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The Battle with the Alpene Pirates
with the Algerime Pirates
SA
Pub
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Published for Ice. Jaby 15.1801
.

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THE
6-18.43
177677
HISTORY
41
2756
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DAVID DOUBTFUL.
i


I
KNOW not who my parents were. I was found, when an
infant, wrapped in rags on a cobler's bulk, in Weſtminfter.
The parith-officers fent me to the poor-houſe; and, when I was
capable of inſtruction, they fent me to the charity-ſchool.
When I had learned to read and write, I was bound, for a fer-
vant, to Mr. Skinner, a neighbouring attorney. My miſtreſs grew
fond of me; ſhe was a very holy woman ; ſhe taught me my prayers
and catechiſm, and made me read to her every night, and repeat
chapters and pfalms, till I had nearly got half the Bible by rote.
As my maſter uſed to ſend me on many errands and meſſages,
and to entruſt me with little matters of money on ſuch occafiony,
on finding me always punctual and honeft to him, he began to love
me almoſt as much as my good miſtreſs did.
But now came on my firſt falling away from all goodneſs. I
was about twelve years old, when, in a curſed hour, my maſter
ſent me to a diftanë part of the town, with a bill to pay fome mo-
to about four pounds in glittering filver. It appeared a mint of
money. I never had been in pofleſſion of fo large a heap; and I
fighed, and ſaid to myſelf, How bleſſed mak they be who are he-
come the rich owners of fo much money! Then fome one, ſeemed
to whiſper ine, that I was the owner; and again ſome one ſeemed
to whiſper me, that I was not the owner. Then I would go for-
Then I would thruſt my hand into my pocket, and feel the great-
Then I would maſter; and again I would ſtop and go aſide.
neſs of my treaſure, then turn to the wall, and lay the brightneſs
of it before my eyes. Then I would run a piece off, as if hurried
away by the force of the
temptations and again I would delay,
and ſtop, and turn, and ſtrive to force myſelf homewat dll,
what with doubting and delaying, and Aruggling off and on, and
The

HISTORY OF
pence
.
going backward and forward, I conſidered, that if I went home,
I ſhould now get nothing but blanie and beating; and fo I took a
head, and ran into the country as faſt as my feet could carry me.
As I ran myſelf out of breath, from time to time, I would look
back, and look back, and run on and run on, in the thought that
my maſter, or ſome one from him was at my heels.
When I was quite tired and jaded, and night came on, I turned
up to a forry kind of an inn, or rather atehouſe, which I happened
to be near. But as I feared every thing, I had the cumming to
conceal my treafure, and taking a penny from my pocket, I beg-
ged the woman of the houſe, for that and charity s fake, to give
me a litèle bread and inilk, and ſome hole to lie in.
Having finiſhed my fupper, I was thewn to a kind of hovel in.
der the stairs, where, throwing myſelf on ſome ſtraw with a piece
of blanket over me, I fell faſt as a rock.
Having breakfafted at the coſt of a ſecond penny, I ſet out,
though not with my former ſpeed. However, I pushed on as well
as I was able, wanting till to get as far from danger as poſſible.
On the fifth morning of my travels, having expended what half.
and fmall filver I had, I took out half a crown, and offered
it to the man of the houſe, defiring him to return what was over
the reckoning. As he took it, he gave me a look that I thought
went through me. He gave me the change, however, and I let
forward on my journey gall trembling, and apprehending I knes
not what.
I had not gone above a mile, when, meeting a dirty ruad, I
• turned over a tile ihat led to a path through the fields. Here I
walked on a little way, when, turning, I ſaw my landlord making
long Arides after me; whereupon iny heart beat, and my koces
grew fo weak under me that I itood as ftill as a ſtone.
He came quickly up with me, and, ſeizing me by the neck, he
calt me on my back. Hal you young rogue, says he, let us fee
what inoney you have got. Then, diving into my pockets, he
pulled out the whole ſtock in which I had truſted for happineſs.
O, you little dog of a villam, from whom have you ſtolen all this
treaſure? But I must go and return it to the right owner. O good
Sir, good Sir, 1- roared ou!, will you not Icave me a little? ever
fo little, dear Sir, to keep me from ſtarving? But he was deaf to
my cries and prayers, and away he went.
Hope, the laſt confort of the iniferable, now forſook nie. I.
curſed, at my heart, the day on which I was born; and I lay a
long time, as one who had no uſe for limbs, or any further way :o
travel
Growing hungry after noon, I would willingly have begged the
charity of paſſengers, but this I dare not to do. So I bere my
hunger as well as I could, till coming at night
farmer kept his pigs, I made way for myſelf among them, and
kept in the Araw till morning,
The day following, as I walled flowly and half famifhed through
Imall village, my eye catched at a penny-lvaf that lay on a little

:
a
upon earth.
every buſh.
...
DAVID DOUBTFUL.
ſhop-window that jutted into the ſtreet, I was juſt going to ſeize
the tempting fpoil, when fomething whiſpered at my heart, Do
not touch it for your life, Itarve, farve, rather than offer to ſteak
any more; I tore myſelf away, and running as fast as I could, for
fear of turning back, got clear off from the reach of this tempra-'
tion.
When I had travelled ſomething farther, I got where there were
hedges on every ficle, with plenty of haws and bramble-berries on
buſh. And here I filled my belly with berries to ſerve me
for dinner; and I stuffed my pockets with haws againſt I ſhould
want; and, about night-fall, having reached a cople on one ſide
of the road, I crept, like a hare, under the Shelter of the buſhes;
I then lupped on my haws, after which I kneeled down, and half
ventured at a prayer to God, and -gathering up in my form, I ſlept
happily till morning.
Having lived thus for fime days, I came into an open country,
where there was ſcarce any path, nor any haw or berry within many
a mile. I now began to grow ſick and faint with hunger; and
again my ficknefi went off, and I became fo greedy and raven rus,
that I was reaily to eat iny own fiefly from the bones. Soon after,
I ſpied, at a diſtance, a confuſed heap of fomething at the root of
a great tree that grew in the open fields. I made up to it in ex
pectation of I knew not what; and found an old beggar man fall
anleep, with a bundle of ſome wiat lying befide hinz.
I opened his little baggage, when, to my inexpreſſible transport,
a large luncheon of brown bread, with toine halfpence, ftruck my
eyes #did not heſitate a moment about feizing the bread, for t
could no more withftand the cravings of my appetite at the tine,
than I could withſtand a torrent ruſhing down a hill. Having ap-
pealed my ſtomach, I began to demur.about what I fhould do with
the remainder, and felt a motion or two inclining ine to leave it
behind me; but, “ No," ſaid I to myſelf, this is all the bread
that I have, or may ever have during life, and I know not where
to get a bit in the whole world." So I put the bread in my pocket,
and went on my way, leaving behind me about four or bive
pence
I liad not gone far, howerer, before I ſaid to myſelf again,
65 This inan is a beggar by trade, and gets halfpence from every
paffenger that goes the road. But alas ! 110 one living has any pity
So ſaying or to thinking, I went back on tiptoes, and
itooping and ſeizing my prey, I flew away like lightning.
That night I took up my lodging in a waſte hut that lay a little
way of the road.
But though, as I thought, I had plenty
of bread, and money enough about me, yet I found myſelf ex-
ceeding heavy, and I was not able to pray, as I did the foregoing
nights.
When I had ſpent to my lact penny, and was walking, now and
melancholy, on a by-path that led through fome woody lawns, I
heard the voice of merrinent, and, quickly afters perceived. a
group of gipfies that came from behind ſome trees

.
in the wrappers

upon ine."
2.
HISTORY OF
Where are you going, my child i fays a man with a broad gir-
dle and a very formidable beard. Indeed, Sir, faid I, I cannot
tell. And where did you come from then? From London, Sir.
And pray what made you leave London? To get away from my
maſter. But I hope you did not come away empty, you brought
fomething from him, did not you? Some little matter, good Sir.
but I was robbed of it on the way. Hereupon, this venerable re-
gent ſmiled, and, turning to his dependents, As far as I ſee, ſaid
he, this chap will apfwer our purpoie to a hair.
Here one of the females asked if I was hungry; and on my an-
fwer is the affirna ive, they all invited me with a jovial air to din.
ner. We then turned a dilance off from the path wherein we had
met, and gradually dęícended into one of the pleaſanteft fpois in
the world. It was a dell ſurrounded with hills, ſome of which
were Banting, ſome headlong and mpending, and all covered or
fpotted with groups of trees, of different heights, forts, and co-
lours ; through which there defcended a gurging rivulet, which,
baving rolled over stones and pebbles, grew filent in a fmall lake,
that reflected the circling objects from the hills around.
Immediately nature's carpet was covered with a large cloth of
fine damaſked linen ; and, before I well could obſerve what they
were about, there was ſpread, as by magic, before my eyes the
molt rarious and fumptuous banquet I had ever beheld. 'Down
inſtantly ſunk the gueſts ; ſome ſitting, like the Turks, croſs-leg.
ged, while other lollers like the Romans, hefide each other.
As they had travelled far that day, they all eat in filence; and,
in a ſhort ſpace, the burden of the luggage-carriers was pretty
much lightened. In the mean time, ſome aroſe, and unladed two
aftes of the creels which they carried. The cloth then was quickly
emptied of the cold fowls and baked meats, with the loins of beef
and mutton; and leather jacks, that contained plenty of the beſt
wines and other liquors, were ſet before us.
Theſe again were
decanted into clean japanned pitchers; and a japanned cup, of
equal meaſure, was given into every hand.
As ſoon as I was warmed, and my beart opened by what I drank,
they all expreſſed a liking and kindneſs for me, and requeſted that
I would teil them my ftory without diſguife. Accordingly I made
an ingenious confeffion of all the matters related. But, inſtead of
meeting thoſe reproofs which I expected for my wickedneſs, they
jointly began to ridicule my ſcruples, and put to thame the little
Mame that I had of my evila
evil deeds..
I continued among this very ſingular and wonderful people near
the ſpace of three years; during which time they initiated ine into
all the arts and myſteries of their manifold iniquities. No fetters
could hold them; 110 priſons could contain them.; no bolts or locks
could ſecure the treaſure of the wealthy from them. By the means
of ſpells or certain odours, as it were by enchantment, -all beatts
became ſubject to them; the wildeſt horſe would ſtand for them
the fiercelt maſtiffs did not dure to bay or growl at them; fo that
all bleaching grounds, yards, and gardens, were as open to their




DAVID DOUBTFUL.
invaſion as the highway. They aſſumed all ſhapes, and almof
all ſizes.
Though they never appeared by day, except ſingle, or in ſmall
parties of ten or fifteen at inolt, yet they kept their fate entire,
by quick and conſtant intelligence. Beſide their prince, or prin-
eipal potentate, who was the perſon that firſt accolted me, they
had a deputy-governor for every thire ; and, at convenient diſ-
tances, hopſes of common -reſort for the fraternity. Here their
victuals were «lrefled, and their provifions laid in; and here alſo
viere depoſited the ſpoils of the public, whựich, when converted into
money, was locked in a ſtrong box, one tenth for the uſe of the
fociety on any emergence, and the other nine for the benefit of the
fpoilers, in proportion to their reſpective ranks and merits:
Before we rofe froin our late mentioned feſtival, an ancient" fea
male fortune-teller chucked me under the chin, and ſaid, Do you
know, my dear, where this ſame kind fandlord lives, who.robbed
you of your money? All I know, ſaid I, is, that he lives in a
little town, at the ſign of a white croſs, and near to a great windo:
mill. What, cried one of the men, my old holt Jerry Grufft He
hates that any, except himſelf ſhould profper by their ingenuity.
I owe that fellow a fling, cried another, for once attempting to
circumvent me in his own house. Well, my lad, ſaid Geoffry,
the old governor, his houſe lies directly in the way of our circuit;
wid, for your encouragement I promiſe you that he hall refund
you every penny of the money he took from your
We ft out the next morning by dawn cf day; and entering foor?
after upon a common, we ſaw a parcel of borſes feeding without
a keeper. Immediately three of the likelieft were taken from the
Out came fciffars, and other implements, with phials of
colouring effences, and to work went went inany hands, when, in
leís than five minutes; had the owners come up, they could not
have found a ſingle mark of their own property upon them. And
indeed I have frequently known ſome of thoſe my ingenious bros
therhood lo very audacious as to fell in public markets the cattle
which they liad ſtolen to the very perſons from whom they were
taken,
Accordingly, on the evening of the night required, we arrived
on a little hill that ſtood oppolite to the houſe of my conſcientioris
landlord ; and, foon after, we were joined by ſeveral parties, from
ſeveral fides, amounting to about a hundred and twenty perfona,.
with parcels of Lknew not what upon affes, &c.
The packs were quickly opened, and from thence were produced!
black and flame-coloured gowns, flambeaux, boofs and børns, and
vizards of hcrrid aſpect and terrific dimenſion. In a hurry, we
were all fitted with our reſpective dreſſes and characters. A large
paſteboard coffin was covered with a white Theet, and exalted upon.
the ſhoulders of four fiery devils ; -and, as night began to fall dark
and heavy upon us, a light was ftruck, the fams were lighted,
one was put into every right hand; ſpeaking-trumpets, with other
initruments of heart-linking founds, were put to many a moutby,



reit.


A 3
8 4
HISTORY OF
and we directly ſet out on our diabolical proceſſion. Some roared
like bulls, others howled and bayed like dogs at a ipidnight moulig
while others yelled articulately in the càterwauling gibberith ; in
ſhort, the founds made fuch a complication of horrors as no mortal
ears could abide, nor mortal courage fupport,
Meanwhile the town took the alarm, and began tu be in comino-
tion. Old and young quitted their houſes, and hurried hither and
thither through the greet. But, as we advanced, they made back-
ward, and running, or climbing, or ſcrambling up the hill, they
gathered all in a hody before the winilmill. In the interim, we
puſhed forward, aix entered the inn, where neither cat nor dog, nor
diving creature was left, fave Goodman Gruff, who lay impotent of
the gout in an upper chamher.
While moſt of the company faid routing and ſearching the
houſe below, Signior Geoffry led a few of us up ttairs. He re-
preſented the perion of Lucifer, whose name was impreſſed in
Haming characters on his cap. On entering the room where land-
lord Gruff lay, Hark ye, Jerry, lays Lucifer, you freaking thief,
you mean petty larceny villain ! how ciime you to rob a child, the
other day, of the money which he gained under my influence and
encouragement ? I have a mind, you ſcoundrel, to ftrike you out
of my lilt of innkeepers. O, my good Lord Lucifer, cries Grutf,
with a trembling voice, in my conſcience, now, I did not think that
any kind of robbery would be an offence to your honour. You lie,
you raſcal, you lie, cries Lucifer, the devil is a gen:leman, lue loves
thoſe that rob the great, who have robbed the little ; but he hates
your low-fpirited fcoundrels, who rob the wiciow and the fatherless,
and take from the little ones the little that they have.
Daring this confabulation, the whole bouie, drawers and all; was
gutred as clean as a foul fur ſupper. So, wi: hout en:ering into any
other habitation, away we marched, as in our former tremendous
proceſlion ; till coming to ſome ſtanding water, we halted, and, at
a given word, we all together plunged our torches in the pool, and
inſtant night fell upon all the world.
Thus, from day to day, and year to year, while I continued with
this people, I was witneſs to a variety of ſleights, deceits, iinpoi-
tures; metamorphoſes, and depredations, without any infance
of their being brougbt to condign punishment. One of them how-
ever, within my time, was detected, taken, impriſoned, brought to
the war, triech, and brought in guilty; and yet found means to
evade juſtice by the moſt marvellous piece of ſtratagem that ever
He was-ſpied in the act of fealing a bay horſe. Freſh fuit was
made. He was ſeized, and loaded with ions in the dungeon of the
county goal. On the day of trial the fact was proved by incon-
tetable witneſſes, and the jury, without quitting the box, pro-
nounced the fatal word, Guilty. Have you any thing to fay, cried
the judge, why fentence of death ſhould not be pronounced againſt
you? I can truly affrrt; exclained the culprit, that I am as clear
as the light of this matter; that the beaſt which I took then was,






DAVID DOUBTFUL.
si dislocatie en onderhands, and an e-
and, to this hoir, is my own property, and that there muſt be ſome
wonderful miſtake in this buſineis; wherefore, my Lord, a. I am
upan life and death, I truit that your charitable indulgence will
vider this fame horſe to be brought into court. The horſe ac-
cordingly was brought, and the culprit continued, Now, my Lorel,
be pleated io order the witneſſes to lay, whether this be the laine
horle that I ſtole, or not? The ſame, the ſame, cried the witneſſes,
by virtue of our oaths. Be ſo good then, my Lord, to ask then
of what age this horſe was at the time that I ftole him. By virtue
of the fame oath, four years old, riſing five. Now, my Lord, if
you will continue yoour gracious indulgence, be pleaſed to order his
inouth to be examined by ſome people ſkilled in ſuch matters. This
alto was done by two or three jockeys of acknowledged judgment,
who inſtantly cried out, Why, my Lord, this horle is quite paſſed
mark of month.
: There is but one requeſt more with which I ſhall trouble your
Lordhip; it is, that you would be pleaſed to ſend and examine
whether this faine horie be a horſe or mare. This laſtly was done,
when the examiners cried out, A inare, my Lord, a mart, with-
out any question !
Here the fùrpriſe and amazement of the court was redoubled.
The jury looked down abaſhed; the witneſſes flunk away in utter
Thaine and confufion; and his Lordſhip inltantly ordered, that the
priſoner ſhould be dilinilled without fees, and that the mare ſhould
be reltored to him as his proper goods.
Now, the whole myſtery of the affair was merely this, that fome
of the fraternity, the very night before the trial, had picked the
lack of the stable, and in place of the horſe, had ſubſtituted this
mare, which they found or formed to ſo perfect a reſemblance of
him, that no eye could difcern the ſmallelt diſtinction.
On the night wherein I left them we were oves taken, and cut
ſhart of our intended reſt, by a ſudden and violent tempelt of wind
and hail, whereupon we took ſhelter in a waſte barn,
When we had itruck a light, we ſet together what ftraw and
combuſtibles we could find in the houſe, and had juſt kindked a fire,
when one of the company came and whiſpered that there was a man
aſleep in the far corner. Hereupon they took the candle, and, with
foft and cautious ſteps, found a pedlar ſtretched along with his head
on a wilp of Atraw, and his box clofe beſide him. They immedi.
ately lifted the box, and brought it away, in silence, to the place
where I was fitting. On opening it, with as little noiſe as poſſible,
tiey found therein a large quantity of filks, linens, and laces, with
a rich variety of hardwares; and, at the bottom, a little padlocked
chelt, full of Engliſh and Spaniſh pieces of gold, in all likelihood
the whole amount of the labours of his Hife.
This was a prize not to be thrown down the ſtream. Immediately
all was in a kind of onderbreathing buttle, and whiſpering com
motion. The great queſtion was, how to poſſeſs themlélves of ſuch
a prey with fafety to their perſons. It was objected, that the man
miglit waken, they were un'uckily fsen coming that way, and, it

HISTORY OF
建
​半
​may be, entering into that houſe; the country miglu be alarmed,
and riſe upon them; they might be overtaken; they might be
ſeized in the very fast.
At length a bold villain propoſed directly to cut his throat, and
that then there could be no witneſs to teſtify against them; but to
this it was again objected, that the blood itſelf would be the fear-
fulleft and fureſt of all witeffes. Whereupon, another propoſed to
fuffocate' or ſtrangle him and hury his corpſe on the ſpot; to which
feheme, though many were filent, yet no one expreſsly excepted.
During this deadly conſultation, notwithſtanding my long courſe
of evil habit,' and evil example, my blood curdless throughout my
body, and fear, horror, and deteftation aroſe in my bolom. But
when they went, as I suppoſed, to put the deed of death into in-
fant execution, I crouched and Mrunk inward, and creeping out at
the door, the dread of being a'lo ſeized and murdered, gave me
ftrength to get on my feet, and, feeling along by the wall, I 'gut
away froin the houle, and made off I weither knew nor cared
whii her.
Thertempeft ftill continued, the driving of the clouds added to:
the natural horrors of niglit, I could ſcarcely diſcern that I had 2
road ander my feet. But thoágh I could not ſee my purſuers, I
yet feared that their eyes were better than mine; and I itill turned
and listened, to try if the foot of the murderer was behind me.
Having travelled all night as faſt and far as I.could from the scene
of my terrors, on the riſing of the day I ſaw.x large town before mes
and, for the firſt time of three years, I lifted up my eyes, and in-
wardly bleſſed God for his mercy in my eſcape from ſo great a
wickedneſs. i
I then walked on leiſurely :- my fatigue went from me, and I
feemed quite lightfome to myſelf. On entering the ſuburbs, I met
a gentleman taking his morning's walk out of towit. I ſtopped and
looked him wiſtfully in the face, whereupon le alſo ſtopped and
eyed me with much attention. Who are you, my pretty lad? ſays
he. An unhappy ftranger, Sir, who wants a ſervice, or any means
of earning a little honeſt bread And pray what ſervice can
Iyou
do
Not much, Sir, I fear, but ny good-will ſhall ſtrive hard to make
up my lack of ability. Then, cried he, you ſhall be my feryant.
All the forvants I ever had;-promiſed every thing, but did little; I
will now try what may be done by one who promiſes nothing.
What is your name, my boy? David Doubtful, Şir! And what
wage muſt I give you, David ? Juft as much; Sir, or as little as you
fall pleaſe to think I deferve.
Here he took me to a hand fome houſe
where he kept a merceris
fhop in Plymouth. His name was Felton ; he had been a widuwer
for fome yearsó
:: My maſter, at firſt, let me to the moft Tervileand vile offices, fuch
as cleading his and the fervants Moes; ſweeping the ſtreet before his
door, and canying out the dirt of the houſe, but all this I did with
willingneſs, and even with pleaſure, as fome little matter of perianet
for my long courke of evil deeda.


.
DAVID DOUBTFUL.
In about three weeks, my maſter again changed the whole man.
ner of my ſervice, and fét me to bruth his clothes, dreſs his wigs,
whet his knives, lay the cloth, and attend at table; but theſe were
matters in which I was quite expert, as I had not yet forgotten my
employment with my first maſter.
In ſome time after, Mr. Felton aſked me if I could read ? A little
in the Bible, Sir, faid I. And can you write too, David ? If you
pleate I will try, Sir. Why, David! this beats the band of my
clerk; where in the world did you come by all this learning? From
a very good inalter to a very bad ſervant. But pray, Sir, do not
inquire the particulars of iny wickedneſs ; for, indeed, you could not
deſire a feverer monitor than iny own conſcience is to me. Well,
my child, ſaid the good man, I will not put you to pain ; and ſo
giving me a Squeeze by the hand, lve went out with a gliſtening eye.
From this time my matter thewed an uncommon reſpect and at
tention to me. He diſcharged me from all the menial offices of his
houſehold; he gave me his burdens of ſilks, and other wares, to
carry to his ſeveral cuſtomers; and he deſired me to take particular
notice of the natures and values of what I carried.
On this encouragement I became vaftly more apprehenſive and
aſſiduous than he looked for. I attended the ſhop cloſely, and look
notice and private notes of all that was eſtimated or tranſacted there-
in. My maſter looked quite amazed, on aſking me fome quettions
with reſpect to his affairs. His eldeſt apprentice, foon after, fet up
for himſelf. He then placed me behind the counter, over his younge
er apprentice, and in jeint authority with his journeyman.. And,
Soon after, he gave me the key of his till, and the truſt of all his
treaſure. I now dined with him at the Tame table, and conſulted
and converſed with him as his friend and companion. He frequently
gave me pocket-money, which he told me, he would not charge to
the account of my wages. I walked with him every evening, went
to church with him every Sunday, and read to him in the Bible
every night. I was now wholly reconciled to my God, and telt him
in my ſoul as a friend and a benefactor. Pleaſure played about my
heart, peace lay under my pillow; and my happineſs ſeeined as a
Ship that, after a lòng and deſperate voyage, had anchored in a
calm and ſecure haven.
I had now been ſomething upwards of a year in the ſervice of Mr.
Feiton, when one day I'heard a buſtling noife in the ſtreet, and faw
people running hither and thither acroſs the window, I ſtepped to
the door, and looking to the left, ſaw a great crowd about a cart,
wherein were five criminals going to execution. I laid till they
came juſt oppoſite to me, when, to my'utter aſtonishment and terror,
I ſaw five of my old acquaintance, and, in front of thein, the
bloody villain who had propoſed cutting the throat of the unfortu-
nate pedlar. Inttantly I turned all pale' as my ſhirt, and dreading
that they would know and claim acquaiutance with ine, I ſhrunk
in, and running backward, threw mylelf half fainting into a chair,
Mr. Felton happened to dine abroad that day, and did not return
till the cloth was laid for fupper. He took his chair at table, and


HISTORY OF
deſired me to ſit beſide him. David, faid he, is it not wonderful
that people should continue fo incredulous, notwithſtanding the
frequent and daily proofs of an all-feeing and an all-detečting
Providence? If a ſparrow falls not to the ground without the
notice of our God, how much inore will he take account of the life
of him whom he forined in his own image? The villạin truſts to
bide his villainy, and dares to affrm (with the first murderer) in the
face of God and of man, “ I know not where is my brother."
But blood has a voice, a crying roice, David ; it cries aloud to
heaven, from the very bowels of the earth. No depth can cover it,
no darkneſs can conceal it, for the light that thineth in darkuels
will bring it forth to the day.
About twelve months ago, a pedlar was inurdered in a waſte
houſe called Fie ding's barn. The murderers were of the people
whom they call Giffies, the moſt ſubtle and evaſive of all ſorts of re-
probates, ſo that the fact lay along time in filence. This pedlar,
it ſeems, had an only brother, to whom the reverſion of his ſubſtance
belonged ; and his brother, not ſeeing or hearing from hin a long
time, went through the whole country, and through many parts of
the kingdom, inquiring after him. At length he arrived, one
evening, at an inn fome miles from hence, where he found in the
kitchen ſeven men jovially feated over a bowl of punch; he quick-
ly accepted their invitation, and having ſpent the time pleaſantly,
and the house being thronged, he and one of the company were
thewn to the fame bed.
About manignt uis companion began to mgan mok piteoudy,
restjogging av en
him why he groaned O; Fielding's
Þarn! he cried, Fielding"s barn! Fielding"s barn yang heb
cried, You cannot fay it, you cannot ſay that my hand was in the
murder. Again, he would mutter, with a half-ſmothered voice,
Sec, jee how he struggles, ſee how he kicks; put, put him out of
pain, o put him out of pain.
Hereupon the brother role, and dreffed as quietly as poſible, and
making away to the next magistrate, he returned, ſeized, and car-
ried off his bed-feliow, before any of his comrades were appriſed
of the matter.
What have you done, you villain ? ſaid the magiſtrate without
preface; what' have you done with the body of the pediar whom
you murdered in Fielding's - Damn ? On this queſtion, the wretch,
thinking that all was detected, inſtantly fell on his knees. I hail
neither hand nor heart in the murder, Sif, he cried, and if you will
get me a pardon, I will faithfully tell you the whole affair. On his
confeffion, the five principal rogues were taken before they were out
of bed. And on this evidence, an i that of their ſeventh companion,
they were lentenced, and this day executed, and are to be gibbeted
in the morning
During this narration, I could not refrain from expreſſing, by niy
countenance and gelture, the ſtrong compunction I felt on recollect-
ing tiy long aſſociation with thoſe reprobates; but høy good maſter,
as I ſuppoſe, aferibed my emotions merely to the deteltation which
I had of their deeds,


***
DAVID DOUBTFUL.
T3 }
I had been cloſe upon two years in the ſervice of Mr. Felton, and
he had lately agreed with me at 256. yearly, whereon he paid me the
laſt year's wages in hand; when one evening, as I ftood behind the
counter, a young woman came in and deſired to ſee ſuch and fuch
goods. While ſhe was cheapening on the one hand, and I fetting
forth the extraordinary value on the cther, ſeveral intelligent glances
were exchanged between us. Whenever her eyes met mire, lhe in-
ſtantly caſt them down with bluſhing modeſty ; and yet whenever I
looked at her, I ſaw that her eyes had been fixed upon me. At
length having bought ſome little matters, the made me a batful
courtſey and going out at the door, ſhe turned upon me with a ſigni-
ficant glance, and leparted.
For five tedious diys ſhe with-held herſelf from my ſight, and I
feared ihat I ſhould never behold her any inore. At length the
came,
and I ſtrove in vain to conceal my joy an her appearance.
After cheapening and paying for ſome little matters, the caſt her
eye on a piece of lilk, which, the faid, ſhe fancied greatly, but fear-
ed that her pocket would not reach ſo far. O Miſs ! faid I, we
Thall not quarrel for ſuch a matter, provided I know where to call
for the money. On Sarah Simper, Sir, ſaid the, at ſuch a ſigni, in ſuch
a .
As I had three or four ſpare hours from buſineſs every evening, I
gladly, laid hold on the occaſion I had gotten for Spending that time
in viſits to my beloved. I went, indeed, without forming any pura
poſe or intention, ſave the pleafire of ſeeing her. But this was not
ajways the caſe. Our firſt transgreſſion was ſucceeded,
on her part,
by tears and reproaches, and, on mine, by a depth of ſorrow and
reinorſe.
For five entire days I kept from going to her. At length I con-
fidered, that, as I had injured her, I ought to make her ſuch recom-
pence as was in my power: I put about twelve pounds into my
pocket, being all that I had left of my laſt year's ſalary, and went
and told her, that I was come to take my leave of ker; then pouring
the money into her lap, I promiſed to give her what I fiould earn
from time to time, and to marry her wherever I ſhould be enabled to
maintain a family. Here we both fell into tears, and froin tears we
proceeded to careſſes, and ſo forth, till at laſt we came as guilty aš
we had been before.
From this time my fair one began to extend her appetites, and to
riſe in her paſſions. Under colour of being with child, her long,
ings and fits came frequent upon her, and I was in-a, manner con
ftrained to indulge her, tiil I had taken of my maſter's money to the
amount of fifty pounds,
David, ſaid ſhe che day, it is time to tell you, that I mut ſoon quit
my mantua-måking buſineſs, for I am growing too big to appear
with decency, among my cuſtomers : So you mutt take other lodg-
ings for me, and provide a fufficient fiind to defray the many necel-
ſary expences of child birth. And where, my deareft Sally, may
ſuch a fund be provided ? I have already gone lengths for you that
"may briég me to the gallows. If you had not been a poor fpirited

14
HISTORY OF
fellow, ſays ſhe, you could nn bear to live in the fears that haunt
you lo; you would long lince have made away with that old ſcuun-
drel your mifter. Here, throw this duit into his broth, and then
you may wallow in money without fear of account,
Here I looked her full in the face, when every beauty that had
once enchanted me, ſuddenly vaniſhed from iny fight, and I ſaw
nothing but the dire head of a ſnaky Meduli. However, I ſup-
preſſed my horror as well as I could; and putting back the paper,
No, no, Sally, ſaid I, I would rather die the worſt of deaths iny-
ſelf, than have a hand in making away with my kind old matter.
And die you ſhall then, the cried, for I will not periſh alone. She
then dropped on her knees, and vowed with fearful imprecations,
that the would go directly to Mr. Felton, and niake a diſcovery of
my robberies; that ſhe would alſo go to the next, inagiltrate, and
fwear a rape againſt me.
While the spoke, her aſpect looked livid and deadly, and wrath
and deſperation flaſhed in fire from her eyes.
My dear Sally, faid I, lower your paſſions a little, give me that
paper again, we ſhall fee what may be done. This I did, however,
not with the ſmalleſt intention of keeping iny promiſe ; for I de-
term ned never more to look her in the face.
When I got into the ſtreet, I haltened homeward, without de-
liberating a moment on what I was about, or the confequences that
might enfue. My malter was in a back chamber, looking over
fome letters, when I ruſhed in precipitately, and mut the door be-
hind me.
What is the matter, child, faid he, are you not well?
You look pale and affrighted; what is the matter, David ? O Sir!
O Sir! and I funk upon my knees, I bring to you a villain, a re-
probate, a thief, a robber, a betrayer of truſts, alſo the vileft fine
mer that ever finned againſt God and againſt man. I got in league
with a bad woman, who fiduced me by her beauty, and then pre-
vailed upon me to defraud and rob you, and would have perſuaded
me to murder you ; but there I ſtopped Mort; I could not be pre-
vailed upon to murder you, my malter! Pray then, ſaid he fome-
what ſternly, to what intent are you come ? To demand juſtice,
Sir! I cried, and to appeaſe my own conſcience by ſuffering for
ny faults. Tell me then, faid he niildly, and tell me truly, of
how much money have you defrauded me? Of fifty pounds, Sir!
I anſwered. Rile then, pray riſe, my David! he cried, I would
not bring you to ſhame, much leſs 10 punithunent, for five times
the value of fifty pounds. I owe you for your tervices very nearly
that ſum, and I forgive you the remainder with all my heart. No,
Sir! I cried aloud, and burit into tears, you do not forgive me,
you cannot forgive me, for this your goodness does but heap the
heavier guilt upon my foul.
He then got up, and came to me, and raiſing me to his bofom,
he embraced me, and cried, I rejoice over thee, my David, I re-
joice over thée, my child, as Heaven rejoiceth over the one finner
that repenteth, more than over the nineiy and nine that have no
aced of repentance. You now know your own frailties ; you are
DAVID DOUBTFUL.
45
him.
ſenſible of your lapſes, you will be cautious of future falls... and
you ftand upon firmer ground than ever.
You know ine not! I exclaimed, you know me, not, my good
maſter. I am wholly irreclaimable. The devil has taken por-
ſeſſion of me. I find it quite in vain to ſtrive or ſtruggle againſt
I will pray for you, my ſon, faid the good man vehemently! I
will wrefle with my God for you! and his grace ſhall be fuffi-
cient. No, Sir, I replied, after that which has bappened, I never
ſhall be able to look you in the face. I will not truſt myſelf. I
know that I ſhould fall on the firit trial. Will you leave ine then,
he cried, will you leave me,, my ſon David ? and he took out his
handkerchief, and wiped away the falling tear. I muſt, I an-
fwered, I muſt leave you, my deareſt maſter, I hould be miſerable
if I ſtaid. I will go directly to ſea, I will confine myſelf in ſome
Thip, where I ſhall be ſhut from any commerce or communication
with mankind, and not have it in my reach to wrong or damage
any perfon. And, indeed, I could not bear to ſtay in one town,
or even in one kingdom, with that bad woman. Where may the
be found, David ſaid Mr. Felton. Ah, Sir! I exclaimed, leave
her to God, and to her own evil conſcience, I beſeech you. I
believe ſhe is with child by me. Do not deſire, my maſter, to hurt
a little innocent that has not yet ſeen the light ! No, my David,
ne, I mean nothing but comfort to her : I mean to fupply her
wants, and to foften her diftreffes.
There was ſomething ſo affecting in ſuch a proof of wonderful
goodneſs, as must have. ftruck to the heart of the mok abandoned
reprobate.
As he now found that I was bent and determined on departing,
David, ſays he, ſince you will go, you muſt not go uņprovided
A failor ought to have proper neceſſaries; and, if you will give
me your company for three or four day longer, I will get you a
good birth in tome ſhip or other. Mean time I would adviſe you
to ſet about your preparations; for which purpoſe, you muſt ac-
cept theſe fifty guineas, which you may pleaſe to return me, when
ſome happy adventure thall furniſh you with means. No, no, Sir,
I cried, putting his purſe back with my hand, your plan is nat
the plan of your reprobate ſervant; your good bir hs are not at all
for my purpoſe. I will go as a common failor; the meaņeſt of
fices and the greatest drudgery will be a penance too little, much
too little, for my tranſgreſſions. And To ſaying, I turned, and
jvent haſtily. out.
I made directly to the quay, where I ſaw a crowd of citizens
intermixed with ſailors. On going up, I found that they were
enlifting volunteers, to whom they offered from one to three guir
neas per man. And what will you give me, Captain, if I go
with you? He then looked earneſtly at me, and having eyed me
ſeveral times from head to foot, I will give you, my ladi
, laid he,
five guineas in your filt, and here is my hand for a hearty wele
come into the bargain. If your honour then will be pleaſed to
B





HISTORY OF
order thoſe five pieces to be laid out for me in ſuch neceſſaries as
you think fitting; I live at ſuch a place, and ſhall be ready at a
call. Enough, ſaid the captain, our ſhip is called the Centurion,
of thirty guns, the brave David Jenkins commander. We fet
out by morning's tide, between ten and eleven; and if you come
without a call, you will be the more welcome. So ſaying, he gave
me a familiar fhake by the hand, and we parted.
I then went directly home, and, calling Mr. Felton aſide, I told
him of my ſucceſs, and engagement in the Centurion, ſuppreſſing
only the time of my early departure ; for I felt that I could not
fand the parting with him, and I thought it beſt to make it as
little painful to him and myſelf as might be.
I ſpent the night in fighs and tears, and getting up before day,
I took my ſhoes in my hand, and, ſtepping ſoftly down ſtairs,
would have ſtolen out at the Atreet-door; but in that inftant the
door of a fide parlour was opened, and, before I could look about,
my maſter had me in his arnis. Will you leave me then, David,
will you indeed leave me? he cried. 0 David, David, I love you
next to my only child. Stay with me yet, my fun, O ſtay with
me, my David, and I will do every thing, I will do all things
that may be done for you.
Here 'I funk, and was juſt fainting, under the preſlure of his
goodneſs. Do not kill me, my matter, do not kill me outright, I
cried. You muſt no longer be burdened by my body of ſin and
death ; as God has forlaken me, I muſt leave you, my maſter!
let him do with me as he will, and if I periſh, I perish. So ſaying,
I broke from him, and away I ruſhed, weeping and fubbing all
the way, as though my heart would cleave in runder.
The captain received me with great cordiality, and at times
called me his namefake, and was very familiar with me. The
failors alſo, after his example, began to affect me without any ap-
pearance sf envy; for though I had not been exerciſed in their
profeffion, yet I was ſtrong, hale, and active, and ready to aflitt
them at every turn.
I was now incorporated with a fraternity whoſe wickedneſs was
of a ſpecies quite different from that of my former brotherhood.
Our failors were ſo far from cheating and defrauding, that they
ſcarce ſeemed to have any regard for property; and they were as
brave a ſet of fellows as ever trod a deck. But then they were as
hardened to any ſenſe of religion or piety as the nether millſtone
and the ſacred and tremendous names of God, and his Chriſt,
were of no other import to them than as the balls of a billiard ta
ble, to be toſſed and bandied about for ſport.
At firſt this was a matter of great offence and horror to me. Can
there be a God, I would ſay to myſelf, and can he ſuffer his treinen-
dous name to be inſulted and blaſphemed as it is by theſe wretches ?
But, alas! I was not as one of the three captives at Babylon; I
could not be caſt into the furnace, and come forth without a linge.
In time this profaneneſs became leſs irklome to my ears, and, by
degrees, I began to telith, and to catch the common contagion.


;

DAVID DOUBTFUL,
Our ſhip had been deſtined to protect the trade in the Levants.
Within the ſpace of five months we had reſcued from the captors
fix Engliſh ſhips, and made prize of three ſtout frigates, of thoſe
African pirates who war upon the world, when the boy from the
maſt-head cried out, A fail! We inmediately made chace, and
found by evening that we had gained conſiderably upon her ; but
as the night came on thick and hazy, we ſhortened fail, and lay,
to till morning, but hung out no lights.
At dawn of day we renewed the chace, though no fail was then
in fight; but we had not continued it above four or five leagues,
when we clearly diſcerned the fame veſſel, and perceived that the
altered her courſe, and was bearing down toward us.
Hereupon we ſhortened fail, and waited for her. But we had
not waited long, till we perceived a ſecond veſlel that ſeemed in
chace of the first; and foine time after ſaw a third that ſeemed in
chace of the two former.
On this the lieutenant, an old and experienced failor, looked
ſomewhat blank, and deſired that the captain would inſtantly call
a council of war. Gentlemen, ſays he, the many captures we
have lately made could not fail of informing our enemies that we
are in theſe feas; and I apprehend, with great seaſon, that they
have inade choice of their beſt means to over-reach and over-match
us, and to fall with their united force upon us.
And indeed ye
may already perceive, that the hip which we had in chace has
Mortened fail, and waits to be joined by her two conforts, whone
The ſeemed f> lately to fear. I think, as the jockeys ſay, that we
have more than fout for them; and all the queſtion is, whether
Old England ſhall make uſe of her feet to fly, while the has any
hands lelt wherewith The may fight? At this they cried, with one
• vuice, No Hying! no flying"! let theni cume on, the circumciſed
dogs, as many as may be of them ; we will neither take nor give
quarter, they or we muſt to the bottom! To work then, my
brave lads ! cries Captain Jenkins, for we are likely to have as
warm a bout of it as we could wiſh,
To bufile went all hands. We had a clear ſhip in a nioment;
and, for the firſt time, Itowed our hammocks in the nettings.
The captain then chuſing a dozen of the beſt markſmen, he dita
poled thein in the tops, with ſtrict orders to direct their fire only
at thoſe who appeared to be officers.
Our fhip at this time was full manned with about two hundred
and feventy men, 'all as ready and deſirous to go and meet death
as a beau to go to a ball, or an alderinan to a feast.
The three conforts were now joined, as our mate had foreſeen,
and bore down upon us right before the wind; and then it was that
my ſins came crowding into my mind, and I believe I was the
only perſon in the ſhip's company who trembled.
They all came up with a deſperate boldnefs; and while one at-
tacked us on our bow, a ſecond lay upon our quarter, while the
third bore away under our ftern, and raked us fore and aft with
her whole broadfide; nor were we idle in the mean times but


в 2
18
HISTORY OF
!
plied our guns with ſuch fpirit and ſucceſs as fucn obliged them
to Theer off.
Our ſhip wis of Engliſh oak, and ſtood their ſhot to a wonder;
our necal was alſo much weightier than their's; but then they
outnumbered us three to one in men and in guns.
Having got out of the reach of our ſhot, they moved off, as in-
tending to make their eſcape; but having repaired their damage as
well as time would allow, they returned upon us with two-fold
refoluti n and fury.
Then it was that ſuch a ſcene was openedl, as was ſufficient to
Strike hell itſelf with horror.
They now entertained us with a new kind of warfare, For
getting up within piſtol frot, they toſſed their granadoes or hand-
Mells among us, that were filled with broken bottles, and withi
riity and ragged pieces of old iron. Theſe did fearful execution,
and our deck was quickly covered with blood and brains, and
pieces of human fleſh, while the noiſe of the canuon could ſcarcely
drown the fireams of the wounded, and the groans of the dying.
In this defperate fituation we loaded all our guns with grape.
mot, which made fuch havock among our enemies as obliged two
of than to theer away again as faſt as they could, while the third
kept playing upon us at a diſtance, till we forced her alſo to fol.
low her conforts.
We now had leiſure to clear our deck, and, with forrowful
hearts, "threw our dead companions overboard.
Having once more fet all to rights, we bore duwn on all three ;
but they crouded away from us, maintaining a running fight with
Acir ftern-chace; and as they levelled their ſhot almoſt wholly
at our rigging, hy evening we were incapable of further purſuit.
Meanwhile we had plied them with our cannon lo well, that,
as it began to wax dufkilh, we perceived the crew of the hindmoſt
in much contuſion, and making lignals of diſtreſs to their conſorts,
Soon after we ſaw them heave out their boat, and they had ſcarce
crouded int, her when their chip went down. Hereon we gave à
great ſhout, which we repeated on ſeeing their boat overſet. But
as the Moors are excellent ſwimmers, I ſuppoſe moſt of thein got
fafe, and were taken in by their companions. In the mean space
our moft gallant Captain Jenkins had his right leg and thigh car-
ried off by a cannon ſhot; I think it was the lait thot the enemy
fred.
As I ſtood by my captain's fide, I catched him in my arms be.
fare he fell to the board, and cried out for the furgeons; but the
effuſion of blood was ſo great, and ſo impoſible to be ſtaunched,
that we quickly deſpaired of any life for him.
As I fupported him on deck with my right arm, he found him:
félf growing faint, and turned his face to me. David, ſaid he, t
am not afraid to die, for I am a Chriſtian. Here, my David,
here is my purſe and my watch, which I bequeath to your love as
my last legacy
Though we greatly grieved for our captain, we were fill nort

:
::
.

!.
DAVID DOUBTFUL.
Ig
s
concernod for the honour of England, leſe our good thip hould
fall into the hands of the barbarians. For the now lay like a hulk
on the face of the water. She could neither purſue por avoid ata
enemy; and, though ſhe had been in plight, we had not hands
left sufficient to work her.
Night came on apace, hoſtilities ceaſed on both fides; the pi-
rates hung out lights, to prevent, as we ſuppoſed, their parting
from each other, and we mournfully called a muſter of our men
in the dark; whereon we found, that of two hundred and feventy
odd men, we had but fifty remaining, twenty of whoin were
wounded, though not diſabled.
Come, my lads, cried the old lieutenant, it is as good to be
nxerry as fad. We have worked enough to-day to give us ar sp-
petite. Let us have ſomething to eat, and a bowl of punch; and
if we die by morning, let us not die with cold hearts and empty
ſtomachs. Moreover, for your encouragement, I take upon me
to promiſe, that, if you wilt be guided, I will make you maſters
of one of yonder vefſels before fim-riſe.
We engaged compliance to a tittle; and accordingly after we
had refreſhed ourſelves plentifully, he ordered our boats to be heared
overboard, and let drive with the wind. We then fet our watch,
and went down to take a few hours repoſe.
Two hours before day we were rouſed by the lieutenant, and
the firſt thing we did was to bore a large hole in the ſide of our
thip about a foot helow water, for which we had an occaſional
plug prepared.
As foon as the day dawned, 'we fet watches to give us timely
notice of the enemy's approach; and then lay down on our ſmart
arms out of obſervation.
The pirates, as we preſumed, keld up their glaſſes, but ſecing
neither men nor boats in our ſhip, they concluded, that we had
made an elopement by night, and came or without precaution or
preparation.
Ås foon as they had arrived within about half a feague, our
watchmen, according to order, drew forth the plug, and, creeping
upon deck, crouched down with us.
The conforts bad agreed to board our thip on each ſide, in con
fidence of a rich and unrefitting prize. But the moment that we
heard the firſt of them ruftling along ſide, and perceived that they
evere beginning to get up our fide, we jumped up, as one manj
and ſetting up a great ſhout, and overturning all we met, leaped
into their veſſel
Never was amazement like that of the enemy! They ſcarce
made any reſiſtance, and, in leſs than a minute, not a Moor was
left upon deck.
Meantine the other pirate had boarded our late veffel, almoſt
to a man. They had heard, indeed, the ſhout, with the clamour
and groans of their fellows, but did not rightly know what te
make of it; till moving cloſe round the head of qur former Shipy
we mot the few who were left in the ſecond frigate; then throwing
B 3

29
HISTORY OF
qat our grapplings, we tewed her off, and then bored and funk
Her is the face of her owners,
They thescupan ſet up ſuch a yell of deſpair and horror as was
affecting, even to the hearts of their enemies. At length they
aimed the cannon of the Centurion upon us, but we foon got out
of reach of their thot; and by the time we were about three leagues
frono them, we faw our good Centurion go to the bottom, the glori.
aus tomb of her noble captain.
We now thought that, of about a thouſand aſſailants, there was
not one left to carry tidings to their native country of their defeat
Bert going down to the ſtate cabin, I ſaw a young man richly drell-
ody and of a noble aſpect, leaning wounded upon a couch, with
Haree attendants about him.
As lentered, he gave me a look that ſeemed compounded of apo
prehenfion and courage, and accolted me in broken Engliſli, for he
frast travelled inuch, and reſided for a ſeaſon in London.
I know, ſaid he, that I am your priſoner ; I alſo know what I
to experto Draw your cutlara thien, and let'me join my country,
tment No, Sir, I replied, you have nothing to fear from me. А.
man, who dokrves that name, owes nothing but love to man, ex-
cept when he is aſſaulted; the brave ſee no enemy in the feeble or
the conqueredka
Where have you learned, he cried, the ſentiments of my own
Soud a But your generoſity. thai loole you nothing, demand what
ranſom you pleaſe, and it hall be paid you. I am not commander
in chist, I anſwered ; but, as far as my infuence reaches, you are
frea as air, and Dall be bound to us by nothing but your affections.
Then, ftretching forth his arm, Your hand, my brother, he cried,
and giving me a kind ſqueeze, the tear came into his eye.
I went directly on deck, and informed our little crewy now re-
dued to thirty-three, of what had paſſed between the noble Moor
and myſelf, and told thein, I hoped they would be fo generous as
to make my proniife, good. To this the greater number gladly af-
fented, but ſome of them murinured. Hereupon I remonſtrated,
that we were already rich enough, for we had brought all the
money out of our own thip, beſide the great treaſure in the pirate
fcigate, which we had not yet divided. I further repreſentedig
that we knew not what the events of war or fortune might be, and
Haat it would not be imprudent to make a friend on the Africa
boaſts, who, in all appearance, was a perfon of high c nſideration;
and, with theſe reaſons, at length all appeared to be fatisfied.
I then carried the plealrig tidings to my new friend, and took
with me our only ſurviving ſurgeon, who dreſſed the wound in his
thigh, which had been made by a mufket ball.
As ſoon as the furgeon hand withdrawn, the noble Olinyn of Petraz
for fo he was called, preſented me with his purſe, and a carbuncle
ting of extraordinary valuc, and prefled them earneſtly
, upon me;
but as I peromptorily refufed them, and this refuſal appeared to
dlitreis hin grearly:
Luing the five days in which we continued together, F had him

-


I
主
​*
DAVID DOUBTFUL.
as tenderly and as honourably attended as our circumſtances would
admit : and I ſpent with him all the time I could ſpare from my
duties and great fatigues upon deck, as all the hands we had, were
kept buſily employed in ſplicing the ropes, refitting the mangled
fails and rigging, and in repairing the breaches of the veſlel, for
our ſhot had bored her fides quite through in ſeveral places.
On theſe accounts we failed but heavily, ſtill making towards
the Streights, and daily wiſhing to meet or be overtaken by fume
Engliſh drip of force, to which we might fafely confide ourſelves
and our treaſures.
On the fixth morning, having arrived within twenty leagues of
the mouth, the day diſcovered to us, that we were alinett within
Not of a ſhip that carried EngliM colours. Hereat we rejoiced with
exceeding great joy, an: Mackening our ſail, and heaving out a
finall boat, ten of us Nipt into it, and away werowed with all our
might. As we approached, we ſaw numbers, in Engliſh dreſſes,
walking to and again on deck ; and, getting alonglide, they threw
ropes over to us, and we mounted with great alacrity.
Hitherto we were ſo intoxicated with joy, that we had not the
precaution to hail them, till we found ourſelves in the very thick of
pur enemies, I looked rjund, and, feeing none but tawny and
hoftile faces about me, I civilly demanded, who, and of what
country they were? when a ruffian, gathering his ipitele,- fpirted it
full in my face, and, at the ſame tiine, gave me a buffet on the
fide cf my cheek. Then I did not once reflect either where or
among whom I was, but with one ſtroke of my lift, I ſtretched hiin
flat
upon the deck; then throwing up the heels of another who had
raiſed his arm againit me, he fell with his head foremoſt acr is his
fellow; and twilting wird on a third, who had feized me behind
by the ſhoulder, I diagged him under me, and leized nie behind
on the board. Here a crowd of them gathered over me, and,
each helping to hold a leg or an arm; I. was bound with cords that
cruſhed my fleſh to the very bone, and then tumbled with kicks,
like a dog, along the deck.
Mean time my nine companions, who had offered to interpoſe,
were alſo ſeized and bound, and caſt into the hold.
For about three hours I lay in exceſſive anguiſh, though through
a fort of ſtubborn pride I endeavoured. to fuppreſs my groans. In
the interin I felt the ſhip begin to move, and ſoon atier I perceived
all in a buttle about me. Again I heard from within and without
ſeveral diſcharges of ſmall arins, and as I law ſeveral Moors fall
lifelels and convulſive, and biting the deck around me, I righelý :
concluded that the firips were engaged, I gave a long and deep
groan, and I cried aloud, 0, my countrymen! my brave cjuntry
men! why am I not with you ? why have I not the happineſs of
dying with you, and for you and my heart was to wrung' that I
fainted quite away.
I afterwards learned, that my true and valiant fellows had refuſed
to ſubmit upon ſunimons: that the pirate, ſeeing them ſo few,and
being deluous of ſaving the frigate for their own uſe, had attack-

HISTORY OF
ed them with ſmall arins, which were warmly anſwered on our
part; when, having dropped or diſabled above alf of our brave
Engliſh, with two of Olinyn's attendants who happened to be up-
c7 deck, they entered, and mercileſsly butchered the remainder,
among whom was our old mate and furgeon.
Mean time I lay inſensible to all that paſſed, till a raíñan, ſeeing
me pale and lifeleſs, in all appearance, gave me a wring by the
noſe. Hereupon I awaked to the bittereft fenfations. It remember.
td me of my gallant meſſinates, who had ſo loved and careſſed me
above my merits; and iny tears, without ſigh or groan, ran in
Streams down my cheeks.
At length I heard a voice, a known voice, as I thought, crying,
Where is my friend, where is niy brother David ? and turning niy
head a little, I ſaw my noble Olmyn just entering the hip.
Having inſtantly cait an eye of learching love around," he 'ſpied
where I lay, and coming and throwing himſelf beſide me, he put
one arm about, and cried, O, my brother! my brother David! is
it thus that my people uſe you? I grieve that you Chriftians ſhould
beat us all to nothing in honour and humanity. He then took out
his knife, and, having tenderly cut my cords, he trained his own
ability to help me to riſe.
He then called for the captain, who came bowing to him with
great reſpect. Their diſcourſe was long and carnett. At length
Oſinyn roſe high in paſſion, and gave the captain a back ſtroke
with his hand acroſs the face. Toblerved his choler (welling almost
to fuffocation ; but he ſuppreſſed his indignation, and retired in
filenee, I heard Ofmyn then giving ſome orders to the men ; but
as I was a Atranger to their language, I knew not the purport of
any thing that paſſed. Soon after, however, I ſaw my nine com-
panions brought from the hold, and unbound.
And Ofmyn,
iurning to me, deſired me to tell my people, that they were all free;
and that as ſoon as we landed in Barbary, he would take the firſt
means of ſending them with honour to their native country. Ah!
my Lord, I cried, I am ſorry that you ſtruck the captain; he has
many adherents here, and will certainly ſeek ſome method of re
venge. He dare not, he dare not, replied my friend; the villain
would have diſputed with me the property of my own frigate, which
I manned and fitted out at my own expence. But if I hear or fee
any more of his inſolence, as ſoon as we land, I will complain to
the Dey my uncle, and have the rogue impaled alive.
He then ordered out the long-boat, and, turning to me, ſaid, I
am going David, to take an account of what effects are left in
my
thip, and I would take you with me if you were in a condition to
go;
but I will ſoon return, and, in the mean time, order the fura
geon to do his beſt for allaying the swelling in your limbs.
During his abſence, the fhip’s company, and even the captain,
whoſe name was Barbar, behaved themlélves toward me and my
fellows with great, though filent, civility; and a plentiful meſs was
ferved up to us for dinner. But during our repali I obſerved, that
the captain called fuch and such of his men to the quarter.deck
DAVID DOUBTFUL.
28
where he held with thein a long and whiſpering kind of con-
verſation.
Thefe fellows, as it ſeems, were the moſt barbarous and bloody
of all their barbarons and bloody conntrymen. Having taken the
flip wherein we then were, a merchantman, carrying about twenty
guns, they had maſſacred every creature on board, and then dreffeél
themteives in he cloathes of the Engliſh, in order to inteigle others
in the like calamity; while they difpatched their own frigate back
to Tunis to get recruits.
My noble friend did not return till late in the evening. He then
ordered ſupper to be got ready, and the ſtate cabin to be prepared
for him and me to lye in ; but I whiſpered, and befought him to ex-
cuſe me for declining that honour, as I perceived that the favours
which he did me had already giver much umbrage and offence to his
countrymen
I know not whence, or for what purpoſe forebodings may come;
but all that night my ſpirits were exceedingly fad and depreſſed; and
though my fellow's arid I were put to lie in a part of the ſhip the
most remote from my friend, yet I imagined that I heard ſecret tread.
ings and mutterings, and again at dead of night, that I heard the
diſtant found of trampling and ſtruggling, as of people in doing
and receiving violence.
I was itill
fore from the tyings and the bruiſes which I had res
ceived; when, toward the end of a neepleſs night, a gang of armed
ruffians entered the place where we lay, and loaded us with irons,
They then took away all our cloaths and treaſures, and threw to
in each of us canvas ſhirt and drawers, as llaves prepared for the
market.
The moment they laid their hands upon me, it occurred, that
they would not have dared to do it, if they had not firſt made away
with iny dear friend and patron ; at which thought my ſoul grew in-
ftantly fick, and a dark cloud of forrow fell heavily upon it.
Sore and Mhackled as I was, I got inmediately on decks and look-
ed wiftfully out to ſea, but could diſcover no frigate. I then ſhufa
fled along as faſt as I could to the cabin, where I had parted the
night before with my Ofmyn, and looking in at the door, I cried
aloud, Where are you, Lord Oſmyn, where are you, my maſter!
When no anſwer could be had, I returned wild with rage and
grief, and notwithſtanding my chains, had ļ not been diſabled by
my contuſions, I ſhould have done my beſt to throttle cvery inan
met. But all I could do was to wring my hands, and roar alona
to all around, Ye butchers ! ye cut-throats! ye villains of all
villains ! what have you done with your Lord! what have you done
with your maſter! what have ye done with my friend ! with mỹ
Oſmyn! 'my Ofmyn!
For two nights and two days I taſted nothing but water, which
I drank in large quantities, as my ſoul, as well as body, was in a
ferment and fever. On the third day, the captain fearing that I
would die of grief, and that he thould loke what he propoſed to get
by my ſale, fent a kind of interpreter to ine, to let me know, that,
on the night in which I parted with Olmyn, he and the captain ſoon


34
HISTORY OF
after had fome warm words concerning their rights in the frigate,
and in the Engliſh now on board; whereupon Ofmyn ſwore, that
he would not remain any longer in his ſhip; and that, taking with
hiin a number of hands, he re-imbarked in the frigate, and directly
fet fail.
As this tale carried with it ſome face of a fact, I grew eaſier in
my mind; and, on the very day following, having anchored in the
bay of Algiers, my fellows and I were taken into the town, and
ſold at public market.
I happened to be bought by one of the Dey's factor's, who im-
mediately ſent me to work at his country palace.
This work was a moſt ftupendons undertaking. Above five
hundred men had been daily employed in it for two years paſt, and
yet a third of it was not done when I arrived.
A large lawn extended itſelf in the front of the palace, and here
the Dey had ordered a great canal to be dug, and from its excava-
tion a inount to be raiſed, whoſe baſe meaſured three hundred yards
in circumference. The aſcent was cafy and ſpiral, much reſembling
the prints you have ſeen of the tower of Babel. The border of
this aſcent was adorned all the way with lofty cedars, interlaced
with all ſorts of aromatic and powering Ihrubs; and from the top,
before I left it, was to be ſeen the bay, the dripping, the city, and
country all arour.d, while diftant mountains on the one hand, and
an extent of ccean on the other, alone bounded the proſpect.
You will think it very extraordinary, when I aſſure you, that, sill
I was in a ſtate of Navery, my mind never was free. Hitherto I
had been the Nave of an and of appetite, of paſſicns and of fears.
But here I counted to fet up my reſt for life. I had no parents, no
wealthy kindred, no friend upon earth to whom I might look for a
pennyworth of ranſome. There was therefore no further proſpect
for me, there was nothing further left to incite my defire, or to ex.
cite my concern ; and I funk gradually, as it were down into the
peace of iny own nothingneſs.
I had been lately the poffeffor of the value of ſome thouſands,
and now I had not wherewithal to purchaſe a morfel of bread.
The Dey, or regent, then being was called Ali Eben Buchar,
He was a great warrior, and yet a man of an amiablecharacter, which
is rarely the caſe with Mooriſh governors. He had been at Conftar.-
tinople when I was enſlaved ; and on his return, lie was ſo ſolicitoully
engaged in matters of fate, that he was not at leiſure tu come and
ſee
our works, Toward the end of the ſecond
year
of
my
ſervitude,
he arrived with a pompous train. He was a portly comely perſonage,
tho' his complexion was a deep olive. He exprefled high delight on
furveying what we had done ; and he ordered a feitival of three
days to be proclaimed for his tabourers, with ſports, martial exer-
ciles, and prizes for the vietors.
Great preparations were made for this entertainment. In a
plain, on the left of the palace, a fquare of half a mile diameter
vrás encloſed with pales; within which none were permitted to en-
tor, ſave the Dey and his train, with thoſe who laboured in his
DAVID DOUBTFUL.
23
2
܂
ſeveral works, amounting to about a thouſand men. On one ſide,
within the pales, a throne was errected, with two ſeats, and lowa
er benches were placed on either hand.
Early on the inorning of the firſt appointed day, the feſtival was
opened by the ſound of trumpets and horns, and other martial itis
ſtruments.
It had been a cuſtom among us of the labourers who were
young and active, when the day's work was over, to divert our ,
fellows with various exerciſes and feats, ſuch as wreſtling, running,
leaping, and toſſing or trundling leaden balls, and to forth; I
was therefore up among the ſooneft, in hopes of diſtinguiſhing
myſelf on the occafion.
By the dawning, the city was emptied of its inhabitants, and
crouds came on after crouds, from all parts of the country, ſo that
the pales were foon circled by an innumerable concourſe.
Then came Ali, with his attendants, and entering the pale, aſ.
cended his throne, while his courtiers and guards arranged them.
ſelves behind.
Then were exalted, on poles, the prizes that were to be given
to ſuch of the flaves, or labourers, as excelled in toſling the javelin,
or in hitting a diſtant mark with the bow or with the fling. But
as I had not been practiſed in theſe matters, I contented myſelf,
for this day, with being a fpe&tator. Some of the candidates, on
this occaſion, were extremly expert, and would ſend an arrow, or
fing a tone, more directly to the mark than any European could
Thoot a muſket bullet ; acordingly the generous Ali added freedom
to the prizes which they had won, and immediately preferred them
among his troeps.
After this, Ali, to entertain his people, ordered a dozen of his
courtiers to run at the ring. Immediately a number of neighing
fteeds, richly capariſoned, were led by lackeys into the liſts. The
young nobles, without ſtirrup or ſaddle, vaulted lightly into their
feats, and turning and winding their fiery horſes with wonderful
aommand and addreſs, gave high delight to the ſpectators. Each
of them then caught a javelin, which was toſſed to him by an at-
tendant; and, ſetting out, ſucceſſively, almoſt at their ſpeed, three
of them, in mid-courſe, bore off a ſmall ring of brals, from the
thread by which it hung, on the point of his lance.
While the people retired homeward, ſeveral waggons were drawn
in, heavy laden with victuals and cooling liquors, wherewith all
the Naves and labourers were plentifully regaled.
The ſecond day was uſhered in with the like pomp as the former;
and prices were iet up for liſting the weight, for toſſing the coit,
and for pitching the bar.
At a little diftance from the front of the throne, a ring was
faſtened to a leaden maſs, that weighed about five hundred pounds
and above fifty adventurers ſucceſſively attempted to lift, but not a
man of them could move it. I then advanced, bowing lowly to
wards the throne, and putting my right hand in the ring, and
exerting my powers, I raiſed it fairly fro:n the ground, where
26
HISTORY OF
1
upon a great fout was ſuddenly given by all my companions
who worked with ine at the mount. Hereupon a black came up,
of Herculean bulk and brawn, and, defiring that fifty pounds more
ſhould be added to the lead, he lifted and twung thein in the air
with apparent eaf, and the prize was accordingly adjudged to him.
A large iron coit was then given to the competitors, and about
a dozen of them toſſed it to a diſtance that was thought extraor-
dinary. I then took it up, and threw it three feet beyond the
furtheſt. But again the black flave came up, who was not of our
company, and toſſed it two feet beyond my caſt, and conſequently
atchieved the ſecond prize.
A long and maſſive bar was then preſented to us, but all re-
fuſed to take it in hand, till the ſame black ſeized it, and, putting
one end to his foot, pitched it off to a diſtance that raiſed a cry
of admiration. I then took my turn, and giving my whole
Itrength and action to this ſingle caſt, I pitched it fome inches be.
yond the throw of my rival, whereupon another thout was given
and repeated. The black then was wholly enflamed by envy and
refentment, and reclaiming the bar, and exerting all his force, he
threw it to a length, that, on admeaſurement, was judged to ex-
ceed my caſt, and he proudly laid hold of the third prize.
The great Ali then ordered me to be brought before him. I
went, and bending on my knee, laid iny head to the earth. Rife,
faid he. I obeyed, and he ſurveyed me with long and earneſt at-
tion. Young man, he cried, you have been this day fomething
unfortunate, but you have not the leſs merit; put this ring on
your finger, it diſcharges you henceforth from all kind of labour;
but it does not enfranchiſe you, becauſe, for the preſent, I do not
chuſe to part with you. I reſpectfully took the ring, and again
bowing to the ground, retired in ſilence.
A tournament of the young nobles then enſued, wherein great
feats of action and proweſs were dhewn. And the day ended with
another droll, to which I gave no heed.
The morning of the third day was opened as uſual, and prizes
were exhibited for wreſtling, for running, and for leaping.
Immediately the black champion ſtepped formidably forth, and
challenged any to approach who deſired to be cruſhed to death,
but not a man accepted this charitable invitation. Unwilling,
then, that this boafter ſhould carry off the prize without a con-
teſt, I ſtepped from my rank, depending more upon action than
force to cope with them. We both ftripped to our canvas drawers,
and his looks and geſtures menaced me with inſtant deſtruction. Í
advanced however to eſſay hin, and he ſtretched his arms toward
me, as a vulture would reach his pounces to ſeize upon a chicken,
when {pringing inſtantly up to him, I put a hand upon each of
his houlders, and, vaulting lightly over his head, I turned nim.
bly upon him, threw up his heels, and laid him at his.length on
the earth.
As the contraſt of our colours had rendered us remarkable to
all the spectators, a hout was ſet up that rent the very elements,



#
DAVID DOUBTFUL.
27

号
​upon my head.
But the black aroſe, and roared aloud, with his lion-like voice,
for juſtice; and the judges, on weighing the matter, appointed
me to another trial, forbidding further fraud.
Again we prepared to engage, and again my black adverſary
ftretched forth his arms, with eyes flathing fire, and features dif.
torted with rage ; when retiring froin him as if diſmayed, I ſhot
forward like lightning, and ſpringing from the ground, I pitched
the whole weight of my body into his bolom. This staggered him
fome ſteps backward, when continuing to preſs upon him, I put
one foot behind, and he fell under me, with a horrible ſquelchi,
upon the fand; and daſhing my hand againſt his forehead, I ſprung
up lightly on my feet.
Here the people repeated their clamours, which was echoed for
a long ſpace from ſide to ſide; while I propoſed to the judges,
that if my rival was not yet ſatisfied, I would give him the other
venture. But the black was ſo far from being in plight for a third
engagement, that he could not riſe without help on either hand d;
and the prize being a fine turban with a diamond button, was put
The competitors for the race then came from among the croud,
being fifteen in number, lightly equipt for the purpoſē, and I alla
put on a thin canvas waiſtcoat that came cloſe to iny body.
In the front of the throne, a long pole was ſet up, from whence
we were to ſtart, and another pole was erected on the further fide,
round which we were to run, and ſo return to the poſt from whence
we ſet out.
We were all arranged in a line, and Ali himſelf was to give
the word, when one of our fellows, either thinking or pretending
to think, that the word was given, ſtarted away, the reſt followed,
and I was left alone, quietly Itanding by the poſt. Why do you
not ſet out ? faid Ali." When your Highneſs ſhall be pleaſed to
give the word. Away, then! he cried, and away I fprung
As I found that I was gathering them up very faſt, I ſuſpended
my ſpeed, and lingered behind the hindmoſt, till they had all
turned the post, and extended in a long line before me. I then
karted away, and paſſed one, and then another, tilt, having paffed
them all, I left the foremoſt at a diſtance behind 'me, and ſeized
the goal; whereupon Ali himſelf gave a cry of admiration, which
was anſwered from all ſides by all his people.
I was then preſented with a velvet tunic embroidered with gold;
and ſome ſmaller matters were given to the two who came next to
me in ſpeed.
The candidates for the third prize then roſe from the ground,
where they had fæt to repoſe themſelves, for they were the fame
perſons who had been competitors in the race. A ſcarlet girdle
was ſtretched along the graſs, as a mark from whence the tivals
were to fet off on their leap. And each of them took a run, till
they came to the appointed limit, and then fprung forward with
their utmoſt agility:
As this, of all othett, was the article of bodily exerciſe wherein
C

28
HISTORY OF
Was over.
I excelled, I ſtood by as an unconcerned ſpectator, till the conteſt
I then ineaſured with my eye the length they had
palied. Then, taking two men, I felt them in mid-ſpace, and
placing a pole upon their heads I took a run, and throwing my-
Telf head-foremoſt over the pole, I turned in the air, and alighted
fix inches beyond the furtheft leap; whereupon I was prefented
with a collar adorned with gems of great luſtre.
Ali then ordered tivo troops of his lighteſt horſe to come for-
ward. Accordingly they entered the pale, and dividing, they re-
tired to oppoſite ſides of the lifts. The populace then fell back,
and cleared the intermediate ſpace, and the young officers let for-
ward, on a half-gallop, at the head of their troops.
Never did I ſee ſuch action, ſuch horleinanſhip. The officers,
as they rode ſwiftly forward, would toſs their lances aloft, and then
catch thein in mid-air; and again they would caſt them to a dif-
tance before them, and, ſtooping, take them from the ground in
the midſt of their ſpeed.
The troops then met, as ſhould ſeem, in mortal oppoſition; and
breaking their frail lances againſt each other, they drew the
wooden tabres, and each, paſſing his adverfary, gave a back-Iiroke
to his neck with ſuch force and agility as was truly alarming.
Their ranks then appeared to be broken on either part. And, in-
ttantly forming theinfelves into little shombs, or ſquares, or
Werges, they fought and mixed together as in a country-dance,
with the moſt regular confuſion that ever was beheld.
This was juftly delightful to all the ſpectators : and I received
an order from Ali, to dreſs myſelf in the prizes which I had won,
and to attend him.
I obeyed, and preſented myſelf before him. What is your
name, young man? David, ſo pleaſe your Highneſs. Are you
of Chriſt or of Mahomet, David ? My will is with Chrift, ſo
pleaſe you; but, while I conteſs him with my lips, my whole life
has denied him. Then David, if you will but forlake Chrift,
and turn to Mahomet, you Nall be the friend of Ali, and he will
heap treaſures, and titles, and great honours upon you. Ah, my
lord! I cried out, though I hold my Chrift but by a frail and
fieble thread, yet I would not quit that thread for a chain of
golden links, that ſhould hind the whole wealth of the world to
my poſſeffion. And why would your Highneſs defire the ſervice
of a traitor? He who proves a traitor to his God, ſo pleaſe you,
can never prove true to any matter.
Well, David, ſaid he mildly, we may talk of theſe matters
hereafter. In the mean time, before I do you any grace, I ought
at least to do you justice. You have already received the reward
of your valour and your activity, but you have not yet rectived
the reward of your ubedience. You were the only one, brave
David, who at the riſk of your own honour, attended on my
word, and here I give you an earneſt of the recompence that I in.
3
tend you.
So ſaying, he preſented me with a large and maſſive fabre, whoſe
C
DAVID DOUBTFUL.
29
handle was ſtudded with gems of great value. I received it on
my knee; he then continued, Aſk me now, David, what further
gift you demand, except your diſiniſſion, and it fall be granted
you, to a tenth of the trealure in my coffers.
When he had ſpoken, my eye was caught by one of his re-
tinue, and immediately I recolleted the features of the pirate
Birbar.
I instantly caſt myſelf proftrate before his throne, and cried
aloud, Ah, generous Ali! may God inultiply to you treatures
and bleſſings a thouſand-fold! I aſk none of your treaſures and
pofleflions, o Ali! I only aſk the head of thirt traitor', the head
of B'urbar; I aſk but blood for blood : let him reſtore to me my
friend, my brother, my Lord Olimyn; he is a paurderer, a traitor,
ſuch I will prove him by night or by day, by ſea or by land;
at any weapons, againſt any odds, I will prove him a traitor.
While I fioke, thus impaffionedl, all about appeared under the
utmoſt conſternation; and Barbar trembled and turned pale, but
did not dare to quit his ila:ion.
Riſe, David, jaid Ali, and tell me what friend, what Oſinya
thou doſt mean? All I know of hin, my Lord is, that his name
was Ofmyn of Petra, and that he was nephew to ſome great prince
in this part of the world.
Why, you dream ſurely, David; replied the regent, Ofmyn. of
Petra was my own nephew; and he periſhed with all his crew,, by
the hands of the Engliſh.
He did not perish by the hands of the Engliſh, I cried; the
Engliſh were his preſervers, his friends, his a:tendants; and he
periſhed by the hands of his own countrymen, and more eſpecially
by the hands of this traitor Barbar.
Well, ſaid Ali, we have not leiſure, at preſent to examine
the truth of theſe allegations; Guards, take that Barbar into lafe
and cloſe cuſtody, till we are better informed touching the facts
with which he is charged. Mean time, do you, David, follow in
my train, for you inuſt take up your lodging with me this night.
The palace, though it appeared one uniforın edifice, was divided
into two by an impaſſable barrier. The one was the occaſional ha-
bitation of Ali and his attendants : and his wives, with their enda
nuchs, were lodged in the other, where it was impalement for any
man, fave Ali himſelf to enter.
For three days and nights after I entered his palace, though I
was treated with an attention that gave me much uneaſineſs, yet I
had not the honour of being called to his preſence,
At length I was conducted by a private door to his cabinet. My
friend, David, ſaid be, what halt thou to tell me concerning my
dear and brave nephew Olinyn? I then minutely, and at large, re.
cited to him the particulars above related :
And we thed many
tears, that were mutually provoked by the tears of each other.
Having cloſed my narration, he catt his eyes down awhile, as in
deep meditation ; and raiſing them up again, he ſaid, The pre-
ſumptions are Itrong, very ſtrong againſt this man, and yet there
30
HISTORY OF
ز
is a poſſibility that he may be guiltleſs. And though Ofmyn was
my nephew, my blood, and alınoſt my bowels; yet honour, ima
manity, demands of us, David, that nine criminals ſhould eſcape
the puniſhment they deſerve, rather than one innocent perſon thould
perith in his righteouſneis. But the great Alla may give us further
lights in this buſineſs.
In about five days after, a convict was to be ganched for the
rape and murder of a free woman. He was to be thrown from the
top of a high tower, from whoſe walls projected ſeveral ſharp and
fhagged initruments, re'embling hooks, fcythes, tenters, &c. at
certain diſtances, fome below others.
He fainted ſeveral times as he was carrying to execution ; and
then being in an agony, he faid he had a matter of the higheſt
conſequence to impart to the great Ali, and prayed to be brought
directly into his preferice.
I was on the ſpot when he was led in, and, looking earneſtly at
hini, recollected that he was the ruffian who had ſpit in my face,
and given me a buffet when I entered Barbar's ſhip.
Wretch, cried the Dey, what halt thou to day to Ali? That I
alon guilty; anſwered the convict, of crimes more heinious and
tapital than that for which I am to ſuffer ; of crimes that nearly
toncern yourſelf. O Ali, but which you ſhall never know, unleſs
-you ſwear to me, hy Mahomet, to mitigate the manner of my death.
1 do fwear it, fid the regent, provided the diſcovery which you
Wake fhall be found to be of due import.
He then depoſed, that on the night in which Oſmyn diſappeared,
the captain, with ten confederated ruffians, of whom he was one,
tered the Prince's cabin, and having muffled the faces of him and
hit attendant, to prevent their crying out, bound them hand and
foot, ard heaved them through the window into a boat that waited
for them. That then getting into the frigate, they maſſacred the
Feven Moors to whoſe care the had been left, and, rifling her of all
the money, and plate, and valuables they could find, they ſunk the
frigate, with Ofmyn and his attendant in her, and then returned to
their own thip.
Here Barbar was ſent for, who was brought in chains into the
preſence. But, as ſoon as he ſaw the face of the convict, with-
out waiting to be confionted by his evidence, he ruſhed violently,
with his head foremoſt, toward the oppoſite wall; and if a man
who was at hand had not caught him by the chain, he would in-
Hantly have daſhed his ſkull to ſhivers.
Ali hereupon, without farther examination, ordered the head
of the convict to be Aruck off in the morning, and Barbar to be
mpaled in the face of the people.
He was to enfeebled by his panics, that they were obliged to
draw him on a ledge to the ſtake; and his countenance had all the
impreffions of death, deſpair, and hell reprefented upon it,
This, however, did not affect me with any other ſenſation than
that of delight which is naturally felt on the gratification of rea
Venge, till the executioners, with unfccling hearts, and merry


美
​


V
.
DAVID DOUBTFUL.
31
tauntings, began to take the wretch in hand. But when I ſaw
then with difficulty and great violence, thruſting the ſtake through
his body, which they run up withinſide the fpinal bone, and to
out at the back of his neck, in order to avoid his bowels, and
keep him the longer in anguilh ; when I ſaw him writhing in
agony, and heard his horrible roars and groanings, all my revenge
was quickly turned into terror and compaflion; his pangs and
ſufferings, as it feemned, were transferred to my own perſon, and,
had I not turned away, I should have fainted on the ſpot.
The Dey from this time became extremely fond of me, and
familiar with me. He allotted me an affluent penſion, with laves,
horſes, an attendants. He ſaid I fhould be to him in the place of
z nephew and of a ſon, and he called me by the name of David
Olinyn.
Some time after, tidings were brought that Caleb Amurath of
Fez was making mighty preparations to invade his dominions.
We will more than meet bim half way, cried the gallant Ali; per-
haps we may even prevent his threatened expedition. He then
ſummoned his forces from all quarters. I was preſent when he
made a general muſter of them. His foot were more formidable
fer their numbers than their diſcipline; but his horſe were per-
fectly trained, and made a moſt brilliant appearance.
The day before he fet out, I threw mytelf at his feet: I will
go with you, my matter, I will go with you I cried. I will not
have any command or poſt of preference or honous ; I only deſire
pormiſſion to fight by your ſide, that you may witneſs how greatly
I ſhall dare in your cauk, how ready I ſhall be to take, to my
own boſom, all the weapons that shall be aimed at your boſum,
No, David, he replied, nay people know you are ſtill a Chriſtian.
I could not refrain from thewing the love I have for you ; and that
inight be matter of jealousy and diſcontent to my captains. I will
leave
you
here a band of ſoldiers, with whom you are to encamp
within fight of my palace, and to keep theſe walls from violence,
and my women from pollution. But while you are their guardian,
beware that you do not turn an invader, David ! I would pardon
you any thing but this; I would not pardon you the invaſion of
my bed, David Ofmyn ! No, my Lord, I cried aloud, I cannot
prove ungrateful. Though your women were as obvious to my
walks as yonder pavement, and though adorned with more graces
than their firſt mother in paradiſe, they ſhould have so temptation
for me, my master!
The next morning Ali began his march, and having eſcorted
him a piece on his way, I returned to my charge.
That night, as I lay in my tent, I began to call myſelf to an ais
count. David, ſaid I to my ſoul, thou haft now gotten prefer.
ment, and riches, and honours ; thou art, as it were, the fecond
iman in the realm, and all this people have thee in higheſtimation:
but art thou the better or the happier man for all this, David
Far otherwiſe, far otherwiſe. O frail and vain hcart! theſe guards
C3
my father.
1
32:
* HISTORY OF
}
ard theſe glories have taken hold upon thee, and they have drawn
a painted veil between me and my God. To my chain, and my
ftraw, and my nakedneſs! return me to thein, O Lord ! return-
me to my ſlavery, return.me to my labours ! I was not then, in-
deed, gaining conqueſts, and winning prizes; but I was near obs.
taining." the prize of the high calling: My body was not then
adorned with gold and pearl ; but my ſpirit rejoiced in " the pearl
or of mighty prices
In about five weeks after, as I was taking, by moon-light, my
etening's walk of meditation on the marble that checkered the
pavement before the palace, Muley, an old black, and chief of the
eanuchs of the ſeraglio, came up and accoſted me. Oſmyn, taid
he, taking a bundle from under his arm, I have here a preſent for
you that would make proud the greateſt Emperor upon earth. It
is a complete fuit wrought purpoſely for you by the fingers of the
Sultana, as alſo by the fingers of her fair and princely filters. They
have heard of your great acchievements during the feſtival, and.
they Tend yon this in reward,
So faying, he unfolded the robes to the moon. They were
Howered with gold, pearls, and gems of ſuch a vivid luftre, as re.
flected her beams with tenfold brightneſs.
And what is required of me, Muley, I deinanded, in return for
this ineſtimable honour and bounty? Nothing, faid Muley, but a
ſingle hour's attendance, to give them a fhort ſketch of your life and
adventures. Take back your prefenis, I cried, there is poiſon and
death in them; I will not betray the truſt that our maſter has re-
pored in me. Nay, ſaid Muley, I affirm to you that there is no
lirch intention. Our ladies are all women of the fevereſt chaſtity.
I will undertake to conduct, and seconduct you back in ſafety.
Neither can oar mafter be betrayed in any degree. They all live
together, they love like filters, and no one keeps a fecret from the
o:her. However, they defired nie to tell you, that, if you are of a
fearful temper, they will not infilt on the favour ſo much expected.
Here I felt nyiels piqued : No, Muley, I cried, I am no cow-
andi I can dare all honeft dangers. I will attend you. But I will
not ſtay, Muley. I will let your ladies know, that, in the cauſe of
honour and virtue, I can refift all temptations.
I then called a diftant ſlave who waited my orders, and giving
him the bundle, defired him to lay it within my tent. Where now,
Muley? faid I. I will thew you, ſaid Muley.
Heiben led me to a large bucket, wherein water was accuſtomed
to be raiſed by pollics to the balcony, and there to be emptied into
Mesfels tbat ſtood xpon the leads.
You inuſt not enter any dour of the lower, ſtory, faid Muley ; for
dhere our domeſtics inhabit, and might, probably, obſerve you.
But, if you get into this bucket, in a minute or two after I will
Baile you by the pullies, and take you gently in.
di&ant door; while I tood by ihe bucket, and, obferving its firſt
notion, jumped in, and was cooveyed to the top of the palace,
Muley there received me in darkneſs and filence, and taking me

+
on
.
DAVID DOUBTFUL.
33
:
By the hand, led me down by a few ſteps into a narrow apartment
that was ſcarcely enlightened by a gliminering lamp. He there
left me again, giving me only a whiſpering proiniſe that hº would
quickly return. I waited for him long, however, under great im-
patience of getting ſpeedily back again. At length he came, and;
taking me by the hand, without ſpeaking a word, he led me through
a long and dark entry, till, coming to a folding-door, he touched a
Spring, whereupon the door flew open on either ſide, and threw
a ſudden blaze upon my dazzled eyes.
The ſaloon upon which it opened was profuſely illuminated, and
molt ſumptuouſly furniſhed; but iny attention was quickly called
fiomn ſuch inferior objects. In the midit a board was covered withr
an elegant collation. Around it were placed a great number of
ſmall tofas; and behind each ſofa ſtood a lady richly adorned, but
veiled from the head to the waiſt.
Again Mule you led me to the further end, while I made a low
obeiſance as I paſſed the company. He then coinpelled me to fit,
where, by a ſmall turn of my head, I could have a full proſpect
of each fair one at table. Then, as by one motion, they all in-
ſtantly feated, and again, as by one motion, they all inſtantly
threw
up
their veils, and I had like to have fallen backward with
the ſuddenneſs of the luſtre that flaſhed upon my ſpirit.
All the ladies (miled, and feemed delighted at iny aſtoniſhment.
The Sultana Adelaide ſat nearelt to ine, on the right; and was no
way diſtinguiſhed from her ſiſters, but by a ſmall coronet of feather,
ed dianionds that was inſerted in her lovely locks. Olinyn, ſaid
ſhe, you feem fomething ſurpriſed; were you never in a ſeraglio
before ? Have you no feraglios in your country, Olmyn? No,
Madam, I replied, we have no feraglio in our country ; but ſure,
no ſeraglio upon earth ever produced fuch and ſo many beauties as
now ſtriķe my eyes. Heaven alone can exhibit ſuch a conſtellation
of luminaries,
Would you not wiſh then, ſaid Adelaide, to have ſuch a feraglio
of your own ? No, Madlam, I anſwered; without love, in my judge
ment, there can be no true enjoyment ; If ever I love, it can be but
the one object, and her I Mall love with my whole heart; true love
will admit of no divifion. Here ſhe looked at me with a tendera
neſs that funk into my ſoul, and, taking out her handkerchief, the
wiped away a ſwelling tear.
Another lady then deinanded, if we had not a woma
Aan-market,
and if they were not ſlaves in my country as they were here? No,
Madam, I replied, our fair ones there are not the ſubjects of mer-
chandize, but the objects of adıniration. No woman in England
can be bound to any lover, fave by her own affections. There it
is death for any man to have more than one wife, and that after a
flit, perhaps, of ſeveral years. A lady there, of equal beauties
to the leaſt excelleirt in company, would be followed by hurdreds
of humble and fighing adorers. In England our actions are as free
as our hearts; and., the fenfibilities of mu: val love, between thoſe
of the fexes who feel that tender and enchanting paſſion, conſtitute
the principal happineis of which diie is capable.
HISTORY OF
34
Happy Engliſhwomen, happy Englishwomen! was echoed all
around. Alas, cried the lovely Adelaide, how rery different is
our fate! we are ſold, like ſervile brutes, to any brute of a maſter.
We neither love, nor are beloved ; as you have now convinced me,
Ofmyn. We are ſubjected to vile deſires, which we at once detelt
and ſuffer ; and when thefe defires are gratified, we are caſt away
as cominon lumber, to make room for ſome new comer. Even
high as I ſit here, the favoured Sultana of my Lord, I may to-
morrow be appointed to the meaneſt offices of his houſehold. This
ſurely, cannot be a marriage; for, as you have intimated, Ofmyn,
and as I feel in my own ſoul, marriage can only conſiſt in an union
of hearts. Love cannot be bought or fold; it is of two precious
a nature ; nothing can purchaſe, nothing compenſate, ſave its value
in love alone.
Here they preſled me to tell them my ſtory; and here I confeſs,
to my ſhame, that, however vile I appeared in my own eyes, I was
ambitious of appearing as honourable and deſerving as poſſible in
the eyes of the faii Adelaide. I therefore fuppreffed what was
black, glofſed over what was offenſive, and enlarged on every thing
that I deemed advantageous in my own character.
The night was far spent, by the time I concluded ; and the
Sultana ariling, propoſed to thew me the curioſities of an adjoining
cabinet. I accordingly attended her, and was altoniſhed at the
luttre, the richneſs, and profufion of the jewels, as well as at the
miracles of art that Ne diſplayed before my eyes.
On our return we perceived that our company had abfconded.
Adelaide grew all crimfun, and cat down her eyes. I alſo was
confuſed, my heart began to throb, and I looked about for ſome
pretence to make a quick eſcape. But-but-in fhort, neither my
reſolutions, nor religion, nor honour, nor gratitude, were of any.
avail againſt ſuch a temptation; they fell together, an eaſy victim
to the all-conquering Adelaide.
Adelaide was the firſt to preſs my retreat. It was not yet day.
I found Muley in waiting. We came by the way we went,
Atepped into the bucket, and he let me gently down.
As I approached the pavement, I felt a hanıt behind that ſeized
me violently by the ſhoulder. I (prung out, and ſeizing the wretch
by the throat, would inſtantly have plunged my poiņard into his
boſom; but ſome power as ſuddenly arreſted iny arm, and faidh
to my heart, Beware that thou add not murder to adultery, Da-
vid !
While I heſitated, a number ruſhed upon me unaware; they
griped me by each arm, and wreſting the poinard from me, they.
bound my hands behind, and led me to the cells of the Linans,
that ſtood ſomething aloof from one end of the palace.
As foon as they had brought lights, What, Oſmyn! exclaimed
their chief, can this be our renowned Ofmyn? Is it thus that you
repay the favours of your generous and kind maſter : You are a
Chritian, cried another; has your Christ then taught you to be-
tray the confidence and truſt that is repoſed in you > This was a
克
​Š

DAVID DOUBTFUL,
35
nours.
home ftab; it went through my heart; but I ſtood in a fhainefaced
fullenneſs, and opened not my lips.
Here they went apart, and, having conſulted a while, returned.
Olinyn, ſaid their chief, you are a brave and a wonderful man,
and it is a pity to loſe you. Your ſecret is yet with us; and we
ſwear to you, by our holy prophet, and by the terrible Alla, that
if yoli perform the ſingle condition we enjoin, we will bury what,
we know, in a depth below the grave, and we will recommend
you to the love of Ali, and the acclamation of all the people, and
we will have you loaded with preferments, and riches, and ho-
Name it quickly, I cried, whatever it may be, at the riſk,
at the loſs of my life, I will perform it. It is, faid he, no more
than to abjure Chriſt, and to confeſs Mahomet, whoſe prieſts we
are, and all the bleſſings of his paradiſe ſhall be ſhowered down
upon you.
Here I gave a deep groan; and caſting down my head, and
Thedding a tilent tear, without daring to lift my thoughts to hele
ven; No, n., I cried, though Chrift is nothing to me, though I have
ho intereſt in him ; though he ſpurns and has rejected me, for time
and for eternity; though I have daily denied him by every action
of my life, yet iy tungue shall never deny hiin. In poverty and
nakednels, in dangers and in dungeons, in death here, and in hell
hereafter, iny mouth ſhall confeſs hiin.
Here they went apart again, and, returning, told me that I
Ihould have two days to deliberate on their propoſal; but that, if
I did not comply, I thould be impaled alive on the third morning,
with all the additional tortures that art could invent.
They then put me into a covered kind of waggon, and conveyed
me to Algiers, where I was caſt into a noiſome dungeon, bolted
down to the ground with irons, fuftained with courle bread and
water, and not allowed a ray of light to divert my thoughts from
the darkneſs and horrors of iny fifuation.
Mean time I endeavoured to reinforce my reſolution, by repeating
to myſelf, the facred promiſe, where Chrilt ſays, “ Whoſoever will
confeſs me upon earth,him will I confefs before my Father which is
in heaven." ' Mine, indeed, fäid I, is but a verbal confeffion; but
even that, with what I am about to fuffer for his fake, inay ferve
to make me leſs criminal, if not acceptable, in his light.
I then longed to be brought to the telt, while Iſhuddered at the
thoughts of it. At length the day arrived. The Inans came,
and once more repeated the queſtion; but I ſtill perfifted, though
in terms that were ſcarcely intelligible, for my tongue cleaved with
terror to the roof of my mouth.
They then ſtripped me to my drawers, out of which alſo they
took my money, with other valuables, and every thing I had in
the world, and having tied me to a fledge, I was dragged to the
place of execution.
The chief Iman once more alked, if I would renounce the Son
of David } but I made him no anſwer, for I was unable to ſpeak,
I had ſeen the preparations; the fake in the hands of the execu-


1
36
HISTORY OF
tioners; the fires kindling about me, with horrid inſtruments ready
to be put there in, for the tearing of my frying and quivering fish
froni the bones.
Could I then have had the confidence to have turned my ſoul to
God, and to have befought his aſſiſtance in that trying and terri-
ble hour, I make no question but he would have given me ſtrength
froin on high, to defy all that men or devils could do unto me.;
and I might now, in the regions of his bounty and his bleſſedneſs,
have been pouring forth my exiſtence, in the grateful and alto-
niſhed ſenſe of his mercy to ſuch a ſinner. But when I reflected
on the writhings of Barbar, the bare light of which my ſpirit was
not able to fupport; when I faw such an apparatus of additional
torments; and when they took ime in hand for inſtant execution,
I utterly loſt my fentes; I ſhrunk inward with fear, my hairs ſtood
on end with horror; my tongue ſounded ſudden utterance, and I
cried, Stay,-Nay, I will ſay, I will do whatever you enjoin.
The Iman then began to pronounce a form of renunciation,
which he ordered me to repeat after him ; but I was ſo panting
and breathleſs, that they were obliged to get a cordial for me to
keep me from Iwooning.
As ſoon as my ſpirits were ſomething reſtored, the Iman again
began his impious cereinony, and I make no question but I ſhould
have gone through it, however abhorrent to my ſoul; but, in that
inſtant, we heard diftant thouts and cries, as of many people ;
the found of the clamours drew nearer and nearer, and ſoon after
we ſaw numbers hurrying to and froin the city. Their words bea
çame now as diſtinct as they were audible; Ali is ſlain, Ali is
Kain! was all the cry; and Amurath comes in full march upon
Here all turned ſuddenly from me, and Aying ſeveral
ways,
left me unbound and alone, ſitting cloſe by the itake. Seeing this,
I began to recover from the fearful and faint condition in which I
was; and riſing, I made the bett of my way to the port. There
I ſaw a long-boat juſt about to ſet off with a nuinber of fellows,
much in my own plight, and taking a run, I ſprung from the
beach into the midit of thein.
A man then demanded in Engliſh if I was one of the ran-
fomed? Yes, ranfomed, ranfomed, I cried, wonderfully ran-
foined indeed; whereupon, without further queſtion, they let up
their fail, and, in about two hours, we reached the ſhip which the
conſul had appointed to take them in.
For the remainder of that day, I continued in a ſtate that is
hard to be conceived. My head and ſtomach, at times, were dif-
ordered by fick fits, and my ſoul bovered in an aſtoniſhed and fears
ful kind of doze, as one not rightly awaked from a dream of
horror.
Toward evening I threw myſelf down in the hold, and funk
into a ſtate of utter oblivion, as I had not ſlept for the three fore-
going nights and days.
The day following I found my body ſomething refrelhed, but

US.


DAVID DOUBTFUL.
37
me;
the ſituation of my mind was like that of a diſturbed and tuin-
bling ſea after a raging ſtorm. I looked around for comfort, but
no comfort was near; I looked afar off for hopc, but no hope
came in proſpect. The ſenſe of exiſtence became a miſery under
which I was not able to bear up; and could I have had my with,
creation would again been uncreated.
During the whole of our voyage I continued, very nearly, in this
diltemper of ſpirit. For though at times I would enter into the
frilics and jovial humours of the crew, yet iny merriment, at ſuch
ſeaſons, was a merriment to madness; and I would again fink pre-
cipitately, into a depth of deſpondence, whoſe darkneſs would ad-
mit no ray of conſolation.
The tempter would then urge me, by dagger, or hy drowning
or by any means, to get rid of a being that only ferved to torment
but again the dread that I might not get rid of that being,
and that death inight plunge me into a perpetuity of thoſe pangs in
which I ſaw the wretched Barbar agonizirg, this deterred me from
haſtening the day of my horrid doom, and fo I waited in a gloomy
and “ fearful looking out for judgment.
I would then call myſelf, at dead of night, before the terrible
judgment, Thou fiend David, I would lay, wherefore art thou
funk in guilt above all that ever were guilty? It was thy fortune to
get three good and kind maſters, good and kind above thy wants,
and even up to thy wifhes; and all theſe thou haft deceived, thou
haft ſpoiled and betrayed them. Even the Maſter of all Matters,
the Maſter who was my freedom in the midſt of my captivity, I
was on the brink of denying the Jefus alſo; nay, I did reject, I
did deny him; I promiſed, I engaged to reject and deny him; and
he will reject thee; through time, and through eternity, he will
deny thee, David !
One evening a fearful tempelt aroſe; and while moſt of the crew
gave ſome of their litile matters to the provedore for liquors, and
ſat, drowning the ſenſe of danger, and profanely carouſing, at one
end of the ſhip; my companions, who are preſent, were praying
or ſinging glory to God in the other. Both parties invited me to
join them, but I refuſed to be partaker with cither; for I could
not abet in others that wickedneſs which I condemned and detelted
in myſelt; and I could not think of taking into my execrable
mouth the ſacred name of that Chriſt to whom I had fo lately
turned a falſe apoftate. In the mean time, I held myſelf as the
refugee Jonas, whoſe crimes brought perdition on all in the veſſel;
and I was on the point of adviſing the mariners to cait me out.
At length we were driven by the levere ſtorm to an ille in the weſtern
part of Scotland, where we meant to reft: and as I one morning
went on ſhore, who ſhould be walking on the beach, but my good
old matter, Mr. Felten. I fell at his feet, and bathed them wich
my tears, O maſter, ſaid I, you again behold your reprobate ler-
varit at your feet. Mr. Felton railed me, and preſſed ine in his
arms, but was unable to ſpeak; after a fhurt filence he took me by
the hand, and led me to his houſe, where he enquired into my hil.


38
HISTORY OF DAVID DOUBTFUL.
tory ſince leaving him, at the ſame time preſling me to make one
of his fainily, and be to him a companion, as he had retired from
his buſineſs, and meant wholly to reſide in this his native place. I
gave him the whole account of my adventures, ſince my departure
froin his friendly houſe, begging to know what became of Sally
and her infant : he informed me that he had made enquiries, and
found the had left the place, and as for the infant, it was a rank
impofition, and only made uſe of that device, to secure me in her
power. My mind now became a little more compoſed, and I looked
op with hopes of mercy to that Saviour I had ſo impioully re-
nounced. I had not lived thus happily above ſix months, before
Mr. Felton caught a violent fever, which carried him off in a few
days, leaving me in poſſeſſion of nearly the whole of his property.
But it was ſome time before I could recover the effect of his lors,
as he had been to me more than a father. I thall now return
thanks to the Almighty, who has brought me to a ſenſe of his
wonderful goodneſs, and if ſincere repentance can atone for my
paſt wickedneſs, I ſhall hope to reach hereafter the goal of never
ending happineſs.
FIN I S.
老
​.::
등
​车
​din.
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