Mr Penrose, page 25
About the end of December my beloved Shipmate began to fall off again, and he declined so fast that he became Skin and bone. Now what to do for him I knew not, it being totally out of my power to give him any relief. At last I proposed by Harry’s advice that they should take a journey to visit the Indians, thinking the change would prove of some benefit to him. This proposal he seem’d to like and soon after undertook the journey, being become a little stronger. I was loth to part with a man I so much valued, yet my heart earned [yearned] so much toward his happiness that I would have given all the treasure then in our power for his health. When they came to depart, for Harry was to accompany him, he ernestly requested that if he never lived to return I would be a father to his child. And early on ye morrow they prepared to depart, not without much concern on all sides. I now proposed that he had better take Eva his wife and her child with him as perhaps She might prove of service on the journey. This she was glad enough of. Accordingly off they went; and enough had I left on my hands—Patty and Job in lamentation, my Son howling after Somer and Harry, for there never was a greater veneration between Mortals than between them.
Now we were left to shift the best way we could. The whole business fell to my lot, And after they were gone we seemed like lost sheep. My heart was frequently heavy as thinking perhaps I might never see the face of my Esteemed friend more. I then began to repent that I had made such an idle proposal, pestering my Thoughts day and night that he might die in the woods, being in so weak a state. My Wife administered her best consolation, yet I laboured the harder in my breast.
Thus was I forced to drag the time along, Patty ever on the dumps as she had the young children. And as I expected to hear from them or they would return in about a month, when that time elapsed I became very uneasy as thinking he certainly must be dead. The thoughts of his Departing among ye savages almost drove me wild, not that I once had a notion of their neglect but to think myself the Author and the very hindrance of my discharging my dutiful last office in laying him under ground.
Now it happened very late one evening my Wife woke me and said She heard a Conck blown. Up I got and ran to lite a torch; I then called Patty. I then asked my Betty if she had not been dreaming. She said no, and that she was certain. I then got a Shell and gave a strong blast. Shortly after, it was answered as at a great distance. Now the ugly thought struck me that perhaps the sound might not proceed from my friends, and when this had once took possession I marched about like a man in a state of Stupidity. But soon I heard the Sound again. Well, thinks I, let what come, will. I am now determined to stand the brunt; and then gave another blast.
By this time the Morning began to peep which gave me new spirits. “Make a good fire up,” said I to the Girls. On this the shell sounded and by the sound I knew they were not far off. Before the fire we stood for a time, and then I sounded and was answered from ye Lagoon. On this I gave a Shout and was answered by Harry’s well nown whoop. Then we all ran down to the landing and waited untill they all came in. The first man who jumped on shore was Owagamy. By this time it was light enough to see plainly. “Where is my dear Shipmate?” said I with a loud voice.
“He is here,” cried Harry. Then came on shore my poor Godart. I took him in my arms and lead him up to the house. But before I could well recover myself I saw another White Man and a Spaniard as I thought. This startled me much but I was so overjoyed at my friends return alive that I took no farther notice at that time. Somer then told me he had been much worse or he should have returned before, but nevertheless he was resolved if his time was not long he would die with me, his friend.
Now, thought I, the secret is burst at last. The Spaniards know of our being here, and farewell to all future comfort perhaps. Yet I determined to keep up my courage the best I could, and said, “Harry, how many are you in company?”
“Ten,” said he.
“Welcome all,” I said. “And pray who may this stranger be?”—taking him by the hand in order to clap a good face on the matter. But how astonished was I when in plain English dialect he said:
“A poor, unfortunate Wanderer long lost from all comfort in this life.”
“The more welcome to me, messmate,” cried I. “This is a pleasant mistake indeed. I certainly took you for a Spaniard. But think yourself at home, friend. And pray what part gave you birth?”
“I am a subject of Great Britain born in the Shire of Buchan.”
“Oh, you are a Scotchman I presume; and pray what may be your name, my friend?”
“My name is Norman Bell, at your service.”
“Make yourself as welcome as you please,” said I, “and if I can by any means contribute toward Your future happiness, command me as you please, with all my spirit, messmate.”
I was now got into such an odd mood that I knew not how to behave, so divided was the Passions of my poor heart. On one hand stood Patty and Job quite overjoyed; on the other hand poor Eva with Jessy recounting her troubles, while the tears fell from her face; my new friend gazing round him like a man on enchanted ground; in another place Owagamy and others chatting with my Wife and Owen; Harry with the rest in another knot; so that the Reader may paint the scene to himself if he can.
When it was fair day I told Patty to get water in one of ye Yabbas and then I made some weak toddy for my poor fellow pilgrims and another for the Indians. But when I presented it to Bell he declined it, saying he had not used the like for a long time. But by my desire they drank, and then Betty made them up our Bed, being both of them weakly. They slept for about five hours, where they rested well. In the mean time I told Harry he must be under the necessity of going to the Crawl for a Turtle. Away he and another Indian went and when they returned it was killed and dressed for our entertainment.
When my two friends awoke I joyn’d them and had them out to the Indians as I chose to give them my company as much as possible least they might grow jealous by my paying more respect to my own sort than them. Mr. Somer said he found himself in a greater flow of Spirits than for a long time past. This was good news to me; and after our meal we all enjoyed our Pipes and were the largest company of puffers I had had togather since my first landing. I asked of Mr. Bell how long he had been among my good friends the Indians. He said not above three weeks, and had enjoyed more comfort in that time by the conversation of Mr. Somer than for some years past. He was pleased to say that my friend had delivered himself so much in my favour that he thirsted to be with me.
I then took the opportunity to ask Owagamy his opinion concerning the teeth we had found, and after the Indians had handed them from one to the other and conferred fns togather in their tongue Owagamy Told Harry that both his father and self had seen of them, and that they knew of a deep valley wherin were many of them but it was far to the South. That he never could learn any of their old people had seen one of those animals alive, saying they knew those cretures had white horns as long as an Indian for that some old people related that they had seen of them—instancing Old Wariboon, a great hunter, kept one of them a long time by him, but as he lived a great distance from them they had never seen it. Upon this an Indian whose name was Kayoota, and present at the time said his father had seen it so many times—holding up his fingers; from all we gathered that the Beast then talked of must have been an Elephant and that those horns they mentioned with the teeth of ye animal. But how the whole race became exterpated remain’d to us a riddle unless the natives time out of mind had unanimously joyned to destroy them. Yet one should naturally imagine the task was of such a copious undertaking that they could never have succeeded; or as the continent being so extensive, all the natives would never have joyned by mutual consent as being seperated thousands of miles asunder and quite unintelligent to each other. But I leave it to the learned to put what constructions on this great mistery they may think proper.
1. A Portuguese gold coin.
Chapter 22: Fourteenth Year
Nothing worthy recording happened from the time my new friend Bell came to reside with us, and it was now become the mont of June and by my computation I had been here compleat Thirteen Years, not much within or over. And by permission of my new acquaintance I shall relate a short account of his life from his own remembrance. (Viz), he says that his father, Angus Bell, was born in West Lothian and had followed the Pedlars calling and died when he was but 10 years of age; that some time after he was placed with a Carpenter in the Shire of Fife, as his Mother was of those parts. From the Carpenter he ran away when about 15 years of age, and got onboard of a Vessel which traded up the East country. After that he went some trips from Aberdeen to London and there left that Vessel. In the War time he went out several Cruizes and was taken and carried into St. Malo’s1 where he lay in prison a long time, but that during that Space he learnt to play on the German flute from a certain fellow prisoner whose name was James Alexander and one of his countrymen. After this they were exchanged and he came again to the City of London, and then got on board a Ship bound for New York. That on his return he went to learn the French horn and Trumpet, but by a foolish prank of Wrestling got a kind of hurt in his back So that it rendered him unfit to follow the Seas at that time. And some time after this he chanced to fall in with a set of puppet shew folks who, finding he understood the Trumpet, engaged him; and soon after that he commenced Merry Andrew with these people. Then on the rove he travelled over part of England, Wales and Ireland.
His next connexions was with a Quack Doctor with whome he travelled two years and took every opportunity to study his arts, saying he had ever been adicted to mimicry and could with ease take off the French, Dutch, Irish, Welch &cc. But as he had long since got perfectly cured of his Strain and coming to the City of Bristol, he took a fresh notion of going to sea again, Shipped himself, and was taken by the French and carried into Leogan2 where he lay so long in prison that in order to obtain his liberty he Engaged with one Capt. Ruiz, a Spaniard then bound to Carthagena,3 and he procured him his discharge. With him he sail’d for some time, and went afterward to Maracaybo4 from which place he used to follow the coasting business.
And there chance brought him acquainted with an old man who was born in Dublin, by name McGill; and as he constantly used his best endevours to obtain the Spanish language he could speak it a little fluent. Now this Old fellow told him he could recommend him to a match of good advantage to him if he could fancy the person, and that he was sure he would succeed as he knew full well, having heard her express as much one day when he was sounding that day with Pantoja’s trumpet, he said. “I suppose you mean Maria Bela, the Mulatto girl.” “Yes,” he said, and that she was possessed of four or five slaves, a good house, and money also.
Upon this he determined to follow the old mans advice and soon after Married her. That he lived well with her for about 5 years untill he became daily plagued by one of the Padre’s on the score of religion. This Man left no stone unturned to draw him from his first principals; but altho he had lead a very abandoned life, as he said, yet he was proof against all his art. But little did he think what a scene of trouble was coming on at that time. But on a day as he returned from his little bark or sloop he had purchased, he found matters to appear too glaring not to suspect his Ladies honesty; but as he had found sufficient cause long before to think Father Martin and she were too great, he took no manner of notice at that time. It was lucky he had no children then alive. But when a fair opportunity came he gave her a gentle reprofe, saying he wonder’d how any man in the state Father Martin was could think of converting him when he so highly stood in need of Conversion himself; that for his part he thought it a strang kind of Religion, indeed, which forbade the marriage of Priests, yet indulged them access to the ladies at all times even when all others were quite Excluded, under colour that they were father confessors. But to make short, from that time he never enjoyed one moments comfort, as the unfaithful Hussy had communicated all his sentiments to the Old Rascall, as he termed him. Martin from that time carried a higher hand than ever and one day, being in a kind of pet, said: “Sr. Bell, I am sorry you would never be advised of my kind council. Therfore if any Evil befall you it is of your own seeking. I think you should have left the Church alone, by all means, after being so well recieved Among us.”
He wanted no stronger hints, he said, knowing that fire and hot fury was at his heels, and that he must either implore Martin to cuckold him or undergo Catholick resentment and persecution. From that time he became miserable, untill he resolved to leave those parts to wander he knew not whither. But for some time before he put the scheem in practice he soothed the Scoundrel in the most abject manner, and when he had softened him down a little he determined to make his flight. But as he could find no fair slatch [?] by Sea he was forced to take his land tack onboard, leaving the following lines—that as he found his life lay at Father Martins mercy he had bade them an Everlasting adieu, being determined to live no longer.
After this he wandered away in the night with but nine pistoles and a few little articles in a small pack at his back, being determined when he should get beyond all knowledge to turn lunatick or Buffoon; and after that sort he had wandered above a thousand miles too and fro. By this method he had evaded all suspicions, passing for an Italian, and gave himself the name of Giovannetti saying he put on the air of a slighted lover ever Singing Love-sonnets or telling merry tales, so that he never wanted relief wherever he came. And thus he rambled for the space of 4 Years untill chance brought him among our Indians where, finding my friend, he determined to pay me a visit and to take up his residence if agreeable.
“Well,” said I, “you have padded the hoof to some purpose, and have had a large draught of this intoxicating world.”
“Mr. Penrose,” said he, “I have sowed my wild oats long since. I have laid all my follies aside, I can assure you.”
I then took an opportunity and observed that he must have collected divers Nostrums in his travels, and that Poor Somer stood in great need of his help if he had but any drugs. “As to that part of the speech,” said he, “I think him in a deep decline, and before many Weeks he will no longer be our companion in this life.” This gave me much pain as he seemed to pronounce his doom, as it were. “But,” said he, “I know ye Virtues of several American plants and Roots and will use my best endevors to administer all the comfort I can. But this I know, he will linger away gradually, changing at times so that you may be flattered into a conciet of his recovery. But he will go off at once when you may not expect such a thing.”
Mr. Bell soon became a hale Man, but my worthy Shipmate he wasted away daily. Yet he was ever of the opinion he should weather it, saying now and then, “When I can get a little stronger I will do this and that.” Nevertheless he every day grew weaker. At last he became a real object of pity, Walking about like a living skeleton. The colour of his skin became of a dark brown; the trowsers would hardly keep on him; his Eyes became so exceeding hollow with a fixed stare; and his lips shrank in such sort that he became a terrible object to behold. When ever he drank we could hear the liquid rattle within him. His poor Stomach became so depraved that he would long to eate things unfit for the food of Man or Dogs, yet he continually walked about.
At last he left his darling Pipe and grew exceeding fractious, altho he was ever much to the contrary when in health. There was no thing we could procure would please him; but we took this with all generous patience, and what ever he wanted he had, if going miles could procure it for him. At last he took a notion for me to make him some fish broth; this I went heartily about. When I took it in to him he raised up in the bed and fell to feed heartily, saying he liked it much, and finished above a pint of it. He was then on my bed in the cave. I then asked him how he found himself. He made me no reply, but fixing his Eyes against ye other side as tho he saw something, and in an instant threw the Spoon against it with great force and, falling back, gave an odd kind of hollow sound and Expired.
Upon this I turned out of the cave and went to incline my head against the Rocks, as none were by. When I came out they knew not the cause, but Bell coming up as seeing me thus, soon suspected the cause and went in. When he came out he call’d Harry and told him that they might not disturb me. But soon the information circulated and a general din of Lamentation began; and if ever true grief was expressed in its full scope it was then—so I need not be prolix on that head.
My most worthy and truehearted Messmate departed this life on the 21 day of August, anno 1760, having lived with me in perfect brotherly love above 6 years, and was as much my brother in a Sentimental way as tho we had been twin born. Thus did I loose my darling partner and fellow Sharer in all my difficulties and advantages, one who out of a true sense of reciprocal regard had continually made it his study to concur with me in every social interest and recreation. Godart Somer was a Man of true fidelity.
Chance had brought us togather in England. Our first meeting was on board of a Ship at the Red House, Deptford, but as we were at that time all strangers to each, little intimacy passed between us; nor do I know that we ever held a conversation above once when on board of that Ship as at that time he spake English but very indifferen. On our Ships dropping down to the Nore He with several more were discharged and put on shore at Gravesend as above our compliment of hands; so that Claus5 only made a kind of Visionary appearance, as I may say. And altho our junction was at that time but short, yet Providence had ordained it that, let us make whatever traverses we could on the Main, we should meet again at a certain period of time to become the mutual comforters of each other. Shall we say that this is Fate or Chance?
