I was born in York in 1632 into an upper-class family.We are not local.His father is from Bremen, Germany.After he immigrated to England, he first lived in Hull, made a fortune in business, closed the business, and finally settled in York, where he married my mother.My mother's maiden name was Robinson, a well-known local family, so I was named Robinson Kreutzner.As the British pronounced the German surname "Kreuzner", the pronunciation was distorted. As a result, everyone called us "Kroso", and even we called ourselves that way and wrote it that way.So, my friends call me Croso.

I have two older brothers.The eldest brother was a lieutenant-colonel in the British Infantry in Flanders.The famous Colonel Lockhart once led this force.The eldest brother was killed fighting the Spaniards near Dunkirk.As for the whereabouts of my second brother, I still don't know anything about it, just like my parents didn't know anything about my later situation. I am the youngest son in my family. My parents did not allow me to learn how to earn a living, so I just liked to think wildly since I was a child, and I only wanted to travel abroad.At that time, my father was very old, but he still gave me a fairly good education.He once sent me to a boarding school, and also sent me to a free school to receive compulsory education in the countryside. He only wanted me to study law in the future.But I'm not interested in anything but sailing.

I completely disregarded my father's wishes, even disobeyed my father's orders, and I completely ignored my mother's entreaties and the dissuasion of my friends.This nature of mine seems to have sealed my future misfortune. My father was intelligent and cautious.He foresaw the misfortune which my intentions would inevitably bring me, and he counseled me often and solemnly, and gave me many useful counsels.One morning, he called me into his bedroom; because, at that time, he happened to have a gout attack, which made him unable to move.He advised me very earnestly.He asked me, what was my reason for abandoning my parents and leaving my homeland, except to satisfy my own inclination to roam the world?In my hometown, I can be recommended by others and establish myself in the society.If I work hard, I can make a fortune and live a comfortable and happy life in the future.He told me that most people who venture abroad are either poor and penniless, or they want to get rich;But to me, it's neither worthwhile nor necessary.As far as my social status is concerned, it is exactly in the middle of the two, which is generally referred to as the middle position.From his long experience he judged that this was the best class in the world, and that middle position was the happiest.They don't have to do hard physical labor like the lower classes and still have nothing to live on; nor do they have to be physically and mentally exhausted like those upper class people who are exhausted by extravagance, ambition, and mutual rivalry.He said, I myself can see that life in the middle position is indeed extremely happy from the following facts; namely, that everyone envied this position, and many emperors lamented the unfortunate consequences of their noble birth, and wished that they had Born in the middle class between the poor and the noble.The wise also proved that the middle class can achieve real happiness. The wise man in the Bible also prayed: "Let me be neither poor nor rich." He reminded me that as long as I observe with my heart, I will find that the upper class and the lower class suffer a lot, but the middle class suffers. least.The life of the middle class will not change rapidly like the ups and downs of the upper class and the lower class.Moreover, the middle position will not be physically and mentally ill due to extravagance and corruption like the rich;Only those in the middle position can enjoy the happiness and comfort in the world.The average person lives a stable and affluent life all year round.Enough is enough, moderation, self-denial, health and tranquility, making friends and entertainment, and all kinds of pleasures in life are the blessings of moderate people.This way of life makes people peaceful and happy, and they can live a life contentedly, without suffering from hard work.They don't have to work for their daily livelihood, or be forced by adversity, so that they hurt their bodies and minds; they don't have to be manic because of jealousy or greed.People in the middle class can live their lives in peace, savoring the sweetness of life to the fullest, without any hardships;

He then advised me, with sincerity and kindness, not to be childish, and not to be so hasty in asking for trouble; for neither human nature nor my family origin would make me suffer.He said, I don't have to worry about my daily livelihood, he will make all the arrangements for me, and will try my best to let me live the life of the middle class mentioned above.If I cannot live a life of ease and happiness on earth, it is entirely my fate or my own fault, and he has done his part.Because he saw that the course of action I was about to take would necessarily bring misery on myself, and he counseled me.In short, he promised that if I obeyed him and stayed at home, he would do his best to make arrangements for me.He never allowed me to travel far away from home.If any misfortune happens to me in the future, don't blame him.At the end of the conversation, he said, I should learn from my elder brother.He had advised his elder brother with equal earnestness not to go to war in Flanders, but his elder brother had not heeded his advice.At that time, he was young and vigorous, determined to serve in the army, but died on the battlefield.He also told me that, of course, he would always pray for me, but that God would not bless me, he dared, if I persisted in such a foolish course of action.When I have nowhere to turn in the future, I will regret that I did not heed his advice.

In retrospect, my father's last few words became a prophecy that I later encountered; of course, I believe that my father himself may not have realized this kind of foresight at the time.I noticed that when my father said these words, he burst into tears, especially when he talked about my elder brother's dead body on the battlefield, and when he said that I regretted that I would have nowhere to call for help in the future, he was so sad that he had to stop. over his conversation.Finally, he told me that he was so worried that he could not speak any more. I was deeply moved by this conversation.Really, who would be indifferent to such a thing?I resolved not to think about going abroad any more, but to follow my father's wishes and stay at home with peace of mind.But, my God!After only a few days, I lost my resolve.Simply put, in order to keep my father from pestering me again, I stayed away from him for several weeks after that conversation.However, I didn't act hastily, and I didn't do it when my head was hot like I used to. Instead, I went to my mother when she was in a better mood.I told her that all I wanted was to go out and see the world, and I didn't want to do anything else.Father had better promise me, so as not to force me to leave without permission.I said I was eighteen, and it was too late to be an apprentice or a lawyer's assistant.Moreover, I absolutely believe that even if I become an apprentice or an assistant myself, I will run away from the master and go sailing before the completion of the master.If she would go to my father and intercede for me, and get him to promise me a sailing trip, and if I came home feeling that I did not like sailing, I would work harder to make up for the time I wasted.

My mother lost her temper when she heard what I said.She told me she knew it was useless to say such things to her father.My father is very aware of the stakes for me in this matter, and will never allow me to do anything to hurt myself.She also said that it was hard for her to understand that my father and I talked so earnestly and persuasively that I should still want to travel far away from home.All in all, she said, if I insisted on finding my own way, no one would help me.She wanted me to believe that neither my mother nor my father would agree to my voyage, so if I kill myself, it has nothing to do with her, lest I say later that my father did not agree, but my mother did. up.

Although my mother refused my request in person, expressing her unwillingness to convey my words to my father, I heard afterwards that she still told my father exactly what we had said.The father was deeply worried when he heard this.He sighed to his mother and said that if the child could stay at home, he might be very happy; but if he wanted to go overseas, he would be the most unfortunate person in the world, so he couldn't allow me to go out no matter what. After a year, I finally ran away from home. During this year, although my family suggested me to do something serious, I was stubborn and refused to listen. Instead, I always talked with my parents. Entanglement, asking them not to oppose their children's wishes like that.One day, by chance, I came to the city of Hull.At that time, I had no idea of ​​leaving without permission.But there, I bumped into a friend.He said he was going to London on his father's ship, and urged me to go with them.I don't have to pay the fare, he told me, in the seductive way sailors are used to sailing.At this time, I neither discussed nor sent a message to my parents. I thought they would hear the news sooner or later after I left.At the same time, without praying to God or asking my father to bless me, or even thinking about the situation and its future consequences, I boarded a ship bound for London.The time was September 1, 1651.Who knew it was a bad hour!I am sure that no young man who ventures out has ever had such a misfortune, which has been so long-lasting as mine.As soon as our boat was out of the Hangbir the wind blew up, and the wind made the waves very frightening.For the first time I went to sea, I was terribly sad, and terribly frightened.At this point, I began to regret what I had done.I am an unfilial son who betrayed my parents and failed to fulfill my vocation. God punished me so quickly, it is really just.

At this time, my parents' advice, my father's tears and my mother's prayers all flooded into my mind.After all, my conscience was not exhausted, and I couldn't help condemning myself: I shouldn't have ignored the advice of others and betrayed my vocation to God and my father. At this time, the storm became more and more violent, the sea was surging, and the waves were monstrous.I've never seen this happen before.But it was nothing compared with the roaring sea which I saw many times afterwards; not even with what I saw a few days later.But, at that time, for me, a young man who was sailing for the first time, it was enough to make me tremble, because I knew nothing about sailing.It seems to me that the Hayhembier, or the Humber, rises in the midlands of England, and flows into the North Sea.

The waves will engulf us at any moment.Every time our ship falls into the vortex, I think we will capsize and sink to the bottom of the sea at any time, and we will never be able to float again.In this state of trepidation, I swore again and again, resolved countless times, that if God spared my life on this voyage, I would return as soon as I set my feet on land. By my father's side, I will never take a boat to sea again in this life.I will follow my father's advice and never trouble myself again.At the same time, it dawned on me that my father had a lot of truth to say about middle-class life.Take my father, for example, who lived a life of peace and comfort, without encountering either storms at sea or hardships on land.I resolved that I would return home, to my father, like a true prodigal son.

These wise and lucid thoughts continued to circulate in my mind during the rage of the storm, and even for a short time after it ceased.By the next day, the storm had passed, the sea was much calmer, and I was beginning to get used to life at sea.But I was still sad all day long; coupled with some seasickness, I couldn't cheer up.In the evening, the weather cleared up completely, the wind died down completely, and a beautiful and lovely golden evening ensued.The weather was fine that night and the next morning, and the sunset and sunrise looked exceptionally beautiful.At this time, the sun shines on the calm sea, which is refreshing.It was a beauty I had never seen before.

I slept soundly that night, so I didn't get seasick the next day and felt refreshed.Looking at the sea that was still rushing and roaring the day before yesterday, it was so calm and gentle all of a sudden, it was really incredible.The friend who had lured me on board, lest I should really make up my mind to sail no more, came to see me. "Hey, Bob," he said, patting me on the shoulder, "how do you feel now? I said, there was a little breeze that night, and it must have freaked you out?" "You said it was a little breeze?" I asked. said, "That's a dreadful storm!" "Storm? You fool," he answered, "you call that a storm? What is that? If the boat is steady, and the sea is wide, a little wind like this We don't think much of it at all. Of course, it's no wonder you're at sea for the first time, Bob. Come on, let's get a bowl of mulled wine and forget about all that stuff! Look, what a fine day!" I don't want to Describe this sad incident in detail. In short, we concocted rum in the manner of common sailors, and I got very drunk.That night, I drank and messed around as much as I could, throwing away all my remorse and reflection on my past actions, as well as my resolutions for the future.In short, once the storm was over, the sea was as calm as a mirror, and the chaotic thoughts in my mind were also swept away. The fear of being swallowed by the sea also disappeared, and my keen sailing desire came back to my heart .I forgot all the resolutions I had made and the oaths I had sworn in the face of danger.Sometimes, I also find that those confessions and resolutions come back to my mind from time to time.But I try to get rid of them and pull myself up, as if I were trying to pick myself up from some bad mood.So I drank and romped as usual with the sailors.Before long, I was able to control my urges and keep those serious thoughts from resurging.In less than five or six days, I had completely overcome my conscience, like those young people who want to get rid of the condemnation of conscience.For this I must suffer new calamities.Seeing my lack of repentance, God decided to punish me without mercy, and this was entirely my own fault, without excuse.Since I myself did not regard it as my deliverance from God to get through the first calamity, the next calamity will be worse; , begging for mercy. On the sixth day at sea we arrived at Yarmouth anchorage.Our ship did not go much after the great storm, for although the weather was fine, there was a constant headwind, and we were obliged to drop anchor at this mid-sea anchorage.The headwind has been blowing for seven or eight days, and the wind is blowing from the southwest.During this period, many ships from Newcastle also anchored at this open anchorage, because this is a necessary port for sea travel, and ships wait here for a favorable wind to enter the Yare River. We should not have stayed here for too long, but should have sailed into the mouth of the river on the tide.But the wind was blowing too hard, and after four or five days of stopping, the wind became stronger.But this anchorage has always been considered a good port, and our anchor is very strong, and all the equipment on the ship, such as the anchor cable, windlass, and hawser, are very strong, so the sailors don't care about the strong wind, and they are not afraid at all, as usual Rest and play according to their way of life.On the morning of the eighth day, the wind suddenly increased.So all the crew members mobilized, lowered the topsail together, and arranged everything on the ship so that the ship could withstand the strong wind and berth safely.By noon, the sea rolled up violently.Our bow dived into the water several times and took a lot of water.Once or twice we thought we were out of anchor, and the captain ordered the spare anchor lowered.Thus we lowered two anchors in the bow, and let the hawsers run as far as they could go. At this moment, the storm was coming with a terrible force, and I saw that even the faces of the sailors were frightened.Though the captain was careful to keep his ship safe, I heard him several times murmur to himself, as he passed mine in and out of his cabin, "God, have mercy on us! We We're all dead! We're all screwed!" He said a lot of things like that.I can't describe what I was feeling during the first turmoil, when I was so bewildered that I lay motionless in my cabin—my cabin was at the bow.Initially, instead of being as remorseful as the first time, I became insensitive.I had thought that the pain of death was over, and that this storm would pass as well as the last.But as I said before, I was horrified when the captain passed by my cabin and said we were all screwed.I went out of my cabin and looked out, and all I could see was a desolation; such a spectacle as I had never seen before: the sea was full of waves, which came crashing upon us every three or four minutes.Looking around again, the situation is even more miserable.We found that the two ships which were moored near us had their side masts cut off because of their heavy load.Suddenly, the people on our boat exclaimed.It turned out that a ship about a nautical mile ahead of us had sunk.The other two ships were blown from anchor by the gale, and had to venture out of the anchorage and sail out to sea, without a mast remaining on the ship.Small boats are in the best position, because they are easy to drive on the sea.But two or three small boats were blown past us by the wind, leaving nothing but the spinnakers, and drifting out to sea. When evening came, the mate and bosun begged the captain to cut down the fore-mast; which of course the captain would never have done.But the bosun protested that if the captain did not agree to cut the foremast, the ship would sink.In this way, the captain had no choice but to agree.But as soon as the foremast on the ship was cut down, the mainmast swayed with the wind and lost control, and the ship shook violently, so they had to cut off the mainmast again.This leaves only an empty deck. Anyone can imagine my mood at that time.Because I was just a young man who was sailing for the first time, I was scared to death by the small storm not long ago, let alone this time I really encountered a big storm.At this moment, when I write down my feelings at that time, I feel that although I was also afraid of death at that time, what made me more afraid was the thought that I violated the confession I made not long ago, and felt like I was in the previous crisis. The fear of re-determining in that way was greater than my fear of death.Since the mood at that time was like this, coupled with the fear of the storm, even now I can't describe that psychological state with words.But the situation was not the worst!To make matters worse, the storm blew harder, and the sailors themselves admitted that they had never encountered such a severe storm in their lives.Although our ship is strong, but because of the heavy cargo and the deep draft, it has been rocking and bumping violently in the water.Only the sailors were heard shouting from time to time that the ship was going to sink.At that time, I didn't know what "Shen" meant, which was a good thing for me.Later I found out after asking others.Now the wind and waves were more violent, and I saw things I seldom saw: the captain, the boatswain, and some other sensible people were praying constantly, and they all felt that the ship was in danger of sinking at any moment.In the middle of the night, it was even worse.Among those who went down to check the hold, suddenly a man came running up and shouted: The bottom of the ship is leaking; and then another sailor came up and said that there was four feet of water in the hold.Then the whole ship was called to pump water.When I heard the water leak from the bottom of the boat, I felt as if my heart stopped beating suddenly; I was sitting on the edge of the bed in my cabin, and suddenly felt that I could not support it anymore, and fell down in the cabin.Someone woke me up at this point and said I could at least help pump water now that I couldn't do anything before.After hearing this, I immediately cheered up, went to the water pump, and worked very hard.While everyone was pumping water with all their strength, the captain found that several small coal boats had to drift to the sea with the wind because they could not withstand the wind and waves; when they passed near us, the captain ordered to fire a shot as a signal for help.I didn't know why the gun was fired, and I was taken aback when I heard the gunshot, thinking the ship was broken, or something terrible had happened.In a word, I was so frightened that I fainted beside the water pump. At a time like this, everyone only cares about their own lives, and there will be people there to control my life and death, and no one will take a look at what happened to me.Another man immediately came up to take my place; he kicked me aside as he came up, and I lay there.He must have thought I was dead.It took me a while to wake up. We continued pumping, but more and more water was filling the bilge.Our ship will obviously sink before long.At this time, although the wind was slightly weaker, it was definitely impossible for the ship to sail into the harbor.The captain had to keep firing for help.A light boat was passing us with the wind, and a small boat was ventured to save us. The men in the boats rowed near our ship at great peril, but we could not get down into their boats, nor could they approach our ship.In the end, the people in the small boat rowed desperately to save their lives; we threw a rope with a buoy from the stern, and stretched the rope as long as possible.After several efforts, the people on the boat finally grabbed the rope.We slowly pulled the boat closer to the stern, and the whole crew got out of the boat.At this moment we could not go back to their boat, and it was agreed that we should let the boat drift with the current, and try to row towards the shore.Our captain promised to pay their captain's price in case the boat ran aground on the shore. In this way, half rowing, half drifting with the current, the boat gradually drifted towards the north shore, and at last approached Winterton Cape. Within a quarter of an hour of leaving the ship we saw her sink.Only then did I understand for the first time in my life what it was like to sink a ship in the sea.To tell the truth, I hardly dared to look up when the sailors told me the ship was sinking.At that time, it was not so much that I climbed out of the boat myself, as it was that the sailors threw me into the boat.From the moment I stepped out of the boat, my heart was ashamed; partly from the fright of the storm, partly from the horror of thinking that the danger of this trip was so uncertain. Despite our peril, the sailors rowed hard to shore.When the small boat was washed up on the top of the waves, we could already see the coast, and saw many people running around on the shore, trying to help us when our small boat touched the shore.But the speed of the small boat was extremely slow, and it couldn't touch the shore anyway.Finally, we crossed the Winterton Lighthouse.From here the coast indents to the west and extends towards Cromer.In this way, the land blocked a little of the wind, and we finally got to the shore with great effort.After all safely disembarked, they walked to Yarmouth.We sufferers were warmly received by local officials, wealthy merchants, and shipowners; they housed us well and raised enough money for our journey.We can go to London or back to Hull as we please. At that time, if I had any sense, I should have returned to Hull, and returned home. I must be very happy.My father will also be like the father in the parable that Jesus said in his sermon, killing the fattened bull to welcome me, the prodigal son who turned back.For the family heard that the ship I was in had sunk at Yarmouth anchorage, and it was a long time before they learned that I was not buried in the belly of a fish. But my bad luck was not complete, and it forced me not to repent with an irresistible force.Several times, when my head was calm, my reason cried out to me to go home, but I didn't have the courage to heed it.I don't know and I don't want to know what to call this force that drives us to persevere, but it is a mysterious and inescapable destiny; .Evidently, it was this certainty that made my fate impossible to escape.It was also driven by this destiny that I violated the call of reason, and even refused to learn from the two disasters encountered in my first voyage. My friend, the captain's son, who had made me determined to go aboard his father's ship, was now less courageous than I.We were housed in several places in Yarmouth at the time, so it was two or three days before he saw me.As I said just now, this is the first time we met after we went ashore and separated.As soon as we talked, I noticed a change in his tone.He looks depressed and shakes his head from time to time.He asked how I was doing and introduced me to his father.He told his father, this is my first time sailing, just to try, and I want to travel far in the future. Hearing this, his father said to me in a very serious and concerned tone, "Young man, you should not sail any more. This disaster is a bad omen that you cannot be a sailor." "Why, sir," I asked, "don't you sail anymore, too?" "That's a different matter," said he, "sailing is my profession, and therefore my duty. Although your going to sea this time is just an attempt, God has already given you a taste; if you continue to go your own way, there will be no good results.Perhaps it is because of you that we have come aboard this time, as Jonah was aboard for Tarshish.Excuse me," continued the captain, "who are you?Why are you going to sea on our boat? "So, I briefly talked to him about my life experience. After listening to me, he suddenly became angry, which was inexplicable. He said, "What crime did I do to let such a disaster like you on board.I will never take the same boat as you again, even if you give me a thousand pounds! "I think it was because the loss of the ship wrecked him, and he wanted to take it out on me. He had no right to be angry with me at all. However, he had a serious talk with me afterwards, urging I went back to my father, not to provoke God to ruin me. He said, I should see, God will not let me go." "Young man," he said, "believe my word, if you don't come back Home, wherever you go, you will only suffer and be disappointed.At that time, your father's words will be fulfilled in you. "I took his word for it, and soon parted with him. I have never seen him again, and know nothing of his whereabouts. As for myself, with some money in my pocket, I went overland. London. On the way to London, and since arriving in London, I have been wrestling with violent thoughts about the course of life I should choose: should I go home or go to sea? As soon as I thought of going home, my shame made me go away.I immediately thought of how my neighbors would laugh at me; I was ashamed not only of my parents, but of others as well.This incident reminded me often afterwards how ridiculous and inexplicable the mood of ordinary people is; especially young people, as a rule, at such moments, they should follow the guidance of reason.However, they are not ashamed of sinning, but of repenting; they are not ashamed of doing stupid things, but of repenting.In fact, if they are enlightened, others will regard them as smart people. I lived like this for several days, feeling very conflicted in my heart, not knowing where to go or what to do.But at the thought of going home, a feeling of disgust rose up, which was hard to suppress.After some days in this way, the memory of the disaster gradually faded away, and the wavering thoughts of returning home also gradually faded, and finally even disappeared.In this way, I once again longed for the sailing life. Not so long ago, that evil force drove me away from home.I was young and ignorant, imagining things and trying to get rich.This idea, so deeply rooted, made me deaf to all advice, to my father's entreaties and strict orders.I mean, now, it's the same evil force, whatever it is, that has set me off on a most unfortunate venture.I stepped into a ship bound for the coast of Africa; to Guinea, as sailors say! In my previous adventures, I had never been a sailor on a ship.This is my misfortune.Originally, I could have worked harder than usual and learned to do some jobs that ordinary sailors do.At a certain time, even if you can't be the captain, you might be able to be the first mate or the captain's assistant or something.However, I am destined to make the worst choice every time, and this time is no exception.With some money in my pocket, and decent attire, I went aboard as a gentleman, as usual.In all the affairs of the ship, I never took part, and never learned to do it. In London, I made good friends.This is my destiny again.Such good deeds do not usually befall a dissolute, misguided young man like myself.The devil always set a trap for them early on.Not so for me.From the very beginning, I knew a captain.He had been to the coast of Guinea; he had done a good deal there, and decided to go again.He was interested in what I said, because it might not have been so offensive then.When he heard that I wanted to go out to see the world, he told me that if I would go with him, I could take his boat for free, and I could be his companion and dine with him.If I wanted to bring something with me, he'd tell me what would be the most lucrative thing to bring, so maybe I could make some money. The kindness of the captain is exactly what I wished for, and I have become an inseparable friend with the captain.The captain was honest and true, and I went aboard with him, taking some cargo with me. I made a small fortune on account of the integrity of my friend the captain.For, at his advice, I brought a load of toys and other knick-knacks, worth about forty pounds.I got the money with the help of some relatives.I wrote to them; and, I believe, they told my father, or at least my mother, who would send me the money, which was sent to me by my relatives, as the capital of my first business. It may be said that this was the only successful voyage of my life's adventures.This was entirely due to the integrity and unselfishness of my friend the captain.Under his guidance, I also learned some mathematical knowledge and methods of navigation, learned to keep a logbook and observe astronomy.In a word, I understand some basic common sense of being a sailor.He is happy to teach me, and I am happy to learn from him.In short, this voyage made me both a sailor and a merchant.On this voyage I brought back five pounds and nine ounces of gold dust; and when I got back to London I got back about three hundred pounds, and made a good fortune.This made me more proud, and thus ruined my life. However, this voyage also had my misfortunes.Especially because we do business on the west coast of Africa, from 15 degrees north latitude all the way down to near the equator, the weather is extremely hot, so I got the fever common to sailors sailing in tropical waters, high fever twice in three days, talking nonsense . Now, I seem to be a businessman doing business in Guinea.Unfortunately, my friend who was the captain died shortly after returning to London.Nevertheless, I decided to take another trip to Guinea and stepped into the same boat.At this time, the first mate on the original ship became the captain.It was a most unlucky voyage.Although I made some money last time, I only brought less than a hundred pounds of goods, and the remaining two hundred pounds were all deposited with the captain's widow.Like the captain of a ship, she treated me fairly and impartially.But, on this voyage, I have had many misfortunes.The first misfortune: our ship was heading for the Canary Islands, or, rather, was sailing between these islands and the west coast of Africa.One day at dawn, suddenly a Turkish pirate ship from Sare, with full sails, chased after us.Our ship also tried to escape with full sail.But the pirate ship was faster than us and gradually approached us.Depending on the situation, they will definitely catch up to us in a few hours.We immediately began to prepare for battle.We have twelve guns on board, but the pirate ship has eighteen.Around three o'clock in the afternoon, they caught up. They were going to hit our stern, but they ran across our stern.We moved eight guns to this side and fired at them all together.The pirate ship retreated and returned fire; the two hundred or so people on board shot at us together.Our men were well concealed, and no one was hurt.The pirate ships are preparing to attack us again, and we are fully prepared for battle.This time they approached our boat from the other side of the stern, and more than sixty people jumped onto our deck.The robbers hacked and killed us as soon as they got on the ship, and cut off our rigging and other ships.Twice we fought them back hard, with all sorts of weapons, guns, javelins, and dynamite packs.I don't want to dwell on this unfortunate incident.In short, in the end, our ship was out of combat, and with three dead and eight wounded, we had to surrender.We were all taken prisoner, and brought to Sare, a Moorish port. My treatment there was not so terrible as I had feared. 其他人都被送到皇帝的宫里去，远离了海岸；我却被海盗船长作为他自己的战利品留下，成了他的奴隶。这是因为我年轻伶俐，对他有用处。我的境况发生了突变，从一个商人一下子变成了可怜的奴隶。这真使我悲痛欲绝。这时，我不禁回忆起我父亲的预言；他说过我一定会受苦受难，并会呼援无门。现在我才感到，父亲的话完全应验了。我现在的境况已再糟不过了。我受到了老天的惩罚，谁也救不了我。可是，唉，我的苦难才刚刚开始呢，下面我再接着细说吧。 我的主人把我带回他家中。我满以为他出海时会带上我。 如这样，我想，他迟早会被西班牙或葡萄牙的战舰俘获，那时我就可恢复自由了。但我的这个希望很快就破灭了。他每次出海时，总把我留在岸上照看他那座小花园，并在家里做各种奴隶干的苦活。当他从海上航行回来时，又叫我睡到船舱里替他看船。 在这里，我头脑里整天盘算着如何逃跑，但怎么也想不出稍有希望的办法。从当时的情况来看，我根本没有条件逃跑。我没有人可以商量，没有人与我一起逃跑。我孤身一人形单影只，周围没有其他奴隶，也没有英格兰人、爱尔兰人或苏格兰人。这样过了整整两年。在这两年中，逃跑的计划只有在我想象中实现，并借此自慰，却怎么也无法付诸实施。 大约两年之后，出现了一个特殊的情况，这使我重新升起了争取自由的希望。这一次，我主人在家里呆的时间比以往长。据说是因为手头缺钱，他没有为自己的船配备出航所必需的设备。在这段时间里，他经常坐一只舢舨去港口外的开放锚地捕鱼；每星期至少一、两次，天气好的话，去的次数更多一些。那只舢舨是他大船上的一只小艇。每次出港捕鱼，他总让我和一个摩尔小孩替他摇船。我们两个小年轻颇能得他的欢心，而我捕鱼也确实有一手，因此，有时他就只叫我与他的一个摩尔族亲戚和那个摩尔小孩一起去替他打点鱼来吃；那个摩尔小孩名叫马列司科。 一天早晨，我们又出海打鱼。天气晴朗，海面风平浪静。 突然，海上升起浓雾。我们划了才一海里多点，就看不见海岸了。当时，我们已辩不清东南西北了，只是拚命划船。这样划了一天一夜，到第二天早晨才发现，我们不仅没有划近海岸，反而向外海划去了，离岸至少约六海里。最后，我们费了很大的劲，冒了很大的危险，才平安抵岸，因为，那天早晨风很大，而且我们大家都快饿坏了。 这次意外事件给了我们主人一个警告，他决定以后得小心谨慎一些，出海捕鱼时带上指南针和一些食品。正好在他俘获的我们那艘英国船上，有一只长舢舨。他就下令他船上的木匠——也是他的一个英国人奴隶——在长舢舨中间做一个小舱，像驳船上的小舱那样；舱后留了些空间，可以容一个人站在那里掌舵和拉下帆索；舱前也有一块地方，可容一两个人站在那里升帆或降帆。这长舢舨上所使用的帆叫三角帆，帆杆横垂在舱顶上。船舱做得很矮，但非常舒适，可容得下他和一两个奴隶在里面睡觉，还可摆下一张桌子吃饭；桌子里做了一些抽屉，里面放上几其他爱喝的酒，以及他的面包、大米和咖啡之类的食物和饮料。 我们从此就经常坐这只长舢舨出海捕鱼。因为我捕鱼技术高明，所以每次出去他总是带着我。有一次，他约定要与当地两三位颇有身份的摩尔人坐我们的长舢舨出海游玩或捕鱼。为了款待客人，他预备了许多酒菜食品，并在头天晚上就送上了船。他还吩咐我从他大船上取下三支短枪放到舢舨上，把火药和子弹准备好。看来，他们除了想捕鱼外，还打算打鸟。 我按照主人的吩咐，把一切都准备妥当。第二天早晨，船也洗干净了，旗子也挂上了；一切安排完毕，我就在舢舨上专候贵客的光临。不料，过了一会儿，我主人一个人上船来。 他对我说，客人临时有事，这次不去了，下次再去，但他们将来家里吃晚饭，所以要我和那个摩尔人和小孩像往常一样去打点鱼来，以便晚上招待客人。他还特地吩咐，要我们一打到鱼就立即回来送到他家里。这些事我当然准备一一照办。 这时，我那争取自由的旧念头又突然萌发起来。因为，我觉得自己可以支配一条小船了。主人一走，我就着手准备起来，当然不是准备去捕鱼，而是准备远航。至于去哪儿，连我自己都不知道，也没有考虑过，只要离开这儿就行。 我计划的第一步，先借口对那个摩尔人说，我们不应当自说自话吃主人的面包，得自己动手准备船上吃的东西。他说我的话非常对，就拿来了一大筐当地甜饼干，又弄了三罐子淡水，一起搬到舢舨上。我知道主人装酒的箱子放的地方；看那箱子的样子，显然也是从英国人手里夺来的战利品。我趁那摩尔人上岸去的时候，就把那箱酒搬上舢舨，放到一个适当的地方，好像主人原来就放在那儿似的。同时我又搬了六十多磅蜜蜡到船上来，还顺便拿了一小包粗线，一把斧头，一把锯子和一只锤子；这些东西后来对我都非常有用，尤其是蜜蜡，可以用来做蜡烛。接着我又想出了一个新花样，他居然天真地上了圈套。这个摩尔人的名字叫伊斯玛，但大家叫他马利或莫利，所以我也这样叫他。"莫利，"我说，"我们主人的枪在船上，你去搞点火药和鸟枪弹来，也许我们还能给自己打几只水鸟呢！我知道主人的火药放在大船上。""对，"他说，"我去拿些来。"果然，他拿来了一大皮袋火药，足有一磅半重，可能还要多些。另外，他又拿来了一大皮袋鸟枪弹和一些子弹，也有五、六磅重。他把这些全部放到舢舨上。 同时，我又在大舱里找到了一些主人的火药。我从箱子里找出一只大酒瓶，里面所剩酒已不多。我把不多的酒倒入另一只瓶中，把空瓶装满火药。一切准备停当，我们便开始出港去捕鱼了。港口堡垒里的士兵都认识我们，所以也不来注意我们。我们出港不到一海里光景就下了帆开始捕鱼。这时，风向东北偏北，正与我的愿望相反。因为，假如刮南风，我就有把握把船驶到西班牙海岸，至少也可到西班牙西南部的加第斯海湾。但我决心已下，不管刮什么风，只要离开我现在呆的可怕的地方就行；其余一切，都听天由命了。 我们钓了一会儿鱼，一条也没有钓到；因为即使鱼儿上钩，我也不钓上来，免得让那摩尔人看见。然后，我对他说，这样下去可不行，我们拿什么款待主人呢？我们得走远一点。 他一想这样做也无妨，就同意了。他在船头，就张起了帆；我在船尾掌舵。就这样我们把船驶出了约三海里，然后就把船停下，好像又要准备捕鱼似的。我把舵交给摩尔小孩，自己向船头摩尔人站的地方走去。我弯下腰来，装作好像在他身后找什么东西似的。突然，我趁其不备，用手臂猛地在他裤裆下一撞，把他一下推入海里。这个摩尔人是个游泳高手，一下子就浮出海面。他向我呼救，求我让他上船，并说他愿追随我走遍天涯海角。他在水里像鱼，游得极快，而这时风不大，小船行驶速度很慢，眼看他很快就会赶上来。我走进船舱，拿起一支鸟枪。我把枪对准了摩尔人，并对他说我并没想伤害他，如果他不胡闹，也不会伤害他。我说："你泅水泅得很好，你完全可以泅回岸去。现在海上风平浪静，就赶快泅回去吧。我是不会伤害你的。要是你靠近我的船，那我就打穿你的脑袋！我已决心逃跑争取自由了！"他立即转身向海岸方向游回去。我毫不怀疑，他必然能安抵海岸，因为他游泳的本领确实不赖。 本来，我可以把小孩淹死，带上那个摩尔人，可我怎么也不敢信任他。前面提到过，那个摩尔小孩名叫马列司科，但大家都叫他"佐立"。那摩尔人走后，我就对他说："佐立，假如你忠于我，我会使你成为一个出色的人。但如果你不打自己的耳光向我发誓，如果你不凭着穆罕默德起誓效忠于我，我也把你扔到海里去。"那孩子冲着我笑了，并发誓忠于我，愿随我走遍天涯海角。他说这些话时神情天真无邪，使我没法不信任他。 那个摩尔人在大海里泅着水，我们的船还在他的视线之内。这时，我故意让船逆着风径直向大海驶去。这样，他们就会以为我是驶向直布罗陀海峡（事实上，任何有头脑的人都会这样做）。没有人会想到，我们会驶向南方野蛮人出没的海岸。到那儿，我们还来不及上岸，就会给各个黑人部族的独木舟所包围，并把我们杀害；即使我们上了岸，也不是给野兽吃掉，就是给更无情的野人吃掉。 可是，到傍晚时，我改变了航向。我们船向东南偏东驶去，这样船可沿着海岸航行。这时风势极好，海面也平静，我就张满帆让船疾驶。以当时船行速度来看，我估计第二天下午三点钟就能靠岸。那时我已经在萨累以南一百五十英里之外了，远离摩洛哥皇帝的领土，也不在任何国王的领地之内，因为那儿我们根本就看不到人迹。 但是，我已被摩尔人吓破了胆，生怕再落到他们的手里；同时风势又顺，于是也不靠岸，也不下锚，一口气竟走了五天。这时风势渐渐转为南风，我估计即使他们派船来追我．这时也该罢休了。于是我就大胆驶向海岸，在一条小河的河口下了锚。我不知道这儿是什么地方，在什么纬度，什么国家，什么民族，什么河流。四周看不到一个人，我也不希望看到任何人。我现在所需要的只是淡水。我们在傍晚驶进了小河口，决定一等天黑就游到岸上去，摸一下岸上的情况。但一到天黑，我们就听到各种野兽狂吠咆哮，怒吼呼啸，不知道那是些什么野兽，真是可怕极了！这可把那可怜的孩子吓得魂飞魄散，哀求我等天亮后再上岸。我说，"好吧，佐立，我不去就是了。不过，说不定白天会碰见人。他们对我们也许像狮子一样凶呢！"佐立笑着说，"那我们就开枪把他们打跑！"佐立在我们奴隶中能用英语交谈，虽然发音不太地道。见到佐立这样高兴，我心里也很快乐。于是我从主人的酒箱里拿出酒瓶，倒了一点酒给他喝，让他壮壮胆子。不管怎么说，佐立的提议是有道理的，我接受了他的意见。于是，我们就下了锚，静静地在船上躺了一整夜。我是说，只是"静静地躺着"，我们事实上整夜都没合过眼。因为两三小时后，便有一大群各种各样的巨兽来到海边，在水里打滚，洗澡，或凉爽一下自己的身子；它们是些什么野兽，我也叫不出名字，而它们那狂呼怒吼的咆哮声，真是我平生从未听到过的，煞是吓人！ 佐立吓坏了，我自己也吓得要死。然而，更让我们心惊胆战的是，我们听到有一头巨兽向我们船边游来。虽然我们看不见，但从其呼吸的声音来听，一定是个硕大无比的猛兽。 佐立说是头狮子，我想也可能是的。可怜的佐立向我高声呼叫，要我起锚把船划走。"不，"我说，"佐立，我们可以把锚索连同浮筒一起放出，把船向海里移移，那些野兽游不了太远的，它们不可能跟上来。"我话音未落，那巨兽离船不到两桨来远了。我立刻走进舱里，拿起枪来，对着那家伙放了一枪。那猛兽立即调头向岸上泅去。 枪声一响，不论在岸边或山里的群兽漫山遍野地狂呼怒吼起来，那种情景，真令人毛骨悚然。我想，这里的野兽以前大概从未听到过枪声，以至使它们如此惊恐不安。这更使我不得不相信，不用说晚上不能上岸，就是白天上岸也是个问题。落入野人手里，无异于落入狮子猛虎之口。至少，这两种危险我们都害怕。 但不管怎样，我们总得上岸到什么地方弄点淡水，因为船上剩下的水已不到一品脱了。问题是：什么时候上岸？在哪儿才能弄到水？佐立说，如果我让他拿个罐子上岸，他会去找找看有没有水，有的话就给我带回来。我问他，为什么要他去，而不是我去，让他自己呆在船上呢？这孩子的回答憨厚深情，使我从此喜欢上了他。他说："如果野人来了，他们吃掉我，你可以逃走。""好吧，佐立，"我说，"如果野人来了，我们两个人一起开枪把他们打死，我们俩谁也不让他们吃掉。"我拿了一块干面包给佐立吃，还从原来主人的酒箱里拿出酒瓶给他倒了点酒喝。关于这个酒箱的来历，我前面已经提到过了。我们把船向岸边适当推近一些，两人就一起涉水上岸。除了枪枝弹药和两只水罐，我们其他什么都不带。 我不敢走得离船太远，唯恐野人的独木舟从河的上游顺流而下。可那孩子见到一英里开外处有一块低地，就信步走去。不一会儿，只见他飞快向我奔来。我以为有野人在追赶他，或者给什么野兽吓坏了，急忙迎上去帮助他。但他跑近我时，却见他肩上背着个野兔似动物，但颜色与野兔不一样，腿也比野兔长，原来是他打到的猎物。这东西的肉一定很好吃，为此我们都大为高兴。然而，更令人高兴的是，佐立告诉我，他已找到了淡水，而且也没有见到有野人。 但后来我们发现，我们不必费那么大的力气去取水。沿着我们所在的小河稍稍往上走一点，潮水一退，就可取到淡水。其实，海潮没进入小河多远。我们把所有的罐子都盛满了水，又把杀死的野兔煮了饱餐一顿，就准备上路了。在那一带，我们始终没有发现人类的足迹。 过去我曾到这一带的海岸来过一次，知道加那利群岛和佛得角群岛离大陆海岸不远。但船上没有仪器，无法测量我们所在地点的纬度，而且，我也已不记得这些群岛确切的纬度了，因此也无法找到这些群岛，也不知道什么时候该离开海岸，驶向海岛。要不然，我一定能很容易找到这些海岛的。我现在唯一的希望是：沿着海岸航行，直到英国人做生意的地方。在那儿总会遇到来往的商船，他们就会救我们。 我估计，我现在所在的地区正好在摩洛哥王国和黑人部族居住的地区之间；这儿只有野兽出没，荒无人烟。黑人因怕摩尔人的骚扰而放弃该地区迁向前方；摩尔人则因这儿是蛮荒之地，不愿在此居祝另外，这儿群兽出没，是猛虎、狮子、豹子和其他野兽栖息的地方。所以，不论是摩尔人还是黑人，都放弃了这块地方。但摩尔人有时也来这儿打猎。每次来的时候，至少有两三千人，像开来一支军队。事实上，我们沿海岸走了约一百英里，白天只见一起荒芜，杳无人迹；晚上只听到野兽咆哮，此起彼伏。 有一两次，在白天，我仿佛远远看到了加那利群岛高山的山顶——泰尼利夫山山顶。当时我很想冒一下险，把船驶过去。可是试了两次，都被逆风顶了回来。而且，这时海上风浪很大，我们的船又小，无法驶向大海。因此，我决定依照原来的计划，继续沿海岸行驶。 我们离开那个地方后，也有好几次不得不上岸取水。特别有一次，在大清早，我们来到一个小岬角抛了锚。这时正好涨潮，我们想等潮水上来后再往里驶。佐立的眼睛比我尖，他向我低声叫唤，要我把船驶离岸远一点。他说，"看那儿，一个可怕的怪物正在小山下睡觉呢！"我朝他手所指的方向看了一下，果然看到一个可怕的怪物，原来那是一头巨狮，正躺在一片山影下熟睡呢！我说："佐立，你上岸去把它打死吧。"佐立大吃一惊，说："我？我去把它打死？它一口就把我吃掉了。"我就不再对这孩子说什么了，并叫他乖乖呆在那儿。我自己拿起最大的一支枪，装了大量的火药，又装了两颗大子弹，放在一旁，然后又拿起第二支枪，装了两颗子弹，再把第三支枪装了五颗小子弹。我拿起第一支大枪，尽力瞄准，对着那狮子的头开了一枪。但那狮子躺着时，前腿稍稍往上抬起，挡住了鼻子，因此子弹正好打在它膝盖上，把腿骨打断了。狮子一惊，狂吼而起，但发觉一腿已断，复又跌倒在地，然后用三条腿站立起来，发出刺耳的吼叫声。我见自己没有打中狮子的头部，心里不由暗暗吃惊，这时，那头狮子似乎想走开，我急忙拿起第二支枪，对准它的头部又开了一枪，只见它颓然倒下，轻轻地吼了一声，便在那儿拼命挣扎。这时佐立胆子大了，要求我让他上岸。"好吧，你去吧！"我说。于是他便跳到水里，一手举着支短枪，一手划着水，走到那家伙跟前，把枪口放在它的耳朵边，向它的头部又开了一枪，终于结果了这猛兽的性命。 这件事对于我们实在是玩乐而已，狮子的肉根本不能吃。 为了这样一个无用的猎物，浪费了三份火药和弹丸，实在不值得，我颇感后悔。可是佐立说，他一定得从狮子身上弄点东西下来。于是他上船向我要斧子。"干什么，佐立？"我问。"我要把它的头砍下来！"他说。结果，佐立没法把狮子头砍下来，却砍下了一只脚带回来。那脚可真大得可怕！ 我心里盘算，狮子皮也许对我们会有用处，便决定想法把皮剥下来。于是我和佐立就跑去剥皮。对于这件工作，佐立比我高明得多了，而我完全不知道从何下手。我们两人忙了一整天，才把整张皮剥下来。我们把皮摊在船舱的顶上，两天后皮就晒干了。以后我就把它用作被来睡觉。 这次停船之后，我们向南一连行驶了十一二天，我们的粮食逐渐减少，只得省着点吃。除了取淡水不得不上岸外，很少靠岸。我这样做的目的是要把船驶到非洲海岸的冈比亚河或塞内加尔河；也就是说，到达佛得海角一带，希望能在那儿遇上欧洲的商船。万一遇不到的话，我就不知道该往哪儿去了。那就只好去找找那些群岛，或者死在黑人手里了。 我知道，从欧洲开往几内亚海岸，或去巴西和东印度群岛的商船，都要经过这个海角或这些群岛。总之，我把自己整个命运都押在这唯一的机遇上了；遇上商船就得救，遇不上就只有死路一条。 下定了决心，就又向前航行了十天左右，开始看到了有人烟的地方。有两三个地方，在我们的船驶过时，可以看到有些人站在岸上望着我们；同时可以看到，他们都一丝不挂，浑身墨黑。有一次，我很想上岸和他们接触一下，但佐立功我说，"不要去，不要去。"但是我还是驶近海岸，以便与他们谈谈。我发现他们沿着海岸跟着我的船跑了一大段路。我看到，他们手中都没有武器，只有一个人拿了一根细长的棍子。佐立告诉我，那是一种镖枪，他们可以投得又远又准。我不敢靠岸太近，并尽可能用手势与他们交谈。我尤其着力打出一些要求食物的手势。他们也招手要我把船停下，他们会回去取些肉来给我们。于是我落下了三角帆把船停下来。有两个人往回向村里跑去。不到半小时，他们回来了，手里拿着两块肉干和一些谷类。这些大概都是他们的土产品，但我和佐立都叫不出是什么东西。我们当然很想要这些食物，但怎样去拿这些东西却是个问题。我们自己不敢上岸接近他们，他们也同样怕我们。最后，他们想出了一个对双方来说都安全的办法。他们把东西先放在岸上，然后走到远处等待，让我们把东西拿上船后再走近岸边。 我们打着手势向他们表示感谢，因为我们拿不出什么东西答谢他们。说来也巧，正当此时，出现了一个大好机会，使我们大大地还了他们的人情。当时，突然有两只巨兽从山上向海岸边冲来；看那样子，好像后一只正在追逐前一只，究竟他们是雌雄相逐，还是戏耍或争斗，我们也弄不清楚。同时，我们也不知道这种事是司空见惯的呢，还是偶然发生的。 但是，照当时的情况判断，后者的可能性更大。因为，首先，这类凶残的猛兽一般大白天不出来活动，其次，我们看到那些黑人惊恐万分，特别是妇女更是害怕。大家都逃光了，只留下那个拿镖枪的人。可是那两只巨兽跑到海边并没有去袭击那些黑人，而是一下子跳到海里，游来游去，好像是在游戏。后来，出于我的意料之外，有一只竟跑到我们的船跟前来了。好在，我已早有准备。我迅速把枪装上了弹药，还叫佐立把另外两支枪也装好了弹药。当那巨兽一进入射程，我立即开火，一枪打中了它的头部。那家伙立即沉下去了，但又马上浮起来在水里上下翻腾，拚命作垂死挣扎；然后，匆匆向岸边游去，但由于受到的是致命伤，又被海水所窒息，还未游到岸边就死了。 那些可怜的黑人听到了枪声，看到了枪里发出的火光，其惊恐之状，真是笔墨难以形容的。有几个吓得半死，跌倒在地上。过后，他们见那怪兽已死，并沉到水里去了，又见我向他们招手，叫他们到海边来；这时，他们才壮着胆子，到海边来寻找那死兽。我根据水里的血迹找到了那巨兽，又用绳子把它套住，并把绳子递给那些黑人，叫他们去拖。他们把那死了的家伙拖到岸上，发现竟是一只很奇特的豹。此豹满身黑斑，非常美丽。黑人们一齐举起双手，表示无比惊讶。 他们怎么也想不出我是用什么东西把豹打死的。 枪声和火光早就把另一只巨兽吓得泅到岸上，一溜烟跑回山里去了。因为距离太远，我看不清它倒底是什么东西。不久我看出那些黑人想吃豹子肉，我当然乐意做个人情送给他们。对此，黑人们感激万分。他们马上动手剥皮。虽然他们没有刀子，用的是一片削薄了的木皮，但不一会儿就把豹皮剥下来了，比我们用刀子剥还快。他们要送些豹肉给我们，我表示不要，并做手势表示全部送给他们；不过我也表示想要那张豹皮。他们立刻满不在乎地给了我。他们又给了我许多粮食，尽管我不知道是些什么东西，但还是收下了。接着，我又打起手势向他们要水。我把一只罐子拿在手里，把罐底朝天罐口朝下翻转来，表示里面已空了，希望装满水。他们马上告诉自己的同伴，不久便有两个女人抬了一大泥缸水走来。 我猜想，那泥缸是用阳光焙制而成的。她们把泥缸放在地下，然后像第一次那样远远走开。我让佐立带了三只水罐上岸去取水。那些女人也和男人一样，全都赤身裸体，一丝不挂。 现在，我有了不少杂粮，又有了水，就离别了那些友好的黑人，一口气大约又航行了十一天，中间一次也没有登岸。 后来，我看到有一片陆地，长长地突出在海里，离我们的船约十三、四海里。当时风平浪静，我从远处经过这海角；最后，在离岸六海里左右绕过这小岬角后，又发现岬角的另一边海里也有陆地。这时，我已深信不疑，这儿就是佛得角，而对面的那些岛屿即是佛得角群岛。但岬角和岛屿离我都很远，我不知该怎么办才好。如果刮大风，那我一个地方也到不了。 在这进退维谷之际，我郁郁不乐地走进舱房坐了下来，让佐立去掌舵。突然，那孩子惊叫起来："主人，主人，有一只大帆船！"这傻小子以为他原来的主人派船追了上来，几乎吓昏了头。我却很清楚，我们已驶得很远，他们决不可能追到这儿来。我跳出船舱一看，不仅立刻看到了船，而且看出，那是一艘葡萄牙船；我猜想，那是驶往几内亚海岸贩卖黑奴的船。但当我观察那船的航向时，我才知道，他们要去的是另一个方向，根本没有想靠岸的意思。因此，我拚命把船往海里开，并决心尽可能与他们取得联系。 我虽然竭力张帆行驶，但不久就看出，我根本无法横插到他们的航路上去；等不及我发信号，他们的船就会驶过去。 我满帆全速前进追赶了一阵子，就开始感到绝望了。然而，正当此时，他们好像在望远镜里发现了我们。他们看到我的船是一艘欧洲小艇，因此，一定以为是大船遇难后放出的救生艇，所以便落下帆等我们。这给了我极大的鼓舞。我船上本来就有我们原主人的旗帜，我就拿出旗帜向他们摇起来作为求救的信号，同时又鸣枪求救。这两个信号他们都看见了，因为，后来他们告诉我，枪声他们虽然没有听到，但看到了冒烟。他们看到了信号，就停船等我们。他们的这个举动真是仁慈极了。大约过了三小时光景，我才靠上了他们的大船。 他们用葡萄牙语，用西班牙语，用法语，问我是什么人，但他们的话我都不懂。后来，船上有一个苏格兰水手上来叫我，我便告诉他我是英格兰人，是从萨累的摩尔人手下逃出来的。于是，他们便十分和善地让我上了船，并把我的一切东西也都拿到大船上。 谁都相信，我竟然能绝处逢生，其喜悦之情，实在难于言表。我立刻把我的一切东西送给船长，以报答他的救命之恩。但船长非常慷慨。他对我说，他什么也不要，等我到了巴西后，他会把我所有的东西都交还给我。他说："今天我救了你的命，希望将来有一天别人也会救我的命，说不定哪一天我也会遭到同样的命运。再说，我把你带到巴西，远离自己的祖国，如果我要了你的东西，你就会在异国他乡挨饿，这不等于我救了你的命，又送了你的命吗？不，不，英国先生，我把你送到巴西，完全是一种慈善行为。你的那些东西可以帮助你在那儿过活，并可做你回家的盘费。"他提出这些建议是十分仁慈的，而且一丝不苟地实践了自己的许诺。他给手下的船员下令，不准他们动我的任何东西。后来，他索性把我所有的东西都收归他自己保管，还给我列了一张清单，以便我以后要还。清单中连我的那三只装水的瓦罐也不漏掉。 他也看到，我的小艇很不错。他对我说，他想把小艇买下来，放在大船上使用，并要我开个价。我对他说，他对我这么慷慨大度，我实在不好意思开价，并告诉他，他愿出多少钱都可以。他说他可以先给我一张八十西班牙银币的钱（这种西班牙银币都打上一个"８"字）到巴西可换取现金。到了巴西，如果有人愿意出更高的价钱，他愿意全数补足。他又表示愿出六十西班牙银币买下佐立。这钱我实在不能接受。 我倒不是不愿意把佐立给船长，而是我不愿意出卖这可怜的孩子的自由。在我争取自由的逃跑过程中，他对我可谓忠心耿耿。我把不愿出卖佐立的原因告诉了船长，他认为我说得有理，就提出了一个折衷的方案：这孩子如果成为基督徒，则十年后还其自由，并签约为仆。基于这个条件，我终于同意了，因为佐立自己也表示愿意跟随船长。 去巴西的航行十分顺利，大约二十二天之后，就到达了群圣湾。现在我摆脱了困境，该打算打算下一步怎么办了。