[He reasons with the People about his allowance.] Altho I was yet but a Novice in the Countrey, and knew not much of the People, yet plain reason told me, that it was not so much for my good and credit that they pleaded, as for their own benefit.  Wherefore I returned them this answer, That if as they said I was greater in quality than the rest, and so held in their Estimation, it would be but reason to demand a greater allowance, whereas I desired no more than the other English men had.  And as for the toyl and trouble in dressing of it, that would be none to me, for my Boy had nothing else to do.  And then I alledged several inconveniencies in bringing my Victuals ready boiled; as first, that it was not dressed according to my Diet; and many times not brought in due Season, so that I could not eat when I was an hungry.  And the last and chief reason of all was, that I might save a little to serve my Necessity of Clothing:  and rather than want Cloths for my Back, I must pinch a little out of my Belly, and so both go share and share like.  And so at length, thanks be to God, I obtained, tho with much ado, to get two Measures of Rice per day for my self, and one for my Boy; also Coker-nuts, Pumpkins, Herbs, Limes, and such like enough, besides Pepper and Salt; and sometimes Hens, Eggs, or Flesh:  Rice being the main thing they stand upon, for other things they refuse not to give what they have.

[He builds him an House.] Now having settled all Business about my allowance, my next concern was to look after an House more convenient, for my present one was too small to dress my Victuals in, and to sleep in too.  Thereabouts was a Garden of Coker-nut Trees, belonging unto the King, a pleasant situation; this place I made choice of to build me a House in.  And discovering my desire to the People, they consented, and came and built it for me:  but before it was finished, their occasions called them away, but my Boy and I made an end of it, and whitened the Walls with Lime, according to my own Countrey fashion.  But in doing this I committed a Capital Offence:  for none may white their Houses with Lime, that being peculiar to Royal Houses and Temples.  But being a Stranger nothing was made of it, because I did it in ignorance:  had it been a Native that had so done, it is most probable it would have cost him his Head, or at the least a great Fine.

[He follows business and thrives.] Being settled in my new House, I began to keep Hogs and Hens; which by God’s Blessing thrived very well with me, and were a great help unto me.  I had also a great benefit by living in this Garden.  For all the Coker-nuts that fell down they gave me, which afforded me Oyl to burn in the Lamp, and also to fry my meat in.  Which Oyl being new is but little inferior to this Countrey Butter.  Now I learned to knit Caps, which Skill I quickly attained unto, and by God’s Blessing upon the same, I obtained great help and relief thereby.