Mr Penrose, page 20
Now I should have been all of a piece with him had not I learnt while In the Island of New Providence many odd relations concerning that detestable class of People denominated Pirates. Therfore, to render every thing concerning that excerable set of People as clear to his understanding as it was in my power to do, I told him nothing was more certain but the very things I then held in my hands had previously been the darling theme of those abominable wretches. And then to give him a thorough taste of what Man can say, write and act when he has once rejected his Maker, I recited over the second paper, but with no great desire as to my own will. When he had heard its contents he cried “Put ut to da Divle!”
“That I shall soon do,” said I, and then rammed it into the flames before his face, saying, “Go and follow up your curst Inscriber as fast as you can post!”
I then told him that It had been an old custom among those odd wretches when chance threw any very larg treasure or Booty in their way, then in that case fearing to carry it about with the Vessel, they used to hide it on Islands, Keys, and in secret places along the Coast, using a most diabolical ceremony at the interment of their cursed riches, as thus. After they had in the first place signed their round Robbin they, instigated by the Devil, decreed privily to sacrifice some poor unfortunate Spaniard, Mulatto or Negro and there bury him, leaving his Spirit as a kind of Guardian or Centinel over their ill begotten wealth untill such time as they should return. And then it was they drew up those detestable articles of their faith and buried the whole in a Bottle with the Corps and riches to preserve if from moisture or any other injury of time.
The Round Robbin
After I had well considered the affair I went and laid the papers up in a safe place, as Somer seem’d no farther curious about it. So then I took Harry back to the spot and we threw all the stones togather again, and dug a hole on one side where we deposited the bones. And thus this uncommon Adventure ended for that time; yet I thought I was clear in the thing that Money or some other things of Value were there hidden.
The Round Robbin exactly transcribed from the Original Manuscript as faithfully made out as the Badness of the Characters and blindness of ye Ink would admit. N.B. Those names to which crosses are added were such as could not write, as I judge; and I take notice there are Negros names among the rest such as Sambo, Cudjoe, and perhaps others of them were of the mixed breed as the principal character necessary to become one of Such a Banditty was that of being an approved Reprobate. If he could once recommend himself capable of Robbing Father, Brother or Relation, Force a Rape on Maid, Wife or Widow, Swear Black was White or the contrary, or even Stow a poor unfortunate Man in Davy Jones’s locker he was then the man fit to be sworn in as what they styled a good Fellow.
Cryptogram
A faithful Representation of the Third Paper as to the matter and due form, with what I deem to have signified Watch Words. Now this Paper was what I conjectured to contain the whole secret. Nevertheless I kept the affair to my self, Knowing full well could it make us as Rich as ten Jews it could by no means render us one farthing the happier in our condition. I often pondered on the thing in my mind. Night after Night did I dream nothing but Pirates, Either that we were diging and beset by those kind of People, that the Ghost of the murdered Victim was petitioning us to relieve him or we were Sharing money, so that frequently I raved and started in my fits of agitation. And heartily have I wished Harry had never gone after that Guano; then, thought I, we might ever have remained in total Ignorance and been yet as happy as heartofore. But after a time those Idle visions vanished as we talked seldomer on the Subject. Yet I cannot say but a great desire would at times rise in my heart to satisfy my own curiosity; and had not Somer been so backward and Indifferent on the matter we should not have been long eere we had made the trial.
Some time after this I proposed to Shipmate Godart that we would take a Voyage along the coast Eastward, to which he agreed, in order to make some farther discovery that way. I was put on this by his desire of seeing the great Stone Harry had told him of at Towers Field. Harry was to be left as guard to the Women, and when we had laid in necessaries off we put down the Lagoon in the Yawl and stood along the shore til we got to the old Cave. There we landed and got some Yams. From thence we stood out about an hour, then tacked and stood away for the next bay and after a time got the length of the Creek, where just as we were going to land Swift jumped on shore after a Guano and he soon killed it; we then put in.
We then took through the bushes but missed the true tract so that I could not find the Stone for my life. Now as we remained thus in suspence our Dog at a distance began to howl, and were sure he had the sight of somthing or other. We follow him Cutting our way with our Mascheet until we open’d into a large Pond. Here we heard noises resembling the murmers of young whelps or puppies. The place was overgrown with large Reeds, and my Messmate cried out there were some of such “Divel cretures” he had seen when traveling with the Indians. Directly I called off the Dog who, poor toad, trembled much. I varily think we saw above twenty of them. We directly quitted that repository of greedy devourers, who many of they lay sunk beneath the surface of the water with only the nose out. After we got off I could not help thinking how happy had been my lot to be landed where I had so long resided without knowing such monsters were so nigh me. But as I knew those Animals seldom quit the ponds to ramble into the uplands I was not much concern’d.
After this we returned and I struck as near as I could for the Rock and by chance soon found it. We then took a good Survey of it and Somer took it for the remains of an old tower, but when I observed to him there was not the least signs of any cement or morter to be seen he gave over that opinion. As we came away he observed that that place had also been frequented by the Pirates too. “Undoubted,” I said, “as they were acquainted with the whole Coast, it being their general maxim to lurk within a Lagoon, Creek and the like with a man posted Either on a tree, hill or masthead From whence they could Espie a sail to a great distance when, waiting a proper advantage, the [they] popped out and captured the poor Culprit at once by vertue of those laws themselves had made.”
After this we went to the Palmetto Grove and caught three more Guano’s, then stood away for Whale Point as I termed it, but saw no more than ye Scull and some ribs sunk in ye sand. When we got round we landed, and kindling fire we roasted one of the Guano’s and had a good meal with it and a Yam.
After this I proposed we should range the long bay which now lay before us perhaps 5 miles in length, thinking that we might find somthing drifted there. Some time after, we came up with the Brigs boom; farther on we found 3 barrels of Tar sunk in the Sand by our own lads, perhaps; and thus we trudged on for above 4 Miles as we judged, being more ground than I had gone over at one time for several years before. We now concluded for to return, finding nothing worth stooping for. After we got back to our boat I proposed to explore round the next point. He agreed, and we were forced to give it a large birth as there was a Shoal and Surfe ran out from it. When we got round we found the land trend away to the left for about two leagues, then fetch a compass round more Eastward again as far as the Eye could see.
Now as we were exploring these new Scenes I observed a large smoke to ascend about 3 leagues right a head of us. “There are people,” said I, “yonder, of some sort or other.”
“That is nothing to us,” said Godart.
Then did I retort on him, “How long since you fell into this way of thinking, Launsman?”1 Directly on speaking I descried a Sail in the Offing standing to the Southward right before the Wind, So nigh in that with my glasses I saw she was a very large Ship. “What say you now?” said I. “Shall we stand out and shew our selves?”
“No, no,” he said, “let us take down the mast and lay snugg.” This we did and got her in behind a parcell of low bushes. Here we remain’d for Some time, and saw another fire yet nigher.
“Now,” said I, “Somer, I am Certain they are Indians or Spaniards, for it they were folk in distress one fire would be sufficient as a signal.” The Ship kept her course and after she had passed by about an hour we got into Our boat, steped our mast, and put away round the point with a flowing sheet. After we got abreast of Towers Field we hall’d in shore and landing there concluded to sleep under our Sail for the following night.
The first thing after turning out next morning was getting a fire made, and after we had refreshed our selves with a good meal we went in quest of some limes, and then stood along shore homeward, put in to the old plantation and gathered a parcell of Yams, potatoes &cc, and then put off for the Castle and arrived about noon. But how amazed were we to find on our landing Our Kitchen was burnt to the ground.
They all came runing down crying and clapping their hand, full of joy at our return; but I stood like a mope, not knowing how the thing could have happened. But finding them all alive I took my Wife in one hand and Owen by the other, walking up to the house in silence, seated myself, and then enquired how such an affair could happen. Harry then told me that Owen had gone into the kitchen and got playing with the fire as he innocenly told them, and soon the whole was in flames but that he, with the Womens help, had saved all the valuable things at the great hazzard of their lives. “Well,” said I, “I am heartily glad things are no worse.” But the loss of our Kitchen was a matter of concern to us all as we had been so long used to it, and its being a Hall of reception when any Visitors came among us.
The next thing to be thought of was rebuilding our Kitchen, and we had one thing much in our favour as they had dragged down the thatch where the fire would let them so quick that all the uprights remain’d unhurt, being of a very hard kind of Wood. Now Somer and Harry were employed in fetching home Palmetto for our thatch; and after this we went cheerfully to work but It was a full fortnight eer it was compleat, and at the last did not Equal the Old Temple seen in former days. Nevertheless altho it was not quite so Ship Shap as is the Sailors term, yet it answered our purpose well enough.
Now as I expected a long series of Rain I proposed to Godart that we should lay in a good store of Roots and other things of that kind, as this conduct had hithertoo been much neglected. And I determined to lay them in the back part of our dwelling least another kitchen blast should take place. And now speaking of these long rains I shall observe they come on twice a year, but most about October, and then hold on with but few intervals 3,4 or 5 Week more or less. And on an Evening when it would hold up a little, Mirriads of Fire Flies then swarmed in the air twinkling like so many Stars. And of a serene night when all was hushed I have heard the things Grow. Several times Somer has cut a tuft of grass for that end, and we have found it sprung 3 inches in perhaps 30 hours time. The most disagreeable thing at this Season was a kind of tree Toad whose noise was the most doleful that can be concieved.
We remain’d chiefly within door during these times, our employment being chiefly making Pipes, pans, pots, and ordering our tobacco. The Girls spun thread after their way and sewed also with Sail needles. Sometimes we took a bout with the bow and arrows at marks, at other times playing Quoits.
But at last my good Messmate Godart fell bad of the Rhumaticks and became so lame in both Arms that he could not feed himself so that his poor Wife was under the necessity of doing that office for him. It then left his arms and fell into his legs. Now was I forced to undertake a new task, (Viz) Making a pair of Crutches for him; and by these assisted he would hobble down to the boat where he would sit and fish with his pipe in his mouth by the hour. For to give him his due he ever hated Idleness if he could possibly Stir.
He remain’d in this condition above 3 months and then got better every day untill he threw by the Crutches; when, like A true Dutchman, he must begin some employment and this was no less than making a Tub. I thought it beyond his skill, but to my great wonder he made it after a sort, but it suited So as to hold water and became of great use for many things.
We had nothing worth notice from this time forwards but the Sight of one Sail which passed by to the Eastward, untill by account I had compleated my Tenth year and began the next, in the same constant bond of Harmony.
1. Probably meaning landsman (as opposed to seaman), from now obsolete laune or from Welsh Ilan, ground or land.
Chapter 17: Eleventh Year
Eleventh Year began. Now it chanced on a day as I was at my table Writing And Somer with his pipe standing behind overlooking me, He took it into his head to ask wher I had put that “Divels Paper” we found in the grave. This was what I expected would come out one day or other, having concluded it should rest so untill it came out of its own accord. I then closed my book and turning round arose and said, “Here is the paper safe enough, but let us not go about things rashly. Let me light My pipe first and then you and I will take a Walk and have some conversation on that affair.” So off we walked and seated our selves down among the Orange trees where I began thus:
“Godart, I think in regard to this Paper It imports there is a Sum of Money hidden in or near the place where we found it.”
“Oh! you dink so? You ben choakin?” said he.
“No, no,” I replied, “I have no bone in my throat. I think I speak clere enough and think I have found out the whole secret, to. Observe here”—shewing him the paper—“you are to observe here two words. These are the Watch words which none were privy to but the very parties concern’d. In the next place observe here is a Mans head represented and these his arms and feet. This means the Person buried there, whom they killed, to be as a Spirit to guard over the treasure there hidden.”
“You dink dat?” said he.
“Yes, I verily do,” I said. “As to this Gun and Sword perhaps they were what figures they carried in their Colours, as also these Cross bones. But now take notice. Here is 19 feet southwest, and thence 15 feet to the very spot or Else the same distance as this dart directs; and within such a Circle lays ye Cash I dare say, if any may be there; and this is my judgement.”
“Well,” said Somer, “suppose we should make a trial of it?”
“With all my heart,” said I, “if you think you have courage to undertake it, Messmate.”
“Oh, I am neet fearen da Divle,” said he.
“Come on, then, we will fall too. But now I think of it it will be better to postpone it a little longer untill you gather more strength.”
“Youst as you vil for dat,” said he, and the thing was dropt for the present.
Soon after this we had a Visit from the Natives. They brought with them an Indian White as an Horse and seemingly very purblind. I soon found our People were well acquainted with him, and as such a Sight was an odd Object to Somer and me I desired Harry to give us his account of it. He observed that now and then, but very seldom, such Objects were born; but as to the cause he could give us no better information than that they call’d them Moon-lights, and that people said they were concieved at the minute the Moon was at the full. “Then,” said I, “one might think you might have more of them.” But he could say no more Excep that they were not beloved among them; none would wed with them; but that they lived and died as they were, as being of no service unless on Moonshine nights and that then they were as brisk as other Indians, seeing very sharp, going to fishing with their darts when other people could not see at all. I observed his Eyes appeared to be inverted as to ours like an Inverted Crescent, keeping them much closed in the day time. This Indians name was Erreawa or White Shiner. The Indians who called to see us and had brought him at his request on the Visit were Muzo-gaya, Damasunto and Vattequeba. They remain’d with us about 5 days, and in that time made a perfect cure of Somer by means of Roots boiled in water with which he was bathed; and I told Betty to learn the true knowledge of them before they left us.
Soon after they were gone, and finding Godart began to stand stronger on his pedestals, we took a new voyage westward on the discovery. We took our departure from the point of Long Key and stood down along the Coast about 3 leagues, when we came to a bluff head land. Nigh to this in a small sandy bay we went on shore. About this place were multitudes of Mullets with Porpoises in persuit of them; they were so thick that we knock’d several on the head with our Oars. These Mullets have often in their Company a fish of a much larger size call’d a Calipiver, differing little in form from the true Mullet.
After a short stay we put off again down along the shore with the wind Easterly untill we saw a long sandy bay, at the farther end of which ran off a Rocks with a small hummock directly off that. This we rounded and then ran into a little cove where the Water was about three feet deep. Here we landed again and Godart shott a White Poke or large kind of White Crane. These Birds are so exceeding white and tall that I have many times mistook them for a Sail, especially when they have been standing out far from the shore on a flat with the Sun shining strong upon them, as at such times they have loomed exceeding large, and when nothing but the margin of the Horizon could be seen behind them. And certain I am that at such times I have percieved them at the distance of 3 Leagues untill, either by flight or a suddain move, they have undecieved me.
In this place we spent that evening, but on the morrow the Wind came up fresh at South so that we came to a determination to go no farther and put back right before it untill we got the length of our Long Key. After we had got round the Reef the wind fell and it soon became a dead calm. We then turned too and rowed, getting into our Lagune in the Evening not a little fatigued, without either profit or much discovery, and thus ended that cruise.
After we had been home about three days We got the notion of examining our Pirates corner. Our Indians could not think what were our designes but we got the shovels and marched to the Spot. In the first place we cleared away all the low brush and then I cut a Stick night to a foot in length as I could and got to measuring the ground. When this was done I told Harry to begin digging. He worked for some time with such poor wooden tools as we had, but to no purpose. Now and then we had hard roots to cut through with our Mascheets. However, we worked down about 3 foot and then desisted for that time, finding nothing.
