We had not been there long, but my Patron procur'd me a Commission, and press'd me earnestly to lose no time in railing my Company. M. _de St. John_, who was my Lieutenant, advis'd me to go with him toward _Joinville_ in _Champaigne_, where he had great Acquaintance, and we might be sure of finding Men and Horses at a reasonable Rate. We had been there actually scarce six Weeks when our Levies were almost full. But besides the excessive Charge I was at in every respect, it was my Misfortune to be known by that Rascal, my Footman, of _Avignon_, whom I had not paid as I ought for his Trouble, and who being of this Country happen'd to see me. The Knave, as well from a Principle of Revenge, as in Hopes of a handsom Reward from my Wife, immediately sent Advice of it to _Mascado_. This cunning Jew was so expeditious, and made such a powerful interest, that I was not only apprehended and clapp'd in Prison soon after, but being accused and convicted of the most consummate Roguery, I was stripp'd of all I had, and condemned for my Life to the Galleys.
Here, Gentlemen, continu'd _Peter Heudde_, was the Period of my infamous course of Life, by which you perceive that I have been a long time in Slavery. The Pleasures I have tasted are not equal to the Pains which I have endur'd on their Account. But the Governor of all Things wou'd have it so; and I bear his Chastisements with Patience, 'till he is so gracious as to put an End to them. We lamented his unhappy Fate, and Mr. _Elliot_ giving him a Crown, assur'd him that he wou'd endeavour to do him Service. We wou'd fain have known where this unfortunate Person was born and his Extraction, but he wou'd not tell us, so that we retir'd in Admiration of the wife Dealings of the Almighty with his Creatures both good and bad.
I car'd so little for _Algier_ while I stay'd there, and had so little Curiosity to traverse the Town, that I was surpriz'd when I was out at Sea to discover Beauties there which I cou'd not have thought of. This charming City is situate in form of an Amphitheatre upon the Declivity of a high Mountain, so that you may see it all at one View, tho' 'tis large and contains above 100000 Inhabitants. But there was no returning to view it, nor indeed did I much care for it. The Weather was agreeable, and we had so happy a Voyage that I did not see the least Inconveniency. At length I arriv'd at _London_, that famous magnificent City (whose Lustre eclipses every thing that I had seen) the fourth of _May_ 1694, in my seventy third Year, but strong and vigorous for one of my Age.