Accidents > Dangers of the deep, or, Narratives of shipwreck and adventure at sea

230 RECEPTION BY THE SPANIARDS,
amongst, to carry us directly to a certain place,
where there would be a party of soldiers to
receive us. These poor people now seemed
to be under great concern for us, hearing by
the messenger the preparations that were
making to receive us; for they stand in great
dread of the Spanish soldiery. They were
very desirous of knowing what countrymen
we were. We told them we were English,
and at that time at war with the Spaniards;
upon which they appeared fonder of us than
ever; and I verily believe, if they durst,
would have concealed us amongst them, lest
we should come to any harm. They are so
far from being in the Spanish interest, that
they detest the very name of a Spaniard.
And, indeed, I am not surprised at it; for
they are kept under such subjection, and such
a laborious slavery, by mere dint of hard
usage and punishments, that it appears to me
the most absurd thing in the world, that the
Spaniards should rely upon these people for as¬
sistance upon any emergency. We embarked
in the evening, and it was night before we got
to the place where we were to be delivered
up to the Spanish guard. We were met by
three or four officers, and a number of sol-