198 DISCOVERIES OF THE ENGLISH. 
the Mahometan religion exposed him to perpetual 
ridicule, and even insult, from the white inhabi- 
tants. His life became thus intolerable ; and he 
resolved, at all hazards, to attempt an escape. 
He fled across the woods to the county of Kent, 
in the bay of Delaware ; but, being unprovided 
with a passport, was there arrested by virtue of 
the act against fugitive negroes. The case, how- 
ever, attracted a good deal of curiosity ; and he 
was visited in prison by several English mer- 
chants ; particularly one of the name of Bluet, 
who afterwards wrote the history of his life. 
They soon discovered that he was a Mahometan ; 
but they remained in the dark as to other par- 
ticulars, till an old JalofF, who understood the 
language, met him, and explained the whole of 
his history. These particulars being transmitted 
by letter to London, became a general theme of 
conversation, and Mr Oglethorpe, who held a 
high place in the African Company, was deeply 
affected by the situation of the royal captive. 
He sent instructions to ransom, and bring him to 
England, with the view of restoring him to his 
native country. Job arrived in April 1733, at a 
time when Oglethorpe had set out for Georgia ; 
but his friend Mr Hunt received him into his 
house. He became then an object of general 
interest, and received many marks of attention 
from the most distinguished personages in this 
