In this condition, I thought myself the most miserable creature on earth, and the prophecy of my father came afresh into my thoughts.  However, my condition was better than I thought it to be, as will soon appear.  Some hopes indeed I had that my new patron would go to sea again, where he might be taken by a Spanish or Portuguese man of war, and then I should be set at liberty.  But in this I was mistaken; for he never took me with him, but left me to look after his little garden, and do the drudgery of his house, and when he returned from sea, would make, me lie in the cabin, and look after the ship.  I had no one that I could communicate my thoughts to, which were continually meditating my escape; no Englishman, Irishman, or Scotchman here but myself; and for two years I could see nothing practicable, but only pleased myself with the imagination.

After some length of time, my patron, as I found, grew; so poor that he could not fit out his ship as usual; and then he used constantly, once or twice a week, if the weather was fair, to go out a fishing, taking me and a young Moresco Boy to row the boat; and to much pleased was he with me for my dexterity in catching the fish, that he would often send me with a Moor, who was one of his kinsemen, and the Moresco youth, to catch a dish of fish for him.

One morning, as we were at the sport, there arose such a thick fog that we lost sight of the shore; and rowing we knew not which way, we laboured all the night, and in the morning found ourselves in the ocean, two leagues from land.  However, we attained there at length, and made the greater haste, because our stomachs were exceedingly sharp and hungry.  In order to prevent such disasters for the future, my patron ordered a carpenter to build a little state room or cabin in the middle of the long-boat, with a place behind it to steer and hale home the main-sheet, with other conveniences to keep him from the weather, as also lockers to put in all manner of provisions, with a handsome shoulder of mutton sail, gibing over the cabin.

In this he frequently took us out a fishing:  and one time inviting two or three persons of distinction to go with him, made provision extraordinary, providing also three fusees with powder and shot, that they might have some sport at fowling along the sea-coast.  The next morning the boat was made clean, her ancient and pendants on, and every thing ready:  but their minds altering, my patron ordered us to go a fishing, for that his guests would certainly sup with him that night.

And now I began to think of my deliverance indeed.  In order to this I persuaded to Moor to get some provisions on board, as not daring to meddle with our patron’s:  and he taking my advice, we stored ourselves with rusk biscuit, and three jars of water.  Besides, I privately conveyed into the boat a bottle or brandy, some twine, thread, a hammer, hatchet, and a saw; and, in particular, some bees wax, which was a great comfort to me, and served to make candles.  I then persuaded Muley (for so was the Moor called) to procure some powder and shot, pretending to kill sea curlues, which he innocently and readily agreed to.  In short, being provided with all things necessary, we sailed out, resolving for my own part to make my escape, though it should cost me my life.