fidelity, which drew from me an ample reward. I was for leaving my
effects in her hands, intending to set out for Lisbon, and so the
Brazils; but as in the Desolate Island I had some doubt about the Romish
religion, so I knew there was little encouragement to settle there,
unless I would apostatize from the orthodox faith, or live in continual
fear of the Inquisition. Upon this account I resolved to sell my
plantation; and, for that intent, I wrote to my old friend at Lisbon,
who returned to me an answer to my great satisfaction; which was, that
he could sell it to good account; however, if I thought it convenient to
give him liberty to offer it in my name to the two merchants, the
survivors of my trustees residing at the Brazils, who consequently knew
its intrinsic value, having lived just upon the spot, and who I was
sensible were very rich, and therefore might be the more willing to
purchase it: he did not in the least doubt, but that I should make four
or five thousand pieces of eight more of it, than I could, if I disposed
of it in any other manner whatsoever.

You may be sure I could not but agree with this kind and ingenuous
proposal; and immediately I sent him an order to offer it to them, which
he accordingly did; so that about eight months after, the ship being in
that time returned, he gave me a satisfactory account, that they not
only willingly accepted the offer, but that they had also remitted
33,000 pieces of eight to a correspondence of their own at Lisbon, in
order to pay for the purchase.

Hereupon, in return, I signed the instrument of sale, according to form,
which they had sent from Lisbon, and returned it again to my old friend,
he having sent me, for me estate, bills of three hundred and
twenty-eight thousand pieces of eight, reserving the payment of one
hundred moidores per annum, which I had allowed him during life,
likewise: fifty to his son during life also, according to my faithful
promise, which the plantation was to make good as a rent charge.

And thus having led my reader to the knowledge of the first parts of my
life so remarkable for the many peculiar providences that attended it,
floating in the ocean of uncertainty and disappointment, of adversity
and prosperity, beginning foolishly, and yet ending happily; methinks
now that I am come to a safe & pleasant haven, it is time to cast out my
anchor, &c, laying up my vessel, bid, for a while, adieu to foreign
adventures. I had no other c