From Aboard the Van-herring. ANOTHER LETTER FROM LEGORN, To an Eminent Merchant in Lond. Sept. 23. 1680.  
SIR,  
MY last informed you what ill Circumstances our Ship and Ships-company were in; this comes to tell you how matters now stand with us. And to speak the truth, they are but little mended. The Mahometans aboard, and abroad, are still plotting our destruction. Though at present they are pretty silent, yet they are not asleep; we may expect a storm after the calm. You wonder why this Ship is so much the object of their spite! for this you must understand, she was once in their possession, and 'twas the best Ship they had; they made great Merchandise of her; till anon a noble Captain that commanded her, was so affronted with their insolence, and offended with their superstition, that he turned the most of them ashore, and put Christian Officers and Sailors in their room. And ever since the Mahometans have been restless in their attempts to ruin or recover her into their hands again. 'Tis within the memory of some yet alive, that they had a most devilish design upon her, and it had like to have taken effect. Some of them on board had very cunningly put Gunpowder under the place where the Captain and his Council of Officers were to meet, intending to have put fire to it, and to have blown them all up into the air: this treacherous Conspiracy was discovered by the sagacity of the Captain himself; and the ringleaders being deservedly executed, their heads were fixed for the terror of others upon the top of the Mainmast. Not long before that, they rig'd out a Fleet, that they thought and called Invincible, and coming up to this Ship, they attacked her as she lay at an anchor; but the heavens helping, she worsted that great Armado, and some of the Ships being fired, others stranded, and the rest scattered, scarce any returned home to give an account of their ill success. It was but the other day that they employed some to fire the great Cabin of the Ship, which was effectually accomplished. One Algerine confessed he had an hand in't, and was accordingly condemned and executed. Others were accused; but the Lieutenant got them out of the way. And after the then Council of Officers had a little looked into the business, it was hushed up I know not how, and never enquired after since. However the Mahometans missed of their aim, for in a little time the  was repaired again, and is now much more splendid than it was before. Since these disappointments they have played at several small games, being resolved never to stand out; and now they think they have such good Cards in their hands, if they can but get rid of the Captain, they make no question of sweeping the stakes. Therefore they have indented with several of late to take him off; but yet he hath escaped their malicious hands, and some of these (which is very strange) have escaped the hands of Justice. My last told you of one, a little Doctor, or Chirurgeons-mate, and this will tell you of another, an old Cinkator, born in 88, or thereabout, he was tried also for this bold attempt, and though the Sailors would have laid an hundred to one, when they heard the Evidence against him, he would be condemned, yet he was cleared. Some others also have been unexpectedly acquitted upon their Trial; particularly two female Passengers, one a Tempestuous Lady, the other an Impudent Strumpet: This latter was so hardy, that the afterward put forth a lying Libel in Vindication of the Mahometans, alleging that the Confession upon record against them, was extorted by racks and tortures; a thing never practised aboard this Ship; for this she was sentenced to stand two or three times at the Capstorm; and the boy's fingers did itch to anoint her with Pitch and Tar; but the Clemency of the Officers would not suffer it. These proceed you may imagine done't a little animate the Conspirators. And there is one little accident fallen out greatly to their content, after they had barbarously murdered (as you heard before) an honest Boatswain, the Captain put another in his room; a little sprunt fellow, that did ferret them about; there could not be two or three of them together, but he was presently at their heels; this sauciness of his they deemed insufferable, therefore an hole was quickly picked in his coat, and he sent ashore; so that now they can club and cabal together without control; and if any shall molest them, they must look to themselves. An honest Quartermaster a little while ago, did but a little disgust them, and presently they appointed some desperate Ruffians to dispatch him; these taking their opportunity when he was all alone, fell upon him and cut his Throat; but being scared, they did their work to halves; for the Quartermaster by good looking after recovered, and is like to do well.  
The Captain, though he doth not say much, yet doubtless he cannot but resent these do; and I believe also that he is something concerned about the growing Greatness and power of Algiers; for he hath sent to some other Ships to league with him for mutual security and defence: and upon this hangs a pretty story, in the Arsenal of the Commonwealth of Genoa, (which is not far from us) there rides a Ship called the Van-Trump, a lusty stout Ship she is, and sailed altogether by Christians and Anti Mahometans; this Ship alone hath born up against all the power of Algiers. To this Ship the Captain sent that there might be a nearer Alliance betwixt them; and when the Messenger came aboard, who should he find there but an Envoy from Algiers, who was negotiating the very same thing for his Master? And we are informed that he had cunningly insinuated himself into some great Officers aboard the Ship, and had suggested to them the great glory and prowess of his Master, as also the nakedness and great unfaithfulness of the Van-herring; and had them remember how unhandsomely she had lately served them in a Voyage from Smyrna, However the Captain and the Generality of the Officers Were too wise to be wheedled into an Alliance with Algiers; they were sensible 'twas against their interest that the Van-herring should fall into the hands of the Algerines; for if so, all the favour they could expect, would be that which Ulysses obtained of Poliphemus to be last devoured. And yet there is not so good an understanding and so firm an Union and Alliance betwixt these two Ships as most desire; for certainly would they keep together, and resolutely stand one by another, the Algerines would quickly pull in their horns; yea, these two Ships in conjunction are easily able to destroy the nest of Pirates; they may keep them in, that they shall not peep out at Sea, yea, they may fall upon them ashore. There is a multitude of Christian slaves there, whose bondage is so grievous to them, that they would be glad of any opportunity to revolt. For my part I am not out of hope to see such a design carried on for the good of all Christendom. I know some of the principal Officers, and the generality of Sailors of both Ships desire it should be so. However it gives some satisfaction, that the Captain hath now at last declared, That his Council of Officers shall sit; and consult about common-safety. If you ask the reason why their coming together hath been so long deferred, I know none but the Captain himself that can give you a positive answer; though others may stumble on this or the other probable conjecture. Some think the Lieutenant and others of the Mahometan faction are the cause. 'Tis manifestly their interest to hinder the Councils sitting. 'Tis likely they'll begin where the former Council left, they'll fall a ravelin into this Hellish and Damnable Plot; and then the five great Criminals of which my last told you (who are still kept in the Hold of the Ship) with many others will probably go to pot; yea, 'tis an even lay but they'll fall foul upon the Lieutenant himself, so did the Council that last met, who Voted that the Plotters took too great encouragement from the Lieutenants being a Mahometan, thereupon the Succession might be thought disputable.  
I observe that a great many of the Sailors have a wonderful kindness for the Captain's Eldest Son: He is now aboard, and when ever he appears upon the Deck, they flock about him, and show him all imaginable respect. A day or two ago he went upon the foreship, and I warrant you there were Scores following him with such loud Acclamations, as made the Ship to ring again; the Lieutenant heard it, and bitten his lip; and though he saith nothing, I believe he thinks the more. It appears he is a little jealous of him; however the Captain hath been pleased to declare publicly, that he was never married to his Mother; but yet he did not say he was not his Father; he owns him still for his Son; and the Sailors for his own and his Father's honour are loath to think him Illegitimate.  
Well, let the Father say what he will of his Son, upon my word he is a brisk young Gentleman, and by profession a Christian, and one that is renowned for a person of admirable valour amongst the Mahometans themselves. Whether the Council will interpose and concern themselves about this matter is uncertain; but some of the less wary Sailors have thought one reason why the Council have not sit, to be a suspicion lest they should intermeddle with the Business of Succession.  
Again, others think that some who are no Mahometans (at least they are not such professedly) may be faulted; 'tis too well known, and it can't be concealed, how the Christians themselves that are in the Ship (the more is the pity) are not all of a mind. There are many that don't very well like the mode of Worship we have aboard; they say that several of our Religious usages are borrowed from the Mahometans, this is the sentiment of some of our Officers, and of a great, if not the greater number of the Sailors; this dissent of theirs doth greatly enrage the other party, for this they stigmatize them, and sometimes severely handle them, which they may do by the Orders of the Ship. One would think our common danger should induce us to use more moderation. And standers-by that are not so deeply concerned and engaged in a party, do think the petty differences amongst us are capable of an accommodation, and the rather because both sides agree in the main. Only there are a few half-witted and harebrained bigots that blow up the coals. Nay, there are some that are not ashamed to declare, they would rather be Mahometans than Christian dissenters; which it may be is truly enough spoken, for that they are Semi-Mahometans already; they are these mungril-Christians that do us the greatest mischief; if we ever be destroyed, 'twill be by the wildfire of these men. These be they that dissuade the Captain from calling his Council together; fearing possibly lest they should make some alteration in the present Orders of the Ship in favour of the dissenting party; which they may be the more inclined to do, for as much as they find them to be very faithful to the interest of Christianity, and most forward (upon all occasions) for the Ships welfare and safety. They see also that the severities they have for sometime been under, have not had their intended effect, in as much as they are increased and not diminished thereby. Some of these Phreneticks (for so they may be called) are often buzzing the Captain in the ear with the rude carriage of a Council of Officers in his Father's days. It happened, as you have probably heard, that his Father had a contest with his Council, and from words they fell to blows, and in the scuffle the good old Captain was killed and thrown overboard; this unhappy and unheard of Tragedy, is ever now and then ripped up to alienate the present Captain from his Council; though we all know the now Council hath not the same power, nor doth it consist of the same persons. I believe they are a company of as honest men as ever used the Sea; and on my conscience they have that respect and honour for the Captain, that they would hazard their All for his safety and preservation. And if he would but be advised by them, he might be as happy a man as ever commanded a Ship. If in his Conduct he should have been any ways tardy or deficient, they would take no notice of it. For 'tis a Maxim amongst them, That though his Officers may, yet the Captain himself can't do amiss.  
SIR, Yours to serve You, etc.   

Printed, and are to be Sold by Richard Janeway in Queens-head-Alley in Pater-Noster-Row. 1680.