One morning I saw a ship passing not far off; and making a signal
with the mast of the boat that had been washed ashore with me
I attracted their attention. I saw that she was a Spaniard, but
I could not help that, for I had no choice but to hail her. They
took me to Porto Rico and there reported me as a shipwrecked sailor
they had picked up. The governor questioned me closely as to what
vessel I had been lost from, and although I made up a good story
he had his doubts. Fortunately it did not enter his mind that I was
not a Spaniard; but he said he believed I was some bad character
who had been marooned by my comrades for murder or some other crime,
and so put me in prison until he could learn something that would
verify my story.
"After three months I was taken out of prison, but was set to
work on the fortifications, and there for another two years I had
to stop. Then I managed to slip away one day, and, hiding till
nightfall, made my way down through the town to the quays and swam
out to a vessel at anchor. I climbed on board without notice, and
hid myself below, where I lay for two days until she got up sail.
When I judged she was well away from the land I went on deck and
told my story, that I was a shipwrecked sailor who had been forced
by the governor to work at the fortifications. They did not believe
me, saying that I must be some criminal who had escaped from justice,
and the captain said he should give me up at the next port the ship
touched.
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