[But disapointed.] Afterward as soon as I was recovered, and got strength, we went down and carried one English man more with us for company, for our better security, seeing we must travail in the Night upon our Flight:  but tho we took him with us, we dared not to tell him of our design, because he had a Wife, intending not to acquaint him with it, till the Business was just ready to be put into action.  But when he came expecting to meet with our guide, he was gone into another Countrey; and we knew not where to find him, and we knew not how to run away without him.  Thus we were disapointed that time.

But as formerly, we went to and fro until we had sold our ware; and so returned home again and delivered the man to his wife; but never told him any thing of our intended design, fearing lest, if he knew it, he might acquaint her with it, and so all our purposes coming to be revealed might be overthrown for ever afterwards.  For we were resolved by Gods help still to persevere in our design.

[An extraordinary drought for three or four years together.] Some eight or nine years one after another we followed this Trade, going down into this Countrey on purpose to seek to get beyond the Inhabitants, and so to run away thro the Woods to the Hollanders.  Three or Four years together the dry weather prevented us; when the Countrey was almost starved for want of Rain:  all which time they never tilled the Ground.  The Wells also were almost all dry; so that in the Towns we could scarcely get Water to drink, or Victuals to eat.  Which affrighted us at those times from running into the Woods, lest we might perish for Thirst.  All this while upon the Mountains, where our dwelling was, there was no want of Rain.

We found it an inconvenience when we came three of us down together, reckoning it might give occasion to the people to suspect our design, and so prevent us from going thither again.  Some of the English that followed such a Trade as we, had been down that way with their Commodities, but having felt the smart of that Countries Sickness, would go there no more, finding as much profit in nearer and easier Journeys.  But we still persisted in our courses this way, having some greater matter to do here than to sell Wares, viz. to find out this Northern Discovery; which in Gods good time we did effect.

CHAP.  IX.

How the Author began his Escape; and got onward of his Way about an Hundred miles.

[Their last and successful attempt.] Having often gone this Way to seek for Liberty, but could not yet find it; we again set forth to try what Success God Almighty would now give us, in the Year MDCLXXIX, on the Two and twentieth of September, furnished with such Arms as we could well carry with safety and secrecy, which were Knives and small Axes; we carried also several sorts of Ware to sell as formerly:  the Moon being seven and twenty dayes old.  Which we had so contrived, that we might have a light Moon, to see the better to run away by:  having left an Old Man at home, whom I had hired to live with me, to look after my House and Goats.