Page:An English Garner Ingatherings from Our History and Literature (Volume 1 1877).pdf/213

 remained in the prison of the said road two hundred three-score and eight Christian prisoners, who had been taken by the Turks' force; and were of sixteen sundry nations. Among which, there were three Englishmen, whereof one was named JOHN Fox of Woodbridge in Suffolk; the other WILLIAM WICKNEY of Portsmouth in the county of Southampton, and the third ROBERT MOORE of Harwich in the county of Essex. Which JOHN Fox having been thirteen or fourteen years under their gentle entreatance, and being too too weary thereof, minding his escape; weighed with himself by what means it might be brought to pass; and continually pondering with himself; thereof took a great heart unto him, in hope that GOD would not be always scourging His children, and never ceasing to pray Him to further his pretended [intended] enterprise, if that it should redound to His glory.

Not far from the road, and somewhat from thence at one side of the city, there was a certain victualling house; which one PETER UNTICARO had hired, paying also a certain fee unto the Keeper of the road. This PETER UNTICARO was a Spaniard born, and a Christian, and had been prisoner above thirty years; and never practised any means to escape, but kept himself quiet without touch or suspect of any conspiracy: until that now this JOHN Fox using much thither; they brake one to another their minds, concerning the restraint of their liberty and imprisonment. So that this JOHN Fox at length opening unto this UNTICARO the device which he would fain put in practice, made privy one more to this their intent. Which three debated of this matter at such times as they could compass to meet together; insomuch, that at seven weeks' end they had sufficiently concluded how the matter should be, if it pleased GOD to further them thereto. Who making five more privy to this their device, whom they might safely trust; determined in three nights after to accomplish their deliberate purpose.

Whereupon the said JOHN Fox and PETER UNTICARO and the other six appointed to meet all together in the prison the next day, being the last day of December [1576 A.D.]; where JOHN Fox certified the rest of the prisoners what their intent and device was, and how and when they minded to bring their purpose to pass: who thereunto persuaded them without much ado to further their device. Which the same