The next day after our coming to an Anchor in _Swalley_ Road, there came in to us six sail of _Dutch_-ships from _Nova Batavia_; and two days after came in four _English_ ships more into the same Port. One of the Captains meeting with a Fleet of Friggats entring in at the Rivers mouth, was boarded by them and unhapily blown up, himself and others of his Company escaped, but were miserably burnt with powder. The ship drave into _Swalley_ over the Bar and was tow’d on shore by our Boats and Barges, but all in a manner consumed by the fire; there was a _Dutch_-ship fought with the Friggats this while, which Sunk three of them, and in the fight there was three more surpriz’d, the first by the _Charles_ Barge, the next by our Long-boat, which we doubly mann’d, and the last by the _Dutch_: they were but of little value, being laden with _Paddee, Beech-leaves_ and other trifles. Now did our Captain command the Skiffs to be mann’d, and taking me, the Scrivener, Drugster, with some of the Ship, we went ashore, and presented our selves to the President, who wellcom’d us in the best manner he could, and to speak the truth, his entertainment was magnificent; whilst we were frankly drinking Healths to our friends in _England_, there came into us (who came ashore that morning) the Captains of the other three Ships, with their Chief Officers, as also a great many _Dutch_ Commanders and their Attendants, we used to say _The more the merrier_, and so found it, for the President as he was a very generous man, so he was prudent, and therefore by his noble deportment towards us, was resolved to oblige us both. We on the other side, strove to out-vy each other in gallantry of Spirit, and in this manner we continued feasting three days, swimming in an Ocean of Liquor. In this time of our Jollity I minded especially a young man that waited on one of the Captains; he had a very Sweet countenance, but his Complexion was very much Sun-burnt by travelling; I did verily believe I had seen the face before, and therefore very much eyed it, which he perceiving fixt his eyes as often on me, for I never cast my eye that way where he stood waiting, but I found him still looking towards me. My heart renewed private intelligence what he was, but my reason could not so much as guess from whence it came; for by the extraordinary motion thereof beating strokes on my brest as nimbly as a Drummer a Travale on his Drum-head; I look’d on him as one I knew, neither was I alone thus, for at that distance I could perceive that the sight of me did put him into a strange confusion. As I was contriving how to have some private conference with him, his Master commanded him to take some of the Boats Crew and go aboard and fetch him something which he wanted, he had no sooner receiv’d the Command, but casting his Eyes on me he endeavor’d to tell me by them, he had an eager desire to speak with me.