Part 18

We spent several Years in these fine Sciences, insomuch that there were no smooth sandy Places but what were full of Geometrical Figures, especially in the Downs and upon the Shore, to which we often went for the Air. We were there one Day when the Rolling-in of the Tide gave us an Occasion to discourse of the Flux and Reflux of the Ocean, during which we were extremely surpriz'd to see to the West as far as our Eye-sight could reach, a Body which we had not discover'd before. We were at first divided in our Opinions what it should be; some thought that as the Water was low, it was the Point of some Rock, others would have it to be a little Cloud. _Normand_ affirm'd he had seen the same Thing before, and the rest asserted 'twas a Ship. To be certain of the matter I fix'd two Arrows in the Ground, which form'd a right Line with this Body, and placing myself behind them, I observ'd immediately that it mov'd, and that consequently it could not be a Rock. We then were very attentive to observe whether the Figure of it did not change as Clouds do commonly, which spread, increase, or vanish by degrees; but not perceiving any Alteration for half an Hour, only that it was a little bigger if any thing, we concluded that it must absolutely be a Ship, which was sent by Providence to deliver us from our tedious Solitude.

The Wind blew a little fresh, and as it was not yet Noon, we had Hopes of its coming up with us before Night, since it coasted along the Shore. _La Foret_, who was more afraid than any of us that so rare and unexpected a Conveniency should escape us, was of Opinion that four of us should go aboard our Long-Boat, which we had carefully laid up near twelve Years ago in the Hut that we built at our Arrival, and had not made use of since, and venture out with nothing but our Oars in order to meet the Ship, for fear she should put off from the Coast before they who navigated her knew we were here, and that consequently we should never have such another Opportunity if we neglected this. His Opinion was approv'd of, the Boat was tackled out, and _La Foret_ with three others went aboard her. Tho' they had but two Oars, they tugg'd so hard that in a very little time we lost Sight of 'em. Mean time the great Ship drew near, and we began to distinguish the Sails when we observ'd the Sun approach the Horizon. We had at least a League and half to travel to the first Lodge that we had made between our Fort and the Sea, and the Moon rose late. These Considerations made us think of retiring to it, which we did, and found there some Remains of Provision that we had brought thither in the Morning, which were a very seasonable Relief to us.

Tho' we were fatigued, it was impossible for us to close our Eyes, and there was not one Man of us but was mortally uneasy. In the Morning before Day we return'd the directest Way we could find towards the Shore. At our Arrival we were overjoy'd to see the great Ship lying at Anchor a little lower about a League at Sea, and two Long-Boats at the same time coming Ashore, so that we advanc'd to meet them at Landing. The Captain of the Vessel not knowing who they were that came aboard him detain'd two of 'em, and made use of their Comrades as Guides to eight Men whom he sent off in the Ship-Boat to know who we were. Immediately we were order'd to go and fetch our Baggage, and to return with it as soon as possible, because the Ground there not being very fit for Anchorage, if the least foul Weather had happen'd it would have been dangerous. Six of the Ship's Crew went along with us. When we came to our Fort, we took what we thought the best of every thing, and left the rest for the Savages, if ever they thought fit to return. Notwithstanding all our Haste 'twas Night before we came to the Ship. _La Foret_ had already inform'd the Captain of the Nature of the Country which we were going to leave, or rather had taken care to give him as disadvantageous a Character of it as he could; so that having no great mind to see it, he immediately set sail, and gave us Cause to thank God for delivering us from that miserable Place, where 18 Years ago we had the Misfortune to be cast Ashore.

CHAP. XIV.

_The Author's Passage from the Southern Countries to_ Goa, _where he was imprison'd by the Inquisition. The Story of a_ Chinese _whom he met with there, and the Manner how they got their Liberty._

The Captain of the Ship was a true _Spaniard_, who in every Action discover'd the Pride and Genius of his Country, so that tho' I should have been glad to have known by what happy Accident this Ship was conducted to the Coasts of a Country where no Body trades, it was impossible for me to learn it, for there was not one of the Ship's Company that knew any thing of the Matter, and I was afraid to ask the Churl for fear of being huff'd as others had been. The Surgeon who spoke a little _Latin_, only said to me one Day that they came from the _American_ Islands, whither they had convoy'd some Merchant Ships, and carry'd Orders concerning the Release of four or five Ships which the Chevalier _Tyssot_ Governor of _Surinam_ had caus'd to be stopp'd by way of Reprisal, and that immediately after the Delivery of those Orders they sail'd towards the Southern Countries where they went Ashore twice. At the first time, continued he, nothing presented worthy of the Captain's Attention. At our second Landing which might be about seventy or eighty Leagues from the Place where you were, ten Men were sent Ashore, but only two return'd who were those that were left to take care of the Long-Boat, for the others had been attack'd by the Natives of the Country who pursued them as far as the Downs, where they took and cut them to pieces in Sight of their Comrades, who had much ado to escape because the Water was low, and their Boat was on dry Ground. We had a Desire to have landed there also where we found you, but I fancy the Account you gave of those Parts, put our Captain quite out of Conceit with it, which whether true or not, I thought I heard say that we were going in a straight Line to _Goa_.

Accordingly I observ'd, tho' I knew not why, that we had entirely abandon'd the Country where we had been, and that we were steering towards the North-East. But we could not finish our Voyage without stopping, for the Captain was oblig'd to put in at the Isle of _Bourbon_, five or six Degrees East of _Madagascar_, where we stay'd ten Days to recruit ourselves, and to take in fresh Water.

During the short Stay we made here, the Sailors continually diverted themselves as long as their Money would hold out. The Day before we came away, some of those that were Ashore got drunk, particularly one, a Native of _Seville_ about thirty five Years of Age, a very clever Fellow with large Whiskers which he curl'd every now and then, and took more care of than of all the rest of his Body. As drunk as he was, he came to the Long-Boat, and no sooner was aboard, but he fell fast asleep. His Companions that came after him, jogg'd him some on one Side, and some on another, and made a hundred Grimaces to excite him to laugh with them. A young _Portuguese_ who was very near as drunk as he, being also desirous to try a Frolic, softly pull'd out his Scissors, and slily cut off the _Spaniard_'s Left Whisker. They all abhorr'd this Action, blam'd his Imprudence, and told him no Good would come of it. And the next Morning the _Spaniard_ being told by some Babler who it was that had play'd him that scurvy Trick, he came to the Capstane where the other was helping to weigh the Anchor, and without speaking one Word to him run his Knife up to the very Hilt in his Breast. The _Portuguese_ however had Strength to give the _Spaniard_ such a cursed Blow upon his Head with a Lever he held in his Hand, that he fell down stone-dead, and the _Portuguese_ himself after a little staggering fell with his Nose against the Bridge of the Forecastle, where he lost almost all his Blood in the Space of a Quarter of an Hour, and gave up the Ghost in my Arms. Thus we lost two brave Men at once, to the great Trouble of the Captain, who thereupon made an Oath that he would punish the first of his Men that he saw in Liquor in such a Manner as to make him remember it. This however was no hinderance to our sailing, so that we arriv'd happily at _Goa_ the 13th Day of _April_, 1663.

This famous City is situated in an Island of the same Name, which is at least fifteen Miles in compass at the Mouth of the River _Mondouï_. It has a good Harbour, a very famous Arsenal, and an incomparable Hospital. As I had no Engagement on board the Ship, the Captain had the Goodness to let me settle on that Island, and follow my Profession there without demanding any thing for my Passage. Most of my Comrades also went Ashore, some one Way, some another.

I was directed to an Inn where the Landlord was extremely civil. I had not been an Hour at his House, but he was so complaisant as to offer me Lodging there gratis, 'till I could find a House to my Fancy. I made a hearty Supper, and went to Bed betimes. It was hot Weather, so that I laid myself down without any Thought near the Bed-Post, with my Left Arm hanging out of the Bed almost to the Ground. When I had been there at least four Hours, and was in my first Sleep, something soft and lukewarm which mov'd up and down upon my Hand, made me draw it up, but I was too drousy to think what it might be. Falling into a Doze, soon after, the same thing happen'd again and again, 'till being at last thoroughly awak'd, I was surpriz'd to see something walk thro' the Room which seem'd as big as a Calf. My Blood came into my Face, for I could not imagine what it was, and tho' I verily believ'd that all the Tales of Witches and Apparitions were old Women's Stories, and had fasten'd the Door of my Chamber, in which I knew not that there was another Bed besides mine, yet I then doubted of the Truth of my Hypothesis. In the mean time, this frightful Object after having taken some Turns about the Room, thought fit to return directly to me. Upon this I drew back, crept to one side as fast as it advanc'd to the other, and when I was almost out of Bed as I thought, my Honour which was very great before, increas'd prodigiously when I found something stir behind me. To be plain, I was in a mortal Agony to see myself beset on all Sides. The Palpitation of my Heart was inconceivable, could hardly fetch Breath, and was all over in a Sweat. In short, the very Moment that the one made as if he would throw himself upon me, I heard a Voice from the other saying, What's the matter, are not you well? At these Words I gave a dreadful Groan, which plainly shew'd the Fright that I was in. Don't be afraid, _reply'd he_, and who are you? _said I_, trembling all the while. I am _John_, said he, a Sailor on board the Ship that you came in. The D---l take you, _said I_, you have put a Trick upon me that surely will cost me my Life. I am half dead already, and if I han't Relief, 'tis impossible for me to recover. How the D---l came you hither? _continued I_, and who is there in the Chamber besides you? No Body, _said he_, and if you perceive any thing, it can only be the Captain's Dog, which follow'd me hither last Night. A Dog, _said I_, what, is it as big as an Ass? 'Tis the great black Shock-Dog that you have seen a hundred times, _said he_, but Fear is apt to magnify Objects, and to be sure he appear'd to you bigger than he is. 'Twas that cursed Cur then, _said I_, that came and lick'd my Hand three or four times before I was quite awake. But once more I pray, how came you into my Room? The Captain, _reply'd he_, went to sup with a Friend where he detain'd me 'till ten o' Clock, and then bid me come and lie here this Night. When I came, the Inn-keeper said he had no room for me, but that if I had come an Hour or two sooner, I might perhaps have taken half a Bed with a Stranger who was just arriv'd in the _St. Jago_, and upon his explaining himself a little farther, I was sure it must be you; so that after having told him that we both came in the same Ship, he permitted me upon my Word and Honour that you would not take it ill, to come and bear you Company. All this, my Friend, would have been perfectly right, _reply'd I_, if you had but spoke to me when you came into the Room. I would have done so, _said he_, but you slept so sound, that I thought it would be a Sin to disturb you. These Circumstances reviv'd me very much, and I found my Spirits recover by degrees, but they had been too much disorder'd for me not to guard against the Consequence; therefore as soon as 'twas Day, I made my _Portuguese_ get out of Bed, and charg'd him to send for a Surgeon who breath'd a Vein, and took away five or six Ounces of Blood, so that God be thank'd my Panic had no Consequence, tho' certainly I never was in such a Terror before. My Landlord, who scarce knew me again was affected at this Incident, but we laugh'd at it afterwards, and he diverted every one that came to his House with the Story.

I lodg'd ten Days after over-against the Dominicans Convent here, which is a very fine one. Tho' I stay'd here but a very little time, I had the Happiness to perform several Cures, which procured me the Acquaintance of many People of Worth. One of the Dominicans having broke his Leg by a Fall down Stairs, sent for me, and tho' the Bone was shatter'd, yet I made such a Cure of it, that at two Months end he walk'd as well as ever. This was of very great Service to me; for the honest Friar thought he could never do enough to shew his Love and Gratitude, and not only himself, but all of his Order were fond of my Company at all my leisure Hours, and I us'd to entertain them with a Narrative of my Travels. Besides, they recommended me where-ever they went, so that my Practice increased every Day, which brought me in a great deal of Money, and I thought my self in a fair Way of acquiring a considerable Estate. But Thanks to my unlucky Star, a fresh Affair happened which gave me a great deal of Trouble, and had like to have cost me my Life.

The Inhabitants of _Goa_ are made up of all Religions, Pagans, Jews, Mahometans, but the Catholic is the prevailing Religion, and the only one that is publickly exercis'd, The Clergy are very rigid, and the Laity extremely superstitious, but you must not think this proceeds from a Principle of Devotion, the former being stupidly ignorant, and the latter excessively debauch'd, the Women especially having the Character of inconceivable Lasciviousness. Being a little at Ease, and having an Opportunity to frequent several Companies, I often took the Liberty to banter those Eaters of Crucifixes and Swallowers of Images, who think they may with Impunity cut a Purse with one Hand as it were, provided they tell their Beads with the other. A Man of my Profession enrag'd to see how much Business I had, at the same time that he could hardly get Bread; having heard me talk after this manner several times, was such a Villain as to go and accuse me of Heresy before the Inquisition, which is the most terrible and the most unjust Tribunal in the World. For as I was going one Day to the Governor's, who had sent for me to bleed one of his Domestics, I was scarce fifty Paces from his House, but an Officer came and said I must go with him, and at the same Instant four of his Tipslaves surrounded me, and seizing me by the Collar carry'd me on the 26th of _June_ 1669 to Prison, where they loaded me with Fetters like the vilest of Criminals.

There were above twenty of us in a cursed Dungeon without Light. There was a deep Hole, in the middle of it for the Prisoners Necessities, but scarce any Body durst go near it for fear of falling in, which was the Reason that every one dung'd where he could, and that consequently there was an intolerable Stench.

The first Day that I was detain'd, I did nothing but sigh and groan for the Loss of my Liberty, and with the Apprehension of what I was soon to suffer from the Tyranny of the most implacable Judges in the World. But being afterwards made sensible that all this would answer no End, I thought that the best way to dispel part of my Chagrin would be to start Conversation upon indifferent Matters with the first Man that came in my Way. For this end I address'd myself to most of my Fellow-Prisoners, some of whom did not understand me, because I did not speak their Language, and the others were so dejected, that they did not care to answer me a Word; only one Man who was more patient and sociable than the rest, said to me in _Portuguese_;

"You have but a melancholy Reception here, but you must not be surpriz'd at it, for 'tis impossible without a happy Temper and a great Courage not to be dispirited in so disagreeable a Place as this, especially when a Man has been here some time. For my part, I thank God, I am of an Age to bear a great deal, and am so resign'd to the Decrees of Providence, that I laugh at all that Man can do to me." Those are fine Qualities indeed, _said I_, very few People are capable of so much Resolution. Of what Religion are you, _said I_? I am, said he, _a Universalist_, or of the Religion of honest Men. I love God with all my Heart, I fear him, I worship him, and I endeavour to do to all Men without Exception what I wish they would do to me. All that's very good, _said I_, but you are undoubtedly of some Communion. People seldom attain to your Age, but they declare for a certain Party or Sect. Not I, _said he_, I make no difference between one Society or Denomination and another; there is not one but has its Beauties and its Blemishes, and I am persuaded there is none in which a Man may not either be sav'd or damn'd. Verily, _said I_, what you say confirms me in the Opinion I have had a long Time, that there is not a greater Variety in Faces than there is in Sentiments. This is true, _reply'd he_, not only with regard to every Man in particular, but with Regard to every Day of one's Life; what we thought of Yesterday in one Light, we look upon to-day in another, and the Mind as well as the Body is subject to a thousand Alterations.

I am a _Chinese_, continued he, and my Father was a Man in good Circumstances, who took great Care of my Education, so that it was not his Fault if I have not a good Stock of Learning. One _Du Bourg_ a Missionary Jesuit having heard mention of him as of a generous Man and of a numerous Family, found Ways and Means to introduce himself among us. He was a Man not only civil, but seemingly of an exemplary Piety, so that we all took an unspeakable Pleasure in hearing him discourse. He gave each of us a Catechism, which he desir'd us to read attentively, and explain'd in a very easy familiar Way. After this there were Conferences at our House two or three times a Week, in which it must be own'd, that the Jesuit neglected nothing for our Instruction. As there was little or no Perplexity in the Subjects which he treated of at first, such as the Fall of Man, his Redemption by the Son of God, and everlasting Happiness, we took great Pleasure in his Lectures; but at last after two or three Months were over, this Ecclesiastic who went on gradually, and did not care to frighten us all at once when he began to explain the Prophecies, and to display the Mysteries of the Trinity and the Incarnation, my Father's Mind began to be uneasy. He could not comprehend how Men of Sense that boast of the glorious Lights of Revelation should not see that their Worship is envelop'd in the thickest Darkness of Paganism. Is it not far flung, said he, that People should take Pleasure in being wilfully blind to such a Degree, as to have an Abhorrence of those who shew them plainly, that their chief Maxims and the most essential Articles of their Religion are miserable Puerilities, and Impertinencies which they themselves say were a Stumbling-block to the Jews, and Foolishness to the _Greeks_! Especially, _said he_, I tremble when any Man goes to persuade me, that a Being, sovereignly perfect and immaterial engender'd another corporeal God equal to him from all Eternity, and that there is also another God, an independent Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son, each of the Three making a distinct Person, and being perfect God, and yet all those Three making but one only perfect God. Certainly this is making a strange _Chimæra_ of the most simple, and most undivided Being.

The Jesuit wish'd he had not embark'd so far. He endeavour'd to remove that Obstruction by the common Method of Theologues; but not succeeding, he made use of this Comparison. Suppose, Sir, _said he_, a Tree that bears Fruit incessantly; in such a Tree I find three Things that have a very great Resemblance to the Holy Trinity. I observe the Analogy between the Trunk and the Father, between the Son and the Branches, and between the Holy Spirit and the Fruit. The Trunk is as the Father, because both the Branches and Fruit are produc'd from it; the Branches are as the Son, in that they are produc'd from the Trunk as so many Arms or Conveyance for distributing to Mankind, all that proceeds from the Trunk. And the Fruit is as the Holy Spirit, considering that it comes to us both from the Trunk and the Branches, as so many Assurances or Testimonies of their Goodness. I own, that when Eternity is the Point in Question, the Resemblance ceases, because 'tis not possible to find a Proportion betwixt Finite and Infinite, be the former ever so ancient and extensive. Mean time, 'tis as true on the other hand, that when we examine the Kernels, or the Seeds of the Fruit of this Tree with a good Microscope, we observe not only a Tree already form'd with its Branches, but the Fruit also, tho' a little confus'd; a true Emblem this of the Deity consider'd during and before the Creation of the World, at which Time it appear'd but as one entire Tree without Distinction of Branches and of Fruit. But to come from hence to the Thing I aim at, 'tis evident that whatever Difference you make between the Trunk, Branches, and Fruits of a Tree, there is essentially none at all; they are indeed different Parts, yet all those Parts together constitute but one Whole. It signifies nothing to say that the Trunk is not the Branches, and that the Branches are not the Fruit. I affirm that this Distinction is not real, that is to say, that those Things cannot subsist independently one of the other as when they are united. In order to make a compleat Tree such as we have imagin'd, there must necessarily be a Conjunction of a Trunk, Branches, and Fruit, yet each has its particular Use; the first, as I said before, creates or produces, the second bears, displays, and gives, and the third by its Presence and Operations confirms in the Belief we entertain with Regard to the second and the first. 'Tis one and the same Substance variously represented, one Agent which operates after divers Manners, but in the main is only one, and cannot be consider'd as several without a manifest Contradiction. God is but One in Essence: In the Oeconomy of Salvation he is consider'd as the Author and Father of Mankind: In the Affair of Redemption he is look'd upon as an obedient submissive and humble Son who satisfies the Justice of his Father; and when the Business is the Application and Distribution of his Grace, he is consider'd as the Holy Ghost.