merits of the Saviour, that ye are no pirates, nor have shed blood,
lawfully, nor unlawfully within forty days past, you may have licence
to come on land." We said, "We were all ready to take that oath."
Whereupon one of those that were with him, being (as it seemed) a
notary, made an entry of this act. Which done, another of the
attendants of the great person which was with him in the same boat,
after his Lord had spoken a little to him, said aloud: "My Lord would
have you know, that it is not of pride, or greatness, that he cometh
not aboard your ship; but for that in your answer you declare that you
have many sick amongst you, he was warned by the Conservator of Health
of the city that he should keep a distance." We bowed ourselves
towards him, and answered, "We were his humble servants; and accounted
for great honour, and singular humanity towards us, that which was
already done; but hoped well, that the nature of the sickness of our
men was not infectious." So he returned; and a while after came the
Notary to us aboard our ship; holding in his hand a fruit of that
country, like an orange, but of color between orange-tawney and
scarlet; which cast a most excellent odour. He used it (as it
seemeth) for a preservative against infection. He gave us our oath;
"By the name of Jesus, and his merits:" and after told us, that the
next day, by six of the Clock, in the Morning, we should be sent to,
and brought to the Strangers' House, (so he called it,) where we
should be accommodated of things, both for our whole, and for our sick.
So he left us; and when we offered him some pistolets, he smiling
said, "He must not be twice paid for one labour:" meaning (as I take
it) that he had salary sufficient of the State for his service. For
(as I after learned) they call an officer that taketh rewards, "twice
paid."

The next morning early, there came to us the same officer that came to