Page 369
An.1686
Rice-Drink.
This Rice-drink is made of Rice boiled and put into a Jar, where it remains a long time steep- ing in Water. I know not the manner of making it, but it is very strong pleasant drink. The e- vening when the General designed to be merry, he caused a Jar of this drink to be brought into our Room, and he began to drink first himself; then afterwards his men ; so they took turns till they were all as drunk as Swine, before they suf- fered us to drink. After they had enough, then we drank, and they drank no more, for they will not drink after us. The General leapt about our Room a little while ; but having his Load soon went to sleep.
The next day we went out with the General into the Savannah, where he had near 100 men making of a large pen to drive the Cattle into. For that is the manner of their Hunting; having no Dogs. But I saw not above 8 or 10 Cows ; and those as wild as Deer, so that we got none this day : yet the next day some of his men brought in 3 Heifers, which they kill'd in the Savannah. With these we returned aboard, they being all that we got there.
Captain Swan was much vext at the Generals actions; for he promised to supply us with as much Beef as we should want, but now either could not, or would not make good his promise. Besides, he failed to perform his promise in a bargain of Rice, that we were to have for the Iron which he sold him, but he put us off still from time to time, and would not come to any account. Neither were these all his tricks, for a little before his Son was circumcised, (of which I spake in the forego- ing Chapter) he pretended a great freight for money, to defray the charges of that day ; and therefore desired Captain Swan to lend him about 20 Ounces of Gold ; for he knew that Captain Swan