44 



A True nnd ExaB Htflory 



on their heads, every bunch twice as big as their heads , all coming 

 in a train one after another^ the black and green fo well becoming 

 one another. Having brought this fruit home to their own houfeSg 

 and pilling off the skin of fo much as they will ufe , they boy I it in 

 water, making it into balls, and fo they eat it. One bunch a week is 

 a Nc^m's allowance. To this, no bread nor drink, but water. Their 

 lodging at night a board, witH nothing under, nor any thing a top of 

 them. They are happy people, whomfo little contents. Very good 

 iervants, if they be not fpoyled by the EngliJ!), But more of them 

 hereafter. 



As for the ufage of the Servants, it is much as the Mafter is , merci- 

 ful or cruel 5 Thofe that are merciful, treat their Servants well , both 

 in their meat, drink, and lodging, and give them fiich work , as is not 

 unfit for Chriftians to do. But if the Mafters be cruel, the Servants 

 have very wearifome and miferable lives. Upon the arrival of any 

 fhip, that brings fervants to the niand, the Planters go aboard, and ha- 

 ving bought luch of themasthey like , fend them with aguidtohis 

 Plantation 5 and being come, commands them inftantly to make their 

 Cabins, which they not knowing how to do, are to be advifed by 

 other of their fervants, that arc their Seniors, but, iftheybe churlifh, 

 and will not ilievv them, or if materials be Wanting, to make them 

 Cabins, then they are to lye on the ground thaf night. Thefe Cabins 

 are to be made of fticks, vviths, and Piantine leaves, under fome little 

 fhade that may keep the rain off 5 Their fuppers being a few Potatoes 

 for meat, and water or Mobbie for drink. The next day they are rung 

 out with a Bell towork, at, fix a clock in the morning, with a fevere 

 Overfeer to command them, till the Bell ring again, which is at eleven 

 a clock 5 and then they return, and are fet to dinner, either with a 

 mels of Lob-lolly, Bonavifl,or Potatoes.- Atone a clock, they are 

 rung cut again to the field, there to work till fix , and then home a- 

 gain, to afupperofthefame. And if it chance to rain, and wetthem 

 through, they have no fhift, but mufi: lye fo all night. If they put off 

 their cloaths, the cold of the night will ftrike into them ^ and if they be 

 not ftrong men, this ill lodging will put them into a ficknefi ; if they 

 complain, they are beaten by the Overfeer 5 if they refifl, their time is 

 doubled, I have feen an Overfeer beat a Servant with a cane about 

 the head, till the blood hasfollowed, for a fault that isnot worth the 

 fpcakingof^ and yet he muft have patience , or worfe will folfow. 

 Truly, I have feen ilich cruelty there done to Servants, as I did not 

 think one Chriftian could have done to another. But, as difcreeter and 

 better natural men have come to rule there, the fervants lives have 

 been much bettered 5 for now, moftof the fervants lie in Ha mocks , 

 and in warm rooms , and when they come in wet , have fhift of fhirt» 

 and drawers, which is all the cloths they wear , and are fed with bone 

 meat twice or thrice a wcek.Collonel WalroKdicmng his fervants when 

 they came home, toyled'with their labour , and wet through with 

 their fwcating, thought that fliifting of their linnen not fiifficient re- 

 frcQiing, nor warmth tor their bodies, their pores being much opened 

 by their fweating:, and therefore refolved to fend into E?TgIand fox 

 fug Gowns, fiich as poor people wear in Hofpitals, that fo when 



