of Mutton. We kept
Hens and Hogs also: And seeing no sudden likelihood of Liberty, we
went about to make all things handsome and convenient about us: which
might be serviceable to us, while we lived there, and might farther
our Liberty whensoever we should see an occasion to attempt it: which
it did, in taking away all suspition from the People concerning us:
who not having Wives as the others had, they might well think, lay the
readier to take any advantage to make an escape. Which indeed we two
did Plot and Consult about, between our selves with all imaginable
Privacy, long before we go away: and therefore we laboured by all
means to hide our designs; and to free them from so much as suspition.

[A description of his House.] We had now brought our House and Ground
to such a perfection that few Noble mens Seats in the Land did excel
us. On each side was a great Thorn Gate for entrance, which is the
manner in that Countrey: the Gates of the City are of the same. We
built also another House in the Yard all open for Air, for our selves
to sit in, or any Neighbours that came to talk with us. For seldome
should we be alone, our Neighbours oftner frequenting our House than
we desired; out of whom to be sure we could pick no Profit. For
their coming is always either to beg or borrow. For altho we were
Strangers and Prisoners in their Land, yet they would confess that
Almighty God had dealt far more bountifully with us than with them,
in that we had a far greater plenty of all things than they.

[He takes up a new Trade and Thrives on it.] I now began to set
up a new Trade. For the Trade of Knitting was grown dead, and
Husbandry I could not follow, not having a Wife to help and assist
me therein, a great part of Husbandry properly belonging to the
woman to manage. Whereupon I perceived a Trade in use among them,
which was to lend out Corn. The benefit of which is fifty per cent,
per annum. This I saw to be the easiest and most profitable way of
Living, whereupon I took in hand to follow it: and what stock I had,
I converted into Corn or Rice in the Husk. And now as customers came
for Corn, I let them have it, to receive their next Harvest, when their
own Corn was ripe, the same quantity I lent them, and half as much
more. But as the Profit is great, so is the trouble of getting it in
also. For he that useth this Trade must watch when the Debtors Field
is ripe, and claim his due in time, otherwise other Creditors coming
befor