But while we were returning thanks to them, being all we could afford, two mighty creatures came from the mountains:  one as it were pursuing the other with great fury, which we were the rather inclined to believe as they seldom appear but in the night:  and both these swiftly passing by the Negroes, jumped into the sea, wantonly swimming about, as tho’ the diversion of the waters had put a stop to their fierceness.  At last one of them coming nearer to my boat than I expected or desired, I shot him directly through the head; upon which he sunk immediately, and yet rising again, would have willingly made the shore:  but between the wound and the strangling of the water, he died before he could reach it.

It is impossible to express the consternation the poor Negroes were in at the firing of my gun; much less can I mention their surprise, when they perceived the creature to be slain by it.  I made signs to them to draw near it with a rope, and then gave it them to hale on shore.  It was a beautiful leopard, which made me desire its skin:  and the Negroes seeming to covet the carcase, I freely gave it to them.  As for the other leopard, it made to shore, and ran with prodigious swiftness out of sight.  The Negroes having kindly furnished me with water, and with what roots and grains their country afforded, I took my leave, and, after eleven days sail, came in sight of the Cape de Verde, and those islands called by its name.  But the great distance I was from it, and fearing contrary winds would prevent my reaching them, I began to grow melancholy and dejected, when, upon a sudden, Xury cried out, “Master!  Master! a ship with a sail!” and looked as affrighted as if it was his master’s ship sent in search of us.  But I soon discovered she was a Portuguese ship, as I thought bound to the coast of Guinea for Negroes.  Upon which I strove for life to come up to them.  But vain had it been, if through their perspective glasses they had not perceived me and shortened their sail to let me come up.  Encouraged at this, I set up my patron’s ancient, and fired a gun, both as signals of distress; upon which they very kindly lay to, so that in three hours time I came up with them.  They spoke to me in Portuguese, Spanish, and French, but neither of these did I understand; till at length a Scots sailor called, and then I told him I was an Englishman, who had escaped from the Moors at Sallee:  upon which they took me kindly on board, with all my effects.

Surely none can express the inconceivable joy I felt at this happy deliverance! who from being a late miserable and forlorn creature was not only relieved, but in favour with the master of the ship, to whom, in return for my deliverance, I offered all I had.  “God forbid,” said he, “that I should take any thing from you.  Every thing shall be delivered to you when you come to Brazil.  If I have saved your life it is no more than I should expect to receive myself from any other, when in the same circumstances