 CHAPTER 23 PART ONE OF THE PIRATES' OWN BOOK CONTAINING ACCOUNTS OF THEIR ATTROCITIES, MANNERS OF LIVING, etc., AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE SQUADRIN under Commodore Porter in those seas, the victory and death of Lieutenant Allen, the interesting narrative of Captain Lincoln, etc. Those innumerable groups of islands, keys, and sandbanks, known as the West Indies, are peculiarly adapted from their locality and formation to be a favorite resort for pirates. Many of them are composed of coral rocks on which a few cocoa trees raise their lofty heads. Where there is sufficient earth for vegetation between the interstices of the rocks, stunted brushwood grows. But a chief peculiarity of some of the islands, and which renders them suitable to those who frequent them as pirates, are the numerous caves with which the rocks are perforated. Some of them are above high watermark, but the majority with the sea water flowing in and out of them. In some cases merely rushing in at high water filling deep pools, which are detached from each other when the tide recedes, in others with a sufficient depth of water to allow a large boat to float in. It is hardly necessary to observe how convenient the higher and dry caves are as receptacles for articles which are intended to be concealed until an opportunity occurs to dispose of them. The Bahamas themselves are a singular group of isles, reefs, and quays, consisting of several hundred in number and where the chief resort of pirates in old times, but now they are all rooted from them. They are low and not elevated, and are more than six hundred miles in extent, cut up into numerous intricate passages and channels, full of sunken rocks and coral reefs. They afforded a sure retreat to desperados. Other islands are full of mountain fastnesses where all pursuit can be eluded. Many of the low shores are skirted, and the islands covered by the mangrove, a singular tree shooting fresh roots as it grows, which, when the tree is at its full age, may be found six or eight feet from the ground, to which the shoots gradually tend in regular secession. The leaf is very thick and stiff, and about eight inches long and nine wide. The interval between the roots offers secure hiding places for those who are suddenly pursued. Another circumstance assists the pirates when pursued. As the islands belong to several different nations, when pursued from one island, he can pass to that under the jurisdiction of another power, and as permission must be got by those in pursuit of him, from the authorities of the island to land and take him, he thus gains time to secrete himself. A tropical climate is suited to a roving life, and liquor as well as dissolute women, being in great abundance, to gratify him during his hours of relaxation, makes this a congenial region for the lawless. The crews of pirate vessels in these areas are chiefly composed of Spaniards, Portuguese, French, Molotos, Negroes, and a few natives of other countries. The island of Cuba is the great nest of pirates at the present day, and at Havana, piracy is as much tolerated as any other profession. As the piracies committed in these seas during a single year have amounted to more than 50, we shall give only a few accounts of the most interesting. In November 1821, the brig Robiscanti, Captain Jackson, sailed from Havana on the morning of the 8th for Boston, and on the evening of the same day, about four miles from the morrow, was brought to by a piratical sloop containing about 30 men. A boat from her with 10 men came alongside, and soon after they got on board commenced plundering. They took nearly all the clothing from the captain and mate, all the cooking new utensils and spare rigging, unrove part of the running rigging, cut the small cable, broke the compasses, cut the mass coats to pieces, took from the captain his watch and four boxes cigars, and from the cargo three bales cauchanel and six boxes cigars. They beat the mate unmercifully and hung him up by the neck under the main top. They also beat the captain severely, broke a large broadsword across his back, and ran a long knife through his thigh, so that he almost bled to death. Captain Jackson saw the sloop at regla the day before. Captain Jackson informs us, and we have also been informed by other persons from the Havana, that this system of piracy is openly continence by some of the inhabitants of that place, who say that it is a retaliation on the Americans for interfering against the slave trade. About this time the ship Liverpool Packet, Ricker of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was boarded off Cape San Antonio, Cuba by two piratical schooners. Two barges containing thirty or forty men robbed the vessel of everything movable, even of her flags, rigging and a boat which happened to be a float, having a buoy in it which belonged to the ship. They held a consultation whether they should murder the crew as they had done before or not. In the meantime taking the ship into anchoring ground. On bringing her to anchor, the crew saw a brig close alongside, burnt to the water's edge, and three dead bodies floating near her. The pirate said they had burnt the brig the day before, and murdered all the crew, and intended doing the same with them. They said, look at the turtles, meaning the dead bodies, you will soon be the same. They said the vessel was a Baltimore brig, which they had robbed and burnt and murdered the crew as before stated, of which they had little doubt. Captain Ricker was most shockingly bruised by them. The mate was hung till he was supposed to be dead, but came to, and is now alive. They told the captain that they belonged in Regla, and should kill them all to prevent discovery. In 1822 the United States had several cruisers among the West India Islands to keep the pirates in check. Much good was done, but still many vessels were robbed and destroyed together with their crews. This year the brave Lieutenant Allen fell by the hand of pirates, and receiving intelligence at Matanz's that several vessels which had sailed from that port had been taken by pirates, and were then in the bay of Laupo. He hastened to their assistance. He arrived just in time to save five sails of vessels which he found in possession of a gang of pirates, 300 strong, established in the bay of Laupo, about 15 leagues east of this. He fell pierced by two musket balls in the van of a division of boats, attacking their principal vessel, a fine schooner of about 80 tons, with a long 18 pounder on a pivot, and four smaller guns, with the bloody flag nailed to the mast. Himself, Captain Freeman of Marines and 12 men were in the boat, much in advance of his other boats, and even took possession of the schooner after a desperate resistance, which nothing but a bravery almost too daring could have overcome. The pirates, all but one, escaped by taking to their boats and jumping overboard before the alligator's boat reached them. Two other schooners escaped by the use of their oars, the wind being light. Captain Allen survived about four hours, during which his conversation evinced a composure and firmness of mind and correctness of feeling as honorable to his character, and more consoling to his friends than even the dauntless bravery he before exhibited. The surgeon of the alligator in a letter to a friend says, he continued giving orders and conversing with Mr. Dale and the rest of us until a few minutes before his death, with a degree of cheerfulness that was little to be expected from a man in his condition. He said he wished his relatives and his country to know that he had fought well, and added that he died in peace and good will towards all the world, and hoped for his reward in the next. Lieutenant Allen had few equals in the service. He was ardently devoted to the interest of his country, was brave, intelligent, and accomplished in his profession. He displayed living and dying, a magnanimity that sheds luster on his relatives, his friends, and his country. About this time, Captain Lincoln fell into the hands of the pirates, and as his treatment shows the peculiar habits and practices of these wretches, we insert the very interesting narrative of the captain. The schooner exertion Captain Lincoln sailed from Boston, bound for Trinidad to Cuba, November 13, 1821, with the following crew. Joshua Brackett, mate, David Warren Cook, and Thomas Young, Francis DeSous, and George Reed, semen. The cargo consisted of flour, beef, pork, lard, butter, fish, beans, onions, potatoes, apples, hams, furniture, sugar box, shooks, etc., invoiced at about $8,000. Nothing remarkable occurred during the passage, except much bad weather, until my capture, which was as follows. Monday, December 17, 1821, commenced with fine breezes from the eastward. At daybreak, saw some of the islands northward of Cape Cruz, called Keys, stood along northwest. Everything now seemed favorable for a happy termination of our voyage. At three o'clock p.m. saw a sail coming round one of the Keys into a channel called Boca de Cavalone by the chart, nearly in latitude 20 degrees 55 minutes north, longitude 79 degrees 55 minutes west. She made directly for us with all sails set, sweeps on both sides, the wind being light, and was soon near enough for us to discover about 40 men on her deck, armed with muskets, blunderbuses, cutlasses, long knives, dirks, etc., two cannonades, one at 12, the other a six pounder. She was a schooner wearing the Patriot flag, blue, white and blue, of the Republic of Mexico. I thought it not prudent to resist them, should they be pirates, with a crew of seven men and only five muskets. Accordingly ordered the arms and ammunition to be immediately stowed away, and as secret a place as possible, and suffer her to speak us, hoping and believing that a Republican flag indicated both honor and friendship from those who wore it, and which we might expect even from Spaniards. But how great was my astonishment when the schooner having approached me very near us, hailed in English, and ordered me to heave my boat out immediately and come on board of her with my papers. Accordingly my boat was hove out, but filled before I could get into her. I was then ordered to tack ship and lay by for the pirate's boat to board me, which was done by Bolidar, their first lieutenant, with six or eight Spaniards, armed with as many of the before mentioned weapons as they could well sling about their bodies. They drove me into the boat, and two of them rode me to their privateer as they called their vessel, where I shook hands with their commander, Captain Jonia, a Spaniard, who before looking at my papers ordered Bolidar, his lieutenant, to follow the Mexican in, back of the key they had left, which was done. At six o'clock p.m., the exertion was anchored in eleven feet of water near this vessel, and an island which they called Twelve League Key, called by the chart Key Largo, about thirty or thirty-five leagues from Trinidad. After the strange conduct, they began examining my papers by a Scotchman who went by the name of Nicola, their sailing master. He spoke good English, had a continent's rather pleasing, although his beard and moustachios had a frightful appearance. His face, apparently full of anxiety, indicated something in my favor. He gave me my papers, saying, Take good care of them, for I am afraid you have fallen into bad hands. The pirate's boat was then sent to the exertion with more men in arms, a part of them left on board her. The rest returning with three of my crew to their vessel, Viz, Thomas Young, Thomas Goodall, and George Reed. They treated them with something to drink, and offered them equal shares with themselves, and some money, if they would enlist, but they could not prevail on them. I then requested permission to go on board my vessel which was granted, and further requested Nicola should go with me, but was refused by their captain, who vociferated in a harsh manner. No, no, no, accompanied with a heavy stamp upon the deck. When I got on board, I was invited below by Bolidar, where I found they had emptied the case of liquors and broken a cheese to pieces and crumbled it on the table and cabin floor. The pirates, elated with their prize, as they called it, had drank so much as to make them desperately abusive. I was permitted to lie down in my birth, but reader, if you have ever been awakened by a gang of armed desperados who have taken possession of your habitation in the midnight hour, you can imagine my feelings. Sleep was a stranger to me, and anxiety was my guest. Bolidar, however, pretended friendship and flattered me with the prospect of being soon set at liberty. But I found him as I suspected a consummate hypocrite. Indeed, his very looks indicated it. He was a stout and well-built man, of a dark, swarthy complexion, with keen ferocious eyes, huge whiskers, and beard under his chin and on his lips, four or five inches long. He was a Portuguese by birth, but had become a naturalized Frenchman, had a wife, if not children, as I was told, in France, and was well known there as a commander of a first-rate privateer. His appearance was truly terrific. He could talk some English, and had a most lion-like voice. Tuesday, 18. Early this morning, the captain of the pirates came on board the exertion, took a look at the cabin's doors and cargo in the staterooms, and then ordered me back with him to his vessel, where he, with his crew, held a consultation for some time respecting the cargo. After which, the interpreter, Nicola, told me that the captain had, or pretended to have, a commission under General Traspalascus, commander and chief of the Republic of Mexico, authorizing him to take all cargoes, whatever, of provisions, bound to any royalist Spanish port, that my cargo being bound to an enemy's port must be condemned, but that the vessel should be given up, and be put into a fair channel for Trinidad, where I was bound. I requested him to examine the papers thoroughly, and perhaps he would be convinced to the contrary, and told him my cargo was all American property taken in at Boston, and consigned to an American gentleman, agent at Trinidad. But the captain would not take the trouble, but ordered both vessels underway immediately, and commenced beating up amongst the keys through most of the day, the wind being very light. They now sent their boats on board the exertion for stores, and commenced plundering her of bread, butter, lard, onions, potatoes, fish, beans, etc. Took up some sugar-box shocks that were on deck, and found the barrels of apples, selected the best of them, and threw the rest overboard. They inquired for spirits, wine, cider, etc., and were told they had already taken all that was on board. But not satisfied, they proceeded to search the state rooms and forecastle, ripped up the floor of the ladder, and found some boxes of bottled cider, which they carried to their vessel, gave three cheers, and an exulting manner to me, and then began drinking it with such freedom that a violent quarrel arose between officers and men, which came very near ending in bloodshed. I was accused of falsehood, for saying they had got all the liquors that were on board, and I thought they had. The truth was, I never had any bill of lading of the cider, and consequently had no recollection of its being on board, yet it served them as an excuse for being insolent. In the evening, peace was restored, and they sung songs. I was suffered to go below for the night, and they placed a guard over me, stationed at the companion way. Wednesday, 19th, commenced with moderate easterly winds, being towards the northeast, the pirates boats frequently going on board the exertion for potatoes, fish, beans, butter, etc., which were used with great waste and extravagance. They gave me food and drink, but of bad quality, more particularly the victuals, which were wretchedly cooked. The place assigned me to eat was covered with dirt and vermin. It appeared that the great object was to hurt my feelings with threats and observations, and to make my situation as unpleasant as circumstances would admit. We came to anchor near a key, called by them Brigantine, where myself and mate were permitted to go on shore, but were guarded by several armed pirates. I soon returned to the Mexican, and my mate to the exertion, with his reed, one of my crew, the other two being kept on board the Mexican. In the course of this day I had considerable conversation with Nicola, who appeared well disposed towards me. He lamented most deeply his own situation, for he was one of those men, whose early good impressions were not entirely effaced, although confederated with guilt. He told me those who had taken me were no better than pirates, and their end would be the halter. But he added with peculiar emotion, I will never be hung as a pirate, showing me a bottle of laudanum which he had found in my medicine chest, saying if we are taken, that shall cheat the hangman before we are condemned. I endeavored to get it from him, but did not succeed. I then asked him how he came to be in such company as he appeared to be dissatisfied. He stated that he was at New Orleans last summer, out of employment, and became acquainted with one Captain Orgumar, a Frenchman, who had bought a small schooner of about 15 tons, and was going down to the bay of Mexico to get the commission under General Trospalascus in order to go a privateering under the patriot flag. Captain Orgumar made him liberal offers respecting shares, and promised him a sailing master's birth, which he accepted and embarked on board the schooner, without sufficiently reflecting on the danger of such an undertaking. Soon after they got a commission, and the vessel was called Mexican, they made up a complement of twenty men, and after rendering the general some little service in transporting his troops to a place called Proceeded on a cruise, took some small prizes off Compeche, afterwards came on the south coast of Cuba where they took other small prizes and the one which we were now on board of. By this time the crew were increased to about forty, nearly one half Spaniards, the others Frenchmen and Portuguese. Several of them had sailed out of ports in the United States with American protections, but I confidently believe none are natives, especially of the northern states. I was careful in examining the men, being desirous of knowing if any of my countrymen were among this wretched crew, but am satisfied there were none, and my scotch friend concurred in the opinion. And now with a new vessel, which was the prize of these plunderers, they sailed up Manganil Bay, previously however, they fell in with an American schooner, from which they bought four barrels of beef and paid in tobacco. At the bay was an English brig belonging to Jamaica owned by Mr. John Laudan of that place. On board of this vessel the Spanish part of the crew commenced their depredations as pirates, although Captain Ogomar and Nicolai protested against it and refused any participation. But they persisted and like so many ferocious bloodhounds in the brig, plundered the cabins, stores, furniture, captain's trunks, etc., took a hog's head of rum, one 12-pound caronade, some rigging and sails. One of them plundered the chest of a sailor who made some resistance so that the Spaniard took his cutlass and beat and wounded him without mercy. Nicolai asked him why he did it. The fellow answered, I will let you know and took up the cook's axe and gave him a cut on the head which nearly deprived him of life. Then they ordered Captain Ogomar to leave his vessel, allowing him his trunk and turned him ashore to seek for himself. Nicolai begged them to dismiss him with his captain, but no, no was the answer, for they had no complete navigator but him. After Captain Ogomar was gone they put in his stead the present brave, or as I shall call him cowardly, Captain Jania, who headed them in plundering the before-mentioned brig and made Baladar their first lieutenant and then sat down among those keys or islands where I was captured. This is the amount of what my friend Nicolai told me of their history. Saturday, 22nd. Both vessels underway standing to the eastward. They ran the exertion aground on a bar, but after throwing overboard most of her deckload of shooks she floated off. A pilot was sent to her and she was run into a narrow creek between two keys where they mortared her head and stern alongside of the mangrove trees. She set down her yards and top mass and covered her mast heads and shrouds with bushes to prevent her being seen by vessels which might pass that way. I was then suffered to go on board my own vessel and found her in a very filthy condition. Sales torn, rigging cut to pieces and everything in the cabin in waste and confusion. The swarms of mosquitoes and sand flies made it impossible to get any sleep or rest. The pirate's large boat was armed and manned under Baladar and sent off with letters to a merchant as they called him by the name of Domenico residing in a town called Principe on the main island of Cuba. I was told by one of them who could speak English that Principe was a very large and populous town situated at the head of St. Maria which was about twenty miles northeast from where we lay and the keys lying around us were called cotton keys. The captain pressed into his service Francis de Souce, one of my crew, saying that he was one of his countrymen. Francis was very reluctant and going and said to me with tears in his eyes, I shall do nothing but what I am obliged to do and will not aid in the least to hurt you or the vessel. I am very sorry to leave you. He was immediately put on duty and Thomas Goodall sent back to the exertion. Sunday twenty-third. Early this morning a large number of the pirates came on board of the exertion. Without the long boat broke open the hatches and took out considerable of the cargo in search of rum, gin, etc. still telling me I had some and they would find it uttering the most awful profaneness. In the afternoon their boat returned with a parot having on board the captain, his first lieutenant and seven men of a patriot or piratical vessel that was chased ashore at Cape Cruz by a Spanish armed brig. These seven men made their escape in said boat and after four days found our pirates and joined them, the remainder of the crew being killed or taken prisoners. Monday twenty-fourth. Their boat was manned and sent to the before mentioned town. I was informed by a line from Nicola that the pirates had a man on board, a native of Principe, who in the garb of a sailor was a partner with the Minico, but I could not get sight of him. This lets us get a little into the plans by which this atrocious system of piracy has been carried on. Merchants having partners on board of these pirates, thus pirates at sea and robbers on land are associated to destroy the peaceful trader. The willingness exhibited by the seven above mentioned men to join our gang of pirates seems to look like a general understanding among them. And from there being merchants invaded there has been a systematic Confederacy on the part of these unprincipled desperados under cover of the patriot flag, and those on land are no better than those on the sea. If the governments to whom they belong know of the atrocities committed and I have but little doubt they do, they deserve the execration of all mankind. Thursday twenty-seventh. A gang of the pirates came and stripped our mass of the green bushes like a sail than trees, took one barrel of bread and one of potatoes, using about one of each every day. I understood they were waiting for boats to take the cargo, for the principal merchant had gone to Trinidad. Sunday thirtieth. The beginning of trouble. This day which peculiarly reminds Christians of the high duties of compassion and benevolence was never observed by these pirates. This, of course, we might expect as they did not often know what they came, and if they knew it it was spent in gambling. The old saying among seamen, no Sunday off soundings was not thought of, and even this poor plea was not theirs, for they were on soundings and often at anchor. Early this morning the merchant, as they called him, came with a large boat for the cargo. I was immediately ordered into the boat with my crew, not allowed any breakfast and carried about three miles to a small island out of there by the side of a little pond of thick muddy water which proved to be very brackish, with nothing to eat but a few biscuits. One of the boats men told us the merchant was afraid of being recognized, and when he had gone the boat would return for us. But we had great reason to apprehend they would deceive us, and therefore pass the day in the utmost anxiety. At night, however, the boats came and took us again on board the exertion. When to our surprise and astonishment we found they had broken open the trunks and chests, and taken all our wearing apparel, not even leaving a shirt or pair of pantyloons, nor sparing a small miniature of my wife which was in my trunk. The little money I and my mate had, with some belonging to the owners, my mate had previously distributed about the cabin in three or four parcels, while I was on board the pirate, for we dare not keep it about us. One parcel in a butterpot they did not discover. Amidst the hurry with which I was obliged to go to the before mentioned island I fortunately snatched my vessel's papers and hid them in my bosom, which the reader will find was a happy circumstance for me. My writing desk with papers, accounts, etc., all Mr. Lord's letters, the gentleman to whom my cargo was consigned, and several others were taken and maliciously destroyed. My medicine chest, which I so much wanted, was kept for their own use. What their motive could be to take my papers I could not imagine, except they had hopes of finding bills of lading for some spanners to clear them from piracy. Mr. Brackett had some notes and papers of consequence to him, which shared the same fate. My quadrant, charts, books, and bedding were not yet taken, but I found it impossible to hide them, and they were soon gone from my sight. Tuesday, January 1st, 1822 A sad New Year's Day to me, before breakfast orders came for me to cut down the exertions railing and bulkwards on one side for their vessel to heave out by and clean her bottom. On my hesitating a little, they observed with anger, very well, Captain, suppose you know do it quick, we do it for you. Directly afterwards, another boat full of armed men came alongside. They jumped on deck with swords drawn, and ordered all of us into her immediately. I stepped below in hopes of getting something which would be of service to us, but the Captain ordered, go into the boat directly or I will fire upon you. Thus compelled to obey, we were carried together with four Spanish prisoners to a small, low island or key of sand in the shape of a half moon, and partly covered with mangrove trees, which was about one mile from and in sight of my vessel. There they left nine of us, with a little bread, flour, fish, lard, a little coffee, and molasses, two or three kegs of water, which was brackish, and a sail for a covering, and a pot and some other articles no way fit to cook in. Leaving us these, which were much less than they appear in enumeration, they pushed off, saying, we will come to see you in a day or two. Selecting the best place, we spread the old sail for an awning, but no place was free from flies, mosquitoes, snakes, the venomous skin scorpion, and the more venomous centipede. Sometimes they were found crawling inside of our pantaloons, but fortunately, no injury was received. This afternoon, the pirates hove their vessel out by the exertion and cleaned one side, using her paints, oil, etc. for that purpose. To see my vessel in that situation and to think of our prospects was a source of the deepest distress. At night, we were retired to our tent, but having nothing but the cold damp ground for a bed, and the heavy dew of night penetrating the old canvas, the situation of the island being fifty miles from the old track of friendly vessels, and one hundred thirty-five from Trinidad, seeing my owner's property so unjustly and wantingly destroyed, considering my condition, the hands at whose mercy I was, and deprived of all hopes, rendered sleep or rest a stranger to me. Friday, fourth, commence with light winds and hot sun. Saw a boat coming from the exertion, apparently loaded. She passed between two small keys to northward, supposed to be bound for Cuba. The sunset a boat came and inquired if we wanted anything, but instead of adding to our provisions, took away our molasses and pushed off. We found one of the exertion's water casks and several pieces of plank which we carefully laid up in hopes of getting enough to make a raft. Saturday, fifth, pirates again in sight coming from the eastward. They beat up alongside their prize and commenced loading. In the afternoon, Nicoluck came to us, bringing with him two more Spaniards, which they had taken in a small boat coming from Trinidad to Manganil, one a Frenchman, the other a Scotchman, with two Spaniards who remained on board the pirates and who afterwards joined them. One a Frenchman, the other a Scotchman. The back of one of these poor fellows was extremely sore, having just suffered a cruel beating from Bolidar with the broadside of a cutlass. It appeared that when the officer asked him where their money was and how much he answered, he was not certain but believed they had only two ounces of gold. Bolidar furiously swore he said ten and not finding any more gave him the beating. Nicola now related to me a singular fact which was that the Spanish part of the crew were determined to shoot him, that they tied him to the mast and a man was appointed for the purpose. But Lyon, a Frenchman, his particular friend, stepped up and told them if they shot him they must shoot several more. Some of the prisoners sided with him and he was released. Nicola told me the reason for such treatment was that he continually objected to their conduct towards me and their opinion if he should escape they would be discovered as he declared he would take no prize money. While with us he gave me a letter written in great haste which contained some particulars respecting the cargo as follows. January 4th, 1822 Sir, we arrived here this morning and before we came to town we had five canoes alongside ready to take your cargo, part of which we had in, and as I heard you express a wish to know what they took out of her to this moment you may depend upon this account of Jemisin for quality and quantity if I have the same opportunity you will have an account of the whole. The villain who bought your cargo is from the town of Principe his name is Domenico. As to that it is all that I can learn they have taken your charts like Schooner-Mexican and I suppose mean to keep them as the other captain has agreed to act the same infamous part in the tragedy of his life. Your clothes are here on board but do not let me flatter you that you will get them back. It may be so and it may not. Perhaps in your old age when you recline with ease in a corner of your cottage you will have the goodness to drop a tear of pleasure to the memory of him whose highest ambition should have been to subscribe himself though devoted to the gallows your friend excuse haste Nicola Moniker Saturday 6th the pirates were underway at sunrise with a full load of the exertions cargo going to Principe again to sell a second freight which was done readily for cash. I afterwards heard that the flower only fetched $5 per barrel when it was worth at Trinidad 13 so that the villain who bought my cargo at Principe may very large profits buy it. Tuesday 8th early this morning the pirates inside again with four top sail and top gallant sail set beat up alongside of the exertion and commenced loading having as I suppose sold and discharged her last freight among some of the inhabitants of Cuba they appeared to load in great haste and the song OEO which echoed from one vessel to the other was distinctly heard by us how wounding was this to me how different was this sound from what it would have been had I been permitted to pass un molested by these lawless flunderers and been favored with a safe arrival at the port of my destination where my cargo would have found an excellent sail then with the OEO on its discharging have been a delightful sound to me in the afternoon she sailed with the Perot in tow both with a full load having chairs which was part of the cargo slung at her quarters Monday 14th they again arrived in sight and beat up as usual alongside their prize while passing our solitary island they laughed at our misery which was almost insupportable looking upon us as though we had committed some heinous crime and they had not sufficiently punished us they hallowed to us crying out captain captain accompanied with obscene motions and words with which I shall not blacken these pages yet I heard no check upon such conduct nor could I expected a gang who have no idea of subordination on board except when in chains of vessels and even then but very little my resentment was excited at such a malicious outrage and I felt a disposition to revenge myself should fortune ever favor me with an opportunity it was beyond human nature not to feel and express some indignation at such treatment soon after Baladar with five men well armed came to us having a blunderbus cutlass a long knife and a pair of pistols but for what purpose did he come he took me by the hand saying captain me speak with you walk this way I obeyed and when at some distance from my fellow prisoners his men following he said the captain send me for your wash I pretended not to understand what he meant and replied I have no clothes nor any soap to wash with you have taken them all for I had kept my watch without me hoping they would not discover it he demanded it again as before and was answered I have nothing to wash this raised his anger and lifting his blunderbus he roared out what the devil you call him that may clock give it me I considered it imprudent to contend any longer and submitted to his unlawful demand as he was going off he gave me a small bundle in which was a pair of linen drawers sent to me by Nicola Reverend Mr. Brooks family prayer book this gave me great satisfaction soon after he returned with his captain who had one arm slung up yet with as many implements of war as his diminutive wicked self can conveniently carry he told me through an interpreter who was his prisoner that on his cruise he had fallen in with two Spanish privateers and beat them off but had three of his men killed and himself wounded in the arm said it is a damn lie which words prove to be correct for his arm was not wounded and when I saw him again which was soon afterwards he had forgotten to sling it up he further told me after tomorrow you shall go with your vessel and we will accompany you towards Trinidad this gave me some new hopes and why I could not tell they then left us without rendering any assistance this night we got some rest Tuesday 15th go after tomorrow were used among our Spanish fellow prisoners as though the happy tomorrow would never come in what manner it came will soon be noticed Friday 18th commenced with brighter prospects of liberty than ever the pirates were employed in setting up our devoted schooner shrouds stays, etc. my condition now reminded me of the hungry man chained in one corner of a room while at another part was a table loaded with delicious food and fruits the smell and sight of which he was continually to experience but alas his chains were never to be loosed that he might go and partake at almost the same moment they were thus employed the axe was applied with the greatest dexterity to both her mast and I saw them fall over the side here fell my hopes I looked at my condition and then thought of home our Spanish fellow prisoners were so disappointed and alarmed that they recommended hiding ourselves among the mangrove trees believing as they said we should now certainly be put to death or what was worse compelled to serve on board the Mexican as pirates little else it is true seemed left for us however we kept a bright look out for them during the day and at night an anchor watch as we called it determined if we discovered their boats coming toward us to adopt the plan of hiding although starvation stared us in the face yet preferred that to instant death this night was passed in sufficient anxiety I took the first watch Saturday 19th the pirates largest boat came for us it being daylight and supposing they could see us determined to stand our ground and wait the result they ordered us all into the boat but left everything else they rode towards exertion I noticed a dejection of spirits in one of the pirates and inquired of him where they were going to carry us he shook his head and replied I do not know I now had some hopes of visiting my vessel again but the pirates made sail ran down took us in tow and stood out of the harbor Baladar afterwards took me my mate and two of my men on board and gave us some coffee on examination I found they had several additional light sails made of the exertions almost every man a pair of canvas trousers and my colors cut up and made into belts to carry their money about them my jolly boat was on deck and I was informed all my rigging was disposed of several of the pirates had on some of my clothes and the captain one of my best shirts a cleaner one than I had ever seen him have on before he kept a good distance from me and forbid my friend Nicholas speaking to me I saw from the companion way in the captain's cabin my quadrant, spyglass and other things which belong to us and observed by the compass the force steered was about west by south distance nearly twenty miles which brought them up with a cluster of islands called by some Cayman keys here they anchored and caught some fish one of which was named guard fish of which we had a taste I observed that my friend Mr. Bracket was somewhat dejected and asked him in a low voice what his opinion was with respects to our fate he answered I cannot tell you but it appears to me the worst is to come I told him that I hope not but thought they would give us our small boat and liberate the prisoners but mercy even in this shape was not left for us soon after saw the captain and officers whispering for some time in private conference when over their boat was manned under the command of Baladar and went to one of those islands or keys before mentioned on their return another conference took place whether it was a jury upon our lives we cannot tell I did not think conscience could be entirely extinguished in the human breast or that men could become fiends in the afternoon while we knew not the doom which had been fixed for us the captain was engaged with several of his men and gambling in hopes to get back some of the five hundred dollars they said he lost but a few nights before which had made him unusually fractious a little before sunset he ordered all the prisoners into the large boat with supply of provisions and water and to be put on shore while we were getting into her one of my fellow prisoners a Spaniard attempted with tears in his eyes to speak to the captain but was refused with the answer I'll have nothing to say to any prisoner go into the boat in the meantime Nicola said to me my friend I will give you your book being Mr. Coleman's sermons it is the only thing of yours that is in my possession I dare not attempt anything more but the captain forbid his giving it to me and I stepped into the boat at that moment Nicola said in a low voice never mind I may see you again before I die the small boat was well armed and manned and both set off together for the island where they had agreed to leave us to perish the scene to us was a funeral scene there were no arms in the prisoners boat and of course all attempts to relieve ourselves would have been throwing our lives away as Baladar was well armed we were rode about two miles north easterly from the pirates to a small low island lonely and desolate we arrived about sunset and for the support of us 11 prisoners they only left a 10 gallon keg of water and perhaps a few quarts in another small vessel which was very poor part of a barrel of flour a small keg of lard one ham and some salt fish a small kettle and an old broken pot an old sail for a covering and a small mattress and blanket which was thrown out as the boats hastened away one of the prisoners happened to have a little coffee in his pocket and these comprehended all our means of sustaining life and for what length of time we knew not we now felt the need of water and our supply was comparatively nothing a man may live nearly twice as long without food as without water look at us now my friends we were invited on a little spot of sand in the midst of the ocean far from the usual track of vessels and every appearance of a violent thunder tempest and a boisterous night judge of my feelings and the circumstances which our band of sufferers now witnessed perhaps you can and have pitied us I assure you we were very wretched and to paint the scene is not within my power when the boats were moving from the shore on recovering myself a little eigar if he was going to leave us so he answered no only two days we go for water and would then come back take you I requested him to give us bread and other stores for they had plenty in the boat and at least one hundred barrels of flour in the Mexican no no supposed tomorrow morning may come we give you bread and hurried off to the vessel this is the last time I saw him we then turned our attention upon finding a spot most convenient comfort, and soon discovered a little roof supported by stakes driven into the sand. It was thatched with leaves of the coconut tree, considerable part of which was torn or blown off. After spreading the old sail over this roof, we placed our little stock of provisions under it. Soon after it came on a heavy shower of rain, which penetrated the canvas and made it nearly as uncomfortable inside as it would have been out. We were not prepared to catch water having nothing to put it in. Our next object was to get fire, and after gathering some of the driest fuel to be found, and having a small piece of cotton-wick yarn, with flint and steel, we kindled a fire, which was never afterwards suffered to be extinguished. The night was very dark, but we found a piece of old rope, which when well-lighted, served for a candle. On examining the ground under the roof, we found perhaps thousands of creeping insects, scorpions, lizards, crickets, etc. After scraping them out as well as we could, the most of us having nothing but the damp earth for a bed laid ourselves down in hopes of some rest, but it being so wet, gave many of us severe colds, and one of the Spaniards was quite sick for several days. Sunday, 20th. As soon as daylight came on, we proceeded to take a view of our little island, and found it to measure only one acre, of coarse white sand, about two feet and in some spots perhaps three feet above the surface of the ocean. On the highest part were growing some bushes and small mangroves, the dry part of which was our fuel, and the wild castor oil beans. We were greatly disappointed in not finding the latter suitable food. Likewise some of the prickly pear bushes, which gave us only a few pears about the size of our small button pear, the outside has thorns, which if applied to the fingers or lips will remain there, and cause a severe smarting similar to the nettle. The inside a spongy substance, full of juice and seeds, which are red and a little tartish, had they been there in abundance, we should not have suffered so much for water, but alas, even this substitute was not for us. On the northerly side of the island was a hollow, where the tide penetrated the sand, leaving stagnant water. We presumed in hurricanes the island was nearly overflowed. According to the best calculations I could make, we were about 35 miles from any part of Cuba, 100 from Trinidad, and 40 from the usual track of American vessels, or others which might pass that way. No vessel of any considerable size can safely pass among these keys, or Queen's Gardens as the Spaniards call them, being a large number extending from Cape Cruz to Trinidad, 150 miles distance, and many more than the charts have laid down. Most of them very low and some covered at high water, which makes it very dangerous for navigators without a skillful pilot. After taking this view of our condition, which was very gloomy, we began to suspect we were left on this desolate island by those merciless plunderers to perish. Of this I am now fully convinced. Still we looked anxiously for the pirate's boat to come according to the promise with more water and provisions, but looked in vain. We saw them soon get underway with all sail set and run directly from us until out of our sight, and we never saw them again. One may partially imagine our feelings, but they cannot be put into words. Before they were entirely out of sight of us, we raised the white blanket upon a pole, waving it in the air, in hopes that at two miles distance they would see it and be moved to pity, but pity in such monsters was not to be found. It was not their interest to save us from the lingering death, which we now saw before us. We tried to compose ourselves, trusting to God, who had witnessed our sufferings, would yet make use of someone as the instrument of his mercy towards us. Our next care now was to try for water. We dug several holes in the sand and found it, but quite too salt for use. The tide penetrates probably through the island. We now came on short allowances for water. Having no means of securing what we had by lock and key, someone in the night would slightly drink and it was soon gone. The next was to bake some bread, which we did by mixing flour with salt water and frying it in lard, allowing ourselves eight quite small pancakes to begin with. The hammers reserved for some more important occasion, and the salt fish was lost for want of fresh water. The remainder of this day was passed in the most serious conversation and reflection. At night I read prayers from the prayer book, before mentioned, which I most carefully concealed while last on board the pirates. This plan was pursued morning and evening during our stay there, then retired for rest and sleep, but realized little of either. End of Chapter 23, Part 1 Chapter 23, Part 2 of the Pirates' Own Book. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Barry Eads. The Pirates' Own Book by Charles Elms. Chapter 23, Part 2 of the West India Pirates. Monday, 21. In the morning we walked round the beach, in expectation of finding something useful. On our way we picked up a paddle about three feet long, very similar to the Indian canoe paddle, except the handle, which was like that of a shovel, the top part being split off. We laid it by for the present. We likewise found some conks and roasted them. They were pretty good shellfish, though rather tough. We discovered at low water, a bar or spit of sand extending northeasterly from us, about three miles distant, to a cluster of keys, which were covered with mangrove trees, perhaps as high as our quince tree. My friend Mr. Brackett and George attempted to wait across, being at that time of tide only up to their armpits, but were pursued by a shark and returned without success. The tide rises about four feet. Tuesday, 22. We found several pieces of the Palamento or Cabbage Tree and some pieces of boards, put them together in the form of a raft and endeavored to cross, but that proved ineffectual. Being disappointed, we set down to reflect upon other means of relief, intending to do all in our power for safety while our strength continued. While setting here, the sun was so powerful and oppressive, reflecting its rays upon the sea, which was then calm, and the white sand which dazzled the eye was so painful that we retired under the awning. There the mosquitoes and flies were so numerous that good rest could not be found. We were, however, a little cheered. When, in scraping out the top of the ground to clear out, I may say, thousands of crickets and bugs, we found a hatchet, which was to us peculiarly serviceable. At night, the strong northeasterly wind, which prevails there at all seasons, was so cold as to make it equally uncomfortable with the day. Thus, day after day, our sufferings and apprehensions multiplying, we were very generally alarmed. Thursday, 24. This morning, after taking a little coffee, made of the water which we thought leased salt and two or three of the little cakes, we felt somewhat refreshed and concluded to make another visit to those keys in hopes of finding something more which might make a wrath for us to escape the pirates and avoid perishing by thirst. Accordingly, seven of us set off, waited across the bar, and searched all the keys thereabouts. On one we found a number of sugar box chokes, two lashing plank and some pieces of old spars, which were a part of the exertion's deck load that was thrown overboard when she grounded on the bar, spoken of in the first part of the narrative. It seems they had drifted fifteen miles and had accidentally lodged on these very keys within our reach. Had the pirates known this, they would undoubtedly have placed us in another direction. They no doubt thought that they could not place us on a worse place. The wind at this time was blowing so strong on shore as to prevent rafting our stuff round to our island, and we were obliged to hull it upon the beach for the present, then dug for water in the highest place, but found it as salt as ever, and then returned to our habitation. But hunger and thirst began to prey upon us, and our comforts were as few as our hopes. Friday, twenty-fifth. Again passed over to those keys to windward in order to raft our stuff to our island, it being most convenient for building. But the surf on the beach was so very rough that we were again compelled to postpone it. Our courage, however, did not fail where there was the slightest hopes of life. Returning without it, we found on our way an old top timber of some vessel. It had several spikes on it, which we afterwards found very serviceable. In the hollow of an old tree, we found two garnas of small size, one male, the other female. Only one was caught. After taking off the skin, we judged it weighed a pound and a half. With some flour and lard, the only things we had except salt water, it made us a fine little mess. We thought it a rare dish, though a small one for eleven half-starved persons. At the same time a small vessel hove in sight. We made a signal to her with the blanket tied to a pole and placed it on the highest tree. Some took off their white clothes and waved them in the air, hoping they would come to us. Should they be pirates, they could do no more than kill us, and perhaps would give us some water, for which we began to suffer most excessively. But notwithstanding all our efforts, she took no notice of us. Saturday, 26th. This day commenced with a moderate weather and smooth sea. At low tide found some cockles, boiled and ate them, but they were very painful to the stomach. David Warren had a fit of strangling, with swelling of the bowels, but soon recovered and said, something like salt rose in his throat and choked him. Most of us then set off for the keys, where the plank and chokes were put together in a raft, which we with pieces of boards paddled over to our island. When we consulted the best plan, either to build a raft large enough for us all to go on, or a boat. But the chokes having three or four nails in each, and having a piece of large reed or bamboo previously found, of which we made pins, we concluded to make a boat. Sunday, 27th. Commenced our labor, for which I know we need offer no apology. We took the two planks, which were about 14 feet long, and two and a half wide, and fixed them together for the bottom of the boat. Then the molds made of palmetto bark cut timber and knees from mangrove trees, which spread so much as to make the boat four feet wide at the top, placed them exactly the distance apart of an Havana sugar box. Her stern was square and the bowels tapered to a peak, making her form resemble a flat iron. We proceeded thus far and returned to rest for the night. But Mr. Brackett was too unwell to get much sleep. Monday, 28th. Went on with the work as fast as possible. Some of the Spaniards had long knives about them, which proved very useful in fitting timbers, and a gimblit of mine accidentally found on board the pirate, enabled us to use the wooden pins. And now our spirits began to revive, though water, water, was continually in our minds. We now feared the pirates might possibly come, find out our plan, and put us to death, although before we had wished to see them being so much in want of water. Our labor was extremely burdensome, and the Spaniards considerably peevish, but they would often say to me, never mind, Captain, buy and buy, Americana or Spaniola catch them, me go and see them hung. We quit at work for the day, cooked some cakes, but found it necessary to reduce the quantity again, however small before. We found some herbs on a windward key, which the Spaniards called Spanish tea. This, when well-boiled, we found somewhat palatable, although the water was very salt. This herb resembles pen royal in look and taste, though not so pungent. In the evening, when we were setting round the fire to keep off the mosquitoes, I observed David Warren's eyes shown like glass. The mate said to him, David, I think you will die before morning. I think you are struck with death now. I thought so too, and told him. I thought it most likely we should all die here soon, but as some one of us might survive to carry the tidings to our friends, if you have anything to say respecting your family, now is the time. He then said, I have a mother in Saka where I belong. She is a second time a widow. Tomorrow, if you can spare a scrap of paper and pencil, I will write something. But no, tomorrow came to him. In the course of the night he had another spell of strangling, and soon after expired, without much pain and without a groan. He was about twenty-six years old. How solemn was this scene to us? Here we beheld the ravages of death commenced upon us. More than one of us considered death a happy release. For myself I thought of my wife and children, and wished to live if God should so order it, though extreme thirst, hunger, and exhaustion had well nigh prostrated my fondest hopes. Tuesday, 29th. Part of us reccomends labor on the boat. While myself and Mr. Brackett went and selected the highest clear spot of sand on the northern side of the island, where we dug Warren's grave, and boxed it up with shooks, thinking it would be the most suitable spot for the rest of us, whose turn would come next we knew not. At about ten o'clock a.m. conveyed the corpse to the grave, followed by us survivors, a scene whose awful salinity can never be painted. We stood around the grave, and there I read the funeral prayer from the Reverend Mr. Brooks's family prayer-brook, and committed the body to the earth, covered it with some pieces of board and sand, and returned to our labor. One of the Spaniards, an old man named Manuel, who was partial to me and I to him, made a cross and placed it at the head of the grave, saying, Jesus Christ hath him now. Although I did not believe in any mysterious influence of this cross, yet I was perfectly willing it should stand there. The middle part of the day being very warm, our mouths parched with thirst, and our spirits so depressed that we made but little progress during the remainder of this day, but in the evening were employed in picking oakum out of the bolt-rope taken from the old sail. Wednesday, 30th. Returned to labor on the boat, with as much vigor as our weak and dilapidated state would admit, but it was a day of trial to us all, for the Spaniards and we Americans could not well understand each other's plans, and they, being naturally petulant, would not work nor listen with any patience for Joseph, our English fellow prisoner, to explain our views. They would sometimes undo what they had done and in a few minutes replace it again. However, before night we began to caulk her seams by means of pieces of hard mangrove made in form of a caulking iron and had the satisfaction of seeing her in a form something like a boat. Thursday, 31st. Went on with the work, summit caulking, others at batting the seams with strips of cannabis and pieces of pine nailed over to keep the oakum in. Having found a suitable pole for a mast, the rest went about making a sail from the one we had used for a covering, also fitting oars of short pieces of boards in form of a paddle tied on a pole, we having a piece of fishing line brought by one of the prisoners. Thus, at three p.m., the boat was completed and put afloat. We had all this time confidently hoped that she would be sufficiently large and strong to carry us all. We made a trial and were disappointed. This was indeed a severe trial, and the emotions it called up were not easy to be suppressed. She proved leaky, for we had no carpenter's yard or smith shop to go to, and now the question was, who should go and how many? I found it necessary for six. Four to row, one to steer and one to bail. Three of the Spaniards and the Frenchmen claimed the right, as being best acquainted with the nearest inhabitants. Likewise, they had when taken two boats left at St. Maria, about forty miles distant, which they were confident of finding. They promised to return within two or three days for the rest of us. I thought it best to consent. Mr. Brackett it was agreed to go in my stead, because my papers must accompany me as a necessary protection, and my men apprehended danger if they were lost. Joseph Baxter, I think was his name, they wished should go, because he could speak both languages, leaving Manuel, George, Thomas, and myself to wait their return. Having thus made all arrangements and putting up a keg of the least salt water with a few pancakes of salt fish, they set off a little before sunset, with our best wishes and prayers for their safety and return to our relief. To launch off into the wide ocean, with strength almost exhausted, and in such a frail boat as this, you will say was very hazardous, and in truth it was, but what else was left to us? Their intention was to touch at the key where the exertion was, and if no boat was to be found there, to proceed to St. Maria, and if none there to go to Trinidad and send us relief. But alas, it was the last time I ever saw them. Our suffering this day was most acute. Tuesday, fifth, about ten o'clock a.m. discovered a boat drifting by on the southeastern side of the island about a mile distant. I deemed it a providential thing to us, and urged Thomas and George, trying the raft for her. They reluctantly consented and set off, but it was nearly three p.m. when they came up with her. It was the same boat we had built. Where then was my friend Brackett and those who went with him? Every appearance was unfavorable. I hoped that a good providence had yet preserved him. The two men who went for the boat found it full of water, without oars, paddle, or sail. Being in this condition, and about three miles to the leeward, the men found it impossible to tow her up, so left her, and were about eleven o'clock at night getting back with the raft. They were so exhausted that had it not been nearly calm, they could never have returned. Wednesday, sixth. This morning was indeed the most gloomy I had ever experienced. There appeared hardly a ray of hope that my friend Brackett could return, seeing the boat was lost. Our provisions nearly gone, our mouths parched extremely with thirst, our strength wasted, our spirits broken, and our hopes imprisoned within the circumference of this desolate island in the midst of an unfrequented ocean. All these things gave to the scene around us the hue of death. In the midst of this dreadful despondence, a sail hove in sight bearing the white flag. Our hopes were raised, of course, but no sooner raged than darkened by hearing a gun fired. Here then was another gang of pirates. She soon, however, came near enough to anchor, and her boat pushed off towards us with three men in her. Thinking it now no worse to die by sword than famine, I walked down immediately to meet them. I knew them not. A moment before the boat touched the ground a man leaped from her bows and caught me in his arms. It was Nicola, saying, Do you now believe Nicola is your friend? Yes, said he. Jemisin will yet prove himself so. No words can express my emotions at this moment. This was a friend indeed. The reason of mine not recognizing them before was that they had cut their beards and whiskers. Turning to my fellow sufferers, Nicola asked, Are these all that are left of you? Where are the others? At this moment, seeing David's grave, are they dead then? Ah, I suspected it. I know what you were put here for. As soon as I could recover myself, I gave him an account of Mr. Brackett and the others. How unfortunate, he said, they must be lost, or some pirates have taken them. But he continued, We have no time to lose. You had better embark immediately with us and go where you please. We are at your service. The other two in the boat were Frenchmen, one named Lyon, the other Periket. They affectionately embraced each of us, then holding to my mouth the nose of a tea kettle, filled with wine, said, Drink plenty, no hurt you. I drank as much as I judged prudent. They then gave it to my fellow sufferers. I experienced almost immediate relief, not feeling it in my head. They had also brought in the boat for us a dish of salt, beef, and potatoes, of which we took a little. Then sent the boat on board for the other two men, being five in all, who came ashore, and rejoiced enough was I to see among them Thomas Young, one of my crew, who was detained on board the Mexican, but had escaped through Nicholas Means, the other a Frenchman named John Cadet. I now thought again and again with troubled emotion of my dear friend Brackett's fate. I took the last piece of paper I had and wrote with a pencil a few words, informing him, should he come there, that I and the rest were safe, that I was not mistaken in the friend in whom I had placed so much confidence, that he had accomplished my highest expectations and that I should go immediately to Trinidad and requested him to go there also, and apply to Mr. Isaac W. Lord, my consignee for assistance. I put the paper into a junk bottle previously found on the beach, put in a stopper, and left it. Together with what little flower remained, a keg of water brought from Nicholas Vessel, and a few other things which I thought might be of service to him. We then repaired with our friends on board, where we were kindly treated. She was a sloop from Jamaica, of about twelve tons, with a cargo of rum and wine bound to Trinidad. I asked which way they intended to go. They said to Jamaica, if agreeable to me. As I preferred Trinidad, I told him, if they would give me the exertion's boat which was alongside, beside their own, some water and provisions, we would take chance in her. For perhaps, said I, you will fare better at Jamaica than at Trinidad. After a few minutes' consultation, they said, you are too much exhausted to row the distance of one hundred miles, therefore we will go and carry you. We consider ourselves at your service. I expressed a wish to take a look at the exertion. Possibly we might hear something of Mr. Brackett. Nicola said very well, so got under way and run for her, having a light westerly wind. He then related to me the manner of their desertion from the pirates. As nearly as I can recollect his own words, he said, a few days since the pirates took four small vessels, I believe, Spaniards. They having but two officers for the two first, the third fell to me as prize master, and having an understanding with the three Frenchmen and Thomas selected them for my crew, and went on board with orders to follow the Mexican, which I obeyed. The fourth, the pirates took out all but one man, and bade him also follow their vessel. Now our schooner leaked so bad that we left her and in her stead agreed to take this little sloop, which we are now in, together with the one man. The night being very dark, we all agreed to desert the pirates, altered our course, and touched at St. Maria, where we landed the one man, saw no boats there, could hear nothing from you, and agreed one and all at the risk of our lives to come and liberate you if you were alive, knowing as we did that you were put on this key to perish. On our way we boarded the exertion, thinking possibly you might have been there. On board her we found a sail and paddle. We took one of the pirate's boats which they had left alongside of her, which proves how we came by two boats. My friend, the circumstance I am now about to relate, will somewhat astonish you. When the pirate's boat with Boladar was sent to the before mentioned key, on the 19th of January, it was their intention to leave you prisoners there, where was nothing but saltwater and mangroves, and no possibility of escape. This was the plan of Baltazar, their abandoned pilot. But Boladar's heart failed him, and he objected to it. Then, after a conference, Captain Johnnieu ordered you to be put on the little island from which we have now taken you. But after this was done, that night the French and Portuguese part of the Mexican's crew protested against it, so that Captain Johnnieu, to satisfy them, sent his large boat to take you and your fellow prisoners back again, taking care to select his confidential spaniards for this errand. And you will believe me, they set off from the Mexican, and after spending about as much time as would really have taken them to come to you, they returned, and reported they had been to your island and landed, and that none of you were there, somebody having taken you off. This, all my companions here know to be true. I knew it was impossible you could have been liberated, and therefore we determined among ourselves that should an opportunity occur, we would come and save your lives, as we now have. He then expressed, as he hitherto had done, and I believe with sincerity, his disgust with the bad company which he had been in, and looked forward with anxiety to the day when he might return to his native country. I advised him to get on board an American vessel whenever an opportunity offered, and come to the United States, and on his arrival direct a letter to me, repeating my earnest desire to make some return for the disinterested friendship which he had shown toward me. With the Frenchman I had but little conversation being unacquainted with the language. Here ended Nicola's account, and now said the Frenchman, our hearts be easy. Nicola observed he had left all and found us. I gave them my warmest tribute of gratitude, saying I looked upon them under God as the preservers of our lives, and promised them all the assistance which my situation might enable me to afford. This brings me to Thursday evening, seventh, when at eleven o'clock we anchored at the creek's mouth near the exertion. I was anxious to board her. Accordingly took with me Nicola, Thomas, George, and two others, well armed, each with a musket and cutlass. I jumped on her deck, saw a fire in the Cambus, but no person there. I called aloud Mr. Brackett's name several times, saying, is Captain Lincoln, don't be afraid, but show yourself. But no answer was given. She had no masks, spars, rigging, furniture, provisions, or anything left, except her bowsprit, and a few barrels of salt provisions of her cargo. Her ceiling had holes cut in it, no doubt in their foolish search for money. I left her with peculiar emotions, such as I hope never again to experience, and returned to the little sloop where we remained till Friday 8th, when I had disposition to visit the island on which we were first imprisoned. Found nothing there, saw a boat among the mangroves near the exertion, returned and got underway immediately for Trinidad. In the night while under full sail, run aground on a sunken key, having rocks above the water, resembling old stumps of trees. We, however, soon got off and anchored. Most of those keys have similar rocks about them, which navigators must carefully guard against. Monday 11th, got underway, saw a briget anchor about five miles below the mouth of the harbor. We hoped to avoid her speaking us, but when we opened in sight of her, discovered a boat making towards us, with a number of armed men in her. This alarmed my friends, as we did not see the brig's ensign hoisted. They declared the boat was a pirate, and looking through the spyglass, they knew some of them to be the Mexican's men. This state of things was quite alarming. They said, we will not be taken alive by them. Immediately the boat fired a musket. The ball passed through our main sail. My friends insisted on beating them off. I endeavored to dissuade them, believing as I did, that the brig was a Spanish man of war who had sent her boat to ascertain who we were. I thought we had better heave, too. Immediately another shot came. Then they insisted on fighting, and said, if I would not help them, I was no friend. I reluctantly acquiescenced, and handed up the guns, commenced firing upon them, and they upon us. We received several shots through the sails, but no one was hurt on either side. Our boats had been cast adrift to make us go the faster, and we gained upon them. Continued firing until they turned from us, and went for our boats, which they took in tow for the brig. Soon after this it became calm. Then I saw the brig had us in her power. She manned and armed two more boats for us. We now concluded, since we had scarcely any ammunition, to surrender, and were towed down alongside the brig on board, and were asked by the captain who could spank English, what for you fire on the boat. I told him we thought her a pirate, and did not like to be taken by them again, having already suffered too much, showing my papers. He said, Captain Americana, never mind, go and take some dinner. Which are your men? I pointed them out to him, and he ordered them the liberty of the decks, but my friend Nicola and his three associates were immediately put in irons. They were, however, afterwards taken out of irons and examined, and I understood the Frenchman agreed to enlist, as they judged it the surest way to better their condition. Where the Nicola enlisted I do not know, but think that he did, as I understood that offer was made to him. I, however, endeavored to explain more distinctly to the captain, the benevolent efforts of these four men by whom my life had been saved, and used every argument in my power to procure their discharge. I also applied to the governor, and exerted myself with peculiar interests, dictated as I trust with heartfelt gratitude, and I ardently hope, ere this, that Nicola is on his way to this country, where I may have an opportunity of convincing him that such an act of benevolence will not go unrewarded. Previous to my leaving Trinidad, I made all the arrangements in my power with my influential friends, and doubt not that their laudable efforts will be accomplished. The sloop's cargo was then taken on board the brig, after which the captain requested a certificate that I was politely treated by him, saying that his name was Captain Candemay, of the privateer brig Prudente of Eighteen Guns. This request I complied with. His first lieutenant told me he sailed out of Boston, as commander for T. C. Armory, Esquire, during the last war. In the course of the evening my friends were taken out of Irons and examined separately, then put back again. The captain invited me to supper in his cabin, and a birth for the night, which was truly acceptable. The next morning, after breakfast, I with my people were set on shore with the few things we had, with the promise of the exertion small boat in a day or two, but it was never sent me. The reason let the reader imagine. On landing at the Wharf Castle Dar, we were immediately taken by soldiers to the guard house, which was a very filthy place, thinking I suppose, and even calling us pirates. Soon some friends came to see me. Mr. Cotton, who resides there, brought us in some soup. Mr. Isaac W. Lord of Boston, my merchant, came with Captain Tate, who sent immediately to the governor, for I would not show my papers to anyone else. He came about sunset, and after examining Manuel, my Spanish fellow prisoner, and my papers, said to me, giving me the papers, Captain, you are at liberty. I was kindly invited by Captain Matthew Rice of Schooner Galaxy, of Boston, to go on board his vessel, and live with him during my stay there. This generous offer I accepted, and was treated by him with the greatest hospitality, for I was hungered and he gave me meat, I was a thirst and he gave me drink, I was naked and he clothed me, a stranger and he took me in. He likewise took Manuel, and my three men for that night. Next day, Mr. Lord rendered me all necessary assistance in making my protest. He had heard nothing from me until my arrival. I was greatly disappointed in not finding Mr. Brackett, and requested Mr. Lord to give him all-needful aid if he should come there. To Captain Carnes of the Schooner Hannah of Boston, I would tender my sincere thanks for his kindness in giving me a passage to Boston, which I gladly accepted. To those gentlemen of Trinidad, and many Captains of American Vessels, who gave me sea-clothing, etc., I offer my cordial gratitude. I am fully of the opinion that these ferocious pilots are linked in with many inhabitants of Cuba, and the government in many respects appears covertly to encourage them. It is with heartfelt delight that since the above narrative was written, I have learned that Mr. Brackett and his companions are safe. He arrived at Port de Esperit, about 40 leagues east of Trinidad. A letter has been received from him, stating that he should proceed to Trinidad the first opportunity. It appears that after reaching the wreck, they found a boat from the shore, taking on board some of the exertion's cargo in which they proceeded to the above place. Why it was not in his power to come to our relief will no doubt be satisfactorily disclosed when he may be so fortunate as once more to return to his native country and friends. I felt great anxiety to learn what became of Jameson, who, my readers will recollect, was detained on board the Spanish brig Prudente near Trinidad. I heard nothing from him until I believe 18 months after I reached home when I received a letter from him from Montego Bay, Jamaica, informing me that he was then residing in that island. I immediately wrote to him and invited him to come to the United States. He accordingly came on passenger with Captain Wilson of Cajosat and arrived in Boston in August 1824. Our meeting was very affecting. Trine scenes were brought up before us, scenes gone forever through which we had passed together where our acquaintance was formed and since which time we had never met. I beheld once more the preserver of my life, the instrument under providence of restoring me to my home, my family, and my friends, and I regarded him with no ordinary emotion. My family were delighted to see him and cordially united in giving him a warm reception. He told me that after we separated in Trinidad, he remained on board the Spanish brig. The commander asked him and his companions if they would enlist. The Frenchman replied that they would, but he said nothing, being determined to make his escape the very first opportunity which should present. The Spanish brig afterwards fell in with a Colombian patriot, an armed brig of eighteen guns. Being of about equal force, they gave battle and fought between three and four hours. Both parties were very much injured and, without any considerable advantage on either side, both drew off to make repairs. The Spanish brig Prudente put into St. Jago de Cuba. Jameson was wounded in the action by a musket ball through his arm and was taken on shore with the other wounded and placed in the hospital of St. Jago. Here he remained for a considerable time until he had nearly recovered when he found an opportunity of escaping and embarking for Jamaica. He arrived in safety at Kingston and from there traveled barefoot over the mountains until very much exhausted he reached Montego Bay where he had friends and where one of his brothers possessed some property. From this place he afterwards wrote to me. He told me that before he came to Massachusetts he saw the villainous pilot of the Mexican, the infamous Baltazar with several other pirates brought into Montego Bay from whence they were to be conveyed to Kingston to be executed. Whether the others were part of the Mexicans crew or not I do not know. Baltazar was an old man and as Jameson said it was a melancholy in heart rendering sight to see him born to execution with those gray hairs which might have been venerable in virtuous old age now a shame and reproach to this hoary villain for he was full of years and old in inequity. When Jameson received the letter which I wrote him he immediately embarked with Captain Wilson and came to Boston as I have before observed. According to his own count he was of a very respectable family in Greenock, Scotland. His father when living was a rich cloth merchant but both his father and mother had been dead many years. He was youngest of 13 children and being as he said of a roving disposition had always followed the seas. He had received a polite education and was of a very gentlemanly deportment. He spoke several living languages and was skilled in drawing and painting. He had traveled extensively in different countries and acquired in consequence an excellent knowledge of their manners and customs. His varied information for hardly any subject escaped him rendered him a very entertaining companion. His observations on the character of different nations were very liberal marking their various traits, their virtues and vices with playful humorousness quite free from bigotry or narrow prejudice. I was in trade between Boston and Philadelphia at the time he came to Massachusetts and he sailed with me several trips as my mate. He afterwards went to Cuba and was subsequently engaged in the mackerel fishery out of the port of Hingham during the warm season and in the winter frequently employed himself in teaching navigation to young men for which he was eminently qualified. He remained with us until his death which took place in 1829. At this time he had been out at sea two or three days when he was taken sick and was carried into Cape Cod where he died on the first day of May 1829 and there his remains lie buried. Pieces be to his ashes. They rest in a strange land far from his kindred and his native country. Since his death I have met with Mr. Stewart of Philadelphia who was commercial agent in Trinidad at the time of my capture. He informed me that the piratical schooner Mexican was afterwards chased by an English government vessel from Jamaica which was cruising in search of it. Being hotly pursued the pirates deserted their vessel and fled to the mangrove bushes on an island similar to that on which they had placed me and my crew to die. The English surrounded them and thus they were cut off from all hopes of escape. They remained there I think 14 days when being almost entirely subdued by famine Levin surrendered themselves and were taken. The others probably perished among the mangroves. The few who were taken were carried by the government vessel into Trinidad. Mr. Stewart said that he saw them himself and such miserable objects that had life he never before beheld. They were in a state of starvation. Their beards had grown to a frightful length their bodies were covered with filth and vermin and their consonances were hideous. From Trinidad they were taken to Kingston, Jamaica and their hung on Friday the 7th of February 1823. About a quarter of an hour before day dawn the wretched culprits were taken from the jail under a guard of soldiers from the 50th regiment and the city guard. On their arrival at the wary wharf the military retired and the prisoners with the town guard were put on board two wearies in which they proceeded to port Royal Point the usual place of execution in similar cases. They were there met by a strong party of military consisting of 50 men under command of an officer. They formed themselves into a square round the place of execution where the sheriff and his officers with the prisoners in the centre. The gallows was of considerable length and contrived with a drop so as to prevent the unpleasant circumstances which frequently occur. The unfortunate men had been in continual prayer from the time they were awakened out of a deep sleep till they arrived at that place where they were to close their existence. They all expressed their gratitude for the attention they had met with from the sheriff and the inferior officers. Many pressed the hands of the turnkey to their lips others to their hearts and on their knees prayed that God Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary would bless him and the other jailers for their goodness. They all then fervently joined in prayer to the astonishment of all no clerical character of any persuasion was present. They repeatedly called out Adonde Este Alpade Where is the Holy Father? Juan Hernandez called on all persons present to hear him. He was innocent. What they had said about his confessing himself guilty was untrue. He had admitted himself guilty because he hoped for pardon but that now he was to die he called God Jesus Christ the Holy Ghost the Virgin Mary and the saints to witness that he spoke the truth that he was no pirate no murderer he had been forced. The lieutenant of the pirates was a wretch who did not fear God and had compelled him to act. Juan Guterres and Francisco de Seyes were loud in their protestations of innocence. Manuel Lima said for himself he did not care he felt for the old man Miguel José. How could he be a pirate who could not help himself? If it were a Christian country they would have pardoned him for his gray hairs. He was innocent. They had both been forced. Let none of his friends or relations ever venture to see. He hoped his death would be a warning to them that the innocent might suffer for the guilty. The language of this young man marked him a superior to the generality of his companions in misfortune. The semen of the whim stated that he was very kind to them when prisoners on board the piratical vessel. Just before he was turned off he addressed the old man adios viejo para sempre adios farewell old man forever farewell Several of the prisoners cried out for mercy pardon pardon Domingo Ucala the black man then addressed them do not look for mercy here but pray to God we are all brought here to die this is not built for nothing here we must end our lives you know I am innocent but I must die the same as you all there is not anybody here who can do us any good so let us think only of God Almighty we are not children but men we know that all must die and in a few years those who kill us must die too when I was born God set the way of my death I do not blame anybody I was taken by the pirates and they made me help them they would not let me be idle I could not show that this was the truth and therefore they have judged me by the people they have found me with I am put to death unjustly but I blame nobody it was my misfortune come let us pray if we are innocent so much the less we have to repent I do not come here to accuse anyone death must come one day or other better to the innocent than guilty he then joined in prayer with the others he seemed to be much reverence by his fellow prisoners he chose those prayers he thought most adapted to the occasion hundreds were witnesses to the manly firmness of this negro observing a bystander listening attentively to the complaints of one of his fellow wretches he translated what had been said into English with a steady pace and a resolute and resigned continence he ascended the fatal scaffold observing the executioner unable to untie a knot on the collar of one of the prisoners he with his teeth untied it he then prayed most fervently till the drop fell Miguel Jose protested his innocence I have robbed no one I have killed no one I die innocent I am an old man but my family will feel my disgraceful death Francisco Magoo prayed devoutly but inaudibly his soul seemed to have quitted the body before he was executed Perté Gullamillet called on all to witness his innocence it was of no use for him to say an untruth for he was going before the face of God Augustus Hernandez repeatedly declared his innocence requested that no one would say he had made a confession he had none to make Juan Hernandez was rather obstinate when the execution pulled the cap over his eyes he said rather passionately quitta este mis ojos remove it from my eyes he then rubbed it up against one of the posts of the gallows Miguel Jose made the same complaint and drew the covering from his eyes by rubbing his head against a fellow sufferer Pedro Nandre was loud in his ejaculations for mercy he wet bitterly he was covered with marks of deep wounds the hole of the tin included in the death warrant having been placed on the scaffold and the rope suspended the drop was let down Nandre being an immense heavy man broke the rope and fell to the ground alive Juan Hernandez struggled long Lima was much convulsed the old man Gullamillet and Magoo were apparently dead before the drop fell Ucala the black man gave one convulsion and all was over when Nandre recovered from the fall and saw his nine lifeless companions stretched in death he gave an agonizing shriek he rung his hands screamed favor favor me mata senkosa oh Buenos Cristianos me amparin and para me and para me no he Cristiano and hasta tiara mercy mercy they kill me without cause oh good Christians protect me oh protect me is there no Christian in this land he then lifted his eyes to heaven and prayed long and loud upon being again suspended he was for a long period convulsed he was an immense powerful man and died hard a piratical station was taken in the island of Cuba by the U.S. schooners of war Greyhound and Beagle they left Thompson's Island June 7th, 1823 under the command of lieutenants Kearney and Newton and cruised within the keys on the south side of Cuba as far as Cape Cruz touching at all the intermediate ports on the island to intercept pirates on the 21st of July they came to anchor off Cape Cruz and Lieutenant Kearney went in his boat to reconnoiter the shore when he was fired on by a party of pirates who were concealed among the bushes a fire was also opened from several pieces of cannon erected on a hill a short distance off the boat returned and five or six others were manned from the vessels and pushed off for the shore but a very heavy cannonade being kept up by the pirates on the heights as well as from the boats were compelled to retreat the two schooners were then warped in when they discharged several broadsides and covered the landing of the boats after a short time the pirates retreated to a hill that was well fortified a small hamlet in which the pirates resided was set fire to and destroyed three guns one of four pounder and two large swivels with several pistols cutlaces and eight large boats were captured a cave about 150 feet deep was discovered near where the houses were and after considerable difficulty a party of seamen got to the bottom where was found an immense quantity of plunder consisting of broad cloths dry goods female dresses saddlery etc many human bones were also in the cave supposed to have been unfortunate persons who were taken and put to death a great many of the articles were brought away and the rest destroyed about 40 pirates escaped to the heights but many were supposed to have been killed from the fire of the schooners as well as from the men who landed the bushes were so thick that it was impossible to go after them several other caves are in the neighborhood in which it was conjectured they occasionally take shelter in 1823 Commodore Porter commanded the United States squadron in the seas much good was done in preventing new acts of piracy but these wretches kept aloof and did not venture to see as formally but some were taken almost every day furnished accounts evincing the activity of Commodore Porter and the officers and men under his command but for a long time their industry and zeal was rather shown in the suppression of piracy than the punishment of it at length however an opportunity offered for inflicting the latter as detailed in the following letter dated Matanzas july 10th 1823 I have the pleasure of informing you of a brilliant achievement attained against the pirates on the fifth instance by two barges attached to Commodore Porter squadron the Galanipper Lieutenant Watson 18 men and the Mosquito Lieutenant Inman 10 men the barges were returning from a cruise to Winward when they were near Higuapa Bay 13 leagues to Winward of Matanzas they entered it it being a rendezvous for pirates they immediately discovered a large schooner underway which they supposed to be a patriot privateer and as their stores were nearly exhausted they hoped to obtain some supplies from her they therefore made sail in pursuit when they were within cannon shot distance she rounded to and fired her long gun at the same time run up the bloody flag directing her course towards the shore and continuing to fire without effect when she had got within a short distance of the shore she came to with springs on her cable continuing to fire and when the barges were within 30 yards they fired their muskets without touching boat or man our men gave three cheers and prepared to board the pirates discovering their intention jumped into the water when the bargemen calling on the name of Allen commenced a destructive slaughter killing them in the water and as they landed so exasperated were our men that it was impossible for their officers to restrain them and many were killed after orders were given to grant quarter 27 dead were counted some sunk five taken prisoners by the bargemen and eight taken by a party of Spaniards on shore the officers calculated that from 30 to 35 were killed the schooner mounted a long nine pounder on a pivot and four four pounders with every other necessary armament and a crew of 50 to 60 men and ought to have blown the barges to Adams she was commanded by the notorious Diableto or little devil this statement I have from Lieutenant Watson himself and it is certainly the most decisive operation that has been affected against those murderers either by the English or American force this affair occurred on the same spot where the brave Allen fell about one year since the prize was sent to Thompson's Island a British loop of war about the same time captured a pirate schooner off St. Domingo with a crew of 60 men she had $200,000 in specie and other valuable articles on board the Brig Vestal sent another pirate schooner to New Providence End of chapter 23 part 2 Chapter 24 of the Pirate's Own Book This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Pirate's Own Book by Charles Holmes Chapter 24 Adventures in Execution of Captain Jack Rackham This Jack Rackham, as has been reported in the foregoing pages, was quartermaster to Vane's company till the crew were divided and Vane turned out of it for refusing to board a French man of war Rackham being voted captain of the division that remained in the Brigantine The 24th of November, 1718, was the first day of his command His first cruise was among the Caribbean islands where he took and plundered several vessels We have already taken notice that when Captain Woods Rogers went to the island of Providence with the King's pardon to such of the pirates as should surrender this Brigantine, which Rackham commanded, made its escape through another passage bidding defiance to the mercy that was offered To the windward of Jamaica a Madeira man fell in the pirate's way which they detained two or three days till they had their market out of her and then they gave her back to the master and permitted one Josea Tisdale a tavern keeper at Jamaica who had been picked up in one of their prizes to depart in her, she being bound for that island After this cruise they went into a small island and cleaned and spent their Christmas ashore drinking and carousing as long as they had any liquor left and then they went to sea again for more They succeeded but too well though they took no extraordinary prize for above two months except a ship laden with convicts from Newgate bound for the plantations which in a few days was retaken with all her cargo by an English man of war that was stationed in those seas Rackham stood towards the island of Bermuda and took a ship bound to England from Carolina and a small pink from New England both of which he brought to the Bahama islands where with the pitch tar and stores they cleaned again and refitted their own vessels but staying too long in that neighborhood Captain Rogers who was governor of Providence hearing of these ships being taken sent out a sloop well manned and armed which retook both the prizes though in the meanwhile the pirate had the good fortune to escape from hence they sailed to the back of Cuba where Rackham kept a little kind of a family at which place they stayed a considerable time living ashore with their Delilahs till their money and provisions were expended and they concluded it time to look out for more they repaired their vessel and were making ready to put to sea when a guard at Acosta came in with a small English sloop which she had taken as an interloper on the coast the Spanish guard ship attacked the pirate but Rackham being close in behind a little island she could do but little execution where she lay the dawns therefore warped the channel that evening in order to make sure of her the next morning Rackham finding his case desperate and that there was hardly any possibility of escaping resolved to attempt the following enterprise the Spanish prize lying for the better security close into the island between the little island and the main our desperado took his crew into the boat with their cutlaces rounded the little island and fell aboard their prize silently in the dead of night without being discovered telling the Spaniards that were aboard her that if they spoke a word or made the least noise they were all dead men and so they became masters of her when this was done he slipped her cable and drove out to sea the Spanish men of war was so intent upon their expected prize that they minded nothing else and as soon as day broke they made a furious fire upon the empty sloop but it was not long before they were rightly appraised of the matter when they cursed themselves sufficiently for a company of fools to be bit out of a good rich prize as she proved to be and to have nothing but an old crazy hole in the room of her Rackham and his crew had no occasion to be displeased at the exchange as it enabled them to continue some time longer in a way of life that suited their depraved minds in august 1720 we find him at sea again scouring the harbors and inlets of the north and west parts of Jamaica where he took several small crafts which proved to be no great booty to the rovers but they had but few men and therefore were obliged to run at low game till they could increase their company and their strength in the beginning of september they took seven or eight fishing boats in harbour island stole their nets and other tackle and then went off to the french part of his panola where they landed and took the cattle away with two or three frenchmen whom they found near the watering side hunting wild hogs in the evening the frenchmen came on board whether by consent or compulsion is not certainly known they afterwards plundered two sloops and returned to Jamaica on the north coast of which island near Porto Maria Bay they took a schooner Thomas Spenloh master it being then the 19th of october the next day Rackham seeing a sloop in dry harbour bay stood in and fired a gun the men all ran ashore and he took the sloop in lading but when those ashore found that they were pirates they hailed the sloop and let them know they were all willing to come on board of them Rackham's coasting the island in this matter proved fatal for him which intelligence of his expedition came to the governor by canoe which he had surprised ashore in Oco Bay upon this a sloop was immediately fitted out and sent round the island in quest of him commanded by captain Barnett and manned with a good number of hands Rackham rounding the island and drawing round the western point called at point Negril saw a small petyaga which at the side of the sloop ran ashore and landed her men when one of them hailed her answer was made that they were Englishmen and begged the petyaga's men to come on board and drink a bowl of punch which they prevailed upon them to do accordingly the company in an evil hour came all aboard of the pirate consisting of nine persons they were armed with muskets and cutlasses but what was their real design and so doing we will not pretend to say they had no sooner laid down their arms and taken up their pipes then Barnett sloop which was in pursuit of Rackham's came in sight the pirates finding she stood directly towards them feared the event and wade their anchor which they had but lately let go and stood off captain Barnett gave them chase and having advantage of little breezes of wind which blew off the land came up with her and brought her into port royal in Jamaica about a fortnight after the prisoners were brought ashore viz november 16th 1720 captain Rackham and eight of his men were condemned and executed captain Rackham and two others were hung in chains but what was very surprising was the conviction of the nine men that came aboard the sloop on the same day she was taken they were tried at an adjournment of the court on the 24th of january the magistracy waiting all that time it is supposed for evidence to prove the piratical intention of going aboard the sloop for it seems that there was no act or piracy committed by them as appeared by the witnesses against them two Frenchmen taken by Rackham off the island of Hispaniola who merely deposed that the prisoners came on board without any compulsion the court considered the prisoners cases and the majority of the commissioners being of opinion that they were all guilty of the piracy and felony they were charged with viz the going over with a piratical intent to John Rackham etc then notorious pirates and by them known to be so they all received sentence of death and were executed on the 17th of February at gallows point at port royal nor holy bell nor pastoral bleat in former days within the veil flapped in the bay the pirate sheet curses were on the gale rich goods lay on the sand and murdered men pirate and wreckers kept their revels there the buccaneer end of chapter 24 chapter 25 of the pirates own book this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Michelle Crandall the pirates own book by Charles Elms chapter 25 the life and exploits of Anne Bonney this female pirate was a native of cork her father was an attorney and by his activity in business rose to considerable respectability in that place Anne was the fruit of an unlawful connection with his own servant made with whom he afterwards eloped to America leaving his own affectionate and lawful wife he settled at Carolina and for some time followed his own profession but soon commenced merchant and was so successful as to purchase a considerable plantation there he lived with his servant in the character of his wife but she dying his daughter Anne superintended the domestic affairs of her father during her residence with her parent she was supposed to have a considerable fortune and was accordingly addressed by young men of respectable situations in life it happened with Anne however as with many others of her youth and sex that her feelings and not her interest determined her choice of a husband she married a young sailor without a shilling the avaricious father was so enraged that deaf to the feelings of a parent he turned his own child out of doors upon this cruel usage and the disappointment of her fortune Anne and her husband sailed for the island of Providence in the hope of gaining employment acting apart very different from that of Mary Reed Anne's affections were soon estranged from her husband by Captain Rackham and eloping with him she went to see in men's clothes proving with child the captain put her on shore and entrusted her to the care of some friends until her recovery when she again accompanied him in his expeditions upon the king's proclamation offering a pardon to all pirates he surrendered and went into the privateering business as we have related before he however soon embraced an opportunity to return to his favorite employment in all his paratical exploits Anne accompanied him and as we have already recorded displayed such courage and intrepidity that she along with Mary Reed and a seaman were the last three who remained on board when the vessel was taken. Anne was known to many of the planters in Jamaica who remembered to have seen her in her father's house and they were disposed to intercede in her behalf her unprincipled conduct in leaving her own husband and informing an illicit connection with Rackham tended however to render her friends less active by a special favor Rackham was permitted to visit her the day before he was executed but instead of condoling with him on an account of his sad fate she only observed that she was sorry to see him there but if he had fought like a man he needed not have been hanged like a dog being with child she remained in prison until her recovery was reprieved from time to time and though we cannot communicate to our readers any particulars of her future life or the manner of her death yet it is certain that she was not executed end of chapter 25 recording by Michelle Crandall Fremont California September 2008 chapter 26 of the Pirate's Own Book this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Corrie Samuel the Pirate's Own Book by Charles Elms chapter 26 the Adventures and Heroism of Mary Reed the attention of our readers is now to be directed to the history of two female pirates a history which is chiefly remarkable from the extraordinary circumstance of the softer sex assuming a character peculiarly distinguished for every vice that can disgrace humanity and at the same time for the exertion of the most daring though brutal courage Mary Reed was a native of England but at what place she was born is not recorded her mother married a sailor when she was very young who soon after their marriage went to sea and never returned the fruit of that marriage was a sprightly boy the husband not returning she again found herself with child and to cover her shame took leave of her husband's relations and went to live in the country taking her boy along with her her son in a short time died and she was relieved from the burden of his maintenance and education the mother had not resided long in the country before Mary Reed the subject of the present narrative was born after the birth of Mary her mother resided in the country for three or four years until her money was all spent and her ingenuity was set at work to contrive how to obtain a supply she knew that her husband's mother was in good circumstances and could easily support her child provided she could make her pass for a boy and her son's child but it seemed impossible to impose upon an old experienced mother she however presented Mary in the character of her grandson the old woman proposed to take the boy to live with her but the mother would not on any account part with her boy the grandmother therefore allowed a crown per week for his support the ingenuity of the mother being successful she reared the daughter as a boy but as she grew up she informed her of the secret of her birth in order that she might conceal her sex the grandmother however dying the support from that quarter failed and she was obliged to hire her out as a foot boy to a French lady the strength and manly disposition of this supposed boy increased with her years and leaving that servile employment she engaged on board a man of war the volatile disposition of the youth did not permit her to remain long in this station and she next went into Flanders and joined a regiment of foot as a cadet though in every action she conducted herself with the greatest bravery yet she could not obtain a commission as they were in general bought and sold she accordingly quitted that service and enlisted into a regiment of horse there she behaved herself so valiantly that she gained the esteem of all her officers it however happened that her comrade was a handsome young Fleming and she fell passionately in love with him the violence of her feelings rendered her negligent of her duty and affected such a change in her behavior as attracted the attention of all both her comrade and the rest of the regiment deemed her mad love however is inventive and as they slept in the same tent she found means to discover her sex without any seeming design he was both surprised and pleased supposing that he would have a mistress to himself but he was greatly mistaken and he found that it was necessary to court her for his wife a mutual attachment took place and as soon as convenient women's clothes were provided for her and they were publicly married the singularity of two troopers marrying caused a general conversation and many of the officers honored the ceremony with their presence and resolved to make presents to the bride to provide her with necessaries after marriage they were desirous to quit the service and their discharge being easily obtained they set up an ordinary under the sign of the three shoes and soon acquired a considerable run of business but Mary Reed's felicity was of short duration the husband died and peace being concluded her business diminished under these circumstances she again resumed her man's stress and going into Holland enlisted into a regiment of foot quartered in one of the frontier towns but there being no prospect of preferment in time of peace she went on board a vessel bound for the West Indies during the voyage the vessel was captured by English pirates and as Mary was the only English person on board they detained her and having plundered the vessel of what they chose allowed it to depart Mary continued in that unlawful commerce for some time but the royal pardon being tended to all those in the West Indies who should, before a specified day, surrender the crew to which she was attached availed themselves of this and lived quietly on shore with the fruits of their adventures but from the want of their usual supplies their money became exhausted and being informed that Captain Rogers in the Isle of Providence was fitting out some vessels for privateering Mary with some others repaired to that island to serve on board his privateers we have already heard that scarcely had the ships sailed when some of their crews mutinied and ran off with the ships to pursue their former mode of life among these was Mary Reid she indeed frequently declared that the life of a pirate was what she detested and that she was constrained to it both on the former and present occasion it was however sufficiently ascertained that both Mary Reid and Anne Bonney were among the bravest and most resolute fighters of the whole crew that when the vessel was taken these two heroines along with another of the pirates were the last three upon deck and that Mary having in vain endeavoured to rouse the courage of the crew who had fled below discharged a pistol amongst them killing one and wounding another nor was Mary less modest than brave for though she had remained many years in the character of a sailor yet no one had discovered her sex until she was under the necessity of doing so to Anne Bonney the reason of this was that Anne supposing her to be a handsome fellow became greatly enamoured of her and discovered her sex and wishes to Mary who was thus constrained to reveal her secret to Anne Rackham being the paramour of Bonnie and observing her partiality towards Mary threatened to shoot her lover so that to prevent any mischief Anne also informed the captain of the sex of her companion Rackham was enjoined to secrecy and here he behaved honourably but love again assailed the conquered Mary it was usual with the pirates to retain all the artists who were captured in the trading vessels among these was a very handsome young man of engaging manners who vanquished the heart of Mary in a short time her love became so violent that she took every opportunity of enjoying his company and conversation and after she had gained his friendship discovered her sex esteem and friendship was speedily converted into the most ardent affection and a mutual flame burned in the hearts of these two lovers and a current soon happened that put the attachment of Mary to a severe trial her lover having quarrelled with one of the crew they agreed to fight a duel on shore Mary was all anxiety for the fate of her lover and she manifested a greater concern for the preservation of her life than that of her own but she could not entertain the idea that he could refuse to fight and so be esteemed a coward accordingly she quarrelled with the man who challenged her lover and called him to the field two hours before his appointment with her lover engaged him with sword and pistol and laid him dead at her feet though no esteem or love had formally existed this action was sufficient to have kindled the most violent flame but this was not necessary for the lovers attachment was equal if not stronger than her own they pledged their faith which was esteemed as binding as if the ceremony had been performed by a clergyman Captain Rackham one day before he knew that she was a woman asked her why she followed a line of life that exposed her to so much danger and at last to the certainty of being hanged she replied that as to hanging she thought it no great hardship for were it not for that every cowardly fellow would turn pirate and so infest the seas and men of courage would starve that if it were put to her choice she would not have the punishment less than death the fear of which kept some dastardly rogues honest that many of those who are now cheating the widows and orphans and oppressing their poor neighbours who have no money to obtain justice would then rob at sea and the ocean would be as crowded with rogues as the land so that no merchants would venture out and the trade in a little time would not be worth following being with child at the time of her trial her execution was delayed and it is probable that she would have found favour but in the meantime she fell sick and died mary reed was of a strong and robust constitution capable of enduring much exertion and fatigue she was vain and bold in her disposition but susceptible of the tenderest emotions and of the most melting affections her conduct was generally directed by virtuous principles while at the same time she was violent in her attachments though she was inadvertently drawn into that dishonourable mode of life which has stained her character and given her a place among the criminals noticed in this work yet she possessed a rectitude of principle and of conduct far superior to many who have not been exposed to such temptations to swerve from the path of female virtue and honour end of chapter 26