Page:Life, strange voyages, and uncommon adventures of Ambrose Gwinett.pdf/24

24 as a delinquent, and with two others, condemned to the galleys for life.

I wrought on board them for some years, when the galley I belonged to was ordered to sea, against an Algerine rover that infested the coast; but, instead of one, we met with three of them. The issue of the engagement was fatal to us. The greatest part of the crew were killed, and the rest taken prisoners, amongst which last I was one having lost the leg which you see me want, in the action.

After this, I passed a long and painful slavery in Algiers, till, with many other English captives, I was released, by agreement between the Dey of Algiers and his Britannic Majesty’s agent. In the year 1730, I returned to England. The first thing I did was to enquire after my relations; but all those nearest to me were dead, and I found Mr. Collins had never returned home; so I suppose he died in his passage. Though not an old man I was so enfeebled by hardships, that I was unable to work; and being without any manner of support, I could think of no way of getting my living but by begging.