 CHAPTER V. PART II For the better elucidating of this story it may be convenient to inform the reader why Angria is and what the fleet were that had so scurvally behaved themselves. Angria is a famous Indian pirate of considerable strength and territories that gives continual disturbance to the European, especially the English, trade. His chief hold is Calaba, not many leagues from Bombay, and has one island in sight of that port, whereby he gains frequent opportunities of annoying the company. It would not be so insufferable a difficulty to suppress him if the shallowness of the water did not prevent ships of war coming nigh. And a better art he has of bribing the moguls' ministers for protection when he finds an enemy too powerful. In the year 1720 the Bombay fleet consisted of four grabs, ships built in India by the company, which have three masts of prow like a row-galley, instead of a boat-sprit. About one hundred fifty tons are officered and armed like a man of war for the defense and protection of the trade. The London, Chandois, and two other ships, with Galavats, who besides their proper compliments, carried down a thousand men to bombard and batter Gaera, a fort belonging to Angria, on the Malabar coast, which they have performed ineffectually, were returning to Bombay and to make amends fell in with the pirates, to the purpose has been already related. Captain Oppen, Commodore of that fleet, prudently objecting to Mr. Brown, who went general, that the ships were not to be hazarded, since they sailed without their governor Boone's orders to engage, and besides that they did not come out with such a design. This favourable opportunity of destroying the pirates angered the governor, and he transferred the command of the fleet to Captain McCrob, who had orders immediately to pursue and engage wherever he met them. The viceroy of Goa, assisted by the English company's fleet from Bombay, did attempt the reduction of Calaba, his principal place, landed eight or ten thousand men the next year, the English squadron of men of war being then in those seas, but having viewed the fortification well and expended some of their army by sickness and the fatigues of a camp, carefully withdrew again, I returned to the pirates who after they had sent away the Calaba's people resolved to cruise to the southward, and the next day between Goa and Karwar heard several guns which brought them to an anchor, and they sent their boat on the scent, who returned about two in the morning, and brought word of two grabs lying at anchor in the road. They wade and ran toward the bay till daylight gave the grabs sight of them, and was but just time enough to get under India-Deva Castle out of their reach. This displeased the pirates the more in that they wanted water, and some were for making a descent that night and taking the island, but it not being approved of by the majority they proceeded to the southward, and took next in their way a small ship out of on-or-road, with only a Dutchman and two Portuguese on board. They sent one of these on short of the captain to acquaint him if he would supply them with some water and fresh provisions. He should have his ship again. And the master returned for answer by his mate Frank Harmless that if they would deliver him possession over the bar he would comply with their request. The proposal the mate thought was collusive, and they rather jumped into Harmless's opinion, who very honestly entered with them, and resolved to seek water at the Lakadeva Islands. So having sent the other persons on shore with threats that he should be the last man they would give quarter to by reason of this uncivil usage, they put directly for the islands and arrived there in three days, where being informed by a men-shaw they took with the governor of Kanwar's Pass, of there being no anchor ground among them, and Melinda being the next convenient island, they set their boats on shore to see if there was any water, and whether it was inhabited or not. Who returned with an answer to their satisfaction vis-à-vis that there was abundance of good water and many houses, but deserted by the men who had fled to the neighboring islands on the approach of ships, and left only the women and children to guard one another. The women they forced in a barbarous manner to their lusts, and to require them, destroyed their cocoa trees, and fired several of their houses and churches, I suppose built by the Portuguese who formerly used there in their voyages to India. While they were at this island, they lost three or four anchors by the rockiness of the ground, freshness of winds, and at last were forced, thanks by a harder gale and ordinary, leaving seventy people, blacks and whites, and most of their water casks. In ten days they regained the island again, filled their water, and took the people on board. Proficients were very scarce, and they now resolved to visit their good friends the Dutch at Cochin, who, if you will believe these rogues, never failed to supply gentlemen of their profession. After three days, sale they arrived off Tellicherry, and took a small vessel belonging to Governor Adams, John Talk Master, whom they brought on board very drunk, and he giving an account of Captain Macross fitting out, put them in a tempest of passion. Of villains say they that we have treated so civilly as to give him a ship and other presents, and now to be armed against us he ought to be hanged, and since we cannot show our resentment on him, let us hang the dogs his people who wish him well and would do the same, if clear. If it be in my power, says the quartermaster, both masters and officers of ships shall be carried with us for the future, only to plague them, damned England. Hence they proceeded to Calicut, where they endeavored to take a large moor ship out of the road, but was prevented by some guns mounted on shore and discharged at them. Mr. Lazenby, who was one of Captain Macross' officers and detained, was under the deck at this time, and commanded both by the captain and quartermaster of the pirates to tend the braces on the booms, in hopes it was believed a shot would take him before they got clear, asking the reason why he was not there before, and when he would have excused himself threatened on the like-neglect to shoot him, at which the other, beginning to expostulate further, and claim their promise of putting him ashore, got an unmerciful beating from the quartermaster. Captain Taylor, who was now a successor to Captain England, and whose privilege it was to do so, being lame of his hands and unable. The next day an air passage down came up with a Dutch galeot, bound for Calicut with limestone, and aboard of her they put Captain Tawk and sent him away, and several of the people interceded for Lazenby in vain. For, says Taylor and his party, if we let this dog go, who has heard our designs and resolutions, we overset all our well-advised projections, and particularly this supply we are now seeking for at the hands of the Dutch. It was but one day more before they arrived off Cochin, whereby a fishing canoe they sent a letter on shore, and in the afternoon with the sea-brees ran into the road and anchored, saluting the fort with eleven guns each, ship, and received the return in an equal number. A good omen of the welcome reception they found for, at night there came on board a large boat deeply laden with fresh provisions and liquors, and with it a servant of a favourable inhabitant, called John Trumpet. He told them they must immediately weigh and run farther to the southward where they should be supplied with all things they wanted, naval stores or provisions. They had not been long at anchor again before they had several canoes on board with both black and white inhabitants, who continued without interruption all good offices during their stay. Particularly John Trumpet brought a large boat of arach, than which nothing could be more pleasing about nighty ledgers, as also sixty bales of sugar, an offering it's presumed from the governor and his daughter, who in return had a fine table-clock sent him, the plunder of Captain McCros ship, and she a large gold watch, earnest of the pay they designed to make. When they had all on board they paid Mr. Trumpet to his satisfaction. It was computed six or seven thousand pounds. It gave him good three cheers, eleven guns each ship, and throwed a duck of tunes into his boat by the handfuls, for the boatmen to scramble for. That night being little wind did not weigh and Trumpet in the morning waked them to the sight of more arach, chests of peace-goods, and ready-made clothes, bringing the fiscal of the place also with him. At noon, while those were on board, saw a sail to the southward, which they weighed and chased after, but she having a good off got to the northward of them and anchored a small distance from Cochin Fort. The afore mentioned gentlemen, assuring them that they would not be molested in taking her from under the castle, solicited beforehand for the buying her, and advised them to stand in, which they did boldly to board her. But when they came within a cable's length or two of the chase, now near shore, the fort fired two small guns who shot falling nigh their muzzles they instantly bore out of the road, made an easy sail to the southward and anchored at night in their former berth, where John Trumpet, to engage their sail a little longer, informed them that in a few days a very rich ship was to pass by, commanded by the general of Bombay's brother. This governor is an emblem of foreign power, but inconvenience and injury must the masters of subjects sustain under one who can truckle to such treacherous and base means as corresponding and trading with pirates to enrich himself. Certainly such a man will stickle at no injustice to repair or make a fortune. He has the argumentum best saluma always in his hands, and can convince when he pleases in half the time of other arguments that fraud and oppression is law, that he employs instruments in such dirty work, expresses the guilt and shame, but no way mitigates the crime. John Trumpet was the tool, but as the dog said in the fable on another occasion, what is done by the master's orders is the master's actions. I cannot but reflect on this occasion what a vile government Sancho Pancho had of it. He had not only such perquisites rescinded, but was really almost starved. The victual's taken from him almost every day and only under a pretence of preserving his excellency's health. But governments differ. From Cochin some were for proceeding to Madagascar directly, others thought it proper to cruise till they got a store ship, and these being the majority they plied to the southward, and after some days saw a ship in shore, which being to windward of them they could not get nigh till the sea wind and night favoring they separated, one to the northward the other to the southward thinking to enclose her between. But to their astonishment and contrary to expectation, when day broke, instead of the chase found themselves very near five sail of tall ships, who immediately making a signal for the pirates to bear down, put them in the utmost confusion, particularly Taylor's ship, because their consort was at a distance from them at least three leagues to the southward, they stood to one another and joined, and then together made the best of their way from the fleet whom they judged to be commanded by Captain McCrom, of whose courage having experienced they were glad to shun any further taste of. In three hours' chase none of the fleet gaining upon them excepting one grab, their dejected countenance is cleared up again, the more and that a calm succeeded for the remainder of that day and in the night, with the land wind they ran directly offshore and found, next day to their great consolation, that they had lost sight of all the fleet. Miss Danger escaped, they proposed to spend Christmas, the Christmas of 1720, in carousing and forgetfulness, and kept it for three days in a wanton and riotous way, not only eating, but wasting their fresh provisions in so richet and inconsiderable a manner that when they had agreed after this to proceed to Mauritius, they were in that passage at an allowance of a bottle of water per day, and not above two pounds of beef and a small quantity of rice for ten men for a day. So that had it not been for the leaky ship, which once they were about to have quitted and had done, but for a quantity of arach and sugar she had on board, they most of them would have perished. In this condition they arrived at the island of Mauritius, about the middle of February. Sheath had refitted the victory and on the 5th of April sailed again, leaving this terrible inscription on one of the walls, left this place the 5th of April to go to Madagascar for limes, and this least, like lawyers and men of business, any visits should be paid in their absence. However, they did not sail directly from Madagascar, but the island Maskarene, and luckily, as rogues could wish, they found that their arrival on the 8th of Portuguese ship at anchor of seventy guns, but most of them thrown overboard. Her masts lost and so much disabled by a violent storm they had met in the latitude of thirteen degrees south, that she became a prize to the pirates, with very little or no resistance, and a glorious one indeed having the Conde de Arecora, viceroy of Goa, who made that fruitless expedition against Angria, the Indian, and several other passengers on board, who as they could not be ignorant of the treasures she had in did assert that in the single article of diamonds there was to the value of between three and four millions of dollars. The viceroy, who came on board that morning in expectation of the ships being English, was made a prisoner, and obliged to ransom. But in consideration of his great loss, the prize being part his own, they agreed after some demorings to accept two thousand dollars, and set him and the other prisoners ashore, with promises to leave a ship that they might transport themselves, because the island was not thought in a condition to maintain so great a number, and though they had learned from them the account of an Ostender being too leeward of the island, which they took on that information, being formally the Greyhound galley of London, and could conveniently have complied with so reasonable a request, yet they sent the Ostender with some of their people to Madagascar with news of their success, and to prepare masks for the prize, and followed themselves soon after, without regard to the sufferers carrying two hundred Mozambique Negroes with them in the Portuguese ship. Madagascar is an island larger than Great Britain, most of it within the Tropic of Capricorn, and lays east from the eastern side of Africa. It abounds with provisions of all sorts, oxen, goats, sheep, poultry, fish, citrons, oranges, tamarins, dates, coconuts, bananas, wax, honey, rice, or in short cotton indigo or any other thing they will take pains to plant, and have understanding to manage. They have likewise ebony, a hardwood like Brazil, of which they make their lances, and gum of several sorts, bends in dragon blood, allows, etc. What is most incomodious are the numerous swarms of locusts on the land, and crocodiles or alligators in their rivers. Hither, in St. Augustine's Bay, the ships sometimes touch for water, when they take the inner passage for India, and do not design to stop at Joanna, and we may observe from the sixth general voyage set forth by the East India Company, in confirmation of what is hereafter said in relation to currents in general, that this inner passage, or channel, has its northern and southern currents strongest, where the channel is narrowest, and is less and varies on different points of the compass, as the sea comes to spread again in the passage across the line. Since the discovery of this island by the Portuguese, AD 1506, the Europeans and particularly pirates have increased a dark mulatto race, there though still few in comparison with the natives, who are negroes with curled short hair, active and formally represented malicious and revengeful, now tractable and communicable, perhaps owing to the favors and generosity and clothing and liquors they, from time to time, have received from these fellows who live in all possible friendship and can, any single man of them command the guard of two or three hundred at a minute's warning. This is farther the natives' interest to cultivate with them, since the island being divided into petty governments and commands, the pirates settled here, who are now a considerable number and have little castles of their own, can preponderate wherever they think fit to a side. When Taylor came with the Portuguese prize here, they found the Ostender had played their men a trick, for they took advantage of their trick, rise upon them, and as they heard afterwards carried the ship to Mozambique, which the governor ordered her for Goa. Here the pirates came, cleaned the Cassandra, and divided their plunder, sharing forty-two small diamonds a man, or in less proportion according to their magnitude, an ignorant or a merry fellow who had only one in this division as being judged equal in value to forty-two small, muttered very much at the lot and went and broke it in a mortar, swearing afterwards he had a better share than any of them, for he had beat it, he said, into forty-three sparks. Those who were not for running the hazard of their necks with forty-two diamonds besides other treasure in their pockets, knocked off and stayed with their old acquaintance in Madagascar on mutual agreements, the longer livers to take all, the residue having, therefore, no occasion for two ships the victory being leaky she was burnt, the men as many as would, coming into the Cassandra under the command of Taylor, whom we must leave for a time, projecting either for Cochin to dispose of their diamonds among their old friends the Dutch, or else for the Red or China Seas to avoid the men of war that continually clamored in their ears a noise of danger, and give the little account we are able of that squadron who arrived in India early in the year 1721. To keep good hope, in June, the Commodore met with a letter which was left for him by the governor of Madras to whom it was wrote by the governor of Pondicherry, a French factory on the Caramandal coast, signifying the pirates at the writing of it, with and strong in the Indian seas having eleven sail and fifteen hundred men, but that many of them went away about that time for the coast of Brazil and Guinea. Others settled and fortified themselves at Madagascar, precious Joana and Mohilla, and that others under Condon in a ship called the Dragon took a large Moors vessel coming from Iuda and Moko, with thirteen lackeys of rupees on board, i.e. a million three hundred thousand half crowns, who having divided the plunder burnt their ship and prized, and sat down quietly with their other friends at Madagascar. The account contained several other things which we have before related. Commodore Matthews upon receiving this intelligence and being fond of the service he came out for hastened it to those islands as the most hopeful places of success. At St. Mary's would have engaged England with promises of favor if he would communicate what he knew concerning the Cassandra and the rest of the pirates and assist in the pilotage. But Captain England was wary and thought this was to surrender at discretion. So they took up the Judah ship's guns that was burnt, and the men of war dispersed themselves on several voyages and cruises afterwards as was thought likeliest to succeed, though to no purpose. Then the squadron went down to Bombay, were saluted by the fort and came home. The pirates, I mean those of the Cassandra, and now Captain Taylor, fitted the Portuguese men of war and resolved upon another voyage to the Indies, notwithstanding the riches they had heaped up, but as they were preparing to sail they heard of four men of war coming after them to those seas. Therefore they altered their minds, sailed for the main of Africa, and put in at a little place called Delagoa, near the river de Spiritus Sanctum, on the coast of Manomatapa, in 268 South Latitude. They believed this to be a place of security, in regard that the squadron could not possibly get intelligence of them. There being no correspondence over land nor a trade carried on by sea between that and the Cape, where the men of war were then supposed to be. The pirates came too in the evening and were surprised with a few shot from the shore, not knowing of any fortification or European settlement in that part of the world. So they anchored at a distance that night and, perceiving in the morning a small fort of six guns, they ran up to it and battered it down. This fort was built and settled by the Dutch East India Company a few months before, for what purpose I know not. And having left one hundred fifty men upon the place, they were then dwindled to a third part by sickness and casualties, and never after received any relief or necessaries. So that sixteen of those that were left upon their humble petition were admitted on board the pirates, and all the rest would have had the same favor, they said, had they been any other than Dutch. I mention this as an instance of their ingratitude, who had been so much obliged to their countrymen for support. Here they stayed about four months, careening both their ships and took their diversions with security, till they had expended all their provisions, and then put to sea, leaving considerable quantities of muslims, chintzes, and such goods behind, to the half-starved Dutchmen, which enabled them to make good penny-worths to the next that came, to whom they bartered for provisions at the rate of three farthings in English-yard. They left Delagoa the latter end of December 1722, but not agreeing where or how to proceed, they concluded to part, so those who were for continuing that sort of life went on board the Portuguese prize, and steered from Madagascar to their friends, with whom I hear they are now settled, and the rest took the Cassandra and sailed for the Spanish West Indies. The mermaid, man of war, happening then to be down on the main with a convoy about thirty leagues from these pirates, would have gone and attacked them, but on a consultation of the masters, whose safety he was particular to regard, they agreed their own protection was of more service than destroying the pirate, and so the commander was unwillingly withheld. He dispatched a sloop to Jamaica with the news which brought down the Lansestan only a day or two, too late. They having just before he came surrendered with all their riches to the governor of Portobello. Here they sat down to spend the fruits of their dishonest industry, dividing the spoil and plunder of nations among themselves. Without the least remorse or compunction, satisfying their conscience with this salvo, that other people would have done as much had they the like opportunities. I can't say, but that if they had known what was doing in England at the same time by the South Sea directors, and their directors, they would certainly have had this reflection for their consolation, that whatever robberies they had committed, they might be pretty sure they were not the greatest villains then living in the world. It's a difficult matter to make a computation of the mischief that was done by this crew in about five years' time, which is much more than the plunder they gained, for they often sunk or burnt the vessel they took, as it suited their humor or circumstances, sometimes to prevent giving intelligence, sometimes because they did not leave men to navigate them, and at other times out of wantonness, or because they were displeased at the master's behavior. For one of these it was but to give the word, and down went the ships and cargos to the bottom of the sea. Since they are surrendered to the Spaniards, I am informed several of them have left the place and dispersed themselves elsewhere. Eight of them were shipped about November last in one of the South Sea Company's asient of sloops, and passed for shipwrecked men, came to Jamaica, and their sailed in other vessels, and I know one of them that came to England this spring from that island. Tis said that Captain Taylor has taken a commission in the Spanish service, and commanded the man of war that lately attacked the English logwood-cutters in the Bay of Honduras. Chapter 6 of the General History of the Pirates, Volume 1. Chapter 7 of the General History of the Pirates, Volume 1. They set fire to a prize they had in the harbor, and sailed out with their piratical colors flying, firing at one of the men of war as they went off. Two days after they went out, they met with a sloop belonging to Barbados, which they made prize of, and kept the vessel for their own use, putting aboard five and twenty hands with one yeats to command them. A day or two afterwards they fell in with a small interloping traitor with a quantity of Spanish pieces of aid-board, bound into Providence, called the John and Elizabeth, which they also took along with them. With these two sloops, Vane went to a small island and cleaned, where they shared their booty, and spent some time in a riotous manner of living as is the custom of pirates. The latter end of May 1718 they sailed, and being in want of provisions, they beat up for the Windward Islands and met with a Spanish sloop bound from Puerto Rico to the Havana, which they burnt, and stowed the Spaniards in a boat and left them to get to the island by the light of their vessel. But steering between St. Christopher's and Anguilla they fell in with a brigantine and a sloop with the cargo they wanted, from whom they got provisions for sea-store. Some time after this, standing to the northward in the track the old England ships taken their voyage to the American colonies, they took several ships and vessels which they plundered of what they thought fit and let them pass. The latter end of August, Vane with his consort, Yeats, came off South Carolina, and took a ship belonging to Ipswich, one Coggershaw commander, laden with logwood, which was thought convenient enough for their own business, and therefore ordered their prisoners to work and throw all the lading overboard. But when they had more than half cleared the ship the whim changed and then they would not have her. So Coggershaw had his ship again and he was suffered to pursue his voyage home. In this cruise there overtook several other ships and vessels, particularly a sloop from Barbados, Dill, master, a small ship from Antigua, Cog, master, a sloop belonging to Curacao, Richards, master, and a large brigantine, Captain Thompson from Guinea, with ninety-odd negroes aboard. The pirates plundered them all and let them go, putting the negroes out of the brigantine aboard of Yeats vessel by which means they came back again to the right owners. For Captain Vane having always treated his consort with very little respect, assuming a superiority over Yeats and his small crew, and regarding the vessel but as a tender to his own, gave them a disgust, who thought themselves as good pirates and as great rogues as the best of them. So they caballed together and resolved to take the first opportunity to leave the company and accept of his majesty's pardon or set up for themselves, either of which they thought more honorable than to be servants to the former, and the putting aboard so many negroes where they found so few hands to take care of them still aggravated the matter, though they thought fit to conceal or stifle their resentments at that time. A day or two afterwards, the pirates lying off at anchor, Yeats in the evening slipped his cable and put his vessel under sail, standing into the shore, which when Vane saw he was highly provoked, and got his sloop under sail to chase his consort who he plainly perceived had a mind to have no further affairs with him. Vane's brigantine sailing best he gained ground of Yeats and would certainly have come up with him had he had a little longer run for it. But just as he got over the bar when Vane came within gunshot of him he fired a broadside at his old friend, which did him no damage, and so took his leave. Yeats came into North Edisto River about ten leagues south where the Charlestown and sent an express to the governor to know if he and his comrades might have the benefit of his majesty's pardon, and they would surrender themselves to his mercy with the sloops and negroes, which being granted they all came up and received certificates, and Captain Thompson, from whom the negroes were taken, had them restored to him for the use of his owners. Vane cruised some time off the bar in hopes to catch Yeats at his coming out again, but therein he was disappointed. However, he, unfortunately for them, took two ships from Charlestown, bound home to England. It happened that just at this time two sloops well manned and armed were equipped to go after a pirate, which the governor of South Carolina was informed lay then in Cape Fear River a cleaning. But Colonel Redd, who commanded the sloops, meeting with one of the ships that Vane had plundered going back over the bar for such necessaries as had been taken from her, and she giving the Colonel an account of her being taken by the pirate Vane, and also that some of her men, while they were prisoners on board of him, had heard the pirates say they should clean in one of the rivers to the southward. He altered his first design, and instead of standing to the northward in pursuit of the pirate in Cape Fear River he turns to the southward after Vane, who had ordered such reports to be given out on purpose to send any force that should come after him upon a wrong scent, for in reality he stood away to the northward, so that the pursuit proved to be the contrary way. Colonel Redd's speaking with this ship was the most unlucky thing that could have happened, because it turned him out of the road which in all probability would have brought him into the company of Vane, as well as of the pirate he went after, and so they might have been both destroyed, whereas by the Colonel's going a different way he not only lost the opportunity of meeting with one, but if the other had not been infatuated to lie six weeks together at Cape Fear he would have missed of him likewise. However the Colonel having searched the rivers and inlets as directed for several days without success, at length failed in prosecution of his first design, and met with the pirate accordingly whom he fought and took, as has been before spoken of in the history of Major Bonnet. Captain Vane went into an inlet to the northward, where he met with Captain Thatch or Teach, otherwise called Blackbeard, whom he saluted when he found who he was with his great guns loaded with shot, as is the custom among pirates when they meet, which are fired wide or up into the air. Blackbeard answered the salute in the same manner and mutual civilities passed for some days, when about the beginning of October Vane took leave and sailed further to the northward. From the twenty-third of October off of Long Island he took a small brigantine bound from Jamaica to Salem in New England, John Shattuck, master, and a little sloop. They rifled the brigantine and sent her away. From hence they resolved on a cruise between Cape Mace and Cape Nicholas where they spent some time without seeing or speaking with any vessel till the latter end of November, then they fell upon a ship which was expected would have struck as soon as their black colors were hoisted. But instead of that she discharged a broad side upon the pirate and hoisted colors which showed her to be a Frenchman of war. Vane desired to have nothing further to say to her but trimmed his sails and stood away from the Frenchman. But monsieur having a mind to be better informed who he was, said all his sails and crowded after him. During this chase the pirates were divided in their resolutions what to do. Vane, the captain, was for making off as fast as he could alleging the man of war was too strong to cope with. But one John Rackham, who was an officer that had a kind of a check upon the captain, rose up in defence of a contrary opinion, saying that though she had more guns and a greater weight of metal they might board her and then the best boys would carry the day. Rackham was well seconded and the majority was for boarding, but Vane urged that it was too rash and desperate an enterprise, the man of war appearing to be twice their force, and that their brigantine might be sunk by her before they could reach on board. The mate, one Robert Deal, was of Vane's opinion, as were about fifteen more and all the rest joined with Rackham, the quartermaster. At length the captain made use of his power to determine this dispute, which in these cases is absolute and uncontrollable, by their own laws, these in fighting, chasing, or being chased. In all other matters whatsoever he is governed by a majority. So the brigantine having the heels as they term it of the Frenchman she came clear off. But the next day the captain's behaviour was obliged to stand the test of a vote, when a resolution passed against his honour and dignity, branding him with the name of Coward, deposing him from the command, and turning him out of the company with marks of infamy, and with him went all those who did not vote for boarding the Frenchman of war. They had with them a small sloop that had been taken by them some time before which they gave to Vane and the discarded members, and that they might be in a condition to provide for themselves by their own honest endeavours they let them have a sufficient quantity of provisions and ammunition along with them. John Rackham was voted captain of the brigantine in Vane's room, and proceeded towards the Caribbean Islands where we must leave him till we have finished our story of Charles Vane. The sloop sailed for the Bay of Honduras and Vane and his crew put her into as good a condition as they could by the way to follow the old trade. They cruised two or three days off the northwest part of Jamaica and took a sloop and two pediagas, and all the men entered with them. The sloop they kept, and Robert Deal went captain of her. On the 16th of December the two sloops came into the bay where they found only one at an anchor called the Pearl of Jamaica, Captain Charles' rolling master, who got under sail at the sight of them, but the pirate sloops coming near rolling and showing no colors he gave them a gun or two, whereupon they hoisted the black flag and fired three guns each at the Pearl. She struck and the pirates took possession and carried her away to a small island called Barnaco. And there they cleaned, meeting in the way with a sloop from Jamaica, Captain Walden Commander going down to the bay, which they also made prize of. In February Vane sailed from Barnaco in order for a cruise, but some days after he was out a violent tornado overtook him which separated him from his consort, and after two days distressed threw his sloop upon a small uninhabited island near the Bay of Honduras where she was staved to pieces and most of her men drowned. Vane himself was saved but reduced to great straits for want of necessaries, having no opportunity to get anything from the wreck. He lived here some weeks and was subsisted chiefly by fishermen who frequented the island with small craft from the main to catch turtles, etc. While Vane was upon this island a ship put in from Jamaica for water, the captain of which, one Holford, an old buccaneer, happened to be Vane's acquaintance. He thought this a good opportunity to get off and accordingly applied to his old friend, but he absolutely refused him, saying to him, Charles, I shan't trust you aboard my ship unless I carry you a prisoner, for I shall have you cabaling with my men, knock me on the head, and run away with my ship a pirating. Vane made all the protestations of honor in the world to him, but it seems Captain Holford was too intimately acquainted with him to repose any confidence at all in his words or oaths. He told him he might easily find a way to get off if he had a mind to it. I am now going down the bay, says he, and shall return hither in about a month, and if I find you upon the island when I come back I'll carry you to Jamaica and hang you. Which way can I get away? answers Vane. Are there not fishermen's dories upon the beach? Can't you take one of them? replies Holford. What, says Vane, would you have me steal a dory then? Do you make it a matter of conscience? said Holford, to steal a dory? When you have been a common robber in pirate stealing ships and cargoes and plundering all mankind that fell in your way? Stay there and be damned if you are so squeamish. And so left him. After Captain Holford's departure another ship put into the same island in her way home for water, none of whose company knowing Vane he easily passed upon them for another man, and so was shipped for the voyage. One would be apt to think that Vane was now pretty safe and likely to escape the fate which his crimes had merited, but here a cross accident happened that ruined all. Holford, returning from the bay, was met with by this ship, the captains being very well acquainted together. Holford was invited to dine aboard of him, which he did, and as he passed along to the cabin he chanced to cast his eye down the hold and there saw Charles Vane at work. He immediately spoke to the captain saying, Do you know who you've got aboard here? Why, says he, I have shipped a man at such an island who was cast away in a trading sloop. He seems to be a brisk hand. I tell you, says Captain Holford, it is Vane the notorious pirate. If it be him, replies the other, I won't keep him. Why then, says Holford, I'll send and take him aboard and surrender him at Jamaica. Which being agreed to, Captain Holford, as soon as he returned to his ship, sent his boat with his mate, armed, who coming to Vane showed him a pistol and told him he was his prisoner, which, none opposing, he was brought aboard and put in irons, and when Captain Holford arrived at Jamaica he delivered his old acquaintance into the hands of justice, at which place he was tried, convicted, and executed, as was some time before Vane's consort, Robert Deal, brought thither by one of the men of war. END OF CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN PART ONE OF THE GENERAL HISTORY OF THE PIRATS, VOLUME ONE. CHAPTER SEVEN Of Captain John Rackham and his crew. This John Rackham, as has been mentioned in the last chapter, was quartermaster to Vane's company till they were divided, and Vane turned out for refusing to board and fight the French men of war. Then Rackham was voted captain of that division that remained in the Brigantine. The twenty-fourth of November seventeen eighteen was the first day of his command, and his first cruise was among the Caribbean islands, where he took and plundered several vessels. We have already taken notice that when Captain Wood's Rogers went to the island of Providence, with the king's pardon to such as should surrender, this Brigantine, which Rackham now commanded, made its escape through another passage, bidding defiance to mercy. To windward of Jamaica, a Madera man fell into the pirate's way, which they detained two or three days till they had made their market out of her, and then gave her back to the master, and permitted one Jose Tisdel, a tavernkeeper at Jamaica, who had been picked up in one of their prizes, to depart in her, she being then 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 went to see again for more, where they succeeded but too well. Though they took no extraordinary prize for above two months, except a ship laden with thieves from Newgate, bound for the plantations, which in a few days was retaken with all her cargo by an Englishman of war. Rackham stood off toward the island of Bermudas, and took a ship bound to England from Carolina, and a small pink from New England, and brought them to the Bahama Islands, where with the pitch tar and stores they cleaned again, and refitted their own vessel, 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, and 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 provision were expended, and then they concluded a time to look out. They repaired to their vessel, and was making ready to put sea, when a guarda del costa 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. Therefore the Spaniard warps into the channel that evening in order to make sure of her the next morning. Rackham finding his case desperate, and hardly any possibility of escaping, resolved to attempt the following enterprise. The Spanish prize lying for better security close into the land, between the little island and the main, Rackham takes his crew into the boat with their pistols and cutlasses, rounds the little island, and falls aboard their prize silently in the dead of the night without being discovered, telling the Spaniards that were aborted for that if they spoke a word or made the least noise they were dead men, and so became master of her. When this was done he slipped her cable and drove out to sea. The Spanish man of war was so intent upon their expected prize that they minded nothing else, and as soon as day broke, made a furious fire upon the empty sloop, but it was not long before they were rightly apprised of the matter, and cursed themselves for fools to be bid out of a good rich prize, as she proved to be, and to have nothing but an old crazy hull in the room of her. Rackham and his crew had no occasion to be displeased at the exchange, that enabled them to continue some time longer in a way of life that suited their depraved tempers. In August 1720 we find him at sea again, scouring the harbours and inlets at the north and west parts of Jamaica, where he took several small craft, which proved no great booty to the rovers, but they had but few men, and therefore they were obliged to run at low game till they could increase their company. 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 the French part of his banyola and landed and took cattle away with two or three French men they found near the waterside, hunting of wild hogs in the evening. The French men came on board, whether by consent or compulsion, I can't say. 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 Spenlo Master. It was then the nineteenth of October. The next day Rackham, seeing a sloop in dry Harbour Bay, he stood in and fired a gun. The men all run ashore and he took the sloop inlating, but when those ashore found them to be pirates they hailed the sloop and let them know they were all willing to come aboard of them. Rackham's coasting the island in this manner proved fatal to him. For intelligence came to the governor of his expedition. By a canoa which he had surprised ashore in Ocho Bay, upon which a sloop was immediately fitted out, and sent round the island in quest of him, commanded by Captain Barnett, with a good number of hands. Rackham rounding the island and drawing near the western most point, called Point Negril, saw a small pettie auger which at sight of the sloop run ashore and landed her men. When one of them hailed her, answer was made, they were Englishmen, and desired the pettie auger's men to come on board and drink a bowl of punch, which they were prevailed upon to do. Accordingly the company came all aboard of the pirate, consisting of nine persons, in an ill hour. They were armed with muskets and cutlisses, but what was their real design by so doing I shall not take upon me to say. But they had no sooner laid down their arms and taken up their pipes, but Barnett's sloop, which was in pursuit of Rackham's, came in sight. The pirates, finding she stood directly towards her, feared the event, and weighed their anchor, which they but lately let go, and stood off. Captain Barnett gave them chase, and having the advantage of little breezes of wind which blew off the land, came up with her, and after a very small dispute, took her, and brought her into Port Royal in Jamaica. In about a fortnight after the prisoners were brought ashore, vis November 16, 1720, a court of admiralty was held at Santiago de la Vega, before which the following persons were convicted, and sentence of death passed upon them by the President Sir Nicholas Laws vis John Rackham, Captain, George Featherston, Master, Richard Corner, Court of Master, John Davis, John Howell, Patrick Carty, Thomas Earle, James Dobbin, and Noah Harwood. The five first were executed the next day at Gallows Point at the town of Port Royal, and the rest the day after at Kingston. Rackham, Featherston, and Corner were afterwards taken down and hanged up in chains, one at Plum Point, one at Bush Key, and the other at Gun Key. But what was very surprising was the conviction of the nine men that came aboard the sloop the same day she was taken. They were tried at an adjournment to the court on the 24th of January, waiting all that time it is supposed for evidence to prove the paradical intention of going aboard the said sloop. For it seems there was no act of piracy committed by them after they're coming on board, as appeared by the witnesses against them, who were two Frenchmen taken by Rackham off from the island of Hispaniola and deposed in the following manner. That the prisoners at the bar, these John Eaton, Edward Warner, Thomas Baker, Thomas Quick, John Cole, Benjamin Palmer, Walter Rouse, John Hanson, and John Howard came aboard the pirate sloop at Negro Point, Rackham sending his canoe ashore for that purpose, that they brought guns and cutlasses on board with them, that when Captain Barnett chased them some were drinking and others walking the deck, that there was a great gun in a small arm fired by the pirate sloop at Captain Barnett sloop when he chased her and that when Captain Barnett sloop fired at Rackham sloop the prisoners at the bar went down under deck, that during the time Captain Barnett chased them some of the prisoners at the bar, but which of them he could not tell, helped to row the sloop in order to escape from Barnett, that they all seemed to be consorted together. This was the substance of all that was evidenced against them. The prisoners answered in their defence that they had no witnesses, that they had bought a petty auger in order to go a turtling and being at Negro Point and just got ashore they saw a sloop with a white pendant coming towards them, upon which they took their arms and hid themselves in the bushes, that one of them hailed the sloop who answered they were Englishmen and desired them to come on board and drink a bowl of punch, which they had first refused but afterwards with much persuasion they went on board in the sloop's canoe and left their own petty auger at anchor, that they had been but a short time on board when Captain Barnett sloop heaved in sight, that Rackham ordered them to help to weigh the sloop's anchor immediately, which they all refused, that Rackham used violent means to oblige them, and that when Captain Barnett came up with them they all readily and willingly submitted. When the prisoners were taken from the bar and the person's present being withdrawn, 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, which was the going over with a peratical and felonious intent to John Rackham etc., then notorious pirates, and by them known to be so, they all received sentence of death, which everybody must allow proved somewhat unlucky to the poor fellows. On the 17th of February John Eaton, Thomas Quick and Thomas Baker were executed at Gallows Point at Port Royal, and the next day John Cole, John Howard, and Benjamin Palmer were executed at Kingston. Whether the other three were executed afterwards or not, I never heard. Two other pirates were tried that belonged to Rackham's crew, and being convicted were brought up and asked if either of them had anything to say why sentence of death should not pass upon them, in like manners had been done to all the rest, and both of them pleaded their bellies, being quick with child, and prayed that execution might be stayed whereupon the court passed sentence, as in cases of piracy, but ordered them back till a proper jury should be appointed to inquire into the matter. End of Chapter 7 Part 1 Chapter 7 Part 2 of the General History of the Pirates, Volume 1 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 Suzanne Houghton The General History of the Pirates, Volume 1 by Charles Johnson Chapter 7 Part 2 The Life of Mary Reed Now we are to begin a history full of surprising turns and adventures. I mean that of Mary Reed and Anne Bonney, alias Bon, which were the true names of these two pirates. The odd incidents of their rambling lives are such that some may be tempted to think the whole story no better than a novel or a romance. But since it is supported by many thousand witnesses—I mean the people of Jamaica—who are present at their trials and heard the story of their lives upon the first discovery of their sex, the truth of it can be no more contested than that there were such men in the world as Roberts and Blackbeard who were pirates. Mary Reed was born in England. Her mother was married young to a man who used the sea. Who, going a voyage soon after their marriage, left her with child, which child proved to be a boy. As to the husband whether he was cast away or died in the voyage, Mary Reed could not tell, but however he never returned more. Nevertheless the mother, who was young and airy, met with an accident which has often happened to women who are young and do not take a great deal of care. Which was she soon proved with child again without a husband to father it. But how or by whom, none but herself could tell, for she carried a pretty good reputation among her neighbors. Finding her birth and grow, in order to conceal her shame, she takes a formal leave of her husband's relations, giving out that she went to live with some friends of her own in the country. Accordingly she went away and carried with her her young son at this time not a year old. Soon after her departure her son died, but Providence in return was pleased to give her a girl in his room, of which she was safely delivered in her retreat, and this was our Mary Reed. Here the mother lived three or four years to what money she had was almost gone. Then she thought of returning to London and considering that her husband's mother was in some circumstances she did not doubt but to prevail upon her to provide for the child, if she could but pass it upon her for the same. But the changing a girl into a boy seemed a difficult piece of work and how to deceive an experienced old woman in such a point was altogether as impossible. However she ventured to dress it up as a boy, brought it to town, and presented it to her mother-in-law as her husband's son. The old woman would have taken it to have breaded up but the mother pretended it would break her heart to part with it. So it was a great betwixt them the child should live with the mother and the supposed grandmother should allow a crown a week for its maintenance. Thus the mother gained her point. She bread up her daughter as a boy and when she grew up to some sense she thought proper to let her into the secret of her birth to induce her to conceal her sex. It happened that the grandmother died by which means the subsistence that came from that quarter ceased, and they were more and more reduced in their circumstances. Wherefore she was obliged to put her daughter out to wait on a French lady as a foot boy, being now thirteen years of age. Here she did not live long for growing bold and strong and having also a roving mind. She entered herself on board a man of war, where she served some time, then quitted it, went over into Flanders and carried arms and a regiment of foot as a cadet. And though upon all actions she behaved herself with a great deal of bravery, yet she could not get a commission they being generally bought and sold. Therefore she quitted the service and took on an arrangement of horse. She behaved so well in several engagements that she got the esteem of all her officers. But her comrade, who was a Fleming, happening to be a handsome young fellow, she falls in love with him. And from that time grew a little more negligent in her duty, so that it seems Mars and Venus could not be served at the same time. Her arms and accoutrements which were always kept in the best order were quite neglected. Tis true when her comrade was ordered out upon a party she used to go without being commanded, and frequently run herself into danger where she had no business only to be near him. The rest of the troopers, little suspecting the secret cause which moved her to this behavior, fancied her to be mad. And her comrade himself could not account for this strange alteration in her. But love is ingenious and as they lay in the same tent and were constantly together she found a way of letting him discover her sex without appearing that it was done with design. He was much surprised at what he found out and not a little pleased, taking it for granted that he should have a mistress solely to himself, which is an unusual thing at a camp, since they're scarce one of those campaign ladies that is ever true to a troupe or company, so that he thought of nothing but gratifying his passions with very little ceremony. But he found himself strangely mistaken for she proved very reserved and modest, and resisted all his temptations and at the same time was so obliging and insinuating in her carriage that she quite changed his purpose, so far from thinking of making her his mistress he now courted her for a wife. This was the utmost wish of her heart. In short they exchanged promises and when the campaign was over and the regiment marched into winter quarters they bought women's apparel for her with such money as they could make up betwixt them and were publicly married. The story of two troopers marrying each other made a great noise so that several officers were drawn by curiosity to assist at the ceremony, and they agreed among themselves that every one of them should make a small present to the bride towards housekeeping in consideration of her having been their fellow soldier. Thus being set up they seemed to have a desire of quitting the service and settling in the world. The adventure of their love and marriage had gained them so much favor that they easily obtained their discharge and they immediately set up an eating-house or ordinary, which was the sign of the three horseshoes near the castle of Breda, where they soon run into a good trade, the great many officers eating with them constantly, but this happiness lasted not long. For the husband soon died, and the peace of Reswick being concluded there was no resort of officers to Breda, as usual, so that the widow having little or no trade was forced to give up housekeeping, and her substance being by degrees quite spent she again assumes her man's apparel, and going into Holland there takes on in a regiment of foot, courted in one of the frontier towns. Here she did not remain long, there was no likelihood of preferment in time of peace, therefore she took a resolution of seeking her fortune another way, and withdrawing from the regiment ships herself on board of a vessel bound for the West Indies. It happened this ship was taken by English pirates, and Mary Reed was the only English person on board they kept her amongst them, and having plundered the ship let it go again. After following this trade for some time the king's proclamation came out, and was published in all parts of the West Indies for pardoning such pirates who should voluntarily surrender themselves by a certain day therein mentioned. The crew of Mary Reed took the benefit of this proclamation, and having surrendered lived quietly on shore. But money beginning to grow short, and hearing that Captain Woods Rogers, governor of the island of Providence, was fitting out some privateers to cruise against the Spaniards, she with several others embarked for that island in order to go upon the privateering account, being resolved to make her fortune one way or other. These privateers were no sooner sailed out, but the crews of some of them who had been pardoned rose against their commanders and turned themselves to their old trade. In this number was Mary Reed. It is true she often declared that the life of a pirate was what she always abhorred, and went into it only upon compulsion, both this time and before intending to quit it whenever a fair opportunity should offer itself. Yet some of the evidence against her upon her trial, who were forced men and had sailed with her, deposed upon oath that in times of action no person amongst them were more resolute, or ready to board or undertake anything that was hazardous, as she and Anne Bonny, and particularly at the time they were attacked and taken when they came to close quarters, none kept the deck except Mary Reed and Anne Bonny, and one more upon which she, Mary Reed, called to those under deck to come up and fight like men, and finding they did not stir, fired her arms down the hold amongst them, killing one and wounding others. This was part of the evidence against her, which she denied, which whether true or not thus much is certain, that she did not want bravery, nor indeed was she less remarkable for her modesty, according to her notions of virtue. Her sex was not so much as suspected by any person on board, till Anne Bonny, who was not altogether so reserved in point of chastity, took a particular liking to her. In short, Anne Bonny took her for a handsome young fellow and for some reasons best known to herself, first discovered her sex to Mary Reed. Mary Reed, knowing what she would be at, and being very sensible of her own incapacity that way, was forced to come to a right understanding with her, and so to the great disappointment of Anne Bonny she let her know she was a woman also. But this intimacy so disturbed Captain Rackham, who was the lover and gallant of Anne Bonny, that he grew furiously jealous, so that he told Anne Bonny he would cut her new lover's throat, therefore to quiet him she let him into the secret also. Captain Rackham, as he was enjoined, kept the thing a secret from all the ship's company, yet notwithstanding all her cunning and reserve, love frowned her out in this disguise and hindered her from forgetting her sex. In their cruise they took a great number of ships belonging to Jamaica, and other parts of the West Indies, bound to and from England. And whenever they made any good artist or other person that might be of any great use to their company, if he was not willing to enter it was their custom to keep him by force. Among these was a young fellow of a most engaging behaviour, or at least he was so in the eyes of Mary Reed, who became so smitten with his person and address that she could neither rest night or day. But as there is nothing more ingenious than love it was no hard matter for her who had before been practised in these wiles to find a way to let him discover her sex. She first insinuated herself into his liking by talking against the life of a pirate, which he was altogether reversed to. So they became messmates and strict companions. When she found he had a friendship for her, as a man, she suffered the discovery to be made by carelessly showing her breasts, which were very white. The young fellow who was made of flesh and blood had his curiosity and desire so raised by this sight that he never ceased impartioning her till she confessed what she was. Now begins the scene of love. As he had a liking and esteem for her under her supposed character, it was now turned into fondness and desire. Her passion was no less violent than his and perhaps she expressed it by one of the most generous actions that ever love inspired. It happened this young fellow had a quarrel with one of the pirates, and their ship then lying at an anchor near one of the islands they had appointed to go ashore and fight, according to the custom of the pirates. Mary Reed was to the last degree uneasy and anxious for the fate of her lover. She would not have had him refuse the challenge because she could not bear the thoughts of his being branded with cowardice. On the other side she dreaded the event and apprehended the fellow might be too hard for him. When love once enters into the breast of one who has any sparks of generosity, it stirs the heart up to the most noble actions. In this dilemma she showed that she feared more for his life than she did for her own. For she took a resolution of quarreling with this fellow herself, and having challenged him ashore she appointed the time two hours sooner than that when he was to meet her lover, where she fought him at sword and pistol and killed him upon the spot. It is true she had fought before when she had been insulted by some of those fellows, but now it was altogether in her lover's cause she stood as it were betwixt him and death as if she could not live without him. If he had no regard for her before this action would have bound him to her forever. But there was no occasion for ties or obligations, his inclination towards her was sufficient. In fine they applied their troth to each other which Mary Reed said she looked upon to be as good a marriage in conscience as if it had been done by a minister in church. And to this was owing her great belly, which she pleaded to save her life. She declared she had never committed adultery or fornication with any man. She commended the justice of the court before which she was tried for distinguishing the nature of their crimes. Her husband, as she called him with several others being acquitted, and being asked who he was she would not tell, but said he was an honest man and had no inclination to such practices, and that they had both resolved to leave the pirates the first opportunity and apply themselves to some honest livelihood. It is no doubt, but many had compassion for her. Yet the court could not avoid finding her guilty. For, among other things, one of the evidences against her deposed, that being taken by Rackham and detained some time on board, he fell accidentally into discourse with Mary Reed, whom he, taking for a young man, asked her what pleasure she could have in being concerned in such enterprises where her life was continually in danger by fire or sword, and not only so, but she must be sure of dying an ignominious death if she should be taken alive. She answered 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 that men of courage must starve. That if it was put to the choice of the pirates they 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 neighbors who have no money to obtain justice would then rob at sea, and the ocean would be crowded with rogues like the land, and no merchant would venture out so that the trade in a little time would not be worth following. Being found quick with child as has been observed, her execution was respited and it is possible she would have found favour. But she was seized with a violent fever soon after her trial of which she died in prison. CHAPTER VII. PART III. THE LIFE OF ANNE BONNIE. As we have been more particular in the lives of these two women than those of other pirates, it is incumbent on us as a faithful historian to begin with their birth. Anne Bonnie was born in a town near Cork, in the kingdom of Ireland, her father being interne at law, but Anne was not one of his legitimate issue which seems to cross an old proverb which says that bastards have the best luck. Her father was a married man and his wife having been brought to bed contracted an illness in her lying in, and in order to recover her health she was advised to remove for change of air. The place she chose was a few miles distance from her dwelling where her husband's mother lived. Here she sojourned some time, her husband staying at home to follow his affairs. The servant made whom she left to look after the house and attend the family being a handsome young woman was courted by a young man of the same town who was a tanner. This tanner used to take his opportunities when the family was out of the way of coming to pursue his courtship, and being with the maid one day as she was employed in the household business not having the fear of God before his eyes he takes his opportunity when her back was turned of whipping three silver spoons into his pocket. The maid soon missed the spoons and knowing that nobody had been in the room but herself and the young man since she saw them last she charged him with taking them. He very stiffly denied it upon which she grew outrageous and threatened to go to a constable in order to carry him before a justice of peace. These menaces frightened him out of his wits while knowing that he could not stand search. Wherefore he endeavored to pacify her by desiring to examine the drawers and other places and perhaps she might find them. In this time he slips into another room where the maid usually lay and puts the spoons betwixt the sheets and then makes his escape by a back door concluding she must find them when she went to bed and so next day he might pretend he did it only to frighten her and a thing might be laughed off for a jest. As soon as she'd missed him she gave over her search concluding he had carried them off and went directly to the constable in order to have him apprehended. The young man was informed that a constable had been in search of him but he regarded it little not doubting but all would be well next day. Three or four days passed and still he was told the constable was upon the hunt for him. This made him lie concealed. He could not comprehend the meaning of it. He imagined no less than that the maid had a mind to convert the spoons to her own use and put the robbery upon him. It happened at this time the mistress being perfectly recovered of her late indisposition was returned home in company with her mother-in-law. The first news she heard was of the loss of the spoons with the manner how the maid telling her at the same time that the young man was run away. The young fellow had intelligence of the mistress's arrival and considering with himself that he could never appear again in his business unless this matter was got over and she being a good natured woman he took a resolution of going directly to her and of telling her the whole story only with this difference that he did it for a jest. The mistress could scarce believe it however she went directly to the maid's room and turning down the bedclothes there to her great surprise found the three spoons upon this she desired the young man to go home and mind his business for he should have no trouble about it. The mistress could not imagine the meaning of this. She never had found the maid guilty of any pilfering and therefore it could not enter her head that she designed to steal the spoons herself upon the whole she concluded the maid had not been in her bed from the time the spoons were missed. She grew immediately jealous upon it and suspected that the maid supplied her place with her husband during her absence and this was the reason why the spoons were no sooner found. She called to mind several actions of kindness her husband had showed the maid things that passed unheeded by when they happened but now she had got that torment or jealousy in her head amounted to proofs of their intimacy. Another circumstance which strengthened the whole was that though her husband knew she was to come home that day and had had no communication with her in four months which was before her last lying in yet he took an opportunity of going out of town that morning upon some slight pretence. All these things put together confirmed her in her jealousy as women seldom forgive injuries of this kind she thought of discharging her revenge upon the maid in order to this she leaves the spoons where she found them and orders the maid to put clean sheets upon the bed telling her she intended to lie there herself that night because her mother-in-law was to lie in her bed and that she the maid must lie in another part of the house the maid in making the bed was surprised with the sight of the spoons but there were very good reasons why it was not proper for her to tell where she found them and therefore she takes them up puts them in her truck intending to leave them in some place where they might be found by chance. The mistress that everything might look to be done without design lies that night in the maid's bed little dreaming of what an adventure it would produce. After she had been a bed some time thinking on what had passed for jealousy kept her awake she heard somebody enter the room at first she apprehended it to be seized and was so frightened she had not courage enough to call out but when she heard these words nary are you awake she knew it to be her husband's voice then her fright was over yet she made no answer lest he should find her out if she spoke therefore she resolved to counterfeit sleep and take what followed. The husband came to bed and that night played the vigorous lover but one thing spoiled the diversion on the wife's side which was the reflection that it was not designed for her however she was very passive and bore it like a Christian. Early before day she stole out of bed leaving him asleep and went to her mother-in-law telling her what had passed not forgetting how he had used her as taking her for the maid. The husband also stole out not thinking it convenient to be catched in that room. In the meantime the revenge of the mistress was strongly against the maid and without considering that to her she owed the diversion of the night before and that one good turn should deserve another she sent her constable and charged her with stealing the spoons. The maid's trunk was broke open and the spoons found upon which she was carried before a justice of peace and by him committed to jail. The husband loitered about till twelve o'clock at noon then comes home pretended he was just come to town. As soon as he heard what had passed in relation to the maid he fell into a great passion with his wife. This set the thing into a greater flame. The mother takes the wife's part against her own son in so much that the quarrel increasing the mother and wife took course immediately and went back to the mother's house and the husband and wife never bedded together at. The maid lay a long time in the prison. It being near half a year further than the past, the maid would be taken to the home. The maid was in an unsuyktopable foreign situation. The maid was so carful as to be quiet. The maid would have had to wait for her to get to the bar and she would never know what she had been doing. The maid would have had to wait for her family and her family to come out in the house and he would never know It being near half a year to the Assizes, but before it happened it was discovered she was with child. When she was arraigned at the bar she was discharged for wanted evidence. The wife's conscience touched her, and as she did not believe the maid guilty of any theft except that of love she did not appear against her. Soon after her acquittal she was delivered of a girl. But what alarmed the husband most was that it was discovered that the wife was with child also. He taking it for granted he had had no intimacy with her since her last lying in grew jealous of her in his term, and made this a handle to justify himself for his usage of her, pretending now he had suspected her long. But that here was proof she was delivered of twins, a boy and a girl. The mother fell ill sent to her son to reconcile him to his wife, but he would not hearken to it. Therefore she made a will leaving all she had in the hands of certain trustees for the use of the wife and two children lately born and died a few days after. This was an ugly turn upon him, his greatest dependence being upon his mother. However his wife was kinder to him than he deserved, for she made him a yearly allowance out of what was left, though they continued to live separate. It lasted near five years, at this time having a great affection for the girl he had by his maid he had a mind to take at home to live with him. But as all the town knew it to be a girl the better to disguise the manner from them as well as from his wife he had it put into britches as a boy. Pretending it was a relation's child he was to breed up to be his clerk. The wife heard he had a little boy at home he was very fond of, but as she did not know any relation of his that had such a child she employed a friend to inquire further into it. This person, by talking with the child, found it to be a girl, discovered that the servant maid was its mother and that the husband still kept up his correspondence with her. In this intelligence the wife being unwilling that her children's money should go towards the maintenance of bastards stopped the allowance. The husband enraged in a kind of revenge takes the maid home and lives with her publicly to the great scandal of his neighbors that he soon found the bad effect of it for by degrees lost his practice so that he plainly saw he could not live there. Therefore he thought of removing and turning what effects he had into ready money he goes to court and therewith his maid and daughter embarks for Carolina. At first he followed the practice of the law in that province but afterwards fell into merchandise which proved more successful to him for he gained by it sufficient to purchase a considerable plantation. His maid who passed for his wife happened to die after which his daughter Ariane Bonney now grown up kept his house. She was of a fierce and courageous temper. Before when she lay under condemnation several stories were reported of her much to her disadvantage as that she had killed an English servant maid once in her passion with a Kate's knife. While she looked after her father's house but upon further inquiry I found the story to be groundless. It was certain she was so robust that once when a young fellow would have lain with her against her will she beat him so that he lay ill of it a considerable time. While she lived with her father she was looked upon as one that would be a good fortune. Wherefore it was thought that her father expected a good match for her but she spoilt it all for without his consent she married the young fellow who belonged to the sea and was not worth a groat which proved her father which provoked her father to such a degree that he turned her out of doors upon which the young fellow who married her finding himself disappointed in his expectation shipped himself and his wife for the island of Providence expect the employment there. Here she became acquainted with Rackham the pirate who making courtship to her soon found means of withdrawing her affections from her husband so that she consented to alope with him and go to sea with Rackham in men's clothes. She was as good as her word and after she had been at sea some time she proved with child and beginning to grow big Rackham landed her on the island of Cuba and recommending her there to some friends of his they took care of her till she was brought to bed when she was up and well again he sent for her to bear him company. The king's proclamation being out for pardoning of pirates he took the benefit of it and surrendered afterwards being sent upon the privateering account he returned to his old trade as has already been hinted in the story of Mary Reed. In all these expeditions Anne Bonny bore him company and when any business was to be done in their way nobody was more forward or courageous than she and particularly when they were taken she and Mary Reed with one more were all the persons that durst keep the deck as has before been hinted. Her father was known to a great many gentlemen painters of Jamaica who had dealt with him and among whom he had a good reputation and some of them who had been in Carolina remembered to have seen him remembered to have seen her in his house wherefore they were inclined to show her favor. But the action of leaving her husband was an ugly circumstance against her. The day that Rackham was executed by special favor he was admitted to see her but all the comfort she gave him was that she was sorry to see him there but if he had fought like a man he'd need not have been hanged like a dog. She was continued in prison to the time of her lying in and afterwards reprieved from time to time but what has become of her since we cannot tell. Only this we know that she was not executed. End of Chapter 7 Part 3, Recording by Miriam Esther Goldman. Chapter 8, Part 1 of The General History of the Pirates, Volume 1. 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 Anna Simon. The General History of the Pirates, Volume 1, by Charles Johnson. Chapter 8 of Captain Howell Davis and His Crew, Part 1. Captain Howell Davis was born at Milford in Monmouthshire and was from a boy brought up to the sea. The last voyage he made from England was in the Kerrigan snow of Bristol. Captain Skinner Commander bound for the coast of Guinea of which snow Davis was chief made. They were no sooner arrived at Chère-Léon on the aforesaid coast but they were taken by the pirate England who plundered them and Skinner was barbarously murdered as has been related before in the story of Captain England. After the death of Captain Skinner, Davis pretended that he was mightily solicited by England to engage with him but that he resolutely answered he would sooner be shot to death than sign the pirate's articles. On which England, pleased with his bravery, sent him and the rest of the man again on board the snow, appointing him captain of her in the room of Skinner, commanding him to pursue his voyage. He also gave him a written paper sealed up with orders to open it when he should come into a certain latitude and at the peril of his life follow the orders therein set down. This was an air of grandeur like what princes practised to their admirals and generals. It was punctually complied with by Davis who read it to the ship's company. It contained no less than a generous deed of gift of the ship and cargo to Davis and the crew, ordering him to go to Brazil and dispose of the lading to the best advantage and to make a fair and equal dividend with the rest. Davis proposed to the crew whether they were willing to follow their directions but to his great surprise found the majority of them altogether averse to it. Before in a rage he bet them be damned and go where they would. They knew that part of their cargo was consigned to certain merchants at Barbados, wherefore they steered for that island. When they arrived they related to these merchants the unfortunate death of Skinner and the proposal which had been made to them by Davis, upon which Davis was seized and committed to prison, where he was kept three months. However, as he had been in no act of piracy he was discharged without being brought to any trial yet he could not expect any employment there, wherefore knowing that the island of Providence was a kind of rendezvous of pirates he was resolved to make one amongst them, if possible, and to that purpose found means of shipping himself for that island. But he was again disappointed, for when he arrived there the pirates had newly surrendered to Captain Woods Rogers and accepted of the act of grace which he had just brought from England. However, Davis was not long out of business, for Captain Rogers having fitted out two sloops for trade, one called the Buck, the other the Munville trader. Davis found an employment on board of one of them. The lading of these sloops was of considerable value, consisting of European goods in order to be exchanged with the French and Spaniards, and many of the hands on board of them where the pirates lately come in upon the late act of grace. The first place they took that was the island of Martinico, belonging to the French, where Davis, having conspired with some others, rise in the night, secured the master and seized the sloop. As soon as this was done they called to the other sloop, which lay little way from them, among whom they knew there were great many hands ripe for rebellion, and ordered them to come on board of them. They did so, and the greatest part of them agreed to join with Davis. Those who were otherwise inclined were sent back on board the Munville sloop to go where they pleased, Davis having first taken out of her everything which he thought might be of use. After this a council of war was called over a large bowl of punch, at which it was proposed to choose a commander. The election was soon over, for it fell upon Davis, by a great majority of legal polos, there was no scrutiny demanded, for all acquiesced in the choice. As soon as he was possessed of his command he drew up articles, which were signed and sworn to by himself and the rest. Then he made a short speech, the sum of which was, a declaration of war against the whole world. After this they consulted about a proper place where they might clean their sloop, a light pair of heels being of great use, either to take or escape being taken. For this purpose they made choice of Coxson's hole, at the east end of the island of Cuba, a place where they might secure themselves from surprise, the entrance being so narrow that one French ship might keep out a hundred. Here they cleaned with much difficulty, for they had no carpenter in their company, a person of great use upon such exigencies. From hence they put to sea, making to the north side of the island of Hispaniola. The first sail which fell in their way was a French ship of twelve guns. It must be observed that Davis had put thirty-five hands, yet provisions began to grow short with him. Wherefore he attacked this ship. Davis soon struck, and he sent twelve of his hands on board of her in order to plunder. This was no sooner done, but a sail which spied a great way to winward of them. They inquired of the Frenchman, what she might be. He answered that he had spoke with his ship the day before of twenty-four guns and sixty men, and he took this to be the same. Davis then proposed to his man to attack her, telling them she would be a rare ship for their use, but they looked upon it to be an extravagant attempt, and discovered no fondness for it. But he assured them he had a stratagem in his head would make all safe. Wherefore he gave chase, and ordered his price to do the same. The price being a slow sailor, Davis first came up with the enemy, and standing alongside of them, showed his paradigal colors. They, much surprised, called to Davis, telling him they wanted at his impudence in venturing to come so near them, and ordered him to strike. But he answered that he intended to keep them in play, till his concert came up, who was able to deal with them, and that if they did not strike to him, they should have but bad quarters, whereupon he gave them a broadside, which they returned. In the meantime the price drew near, who obligated all the prisoners to come upon deck in white shirts to make a show of force as they had been directed by Davis. They also hoisted a dirty tarpaulin by way of black flag, they having no other, and fired a gun. The Frenchmen were so intimidated by this appearance of force that they struck. Davis called out to the captain to come on board of him, with twenty of his hands. He did so, and they were all for the greater security clapped into irons, the captain accepted. Then he sent four of his own men on board the first price, and in order still to carry on the cheat, spoke aloud that they should give his service to the captain, and desire him to send some hands on board the price to see what they had got. But at the same time gave them a written paper with instructions what to do. Here he ordered them to nail up the guns in the little price, to take out all the small arms and powder, and to go every man of them on board the second price. When this was done, he ordered that more of the prisoners should be removed out of the great price, into the little one, by which he secured himself from any attempt which might be feared from their numbers. For those on board of him were fast in irons, and those in the little price had neither arms nor ammunition. Thus the three ships kept company for two days. When finding the great price to be a very dull sailor, he thought she would not be fit for his purpose, wherefor he resolved to restore her to the captain with all his hands. But first he took care to take out all her ammunition and everything else which he might possibly want. The French captain was in such a rage at being so outwitted that when he got on board his own ship he was going to throw himself overboard, but was prevented by his men. Having let go both his prizes he steered northward, in which cause he took a small Spanish sloop. After this he made towards the western islands, but met with no booty thereabouts. Then he steered for the Cape de Verde Islands. They cast anchor at St. Nicholas, hoisting English colors. The Portuguese, inhabiting there, took him for an English privateer, and Davis going ashore they both treated him very civilly, and also traded with him. Here he remained five weeks, in which time he and half his crew for their pleasure took a journey to the chief town of the island which was nineteen miles up the country. Davis making a good appearance was caressed by the governor and the inhabitants, and no diversion was wanting which the Portuguese could show or money could purchase. After about a week's stay he came back to the ship, and the rest of the crew went to take their pleasure up to the town in their turn. At their return they cleaned their ship, and put the sea, but not with their whole company. For five of them, like Hannibal's men, were so charmed with the luxuries of the place, and the free conversation of some women, that they stayed behind, and one of them, whose name was Charles Franklin, a mummature man, married and settled himself, and lives there to this day. For hence they sailed to Bonavista, and looked into that harbour, but finding nothing they steered for the Isle of May. When they arrived here they met with a great many ships and vessels in the road, all which they plundered, taking out of them whatever they wanted, and also strengthened themselves with a great many fresh hands, who most of them entered voluntarily. One of the ships they took to their own use, mounted her with twenty-six guns, and called her the King James. After being no fresh water hereabouts, they made towards San Diego, belonging to the Portuguese, in order to lay in a store. Davis with few hands, going ashore to find the most commodious place to water at, the governor, with some attendance, came himself and examined who they were, and whence they came. And not liking Davis' account of himself, the governor was so plain to tell them he suspected them to be pirates. Davis seemed mightily affronted, standing much upon his honor, to the governor. He scorned his words. However, as soon as his back was turned for fear of accidents, he got on board again as fast as he could. Davis related what had happened, and his men seemed to resent the affront which had been offered him. Davis upon this told them he was confident he could surprise the fort in the night. They agreed with him to attempt it, and, accordingly, when it grew late, they went ashore well-armed, and the guard which was kept was so negligent that they got within the fort before any alarm was given. When it was too late, there was some little resistance made, and three men killed on Davis' side. Those in the fort, in their hurry, run into the governor's house to save themselves, which they barricaded so strongly that Davis' party could not enter it. However, they threw in granados shells, which not only ruined all the furniture, but killed several men within. When it was they the whole country was alarmed and became to attack the pirates, wherefore it not being their business to stand a siege, they made the best of their way on board their ship again, after having dismounted the guns of the fort. By this enterprise they did a great deal of mischief to the Portuguese, and put very little good to themselves. Having put to sea, they mustered their hands, and found themselves near seventy strong. Then it was proposed what cause they should steer, and differing in their opinions they divided, and by a majority it was carried for Gambia on the coast of Guinea. Of this opinion was Davis. He having been employed in that trade was acquainted with the coast. He told them that there was a great deal of money always kept in Gambia Castle, and that it would be worth their while to make an attempt upon it. They asked him how it was possible, since it was garrisoned. He desired they would leave the management of it to him, and he would undertake to make the masses of it. They began now to conceive so high an opinion of his conduct, as well as courage, that they thought nothing impossible to him. Therefore they agreed to obey him, without inquiring further into his design. Having come within sight of the place, he ordered all his men under deck, except as many as were absolutely necessary for working the ship, that those from the fort seeing a ship with so few hands might have no suspicion of her being any other than a trading vessel. Then he ran close under the fort, and there cast anchor. And having ordered out the boat, he commanded six men in her, in old ordinary jackets, while he himself, with the master and doctor, dressed themselves like gentlemen. His design being that the men should look like common sailors, and they like merchants. In Roan the shore, he gave his men instructions what to say in case any questions should be asked them. Being come to the landing-place, he was received by a file of musketeers, and conducted into the fort, where the governor, accosting them civilly, asked them who they were and whence they came. They answered they were of Liverpool, bound for the river of Senegal, to trade for guns and elephants' teeth. But that they were chased on that coast by two Frenchmen of war, and narrowly escaped being taken, having a little the heels of them. But now they were resolved to make the best of a bad market, and would trade here for slaves. Then the governor asked them what was the chief of their cargo. They answered iron and plate, which were good things there. The governor told them he would slave them to the full value of their cargo, and asked them if they had any European liquor on board. They answered a little for their own use. However, a hamper should be at his service. The governor then very civilly invited them all to stay and dine with him. Davis told him that being commander of the ship, he must go on board to see her well moored, and give some other orders. But those two gentlemen might stay, and that he himself would also return before dinner, and bring the hamper of liquor with him. While he was in the fold, his eyes were very busy in observing how things lay. He took notice there was a sentry at the entrance, and a guard house just by it, where the soldiers upon duty commonly waited, their arms standing in a corner, in a heap. He saw also a great many small arms in the governor's hall. Now when he came on board he assured his man of success, desiring them not to get drunk, and that as soon as they saw the flag upon the castle's truck they might conclude he was master, and sent twenty hands immediately ashore. In the meantime, there being a sloop at anchor near them, he sent some hands in a boat to secure the master and all the man, and bring them on board of him, least they observing any bustle or arming in his ship might send ashore and give intelligence. These precautions being taken, he ordered his men, who were to go on the boat with him, to put two pair of pistols each under their clothes, he doing the like himself, and gave them directions to go into the guard room, and to enter into conversation with the soldiers, and observe when he should fire a pistol through the governor's window to start up at once, and secure the arms in the guard room. When Dave is arrived, dinner not being ready, the governor proposed that they should pass their time in making a bowl of punch till dinner time. It must be observed that Davis' coxswain waited upon them, who had an opportunity of going about all parts of the house to see what strength they had. He whispered, David, there being no person then in the room, but he, Davis, the master, the doctor, the coxswain, and governor. Davis, on a sudden, drew out a pistol, clattered to the governor's breast, telling him he must surrender the fort and all the riches in it, or he was a dead man. The governor, being no ways prepared for such an attack, promised to be very passive and do all they desired, therefore they shut the door, took down all the arms that hung in the hole, and loaded them. Davis fires his pistol through the window upon which his men, without, executed their part of the scheme, like heroes, in an instant, getting betwixt the soldiers and their arms, all with their pistols cocked in their hands, while one of them carried the arms out. When this was done, they locked the soldiers into the guard room and kept guard without. In the meantime, one of them struck the Union flag on the top of the castle, at which signaled those on board sent on shore a reinforcement of hands, and they got possession of the fort without a least hurry or confusion, or so much as a man lost of either side. Davis, harangued the soldiers, upon which a great many of them took on with him. Those who were fused, he sent on board a little sloop, and because he would not be at the trouble of a guard for them, he ordered all the sails and cables out of her which might hinder them from attempting to get away. This day was spent in a kind of rejoicing, the castle firing her guns to salute the ship, and the ship the castle, but the next day they minded their business, that is, they fell to plundering. But they found things fall vastly short of their expectation, for they discovered that a great deal of money had been lately sent away. However, they met with the value of about two thousand pounds sterling and bar gold, and a great many other rich effects. Everything they liked, which was portable, they brought aboard their ship. Some things which they had no use for, they were so generous to make a present of to the master and crew of the little sloop, to whom they also returned his vessel again, and then they fell to work in dismounting the guns and demolishing the fortifications. After they had done as much as they could, and were weighing anchor to be gone, they spied a ship bearing down upon them in full sail. They soon got their anchors up, and were in readiness to receive her. This ship proved to be a French pirate of fourteen guns and sixty-four hands, half French, half Negroes. The captain's name was Labous. He expected no less than a rich prize which made him so eager in the chase. But when he came near enough to see their guns, and the number of their hands upon deck, he began to think he should catch a tartar, and suppose her to be a small English man of war. However, since there was no escaping, he resolved to do a bold and desperate action, which was to board Davis. As he was making towards her for this purpose, he fired a gun, and hoisted his black collars. Davis returned the salute, and hoisted his black collars also. The Frenchman was not a little pleased at this happy mistake. They both hoisted out their boats, and the captains went to meet and congratulate one another with a flag of truce in their sterns. A great many civilities passed between them, and Labous desired Davis that they might sail down the coast together, that he, Labous, might get a better ship. Davis agreed to it, and very courteously promised him the first ship he took fit for his use. He would give him, as being willing to encourage a willing brother. The first place they touched at was Sierra Leone, where at first going in they spied a tall ship at anchor. Davis, being the best sailor, first came up with her, and wondering that she did not try to make off, suspected her to be a ship of force. As soon as he came alongside of her, she brought a spring upon her cable, and fired a whole broadside upon Davis. At the same time, hoisted a black flag. Davis hoisted his black flag in like manner, and fired one gun to leeward. In fine, she proved to be a pirate ship of twenty-four guns, commanded by one cocklin, who, expecting these two would prove prizes, let them come in. Lease's getting on their sail might frighten them away. This satisfaction was great on all sides, at this junction of confederates and brethren in iniquity. Two days they spent in improving their acquaintance and friendship. The third day, Davis and cocklin, agreed to go in Labous's brigantine and attack the fort. They contrived it so as to get up thither by high water. Those in the fort suspected them to be what they really were, and therefore stood upon their defense. When the brigantine came within musket shot, the fort fired all their guns upon her. The brigantine did the like upon the fort, and so held each other in play for several hours, when the two confederate ships were come up to the insistence of the brigantine. Those who defended the fort, seeing such a number of hands on board these ships, had not the courage to stand it any longer, but, abandoning the fort, left it to the mercy of the pirates. They took possession of it, and continued there near seven weeks, in which time they all cleaned their ships. We should have observed that a galley came into the road while they were there, which Davis insisted should be yielded to Labous, according to his word of honour, before given. Cocklin did not oppose it, so Labous went into her with his crew, and cutting away her half-deck, mounted her with twenty-four guns. Having called a council of war, they agreed to sail down the coast together, and for the greater grandeur appointed a Commodore, which was Davis, but they had not kept company long when drinking together on board of Davis, they had like to have fallen together by the ears, the strong liquor stirring up a spirit of discord among them, and they crawled, but Davis put an end to it by this short speech. Argy, you cooklin, and Labous, I find by strengthening you, I have put a rod into your hands to whip myself, but I am still able to deal with you both, but since we met in love, let us part in love, for I find that three of a trade can never agree. Upon which the other two went on board their respective ships, and immediately parted, each steering a different course. Davis held on his way down the coast, and making Cape Apollonia he met with two scotch and one English vessel, which he plundered, and then let go. About five days after he fell in with a Dutch interloper of thirty guns and ninety men, half being English, off Cape Three Points Bay. Davis, coming up alongside of her, the Dutchman gave the first fire, and pouring in a broadside upon Davis, killed nine of his men. Davis returned it, and a very hot engagement followed, which lasted from one o'clock at noon till nine next morning, when the Dutchman struck and yielded herself their prize. Davis fitted up the Dutch ship for his own use, and called her the Rover, a board of which he mounted thirty-two guns and twenty-seven swivels, and proceeded with her and the King James to Anamabo. He entered the bay, but took the hours of twelve and one at noon, and found there three ships lying at anchor, who were trading for a negro's golden teeth. The names of these ships were the Hink Pink, Captain Hall Commander, the Princess, Captain Plump, of which Roberts, who will make a considerable figure in the sequel of this history, was second-made, and the Morris Slope, Captain Finn. He takes these ships without any resistance, and having plundered them, he makes a present of one of them, that is, the Morris Slope, to the Dutchman, on board of which alone were found a hundred and forty negro's, besides dry goods, and a considerable quantity of gold dust. It happened there were several canoes alongside of this last, when Davis came in, who saved themselves and got ashore. These gave notice at the fort that these ships were pirates upon which the fort fired upon them, but without any execution, for their metal was not of weight enough to reach them. Davis, therefore, by way of defiance, hoisted his black flag, and returned their compliment. The same day, he sailed with his three ships, making his way down the coast to its princess, a Portuguese colony. But before we proceed any farther in Davis's story, we shall give our reader an account of the Portuguese settlements on this coast, which other curious remarks, as they were communicated to me by an ingenious gentleman, lately arrived from those parts. End of chapter eight, part one.