476 FURTHER DISCOVERIES,

native country, and would not leave them upon any account what-
ever; and they did verily believe their wives were as virtuous and
as modest, and did, to the utmost of their skill, as much for them
and for their children, as any women could possibly do, and they
would not part with them on any account. And Will Atkins, for
his own particular, added, if any man would take him away, and
offer to carry him home to England, and make him captain of the
best man-of-war in the navy, he would not go with him if he might
not carry his wife and children with him; and if there was a clerey-
man inthe ship, he would be married to her now with all his heart.

This was just as Twould have it. The priest was not with me at
that moment, but was not far off; so to try him further, I told
him T had a clergyman with me, and if he was sincere T would have
him married the next morning, and bid him consider of it, and talk
with the rest. THe said, as for himself, he need not consider of it
at all, for he was very ready to do it, and was glad T had a minister
with me; and he believed they would be all willing also. T then
told him that my friend the minister was a Frenchman, and could
not speak English, but that T would act the clerk between them.
He never so much as asked me whether he was Papist or Pro-
testant, which was indeed what I was afraid of, But, T say, they
never inquired about it. So we parted; T went back to my clergy-
man, and Will Atkins went in to talk with his companions. T
desired the French gentleman not to say anything to them till the
business was thorough ripe, and I told him what answer the men
had given me.

Before [ went from their quarter, they all came to me and told
me they had been considering what I had said: that they were
very glad to hear T had a clergyman in my company, and they were
very willing to give me the satisfaction T desired, and to be formally
married as soon as T pleased; for they were far from desiring to
part with their wives, and that they meant nothing but what was
very honest when they chose them. So I appointed them to meet
me the next morning, and that in the meantime they should let
their wives know the meaning of the marriage-law; and that it
was not only to prevent any scandal, but also to oblige them that
they should not forsake them, whatever might happen.