52 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES

 

some danger ; for the wind began to blow pretty fresh in the morning ;
but, particularly, we were all very hungry.

But our patron, warned by this disaster, resolved to take more care
of himself for the future; and having lying by him the long-boat of our
English ship which he had taken, he resolved he would not go a-fishing
any more without a compass and some provision; so he ordered the
carpenter of his ship, who also was an English slave, to build a little
state-room, or cabin, in the middle of the long-boat, like that of a
barge, with a place to stand behind it to steer, and haul home the main-
sheet; and room before for a hand or two to stand and work the sails.
She sailed with what we call a shoulder-of-mutton sail; and the boom
jibbed over the top of the cabin, which lay very snug and low, and had
in it room for him to lie, with a slave or two, and a table to eat on,
with some small lockers to put in some bottles of such liquor as he
thought fit to drink, particularly his bread, rice, and coffee.

We were frequently out with this boat a-fishing; and as I was most
dexterous to catch fish for him, he never went without me. It hap-
pened one day, that he had appointed to go out in this boat, either for
pleasure or for fish, with two or three Moors of some distinction, and
for whom he had provided extraordinary ; and had therefore sent on
board the boat over night a larger store of provisions than usual; and
had ordered me to get ready three fusils with powder and shot, which
were on board his ship; for that they designed some sport of fowling,
as well as fishing.

I got all things ready as he had directed; and waited the next morn-
ing with the boat washed clean, her ancient and pendants out, and
every thing to accommodate his guests; when by and by my patron
came on board alone, and told me his guests had put off going, upon
some business that fell out; and ordered me, with the man and boy, as
usual, to go out with the boat, and catch them some fish, for that his
friends were to sup at his house; he commanded me, too, that as soon
as I got some fish, I should bring it home to his house: all which I
prepared to do.

This moment my former notions of deliverance darted into my
thoughts ; for now I found I was like to have a little ship at my com-
mand; and my master being gone, I prepared to furnish myself, not
for fishing business, but for a voyage; though I knew not, neither did
I so much as consider, whither I would steer; for anywhere to get
out of that place was my way.

My first contrivance was to make a pretence to speak to this Moor,
‘to get something for our subsistence on board; for I told him we must
not presume to eat of our patron’s bread: he said, that was true; se