conditionally my Master would forgive me, they would their Maid, and never foolishly proclaim their shame to the world which now lay in their powers to conceal. This adventure staid us longer ashore than we intended, but at length getting aboard, we sailed up to _Eriff_, where we Anchored two or three days for some private business our Master had, _&c._ and from thence we went directly up the River, and came to an Anchor over against _Shadwell-Dock_. [Illustration] CHAP. XIII. _He buyes a Horse in_ Smithfield, _he is basely cheated in the goodness by the Horse-Courser, the manner how; he discants on his own ill Horsemanship as he is a Sea-man. He rides to_ Maiden-head, _his Landlady loseth a Diamond Ring, he invents an incomparable exploit to restore it her again._ My Master being an eminent Sea-man, and faithful to his trust, had no sooner cleared his Ship, but had immediately another Voyage offered him to _Virginia_, returning home in safety, the next he made was to the _Streights_; I was there with him several times at _Legorn_, twice in the _West Indies_, and twice at the _Canaries_; by this time my Apprentiship was expired, which I went through with so much satisfaction to my Master, notwithstanding a thousand Rogueries I committed in that time, that in our next Voyage which was to _Guinny_, I was advanced to the dignity of a _Cockswain_. Whereupon the long boat was committed to my Charge, and when any occasion served, I had my Crew always ready for the skiff; I understood my place quickly, and behaved my self in it, that our _Boat Swain_ dying, I was constituted in his place; now was my care increased, for I had charge of all the Rigging, Masts, and Sails, with many other matters of consequence. I have heard my Master say twenty times, that he had rather hear me when we were weighing Anchor (our Men being at the Capston) cry _heave clearly my boys_, than a noise of Musick, for I had a strong yet pleasant voice, and I tun’d it to some purpose when the Anchor was almost a peek. In this imployment I made two Voyages to _Guinny_, the last thereof was so succesful that I was resolved upon my return to take the pleasures of the Land, and no places would serve my turn, but those wherein I had received so much disgrace and punishment.