THE HISTORY OF THE PYRATES. (continued 3)

Captain Tew went on Shore again in the Evening, the Wind not serving to weigh, it blowing due West; he asked the Governor, how he got acquainted with the Natives? and he answered, by meeting them a Hunting, and using them well; that he wheedled one of them down to their Huts, the Fellow being alone, and they three in Company, he suppos’d, thought it best to go with seeming Willingness. After him several came, and they liv’d very friendly with them: The Captain had brought ashore with him some Rum and Brandy, and they were drinking a Bowl of Punch, when, on a sudden, a violent Storm arose; Captain Tew ran to the Shore, and made a Signal for his Boat to carry him off, but the Sea ran too high to venture out of the Ship: The Storm all the while increas’d, and the Victoire, in less than two Hours, parted her Cables, was drove ashore where it was steep to, and perished, with all her Men, in Captain Tew’s Sight.

The Captain staid with his old Companions, without knowing which Way to return to his Friends he had left with Misson, not one of whom was (luckily for them,) on board the Ship. At the End of three Months, as far as they could discover a Hutt, they saw a large Ship, which Tew believed was the Bijoux; but she took no Notice of the Fires they made: As he expected she would return after a short Cruize, he, and his Companions, made large Fires every Night on the Shore, and visited the Coast very often. About a Month after this, as they came early to the Sea-Side, they were surpriz’d at the Sight of two Sloops which lay at an Anchor, about a Canon Shot from the Shore; they had not been long looking upon them, when a Canoe was hoisted out of One, and made to them, with six Men who row’d, and one Sitter.

Tew soon knew him to be Captain Misson; he came ashore, and embracing the former, told him, all their propos’d Happiness was vanished; for without the least Provocation given, in the Dead of the Night, the Natives came down upon them in two great Bodies, and made a great Slaughter, without Distinction of Age or Sex, before they could put themselves in a Posture of Defence; that Caraccioli (who died in the Action) and he got what Men together they could, to make a Stand; but finding all Resistance vain against such Numbers, he made a Shift to secure a considerable Quantity of rough Diamonds and Bar Gold, and to get on board the two Sloops with 45 Men: That the Bijoux being gone to cruize, and the Number of Men he had carried with him in the Victoire, weaken’d the Colony, and given the Natives the Boldness to attack them as they did, but for what Reason he could not imagine.

Tew gave him an Account of the Disaster which had happen’d; and after having mutually condol’d their Misfortunes, Tew propos’d their going to America, where Misson might, with the Riches he had, pass his Life unknown, and in a comfortable Manner.

Misson answer’d he could not yet take any Resolution, tho’ he had Thoughts of returning to Europe, and privately visiting his Family, if any where alive, and then to retire from the World.

They dined with the Quarter-Master, who press’d their Return to America, to procure a Commission for the settling a Colony.

Misson told Tew, he should have one of the Sloops, and what Volunteers would keep him Company, for his Misfortunes had erased all Thoughts of future Settlements; that what Riches they had saved, he would distribute equally, nay, he would be content, if he had only a bare Support left him.

On this Answer, four of the Quarter-Master’s Company offer’d to join Captain Tew.

In the Afternoon they visited both Sloops, and Misson putting the Question to the Men, thirty went on board of one Sloop, tho’ they parted with great Reluctance from their old Commander; and fifteen staid with Misson. The four Men who join’d Tew made the Number of his Crew 34; they staid about a Week, in hopes of the Bijoux’s Return upon the Coast; but she not appearing, they set sail, Captain Misson having first shared the Treasure, with Tew and his other Friends and Companions, hoping to meet the Bijoux on the Guiney Coast, for which they shaped their Course.

Off Cape Infantes, they were over-taken with a Storm, in which the unhappy Misson’s Sloop went down, within a Musket Shot of Captain Tew, who could give him no Assistance.

Tew continued his Course for America, and arrived at Rhode Island without any Accident; his Men dispersed themselves, as they thought fit, and Tew sent to Bermudas for his Owners Account fourteen Times the Value of their Sloop, and not being questioned by any, liv’d in great Tranquillity; the French belonging to Misson, took different Routs, one of whom dying at Rochelle, the French Manuscript of Misson’s Life was found among his Papers, and transmitted to me by a Friend and Correspondent.

Captain Tew lived unquestion’d, &c. he had an easy Fortune, and designed to live quietly at home; but those of his Men, who lived near him, having squandered their Shares, were continually solliciting him to take another Trip: He withstood their Request a considerable Time; but they having got together (by the Report they made of the vast Riches to be acquired) a Number of resolute Fellows, they, in a Body, begg’d him to head them but for one Voyage. They were so earnest in their Desire, that he could not refuse complying. They prepared a small Sloop, and made the best of their Way to the Streights, entering the Red Sea, where they met with, and attack’d a Ship belonging to the Great Mogul; in the Engagement, a Shot carried away the Rim of Tew’s Belly, who held his Bowels with his Hands some small Space; when he dropp’d, it struck such a Terror in his Men, that they suffered themselves to be taken, without making Resistance.

OF Capt. HALSEY, And his Crew.

John Halsey was a Boston Man, of New England, commanded the Charles Brigantine, and went out with a Commission from the Governor, to cruize on the Banks of Newfoundland, where he took a French Banker, which he appointed to meet him at Fyal; but missing his Prize here, he went among the Canary Islands, where he took a Spanish Barcalonga, which he plundered and sunk; from thence he went to the Island of Bravo, one of the Cape de Verd, where he wooded and watered, turn’d ashore his Lieutenant, and several of his Men here running away from him, the Governor sent them on board again, his Commission being as yet in Force; from hence he stood away then to the Southward, and doubling the Cape of Good Hope, made for Madagascar and the Bay of Augustine, where he took in Wood and Water, with some straggling Seamen, who were cast away in the Degrave India Man, Capt. Young, Commander. After this, he shap’d his Course for the Red Sea, and met with a Dutchman of 60 Guns, coming from Mocha, whom he kept Company with a Week. Tho’ he was resolved upon turning Pyrate, he intended to rob only the Moor Ships, which occasioned a Dispute between him and his Men; they insisting on the Ship’s being a Moor, he as strenuously asserting she was Dutch, was positive in his Resolve of meddling with no European Ships. The Men were for boarding, but his Obstinacy not being to be conquered, they broke Halsey and his Gunner, confining both, and were ready to board the Dutchman, when one of the Crew perceiving he was about to run out his lower Tire, knock’d down the Quarter-Master (whose Business it is to be at the Helm in Time of Chase or Engagement, according to the Rules of Pyrates) clapp’d the Helm hard a Weather, and wore the Brigantine: The Dutchman staid, and fired a Shot, which taking a Swivel Gun carried it aft, narrowly miss’d the Man at Helm, and shatter’d the Tafrel; the Men perceiving they had catch’d a Tartar, made the best of their Way to shake her off, and some were running down between Decks, whom the Surgeon prick’d up again with his Sword, tho’ he no Way was consenting to their design’d Pyracy. The Captain and a Gunner were again reinstated after they had seen their Mistake, and then they steer’d for the Nicobar Islands, where they met with a Country Ship, called the Buffalo, commanded by Captain Buckley, an Englishman, coming from Bengal, which they took after a short Engagement, there being only three Europeans aboard, the Captain and two Mates, the rest were Moors. This Ship fell seasonably in their Way, she being bound for Achen, with Butter, Rice, and Cloath, and the Pyrates, at that Time, being in great Streights both for Provision and Cloathing. They took the two Mates to Sea with them, but left the Captain and the Moors at Cara Nicobar, at an Anchor, and then took a Cruize. Captain Buckley, who was sick, died before their Return; in the Cruize they met with Captain Collins in a Country Sloop, bound also to Achen: He had also two English Mates with him, but the rest of his Company consisted of Moors; him they carried to the same Harbour where they left the Buffalo.

Here a Dispute arose among the Pyrates, some were for returning to the West Indies, others were against it, for they had got no Money, and that was what engaged their Search; they parted upon this; one Part went on board the Buffalo, made one Rowe Captain, and Myers, a Frenchman, Master, whom they had pick’d up at Madagascar. The Sloop’s Deck they ripp’d up, and mended with it the Bottom of the Brigantine, which Halsey still commanded; the Ship shaped her Course for Madagascar, and the Brigantine made for the Streights of Malacca, to lie in the Tract of the Manila Ships. I must observe, that Capt. Buckley’s two Mates, whom they intended to force with them, were by Strength of Intreaty, permitted to go away with a Canoe. In these Streights, they met an Europe built Ship, of 26 Guns, which they had not the Courage to attack, being sour’d by the Dutchman. They afterwards stood in Shore, and came to an Anchor; few Days after they made a Vessel, which they supposed a China Jonque, and gave Chase, but when they came pretty nigh, notwithstanding the Pilot assured them, she was what they supposed, they swore it was a Dutchman, and would not venture upon him; so leaving off their Chase stood in Shore, and came again to an Anchor under the Peninsula; they lay here some Days, and then spied a tall Vessel, which they chased, and proved the Albemarle East India Man, Captain Bews, Commander, come from China; they came up with him, but thinking it too warm a Ship, after exchanging a few Shot, the Brigantine made off, and the Albemarle chased in her Turn: They however got clear, having a better Share of Heels, and came again to an Anchor, having not above 40 Hands, their Water growing scarce, and not daring to venture ashore for Fear of the Dutch, a Council was called, and it was resolved to make the best of their Way to Madagascar, to pick up more Hands, refresh, and set out on new Adventures; pursuant to this Resolution, they steer’d for that Island, but fell in their Way on Mascarenas where, making a small Present to the Governor, they were supplied with what they wanted; from hence they went to a Place on Madagascar, call’d by the Pyrates Hopeful Point; by the Natives, Harangby, near the Island of St. Mary’s, on the Lat. of 17. 40 S. where they met with the Buffalo, and the Dorothy, a Prize, made by Captain Thomas White and his Company, being about 90 or 100 Men, settled near the same Place, in petty Governments of their own, having some of them 500 or 600, some 1000 Negroe Subjects, who acknowledged their Sovereignty. Here they again repaired their Brigantine, took in Provisions and all Necessaries, augmented their Company to about 100 Men, and set out for the Red Sea; they touch’d at Johanna, and there took in a Quantity of Goats and Cocoa Nuts for fresh Provisions, and thence in eleven Days reach’d the Streights of Babel Mandel: They had not cruised here many Days, when they spied the Moors Fleet from Mocha and Jufa, consisting of 25 Sail, which they fell in with, and had been taken, if their Oars had not help’d them off, it falling a dead Calm. They had not apprehended the Danger so great, if they had not judged these Ships convoy’d by some Portuguese Men of War: Some Days after this, they met a one Mast Vessel, called a Grab, coming from Mocha, which they spied within Gun-Shot, in a thick Fog; they fired a Shot which out her Halliards, and then they took Possession of her with their Boats; she was laden with Drugs, but they took only some Necessaries and 2000 Dollars, and having learned that 4 English Vessels lay at Mocoa, of which one was from Jufa, they let her go.

Three Days after they spied the 4 Ships, which they at first took for the Trees of Babel Mandel; at Night they fell in with, and kept them Company till Morning, the Trumpets sounding on both Sides all the Time, for the Pyrate had two on board as well as the English. When it was clear Day the four Ships drew into a Line, for they had haled the Pyrate, who made no Ceremony of owning who he was, by answering according to their Manner From the Seas. The Brigantine bore up till she had slung her Garf. One of the Ships perceiving this, advised Captain Jago, who led the Van, in a Ship of 24 Guns and 70 Men, to give Chace, for the Pyrate was on the Run; but a Mate, who was acquainted with the Way of working among Pyrates, answered he would find his Mistake, and said he had seen many a warm Day, but feared this would be the hottest. The Brigantine turn’d up again, and coming a Stern, clapp’d the Rising Eagle aboard, a Ship of 16 Guns and the Sternmost; tho’ they entered their Men, the Rising Eagle held them a warm Dispute for 3 Quarters of an Hour, in which Captain Chamberlain’s chief Mate and several others were killed, the Purser was wounded, jumped over-board, and drowned: In the mean while the other Ships call’d to Captain Jago to board the Pyrate; who bearing away, to clap him aboard, the Pyrate gave him a Shot, which raked him fore and aft, and determined Captain Jago to get out of Danger; for he run away with all the Sail he could pack, tho’ he was fitted out to protect the Coast against Pyrates. His Example was followed by the rest, every one steering a different Course: Thus they became Masters of the Rising Eagle. I can’t but take Notice, that the second Mate of the Rising Eagle, after Quarters were called for, fired from out of the Forecastle, and killed two of the Pyrates, one of whom was the Gunner’s Consort, who would have revenged his Death by shooting the Mate, but several Irish and Scots, together with one Captain Thomas White, once a Commander among the Pyrates, but then a private Man, interposed and saved him, in regard that he was an Irishman. They examined the Prisoners to know which was the Ship came from Juffa, for that had Money on board; and having learn’d it was the Essex, they gave Chace, came up with her, hoisted the bloody Flag at the Mainmast-head, fired one single Gun, and she struck; tho’ the Essex was fitted for close Quarters, there were not on board the Brigantine above 20 Hands, and the Prize was a Stern so far, that her Top-mast scarce appeared out of the Water; in chacing this Ship, they pass’d the other two, who held the Fly of their Ensigns in their Hands ready to strike. When the Ship had struck, the Captain of her asked who commanded that Brigantine, he was answered, Captain Halsey; asking again who was Quarter-Master? He was told, Nathaniel North, to whom he called, as he knew him very well. North learning his Name was Punt, said Captain Thomas Punt, I am sorry you are fallen into our Hands; he was civilly treated, and nothing belonging to himself or the English Gentlemen, who were Passengers, touch’d, tho’ they made bold to lay Hands on 40000 l. in Money belonging to the Ship. They had about 10000 l. in Money out of the Rising Eagle. They discharged the Essex, and with the other Prize and the Brigantine, steer’d for Madagascar, where they arrived and shared their Booty. Some of the Passengers, who had been so well treated, came afterwards with a small Ship from India (with License from the Governor of Maderas) called the Greyhound, laden with Necessaries, in Hopes to barter with the Pyrates for the dry Goods they had taken, and recover them at an easy Rate: They were received very kindly, an Invoice of their Goods was asked, the Goods agreed for, shared and paid in Money and Bale Goods. In the mean while came in a Ship from Scotland, called the Neptune, 26 Guns, 54 Men, commanded by Captain James Miller, with a Design to slave, and to go thence to Batavia to dispose of her Negroes (having a Supercargo on board, brought up among the Dutch) and thence to Malacco, to take on board the Cargo of a Ship, call’d the Speedwell, lost on her Return from China; but finding here another Ship trading with the Pyrates, and having many Necessaries, French Brandy, Madera Wine, and English Stout on board, Captain Miller thought it better to trade for Money than Slaves. The Merchants of the Greyhound nettled to see any but themselves take Money, for the Pyrates never haggled about a Price, told ’em, They could not do the Governor of Maderas a more grateful Piece of Service, than to make Prize of the Neptune, which was a Ship fit for their Purpose. To which some of the Scotch and Irish answered, they had not best put such a Design on Foot, for if the Company once got it into their Heads to take one, they’d go nigh to take both Ships. In a short Time after came on a Hurricane, which obliged the Neptune to cut away all her Masts, and lost the three Ships belonging to the Pyrates, which was their whole Fleet. They having now no Ship, and several of them no Money, having been stripp’d at Play, their Thoughts were bent on the Neptune. The Chief Mate of her Daniel Burgis, who had a Spleen to the Captain, joining privately with the Pyrates (among whom he died) got all the small Masts and Yards ashore; and the Pyrates being requested to find him proper Trees for Masting, told Captain Miller, they had found such as would serve his Turn, desiring he would take a Number of Hands ashore to get them down to the Water, which he (suspecting no harm) accordingly did, and he and his Men were seized, and the Long Boat detained ashore. The Captain was forced to send for the second Mate, and afterwards for the Gunner; the Mate, who was the Captain’s Brother, went, but the Gunner suspecting foul Play refused: In the Evening Burgess came on board, and advised the Surrender of the Ship, which, tho’ but sixteen were left on board, they scrupled, and proposed going under the Cover of their own Guns to fetch their Top-masts and Yards, and with them to put to Sea; but the Chief Mate Burgess, whose Villany was not then known, persuaded them to give up a Ship they could neither defend nor sail; which was no small Satisfaction to the Merchants in the Greyhound, little thinking how soon they would meet with the same Treatment; for two Days after the Pyrates mann’d the Neptune’s Pinnace, seized the Greyhound, took away all the Money they had paid, and shifting out of the Neptune ten Pipes of Madera, with two Hogsheads of Brandy, into the Greyhound, and putting on board the Captain, second Mate, Boatswain and Gunner of the Neptune, and about 14 of her Hands, ordered her to Sea; the rest of the Neptune’s Company being young Men fit for their Purpose, they detained, most of which, by hard drinking, fell into Distempers and died. As to Captain Halsey, while the Scotch Ship was fitting, he fell ill of a Fever, died and was buried with great Solemnity and Ceremony; the Prayers of the Church of England were read over him, Colours were flying, and his Sword and Pistol laid on his Coffin, which was covered with a Ship’s Jack; as many Minute Guns fired as he was Years old, viz. 46, and three English Vollies, and one French Volley of small Arms. He was brave in his Person, courteous to all his Prisoners, lived beloved, and died regretted by his own People. His Grave was made in a Garden of Water Melons, and fenced in with Pallisades to prevent his being rooted up by wild Hogs, of which there are Plenty in those Parts.

P. S. The Neptune seized as above, was the Year after Captain Halsey’s Death, ready to go to Sea; but a Hurricane happening she was lost, and prov’d the last Ship that Gang of Pyrates ever got Possession of.

OF Captain Thomas White, And his Crew.

He was born at Plymouth, where his Mother kept a Publick House; she took great Care of his Education and when he was grown up, as he had an Inclination to the Sea, procur’d him the King’s Letter. After he had served some Years on board a Man of War, he went to Barbadoes, where he married, got into the Merchants Service, and designed to settle in the Island: He had the Command of the Marygold Brigantine given him, in which he made two successful Voyages to Guiney and back to Barbadoes; in his third, he had the Misfortune to be taken by a French Pyrate, as were several other English Ships, the Masters and inferior Officers of which they detained, being in Want of good Artists.

The Brigantine belonging to White they kept for their own Use, and sunk the Vessel they before sailed in; but meeting with a Ship on the Guiney Coast more fit for their Purpose, they went on board her, and burnt the Brigantine.

It is not my Business here to give an Acount of this French Pyrate, any farther than Captain White’s Story obliges me, tho’ I beg Leave to take Notice of their Barbarity to the English Prisoners, for they would set them up as a Butt or Mark to shoot at; several of whom were thus murdered in cool Blood, by Way of Diversion.

White was marked out for a Sacrifice by one of these Villains, who, for I know not what Reason, had sworn his Death, which he escaped thus. One of the Crew, who had a Friendship for White, knew this Fellow’s Design, to kill him in the Night, and therefore advised him to lye between him and the Ship’s Side, with Intention to save him; which indeed he did, but was himself shot dead by the murderous Villain, who mistook him for White; but this by the Bye.

After some Time cruizing along the Coast, the Pyrates doubled the Cape of Good Hope, and shaped their Course for Madagascar, where, being drunk and mad, they knock’d their Ship on the Head, at the South End of the Island, at a Place called by the Natives Elexa; the Country thereabouts was governed by a King, named Mafaly.

When the Ship struck, Captain White, Captain Boreman, (born in the Isle of White, formerly a Lieutenant of a Man of War, but in the Merchants Service when he fell into the Hands of the Pyrates) Captain Bowen and some other Prisoners got to the Long-Boat, and with broken Oars and Barrel Staves, which they found in the Bottom of the Boat, paddled to Augustine Bay; that is about 14 or 15 Leagues from the Wreck where they landed, and were kindly received by the King of Bavaw (the Name of that Part of the Island) who spoke good English.

They staid here a Year and a half at the King’s Expence, who gave them a plentiful Allowance of Provision, as was his Custom to all White Men, who met with any Misfortune on his Coast; his Humanity not only provided for all such, but the first European Vessel that came in, he always obliged them to take in the unfortunate People, let the Vessel be what it would; for he had no Notion of any Difference between Pyrates and Merchants.

At the Expiration of the above Term, a Pyrate Brigantine came in, aboard which the King obliged them to enter, or travel by Land to some other Place, which they durst not do; and of two Evils chose the least, that of going on board the Pyrate Vessel, which was commanded by one William Read, who received them very civilly.

This Commander went along the Coast, and pick’d up what Europeans he could meet with; his Crew however did not exceed forty Men, he would have been glad of taking on board some of the wreck’d Frenchmen, but for the Barbarity they had used towards the English Prisoners; however, it was impracticable, for the French pretending to lord it over the Natives, whom they began to treat inhumanly, were set upon by them, one half of their Number cut off, and the other half made Slaves.

Read, with this Gang, and a Brigantine of 60 Tons, steer’d his Course for the Gulf of Persia, where they met a Grabb (a one masted Vessel) of about 200 Tons, which was made Prize.

They found nothing on board but Bale Goods, most of which they threw over-board to search for Gold, and to make Room in the Vessel; but as they learned afterwards, they threw over in their Search, what they so greedily hunted after, for there was a considerable Quantity of Gold concealed in one of the Bales they toss’d into the Sea.

In this Cruise Captain Read fell ill and died; he was succeeded by one James. The Brigantine being small, crazy, and worm eaten, they shaped their Course for the Island of Mayotta, where they took out the Masts of the Brigantine, fitted up the Grabb, and made a Ship of her: Here they took in a Quantity of fresh Provision, which is in this Island very plentiful, and very cheap; and found a twelve oar’d Boat, which formerly belonged to the Ruby East India Man, which had been lost there.

They staid here all the Monsoon Time, which is about six Months; after which they resolved for Madagascar. As they came in with the Land, they spied a Sail coming round from the East Side of the Island; they gave Chase on both Sides, so that they soon met: They haled each other, and receiving the same Answer from each Vessel, viz. from the Seas, they joined Company.

This Vessel was a small French Ship, laden with Liquors from Martinico, first commanded by one Fourgette, to trade with the Pyrates for Slaves, at Ambonawoula, on the East Side the Island, in the Lat. of 17. 30. and was by them taken after the following Manner.

The Pyrates, who were headed by George Booth, Commander of the Ship, went on board (as they had often done) to the Number of ten, and carried Money with them under Pretence of purchasing what they wanted. (This Booth had formerly been Gunner of a Pyrate Ship, called the Dolphin.) Captain Fourgette was pretty much upon his Guard, and searched every Man as he came over the Side, and a Pair of Pocket Pistols were found upon a Dutchman, who was the first enter’d; the Captain told him, he was a Rogue, and had a Design upon his Ship, and the Pyrates pretended to be so angry with this Fellow’s offering to come on board with Arms, that they threatned to knock on the Head, and tossing him roughly into the Boat, ordered him ashore, tho’ they had before taken an Oath on the Bible, either to carry the Ship or die in the Undertaking.

They were all searched, but they however contrived to get on board 4 Pistols, which were all the Arms they had for the Enterprize, tho’ Fourgette had 20 Hands on board, and his small Arms on the Arning to be in Readiness.

The Captain invited them into the Cabbin to Dinner, but Booth chose to dine with the petty Officers, tho’ one Johnson, Isaac, and another, went down.

Booth was to give the Watch Word, which was Hurrah; he pretending to make Water over the Side of the Gunnel, laid his Hand on the Arning, and being a nimble Fellow, at one Spring threw himself upon it, drew the Arms to him, fired his Pistol forward among the Men, one of whom he wounded, (who jumping over-board was lost) and gave the Signal.

Three I said were in the Cabbin, and seven upon Deck, who with Handspikes and the Arms seized, secured the Ship’s Crew. The Captain and his two Mates, who were at Dinner in the Cabbin, hearing the Pistol, fell upon Johnson, and stabb’d him in several Places with their Forks, but they being Silver, did him no great Damage. Fourgette snatch’d his Piece which he snapp’d at Isaac’s Breast several Times, but it would not go off; at last, finding his Resistance vain, he submitted, and the Pyrates set him, and those of his Men who would not join them, on Shore, allowing him to take his Books, Papers, and whatever else he claimed as belonging to himself; and besides treating him very humanly gave him several Casks of Liquor, with Arms and Powder, to purchase Provisions in the Country.

I hope this Digression, as it was in a Manner needful, will be excused; I shall now proceed.

After they had taken in the Dolphin’s Company, which were on the Island, and encreased by that Means their Crew to the Number of 80 Hands, they sail’d to St. Mary’s, where Captain Misson’s Ship lay at Anchor, between the Island and the Main: This Gentleman and his whole Ship’s Company had been cut off, at the Instigation of Ort-Vantyle, a Dutchman of New-York.

Out of her they took Water Casks and other Necessaries, which having done, they designed for the River Methelage, on the West Side Madagascar, in the Lat. of 16 or thereabouts, to salt up Provisions and to proceed to the East Indies, cruize off the Islands of St. John, and lie in Wait for the Moors Ships from Mocha.

In their Way to Methelage they fell in (as I have said) with the Pyrate, on board of which was Captain White; they join’d Company, came to an Anchor together in the above-nam’d River, where they had cleaned, salted up, taken in their Provisions, and were ready to go to Sea, when a large Ship appeared in Sight, and stood into the same River.

The Pyrates knew not whether she was a Merchant Man or Man of War; she had been the latter, belonging to the French King, and could mount 50 Guns; but being taken by the English, she was bought by some London Merchants, and fitted out from that Port, to slave at Madagascar, and go to Jamaica. The Captain was a young unexperienced Man, who was put in with a Nurse.

The Pyrates sent their Boats to speak with him, but the Ship firing at them, they concluded it a Man of War, and rowed to Shore, the two Pyrates slipp’d and run ashore; the Grabb standing in, and not keeping her Wind so well as the French built Ship, run among a Parcel of Mangroves, and a Stump piercing her Bottom, she sunk; the other run aground, let go her Anchor, and came to no Damage, for the Tide of Flood fetch’d her off.

The Captain of the Speaker, for that was the Name of the Ship which frighten’d the Pyrates, was not a little vain of having forced these two Vessels ashore, tho’ he did not know whether they were Pyrates or Merchant Men, and could not help expressing himself in these Words; How will my Name ring on the Exchange, when it is known I have run two Pyrates aground, which gave Handle to a satyrical Return from one of his Men after he was taken, who said, Lord, How our Captain’s Name will ring on the Exchange, when it is heard, he frighten’d two Pyrate Ships ashore, and was taken by their two Boats afterwards.

When the Speaker came within Shot, she fired several at the two Vessels; and when she came to an Anchor, several more into the Country, which alarm’d the Negroes, who, acquainting their King, he would allow him no Trade, till the Pyrates living ashore, and who had a Design on his Ship, interceded for ’em, telling the King, they were their Countrymen, and what had happened was thro’ a Mistake, it being a Custom among them to fire their Guns by Way of Respect, and it was owing to the Gunner of the Ship’s Negligence, that they fir’d Shot.

The Captain of the Speaker sent his Purser ashore, to go up the Country to the King, who lived about 24 Miles from the Coast, to carry a couple of small Arms inlaid with Gold, a couple of Brass Blunderbusses, and a Pair of Pistols, as Presents, and to require Trade.

As soon as the Purser was ashore, he was taken Prisoner, by one Tom Collins, a Welchman, born in Pembroke, who lived on Shore, and had belong’d to the Charming Mary of Barbadoes, which went out with a Commission, but was converted to a Pyrate; he told the Purser, he was his Prisoner, and must answer the Damage done two Merchants, who were slaving.

The Purser answer’d, that he was not Commander, that the Captain was a hot rash Youth, put into a Business by his Friends, which he did not understand; but however, Satisfaction should be made.

He was carried by Collins on board Booth’s Ship, where, at first, he was talked to in pretty strong Terms; but after a while very civilly us’d, and the next Morning sent up to the King with a Guide, and Peace made for him, as already said.

The King allowed them Trade, and sent down the usual Presents, a couple of Oxen, between 20 and 30 People laden with Rice, and as many more with the Country Liquor, called Toke.

The Captain then settled the Factory on the Shore Side, and began to buy Slaves and Provisions; the Pyrates were among them, and had Opportunities of sounding the Men, and knowing in what Posture the Ship lay. They found by one Hugh Man, belonging to the Speaker, that there were not above 40 Men on board, and that they had lost the second Mate and 20 Hands in the Long Boat, on the Coast, before they came into this Harbour, but that they kept a good Look-out, and had their Guns ready primed; however, he, for a hundred Pounds, undertook to wet all the Priming, and assist in the taking the Ship.

After some Days the Captain of the Speaker came on Shore, and was received with a great Deal of Civility by the Heads of the Pyrates, having agreed before to make Satisfaction; in a Day or two after, he was invited by them to eat a Barbacute Shoot, which Invitation he accepted.

After Dinner, Captain Bowen, who was, I have already said, a Prisoner on board the French Pyrate, but now become one of the Fraternity, and Master of the Grab, went out, and returned with a Case of Pistols in his Hand, and told the Captain of the Speaker, whose Name I won’t mention, that he was his Prisoner; he asked, upon what Account? Bowen answered, they wanted a Ship, his was a good One, and they were resolved to have her, to make amends for the Damage he had done them.

In the mean while his Boats Crew, and the rest of his Men ashore, were told by other of the Pyrates, who were drinking with them, that they were also Prisoners; some of them answer’d, Z—ds, we don’t trouble our Heads what we are, let’s have t’other Bowl of Punch.

A Watch Word was given, and no Boat to be admitted on board the Ship; this Word, which was for that Night, Coventry, was known to them: At Eight a-Clock they mann’d the twelve-oar’d Boat, and that they found at Mayotta, with 24 Men, and set out for the Ship.

When they were put off, the Captain of the Speaker desired them to come back, he wanted to speak with them; Captain Booth asked, what he wanted? He said, they could never take his Ship, then said Booth, we’ll die in or along Side of her; but replied the Captain, if you will go with Safety, don’t board on the Lar-board Side, for there is a Gun out of the Steerage loaden with Patridge, will clear the Decks; they thank’d him, and proceeded.

When they were near the Ship they were haled, and the Answer was, the Coventry; all well, said the Mate, get the Lights over the Side, but spying the second Boat, he asked what Boat that was? one answered, it was a Raft of Water, another, that it was a Boat of Beef; this Disagreement in the Answers made the Mate suspicious, who cried out Pyrates, take to your Arms my Lads, and immediately clapp’d a Match to a Gun, which, as the Priming was before wet by the Treachery of Hugh Man, only fizz’d; they boarded in the Instant, and made themselves Masters of her, without the Loss of a Man on either Side.

The next Day they put necessary Provisions on board the French built Ship, and gave her to the Captain of the Speaker, and those Men who would go off with him, among whom was Man, who had betray’d his Ship; for the Pyrates had both paid him the 100 l. agreed, and kept his Secret. The Captain having thus lost his Ship, sail’d in that the Pyrates gave him, for Johanna, where he fell ill and died with Grief.

The Pyrates having here victualled, they sail’d for the Bay of St. Augustine, where they took in between 70 and 80 Men, who had belonged to the Ship Alexander, commanded by Captain James, a Pyrate; they also took up her Guns, and mounted the Speaker with 54, which made up their Number 240 Men besides Slaves, of which they had about 20.

From hence they sailed for the East Indies, but stopp’d at Zanguebar for fresh Provisions, where the Portuguese had once a Settlement, but now inhabited by Arabians; some of them went ashore with the Captain to buy Provisions, the Captain was sent for by the Governor, who went with about 14 in Company: They past thro’ the Guard, and when they were entered the Governor’s House, they were all cut off; and, at the same Time, others who were in different Houses of the Town were set upon, which made them fly to the Shore; the Long-Boat, which lay off at a Grapling, was immediately put in by those who look’d after her: There were not above half a dozen of the Pyrates who brought their Arms ashore, but they plyed them so well, for they were in the Boat, that most of the Men got into her, the Quarter-Master ran down Sword in Hand, and tho’ he was attack’d by many, he behaved himself so well, that he got into a little Canoe, put her off and reached the Long-Boat.

In the Interim, the little Fort the Arabians had, play’d upon the Ship, which returned the Salute very warmly. Thus they got on board, with the Loss of Captain Booth and twenty Men, and set Sail for the East-Indies.

When they were under Sail, they went to Voting for a new Captain, and the Quarter-Master, who had behaved so well in the last Affair with the Arabians, was chosen; but he declining all Command, the Crew made Choice of Bowen for Captain, Pickering to succeed him as Master, Samuel Herault, a Frenchman, for Quarter-Master, and Nathaniel North, for Captain Quarter-Master.

Things being thus settled, they came to the Mouth of the Red Sea, and fell in with 13 Sail of Moors Ships, which they kept Company with the greater Part of the Day, but were afraid to venture on them as they took them for Portuguese Men of War; at length part were for boarding, and advised it, the Captain, tho’ he said little, did not seem inclin’d, for he was but a young Pyrate, tho’ an old Commander of a Merchant Man.

Those who push’d for boarding then, desired Captain Boreman, already mentioned, to take the Command; but he said, he would not usurp on any, that no Body was more fit for it than he who had it, that for his Part, he would stand by his Fusil and went forward to the Forecastle with such as would have had him taken the Command, to be ready to board; on which, the Captain’s Quarter-Master said, if they were resolved to engage their Captain, (whose Representative he was) did not want Resolution, therefore, he ordered them to get their Tacks on board (for they had already made a clear Ship) and get ready for boarding; which they accordingly did, and coming up with the sternmost Ship, they fired a Broadside into her, which killed two Moors, clapp’d her on board and carried her; but Night coming on, they made only this Prize, which yielded them 500 l. per Man.

From hence they sailed to the Coast of Mallabar; the Adventures of these Pyrates on this Coast are already set down in Captain Bowen’s Life, to which I refer the Reader, and shall only observe, Captain White was all this while afore the Mast, being a forced Man from the Beginning.

Bowen’s Crew dispersing, Captain White went to Methelage, where he lived ashore with the King, not having any Opportunity of getting off the Island, till another Pyrate Ship, called the Prosperous, commanded by one Thomas Howard, who had been bred a Lighterman on the River of Thames, came in: This Ship was taken at Augustine, by some Pyrates from Shore, and the Crew of their own Long-Boat, which join’d them, at the Instigation of one Ranten, Boatswain’s Mate, who was sent for Water. They came on board in the Night and surprized her, tho’ not without Resistance, in which the Captain and chief Mate was killed, and several others wounded, the Particulars of which will be found in Hore’s Life. Those who were ashore with Captain White, resolving to enter in this Ship, determined him to go also, rather than be left alone with the Natives, hoping, by some Accident or other, to have an Opportunity of returning home. He continu’d on board this Ship, in which he was made Quarter-Master, till they met with, and all went on board of Bowen, as is set down in his Life, in which Ship he continued after Bowen left them, as shall be mentioned in the Appendix. At Port Dolphin he went off in the Boat to fetch some of the Crew left ashoar, the Ship being blown to Sea the Night before. The Ship not being able to get in, and he supposing her gone to the West-Side of the Island, as they had formerly proposed, he steered that Course in his Boat with 26 Men. They touch’d at Augustine expecting the Ship, but she not appearing in a Week, the Time they waited, the King order’d ’em to be gone, telling ’em they impos’d on him with Lies, for he did not believe they had any Ship; however, he gave ’em fresh Provision. They took in Water, and made for Methelage. Here, as Captain White was known to the King, they were kindly received, and staid about a Fortnight in Expectation of their Ship, but she not appearing, they raised their Boat a-streak, salted up the Provisions the King gave ’em, put Water aboard, and stood for the North-End of the Island, designing to go round, believing their Ship might be at the Island of St. Mary. When they came to the North-End, the Current, which sets to the North-West for eight Months in the Year, was so strong they found it impossible to get round. Wherefore they got into a Harbour, of which there are many for small Vessels. Here they staid about three Weeks or a Month, when part of the Crew were for burning the Boat, and for travelling over Land to a black King of their Acquaintance, whose Name was Reberimbo, who lived at a Place called Manangaromasigh, in the Latitude of 15, or thereabouts. As this King had been several times assisted by the Whites in his Wars, he was a great Friend to them. Captain White disswaded them from this Undertaking, and, with much ado, saved the Boat; but one half of the Men being resolved to go by Land, they took what Provisions they thought necessary, and set out, Captain White, and those who staid with him, convoy’d ’em a Day’s Journey, and then returning, he got into the Boat with his Companions, and went back to Methelage, fearing these Men might return, prevail with the rest, and burn the Boat.

Here he built a Deck on his Boat, and lay by three Months, in which Time there came in three Pyrates with a Boat, who had formerly been trepann’d on board the Severn and Scarborough Men of War, which had been looking for Pyrates on the East-Side; from which Ships they made their escape at Mohila, in a small Canoe to Johanna, and from Johanna to Mayotta, where the King built ’em the Boat which brought ’em to Methelage. The Time of the Current’s setting with Violence to the North-West being over, they proceeded together in White’s Boat (burning that of Mayotta) to the North-End, where the Current running yet too strong to get round, they went into a Harbour and staid there a Month, maintaining themselves with Fish and wild Hog, of which there was great Plenty. At length, having a Slatch of fine Weather, and the Strength of the Current abating, they got round; and after sailing about 40 Mile on the East-Side, they went into a Harbour, where they found a Piece of a Jacket, which they knew belong’d to one of those Men who had left ’em to go over Land; he had been a forced Man, and a Ship Carpenter; this they supposed he had torn to wrap round his Feet, that Part of the Country being barren and rocky. As they sailed along this Coast, they came to an Anchor in convenient Harbours every Night, till they got as far as Manangaromasigh where King Reberimbo resided, where they went in to enquire for their Men, who left ’em at the North-End, and to recruit with Provisions. The latter was given ’em, but they could have no Information of their Companions.

From hence they went to the Island of St. Mary, where a Canoe came off to ’em with a Letter directed to any white Man. They knew it to be the Hand of one of their former Ship-Mates. The Contents of this Letter was to advise ’em to be on their Guard, and not trust too much to the Blacks of this Place, they having been formerly treacherous. They enquired after their Ship, and was inform’d, that the Company had given her to the Moors, who were gone away with her, and that they themselves were settled at Ambonavoula, about 20 Leagues to the Southward of St. Mary, where they lived among the Negroes as so many sovereign Princes.

One of the Blacks, who brought off the Letter, went on board their Boat, carried them to the Place called Olumbah, a Point of Land made by a River on one Side, and the Sea on the other, where twelve of ’em lived together in a large House they had built, and fortified with about 20 Pieces of Canon.

The rest of them were settled in small Companies of about 12 or 14 together, more or less, up the said River, and along the Coast, every Nation by it self, as the English, French, Dutch, &c. They made Enquiry of their Consorts after the Shares of Prizes which belong’d to them, and they found all very justly laid by to be given them, if ever they return’d, as were what belong’d to the Men who went over Land. Captain White hankering after home, proposed going out again in the Boat; for he was averse to settling with them; and many others agreed to go under his Command; and if they could not meet with a Ship to carry them to Europe, to follow their old Vocation. But the others did not think it reasonable he should have the Boat, but that it should be set to Sale for the Benefit of the Company. Accordingly it was set up, and Captain White bought it for 400 Pieces of Eight, and with some of his old Consorts, whose Number was increas’d by others of the Ship’s Crew, he went back the Way he had come, to Methelage: Here he met with a French Ship of about 50 Tuns and 6 Guns; she had been taken by some Pyrates who lived at Maratan, on the East-Side of the Island, and some of the Degrave East-India Man’s Crew, to whom the Master of her refused a Passage to Europe; for as he had himself been a Pyrate and Quarter-Master to Bowen in the Speaker, he apprehended their taking away his Ship, War being then between England and France, he thought they might do it without being called in question as Pyrates. The Pyrates who had been concerned in taking Herault’s Ship, for that was his Name, had gone up the Country, and left her to the Men belonging to the Degrave, who had fitted her up, clean’d and tallow’d her, and got in some Provision, with a Design to go to the East-Indies, that they might light on some Ship to return to their own Country.

Captain White finding these Men proposed their joining him, and going round to Ambonavoula, to make up a Company, which they agreed to, and unanimously chose him Commander. They accordingly put to Sea, and stood away round the South End of the Island, and touch’d at Don Mascarena, where he took in a Surgeon, and stretching over again to Madagascar, fell in with Ambonavoula, and made up his Complement 60 Men. From hence he shaped his Course for the Island of Mayotta, where he cleaned his Ship, and staid for the Season to go into the Red Seas: His Provisions being taken in, the Time proper, and the Ship well fitted, he steer’d for Babelmandel, and running into a Harbour waited for the Mocha Ships.

He here took two Grabs laden with Provision, and having some small Money and Drugs aboard; these he plunder’d of what was for his Turn, kept ’em a Fortnight by him, and then let them go. Soon after they spied a tall Ship, upon which they put to Sea; but finding her Europe built, and too strong to attempt, for it was a Dutch Man, they gave over the Chace, and were glad to shake him off, and return to their Station. Fancying they were here discover’d, from the Coast of Arabia, or that the Grabs had given Information of them, they stood over for the Ethiopian Shore, keeping a good look out for the Mocha Ships.

Few Days after they met with a large Ship of about 1000 Tuns and 600 Men, called the Malabar, which they chased, kept Company with all Night, and took in the Morning, with the Loss only of their Boatswain, and two or three Men wounded. In the taking this Ship they damaged their own so much, by springing their Foremast, carrying away their Bowsprit, and beating in part of their upper Works, that they did not think her longer fit for their Use, therefore filled her with Prisoners, gave ’em Provision, and sent them away.

Some Days after this they spied a Portuguese Man of War of 44 Guns, which they chased, but gave it over, by carrying away their Main-Top-Mast, so that they did not speak with her, for the Portuguese took no Notice of them.

Four Days after they had left this Man of War, they fell in with a Portuguese Merchant-Man, which they chased with the English Colours flying, the Chace taking White for an English Man of War or East-India Man, made no Sail to get from him, but on his coming up brought to, and sent his Boat on board with a Present of Sweet-Meats for the English Captain; his Boat’s Crew was detain’d, and the Pyrates getting into his Boat with their Arms, went on board, and fir’d on the Portuguese, who being surprizd, asked if War was broke out between England and Portugal? They answer’d in the Affirmative, but the Captain could not believe ’em. However, they took what they liked, and kept him with them.

After two Days they met with the Dorothy, an English Ship, Captain Penruddock Commander, coming from Mocha. They exchanged several Shot in the Chace, but when they came a Long-side her, they entered their Men, and found no Resistance, she being navigated by Moors, no Europeans except the Officers being on board. On a Vote they gave Captain Penruddock (from whom they took a considerable Quantity of Money) the Portuguese Ship and Cargoe, with what Bales he pleased to take out of his own, bid him go about his Business, and make what he could of her. As to the English Ship, they kept her for their own Use.

Soon after they plunder’d the Mallabar Ship, out of which they took as much Money as came to 200 l. Sterling a man, but miss’d 50000 Chequins which were hid in a Jar under a Cow’s-Stall, kept for the giving Milk to the Moor Supercargoe, an ancient Man. They then put the Portuguese and Moor Prisoners on board the Mallabar, and sent them about their Business. The Day after they had sent them away, one Captain Benjamin Stacy, in a Ketch of six Guns fell into their Hands; they took what Money he had, and what Goods and Provisions they wanted. Among the Money were 500 Dollars, a Silver Mug and two Spoons belonging to a Couple of Children on board, and under the Care of Stacy. The Children took on for their Loss, and the Captain asking the Reason of their Tears, was answer’d by Stacy, that the above Sum and Plate was all the Children had to bring them up.

Captain White made a Speech to his Men, and told ’em, it was cruel to rob the innocent Children; upon which, by unanimous Consent, all was restor’d them again; besides, they made a Gathering among themselves, and made a Present to Stacy’s Mate, and other his inferior Officers, and about 120 Dollars to the Children; they then discharged Stacy and his Crew, and made the best of their Way out of the Red Sea.

They came into the Bay of Defarr, where they found a Ketch at an Anchor, which the People had made Prize of, by seizing the Master and Boat’s Crew ashoar. They found a French Gentleman, one Monsieur Berger, on board, whom they carried with ’em, took out about 2000 Dollars, and sold the Ketch to the Chief ashoar for Provisions.

Hence they sailed for Madagascar, but touch’d at Mascarena, where several of ’em went ashoar with their Booty, about 1200 l. a Man. Here taking in fresh Provision, White steer’d for Madagascar, and fell in with Hopeful Point, where they shar’d their Goods, and took up Settlements ashoar, where White built a House, bought Cattle, took off the upper Deck of his Ship, and was fitting her up for the next Season. When she was near ready for Sea, Captain John Halsey, who had made a broken Voyage, came in with a Brigantine, which being a properer Vessel for their Turn, they desisted from working on the Ship, and who had a Mind for fresh Adventures, went on board Halsey, among whom Captain White enter’d afore the Mast.

At his return to Madagascar, White was taken ill of a Flux, which in about 5 or 6 Months ended his Days; finding his Time was drawing nigh, he made his Will, left several Legacies, and nam’d three Men of different Nations, Guardian to a Son he had by a Woman of the Country, requiring he might be sent to England with the Money he left him, by the first English Ship, to be brought up in the Christian Religion in hopes he might live a better Man than his Father. He was buried with the same Ceremony they use at the Funerals of their Companions, which is mention’d in the Account of Halsey. Some Years after an English Ship touching there, the Guardians faithfully discharged their Trust, and put him on board with the Captain, who brought up the Boy with Care, acting by him as became a Man of Probity and Honour.

OF Captain CONDENT, And his Crew.

Captain Condent was a Plymouth Man born, but we are as yet ignorant of the Motives, and Time of his first turning Pyrate; he was one of those who thought fit to retire from Providence (on Governor Roger’s Arrival at that Island) in a Sloop belonging to Mr. Simpson, of New York, a Jew Merchant, of which Sloop he was then Quarter-Master. Soon after they left the Island, an Accident happened on board, which put the whole Crew into Consternation; they had among them an Indian Man, whom some of them had beat; in revenge, he got most of the Arms forward into the Hold, and designed to blow up the Sloop. Upon which, some advised scuttling the Deck and throwing Grenade Shells down, but Condent said, that was too tedious and dangerous, since the Fellow might fire thro’ the Decks and kill several of them; he, therefore, taking a Pistol in one Hand, and his Cutlash in the other, leaped into the Hold; the Indian discharged a Piece at him, which broke his Arm, but, however, he ran up to and shot the Indian. When he was dead the Crew hack’d him to Pieces, and the Gunner ripping up his Belly, tore out his Heart, broiled and eat it.

After this, they took a Merchant Man, called, the Duke of York; and some Disputes arising among the Pyrates, the Captain, and one half of the Company, went on board the Prize; the other half, who continued in the Sloop, chose Condent Captain; he shaped his Course for the Cape de Verd Islands, and in his Way, took a Merchant Ship from Maderas, laden with Wine, bound for the West Indies, which he plundered and let go; then coming to the Isle of May, one of the said Islands, he took the whole Salt Fleet, consisting of about 20 Sail; he wanting a Boom, took out the Mainmast of one of these Ships, to supply the Want: Here he took upon him the Administration of Justice, enquiring into the Manner of the Commander’s Behaviour to their Men, and those, against whom Complaint was made, he whipp’d and pickled. He took what Provisions and other Necessaries he wanted, and having augmented his Company, by Voluntiers and forced Men, he left the Ships and sailed to St. Jago, where he took a Dutch Ship, which had formerly been a Privateer; this prov’d also an easy Prize, for he fired but one Broadside, and clapping her on board, carried her without Resistance, for the Captain and several Men were killed, beside some wounded by his great Shot.

This Ship proving for his Purpose, he gave her the Name of the Flying Dragon, went on board with his Crew, and made a Present of his Sloop to a Mate of an English Prize, whom he had forced with him; from hence he stood away for the Coast of Brazil, and in his Cruize, took several Portuguese Ships, which he plundered and let go.

After these, he fell in with the Wright Galley, Captain John Spelt, Commander, hired by the South-Sea Company, to go to the Coast of Angola for Slaves, and thence to Buenos Ayres. This Ship he detained a considerable Time, and the Captain being his Townsman, treated him very civilly; few Days after he took Spelt, he made Prize of a Portuguese, laden with Bale Goods and Stores; he new rigg’d the Wright Galley, and put on board her several Goods.

Soon after he had discharged the Portuguese, he met with a Dutch East-India Man of 26 Guns, whose Captain was kill’d the first Broadside, and took her with little Resistance, for he had hoisted the Pyrates Colours on board Spelt’s Ship.

He now, with three Sail, steer’d for the Island of Ferdinando, where he hove down and clean’d the Flying Dragon; having careen’d, he put 11 Dutchmen on board Captain Spelt, to make Amends for the Hands he had forced from him, and sent him away, making him a Present of the Goods he took from the Portuguese Ship. When he sail’d himself, he ordered the Dutch to stay at Ferdinando 24 Hours after his Departure; threatning, if he did not comply, to sink his Ship; if he fell a second Time into his Hands, and to put all the Company to the Sword. He then stood for the Coast of Brazil, where he met a Portuguese Man of War of 70 Guns, which he came up with; the Portuguese hal’d him, and he answer’d, from London, bound for Buenos Ayres: The Portuguese mann’d his Shrouds and chear’d him, when Condent fired a Broadside and a Volley of small Arms, which began a smart Engagement for the Space of 3 Glasses; but Condent finding himself over-match’d, made the best of his Way, and, being the better Sailor, got off.

Few Days after he took a Vessel of the same Nation, who gave an Account, that he had killed above 40 Men in the Guarda del Costa, beside a Number wounded; he kept along the Coast to the Southward, and took a French Ship of 18 Guns, laden with Wine and Brandy, bound for the South-Sea, which he carried with him into the River of Plate. He sent some of his Men ashore to kill some wild Cattle, but they were taken by the Crew of a Spanish Man of War; on their Examination before the Captain, they said they were two Guiney Ships, with Slaves belonging to the South-Sea Company, and on this Story were allowed to return to their Boats: Here five of his forced Men ran away with his Canoe, he plundered the French Ship, cut her adrift, and she was stranded. He proceeded along the Brazil Coast, and hearing a Pyrate Ship was lost upon it, and the Pyrates imprisoned, he used all the Portuguese, who fell into his Hands, who were many, very barbarously, cutting off their Ears and Noses; and as his Master was a Papist, when they took a Priest, they made him say Mass at the Main-mast, and would afterwards get on his Back and ride him about the Decks, or else load and drive him like a Beast. He from this went to the Guiney Coast, and took Captain Hill in the Indian Queen.

In Luengo Bay he saw two Ships at Anchor, one a Dutchman of 44 Guns, the other an English Ship, called the Fame, Captain Bowen, Commander; they both cut and ran ashore, the Fame was lost, but the Dutch Ship, the Pyrate, got off and took with him. When he was at Sea again he discharged Captain Hill, and stood away for the East-Indies. Near the Cape he took an Ostend East-India Man, of which Mr. Nash, a noted Merchant in London, was Supercargo. Soon after he took a Dutch East-India Man, discharged the Ostender, and made for Madagascar; at the Isle of St. Mary, he met with some of Captain Halsey’s Crew, whom he took on board with other Stragglers, and shaped his Course for the East-Indies, and in the Way, at the Island of Johanna, took, in Company of two other Pyrates he met at St. Mary’s, the Cassandra East-India Man, commanded by Captain James Macragh; he continued his Course for the East-Indies, where he made a very great Booty, and returning, touch’d at the Isle of Mascarenas, where he met with a Portuguese Ship of 70 Guns, with the Vice-Roy of Goa, on board. This Ship he made Prize of, and hearing she had Money on board, they would allow of no Ransom, but carried her to the Coast of Zanguebar, where was a Dutch Fortification, which they took and plunder’d, razed the Fort, and carried off several Men who enter’d voluntarily. From hence they stood for St. Mary’s, where they shared their Booty, broke up their Company, and settled among the Natives: Here a Snow came from Bristol, which they obliged to carry a Petition to the Governor of Mascarenas for a Pardon, tho’ they paid the Master very generously. The Governor returned Answer, he would take them into Protection if they would destroy their Ships, which they agreed to, and accordingly sunk the Flying Dragon, &c. Condent and some others went to Mascarenas, where Condent married the Governor’s Sister-in-Law, and stay’d some Time; but as I have been credibly inform’d, he is since come to France, settled at St. Maloes, and drives a considerable Trade as a Merchant.

A DESCRIPTION of Magadoxa, taken partly from the Journal of Captain Beavis, and also from an original Manuscript of a Molotto, who was taken by the Natives, and lived amongst them sixteen Years.

In the Year 1700, Capt. William Beavis, Commander of the Ship, called the Albemarle, then in the Service of the East-India Company, sail’d from England, bound for Surrat, in the East-Indies, but after having been some Months at Sea, having the Misfortune to meet with contrary Masorns, he lost his Passage, so that he was forced on the Coast of Zanguebar, in the higher Ethiopia, or the Continent of Africk, where he endeavoured to find out some Place of Safety, that the Ship might ride secure, and where he might meet with some Necessaries for refreshing his Company, while he waited for the Change of Winds, which he could not expect in less than three or four Months.

They came in with the Land, and cast Anchor on the ninth of November, the Year before-mentioned; the Tenth it blew hard, but on the Eleventh the Weather being pretty fair, the Captain sent the Yawl on Shore, in two different Places, at considerable Distance from each other, they found the Land every where sandy, and all over green with Shrubs, but saw no Houses, nor could they discover the least Track of any human Creature; however, they saw Deer, but could not come near enough to have a Shot at them; they also found the Dung of Wolves, Hares, and some other Animals, but saw none; and near the Water-side they found the Shells of a great Number of Craw-Fish, but met with none alive; wherefore, they guessed that they were left here by some Creatures, who fished them up and usually fed upon them.

Finding this Place altogether inhospitable, they weigh’d Anchor and sail’d along the Shore, till the 17th of the same Month, when the Captain looking thro’ his Spying-glass, saw three or four Men walking along the Sea-Side, and sometimes sitting down, but could not discern any House, Fire, or Smoak, but when they had sail’d about a League farther, they perceived an Inlet or Bay, where the Captain fancied there might be a River; he could also perceive several tall Trees, which were the first they had seen since they came upon the Coast, which made the Captain conjecture, that there must be some Inhabitants.

Upon this, they came to an Anchor, and manning out the Boat, the Captain sent Mr. Baldwin the third Mate in her, to go into the Bay, in order to discover whether there was any River which discharged itself into it; when they were in with the Shore, they perceived about fifty or sixty People standing upon a Bank near the Water-side, and one separating himself from the Rest, approached nearer to them, and held up a white Piece of Linnen at the End of a Stick, and waved it at them, which they understood to be a Flag of Friendship, and which the Boat answered by the like Signal; then the Person on Shore beckon’d to them with his Hand, which they took to be an Invitation to come on Shore, and accordingly they ventured; there were two of the Boat’s Men who spoke a little Portuguese, who saluted this Man in that Language; as soon as they came near him, his Gesture appeared very civil, but they could not understand a Syllable of what he said in Answer, but by his Signs, they fancied he invited them to come to their Huts, in order to eat and drink.

However, they did not think fit to stay longer at this Time, but returned on Board, to give the Captain an Account of what had pass’d, and to let him know, that they could discover no River in the Bay; they described the People to be pretty tall and well made, their Colour jet black, their Heads and Beards close shaved, wearing upon their Heads Turbants made of a Kind of Linnen, and a Sort of Sash made of Dungeree Linnen about their Wastes, the Rest of their Bodies being quite naked; whereupon, consulting with a Molotto, one of the Ship’s Company, who understood the Turkish and Arabian Languages, what he thought the Language of these People might be, he judg’d it to be a Kind of corrupted Arabick, because their Dress was not unlike that of the Arabians of the Desert, and that it was not unlikely, but that they might be some Way descended from them; wherefore, the Captain resolved to mann the Boat again, and to send the Molotto ashore with them, to try if he could so far understand their Language, as to learn from them, where there was fresh Water, or any other Refreshments to be had; and also to enquire for some Port or Bay, where the Ship might be with Safety till the breaking up of those Easterly Winds.

The Wind blew so fresh all that Day, which was the 19th, that they could not send the Boat on Shore. At Night they watched to see if they could discover any Appearance of Fire any where upon Land, but they could discern nothing like it; wherefore, it seemed strange to them, that in a Country inhabited, there should be neither Smoak by Day, nor Fire by Night, which made them suppose, the Huts of the Natives were far up the Country.

However, the next Day the Boat was sent on Shore with the Molotto Interpreter, and Mr. Courser the fourth Mate; and for Fear of any Surprize, the Captain ordered them to carry Arms in the Boat. When they approach’d near the Shore, several of the Natives made towards the Waterside, but seeing the Boat’s Men take their Arms in their Hands at their Landing, they fled affrighted up the Country, nor would they ever come near them after; the Men went a little Way up the Land and met with some Huts, which were covered with the Shells of Turtles, which Creatures it is supposed the Natives catch in their proper Season for Food, and then making a Covering of their Shells for their Houses; they also saw several Cows, at some Distance, which are very swift at running, and not larger than our Deer; they saw some other Animals, but took none, and so returned on Board without gaining any Intelligence.

The Mistake here was, that they did not lye off with their Boat, and make a Signal as they did at first, which would have disposed the Natives to have staid for them, as they did before, but going ashore abruptly with Arms in their Hands, frighten’d the Natives, as if they had come to kill them; wherefore, there was no Expectation of making any Discovery here, which induced the Captain to weigh Anchor, and steer a little farther Westward.

The next Morning, which was the twenty second, they came to an Anchor, and sent their Boat on Shore again, with Mr. Baldwin the third Mate, and the Gunner; there being some high Hills not far from the Place where they landed, the Mate and Gunner resolved to walk to the Top of one of the highest of those Hills, in order to take a View of the Country beneath. About four in the Afternoon they returned again to the Ship, bringing Word, that there was a pleasant Valley on the other Side, about five Miles in Length, and near as far in Breadth, but that they could see no Houses or other Signs of Inhabitants, but that the Valley seemed to abound with Deer, and several other Creatures; they brought on Board three Antilopes, and two large Guiney Hens, which they shot, and saw great Numbers of both these Creatures about the Bushes on the Sides of those Hills; the Antilopes were small, but extreamly beautiful, their Bodies no bigger than that of a Hare, but their Legs much longer, their Colour was a Mixture of black and white, very smooth, and very bright, with Horns about three Inches long.

They weigh’d and crept along ashore to the Westward, and next Day, which was the Twenty third, the Captain with his Spying-glass saw seven or eight Men near the Shore; wherefore, he sent the Boat to endeavour to speak with them. As soon as they saw the Boat approach them, they went off; the Men however went on Shore, and at some Distance saw two Camels and two Asses loaden, pass along with Men attending them; they did what they could to speak with these too, but when they perceived the Boat’s Men to make towards them, they drove so fast there was no coming near them.

The next Morning the Weather being clearer than ordinary, the Captain looking thro’ his Glass, fancied he saw several tall Spires to the Westward; he weigh’d Anchor, and stood away for them; by four in the Afternoon, he plainly perceived a large Town, and by six came to an Anchor right over against it; however, he did not send the Boat on Shore that Night, but next Morning he ordered Mr. Baldwin the third Mate, Mr. Sale the Purser, with the Molotto before-mentioned, who spoke the Turkish and Arabian Languages, to take the Yawl with four Hands, and to carry with them a white Flag, that they might appear to come in a friendly and peaceable Manner, charging them at the same Time to say or do nothing which might appear harsh or offensive. The Boat was no sooner in with the Shore, but the Natives flock’d as it were to meet them, and appeared very courteous: The Molotto spoke to them in Arabian Tongue, giving them to understand, that they were driven upon their Coasts by the Misfortune of having lost their Voyage, that they were in Want of Water, and begg’d they would shew them where they might be supplied, and that if they would think fit to furnish them with fresh Provision they would pay them in Money, or any Goods or Curiosities of Europe.

It happened the Language they spoke was a Kind of Arabick, so that the Molotto could discourse with them perfectly well; they answered him, that the King was absent from the City, and that they could do nothing till his Return, but that he would be there as that Night, for they had sent him Word of the coming of a Ship, as soon as it appeared in Sight. That however, they might assure themselves, that all they requested should be granted, and shewed them where there were several fine Springs of Water: These Springs being a pretty Way from the Water-side, and the Ground near them craggy and uneven; the Molotto told them it would be difficult to rowl their Casks so long a Way, and over such bad Ground, and ask’d them if there were not any Spring nearer the Sea. They answered them no, but that the King would give them Oxen to draw their Casks to the Boat; and so they returned on Board with a Present from the King’s Son of a Sarne of mash’d Dates, a matted Jar of Sweet-Meats, and four Sheep.

Betimes the next Morning, being the 26th, the Captain sent the Yawl on Shore again with the same Officers, to know if the King was come, and to beg Leave to bring on Board some fresh Water, ordering them to make a Signal for the Long-Boat to be sent on Shore, in Case they obtained the Permission to water; the Yawl had not been long gone before the appointed Signal was made, and the Long-Boat was accordingly sent immediately; after which, the Captain perceived the Yawl was returning back again to the Ship: She came with four Hands in her to advise the Captain, that the Long-Boat would immediately return with a Cow as a Present to him, and to put him in Mind, that it would be proper to send something back for a Present to the Shubander, (the Name by which they call the King’s Son) with whom they, viz. the third Mate Mr. Baldwin, the Gunner, and the Molotto Interpreter, who served in the Ship as a Quartier, were gone to dine.

The Captain was surprized at their Indiscretion, and the more because he had ordered them, to be upon their Guard for Fear of Treachery, having furnished them with Arms for that Purpose, and charged them not to stir far from their Boat; however, there was no Remedy now, so that he sent the Yawl back again with a Present of a small Looking-glass (a great Curiosity there) for the Prince, ordering one Man to carry it, and to tell the Mate, Gunner, and Molotto to come off as soon as they could, the rest to lye a little off with the Yawl, their Arms ready, but out of Sight.

The Captain observing the Yawl with his Glass, perceived the Men contrary to his Orders were gone on Shore, and looking again a little after, saw the Boat without a Mast, or so much as one Hand in her, drag’d towards the Town quite on Shore, and in a little Time after she was hawl’d out of Sight.

This Rashness of his Men gave him a great Deal of Uneasiness, he apprehended some fatal Consequence from it, (and indeed he had Reason) for he knew the Natives of some Part of the Coast were Cannibals; therefore, for Fear of venturing too much at once, he resolved not to trust the Long-Boat on Shore, till he had some Tideings from the Yawl.

All that Day he pass’d with the utmost Uneasiness, keeping a Man continually on the Watch, looking towards the Shore with a Spying-glass, to try if any Thing could be discovered of his Men on the Shore, but all to no Purpose; for nothing could be discerned either of them or the Boat the whole Day. That Night was spent in many doubtful Reflections, and Tears for the Condition of those who were on Shore. Next Morning the Captain resolved to send the Long-Boat towards the Land, with Mr. Nyn his first Mate, and some other of his Officers in her, ordering them to shew a white Flag, as soon as they should discover any People to come near them; but not to venture to go ashore, but to talk and make Signs to the Natives out of the Boat, and to try to discover the Reason of our Mens being detained; and in Case they found they kept them Prisoners, or intended them for Slaves, to try by Means of the Molotto Interpreter to treat with them for their Ransom.

Mr. Nyn obey’d his Orders punctually, and when he came near the Land he lay by, with a white Flag display’d at the End of a Mast, at which Time he observed a great Body of People coming from the Town towards the Sea-Side; the Captain could also discern them from the Ship with his Spying-glass, and judg’d them to be betwixt four and five Thousand, but instead of coming to parley, they marched in a Body behind a Bank, which stood opposite the Boat, where they lay in a Kind of Ambuscade, without returning any Signal, or shewing any Inclination to speak with the Boat.

This look’d plainly, as if they intended to surprize the Men, in Case they should venture to land; wherefore Mr. Nyn resolved to return on Board, and plying along Shore, in order to find the Passage thro’ the Ridge of Rocks of Coral, which runs along ashore, the Natives let fly a Shower of Arrows at the Boat, which however did no Harm, because they fell short; upon which Mr. Nyn commanded his Men to fire their Arms towards the Banks, in order to frighten them, for being so intrench’d, he knew he could do them no Harm; after which he returned on Board.

The Captain now began to despair of ever seeing his Men more; the best he could think which could befal them, was, to be made Slaves, for still he did not apprehend that they had met with so melancholy and cruel a Fate, as their Confidence in the Natives had really brought upon them; he therefore resolved to make one Attempt more, in order to learn some News of what had befallen them: In order to which, he thought of a Stratagem, by which he should run no Hazard of losing any more of his Men, and by which it seemed probable he must hear of them if they were alive. He writ a Letter, which Letter he caused to be fix’d to the Top of a long Pole, which he ordered to be carried on Shore in the Silence of the Night; the Men were to fix the Pole in the Ground, and to make it the more conspicuous, there was a Flag also fastened to the Pole.

He did not doubt, but that if any of his Men had the Liberty of walking about, they would come for the Letter which they must see, and if they had not that Liberty, the Natives not being able to read it themselves, would carry it to them.

In this Letter he advised Mr. Baldwin, and Mr. Sale, the third Mate and Purser, to treat about their own Ransom themselves, and that of the five Men with them (including the Molotto) and since there was no other Way of procuring their Liberty, he would comply with the Terms, let them be what they would; he directed them to fix their Answer upon the same Pole, and least they should want Pen and Ink, he inclosed a Pencil, and also a Sheet of Paper. And in Hopes an Answer should be left, he commanded the Pole to be fix’d just at the Waters Edge, where there was no Bank near, that it might be taken off without the Danger of an Ambuscade.

This was the best Expedient he could think of, for relieving his unhappy Countrymen, who now, alas! were past all Relief. Accordingly the Boat was sent with the said Letter, and two of the Men went on Shore and fixed it, and having returned into the Boat, the Boat put off, and came to an Anchor at some Distance from the Shore, in order to observe what should become of the Letter; they waited till Noon to no Purpose, then taking up their Anchor, in order to come on Board for some Refreshment, they were but a little while under Sail, when they saw a Man come and carry off the Pole; a little while after which, as they ply’d along the Shore, and were opposite to the Bank before described, they were saluted with a Volley of Musquet-Shot, one Ball falling into the Boat, and several others come very near it; wherefore, they made all the Sail they could to give the Captain an Account of what had pass’d.

The Fire Arms they made use of were these they found in the Boat, where they also met with six Cartouch Boxes full of Charges, and their making use of them in this Manner, convinced the Captain that they had no Mind to come to any Parley with them, or to listen to any Terms about the Release of their unhappy Ship Mates; however they were continually upon the Watch, looking out with wishing Eyes, in Expectation of seeing the appointed Signal made for the Answer of the Letter; long they expected to no Purpose, which made the Captain think something very fatal had happened to them, and that he should never see them more; but in the midst of his Despair, a Thought came into his Head, which administred to him a little Comfort, he fancied that perhaps they might be carried up the Country, to the Place where the King at that Time was gone, and that the Natives might send the Letter after them, which might be the Reason there was no Answer yet left. Upon this little Glimmering of Hope, he resolved to wait some Days longer, for he was willing to lay Hold of any Hope, rather than bear the Thoughts of going away without them.

Thus Day after Day they waited in Expectation of some Answer, sending the Boat to lye off near the Shore, to be ready in Case any Signal should be made.—One Day they perceived a great Number of People to come out of the Town, and make towards the Shore, which gave them an Expectation that the Delivery of their Friends was at Hand; they watched their Motions with earnest Eyes, hoping every Minute to see a Flag of Truce, instead of which, they observed them to march directly behind the Bank, where they seem’d to place themselves in a Kind of Ambuscade.

Now there seem’d to be an End of all their Hopes, the Boat return’d on Board, and made a Report to the Captain of what they saw, who calling a Consultation of all his Officers to hear if any Thing could be offered for the Relief of their Companions; it was proposed by one to send the Boat on Shore, to burn some Junks which were hawl’d up about a Musquet-Shot from the Water-side, but the Captain considered, that tho’ this might gratifie their Revenge, it would bring no Relief to their poor captive Friends: On the contrary, the Natives might be provoked to destroy them for it, if they had not done it already, besides as these Junks lay not far from the Bank, their Men might be exposed to the Arrows of the Natives (who now lay in continual Ambuscade) and so they might run the Hazard of losing more Men without the least Advantage to themselves, or unhappy Companions.

Wherefore, this Project was laid aside, and the Winds often blowing hard, and the Captain not judging it safe to lye any longer in that open Road, he weighed Anchor on the fourth of December, steering along ashore, in Search of some Bay or Inlet, where they might ride shelter’d from the Wind and Weather; and still with a View that if either their Companions might have an Opportunity of making their Escape, or the Natives should relent and think of letting them go for a Ransom, they might be near enough to receive them. After about three or four Hours gentle Sail he dropp’d an Anchor, the Town of Magadoxa then bearing N E b’E of them, they perceived it was all along a flat smooth Shore, without any Bay or other Shelter, for Ships to ride; wherefore, the next Day, which was the fifth of December, they stood off to Sea, and then came to a Consultation, what Measures to take in their present Condition; and having considered that they had met with no Place where they could ride with any Safety, and if they should meet with a convenient Bay much farther down the Coast, it would be of no Service to their unhappy Companions, who would never hear of them; and besides they could not venture to traffick with the Natives for Refreshments, for Fear of Surprize and Treachery; and their Men beginning to grow weak and distempered for want of fresh Provisions, they resolved to make for the Island of Joanna, being forced to leave their Companions to Providence, in great Trouble and Anxiety for their unhappy Fate.

We shall leave them to pursue their Voyage, which was happy enough, bating this Accident, and relate what had pass’d on Shore, as we had it from a Manuscript, written by the Molotto Interpreter, who was the only Person who escaped, and return’d to England, after he had lived sixteen Years amongst the Barbarians.

It has been already taken Notice that Mr. Baldwin the third Mate, and Mr. Sale the Purser (unhappily for them) not observing the Cautions the Captain gave them to be upon their Guard, were so indiscreet, to be tempted to accept of an Invitation to dine with the King’s Son; so that having sent the Yawl on Board again, for a Present as has been related, they with the Molotto Interpreter went towards the Town, accompanied by several of the Natives, who made them the Invitation in the Name of the King’s Son. They were no sooner arrived at the first Gate of the City, but they were surrounded by a great Multitude of People, and violently dragg’d into a little Door under the Gateway, and shut up in a dark Hole. When they had remained here about the Space of two Hours, they heard a very great Noise without; soon after which, the Doors leading to their Dungeon were all opened, and they were dragg’d out again; when they were out, they found that what occasioned that great Noise, was the Return of their Men, whom they had sent on Board for a Present for the King’s Son, who were seized in the same Manner they had been, and being encompassed by such a Number of People, they lost them in a Minute; they were also separated from one another, and the Molotto desiring to know of them the Meaning of all this, and in what they had offended them, they only answered him, that they must go before the Accabo, (the Name by which they call the King, who had not been out of Town as they gave out before) accordingly he was conducted with a sufficient Guard, expecting there to meet his Companions again.

When he arrived at the King’s House (which shall be hereafter described) he was led thro’ several Rooms to that where the King was present, whom he found sitting upon the Ground, the Floor being matted; he was dress’d in a long Pair of Drawers of blewish purple Silk, which reach’d down to his Toes, having neither Shoes nor Stockings on, a large Mantle of the same Silk, and a white Turbant on his Head; there were eight others who sat about him, whose Dress was the same with his, as to Form and Fashion, but their Drawers and Mantles were made of a blew and white strip’d Dungeree Stuff, instead of Silk; these were his Councellors and Favourites. The King spoke to him in a Kind of Arabick, asking of what Country he was? he answered of Canton in China. Then he ask’d him, how he came to associate himself with those horrid white Men? The poor Molotto began to tremble at this Question, but excus’d himself by speaking in their Favour, highly extolling them for their Civility of Behaviour, as well as Generosity, and praising them in all Things to the King, telling him, he was sure the Captain would ransom them, if it was his Pleasure to consent to it; to which he returned no Answer, but ask’d what the Ship had in her, the Molotto gave him an Account of her Lading; then he desired to know whether the rest of the Men would come on Shore, he answered, he could not tell, but in Case they were suffered to return again on Board, he was sure they would come on Shore, and that the Captain himself designed to come and see the King, as soon as they should return; but the King made no Offer of suffering that, but commanded him to be carried back to Prison.

The Prison which they call Haulaub, is a square Stone-Building, about twenty Foot high, and flat at Top, fronting one of their broadest Streets; there are no Windows or Iron Bars, as we see in our Prisons, but there are several little Holes about eight or nine Inches square, quite thro’ the Wall, thro’ which, the Place within receives both Light and Air. Here the poor Molotto was put, very anxious about the Fate of his poor Companions, whom he had not seen since their being separated at their first coming out of the Dungeon; wherefore, seeing an old Man looking thro’ one of the Holes before described, he enquired of him what was become of them, who gave him this melancholy Account; that those who came last out of the Boat, which were the four Sailors sent on Board the Ship for the Present for the King’s Son, were kill’d in the Streets by the Multitude, and that making some Resistance, they were torn to Pieces, every Man thinking himself happy that could procure a Piece of their Flesh, shewing a Bit of about two Ounces, which he begg’d of one who had got a great Piece, which many of them eat; that they were all from their Childhood taught to have an Aversion to white Men, and that these were the first that had been seen in the Memory of Man, that as to the tall Man and the little Man which had been in the Dungeon with him (which were Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Sale, the Mate and Purser) they were by the King’s Order carried to the Boderzau (a Place where Tygers and other fierce Beasts are kept for the King’s Pleasure) and delivered up to be torn to Pieces by those Animals.