THE HISTORY OF THE PYRATES. (continued 5)

Bellamy and Williams told him, They would consider on his Proposal, and they would let him know what they should in their great Wisdom conclude upon. In the mean while, they thank’d him for his Advice, promis’d when they began to found their Monarchy, (should they find it expedient,) to make him Prime Minister, or Quarter-Master ashore; and when he had enriched himself and Family, by the fleecing their Subjects, they assured him they would pass an Act of Indemnity for his Security; and concluded with ordering a Bowl of Punch for every Mess.

The Whidaw being clean’d, they thought of cruizing again, and accordingly steer’d for Fortunes Bay in Newfoundland; they made some Prizes on the Banks, forced all the Men, and sunk the Vessels.

They had not been long on this Coast before they were separated by a Storm, which held some Days. Off the Island of St. Paul the Whidaw spied a Sail, which she immediately gave Chase to; the Ship brought to and lay by for her, she prov’d a French Man of 36 Guns, carrying Soldiers to Quebeck. The Whidaw engag’d with great Resolution, and the French did not shew less, for he boarded the Whidaw, and was twice put off, with the Loss of Men on both Sides. Bellamy after two Hours Engagement thought the Frenchman too hard a Match, and was for shaking him off; but his Enemy was not as willing to part with him, for he gave Chase, and as he sail’d altogether as well as Bellamy, the latter had certainly been taken and had received the due Punishment of his Crimes, had not the Night coming on favour’d his Escape: He lost in this Engagement 36 Hands, beside several wounded, the poor Minister of State, our before-mentioned Stroller, was in the Number of the slain.

The Whidaw returned to the Coast of Newfoundland, and off Placentia Bay met with his Consort and the Prize.

They resolved to visit again the Coast of New England, the Whidaw being much shatter’d in the late Engagement, having receiv’d a great many Shot in her Hull; they ran down this Coast, and between St. George’s Banks and Nantuket’s Shoals, took the Mary Anne.

The Master of the Vessel, taken formerly off Cape Cod, was left on board her, and as he was very well acquainted with the Coast, they order’d him to carry the Light and go a-head; and the Pyrates commonly kept him at Helm: He upon a Night of publick Rejoicing, seeing all the Pyrates drunk, laid hold on the Opportunity, and run his Vessel ashore about Midnight, near the Land of Eastham, out of which he alone escap’d with Life. The Whidaw steering after the Light, met with the same Fate; the small Vessel ran into a sandy Bay, and the Men got ashore without Difficulty.

When the Whidaw struck, the Pyrates murder’d all their Prisoners, that is, all their forced Men; as it is concluded, from the mangled Carcasses which were wash’d ashore; but not a Soul escaped out of her or William’s, who was also lost.

The Pyrates, to the Number of seven who escaped, were seiz’d by the Inhabitants, and on the Information of the Master who escap’d, and on their own Confession, were imprison’d, condemn’d, and executed. They were all Foreigners, very ignorant and obstinate; but by the indefatigable Pains of a pious and learned Divine, who constantly attended them, they were, at length, by the special Grace of God, made sensible of, and truly penitent, for the enormous Crimes they had been guilty of. As the Trial of these Pyrates, and their Behaviour while under Sentence, and at the Place of Execution, was printed at Boston, and is to be had in Town, I shall refer the curious Reader to that small Tract.

OF Captain William Fly, And his Crew.

As to the Birth of this Pyrate, we can discover nothing by the Enquiries we have hitherto made; and, indeed, had we succeeded in our Search, could it have been of any great Consequence? For, its certain, by the Behaviour of the Man, he must have been of very obscure Parents; and, by his Education, (as he was no Artist) very unfit, in all Respects, except that of Cruelty, for the villainous Business he was in. We have been inform’d, that he had been a Pyrate in a private Capacity, and having escaped Justice, had an Opportunity of repenting his former Crimes, and, as a foremast Man, or petty Officer, of getting his Bread in a warrantable Way: But no; ignorant as he was of Letters, he was ambitious of Power, and capable of the most barbarous Actions to acquire it.

Captain Green of Bristol, in April 1726, shipp’d this Fly as Boatswain, at Jamaica, being bound, in the Elizabeth Snow of Bristol, for the Coast of Guinea. Fly, who had insinuated himself with some of the Men, whom he found ripe for any Villainy, resolved to seize the said Snow, and murder the Captain and Mate, and, taking the Command on himself, turn Pyrate. He proposed this his Design to his Brothers in Iniquity, who approving it, he, having the Watch at one o’ Clock in the Morning, on the 27th Day of May, went up to one Morrice Cundon, then at the Helm, accompanied by Alexander Mitchel, Henry Hill, Samuel Cole, Thomas Winthrop, and other Conspirators, and swore damn him, if he spoke one Word, or stirr’d either Hand or Foot, he would blow his Brains out; and, tucking up his Shirt above his Elbow, with a Cutlass in his Hand, he, with Mitchel, went into the Captain’s Cabbin, and told him, he must turn out. The Captain asking what was the Matter, was answered, by Mitchel, they had no Time to answer impertinent Questions; that if he would turn out, and go upon Deck quietly, it would save ’em the Trouble of scraping the Cabbin; if he would not, a few Buckets of Water and a Scraper would take his Blood out of the Decks. That they had chosen Captain Fly for Commander, and damn his Blood, they would allow of no other, and would not waste their Provisions to feed useless Men.

The Captain reply’d, that since they had so resolved he should make no Resistance; but begged they would not murder him, since his living could be no Obstacle to their Designs; that he had never been harsh to either of them, and therefore they could not kill him out of revenge; and if it was only for their Security, he desired, if they would not take his Word to do nothing to obstruct the Measures they had resolved on, they would secure him in Irons till he might be put somewhere on Shore. Ay, G—d d—mn ye, says Fly, to live and hang us, if we are ever taken: No, no, walk up and be damn’d, that Bite won’t take, it has hanged many an honest Fellow already. Mitchel and Fly then laying hold of him, pulled him out of his Bed. The poor Captain intreating to spare his Life, for his Soul’s sake, told ’em he would bind himself down by the most solemn Oaths, never to appear against them; that he was unfit to appear before the Judgment Seat of a just and pure God; that he was loaded with Sins, and to take him off before he had washed those Stains which sullied his Soul by the Tears of Repentance, would be a Cruelty beyond Comparison greater than that of depriving him of Life, were he prepared for Death, since it would be, without any Offence committed against them, dooming him to eternal Misery; however, if they would not be perswaded that his Life was consistent with their Safety, he begg’d they would allow him some Time to prepare himself for the great Change. That he begg’d no other Mercy than what the Justice and Compassion of the Laws would allow them, should they hereafter be taken. D—n your Blood, said Mitchel, no Preaching. Be damn’d an you will, what’s that to us? Let him look out who has the Watch. Upon Deck, you Dog, for we shall lose no more Time about you.

They hawl’d him into the Steerage, and forc’d him upon Deck, where one of the Hell-Hounds asked if he had rather take a Leap like a brave Fellow, or be to toss’d over like a sneaking Rascal. The Captain, addressing himself to Fly, said, Boatswain, for God’s sake don’t throw me overboard, if you do, I am for ever lost; Hell’s the Portion of my Crimes.—Damn him answer’d Fly, since he’s so devilish godly, we’ll give him Time to say his Prayers, and I’ll be Parson. Say after me. Lord, have Mercy on me. Short Prayers are best, so no more Words, and over with him, my Lads.

The Captain still cry’d for Mercy, and begg’d an Hour’s respite only, but all in vain; he was seized by the Villains, and thrown over Board; catch’d however, and hung by the Main-Sheet, which Winthorp seeing, fetch’d the Cooper’s broad Ax, and chopping off the unhappy Master’s Hand, he was swallowed up by the Sea.

The Captain being thus dispatched, Thomas Jenkins, the Mate, was secured and brought upon Deck, to share the same cruel Fate. His Intreaties were as useless as the Captain’s; the Sentence they had passed upon him was not to be reversed; they were deaf to his Prayers and Remonstrances, Strangers to Humanity and Compassion. He was of the Captain’s Mess, they said, and they should e’en drink together; it was Pity to part good Company.

Thus they jested with his Agonies; he, however, made some Struggle, which irritating his Murderers, one of them snatched up the Ax, with which Winthorp had lopped off the Captain’s Hand, and gave him a great Cut on the Shoulder, by missing his Head, where the Blow was aimed, and he was thrown into the Sea. He swam notwithstanding, and called out to the Doctor to throw him a Rope, who, poor Man, could not hear him, being secured, and laid in Irons in his own Cabin; and had he heard, and been able to have thrown the Rope required, could it be expected that these harden’d Wretches would have relented, and shewn him Mercy? But the sinking Man will catch at a Straw, and Hope, they say, is the last that deserts us. While we have Life we are apt to flatter our selves, some lucky Accident may favour us.

It was next debated what should be done with the Doctor. Some were for sending him to look after the Captain and Mate, but the Majority, as he was a useful Man, thought it better to keep him. All obstacles being removed, Mitchel saluted Fly Captain, and, with the rest of the Crew who had been in the Conspiracy, with some Ceremony, gave him Possession of the great Cabin.

Here a Bowl of Punch being made, Morice Cundon was called down, and one John Fitzherbert set to the Helm in his Place. At the same Time the Carpenter and Thomas Streaton were brought before the Captain, who told them they were three Rascals, and richly deserved to be sent after the Captain and Mate, but that they were willing to shew them Mercy, and not put them to Death in cold Blood, and he would therefore only put them in Irons, for the Security of the Ship’s Crew; they were accordingly ordered out, and iron’d. Fly then told his Comrades it was convenient to resolve on some Course, when Word was brought them, that a Ship was very near them. The Council broke up, and made a clear Ship, when, in a very little while after, they found it was the Pompey, which had left Jamaica in Company with the Snow; the Pompey standing for the Snow, which did not make from her, soon haled, and asked how Captain Green did, and was answered by Fly, that he was very well. They did not think fit to attack this Ship, but returning to hold their Consultation, it was resolved to steer for North Carolina.

Upon their Arrival on that Coast they spied a Sloop at Anchor within the Bar; she was call’d the John and Hannah, and commanded by Captain Fulker, who thinking the Snow might want a Pilot stepp’d into his Boat with his Mate, Mr. Atkinson, and Mr. Roan, two Passengers, and a young Lad, in order to bring her in. When they came on board, they were told, that the Snow was come with a Cargoe from Jamaica; Captain Fulker and Mr. Roan were desired to walk down to the Captain, who was in the Cabbin; Fly received them very civilly, ordered a Bowl of Punch, and hearing Captain Fulker had brought another Passenger on Board, Mr. Atkinson was also invited down.

The Punch being brought in, Captain Fly told his Guest, that he was no Man to mince Matters; that he and his Comrades were Gentlemen of Fortune, and should make bold to try if Captain Fulker’s Sloop was a better Sailor than the Snow, if she was, she would prove much fitter for their Business, and they must have her: The Snow came to an Anchor about a League off the Sloop, and Fly ordered Fulker, with six of his own Hands, into the Boat, to bring her alongside of the Snow; but the Wind proving contrary, their Endeavours proved also vain, and they returned again in the Boat, bringing Captain Fulker back with them.

As soon as they came on board the Snow, Fly fell into a violent Passion, cursing and damning Fulker for not bringing off the Sloop; he gave him his Reason, and said, it was impossible. Damn ye, replied the Pyrate, you lie you Dog, but d—n my B—d, your Hide shall pay for your Roguery, and if I can’t bring her off I’ll burn her where she lies. He then order’d Captain Fulker to the Geers; no Reason, no Arguments, could prevail; he was stripp’d and lash’d after a very inhuman Manner: And the Boat’s Crew being sent again, with much ado carried her off as far as the Barr, where she bilged and sunk. The Pyrates then endeavoured to set what remained of her out of Water on Fire, but they could not burn her.

The Snow getting under Sail to look out for some Booty, Fulker and the others desired they might be set at Liberty, but it was denied them for the present, tho’ not without a Promise that they should be released the first Vessel they took.

The fifth of June they left Carolina, and the next Day they spied a Sail, which prov’d the John and Betty, commanded by Capt. Gale, bound from Barbadoes to Guiney. Fly gave Chase, but finding the Ship wronged him, he made a Signal of Distress, hoisting his Jack at the main Top-Mast Head; but this Decoy did not hinder the Ship making the best of her Way. Fly continued the Chace all Night, and the Wind slackening, he came within Shot of the Ship, and fir’d several Guns at her under his black Ensign; the Ship being of no Force, and the Pyrates ready to board, the Captain struck; and Fly manning his Long-Boat, which carried a Pateraro in the Bow, the Crew being well armed with Pistols and Cutlashes went on Board the Prize, and sent Capt. Gale, after having secured his Men, Prisoner on board the Snow.

This Prize was of little Value to the Pyrates, who took nothing but some Sail-Cloaths and small Arms, and after two Days let her go, but took away six of his Men, setting on board Capt. Fulker and a Passenger (Mr. Atkinson was detained) and Capt. Green’s Surgeon; they kept this Gentleman, Mr. Atkinson, knowing he was a good Artist, and lately Master of the Boneta Brigantine, as a Pilot for the Coast of New England, which they were satisfied he was well acquainted with.

Upon Mr. Atkinson’s desiring to have his Liberty with the others, Captain Fly made him the following Speech: Look ye, Captain Atkinson, it is not that we care a T—d for your Company, G—d d—n ye; G—d d—n my Soul, not a T—d by G—d, and that’s fair; but G—d d—n ye, and G—d’s B—d and W—ds, if you don’t act like an honest Man G—d d—n ye, and offer to play us any Rogues Tricks by G—d, and G—d sink me, but I’ll blow your Brains out; G—d d—n me, if I don’t. Now, Capt. Atkinson, you may do as you please, you may be a Son of a Whore and pilot us wrong, which, G—d d—n ye, would be a rascally Trick by G—d, because you would betray Men who trust in you; but, by the eternal J—s, you shan’t live to see us hang’d. I don’t love many Words, G—d d—n ye, if you have a Mind to be well used you shall, G—d’s B—d; but if you will be a Villain and betray your Trust, may G—d strike me dead, and may I drink a Bowl of Brimstone and Fire with the D—l, if I don’t send you head-long to H—ll, G—d d—n me; and so there needs no more Arguments by G—d, for I’ve told you my Mind, and here’s all the Ships Crew for Witnesses, that if I do blow your Brains out, you may blame no Body but your self, G—d d—n ye.

Mr. Atkinson answered, it was very hard he should be forced to take upon him the Pilotage, when he did not pretend to know the Coast, and that his Life should answer for any Mistake his Ignorance of the Coast might make him guilty of, and therefore begg’d he might be set on board Capt. Gale; and that they would trust to their own Knowledge, since he did not doubt there being better Artists on Board. No, No, replied Fly, that won’t do by G—d, your palavring won’t save your Bacon. Muchas palabras no valen nada, as the Spaniards say; so either discharge your Trust like an honest Man, for go you shan’t by G—d, or I’ll send you with my Service to the D—l; so no more Words, G—d d—n ye.

There was no Reply made, and they stood for the Coast of New England; off Delaware’s Bay they made a Sloop, commanded by one Harris, bound from New York to Pensilvania: She had on Board about fifty Passengers; Fly gave Chase, and coming up with her, hoisted his black Ensign, and ordered her to strike, which she immediately did; and Fly sent Capt. Atkinson on Board with three of his Hands, to sail her, tho’ he would not allow him, (Atkinson) any Arms: They, the Pyrates, ransack’d this Prize, but not finding her of any Use to them, after a Detention of 24 Hours, they let her go, with her Men, excepting only a well made young Fellow, whose Name was James Benbrooke, whom they kept.

Fly, after having releas’d the Prize, ordered Captain Atkinson to carry the Snow into Martha’s Vineyard, but, he willfully miss’d this Place. Fly finding himself beyond Nantuckets, and that his Design was baulk’d, called to Atkinson, and told him, he was a rascally Son of an envenom’d Bitch, and d—n his Blood it was a Piece of Cruelty to let such a Son of a Whore live, who design’d the Death of so many honest Fellows. Atkinson, in his Defence said, he never pretended to know the Coast, and that it was very hard he should die for being thought an abler Man than he really was; had he pretended to be their Pilot, and did not know his Business, he deserved Punishment; but when he was forc’d upon a Business which he before declared he did not understand, it would be certainly cruel to make him suffer for their Mistake.—G—d d—n ye, replied Fly, you are an obstinate Villain, and your Design is to hang us; but, B—d and W—ds you Dog, you shan’t live to see it, and saying this, he ran into his Cabbin and fetch’d a Pistol with Design to shoot Atkinson; but by the Interposition of Mitchell, who thought him innocent of any Design, he escaped.

Atkinson, who perceived his Life every Minute in Danger, began to ingratiate himself with the Pyrates, and gave them Hopes, that with good and gentle Usage, he might be brought to join them; this he did not say in express Terms, but by Words he now and then let drop, as by Accident: They were not a little rejoiced at the View of having so good an Artist to join them; nay, some of them hinted to him, that if he would take upon him the Command, they were ready to dispossess Capt. Fly, who carried his Command too high, and was known to all the Crew to be no Artist, and to understand nothing beyond the Business of a Boatswain. Atkinson thought it his Interest to keep them in the Opinion that he would join; but always declined hearing any Thing as to the Command.

This made him less severely us’d, and protected him from the Insults of Fly, who imagined he would betray them the first Opportunity, and therefore more than once proposed his being thrown over Board, which was never approved by the Snow’s Company.

From Nantuket they stood to the Eastward, and off Brown’s Bank made a Fishing Schooner. Fly coming up with her fired a Gun, and hoisting his black Ensign, swore, d—n his Blood, if they did not instantly bring to, and send their Boat on Board, he would sink her: The Schooner obeyed, and sent away her Boat on Board the Snow; he examined the Captain what Vessels were to be met with, and promised, if he could put him in the Way of meeting with a good Sailor, to let him go, and give him his Vessel, or he should otherwise keep her: The poor Man told him, he had a Companion which would soon be in Sight, and was a much better Vessel; accordingly about 12 at Noon the same Day, which was the 23d of June, the other Schooner hove in Sight; upon which, Fly mann’d this Prize with six Pyrates, and a Prisoner nam’d George Tasker, and sent her in Chase, having himself on Board the Snow, no more than three Pyrates, Captain Atkinson, (who had work’d himself into some Favour with him) and fifteen forced Men; but he took Care to have his Arms upon Deck by him.

The Men who had not taken on with Fly, were, Atkinson, Capt. Fulker’s Mate, and two Youths belonging to him; the Carpenter and Gunner belonging formerly to Captain Green; six of Captain Gate’s Men, and the aforesaid Benbrooke, who belonged to Captain Harris, with three of the Men out of the Schooner. Atkinson seeing the Prisoners and forced Men were five to one of the Pyrates, thought of delivering himself from the Bondage he was in; and, as by good Luck, several other Fishing Vessels hove in Sight, right a-head of the Snow, he call’d to Captain Fly, and told him, he spied several other Vessels a-head, desiring, he would come forward and bring his Glass; Fly did so, and leaving his Arms on the Quarter-Deck, sat him on the Windlass to see if he could make what they were. Atkinson, who had concerted his Measures, with one Walker and the above-mention’d Benbrooke, secured the Arms on the Quarter-Deck, and gave them a Signal to seize Fly, which they did, with very little Trouble, and after made themselves Masters of the other three Pyrates and the Snow; the rest of the Prisoners, not knowing any Thing of, or what the Design might be, remaining altogether inactive, and brought the Snow and Pyrates to Great Brewster, where a Guard was put on Board June 28, 1726.

Soon after, the said Pyrates were brought to their Trial, that is, on the fourth of July following, before the Honourable William Dummer, Esq; Lieutenant Governor and Commander in chief, of the Province of Massachuset’s Bay, President of the special Court of Admiralty, held at the Court-house of Boston, assisted by 18 Gentlemen of the Council, before whom they were found guilty of Murder and Pyracy, condemn’d to be executed, and accordingly were executed the 12th of July; Fly was order’d to be hang’d in Chains at the Entrance of the Harbour of Boston. Thus ended the short Reign of an obdurate Wretch, who only wanted Skill and Power to be as infamous as any who had scoured the Seas; the Names of the three Pyrates, executed with him, were Samuel Cole, George Condick and Henry Greenvill.

OF Capt. Thomas Howard, And his Crew.

We have said in another Life, viz. White’s, that he was a Lighterman on the River Thames, his Father was of the Business, and had the Character of a very honest Man. After his Father’s Decease, he grew very extravagant, and squander’d away not only what he had left his Son, but what he had allotted for his Widow Mother to our Adventurer, whose Indulgence putting every Thing into her Son’s Hands, was follow’d by being her self turn’d out of Doors, for he sold the House over her Head. After having ruin’d himself and Mother, his Friends fearing the Wickedness of his Inclinations would bring a Scandal upon them, persuaded him to go to Sea, and procur’d him a Voyage to Jamaica, on board a Merchant Ship. At this Island he ran away from his Ship, and associating himself with some desperate Fellows, they stole a Canoe, and went away to the grand Camanas to join some others of their own Stamp, who lurked thereabouts, with Design to go on the Account, the Term for Pyrating: They met those they look’d for, made up a Company of 20 Men, surprized and made themselves Masters of a Turtling Sloop, and set out in Search of Booty.

The first Prizes they made were only Turtlers, which, however, encreas’d the Number of their Crew, some being willing to join them, others being forced, with Threats of being set ashore on some desolate Key.

They after some Time cruizing met with an Irish Brigantine, who had Provisions and Servants on board. They made an Exchange with the Master, gave him Provision to carry him to Jamaica, and allow’d five Hands to go with him; the rest (except the Servants, who readily took on with the Pyrates) were all forced.

Not long after, they surprized a Sloop which had been trading on the Spanish Coast; as she had 6 Guns, and was a fit Vessel for their Turn, they chang’d her against the Brigantine; several Hands belonging to this Sloop enter’d Voluntiers, and several more were obliged to join them by Compulsion.

After this Capture, they steer’d for the Coast of Virginia, and, in their Way, met with a large New England Brigantine, laden with Provisions, bound for Barbadoes. This they made Prize of; and shifting their own Guns on board her, sent the Master away in the Sloop; after forcing some of his Men with them. They had now a Vessel of 10 Guns, and a Crew of 80 Men, of whom one James was Captain, and Howard Quarter-Master.

While they lay on the Coast of Virginia, they made Prize of several Ships from England, out of which they took Men, Liquors, Provisions, Cloaths, and whatever else they either liked or thought necessary. As these Ships had several Felons on board, who were Transports, they had out of them a Number of Voluntiers, beside forced Men; so that they had a large Complement. Among other Virginia Ships which fell into their Hands, they made Prize, with little Trouble, of a fine Galley, mounted with 24 Guns, which afforded them a great many Voluntiers, as she had a Number of transported Malefactors and Servants on board. They changed their Brigantine for this Ship, and soon after, the Man of War, which waited on this Coast, heaving in Sight, they thought proper to take their Departure.

From the Coast of Virginia, they shap’d their Course for that of Guiney, where they took a great many Ships of different Nations, all which they rifled of what they thought fit: Out of these Ships they forced on board a Number of Men, equal to the Number of those formerly compell’d, who desired, and whom they permitted, to be discharged, after much Entreaty.

After they had been some Months on the Coast, they spied a large three deck’d Portuguese Ship from Brazil, mounted with 36 Guns; they gave Chase and came up with her: The Captain would make no Resistance, but his Mate, who was an Englishman, named Rutland, thinking it Shame to give up such a Ship, resolved to defend her; which the Portuguese Captain consented to, but went himself out of Harm’s Way. Rutland, who had been Master of an English Brigantine, taken from him on the same Coast by another Gang of Pyrates, fought them the better Part of a Forenoon; but the Portuguese flying the Decks, and only thirty Men, who were English, Dutch, and French, standing by him, he was obliged to ask Quarters, which were given. When the Pyrates came on board, they asked Rutland, if he was Commander? he answer’d, No. They enquired after him, and being told, he was somewhere in the Hold, they search’d, and found him hid in the Powder-Room; whence they hawled him up, and whipp’d him round the Deck for his Cowardice. Rutland, and those who fought the Ship, they forced on board, and their Complement being now 180 Men, they exchanged their Galley for the Portuguese Ship, carried her in Shore, and ripping off her upper Deck, made her deep wasted, and much snugger, by cutting down some of her Gunnel. This Prize they named the Alexander.

They went down the Coast in this Ship, and made several Prizes, some of which they discharged, and put on board such of their forced Men as begg’d their Discharge; others, they sunk, and burnt others; but forced on board all Carpenters, Cawlkers, Armorers, Surgeons, and Musicians. In their Way to Cape Lopez, where they designed, and afterwards did clean, they found a large Bristol Ship at an Anchor, which had lost a great many Men by Sickness, and had then but few healthy on board, who got into the Boat, and endeavoured to get to Shore, but were prevented by the Pyrates: Here they changed some more of their forced Men, and did intend to change their Ship; but on a Survey, found the Bristol Man too old for their Purpose, and therefore left her at an Anchor, after they had taken what they thought of Use to them; this Ship belong’d to one Mr. Godly of Bristol.

They met with nothing else in their Way to Cape Lopez, where they clean’d their Ship, took in Wood and Water, and then stood away to Sea again.

At their leaving Cape Lopez, they spied an English Ship, which they came up with and engaged; the Merchant Man made an obstinate Defence, and finding the Design to board, made to close Quarters. Howard and seven or eight more entered, but the Pyrate’s Boatswain not having secured his lashing, they fell a-stern, and left these Men on board the Merchant-Ship, who seeing themselves in Danger, hawl’d up the Boat, which the Chace had a-stern, and, cutting the Rope, got on board the Alexander, which being considerably the larger Ship, and drawing a great deal more Water, stuck on an unknown Bank, which the Merchant Man went over, and by this lucky Accident escaped.

This obliged the Pyrates to start their Water, and throw over the Wood to get the Ship off, which put ’em under a Necessity of going back to Cape Lopez to take in those Necessaries. After having a second time wooded and water’d, they put again to Sea, fell in with and took two Portuguese Brigantines, which they burnt, and setting the Men on Shoar, they made for, and doubled the Cape of Good Hope, and shap’d their Course for Madagascar, where to the Northward of, and forty Mile from, the Bay of Augustine, and near a small Island, they run the Ship on a Reef, where she stuck fast. The Captain being then sick in his Bed, the Men went ashoar on the small adjacent Island, and carried off a great deal of Provision and Water to lighten the Ship, on board of which none but the Captain, the Quarter-Master, and about eleven more were left.

The Quarter-Master, who was Howard, with the others, took all the Treasure, and put it on board the Boats, made off for the Main of Madagascar; the Captain, hearing no Body stir upon Deck, made shift to crawl out of his Cabbin, and seeing ’em put off, fir’d the two fore chace Guns at ’em, which alarm’d (to no Purpose) the Men ashoar; as the Sea ebb’d, the Ship lay dry, and they could walk to her from the Island. She might have been saved had they had the Boats to carry out an Anchor; but for want of them they brought every Thing ashoar, at Tide of Flood, upon Rafts. As the Ship lay in a quiet Place, they had Opportunity to rip her up, and build a Vessel out of her Wreck. The major Part of the Crew being English and Dutch, who sided together, they forced about 36 Portuguese and French (thinking the Crew too numerous for their Provisions in their present Circumstances) to get upon a Raft, and take their Chance with the Sea-Breeze to get to the Island of Madagascar, about 3 Leagues from them. They finish’d a Vessel of 60 Tuns, but the Day they design’d to have launch’d her, a Pyrate Brigantine hove in Sight, who took ’em on board.

Howard and his Consorts stood along the West-Side of the Island, with Design to round the North End, and to go to St. Mary’s, but finding the Current too strong to stem, they lay there about a Fortnight; in the Interim they spied three Sail of tall Ships, which were Men of War under Commadore Littleton, (viz. the Anglesea, Hastings and Lizard,) who had carried a Pardon to the Island of St. Mary, accepted of by many of the Pyrates. Thinking these might be also Pyrates, they made a Smoak, which brought the Boats ashoar; but finding they were Men of War’s Boats, the Pyrates thought fit to abscond, wherefore finding nothing, nor any Body, the said Men of War’s Boats return’d, and the Ships kept their Cruise.

They had here plenty of Fish and wild Hogs, which they found in the Wood. One Day, when Howard was Hunting, his Comrades took the Opportunity, went off, rounded the North End, and left Mr. Howard to provide for himself.

About four or five and twenty Leagues from the Cape, they went into a fine Harbour on the East Side, not frequented nay, hardly known to the European Ships. They were here received handsomely, treated and provided with fresh Meat, and what Necessaries they wanted, by the King of this District, whose Name was Mushmango, who had formerly been driven from Augustine by War, and travelling thro’ the Heart of the Country, had here fixed his Settlement. When the Boats were victualled, and while Johnson, who took on him the Command after they had deserted Howard, was ashoar with three more, the rest went off with the Boats and Booty, and stood away to the Southward, along the Coast, designing for St. Mary’s, going every Night into some Harbour, or coming to an Anchor under some Point when the Winds proved contrary.

Johnson addressed himself to the King, and told him the Boat and Goods were his Property; upon which he went along Shore with a Number of Men, and found the Boat at an Anchor, and all asleep, except one to look out, at whom the King fired his Blunderbuss, and kill’d him; the Report of the Piece awaken’d the others, who cut and stood off the Coast. The King return’d, gave Johnson an Account of his Expedition, and furnish’d him a Canoe, some Calabashes of fresh Water, Provisions and Launces, that he might pursue after his People.

Johnson kept the Shoar on Board till he came to the Island of St. Mary’s, where he heard his Comrade Fugitives were gone to, and settled at Ambonavoula, in a Village belonging to the Natives on the River of Manansallang; leaving his Canoe, he went into one belonging to an Inhabitant, who carried him to his Companions.

After he had been here some few Months Fourgette, already mention’d in White’s Life, came in with his Ship from Martinico: With this Vessel they sail’d to the West-Side, and came to an Anchor at an Island called Anquawla, 30 Leagues from the Place where they left Howard.

Some of the Subjects of the King of Anquawla had before met with, and brought hither, Captain Howard, who seeing the Ship at an Anchor near Shore, haled her, and desired the Boat might be sent to fetch him off, which was accordingly done, and he joined the rest of the Crew.

Here two Boys ran away from them, whom they demanded of the King; but he not delivering them, they went ashore by Day-Break, surpriz’d his Town, and brought off 12 of his Concubines, whom they detain’d on board, till their Boys, who were Blacks, were returned, and then delivered them back. From this Ship he went on board the Speaker, where he continued till she was lost on Mauritius, when he came back to Madagascar, and settled at Augustine, here he staid till the Prosperous, a Ship of 36 Guns, commanded by Captain Hilliard, came in; which Howard and some other Pyrates, (with the Assistance of the Boatswain and some of the Crew belonging to the Ship) seized. In the taking of this Ship, the Captain and his chief Mate were killed, and several others wounded. Howard was by the Company declared Captain.

Several of the Ship’s Crew took on with them, and they went round the South End to the East Side, till they came the Length of Maritan, where they found some of the Speaker’s Company, whom they took on board, and made up their Complement about 70 Men.

From hence they steer’d for the Island of St. Mary, where they heel’d their Ship, water’d, wooded, and shipp’d some more Hands: Here they had an Invitation from one Ort Van Tyle, who liv’d on the Main of Madagascar, to come to the Ceremony of christening two of his Children; they were kindly received and treated by him, but it having been reported, that this Ort Van Tyle had murdered some Pyrates, they in Revenge, tho’ they had no Certainty of the Fact, took him Prisoner, plunder’d his House, and what Goods they could not take off in a great Canoe belonging to him, they threw into the River or burnt. Ort Van Tyle they design’d to carry on board, and hang at a Yard Arm, but one of the Pyrates help’d him to escape, and he took into the Woods, where meeting some of his Blacks, he way-laid his Canoe, and Howard’s Pinnace by the River Side; besides what Goods they had on board of this Dutchman’s, they had several Women and Children belonging to him, and some white Men, who had left them under his Care. The Pyrates set the Women to the Paddles, and the Canoe was over-set on the Bar; Ort Van Tyle fired on the Men, and shot one thro’ the Arm and thro’ the Thigh, whom with his Comrade, he took Prisoner, and kept with him: The rest of the Men got ashore on the South-Side the River and escaped him; the Women on the North-Side, and returned home. When the Pinnace came down, he fir’d and shot the Captain thro’ the Arm, but he got on board, where his Arm was set. After this, the Prosperous sail’d for Methelage, where they victualled, with a Design to go to the East-Indies; while he lay here, came in a large Dutch Ship, well mann’d, and of 40 Guns; the Prosperous was not strong enough to attack her, and the Dutch fearing he should spoil his Trade, would not meddle with Captain Howard, tho’ hard Words pass’d, and the Dutchmen threatned to fall foul on him if he did not leave the Place, which Howard thought fit to do, and sail’d to Mayotta.

Few Days after the Departure of the Prosperous, Captain Bowen, in the Scotch Ship, came in, anchored within small Arm-Shot, and right a-head of the Dutchman, whom he saluted with 11 Guns Shot and all, which the other returned, with 15 after the same Manner; Drums beating, and Trumpets sounding, on both Sides. The Dutchman, however, was surprized, and under Apprehensions; he hal’d the Pyrate, and answer was return’d, From the Seas; he then bid ’em send their Boat on Board, which accordingly went with the Quarter-Master, who told the Captain, that they had no Design on him, but were going against the Moors, and came in for Provision; he replied, they could get none there, and the best Way was to be gone; however the Quarter-Master went ashore (where the Dutch had made his Factory, and had some Goods) and shot down three Oxen, which he ordered the Natives to help to cut in Pieces; the Dutchman perceiving a Friendship between the Natives and Pyrates, seeing Bowen full of Men, and hearing two more Pyrates were expected, thought fit to go off in the Night, and leave the Goods he had put on shore.

Few Days after Bowen seizing the Goods left, went for Mayotta, where he join’d the Prosperous, and lay for the Season to go to the East-Indies. After some Stay here, their Salt Provisions perishing, they return’d to Madagascar to revictual, Bowen to St. Augustin’s, and Howard (on board of whose Ship was Captain Whaley, taken as is said in Bowen’s Life) to Methelage, agreeing to meet at the Island of St. John’s, to lie for the Moors Fleet; where, after some Disappoints, they met, and got Sight of the Moors Fleet, one of which fell a Prize to Bowen; but the Prosperous being a heavy Sailor, did not come up with them till they were at an Anchor at the Bar of Surat, where they waited to lighten. The Moors, seeing few Hands on board, for Howard concealed his Men; and not imagining a Pyrate would venture up, they concluded him an English East-India Man: Howard clapp’d the largest on board, which stood him a smart Engagement, and killed him about 30 Men. At length the Pyrates forced Captain Whaley, who spoke the Moors Language, to go on board and offer Quarter, which they accepted: There was on board this Prize a Nobleman belonging to the Great Mogul, who had been at Juffa to buy Horses for his Master; the Prize yielded them a great Booty, tho’ they found but Part of the Money which was on board. They intended to carry her to Madagascar, but her Bowsprit being wounded in the boarding, she lost all her Masts, wherefore, they set her a-drift, and she ran ashore at Deman, belonging to the Portuguese.

From hence he steer’d to the Malabar Coast, where he met Bowen in his Prize, which mounted 56 Guns; here a Dispute arose, as shall be mention’d in the Appendix of Bowen’s Life, both Crews went on board Bowen, sunk the Prosperous, and burnt the Scotch Ship, called the Speedy Return: Hence they stood along the Coast of India, and Howard, with about 20 more, landed with what they had, and retired among the Natives, where Howard married a Woman of the Country, and being a morose ill natur’d Fellow, and using her ill, he was murder’d by her Relations.

OF Captain LEWIS. And his Crew.

This worthy Gentleman was an early Pyrate; we first find him a Boy on Board the Pyrate Banister, who was hang’d at the Yard Arm of a Man of War in sight of Port-Royal in Jamaica. This Lewis and another Boy were taken with him, and brought into the Island hanging by the Middle at the Mizzen-Peak. He had a great Aptitude for Languages, and spoke perfectly well that of the Mosquill Indians, the French, Spanish and English. I mention our own, because it is doubted whether he was French or English, for we cannot trace him back to his Original.

He sailed out of Jamaica till he was a lusty Lad, and was then taken by the Spaniards at the Havana, where he staid some Time; but at length he and six more ran away with a small Canoe, and surprized a Spanish Periagua, out of which two Men joined them, so that they were now nine in Company: With this Periagua they suprized a Turtleing Sloop, and forced some of the Hands to take on with them, the others they sent away in the Periagua.

He play’d at this small Game, surprising and taking Coasters and Turtlers, till with forced Men and Voluntiers he made up a Complement of 40 Men.

With these he took a large Pink built Ship, bound from Jamaica to the Bay of Campeachy, and after her several others bound to the said Bay; and having Intelligence that there lay in the Bay a fine Bermudas built Brigantine of 10 Guns, commanded by Captain Tucker; he sent the Captain of the Pink to him with a Letter, the Purport of which was, that he wanted such a Brigantine, and if he would part with her, he would pay him honestly 10000 Pieces of Eight; if he refused this, he would take Care to lie in his Way, for he was resolved, either by fair or foul Means, to have the Vessel. Captain Tucker having read the Letter, sent for the Masters of Vessels then lying in the Bay, and told them, after he had shewn the Letter, that if they would made him up 54 Men (for there were about 10 Bermudas Sloops) he would go out and fight the Pyrates. They said, No, they would not hazard their Men, they depended on their Sailing, and every one must take Care of himself as well as he could.

However, they all put to Sea together, and spied a Sail under the Land, which had a Breeze while they lay becalmed; some said he was a Turtler, others, the Pyrate, and so it proved; for it was honest Captain Lewis, who putting out his Oars, got in among them. Some of the Sloops had four Guns, some two, some none. Joseph Dill had two, which he brought on one Side, and fired smartly at the Pyrate, but unfortunately one of them split, and killed him three Men. Tucker called to all the Sloops to send him Men, and he would fight Lewis, but to no Purpose; no Body came on board him. In the mean while a Breeze sprung up, and Tucker trimming his Sails left them, who all fell a Prey to the Pyrate; into whom however he fired a Broadside at going off. One Sloop, whose Master I won’t Name, was a very good Sailer, and was going off; but Lewis firing a Shot at him, brought her to, and he lay by till all the Sloops were visited and secured. Then Lewis sent on board him, and ordered the Master into his Sloop. As soon as he was aboard, he asked the Reason of his lying by, and betraying the Trust his Owners had reposed in him, which was doing like a Knave and Coward, and he would punish him accordingly; for, he said, you might have got off, being so much a better Sailer than my Vessel. After this Speech he fell upon him with a Rope’s End, and then snatching up his Cane, drove him about the Decks without Mercy. The Master, thinking to pacify him, told him he had been out trading in that Sloop several Months, and had on board a good Quantity of Money, which was hid, and which, if he would send on board a Black belonging to the Owners, he would discover it to him.

This had not the desired Effect, but one quite contrary; for Lewis told him he was a Rascal and Villain for this Discovery, and, by G—d, he would pay him for betraying his Owners, and redoubled his Strokes. However, he sent and took the Money and Negroe, who was an able Sailor. He took out of his Prizes what he had occasion for, 40 able Negroe Sailors, and a white Carpenter; the largest Sloop, which was about 90 Tuns, he took for his own Use, and mounted her with 12 Guns; his Crew was now about 80 Men, Whites and Blacks.

After these Captures he cruised in the Gulf of Florida, lying in wait for the West-India homeward bound Ships which took the Leeward Passage, several of which falling into his Hands were plundered by him, and released; from hence he went to the Coast of Carolina, where he cleaned his Sloop, and a great many Men, whom he had forced, ran away from him; however, the Natives traded with him for Rum and Sugar, and brought him all he wanted, without the Government’s having any Knowledge of him, for he had got into a very private Creek; tho’ he was very much on his Guard, that he might not be surprized from the Shoar.

From Carolina he cruized on the Coast of Virginia, where he took and plunder’d several Merchant Men, and forced several Men, and then return’d to the Coast of Carolina, where he did abundance of Mischief.

As he had now abundance of French on board who had entered with him, and Lewis hearing the English had a Design to Maroon them, he secured the Men he suspected, and put them in a Boat, with all the other English, 10 Leagues from Shoar, with only 10 Pieces of Beef, and sent them away, keeping none but French and Negroes; these Men, it is supposed, all perished in the Sea.

From the Coast of Carolina he shaped his Course for the Banks of Newfoundland, where he overhawled several Fishing Vessels, and then went into a commodious Harbour, where he cleaned his Sloop, and went into Trinity Harbour in Conception Bay, where there lay several Merchants, and siezed a 24 Gun Galley, called the Herman: The Commander, Captain Beal, told Lewis, if he would send his Quarter-Master ashoar he would furnish him with Necessaries. He being sent ashoar, a Council was held among the Masters, the Consequence of which was, the seizing the Quarter-Master, whom they carried to Captain Woodes Rogers; he chained him to a Sheet Anchor which was ashoar, and planted Guns at the Point, to prevent the Pyrate getting out, but to little Purpose; for the People from one of these Points firing too soon, Lewis quitted the Ship, and, by the Help of Oars and the Favour of the Night, got out in his Sloop, though she received many Shot in her Hull. The last Shot that was fired at the Pyrate did him considerable Damage.

He lay off and on the Harbour, swearing he would have his Quarter-Master, and intercepted two fishing Shallops, on board of one was the Captain of the Galley’s Brother; he detained them, and sent Word, if his Quarter-Master did not immediately come off, he would put all his Prisoners to Death; he was sent on board him without Hesitation. Lewis and the Crew enquired, how he had been used? and he answered, very civilly. Its well, said the Pyrate; for had you been ill treated, I would have put all these Rascals to the Sword. They were dismiss’d, and the Captain’s Brother going over the Side, the Quarter-Master stopp’d him, saying, he must drink the Gentlemens Health ashoar, in particular Captain Rogers’, and, whispering him in the Ear, told him, if the Crew had known of his being chain’d all Night, he would have been cut in Pieces, with all his Men. After this poor Man and his Shallop’s Company were gone, the Quarter-Master told the Usage he had met with, which enraged Lewis, and made him reproach his Quarter-Master, whose Answer was, that he did not think it just the Innocent should suffer for the Guilty.

The Masters of the Merchant Men sent to Captain Tudor Trevor, who lay at St. John’s in the Sheerness Man of War; he immediately got under Sail, and miss’d the Pyrate but four Hours.

She kept along the Coast, and made several Prizes, French and English, and put into a Harbour where a French Ship lay making Fish: She was built at the latter End of the War for a Privateer, was an excellent Sailer, and mounted 24 Guns. The Commander haled him; the Pyrate answered, from Jamaica with Rum and Sugar. The French Man bid him go about his Business; that a Pyrate Sloop was on the Coast, and he might be the Rogue; if he did not immediately sheer off he would fire a Broadside into him. He went off and lay a Fortnight out at Sea, so far as not to be descry’d from Shoar, with Resolution to have the Ship. The French Man being on his Guard, in the mean while raised a Battery on the Shoar, which commanded the Harbour. After a Fortnight, when he was thought to be gone off, he return’d, and took two of the fishing Shallops belonging to the French Man, and manning them with Pyrates, they went in; one Shallop attack’d the Battery, the other surpriz’d, boarded, and carry’d the Ship, just as the Morning Star appear’d, for which Reason he gave her that Name. In the Engagement the Owner’s Son was kill’d, who made the Voyage out of Curiosity only. The Ship being taken, 7 Guns were fired, which was the Signal, and the Sloop came down and lay a Long-side the Ship. The Captain told him, he suppos’d he only wanted his Liquor; but Lewis made Answer, he wanted his Ship, and accordingly hoisted all his Ammunition and Provision into her. When the French Man saw they would take away his Ship, he sold her Trim, and Lewis gave him the Sloop; and, excepting what he took for Provision, all the Fish he had made. Several of the French took on with him, who, with others, English and French, had by Force or voluntarily, made him up 200 Men.

From Newfoundland he steer’d for the Coast of Guiney, where he took a great many Ships, English, Dutch, and Portuguese; among these Ships was one belonging to Carolina, commanded by Captain Smith. While he was in Chace of this Vessel an Accident happen’d, which made his Men believe he dealt with the Devil; for he carried away his Fore and Main-Top Mast; and he, Lewis, running up the Shrouds to the Main-Top, tore off a Handful of Hair, and throwing it into the Air, used this Expression, Good Devil take this till I come: And, it was observed, that he came afterwards faster up with the Chace than before the Loss of his Top-Masts.

Smith being taken, Lewis used him very civilly, and gave him as much, or more in Value, than he took from him, and let him go, saying, he would come to Carolina when he had made Money on the Coast, and would rely on his Friendship.

They kept some Time on the Coast, when they quarrell’d among themselves, the French and English, of which the former was more numerous, and they resolved to part: The French therefore chose a large Sloop newly taken, thinking the Ship’s Bottom, which was not Sheath’d, damaged by the Worms.

According to this Agreement they took on board what Ammunition and Provision they thought fit out of the Ship, and put off, chusing one le Barre Captain. As it blew hard, and the Decks were encumbered, they came to an Anchor under the Coast, to stow away their Ammunition, Goods, &c. Lewis told his Men, they were a Parcel of Rogues, and he would make ’em refund; accordingly run a Long-side his Guns, being all loaded and new primed, and ordered him to cut away his Mast, or he would sink him. Le Barre was obliged to obey. Then he ordered them all ashoar; they begged to have Liberty of carrying their Arms, Goods, &c. with ’em, but he allow’d ’em only their small Arms, and Cartridge Boxes. Then he brought the Sloop a Long-side, put every Thing on board the Ship, and sunk the Sloop.

Le Barre and the rest begg’d to be taken on board; however, though he denied ’em, he suffered le Barre and some few to come, with whom he and his Men drank plentifully. The Negroes on board Lewis told him, the French had a Plot against him. He answer’d, he could not withstand his Destiny; for the Devil told him in the great Cabin, he should be murdered that Night.

In the dead of Night came the rest of the French on board in Canoes, got into the Cabbin and killed Lewis; they fell on the Crew, but, after an Hour and Half’s Dispute, the French were beat off, and the Quarter-Master, John Cornelius, an Irish Man, succeeded Lewis.

OF Captain Cornelius, And his Crew.

Having now the Command of the Morning Star, Cornelius kept on the Coast, and made several Prizes both English and Portuguese; the former he always discharged, after he had taken what he thought fitting, but the latter he commonly burnt.

While he was thus ravaging the Coast, two English Ships which had slaved at Whydah, one of 36 Guns, and the other of 12, which fought close, were ready to sail; and having Notice of a Pyrate, who had done great Mischief, resolved to keep Company together for their Defence. The Captain of the small Ship lay sick in his Cabbin, and she was left to the Care of the Mates. When they had got under Sail, 200 Negroes jump’d over board from the larger Ships, which obliged her to bring to and get out her Boats; the Mate of the other went into the Cabbin, told the Accident, and advised lying by, and sending their Boats to assist their Consort; but the Captain being ill, and willing to get off the Coast, bid him keep on his Way, for it would be dangerous, having 400 Slaves on board, and being but weakly mann’d, when the Boats were gone they might rise upon him. The Mate urged the Danger of the Pyrates, should they leave their Consort. The Captain answered, the Seas were wide, and he would not bring to; accordingly they kept on their Way with a fresh Gale.

Two Days after, the Mate about Eight in the Morning, ordered a Man to the Mast-head, who spied a Sail, which made them prepare for an Engagement. There was on board one Joseph Williams, who had served the African Company three Years on the Guiney Coast, who spoke the Negroe Tongue very well; he told the Slaves he had pick’d out to the Number of 50, that the Ship in Sight he believed would fight them, and if they got the better, would certainly, as they were Cannibals, kill and eat them all, and therefore it behoved them to fight for their Lives; they had Lances and small Arms given them.

About Ten Cornelius came up with them, and being haled, answered, he was a Man of War, in Search of Pyrates, and bid them send their Boat on board; but they refusing to trust him, tho’ he had English Colours and Pendent aboard, the Pyrate fired a Broadside, and they began a running Fight of about 10 Hours, in which Time the Negroes discharged their Arms so smartly, that Cornelius never durst attempt to board. About 8 at Night the Ship blew up abaft, they immediately cut the Lashings of the Long-Boat, but the Ship going down they had not Time to get her out, and barely enough to launch the Yawl, which lay on the Forecastle. The Ship went down on one Side, and Joseph Williams running on the other was hook’d by the Mizzen-Truss, and was carried down with her; but having his Knife in his Hand, and a great Presence of Mind, he cut the Wast-band of his Trowzers where he was catch’d, got clear, and swam after the Boat, into which about 16 had gotten, and either knock’d those on the Head, or cut off their Hands, who laid hold on it; however, with much Entreaty, he was permitted to lay one Hand on to ease him: They made to the Pyrate, who refused to receive them, without they would enter with him, which, to save their Lives, they all agreed to, and was then civilly received, and dry Cloaths given them; these and one Negroe were all the Souls saved.

In a little Time after this he took two Portuguese Ships, which he plundered and kept with him; and one foggy Morning hearing the firing of Guns, which, by the distance of Time, he judg’d to be Minute Guns, as they really were, for the Death of an English Commander; he called his Men on board from the Prizes, sent them about their Business, and directed his Course by the Report of the Canon he had heard.

In about two Hours he spied the Ship that had fired, came up with her very soon, and took her without Resistance. The Officers of the Ship which blew up, finding this Prize English, and that the Pyrate did not intend to detain it, begg’d to be discharged, as they had all large Families, which must perish without their Support.

Cornelius taking them into Consideration, discharged Mr. Powis of Limehouse, who has since been a Commander, and raised a Fortune; the then chief Mate, Mr. George Forelong, the Boatswain, Carpenter, and other married Men, set them on board the Prize, and was very generous to them out of the Plunder of the Portuguese Ships, because they had made a broken Voyage; but Joseph Williams and the Batchelors he detained, and forced some out of the Prize, which he let go.

After this he took three Portuguese Ships at an Anchor, which he plundered and burnt, after he had hove down by one of them; he continued some Time longer on the Coast, did a great Deal of Mischief to the Trade, and forced a great many Men: These he put to do all the Slavery of the Ship, and they were beat about the Decks, without daring to strike again. I shall take Notice of an Instance of this Kind, to shew how far Revenge will carry a Man. One Robert Bland was at Helm, and called Joseph Williams to take the Whipstaff, till he went to play, Williams refused it; upon which Bland drubb’d him with the Lanyard of the Whipstaff very severely, Williams that he might revenge himself, and have Liberty to fight Bland, went that Instant and entered himself a Voluntier in the Ships Books, and ask’d Leave to fight Bland, which was allowed him, but with no other Weapons than his Fists; he, however, challenged his Antagonist, who was too hard for him; so that he turned Pyrate to be heartily thresh’d.

Cornelius thinking they had been long enough on the Guiney Coast, doubled the Cape, off which he spied the Lizard and two more Men of War, under the Command of Commadore Littleton; Cornelius was for giving Chase, but finding his Men unwilling, there being, as they gave for Reason, 70 forc’d Men on board, and these Ships being, as they suspected, Men of War, he made the best of his Way for Madagascar, went up the River Methelage, on the West Side, and anchored against Pombotoque, a small Village of Blacks.

The Quarter-Master went ashore, and the black Governor examined him, for several of these Blacks speak English; he told the Governor they were come for Provision and to trade: Upon which he sent a Couple of Oxen on board, and then ordered some of the Inhabitants to go up with the Quarter-Master to the King. The Boat’s Crew seeing a Number of Blacks come upon the Strand without the Quarter-Master, apprehended some Mischief had befallen him; but were eas’d of their Fears, when they saw two Oxen given them, and were told, the white Man, who was gone to the King, would be back next Day, it not being above 20 Miles from the Shore.

When the Quarter-Master, who carried up a Blunderbuss, a fine Gun, and a Pair of Pistols, for a Present to the King, told him they wanted Provisions, he asked where they were bound? To which he answered, to seek their Fortunes, for, at present, they were very poor. Look ye, replied the King, I require nothing of you, all white Men I look upon as my Children; they help’d me to conquer this Country, and all the Cattle in it is at their Service. I will send you down Provisions enough, and when that is spent you shall have more; he accordingly sent 1000 Head of Cattle, out of which he bid them chuse what they would, and they salted up a 100 fat Oxen.

It may be an Amusement to the Reader to have a short History of this King, who was called Andian Chimenatto, that is, King Chimenatto: He was 2d Son of Andian Lifouchy, whose Country lay between Methelage and St. Augustine, his elder Brother was Timanangarivo.

At the Death of Andian Lyfouchy, Chimenatto, assisted by a younger Brother, and a great Number of the People, endeavour’d to wrest the Kingdom from his elder Brother Timanangarivo; but he was defeated, and with his Party obliged to retire, however, he still made War upon his Brother, till he was, by repeated Losses, very much weaken’d, and apprehensive of being attack’d by him; he retir’d farther Northward, where he made War on Andian Methelage, but without great Success, so that he settled on a Point of Land by the Sea-Coast, where the Tyloutes, that is, Inhabitants of the Sea, who are descended from the Arabs, and the Vaujimbos, who are esteem’d the meanest Cast on the whole Island, were very vexatious and troublesome to him, and kept him in continual Alarms.

In the mean while a couple of Ships arrived at Yungowl (the Country of Timanangarivo) belonging to Frederick Phillips, of New York, to slave; but hearing the old King was dead, who had a great Respect for the Whites, and that Timanangarivo had cut off the Crew of a Brigantine, on Pretence that they had poison’d his Father Andian Lyfouchy, for he drunk on board her so much Brandy that he died of it; they would not stay here, but went farther on the Coast to look for Trade.

Andian Chimenatto spying them, caused a Smoak to be made, which brought one of their Boats on Shoar; Chimenatto received the Crew very civilly, and invited the Ships in, promising Trade.

The Commanders ask’d if he had Slaves? He said he had but few; however, if they would allow some of their Men to go with him to War, he would slave both Ships: They answered, that Timanangarivo his Brother, had murder’d some of their Countrymen, and they could put no Confidence in him; upon which he gave them the History of his Wars, said his Brother was a wicked Man for what he had done; but if they would send some Men with him, he would give his Wives and nearest Relations for Hostages, to be kept on board.

This was agreed to, and Chimenatto furnished them with as much fresh Provision as they could dispose of; twenty Whites went with him to War, and they took a Town and a great Number of Slaves, out of whom he ordered the Captain to pick and cull what they pleas’d; they asked the Price, he said, he required nothing, if they would let their Men go out once more. They went on a second Expedition, took several Towns, and brought down some thousand Slaves, beside great Droves of Cattle.

The two Ships took their Choice of about 6000 Slaves, which with fresh Provision, and Provision for their Voyage, cost them only 2 or 3 Barrels of Powder, and a few Arms.

The King told them, if they would leave those Men and come again, he would again slave them for nothing; the Men being willing to stay, the Ships sail’d, came again the next Season, were slaved according to Promise, and relieved those whites, such of them as would return, and left others, who were willing, in their Steads. With this Assistance Chimenatto soon conquered the Antylouts and Vaujimbos, and afterwards made himself Master of the whole Country of Methelage, of such Reputation are the Europeans among these People, for they who have a white Man on their Side go on as to certain Victory; and the Sight of a white Man against them is such a Damp to their Spirits, that despairing of Success, they are preparing for Flight before they engage.

But to return, besides the Present of Oxen, the King sent 100 Blacks laden with Rice. Cornelius sent him a Present of 2 Barrels of Powder, and would have given him more, with small Arms in Return, but he sent them Word he would have no more, nor any of their Arms, not being in Want of either; on the contrary, if they wanted he would send them ten Barrels of Powder, as they were his Children; bid them proceed on their Voyage, and if they were richer when they came back, and would send him any Present, he would accept it, but not now that they were poor.

Here Cornelius lost 70 Men by their Excesses, having been long without fresh Provision, the eating immoderately, drinking Toke (a Liquor made of Honey) to Excess, and being too free with the Women, they fell into violent Fevers, which carried them off.

The Blacks having given Cornelius an Account of the Speaker’s being sail’d from Methelage about three Months before for the East-Indies, he, having taken in his Provisions, steer’d the same Course, in Hopes to join in Consort with her; but the Speaker lying off the Red Sea, and the Morning Star going into the Gulf of Persia they never met: They run up a pretty Way in the Gulf, and lay under Antelope Island, where they kept a Look-out, and whence they made their Excursions, and took a Number of Prizes.

Here they designed to heave down and clean, and they had got a good Part of their Goods and Water Casks ashore, when the Look-out discovered two tall Ships, one of them wearing a Flag at the Foretop-Mast Head; this put them into a great Confusion, they got what Casks and Necessaries they could on board, and lay till the Ships came a-breast of them; then they got under Sail at once, their Sails being furl’d with Rope Yarns, and came close along-side the larger Ship, which was a Portuguese of 70 Guns, as the other was of 26; they exchanged a Broadside with her, and the smaller Ship engaged her so close, that they threw Hand Grenades into each other; but Cornelius’s Business was to run, and the great Ship put a Stays twice to follow him, but missing, was obliged to Ware, which gave the Pyrate a great Advantage; the small Ship in staying, tail’d aground, she, however, gave Chase till she had run a good Way a-head of her Consort, which the Pyrate seeing, brought to, and stay’d for her, as did the Portuguese for her Consort, not caring to engage him singly. When it was quite dark Cornelius ran up the other Shore, pass’d the Portuguese Ships (which kept down the Gulf) and came again to Anchor at his old Station, where he found his Enemies had been ashore in their Boats and staved his Casks; he here cleaned, and finding no Money to be got out of any Prizes made, and Bale Goods being of little Value to them, they from hence went away to the Island of Johanna, where it was designed to moroon the Blacks, who were the greater Number, and all bred among the English; Joseph Williams, fearing they would next moroon the English, who were not above a third of the whites, gave the Negroes Notice of the Design, who secured all the Arms of the Ship, and gave Williams the Command till they should get to Madagascar, keeping a good Guard on the French and Dutch. When they came to Methelage they gave the Ship to the King, her Bottom being eaten so much with the Worms, that she was no longer fit for Service; and they all went and lived with the new King Chimave, Son to Andian Chimenatto, who died before their Return: About five Months after they broke up, Cornelius died, and was buried with the usual Ceremony.

OF Capt. David Williams, And his Crew.

This Man was born in Wales, of very poor Parents, who bred him up to the Plough and the following of Sheep, the only Things he had any Notion of till he went to Sea. He was never esteem’d among the Pyrates as a Man of good natural Parts, perhaps, on account of his Ignorance of Letters, for, as he had no Education, he knew as little of the sailing a Ship, set aside the Business of a foremast Man, as he did of History, in which, and natural Philosophy, he was equally vers’d: He was of a morose, sour, unsociable Temper, very cholerick, and easily resented as an Affront what as brave and a more knowing Man would not think worth Notice; but he was not cruel, neither did he turn Pyrate from a wicked or avaritious Inclination, but by Necessity, and we may say, tho’ he was no forced Man, he could not well avoid that Life he fell into.

When he was grown a lusty Lad he would see the World, and go seek his Fortune, as the Term is among the Country Youths, who think fit to withdraw themselves from the Subjection of their Parents; with this Whim in his Head he got to Chester, where he was received, and sailed on board a Coaster, till he had made himself acquainted with the Rigging, learned to knot, splice, and do the other Parts of a common Sailor’s Duty; then coming to London, he shipp’d himself on board the Mary India Man, bound for Bengal and Maderas, which Voyage he performed outward, and it was not his Fault that he did not come home in the same Ship; for, in her Return, falling short of Water, they steer’d for the Island of Madagascar, and fell in with the East Side, in the Lat. of 20, or thereabouts. The Captain mann’d and sent ashore the Long-Boat to seek for Water, but a large Surf running, she came to an Anchor, at some little Distance from Shore, and David Williams with another, being both good Swimmers, stripp’d and swam off in Search of Water: While they were ashore, the Wind which blew full upon the Island and freshning, the Surf ran too high for them to get off; and the Long-Boat, after waiting some time, seeing no Possibility of getting these Men on board, weigh’d and stood for the Ship, which filled her Sails and stood for St. Augustine’s Bay, where she watered and proceeded on her Voyage.

Thus our poor Welshman and his Companion were left destitute on an Island altogether unknown to them, without Cloaths or Subsistance, but what the Fruits of the Trees offer’d. They rambled some little Time along the Coast, and were met with by the Natives, and by them carried up into the Country, where they were humanly treated, and provided with all the Necessaries of Life, tho’ this was not sufficient to expel his Consort’s Melancholy, who took his being left behind so much to Heart, that he sicken’d and died in a very little Time.

Some time after, the Prince of the Country, who entertained Williams, had a Quarrel with a neighbouring King, which broke into a War. Williams took the Field with his Patron, but the Enemy being superior in Number, got the Victory, and took a great many Prisoners, among whom was the unfortunate Welshman: The King, whose Prisoner he was, treated him very kindly; and being Master of an old Musket, gave it him, saying, ‘such Arms were better in the Hands of a white Man than in those of any of his Subjects, who were not so much used to them; that he should be his Friend and Companion, and should fare as well as himself, if he would assist him in his Wars.’

It will not be amiss here to take Notice, that this Island, on the East Side, is divided into a great Number of Principalities or Kingdoms, which are almost in continual War one with another; the Grounds of which are very trivial, for they will pick a Quarrel with a Neighbour, especially, if he has a Number of Cattle (in which, and Slaves, consist their Riches) on the slightest Occasion, that they may have an Opportunity of Plunder; and when a Battle or two is lost, the conquer’d makes his Peace, by delivering up such a certain Number of Bullocks and Slaves as shall be demanded by the victorious Prince. On the West Side of the Island, the Principalities are mostly reduced under one Prince, who resides near Methelage, and who is, as we have said in the Lives of other Pyrates, a great Friend to white Men; for his Father, who founded his Empire by the Assistance of the Europeans, left it in Charge with his Son, to assist them with what Necessaries they should require, and do them all friendly Offices; but if he disobeyed this Command, and should ever fall out with the white Men, or spill any of their Blood, he threaten’d to come again, turn him out of his Kingdom, and give it to his younger Brother. These Menaces had a very great Effect upon him, for he firmly believed his Father would, on his Disobedience, put them in Execution; for there is not on Earth, a Race of Men equally superstitious.

But to return to Williams, he lived with this Prince in great Tranquility, and was very much esteem’d by him (for Necessity taught him Complaisance) after some time, his new Patron was informed, that his vanquish’d Enemy had form’d a grand Alliance, in order to make War upon him; wherefore, he resolved to begin, and march into the Countries of the Allies, and ravage the nearest before they could join their Forces. He rais’d an Army, and accordingly march’d Southward; at the News of his Approach, the Inhabitants abandoned all the small Towns, and sending Messengers to their Friends, rais’d a considerable Body to oppose him, suffering him to over-run a great Deal of Ground without Molestation. At length being reinforced, they took their Opportunity, and setting upon him when his Men were fatigued, and his Army incumber’d with Booty, they gained a signal Victory; the King had the good Luck to get off, but Williams was a second Time taken Prisoner.

He was carried before the Conqueror, who, (having been an Eye-witness of his Bravery, for Williams kill’d a Number of his Enemies with his Shot, and behav’d very well, defending himself with the Butt End of his Musket for some Time, when he was surrounded) reach’d him his Hand, and told him, he made War with his Enemies only, that he did not esteem the White Men such, but should be glad of their Friendship.

Here Williams was used with more Respect than he had been even by his last Patron, and lived with this Prince some Years; but a War breaking out, he was routed in a set Battle, in which Williams was his Companion; in the Pursuit the poor Welshman finding he could not get off, clapp’d his Musket at the Foot of a Tree, and climbing up, he capitulated: He was now terribly afraid of being cut to Pieces, for he had shot and wounded a great Number of the Enemy; they, however, promis’d him good Quarter, and kept their Word.

The King of Maratan, who took him, used him as well as any of the former had done; and carried him always with him to the Wars, in which Fortune was more propitious, for the Parties Williams commanded had constantly the better of their Enemies, and never returned but with great Booties of Cattle and Slaves, for all the Prisoners they take are so, till redeem’d; tho’ these Prisoners are, for the most part, Women and Children, they seldom giving Quarter to any other.

The Fame of his Bravery and Success, spread it self round the Country; and his Name alone was so terrible, that the giving out he was at the Head of any Party, was giving the Enemies an Overthrow without a Battle.

This reaching the Ears of Dempaino, a mighty Prince who lived 200 Miles from him, and who had several Petty Princes Tributaries, he sent an Embassador to demand the White Man; but his Patron, who had no Mind to part with him, denied that he had any White Man with him, that he who was called so was a Native of the Country. For the Readers better understanding this Passage, I must inform him, that there is a Race of what they call White Men, who have been settled on Madagascar, Time out of Mind, and are descended from the Arabs; but mixing with the Negroes, have propagated a Race of Molattoes, who differ in nothing from the Manner of living of the Black Natives.

To proceed, the Embassador desired to see this Man, and Williams coming to him, being extremely tann’d, he had pass’d for what he was reported, had he been before apprized of what had been said, to have answered accordingly, for he spoke the Language perfectly; or had the Embassador not examined him; who, after he had some Time viewed him, ask’d of what Country he was, and whether it was true that he was one of Madagascar? Williams answered, he was an Englishman, and was left in the Country, relating the Particulars, as I have already set them down, adding, he had been five Years in the Island.

The Embassador then told the King, that he must send the White Man with him, for such were the Orders of his Master the great Dempaino, who was Lord over most of the Kings on the Side the Country where he resided; and that it would be dangerous for him to disobey the Commands of so great a Monarch.

The King answered, those who were subject to Dempaino ought to obey his Commands, but for him, he knew no Man greater than himself, therefore should receive Laws from none; and with this Answer dismiss’d the Ambassador; who, at his Return, reported to his Master the very Words, adding, they were delivered in a haughty Strain. Dempaino, who was not used to have his Commands disputed, order’d one of his Generals to march with 6000 Men, and demand the White Man, and in Case of Refusal, to denounce War, that he should send him back an Express of it, and he would follow in Person with an Army to enforce a Compliance.

These Orders were put in Execution with the greatest Dispatch and Secrecy; so that the Town was invested, before any Advice was given of the Approach of an Enemy. The General told the King, it was in his Choice to have Peace or War with his Master, since it depended on the Delivery of the White Man.

The King thus surpriz’d, was obliged, however contrary to his Inclinations, to give Williams up to the General, who return’d with him to Dempaino, without committing any Hostilities; tho’ he threatned to besiege the Town, and put all but the Women and Children to the Sword, if the King of Maratan did not pay the Expence of his Master’s sending for the White Man, which he rated at 100 Slaves, and 500 Head of Cattle, the King objected to this as a hard Condition and an unjust Imposition, but was obliged to acquiesce in it.

One Thing, remarkable enough, had like to have slipp’d me; which is, the King of Maratan sent Williams to the General without any Attendance, which made him ask, if the White Man was a Slave? The King answered, he had not used him like one. I may very well, said the General, be of a contrary Opinion, since you have sent no Body to wait upon him: Upon which Reprimand, the King sent Williams a Present of a Slave.

He was received by Dempaino with a great many Caresses, was handsomely cloathed according to the Country Manner, had Slaves allotted to wait on him, and every Thing that was necessary and convenient; so that King Dempaino was at the Trouble of sending 6000 Men, one would think, for no other End than to shew the great Value and Esteem he had for the Europeans. He continued with this Prince till the Arrival of a Ship, which was some Years after his leaving Maratan; when the Bedford Galley, a Pyrate, commanded by Achen Jones, a Welshman, came on the Coast, on board of which Ship Williams was permitted to enter; they went to Augustine, where, laying the Ship on Shore, by Carelessness they broke her Back, and lost her. The Crew lived here till the Arrival of the Pelican, another Pyrate, mentioned in North’s Life; some of them went on board this Ship, and steer’d for the East-Indies. Williams shifted out of this on board the Mocha Frigate, a Pyrate, commanded by Captain Culliford, and made a Voyage; then, returning to St. Mary’s, they shared the Booty they had got in the Red Seas. I shall not here mention the Particulars of this last Expedition, designing to write Captain Culliford’s Life, which it more properly belongs to.

Some of the Crew, being West Indians, having an Opportunity, returned home; but Williams remain’d here till the Arrival and taking of Capt. Forgette, which has been already mentioned: He was one of those who took the Speaker, (the Manner has been told before, in another Life) went a Voyage in her, and returned to Maratan, as is said in North’s Life. Here the King seeing him, ask’d what Present he intended to make him for former Kindness? Williams answered, he had been over paid by the Prince whom he took him from and by his Services, which Answer so irritated his Maratanian Majesty, that he ordered him to quit his Country; and he could hardly after that see him with Patience.

From hence he went on board the Prosperous, Captain Howard, Commander, who went to St. Mary’s, and thence to the Main, as is said in that Pyrate’s Life, and was one of the Men left behind when they had a Design to carry off Ort Van Tyle. This Dutchman kept him to hard Labour, as planting Potatoes, &c. in revenge for the Destruction and Havock made in his Plantations by the Crew of the Prosperous; he was here in the Condition of a Slave six Months, at the Expiration of which Time, he had an Opportunity (and embraced it) to run away, leaving his Consort, Tho. Collins, behind him, who had his Arm broke when he was taken by the Dutchman.

Having made his Escape from a rigid, revengeful Master, he got to a Black Prince, named Rebaiharang, with whom he lived half a Year; he from hence went and kept Company with one John Pro, another Dutchman, who had a small Settlement on Shore, till the Arrival of the Men of War, commanded by Commodore Richards, who took both Pro and his Guest Williams, put them in Irons (on board the Severn) till they came to Johanna, where the Captain of the Severn undertook for 2000 Dollars to go against the Mohilians, in which Expedition several of the Man of War’s Crew were killed, and the two Pyrates made their Escape in a small Canoe to Mohila, where they shelter’d themselves a while in the Woods, out of which they got Provisions, and made over for Johanna; here they recruited themselves and went away for Mayotta, an Island 18 Leagues in Length. The King of this Island built them a Boat, and giving them Provisions and what Necessaries they required, they made for and arrived at Madagascar; where, at Methelage, in the Lat. of 16, 40, or thereabouts, they join’d, as has been said, Captain White.

Here they lay about 3 Months, then setting Fire to their Boat, they went into White’s, and rounding the North End came to Ambonavoula; here Williams staid till Captain White brought the Ship Hopewell, on board of which he entered before the Mast, made a Voyage to the Red Seas, towards the End of which he was chosen Quarter-Master. At their Return they touch’d at Mascarenas for Provisions, where almost half the Company went ashore and took up their Habitations.

From Mascarenas they steer’d for Hopewell (by some call’d Hopefull) Point, on Madagascar, where dividing their Plunder, they settled themselves.

Twelve Months after, the Charles Brigantine, Captain Halsey, came in, as is mentioned in his Life. Williams went on board him and made a Voyage; at their Return they came to Maratan, lived ashore, and assisted the King in his War against his Brother, which being ended in the Destruction of the latter, and a Pyrate lying at Ambonavoula, sending his Long-Boat to Manangcaro, within ten Leagues of Maratan, Williams and the rest went on board, and in three Months after he had been at Ambonavoula he was chosen Captain of the Scotch Ship, mentioned in Halsey’s Life.

This Ship he work’d upon with great Earnestness, and made the Scots Prisoners labour hard at the fitting her up for a Voyage; and she was near ready for the Seas when a Hurricane forced her ashore, and she was wreck’d.

Some Time after this he set up and finished a Sloop, in which he and ten of his Men, design’d for Mascarenas, but missing the Island they went round Madagascar, to a Place called Methelage, where he laid his Vessel ashore and staid a Year; but the King being tired with his morose Temper, and he disagreeing with every Body, he was order’d to be gone, and accordingly fitting up his Vessel he put to Sea, intending to go round the North End of the Island; but the Wind being at E. S. E. and the Current setting to N. W. he put back to a Port, called the Boyne, within 10 Leagues of Methelage, in the same King’s Dominions whom he had left. The Governor of this Place was descended from the Arabs, and it was here that the Arabians traded.

When he came to an Anchor, he and three of his Men (he had but 5 with him) went on Shore, paddled by two Negroes. David Eaton and William Dawson, two of the Men, required a Guide, to shew them the Way to the King’s Town; the Governor order’d them one, and, at the same time, laid an Ambush for them in the Road, and caused them to be murdered. When they had left the Boyn, Williams and Meyeurs, a Frenchman, who also came ashore in the Canoe, went to buy some Samsams, which are agate Beads; as they were looking over these Goods, a Number of the Governor’s Men came about them, seiz’d them both, and immediately dispatch’d Meyeurs, Williams they bound, and tortur’d almost a whole Day, by throwing hot Ashes on his Head and in his Face, and putting little Boys to beat him with Sticks; he offer’d the Governor 2000 Dollars for his Life, but he answer’d, he’d have both that and the Money too; and accordingly when he was near expiring, they made an End of him with their Lances.

After this barbarous Murder, the Governor thought of seizing the Sloop, on board of which were no more than two White Men, six Negroe Boys, and some Women Slaves of the same Colour; however, he thought it best to proceed by Stratagem, and therefore putting a Goat and some Calabashes of Toke on board William’s Canoe, with twelve Negroes arm’d, and the Sloop Negroes to paddle, he sent to surprize her. When the Canoe came pretty near the Vessel, they hal’d, and ask’d if they would let them come aboard? One of the Men ask’d William’s Negroes where the Captain was? He answered, drinking Toke with the Governor, and sent them Provision and Toke. A Negroe Wench advised the White Man, whose Name was William Noakes, not to let them come on board, for as four White Men went ashore, and none of them appear’d, she suspected some Treachery; however, on the Answer made him from the Canoe, he resolved to admit them, and giving the Wench a Kick, cryed, D—m ye, must we have no fresh Provisions for your Whimsies; he called them on board, and no sooner were they on Deck but one of them snatching Noakes his Pistol, shot him thro’ the Head, and seizing the other White Man, threw him over-board and drown’d him; after which, being Masters of the Vessel, they carried her in and rifled her.

The King was at this Time a hunting, as is his Custom to hunt Boars three Months in the Year; but the Account of these Murders soon reach’d him, however, he staid the accustom’d Time of his Diversion; but when he returned home, and the Whites, who were about him, demanded Justice, he bid them be quiet, they might depend upon his doing it: He sent to the Governor of Boyn, and told him, he was glad that he had cut off Williams and his Crew, an Example he was resolved to follow and clear the Country of them all. That he had some Affairs to communicate to him, and desired he would come to Court as soon as possible, but take Care he was not seen by any of the Whites, for fear by his, they shou’d revenge the Death of their Companions.

The Governor on these Orders came away immediately, and stopp’d two Miles short, at a little Town two Miles distant from the King’s, and sent Word he there waited for his Commands.

The King ordered him to be with him early next Morning, before the White Men were out of their Beds; he set forward accordingly the next Day betimes, but was seiz’d on the Road by Negroes placed for that Purpose, and brought bound to the King, who, after having reproach’d him with the Barbarity of his Action, sent him to the White Men, bidding them put him to what Death they pleased; but they sent Word back, he might dispose of his Subjects Lives as he thought fit, but for their Part they would never draw a Drop of Blood of any who belonged to him. Upon which Answer the King’s Uncle ordered him to be speared, and he was accordingly thrust thro’ the Body with Lances. The King, after this Execution, sent to Boyn, and had every Thing brought which had belonged to Williams and his Men, and divided it among the Whites, saying, He was sorry the Villain had but one Life to make Attonement for the Barbarity he had been guilty of.