I was sometimes intoxicated for a whole week, and every night at the ball room, along with bad company. I was two months in _Curacao_, and spent five-hundred and forty dollars; after which we proceeded with a larger Ship, which was ready for Sea, in which we sought for a better fortune. A few days after we were out, another prize fell into our hands, which we sent to the place above mentioned; and proceeded on our Voyage, and went to _Bonaires_, a dutch Island, to take some refreshment. After we quitted that place, we perceived that our Ship had a leak, for we had fourteen inches of water in the hold every hour, which forced us to enter into the Harbour of _Porto-Cabello_, a large Spanish City on the coast of the _Meridional America_: we were there two months; and proceeding further, we cast Anchor at _Cocoa-madrilla_, a Spanish Town on the same coast as before mentioned, and remained there but a few days: we went out and cruized for a long while, and having captured no Ships we went into the harbour of la _Guaires_, another Spanish City, to take some provision, for we were short of them.
During our stay there the Lieutenant of the Ship and two men went to take a walk on shore, and were taken up, and put in the inquisition, because they did not bow to the HOST: for as it was related to us by them, that when they were passing through the streets they saw a great procession of Clergymen, going with a large silver Cross, to give the Extreme-Unction to a sick person; they not knowing the rules of the Country, passed by, and took no notice: when they were examined, and found under French colours, the inquisitioner could do nothing at them, but release them.
We went out of that abominable Harbour with the design to go back to the happy Island of _Guadeloupe_.
On our way back we took two prizes, but were retaken again; so we went and cast Anchor at _St. Martin_, a French and Dutch Island, and were but a few days there; and straightway we sailed for _Basse-Terre_ the Capital City of _Guadeloupe_, and from thence to _Point-a-Pitre_, where I Landed my little treasure which consisted of one hundred and twenty pounds; as I had a Cousin there who was a sober man, I deposited the money in his hands to begin a small trade; and I was determined not to go on the Sea for a long while, as I thought my money would suffice me to live in a decent manner; when I was just going to begin trade, my Cousin was taken very ill of the putrid fever, and was in great danger of his life. One day he called me, (_he was then very ill_,) and said, "I have lent the money that you have deposited in my hands, to Mrs. Pero[15]:" I said, very well, you are wise enough to know what you do? he said do not fear, the money is in good hands. I did not care much about him lending my money, because I knew that he was too good to do me any injury; but growing worse every day, I began to be afraid; and was going to speak to him to inquire whether had Mrs. Pero given him a receipt or not, I was prevented by her, saying, "he wants some repose and you must not disturb him." She knew too well the matter, or she would not have prevented me speaking to my Cousin: she was nights and days watching in his room for fear I should speak to him. I had no witness who could testify whether she had given him a receipt or not: and was so tormented in mind about it, that I did not know what to do, till I saw he was dying, when I resolved to go into the next chamber where his trunk was, and look in to it if I could find any paper concerning my money: at the time I was looking into the box, she came in, and said, "what are you looking for?" a receipt I said, Madam? she knew then what I meant, and said, "do not be afraid, I have got your money, and you shall have it back again, whether your Cousin live or die." I was a little reconciled by what she said, but she took care that no one was present when she said it: and the day after my Cousin breath'd his last.