seaman, and for my bowl, undertook to transport me; but he told me I
must be contented to lie down in the keel and endure much hardship,
which I was content to do to gain my liberty.

So they took me on board, and placed me below in the vessel, in a
very uneasy place, and obscured me with boards and other things,
where I lay undiscovered, notwithstanding the strict search that was
made in the vessel. My two chapmen who had my bowl, honestly
furnished me with victuals daily, until we arrived at Lisbon in
Portugal, where, as soon as the master had left the ship and was
gone into the city, they set me on shore moneyless, to shift for
myself. I knew not what course to take, but as Providence led me, I
went up into the city, and came into a fair street, and being weary
I turned my back to a wall, and leaned upon my staff. Over against
me were four gentlemen discoursing together; after a while one of
them came to me, and spake to me in a language that I understood
not. I told him I was an Englishman and understood not what he
spoke. He answered me in plain English, that he understood me, and
was himself born in Wisbech, in Lincolnshire. Then I related to him
my sad condition, and he taking compassion on me, took me with him,
provided me with lodging and diet, and by his interest with a master
of a ship bound for England, procured my passage; and bringing me on
ship board, he bestowed wine and strong waters on me, and at his
return gave me eight stivers and commended me to the care of the
master of the ship, who landed me safe at Dover. From thence I made
a shift to get to London, where being furnished with necessaries I
came into the country.

Thus, honoured Sir, I have given you a true account of my great
sufferings and happy deliverance by the mercy and goodness of God,
my most gracious Father in Jesus Christ, my Saviour and Redeemer, to
whose name be ascribed all honour, praise and glory. I conclude and
rest,

Your Worship's,
In all dutiful respect,
William Harrison

Before I part with this story, it is proper for me to remark that though
it does not contain any extraordinary mark of the wisdom of Providence,
yet being in its nature strange and hitherto having escaped any other
collection, I thought it not improper to be preserved here, since some