Page 364
An. 1686
The General tricks them.
But I am well affured that he did never intend to cruize about Manila, as his Crew defign'd; for I did once ask him, and he told me, that what he had already done of that kind he was forc'd to; but now being at liberty, he would never more engage in any fuch defign: For, faid he,there is no Prince on Earth is able to wipe off the ftain of fuch actions. What other defigns he had I know not; for he was commonly very crofs, yet he did never propofe doing any thing elfe, but only ordered the Provifion to be got aboard in order to fail; and I am con- fident if he had made a motion to go to any En- glifh Factory, moft of his men would have con- fented to it, tho, probably fome would have ftill oppofed it. However, his authority might foon have over-fwayed thofe that were refractory; for it was very ftrange to fee the awe that thefe men were in of him, for he punished the moft ftubborn and daring of his men. Yet when we had brought the Ship out into the Road, they were not alto- gether fo fubmiffive, as while it lay in the River, though even then it was that he punished Captain Teat.
I was at that time a hunting with the General for Beef, which he had a long time promifed us. But now I faw that there was no credit to he gi- ven to his word; for I was a week out with him and faw but four Cows, which were fo wild, that we did not get one. There were five or fix more of our Company with me: thefe who were young men, and had Dalilahs there, which made them fond of the place, all agreed with the Ge- neral to tell Captain Swan, that there were Beeves enough, only they were wild. But I told him the truth, and advifed him not to be too credulous of the Generals promifes. He feemed to be very angry, and ftormed behind the Generals back, but in his prefence was very mute, being a man of finall cou- rage.
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