clofe to my Studies; But the Charge of maintaining me (although I had a very fcanty Allowance) being too great for a narrow Fortune, I was bound Apprentice to Mr. James Bates, an eminent Surgeon in London, with whom I continued four Years; and my Father now and then fending me fmall Sums of Money, I laid them out in learning Navigation, and other Parts of the Mathematicks, useful to those who intend to travel, as I always believed it would be fome time or other my fortune to do. When I left Mr. Bates, I went down to my Father; where by the Affiftance of Him and my Uncle John, and fome other Relations, I got Forty Pounds, and a Promife of Thirty Pounds a Year to maintain me at Leyden: There I ftudied Phyfick two Years and feven Months, knowing it would be useful in long Voyages.

SOON after my Return from Leyden, I was recommended by my good Master Mr. Bates, to be Surgeon to the Swal

low,

low, Captain Abraham Pannell Commander; with whom I continued three Years and a half, making a Voyage or two into the Levant, and fome other Parts. When I came back, I refolved to settle in London, to which Mr. Bates, my Master, encouraged me, and by him I was recommended to feveral Patients. I took Part of a small House in the Old Fury; and being advised to alter my Condition, I married Mrs. Mary Burton, fecond Daughter to Mr. Edmond Burton Hofier in Newgate-Street, with whom I received four Hundred Pounds for a Portion.

BUT, my good Mafter Bates dying in two Years after, and I having few Friends, my Business began to fail; for my Confcience would not fuffer me to imitate the bad Practice of two many among my Brethren. Having therefore confulted with my Wife, and fome of my Acquaintance, I determined to go again to Sea. I was Surgeon fucceffively in two Ships, and made feveral Voyages, for fix Years,

to

to the Eaft and Weft-Indies, by which I got fome Addition to my Fortune. My Hours of Leifure I spent in reading the best Authors antient and modern, being always provided with a good Number of Books; and when I was afhore, in obferving the Manners and Difpofitions of the People, as well as learning their Language, wherein I had a great Facility by the Strength of my Memory.

THE last of these Voyages not proving very fortunate, I grew weary of the Sea, and intended to stay at home with my Wife and Family. I removed from the Old Fury to Fetter-Lane, and from thence to Wapping, hoping to get Bufinefs among the Sailors; but it would not turn to account. After three Years Expectation that things would mend, I accepted an advantageous Offer from Captain William Prichard, Master of the Antelope, who was making a Voyage to the South-Sea. We fet fail from Briftot May 4th, 1699, and our Voyage at first was very profperous.

It would not be proper, for fome Reafons, to trouble the Reader with the Particulars of our Adventures in those Seas: Let it fuffice to inform him, that in our Paffage from thence to the EaftIndies, we were driven by a violent Storm to the Northwest of Van Diemen's Land. By an Obfervation, we found ourfelves in the Latitude of 30 Degrees 2 Minutes South. Twelve of our Crew were dead by immoderate Labour, and ill Food, the rest were in a very weak Condition. On the fifth of November, which was the Beginning of Summer in those Parts, the Weather being very hazy, the Seamen spied a Rock, within half a Cable's Length of the Ship; but the Wind was fo ftrong, that we were driven directly upon it, and immediately fplit. Six of the Crew, of whom I was one, having let down the Boat into the Sea, made a fhift to get clear of the Ship, and the Rock. We rowed by my Computation about three Leagues, till we were able to work no PART I. longer

B

longer, being already spent with Labour while we were in the Ship. We therefore trufted ourselves to the Mercy of the Waves, and in about half an Hour the Boat was overfet by a fudden Flurry from the North. What became of my Companions in the Boat, as well as of those who escaped on the Rock, or were left in the Veffel, I cannot tell; but conclude they were all loft. For my own part, I fwam as Fortune directed me, and was pushed forward by Wind and Tide. I often let my Legs drop, and could feel no Bottom: But when I was almost gone,

and able to struggle no longer, I found myself within my Depth; and by this time the Storm was much abated. The Declivity was fo fmall, that I walked near a Mile before I got to the Shore, which I conjectur'd was about eight a-clock in the Evening. I then advanced forward near half a Mile, but could not discover any fign of Houfes or Inhabitants; at leaft I was in fo weak a Condition, that I did not obferve them. I was extreamly