defend myself with, telling me I should pass but two houses
before I came to an inland village, containing twenty or thirty
houses and a church, and took an affectionate leave of me.

I had not proceeded far, before I saw, coming out of a
wheelright's shed in a field beside the road, a negro and
Spaniard, both armed;[I] who coming up, seized me by the collar,
and before I could defend myself, wrested the cane from my hand,
dragged me out of the path, and commenced stamping on and beating
me with the cane, a blow of which over my shoulder, left a scar
which I shall bear to my grave. I fell on my knees pointing to my
sores; but this rather increased than abated their cruelty; for
the Spaniard drew his knife across my face, which I avoided by
dodging my head; and just at this moment they heard a drove of
mules which probably saved my life; but they did not leave till
they had robbed me of the money present by the Carpenter--my
provision and all my clothes, except my shirt and trowsers.
Fearing the muleteers might have as little mercy as the others, I
crawled on my hands and knees into the bushes, the blood
following me, until they had passed, when I arose, and travelled
out of the path till I came to a house, which I dared not enter.
Toward night I saw another house some distance from the road,
which I entered and besought them, by signs, to give me
refreshment and lodging; but they pointed to the road with as
scornful a look as they would have bestowed on a dog. About a
quarter of a mile from this house, I laid down among the bushes
and passed the night. The afternoon following, I reached the
village named by the Carpenter, where I was kindly treated and
presented with a dollar. Toward night I saw a number of houses,
one of which I entered, and took some refreshment; but their
whispers and sly looks exciting my suspicions, I departed
unobserved, and at no great distance, passed another night among
the bushes. The next morning I stopped at a large house, where I
was refreshed and furnished with provisions for the day, during
which I saw two or three travellers, whom I avoided; and the
following night I met with a kind reception at another house,
where I lodged and took breakfast. This day I met on the road a
large man of very respectable appearance, who accosted me in
English, and to whom I related my story, and the cruelty with
which I had been treated on the road. He read my pass, presented
me with four dollars, and