Going ashore to Bantam, and observing the Merchants what they did, taking up Goods upon credit (as it is usual in those parts) till the ship is ready to set sail, he by a stratagem turns Merchant too, and cheats a Banyan, or China-Merchant.

As soon as we came into the Harbour before Bantam, we presently man’d out our Long-boat and went ashore, to acquaint the President what we were, and by what authority we came thither to Traffick, being impowered by the East-India Company. We were received with much demonstrations of joy, and nobly feasted for three dayes together. Here note, that the house wherein the President dwelleth, is the receptacle for the whole Factory, each man according to his quality having a dwelling within this house suitable to his dignity; the Factors all in general taking their daily repast with the President. In a weeks time I learned by observation the custom of the Country, and manner or way of Trading, our Merchant taking up Goods daily, and sending them aboard without giving present satisfaction; it being sufficient that he belonged to such a Ship, and therefore must pay before he go, otherwise the King will arrest the Ship, compelling him to make restitution or payment. One time I met with a Bannyan, whom I observ’d to have a box full of precious stones: I could not sleep for thinking how I should make my self a Partner with him. At last I hammer’d out this invention: I cloath’d my self in Indian-silk, according to the custom of the Country; & having so done, I discoloured my face, & clapt a black patch upon one of my eyes. In this equipage I addrest my self to this Bannyan, who presently laid open his treasure to my view. I was not long in chusing what I esteem’d as most valuable; & demanding of him the price, we agreed he should have either so many pieces of English gold within two dayes, or else take his choice of what commodities I had aboard. We made a shift to understand each others broken expressions; and he without the least suspicion of my treachery, delivered his stones into my hands. Taking off my disguise, I went instantly aboard, & hid what I had cheated the Bannyan of (as I might easily do, for the smallness of its bulk) in the Hold of our Ship, resolving not to go ashore yet awhile. The day of payment being come, & the Bannyan no where finding me on Land, came aboard of our Ship, where by signs he made known to our Captain his errand; that a Merchant belonging to his Ship, had bought commodities of him, & promised to pay him on that day. Our Captain reply’d, that he verily believed he was mistaken (as knowing what commodities the Merchants belonging properly to the Ship had bought) and therefore told him he must make inquiry elsewhere for satisfaction. The Bannyan still persisted, alleadging he was not mistaken, and that he was confident if he might have a sight of all the men, he could out of them select the concern’d person. So wary I was of being discovered, that I acquainted not one soul with my project: for had I committed this secret to any, (though ever so dear a friend) it had been mine no longer; neither could I have promised to my self safety. Hereupon the Captain ordered us to be all call’d aloft: which was speedily performed. He went all round the company, viewing every man particularly, and very heedfully. At last he came to me, & there made a stand, (which had like to have made my heart start out of my breast:) he lookt upon me on this side, and on the other side; and to say truly, on every side: and having thorowly eyed me, he ran to our Captain, saying, That should be the man (pointing to me) but that he is a white man, & hath two sees (id est) two eyes. Whereupon I was strictly examined: but for all this sifting, I would not let drop any thing of a confession, that should convict me of guilt; but with lifting up hands and eyes to Heaven, I utterly denyed that ere I saw this man, or ever had any dealing with him. I had now forgot what promises and vows I made to Heaven, (when in Newgate, and sentenced to be hang’d at Tyburn) what a serious, pious, and honest life I would lead, if I escaped that eminent danger the concerns of this life and that to come were then in. Herein I see the old Proverb verified:

Or according to that thred-bare expression so commonly used:

In short, the Bannyan, since he could not say positively I was the man, was dismist, not without a solemn vow he would be revenged of us all in general; and clear’d of the Indictment.