_He relates what extremities he was put to, for want of Food and Lodging. His Lodging in a Mill, lying in the Hopper, discovers a very pleasant passage between the Miller and his Wench; and by a strange accident got a very good Supper that night; with many other remarkable adventures._
I was not so much troubled that by being shut out of dores I was destitute of a lodging as to think how basely I was turn’d off by this Yeoman of the Hempen Collar. Neither did I trouble my self at the thoughts of lying underneath a Stall, (for I had too lately been intimately acquainted with lying on the boards) but my mind was somewhat perplext when I thought of meeting the Constable and his Watch, I fear’d no lodging so much as one of their providing. To avoid which, I crept under a Stall, and slept there that night. The Sun had lookt into our Hemisphere with half an Eye, when I awaked, and glad I was I had so much light to see which way I pleased to steer my Course. I directed my Feet toward the Key, where I knew I should find diversity of Objects to please my roving mind. I walkt there so long, still my stomack grew enraged to that height that nothing could pacify it but a good Breakfast, which I knew not how to obtain, or give it the least satisfaction, but by begging. Whilst I was thus plotting how to support Life, a Man in good habit steps ashore from one of the Ships which lay by the Key, and walking a turn or two with me, askt me who I belonged to, if to none, whether I wanted a Service? To whom I replyed, I was an Orphan and Masterless, and that I should be glad to hear of a good Service, and be thankful to him that should help me to one. That I will said he, if thou wilt Sail with me to the _Barbadoes_, thou shalt fare as I do, and since thou art a well favoured Lad, I will have a care of thee as of my own Son (it may be so, if he loved him no worse than my Father loved me) thou shalt do well ne’re question. He askt me whether I would eat or drink, I told him I was both hungry and thirsty; come aboard with me (said he) and thou shalt be satisfied in both. I thought it no prudence, but rather very hazardous to go aboard then, and therefore beg’d his excuse; he perceived my fearfulness, insisted on that no farther, and so carried me to a Cooks Shop where he called plentifully for Meat and Drink; and that I might not want sawce to my Meat, he recounted to me the pleasures of going to Sea, what idle Lives they lived, doing nothing but imploying their thoughts in what past time they shall next divert themselves in; Sometimes playing at _Hob_, (a usual Game amongst Sea-men in a calm) afterwards at Cards, Dice, Tables, Talking, Walking, Smoaking, Drinking or Fishing, and then speaking of _Barbadoes_ and other Islands they usually touch upon, he told nothing but wonders of them. Though I had not the Faith to believe all he said, yet I could not but be much pleased at the Relation. He spent some hours with me to possess me with a belief of the verity of what he said; and when he had exprest himself so largely that he could not utter any more without Repetition, he demanded whether I would resolve to go with him; I promised faithfully I would, but desired of him respit till the next day; thinking I intended thereby to evade him, he would not consent to it, alledging I was too young to catch old Birds with chaff; this was but a trick of mine to fill my Belly, and that this was not the first time I had served others so; however I will pay my share of the Reckoning, and so farewell and be hang’d; there being sixteen pence to pay, he threw down his eight pence. As he was marching down the stairs I called after him, begging him to stay, he returning, I vowed I would come to him the next day, and be absolute at his devotion; I backt this Vow with many Oaths and Protestations, the breaking of which I valued as little as Lovers do theirs in an amorous heat, if necessity should force me to it. Well, said he, I will believe thee for once, but if thou doest cheat me, I shall find you some time or other, and then——