In the meantime, our Captain made a secret composition with the
Cimaroons, that twelve of our men and sixteen of theirs, should make
another voyage, to get intelligence in what case the country stood; and
if it might be, recover Monsieur TETU, the French Captain; at leastwise
to bring away that which was hidden in our former surprise, and could
not then be conveniently carried.
JOHN OXNAM and THOMAS SHERWELL were put in trust for his service, to the
great content of the whole company, who conceived greatest hope of them
next our Captain; whom by no means they would condescend to suffer to
adventure again, this time: yet he himself rowed to set them ashore at
Rio Francisco; finding his labour well employed both otherwise, and
also in saving one of those two Frenchmen that had remained willingly to
accompany their wounded captain.
For this gentleman, having escaped the rage of the Spaniards, was now
coming towards our pinnace, where he fell down on his knees, blessing
GOD for the time, "that ever our Captain was born; who now, beyond all
his hopes, was become his deliverer."
He being demanded, "What was become of his Captain and other fellow?"
shewed that within half an hour after our departure, the Spaniards had
overgotten them, and took his Captain and other fellow: he only escaped
by flight, having cast away all his carriage, and among the rest one
box of jewels, that he might fly the swifter from the pursuers: but his
fellow took it up and burdened himself so sore, that he could make no
speed; as easily as he might otherwise, if he would have cast down his
pillage, and laid aside his covetous mind.
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