A true account of the captivity of Thomas Phelps at Machaness in Barbary and of his strange escape in company of Edmund Baxter and others, as also of the burning two of the greatest pirat-ships belonging to that kingdom in the River of Mamora upon the thirteenth day of June 1685 / by Thomas Phelps.

An Account of my Escape, Mr. Edmund Baxter, and others from Barbary. (Book escape)

AFter a serious consideration, finding that no proffers for my redemption would be accepted, I committed the conduct of my proceedings to Almighty providence resolving to make an Escape in company of Three more, Edmund Baxter, Anthony Bayle, and James Ingram.

On the 29th. of May, agreeing with our Guardian-Moors for a Blankil, (i. e.) 2d. ob. a piece, we had the liberty to be excus'd from work that day, we went there fore to the Town of Machaness, and having but a small stock of cash about us, viz. nine Blankils, we laid it out in Bread, and two small Bullocks bladders, with a little Burdock to carry Water in.

About Three of the clock in the Afternoon we began our journey designing to go as far as an Old house, call'd the Kings house, distant about Three miles from Machaness, resolving to conceal our selves about that house until night, and promising to our selves the greater security, because we knew some Christians used commonly to work there, but proceeding in our journey, we discover'd upon a loaded Horse the Moor who lived at that house, which oblig'd us to quicken our pace, and keep a head of him, for, if he should come up with us, he would easily discover that we

did not belong to the said house, We made hast therefore before him, and coming near the house we discover'd about Twenty Moors sitting there; which accident of being hem∣ed in behind and before by these our enemies, put us into a great fright, and had in all likely hood spoil'd our design, in the very entrance, if providence had not presented to our view, on one side of the house, a parcel of Lime-kills, to which, without the Moors observation we immediatly struck up, where we absconded our selves by lying flat upon our bellies; about half an hour after came two Moorish women thither, to gather up some loose wood, we considering it very inconvenient to shew our selves fearful, lest we should be taken for Renagadoes, spoke to them, but they return'd us no answer, following their business, and taking us, as vve judged, either for Moors or Christians employ'd about the said Lime-kills so vve continued there vvithout any further molestation, until night, vvhen vve proceeded on our jour∣ney, traveling about Eighteen miles that night, vve passed by a great many Tents, vvhence the Dogs came out and barkt at us, and the Moors also favv us, but said nothing, mista∣king us for their Country-men.

That night vve crost the great River, vvhich runs dovvn to Mamora, about Eighteen miles distance from Machaness, and about a mile from the bank of the River, vve found a convenient bush, vvhere vve took up our lodging all the day follovving, vvithout any disturbance: At night vve found our selves oblig'd to return to the said River, to furnish us vvith Water, the littleness of our vessel, vvhich contain'd not above a Gallon, being a great hindrance in our journey: We continued our progress Tvvelve miles that night, vvhich prov'd very tiresome by reason of the vveeds and bushes, and the nights vvere not so long as vve vvish'd; just about Day-break, vve found a convenient bush near to a great Valley, vvhere vve repos'd our selves; as soon as the day

broke clear, we saw abundance of Cattle grasing in the bottom, with Moors, who lookt after them, but, by Gods pro∣vidence, none came near us, so that we lay safe all that day, being the last day of May.

At night we set forwards, keeping the Woods, where were no Moorish Inhabitants, only wild beasts, the less sa∣vage and formidable, which we often saw, but they never attempted to come near us, we travel'd about Ten miles that night, and then crossed a River, which supplied us with Water, whereof we were in want; on the other side of the River, we observ'd the footsteps of a great many Cattle, which rendred the place, as we thought, unsafe for us, we made therefore a little further progress in the morning, to the top of the Hill, where under a large Oak we found a bush convenient for our reception that day, but within a little while we were disturb in our repose, observing the Cattle to come grasing up the Hill, directly to that bush, with Moors at their heels, with all hast therefore we pact up our luggage and ran a mile further, without being discover'd, until we came to a Pear tree, furnish'd with long-grass a round him, there we took up our quarters all that day, being the First of June.

The night following, we intended to proceed, but it plea∣sed God, to strike me lame with the Gout, so that I was not able to stand, I was forced therefore to remain there all that night, and the day ensuing, which was a great hindrance to my companions, and affliction to my self: The readiest expedient to remedy my distemper, which I could think upon was this, we made a fire in a hole in the ground, and I put my Foot into the hole to draw away the pain, having also a Lancet with us, I endeavour'd to breath a Vein in my Foot, but I could not effect it, for the Lancet would not enter, however, I found some ease by the force of the fire: My company being sensible of the delay, which my distemper

occasion'd, began to be mov'd, insomuch that they told me, that if I could not march with them that night, they must hold themselves oblig'd to take leave of me, which added a great affliction to my sorrow, insomuch as I was the Au∣thor and first mover of this escape; That I might not there∣fore be forsaken by my companions, and in compliance to their importunity, I resolved to strain my outmost power.

The third of June at night I endeavoured to go, but in great pain, so that we could not proceed above Three miles, when I was forc'd to pray my Companions to stay but that night, and I did not question, but by Gods blessing, to be able to travel with them the next, they consented, and so we took up our lodging for the remainder of that night, under another Pear-tree.

The fourth of June I kept baking my foot all the day in the Ground, till about two in the Afternoon, in the mean while, I procur'd Mr. Baxter to make me a wooden Leg, which accordingly he did, I perswaded them, then, to tra∣vel about Three or Four miles that afternoon, which would a little ease the labour of the night, they agreed, I travel'd about Four miles with that Leg, and then rested till night on the top of a high Hill, whence we saw a great plain valley before us.

At night we shap'd our course clear of the Tents, and tra∣vel'd over the edge of the plain, about Six miles; We past by several fields of corn, the Moors in the mean time hallow∣ing to frighten the wild beasts from them: Crossing of a Ri∣ver that night, we saw and heard several Lyons, some ap∣proach'd so near that we could almost have touch'd them, but as soon as we strook fire, which we had prepar'd for that very purpose, they presently vanish'd; when the light began to display it self, we took our quarters for the next day, which was June the Fifth; At night we continued our course, when I was still lame, which was a great hindrance to my

company, but we were loath to part, our bread also was al∣most at an end, the consideration whereof oblig'd me to strain hard to get Eight miles that night: By resting the next day I found my self to be something better, but then to qualifie my joy for this, Another companion Anthony Bayle began to sink and give over.

June the Sixth, We set onward, and measur'd Ten miles that night, when we came to a great Swamp, there my pain renewing, I fain would have perswaded them to stay but by no intreaties could perswade them, so resolving to part, we shar'd our Bread, which came to two half Rusks a peice; I endeavour'd to allure my weak wearied Brother to abide with me, comforting him with the expectation of Gar∣dens, where we two more easily than the company of Four, might provide for our selves; He would not stay; Being prest thus with the consideration of being lest alone, I Re∣solv'd to put forward, when it pleased God, that my foot became perfectly whole and clear of the Gout; That night we travel'd over a high barren Hill, where we fancied we heard the Suss and noise of the Sea, which encourag'd us to mend our pace until we met with a Garden, where we ga∣ther'd about a dozen of small Pumpkins, a very comforta∣ble assistance to us, now that our Bread was all spent, for some we eat raw, and some we roasted in the ground, where∣by we found our selves considerably refresht: That night we made no more then Eight miles, for meeting with a great Oak which was blown down, we thought it inconvenient to overslip such an advantageous retirement for the next day, which we were the more desirous off, because we heard a great many Moors, tho' we could not see them.

All the next day we lay still and with exceeding content∣ment we heard the noise of the Sea, at night we put on and came to the shoar, where we found whereabout we then were, viz. to the Southward of Mamora, we directed our

Course then Northward for Two miles, when we could di∣scern the Castle, but knowing that we could not go to the Northward of the Castle, because the great River goes di∣rectly up into the Country, we turn'd back about a mile, and finding a convenient bush, we rested there all the next day, hearing and seeing a great many Cattle, but none came near us.

June the Eighth, We gathered about half a Peck of Snailes, and caught a Land-Tortois, which we roasted and eat har∣tily, that day also, we saw a Ship in the Offing, when night was come, we made down towards the Castle, and before we were aware we fell upon a Moor making a fire, which forc'd us to draw back, the Moor not discerning us, we fetcht then a compass, and by another way came down to the Castle, there we found a strong watch, which did wholly discourage our expectations of relief from that place, so we set up our Resolutions for Sallé, about Eighteen or Twenty miles to the Southward, to see what good could be done there, But before we parted with Mamora, we made bold with a little Barley and Guinny corn, growing under the Castle, of each whereof we gathered about a quarter of a Peck, to serve our necessities, and then we betook our selves to our former nights refuge, the Bush, and after having consulted how to steer our course for Sallé, the result whereof was a long the Sea-side, we rested all the next day without distur∣bance.

June the Ninth, We travel'd along the Sea-side, where we saw a great deal of Rast-timber, we concluded therefore, seeing the Ship in the Offing, to make a Raft, which accor∣dingly we did, and put off with it, but it would not swim, boyart with us all, we came therefore a shore, and cut all our Lashings, leaving it to the mercy of the Sea: We tra∣vel'd Five miles towards Sallé that night, fearing least by staying long thereabout we should be discovered, for our foot∣ing

and trayling of the Timber had made such an Impression in the sand as if an Hundred men had been there; That night we took up our quarters in a Fig-tree, about Seven miles short of Sallé where was no Inhabitant.

June the Tenth at night, we made forward to Sallé, in the Road, we sell upon a parcel of Tents, where though the Dogs were ready to seize us, and the Moors themselves call'd to us, We made no answer and travel'd on, without any far∣ther trouble or danger, until we came to Sallé, as soon as we came thither, we made towards the Gardens, and gathered some Pumkins, and because night was far spent, we retrea∣ted about a mile out of Town, to find some place which might secure us from discovery; we pitch'd upon a Bush in a great Valley, wherein we resolv'd to enclose our selves the day following: About Eleven of the clock of that day, we espied a Boy with a Dog keeping of Sheep, but yet not forgeting his game, which was hunting of Partridges; He beat the bush wherein we were lodg'd, and threvv in Stones, and the Dog also did his part, barking and coursing about the bush, buthy miracle as we thought, we were not espied, tho' we discover'd abundance of fear amongst our selves, for if we had been taken notice of, we could not otherwise con∣sult our own safety, than by the death of that poor silly Lad.

The eleventh day being past, at night we made a descent to the River of Sallé, about a mile above the Town, where we found a Boat, but could not with all our strength launch her: Anthony Bayle and I who were the only swimmers in our company, made over to the South-side of the River, to see what purchase we could make there, we found indeed Three boats, but they were all aground, so that we could do no good with them; But in searching about the new Ships, (which Five in number are building there) we found two Oares, with which we swam over to our consorts, and

all together we went down by the Rivers side, to the Har∣bours mouth, but we could meet with no boat to put our Oares in; We saw two Dutch-men in the River, but they kept a diligent watch, which hindred us from carrying away their boat; We concluded therefore to bury our Oares in the sand at some remarkable place, and so we betook our selves to find out a sanctuary for the day following; We found a Fig-tree full of leaves, in an unfrequented place, as we thought, on the North-side of the River, yet within call of the Ships, vvhich then vvere a building? Under the Covert of this little Tree, tho' surrounded vvith Enemies and dan∣gers, vve resolv'd to expect the protection of the next day; The Reader may possibly judge this an instance of a Roman∣tick courage, and an effect rather of rash boldness than pru∣dent consideration; Truly, he is in the right, for vve our selves vvere of the same mind, about the middle of the next day, upon this occasion, a Moor vvho had nevvly vvasht his cloaths, directs his course directly to our Tree, and there hangs up his Al hage to dry vvhilst he himself sat dovvn not far off, to lovvse himself, an't please you; if providence did hinder him from discerning us, I assure you it vvas not for vvant of provocation, as vve all confest, and indeed I never in my life vvas in such a trembling fit, as that lovvsie Rascal put me into.

The Tvvelfth day of June being past, at night vve came dovvn again to the River, to look after a boat, vvhich vve had observ'd vvas moor'd in the River, half a mile higher than vvhere vve found the Oares, this, vve vvho could svvim found and brought to our consorts, We padl'd her dovvn the River close by the Dutch men, vvho savv us, but said nothing, then vve put a shore, and fetcht our Oares, vve continued padling, until vve had past a French-man, lying at the Bars mouth, vvho plainly savv us, but said nothing; So soon as vve had left him behind us, vve shipp'd out our Oares, and

Rovving right into the Sea, our course by the North-star vvas West-North-West: vvhen vve had Rovved Four Miles or thereabout, vve discern'd a Ship at Anchor, vvhich ob∣lig'd us to alter our course, and Rovv Northward, until vve had past her, fearing least she might be a Sallè-Ship, and vve had learn'd at Machaness that Tvvo of them vvere a cruizing at that time, and not yet come in, therefore it vvas, that in distrust of this Ship, vve altered our course; vve Rovved about Tvvo Leagues vvithout the Ship, and lay upon our Oares; vvhen Day broke up clear, vve savv the Ship vvith her Sailes loose, I then acquainted my Consorts, that in my judgment, if the Ship vvere of Sallé she vvould make in for the Bar at that time, because the Tide and the Sea breeze vvere then both favourable, it being High-vvater at Seven of the Clock, but if she vvere an English Man of War, as vve incessantly vvish'd, then vve thought the Sea-breeze vvould make her stand off to Sea: Notwithstanding our opinions were various, and we were doubtful what to do; at length I perswaded my consorts, with much ado, to row in and make her hull, then the Ship stood off, and at length saw us, we pull'd aboard, and found her to be the Lark-Friggot Captain Leighton Commander; after some Examination and Discourse about the Methods and Means of our Escape, I propounded to the Captain a de∣sign which had newly taken strong possession of my Fancy, it was this, that if he would accommodate me with his Boat, and those belonging to the other Two Men of War, which were in Company, I would undertake to Pilot them in, and to burn what Ships were then at Mamora; The Captain im∣mediately stood to the Northward, and came up with the other Two Ships, which were the Bonaventure and the Gray∣hound; The Admiral was then Sick at Cales, so Captain Macdonald being Eldest Captain, we went aboard him, and sending for Mr. Fairborne, who was then Captain under

Captain Priestman, who was Sick as abovesaid, they held a Council about those propositions which I had made, at first they seemed unpracticable, by reason of many difficulties, but especially of the Bar, which is worse than that of Sallé; But then when upon Second thoughts they considered the forwardness of Men, who but that very Day had escapt a heavy Slavery, and yet were willing that very Night to en∣gage in the action, they concluded it both possible and fea∣sible, so they entertain'd with approbation what I had pro∣pos'd; After which I immediately return'd with Captain Leighton aboard the Lark, and communicated the result of the Council with my Comrade Mr. Baxter, who was heartily pleas'd with what was undertaken, and willing to go along, so he was ordered to go in the Bonaventure's Boat, and was very serviceable, and who was better acquianted with that Bar, than I was. Immediately orders were given to shave some Deal-boards, and saw some Tarr-barrels, and make rea∣dy with all expedition; by Seven at Night, all things were in readiness, the Friggots were riding Two Leagues from Shore, orders were given that the Boat in which I was, viz. the Gray-hound's, should go a head, Commanded by Captain Macdonald, who behaved himself indeed with great Courage and Resolution, and the rest had orders to follow us; there were Three Barges in all, and one Yawl, the number of Men concern'd in the action, was Forty two, who all had strict charge upon pain of Death, not to seek after Plunder, which was punctually observ'd. About Eight at Night we put off from the Ships, and betwixt Nine and Ten, we fell a little to the Northward of the Bar, but by Mr. Baxter's assistance, we quickly righted our selves, and found the Bar; there was a great noise upon the Shore, all thereabout had taken the Alarm, which did nothing discourage us, we proceeded lustily, without any concernment at their hideous outcries, which when the Moors perceiv'd, and that we advanc'd with

undaunted Resolutions, they thought it best to flie betimes and secure themselves and their Castle; in the mean time we pursu'd our design towards the Ships, aboard which, there being a great many Lights, we observ'd the Moors looking over the sides of the first we came to, which was the bigger of the Two, they call'd to us, to keep off, we answered them with about Twenty Granado-shells, which soon drove them overboard; they had not far indeed to escape, for the Castle Wall was within a Boats length of the Ship, so with∣out any difficulty we presently entred; one Moor we found aboard, who was presently cut in pieces, another was shot in the head, endeavouring to escape upon the Cable, we were not long in taking in our Shavings and Tarr-barrels, and so set her on fire in several places, she being very apt to re∣ceive what we design'd, for there were several Barrels of Tar upon the Deck, and she was newly Tarr'd as if on pur∣pose; whilst we were setting her on fire, we heard a noise of some people in the Hold, we opened the Skuttles, and thereby sav'd the lives of Four Christians, Three Dutch-men and One French, who told us that the Ship on fire was Admiral and belong'd to Aly-Hackum, and the other which we soon after serv'd with the same sauce, had the Name of Plummage Cortibe, which was the very Ship, which in October last took me Captive, I cannot deny that I was possessed with an extraordinary satisfaction to see this Ship on fire, and I could not but admire the wonderful providence of God, to whom alone Vengeance belongeth, in vindicating my cause, and making me an unwitting instrument of revenge, for the injuries I received from the owners of this Vessel.

Such was the fierceness of the Flames, that vve vvere forc'd to keep off from the Ships sides, vvhereby vve be∣came obnoxious to the shot of the Moors, vvho from the Walls of the Castle made a great firing upon us, both of small and great Guns, but vvith little or no Execution, for

our Men, by the light of the great fire having them in per∣fect view upon the Walls, made smart returns upon them, firing incessantly upon them, and with that eagerness, that they quite neglected their Oares, so that if the Tide had not turn'd to Ebb, we should have run a great risque, our Men were so full of joy, hooping and hallowing at the sight of so desirable a Bon-fire, that they never minded the dangers they might be subject to; we were therefore forced to row the Bonaventure's Yawl, who had lost all her Oares. In all this Action we had but one Man mortally wounded, and two or three more slightly hurt: after we had compleated our business, and absolutely destroyed these Ships, we return'd out of the River, over the Bar, and pull'd aboard the Friggots, Captain Macdonald received us kindly, and gratified us with the entertainment of his Ship very frankly, aboard which we staid until we came to Cales, there we went ashore, designing a passage for Eng∣land with the first opportunity; Captain Macdonald gave us Certificates of our service in the late Action, and then Mr. Baxter and I took leave of him; we did not stay long at Cales, before we met with an opportunity for England aboard Captain Atkins, who came from Leghorn and was bound for London, who very willingly granted us passage with him, and gave us civil and welcome entertainment, whom God reward and all other our Benefactors, parti∣cularly (tho' to some Readers it may seems immaterial, yet when occasion offers, not to remember, to all good Men will appear unthankful, and I had rather be tax'd with im∣pertmence than ungratitude) Mr. Hodges, who bestow∣ed upon us Four pieces of Eight in our necessity, God return his Charity into his own Bosome with blessing and encrease, and honest Captain Gutteridge, who sent a Barrel of Beaf and a Hundred weight of Bread, least we should lie too chargeable upon Captain Atkins in our

passage home, who the First day of July 1685. set Sail from Cadiz, and arrived in the Downs the 26th. of that Month.

Thus have I given a short and plain account of my Captivity and Escape, with the circum∣stances that attended it, and tho' possibly my Stile may appear rough and unpolish'd, which the courteous Reader I hope will a little ex∣cuse, expecting no other from a blunt Seaman, acquainted with nothing so much as Dangers and Storms, yet I do profess I have Penn'd this Narrative with all the sincerity and truth, that becomes a plain-dealing English-man: My de∣sign and aim in all (kind Country-man and courteous Reader) is, to excite with me thy praises to our God the only deliverer, who hath de∣livered me from a cruel and severe Captivity, and withal to stir up thy grateful resentments, for the happiness, peace and freedom, that thou enjoyest under so excellent and well tempered a Government, but most especially to move thy pitty for the afflictions of Joseph, to excite thy compassionate regard to those poor Country-men now Languishing in mi∣sery and Irons, to endeavour their releasment according to thy power, at least by impor∣tuning

Heaven, that during their Captivity God would support them with his Grace, to bear patiently their afflictions, and to resist all Temptations until in his good appointed time, he vouchsafe them a happy deliverance, Amen.

FINIS.