them to march in the middle of us with all speed imaginable. Now it was, that the Turks run­ning thick-and-threefold out of the Town, and coming upon us, put us almost in a condition of being able to go no further: The Combat began again afresh much more furiously than before. Store of our people, even those that carried the Oars, fell down dead by their continual firing. But in regard that we fought not only for liberty, but also to shun those horrible punishments which we were sure to bear if we fell again into their hands, it is no wonder [Page 33]if we passed through every diffi­culty that opposed our March. And although the enemies were much more than we, and encrea­sed every moment, yet we en­tred (in despight of all their at­tempts to the contrary) into our Galley, after that we had killed above four or five hundred of their men. It is true, that an equal number of ours, near upon the matter, lay dead also upon the place.

Being now embarqued, about Eight hundred of us, the Oars were fitted with an incredible promptitude, and with a thousand shouts of joy we began to Row with a fury that can't be compre­hended.

What an agreeable spectacle [Page 34]was it for us to see all the people of Alexandria run together to the shore-side? What joy was it to us, to see our selves free by so honourable an Adventure, and to revenge our selves in this manner of them who had caused us to suffer so much, thus robbing them of that which was most dear to them? But this beginning was too happy for slaves: the consequence must be attended with a different success, to moderate the excess of our joy.

We set forwards with the tran­sport and efforts of Fugitives: We were already almost out of Cannon-shot, whenas with one shot which came from a Tower, the Main-Mast of our Galley was cut off, and fell into the Sea. [Page 35]Immediately seven or eight of us betook our selves to one of the small Boats attending upon the Galley, to regain and sit this piece which was so important to us.

While we were in this employ, those of our people who govern­ed the Cannon, having a mind to fire as frequently as they could, charged with so much precipitati­on, that they scattered up and down in the Galley almost as much powder as they made use of; insomuch as when they were firing against the Town, it hap­pened by sad misfortune, that the fire of our Cannon getting hold of the powder which was scatter­ed up and down, and after­wards also of some Barrels of [Page 36]powder which were not far off; the Galley was in a moment all on a fire. Those which were at the Stern above us, thinking all lost, betook themselves to the small Boat with us.

In this confusion we were sepa­rated from the Galley a pretty handsome distance; and that which contributed to our ruine, was, that a great wind arose, which drave us back towards the Haven; and night came on apace, which robbed us of the sight of the Galley.

In this strange extremity, any condition seemed more tolerable to us, than that of returning in­to the state of slaves. We sailed with so much force, that notwith­standing all the fury of the wind, [Page 37]which was contrary to us, we made a shift to reach the main Ocean.

About midnight we perceived near us a Barque of the same bulk with ours, and which went the same way. After that we were some time in doubt what it might be, we at length knew that it was our second Cague or small Boat, wherein many of our com­pany had cast themselves, follow­ing our fortune, and to avoid the peril wherein they thought them­selves to be by the fire, which took hold of the Galley; which nevertheless was not much enda­maged, and was saved (as after­wards we came to understand) in Candy, with the rest of the slaves that were therein. And foras­much as the Sea was very rough [Page 38]and tempestuous, we durst not come near one another, only we cried one to another as loud as we could, that we should not separate our selves, but keep the same way.

Thus we continued our course forwards, although it were with very great difficulty. The break of day beginning to appear, we hoped that the weather would become more favourable; but far from this good luck, the wind en­creased rather about Sun-rising; insomuch as whatever we could do (it being impossible for us to keep our course) we were con­strained to strike sail, and leave our selves wholly to the mercy of the wind, vvhich cast us upon a place called Cape Blanc, some few leagues from Alexandria, and [Page 39]there split our Vessel.

What sudden change was this; of so advantageous and favoura­able a beginning! Scarcely did we set sight of our Liberty, but she fled away from us, and left us in the Country of our very Ene­mies, of our Judges, and of our Masters, from whom we expect­ed little compassion in our mise­ries. We were so cast down and troubled, as well with this consi­deration, as with our weariness and hunger, that we were near upon an hour lying upon the ground, before we testified any care either of life or death, of liberty or slavery.

At last a Vogavant that was of Russia, being a very sturdy and courageous fellow, rising up, My [Page 40]Companions (said he), never had we more need of a good heart, than at present: we must arm our selves with resolution: there is nothing lost if we will but labour with di­ligence. Of our two Barks which you see split there, we may make one which may contain us all: and as for victuals, those that are the stronger amongst us, must go and search out for some upon the Land, though it be with the peril of their life. Courage there­fore, my Brethren, and let us not suffer our selves to be cast down with sorrow, which can't restore us our liberty.

This discourse caused us to recollect our selves a little, and to take heart. All of us rose up, and having made a review [Page 41]of our company, we found our selves to be fourscore and thir­teen, whereof fifty were sent to seek out for Provision under the conduct of the Russian, whilst the rest were employed to gather together the reliques of our ship­wrack, and make thereof one Barque, which was almost in a condition to be made use of that very evening.

Whenas our company returned from their quest of provision, the Countrey thereabouts being de­sert, & uninhabited, they b [...]ought back nothing but Dates and Ca­robs (or St. Johns bread) and o­ther fruits of the Countrey, and that in so small a quantity, that it could not serve at the furthest for above three days, for so many [Page 42]as we were. The next day the Tempest being much encreased, and there not being any likeli­hood that it would quickly cease, we were in an inexplicable trou­ble about what course we should take.

The Barque was made ready, as much as the weather, the place, and the want of Utensils and o­ther necessary things would per­mit. But to set forth to Sea at such a time as it was, this was to precipitate our selves to a certain death: and then on the other hand, to wait till the wind chan­ged, it was no less perillous. For it was thought (and truly we were not deceived therein) that in all probability our Patrons see­ing the danger we were in, would [Page 43]be easily perswaded that we should either return back, or be cast upon some coasts of Egypt, and that so they would not fail to send in the quest of us. To re­turn to Alexandria, had been to seek out our execution; and if we should leave the Sea, and take our journey southward, we should cast our selves into the hands of certain Alarbes, Hereticks of the Mahometan Religion, that hold it as an article of their faith, That he amongst them that kills a Christian, infallibly gains Para­dice. What must we do then? After much consideration it was at last resolved, that it being the surest way to leave Alexandria as much as we could, we should set forward towards Tripolis of Bar­bary, [Page 44]along that Coast; and that we should leave the common Road a little on one side, and that we should take our marches only by night.

Thus it was determined, and thus executed. We left therefore our Bark behind us, and took our journey vvith that small provision vvhich vve had. Some proposed it as expedient to go and get more first; but for fear of being discovered if vve should stay longer in that Countrey, and un­der a hope of finding more of those fruits in our journey, vve neglected this advice, vvhich ne­vertheless vve repented of a hun­dred times afterward. For at the end of three or four days, we saw, together with the end of our pro­vision, [Page 45]our misery commence a-new more cruel than ever be­fore. The more we set forwards, the more vve found the Countrey desert, dry, and destitute of all Commodities; no Water, no Fruits, no Inhabitants, but Lyons, Ty­gers, and other the like furious creatures. In a word, vve vvere reduced to that extremity, that vve must eat nothing but grass during some days: and thus be­ing vveakned by this ill nourish­ment, as also the vvant of vvater, and the tiresomness of our jour­ney, still as vve vvent along, there continually dyed some one or other of our company, of them vvhich vvere of the vveakest constitution; insomuch that the eighth or ninth day after our ship­vvrack, [Page 46]there vvas remaining not above eight and tvventy of the fourscore and thirteen that vve vvere at first. The hunger and cruelty of some Russians that vvere in our company, vvas so great, that having perceived a lit­tle Negro that ran avvay from them, and clambered up a high rock to save himself, vvhen they had at last caught hold of him, they cut him into morsels, and roasted him by little and lit­tle in the Sun, and aftervvards eat him.

Thus still advancing tovvards Tripoli, vve began to find the soil more fresh and grassy, vvhich made us think that there vvas Water not far off. To conclude, making to­vvards tvvo great Palm-trees [Page 47]which were on the left hand, five or six hundred paces from the Sea, we found there-under a ve­ry fair spring of fresh water, and very clear; thus with a joy that can't be explained, we quenched our thirst, and rested our selves above three hours.

At the very moment that we were ready to part thence, and to pursue our journey, we percei­ved from the side of Alexandria, a body of Horse which made to­wards us: we easily imagining what it might be, thought our selves utterly undone if we were discovered: and forasmuch as the coast thereabouts where we lay, was destitute of any thing that might favour our flight without being perceived, we concluded [Page 48]that we must continue lying close in the same posture as we were, and that it may be those people might pass by without seeing of us: in effect, we saw them make their way upon the shore side, without turning in the least to that side on which we were.

They were already over-against us, or rather somewhat beyond us: We said one to another, Now we are safe. But at this very moment we saw two Horse-men separate themselves from the rest of the Troop, and come a hand-gallop towards us.

Now therefore judging either our flight or defence to no pur­pose, we put our selves in a po­sture neither of the one nor of the other. Thus these Soldiers [Page 49]having perceived us, and knowing us to be those that they looked for, make a sign to the rest of the Troop to come on; and im­mediately one of the two, whom I knew to be a Runagate of Ci-four in Provence, said to us, Ah poor wretches! your fortune had been much less cruel, if you had sunk to the bottom of the Sea in the midst of the Tempest, than to fall again into our hands.

Scarce had he made an end of this fair complement, when the whole Body invironed us, calling us a thousand Rogues and Rascals, and testifying a very great joy for having found us again. Those that were the most devout of the num­ber, went aside, and performed their Sala, which is their ordinary [Page 50]prayer, to thank Mahomet for this happy success of their search.

These Barbarians, which were about 150 (and the same num­ber were gone, as we understood, on the other side Alexandria, to­wards Rosette) bound us imme­diately; that is to say, our hands behind our backs. And after they had dined, and rested themselves about an hour, and had given us some Beans, which we eat upon the ground, like horses, being not able to make use of our hands: They loaded us four and four in a company upon Camels, two on each side, as Faggots.

In this deadly posture, some hours past in journeying along: but at last these cruel guides per­ceiving that many amongst us [Page 51]were not able to continue long in this posture without being killed, set us upon the ground, com­manding us to follow them a foot, although we were indeed very weak and tired. The fear of being put upon the Camels a­gain, made us force our selves as much as we could, insomuch that at the beginning we travelled pretty well But because their Horses and Camels went a good pace, we could not resist a wea­riness which quite overwhelmed us; so that we were fain to de­clare to the Turks, That it was impossible for us to follow them: And they imagining that blows would do that upon us which spurs did to their Horses, they gave us good store of Bastinadoes [Page 52]for to make us march on the fa­ster. Our weakness having ren­der'd this violent remedy unuse­ful, they were at last constrained to let us travel in such manner as the condition vvherein vve were would permit us to do. Many days were past wherein we had travelled eight or ten leagues a day, not having any thing else but Beans for our sustenance, which we eat as I told you upon the ground, after the same manner as Horses eat their Oats.

Being arrived at a place vvhere some of the Arabes had their re­sidence, they staid to make their repast, and rest themselves at a Dowars vvhich vvas not far off. The Dowars in Africa are for the most part fourscore or a hundred [Page 53]Tents made of Goats hair, ranked in order very near to one another, and set round in such a manner, that they take up a great deal of ground by their circumference. Under each Tent dwells a Family of the Alarbes; and their whole society is as it vvere a movable Tovvn: for in regard there are in those Countreys great store of vvaste Lands, and uninhabited, vvhen they are a vveary of staying in one place, they go to ano­ther.

It was in one of these Dowars that vve staid, as I told you be­fore. The Men and the Women are all naked, vvithout testifying any sign of shame thereof. We vvere a little astonished thereat, forasmuch as it vvas a thing not [Page 54]very ordinary in those coasts. But our miseries vvere at such an ex­tremity, that vve little considered those of others, neither had any list to trouble our selves vvith those things that did not concern us.

So soon as ever these Alarbes savv us in a condition so deplo­rable, they gave us to understand that they had pity of us; especi­ally the Women (vvho are com­monly more compassionate than the men in all places) tenderly pitied us, and made vvhat haste they could to bring us something to eat. Their Charity truly vvas very abundant tovvard us. It had been a long time vve had eaten nothing that vvas either good or warm, insomuch that we filled our [Page 55]bellies so full with many pots of good Rice which they had set be­fore us, that we were e'ne ready to burst; and if the want of food had before made us sick, for this time the excess of it made us so much more; nevertheless there was not one of us that dyed.

This our journey continued under our ordinary sufferings, un­til we came to Pompeys Pillar, which is not far from Alexandria. There while they stayed to rest themselves and eat, a Horseman went to the City, to carry the news of our recovery, insomuch that a great number of people of both Sexes, and all ages, came to meet us out of curiosity, and for to revile us. The Wives and Children, and other kinsfolk of [Page 56]those we had killed in the com­bat, were the first of all; and being not content to overwhelm us with revilings, they had also stoned us to death, if the Turks that conducted us, had not hin­der'd them.

At last we arrived at the City, being as well tormented with the Hues and Cryes of the people, as with the Severities that were past, and with the fear of what was to to come. So soon as we were all made safe, and had our chains put upon our legs, we were since told, that those that were interested in our return, held a Councel; and forasmuch as the passions of these people were different, the advices of what they should do with us, were different also: Those that [Page 57]were rich and cruel, concluded upon our death, and preferred the pleasure of revenging themselves, before a small advantage of their own. Those amongst the inter­ested persons that were poor or covetous, being not able fully to satisfie their revenge, without do­ing themselves some inconveni­ence in regard of their profit, gave counsel that they should ba­stinado us, but that with such mo­deration, that the Fugitives might be punished, and their profit pre­served. Some others being some­what more kind in appearance, but in effect no whit less cruel, said, that we were punished e­nough by the evils which our slight had caused us to suffer; and that if so be there wanted any [Page 58]thing to the expiation of our Crimes, the labours either of the Earth or of the Galleys might make it up. My Patron, as be­ing one of the most powerful a­mongst them, at last re-united all their opinions in his own, which was to send us back to the Oars, to make us find our punishments in serving of them, more than ever we had done before.

Now behold we are again at the Oars; after some days im­ployed in the preparation of our departure from thence, we sailed slowly towards the Archipelago. During this Voyage, we began to repent of our flight, by reason of the doubling of our labour and blows, and the cutting of us short in our ordinary provision. [Page 59]This cruel treatment was the cause that when we arrived at Pacomo, a small desert Island, neighbour­ing to Anatolia, we were the most part of us nothing but skin and bones.

We anchored in a kind of Gulf, whose Banks were of an easie access, and covered with Woods that were pretty thick: And forasmuch as the mind of one that is in slavery, is hardly ever employed about any thing so much, as the seeking out of some way or means of saving himself; it is not a thing to be wondred at, if I meditated on a second flight, being founded on the circumstances of the place and night that now approached. All seemed easie to me, provided [Page 60]I were but freed of my Chains; and this indeed was the greatest difficulty, and the most important point, in regard that I despaired in a manner ever to accomplish it for want of Utensils necessary hereunto. Nevertheless, feeling my Legs, I perceived that my Patrons severity in his punishing me by so many Bastinadoes, and my fasting, had even given me a means of unchaining my self.

In effect, the night being come, and it being very dark, command was given that every one should take his short Night-Coat, and go to sleep. And in regard that while they are a preparing them­selves for this purpose, there is commonly a great noise and hurly-burly in the Galley, I took occa­sion, [Page 61]after I had put on my Night-Coat, to try what I could do (during that clinking of chains) to get my foot loose from mine: I succeeded well therein, but not without great pain to my self, by reason of the ankle bone that hinder'd my Chains from coming off.

This done, I put my self in such a posture as the rest were in, but with a design of employ­ing my self to a much better pur­pose. You know (Sirs) that there belongs to each Bench a place with a very large hole for the ne­cessity of the body; the only li­berty that is given us in the Gal­leys to move any where, is to go to this place when we have occasion; and it is for this purpose also that [Page 62]the Chain is as long as the Bench. Now therefore so soon as I per­ceived that all were asleep ex­cepting the Sentinels, who usually are no where else but at the fore or hin-deck, I rose up to go to this place, crying, out as loud as I could, Ala banda (this is the word with which they are to give notice of it, upon pain of being bastinado'd).

Being therefore seated thereon, I gently lift up▪ my Night-Coat by little and little, somewhat higher than my head; and so staying it upon two small sticks, which I fixed upon two planks, I found that it could stand so without my aid, and that by the favour of the night it might easily deceive the eyes even of the Sentinels them­selves: [Page 63]this conceit being fit­ted in such a sort, that it seemed to be my self all the while, and did likewise hin­der them from seeing what I did underneath. First I got my Legs through, afterwards all the rest of my body, without any great difficulty; and afterwards swimming with as little noise as I could (and as softly, we being between two waters), I happily at last got to land without be­ing perceived in the least, leaving behind me my Night-Coat, which without doubt was severely threatned with Bastinadoes for being too long upon the Stool.

So soon as I came to land, [Page 64]I betook my self as soon as possibly I could to the Wood to hide my self therein, and to wait for the day, which appeared a little while after; for it was about that time of the year when the nights are the shortest. Afterwards ta­king my progress continually from the place where I left the Galleys, in a few hours I perceived my self on t'other side of the Isle; and I was so lucky, as to meet with a Vessel of Maltha that had ar­rived there to take in water, the Captain of which took me aboard with a testification of much joy, and gave me both Clothes and other things, where­of I had great need: for when [Page 65]I took my flight, I had no­thing on me but my Galley-drawers, and a little Doublet of Canvas without sleeves.

That I may not be too tedi­ous in my Relation, We hap­pily arrived at Maltha; from whence a little while after I parted in a Vessel that was bound for Provence, which af­ter ten or twelve days sail, ar­rived most happily at Cioutat, my dear Countrey. I leave you to judg of the joy that I had therefore, after so long and so cruel a slavery. My Mother, who by chance was standing on the shore-side when I landed, was ready to dye for joy so soon as I had made my self known to her, foras­much [Page 66]as she saw me return back again alive, and in good health, after that she had so many times bewailed me, as one that was dead.

I admired the change that Fortune and Death had caused in that Town in a few years space; some that I had left poor, were become rich; and many that were rich, were be­come poor. The greater part of those which I knew, were dead; and their place was filled up with others that I knew not at all, and whom I had left in their infancy, or such as were not at that time born. In a word, All things in my Coun­trey appeared in another manner than was the Idea which I pre­served in my mind of it.

[Page 67]You may imagine perhaps (Gentlemen) that my Adven­tures are come to an end, in re­gard that I am returned to my Fathers House, and that there is little likelihood that after I had escaped so great perils, I should engage my self another time in an occasion of falling into the like again. But I told you that my Trade was to go to Sea, and those that are accustom­ed to this sort of life, are quick­ly a weary of the Land, and know not how to employ them­selves therein. The Dangers, the Traverses, the Slaveries, Death it self, which present themselves so often to them, are so far from discouraging them, that on the contrary they seem [Page 68]to add I know not what kind of Charms that attract them the more. 'Tis a kind of life, full of various delights, and conti­nual changes; to day you see one Nation, to morrow another quite contrary in manners, ha­bits, customs, and religion; o­ther Climates, different fruits and wines; and in a word, all is (as it were) new, and that is it which renders this Maritine life very divertizing; for as you know, man naturally loves al­teration: How abundant and prosperous soever the fortune is which he at present possess­eth, if his life be not diversi­fied, even his own happiness disgusts him.

Thus therefore I had not been [Page 69]long at Cioutat, taking my ease, but this repose cloi'd me, and I wished for some occasion to pre­sent it self, that I might return again to Sea; in regard, that be­sides all this, I thought my self fit for nothing upon land: At last I lighted upon a Vessel, which was bound for Alexan­drette; they took me in Pilot to conduct it: the Voyage was prosperous; and returning to my Country again, and find­ing a Holland Vessel ready to set Sale for Alexandria, I em­barqued my self therein also, as Pilot; and we performed our Voyage hither in three Weeks time.

Some days after our Arrival there, there came an order to [Page 70]the Bashaw of Egypt, from the Grand Signior, to lay an Im­bargo on all the Christian Ves­sels that were found at that time in the Port of Alexandria, that so they might make use of them to carry Men and Ammunition for one Voyage only. Thus in­stead of lading our Ship with Merchandize, to return back a­gain (as we hoped to do), our Ship was filled with Soldiers, to be carried to Rhodes. The Wind was favourable enough to us; we arrived there in few days.

Having weighed Anchor, I understood that Murdhat my Patron, out of whose hands I had escaped, was at that time Bashaw of that Isle; and that he had his residence therein.

[Page 71]I confess that this news surpri­sed me, and astonished me much; and I was yet the more troubled, when I was told, that he already knew (I don't know by what means) that I was in the Port.

After that I had a little con­sidered what I should do in this encounter, knowing that I could not escape out of his hands, if he had a design of doing me any harm; I thought it better for me to prevent him, and to cast my self into the hands of his mercy, rather than to stay till he sent for me; and that I might the better dispose him to my pardon, I entreated a certain Turk of Quality, with whom I entred into acquaintance in our passage, to go to him a little [Page 72]before me, and to speak to him in my behalf.

Whilst this Turk went to do me this good office, I borrowed of the Captain, and the Princi­pal men of the Ship, all that was worthy making a present of, engaging my self to give them what money they desired for it. I had also for my own particular some thing of curiosity; to wit, fine Linnen-Cloth, Glasses, a Watch, and some other knacks. I made them up all very neatly in a basket, which I carried up­on my head; and in this equi­page I went my way wirh a re­solution to accost the Bashaw. When I came near him, he was walking in a Gallery, and talk­ing with several people that were [Page 73]round him: Being about two pa­ces distant from him, I laid my basket upon the ground, and kneeling down, kissed the hem of his Garment; saying to him, Sultan, I come to cast my self into your hands, with all that I am worth in the world, which you see in this basket; you are my Patron, dispose of it all, and pardon me. Long while it was, that he look­ed upon me haughtily, without speaking a word to me, or ma­king any sign that I should rise up: At last shaking his head a little, and putting his hand on his side, Ah Cane, Cane! said he to me; there he stopt (his eyes being fixed upon me), and after­wards addressing himself to them that were near him; Be­hold [Page 74]hold a little (says he to them) how great the boldness is of this dog, to present himself to me, after the injury that he hath done me, in making me lose my Galley. Call Issauf Aga hither to me, (pursued he) (this was his Lieutenant) when he was come, Well Issauf Aga (said he) there's our man in our hands, what shall we do with him? Go, let them give him— At this word, Let them give him, I thought my self a dead man, not doubting in the least, but that it was the number of Bastinadoes that he meant: Let them give him all that he stands in need of. Afterwards looking upon me kindly, with a smiliing countenance. Rise up Lewis (con­tinued he) thou hast done nothing [Page 75]but what thou oughtest to do; and I love thee the more for it, and I will shew thee as much, in doing thee good; although thou hast made me lose more than threescore thousand Piasters. He would needs know afterwards, in what manner I escaped the second time, and all that happened to me afterwards. I told him the whole story in particular, and a­bove all the adventure of the Night-Coat made him laugh, and he had the goodness, even to tell me, that when I had es­caped out of the Galley, the Co­mit (being an Officer) think­ing to punish me; after many threatnings, because I did not return back again into my place at the Bench, gave great blows [Page 76]with his stick upon the Night-Coat, which making it to tum­ble down, he was greatly asto­nished, when he saw that I was not under it.

Afterwards I informed him in what a condition my affairs were; and having told him, that I was only Pilot in a Ship, he gave me a very fair Polacque, which he had in the Port, bidding me go, and get my livelihood with this Vessel; telling me withal, that in whatsoever ports of the Sea I should hear that he was, that I should come to him, and that he would do me what good he could. Having said these words, he went his way, and Issauf Aga carried me to dinner, and afterwards gave me the possession of the Polacque, [Page 77]with which and the help of some Mariners, which were sent me by the Captain of the Vessel, where­of I was Pilot, we returned to A­lexandria, where having laden our Ship with what we had mind to, we set Sail towards France; & at last happily arrived at Cioutat, continually praising and admi­ring the generosity of so good a Patriot.

In a word (Gentlemen) to conclude this Narration: I will cut short, and only tell you, that two or three years were past, wherein making several Voyages to the principal parts of the Me­diteranian, I got with my Po­lacque some estate, and having learnt that the Bashaw my Pa­tron, after his Term of being [Page 78] Bashaw of Rhodes was expired, went to Tunis, to be Bashaw also of that place; I resolved to make a Voyage thither. I can't express to you the kindness that he shew­ed to me, and the good will that he testified to me, when I went to see him, all the Merchandizes that I laded my Ship with for my own share, were exempt from pay­ing ten in the hundred, being a Tax imposed upon the exporta­tion of Commodities, which all others paid. I laded my Vessel with what I had a mind to, and for the height of his favour, he honoured me with a trust, which never had, and it may be never will have its parallel, that is to say from a Bashaw, towards a poor miserable person, such as [Page 79]my self. This was (if I be not mistaken) the third Voyage which I made to Tunis.

There remained now not above six months of the three years reign of this Bashaw. One day he cau­sed me to be called to his Cham­ber, and said to me, Lewis, since I have been Bashaw of this King­dom, I have got together good store of money, which I have a design to send to Rhodes before my return thither, that so I may divide my E­state, because of the hazard of the Sea: and in regard there is no man in the world in whom I have so much considence as in thy self, I put the better part of my Fortune in thy hands, without fearing any in­sidelity from thee. Afterwards he shewed me 50 small Barrels with [Page 80]their heads open, which he told me was filled with Checquines, Sultanines, Pistols, and Piasters, and bade me to carry them to Rhodes, and to return back again as soon as I could conveniently.

I endeavoured at first to dis­swade him therefrom, because of the small Forces which I had in my Vessel, and the risque that he would run in confiding in a man of so small value as my self; telling him, That I greatly wondred how he could confide in me, seeing that I should scarcely be willing to answer for my self in an affair where the Temptation was so violent, and the Fortune so great and so certain. But all my reasons not prevailing with him, part I must.

Thanks be to God, I perform­ed [Page 81]the Voyage without any ill ac­cident; I consigned the money at Rhodes, and returned to Tunis, where you may easily judg in what a manner I was received.

This Generous Lord having entertained me for some days at his House, at last gave me per­mission to return home; and that I might have occasion to be sensi­ble of his Liberality all my life long, he caused my Vessel to be laded with Grain and other Mer­chandize, without costing me one farthing.

Thus did I now set sail from Tunis with Goods enough to pass the rest of my life in a handsome manner. I already meditated with my self of a fair settlement in my own Countrey; and though it was [Page 82]against my inclination, I project­jected to stay and fix my self therein. But I found by experi­ence not long after, that the de­signs of man are badly laid, when they have no other prop to up­hold them, but the inconstancy of the Sea. Scarcely had we lost the sight of the Coasts of Bar­bary; but a great wind accosted us with such a fury, that though we had no other sail but the smal­ler one of the Main-mast, we tra­versed the Mediterranean in a day and a half.

But this haste was our mishap; for when we were in sight of Ita­ly, the storm became so great, that not being able to keep up our sails, nor to govern the ship, our Mast and our Sail-yard being [Page 83]broken, we were cast upon the Coast that is towards Via Regia. The Vessel was shipwrackt, and all my Goods, and my sine projects of Fortune, were sunk down to the bottom of the Sea, being hap­py enough in escaping my self by swimming, with some of my Ma­riners.

Having repaired my self a lit­tle on the shore side, I took my way toward Rome, where I had some friends. I learnt at my ar­rival, that the Pilot-Real of the Popes Galleys was dead; and for as much as I was in some reputa­tion for the knowledg of Sea-af­fairs, I obtained that place by the help of my Friends.

I have performed this Office near upon four years, and should [Page 84]have continued in it still, but that hearing that our King had a design to re-establish his Galleys as they were heretofore, I thought it my duty to leave all, to come and offer my Talent and my service to my lawful Prince. This is it (Gentlemen) that brings me hi­ther with this Passport of his Ho­liness, and these Letters of Re­commendation from Cardinal An­tonio to Cardinal Mazarine. And forasmuch as I know that it is hard to come to the speech of his Emi­nence, I was a looking as I walked along in the place, for some ac­quaintance to counsel me what I should do; and as I was trou­bling my head about it, I did by good fortune meet with this Gen­tleman, with whom I lived here­tofore [Page 85]some time at the Consuls of Tunis.

Thus Captain Lewis Marott finished the recital of his Adven­tures: Some admired them; others praised God for his having deli­ver'd him from so many perils; and all of them offered to serve him in what they were able. Thereupon they parted, to go each one whither his Charge called him. And some Months after, Lewis Marott had (not without some difficulty) the Office of Pilot-Real of the Galleys of France bestowed upon him, and was made known to the King of France, who honoured him with a very fair golden Medal, and gave him moreover a good sum of money, [Page 86]to put him in a condition of ser­ving him.

Here let us-cease, and without any further curiosity, let us leave him to enjoy this his last good fortune, which he hath so well deserved.