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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Pirates, by Anonymous
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Pirates
+
+Author: Anonymous
+
+Commentator: Claud Lovat Fraser
+
+Illustrator: Claud Lovat Fraser
+
+Release Date: January 27, 2008 [EBook #24439]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PIRATES ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Sam W. and the Online Distributed Proofreading
+Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from
+images generously made available by The Internet
+Archive/American Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+           THE LIVES AND ADVENTURES
+                   OF SUNDRY
+               NOTORIOUS PIRATES
+
+                [Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+                   PIRATES
+
+
+ _With a _Foreword_ and sundry _Decorations_ by_
+
+                C. Lovat Fraser
+
+
+                [Illustration]
+
+
+                  _NEW YORK:_
+         ROBERT M. McBRIDE AND COMPANY
+                     1922
+
+
+
+
+_First American Edition_
+
+_Printed in the United States of America_
+
+_Printed in Great Britain by Billing and Sons, Ltd., Guildford and
+Esher._
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: CAPTAIN AVERY]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+                                                        PAGE
+    Foreword                                             vii
+
+    The Life of Captain Avery                              1
+
+    Captain John Rackham, and his Crew                    17
+
+    Captain Spriggs, and his Crew                         29
+
+    Captain Edward Lowe, and his Crew                     37
+
+    Captain George Lowther, and his Crew                  51
+
+    Captain Anstis, and his Crew                          65
+
+    Captain John Phillips, and his Crew                   77
+
+    Captain Teach, _alias_ Blackbeard                     87
+
+    Major Stede Bonnet and his Crew                      101
+
+    Captain William Kid                                  117
+
+    Captain Edward England, and his Crew                 135
+
+    Captain John Gow, _alias_ Smith, and his Crew        145
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+    Captain Avery                             _frontispiece_
+
+    Captain John Rackham                   _facing page_  19
+
+    Captain Edward Lowe                          "        39
+
+    Captain Teach                                "        89
+
+    Major Stede Bonnet                           "       103
+
+    Captain William Kid                          "       119
+
+    Captain Edward England                       "       137
+
+    Captain John Gow                             "       147
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+FOREWORD
+
+
+Time, though a good Collector, is not always a reliable Historian.
+That is to say, that although nothing of interest or importance is
+lost, yet an affair may be occasionally invested with a glamour that
+is not wholly its own. I venture to think that Piracy has fortuned in
+this particular. We are apt to base our ideas of Piracy on the
+somewhat vague ambitions of our childhood; and I suppose, were such a
+thing possible, the consensus of opinion in our nurseries as to a
+future profession in life would place Piracy but little below the
+glittering heights of the police force and engine-driving. Incapable
+of forgetting this in more mature years, are we not inclined to deck
+Her (the "H" capital, for I speak of an ideal), if not in purple and
+fine linen, at least with a lavish display of tinsel and gilt? Nursery
+lore remains with us, whether we would or not, for all our lives; and
+generations of ourselves, as schoolboys and pre-schoolboys, have
+tricked out Piracy in so resplendent a dress that she has fairly
+ousted in our affections, not only her sister profession of "High Toby
+and the Road," but every other splendid and villainous vocation. Yet
+Teach, Kid, and Avery were as terrible or grim as Duval, Turpin, and
+Sheppard were courtly or whimsical. And the terrible is a more vital
+affair than the whimsical. Is it, then, unnatural that, after a lapse
+of nigh on two centuries, we should shake our wise heads and allow
+that which is still nursery within us to deplore the loss of those
+days when we ran--before a favouring "Trade"--the very good chance of
+being robbed, maimed, or murdered by Captain Howel Davis or Captain
+Neil Gow? It is as well to remember that the "Captains" in this book
+were seamen whose sole qualifications to the title were ready wit, a
+clear head, and, maybe, that certain indefinable "power of the eye"
+that is the birth-right of all true leaders. The piratical hero of our
+childhood is traceable in a great extent to the "thrillers," toy
+plays, and penny theatres of our grandfathers. Here our Pirate was, as
+often as not, a noble, dignified, if gloomy gentleman, with a leaning
+to Byronic soliloquy. Though stern in exterior, his heart could (and
+would) melt at the distresses of the heroine. Elvira's eyes were
+certain to awaken in his mind the recollection of "other eyes as
+innocent as thine, child." In short, he was that most touching of all
+beings, the Hero-cum-Villain. And it was with a sigh of relief that we
+saw him at the eleventh hour, having successfully twitted the
+"Government Men" and the Excise (should he have an additional penchant
+for smuggling), safely restored to the arms of the long-suffering
+possessor of the other eyes.
+
+Alas! this little book mentions no Poll of Portsmouth, nor does it
+favour us with a "Yeo, heave, oh!" nor is there so very much "cut and
+thrust" about it. It was written in that uninspiring day when Pirates
+were a very real nuisance to such law-abiding folk as you and I; but
+it has the merit of being written, if not by a Pirate, at least by one
+who came into actual contact with them. I am not at all sure that
+"merit" is the right word to use in this instance, for to be a Pirate
+does not necessarily ensure you making a good author. Indeed, it might
+almost be considered as a ban to the fine literary technique of an
+Addison or a Temple. It has, however, the virtue of being in close
+touch with some of the happenings chronicled. Not that our author saw
+above a tithe of what he records--had he done so he would have been
+"set a-sun-drying" at Execution Dock long before he had had the
+opportunity of putting pen to paper; but, as far as posterity was
+concerned, he was lucky in his friend William Ingram--evidently a
+fellow of good memory and a ready tongue--"who," as our author states
+in his Preface, "was a Pirate under Anstis, Roberts, and many others,"
+and who eventually was hanged in good piratical company on the 11th
+of June, 1714.
+
+The actual history of the little book, the major part of which is here
+reprinted, is as follows:
+
+Its full title is "The History and Lives of all the most Notorious
+Pirates and their Crews," and the fifth edition, from which our text
+is taken, was printed in 1735. A reproduction of the original
+title-page is given overleaf.
+
+As a matter of fact, the title is misleading. How could a book that
+makes no mention of Morgan or Lollonois be a history of _all_ the most
+notorious Pirates? It deals with the last few years of the seventeenth
+century and the first quarter of the eighteenth, a period that might
+with justice be called "The Decline and Fall of Piracy," for after
+1730 Piracy became but a mean broken-backed affair that bordered
+perilously on mere sea-pilfering.
+
+[Illustration: THE
+
+HISTORY _and_ LIVES
+
+Of all the most Notorious
+
+PIRATES,
+
+AND THEIR
+
+CREWS;
+
+From Capt. AVERY, who first settled at _Madagascar_, to Captain _John
+Gow_, and _James Williams_, his Lieutenant, _&c._ who were hang'd at
+_Execution Dock_, _June_ 11, 1725, for Piracy and Murther; and
+afterwards hang'd in Chains between _Blackwall_ and _Deptford_. And in
+this Edition continued down to the present Year 1735.
+
+Giving a more full and true Account than any yet Publish'd, of all
+their Murthers, Piracies, Maroonings, Places of Refuge, and Ways of
+Living.
+
+The Fifth Edition.
+
+Adorned with Twenty Beautiful CUTS, being the Representation of each
+Pirate.
+
+To which is prefixed, _An Abstract of the Laws against Piracy_.
+
+LONDON: Printed for _A. Bettesworth_ and _C. Hitch_, at the _Red Lyon_
+in _Pater-noster-Row_; _R. Ware_, at the _Sun_ and _Bible_ in
+_Amen-Corner_; and _J. Hodges_, at the _Looking-glass_ on
+_London-bridge_. 1735.]
+
+A little research into the book's history shows us that it is
+consistent throughout, and that it is a "piracy," in the publisher's
+sense of the word, of a much larger and more pretentious work by
+Captain Charles Johnson, entitled, "A General History of the Pyrates
+from their first Rise and Settlement in the Island of Providence to
+the Present Time; With the Remarkable Actions and Adventures of the
+two Female Pyrates Mary Read and Anne Bonny."
+
+This was published in London, in 8vo., by Charles Rivington in 1724. A
+second edition, considerably augmented, was issued later in the same
+year, a third edition in the year following, and a fourth edition--in
+two volumes, as considerable additions in the form of extra "Lives,"
+and an appendix necessitated a further volume--in 1725.
+
+This two-volume edition contained the history of the following
+Pirates: Avery, Martel, Teach, Bonnet, England, Vane, Rackham, Davis,
+Roberts, Anstis, Morley, Lowther, Low, Evans, Phillips, Spriggs,
+Smith, Misson, Bowen, Kid, Tew, Halsey, White, Condent, Bellamy, Fly,
+Howard, Lewis, Cornelius, Williams, Burgess, and North, together with
+a short abstract on the Statute and Civil Law in relation to
+"Pyracy," and an appendix, completing the Lives in the first volume,
+and correcting some mistakes.
+
+The work evidently enjoyed a great vogue, for it was translated into
+Dutch by Robert Hannebo, of Amsterdam, in 1727, and issued there, with
+several "new illustrations," in 12mo. A German version by Joachim
+Meyer was printed at Gosslar in the following year, while in France it
+saw the light as an appendix to an edition of Esquemeling's "Histoire
+des Avanturiers," 1726.
+
+But little is known of the author, Captain Charles Johnson, excepting
+that he flourished from 1724 to 1736, and it is more than probable
+that the name by which we know him is an assumed one. It is possible
+that his knowledge of Pirates and Piracy was of such a nature to have
+justified awkward investigations on the part of His Majesty's
+Government.
+
+There is one thing that we do know for certain about him, and that is
+that the worthy Captain's spelling, according to the pirated version
+of his book, was indefinite even for his own day. He was one of those
+inspired folk who would be quite capable of spelling "schooner" with
+three variations in as many lines. In this edition the spelling has
+been more or less modernized.
+
+Lastly, it is to be remembered that the ships of this period,
+according to our modern ideas, would be the veriest cockle-shells, and
+so that we should know what manner of vessel he refers to in these
+pages, I had recourse to a friend of mine whose knowledge of things
+nautical is extensive enough to have gained for him the coveted "Extra
+Master's Certificate," and who was kind enough to supply me with the
+following definitions:
+
+
+[Illustration: SLOOP.
+
+A vessel rigged as a cutter, but with one head-sail only set on a very
+short bowsprit.]
+
+
+[Illustration: SCHOONER.   TOPSAIL SCHOONER.
+
+Two-masted vessels, fore and aft rigged, sometimes having square
+topsails on the fore-mast.]
+
+
+[Illustration: BRIGANTINE.
+
+A two-masted vessel, square rigged on fore-mast.]
+
+
+GALLEY.
+
+A large vessel rowed by oars and sometimes having auxiliary sail of
+various rigs.
+
+
+PINK.
+
+Probably a small, fast vessel used as a tender and despatch boat for
+river work.
+
+
+[Illustration: SNOW.
+
+A two-masted vessel with a stay, known as a "Horse," from the
+main-mast to the poop on which the trysail was set. Sometimes a spar
+was fitted instead of a stay. The rig was most likely of a brig
+(_i.e._, a two-masted ship, square sails on both masts), and the
+triangular trysail set on the stay in bad weather or when hove to.]
+
+    C. L. F.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN AVERY
+
+
+He was the son of _John Avery_, a victualler near _Plymouth_, in
+_Devonshire_, who in a few years was grown as opulent in his purse as
+in his body, by scoring two for one; and when he had so done, drinking
+the most of the liquor himself. By which means, and having a handsome
+wife, who knew her business as well as if she had been brought up to
+it from a child (which, indeed, she mostly was, her mother keeping the
+House before she married _Mr. Avery_), they soon became very rich and
+very able to give credit to a whole ship's crew upon their tickets,
+which in those days were sold for less than half their value.
+
+Having but one child (afterwards the Captain), they at first resolved
+to bring him up a scholar, that he might advance the dignity of the
+family. But instead of learning his book, he was taught by such
+companions that he could soon swear to every point of his compass,
+which was a very diverting scene for the Boatswain and his crew, who
+were then drinking in the kitchen, having just received ten pounds
+apiece short allowance money on board the _Revenge_, every farthing of
+which they spent before leaving the house.
+
+But as soon as their money was spent, they were all like to have been
+imprisoned by their Landlady for a riot, as she called it, so they
+were soon glad to sheer off, and he thought himself happiest that
+could get first aboard. Indeed, it would have been happy for them if
+they had, for the ship was unmoored and gone to sea; which put the
+Boatswain and his crew swearing in earnest, and not knowing what to
+do, they resolved to return to their Landlady, _Mrs. Avery_, at "the
+Sign of the _Defiance_." But she shut them out of doors, calling them
+a parcel of beggarly rascals, and swearing that if they would not go
+from the door she would send for the Constable; and notwithstanding
+all the entreaties and tears of her only son, who was then about six
+years of age, she could not be prevailed upon to let them in, so they
+were obliged to stroll about the street all night. In the morning,
+spying the ship at anchor, being driven back by contrary winds, they
+resolved to make the best of their way aboard; but on the way, whom
+should they meet but young _Avery_, who had no sooner seen them, but
+he cried after them. "Zounds," says the Boatswain, "let's take the
+young dog aboard, and his mother shall soon be glad to adjust the
+reckoning more to our satisfaction before she shall have her son."
+
+This was agreed upon by all hands, and the boy was as willing as any
+of them. So, stepping into the boat, in about an hour's time they
+reached the ship, which they had no sooner boarded but they were
+brought before the Captain, who, being in want of hands, contented
+himself with bidding them all go to their business; for the wind
+turned about, and there was occasion for all hands to be at work to
+carry out the ship.
+
+All this while young _Avery_ was at the heels of the Boatswain, and
+was observed to swear two oaths to one of the Boatswain's; which being
+soon observed by the Captain, he inquired who brought that young
+rascal aboard.
+
+To which the Boatswain replied that he did, that the boy's mother was
+his Landlady on shore, and he had taken him up in jest, but was afraid
+that they would now have to keep him in earnest.
+
+When the hurry was a little over, the Captain commanded the boy to be
+brought to him in his cabin. He had not talked long to him before he
+took a fancy to him, telling him that if he would be a good boy, he
+should live with him.
+
+He, being a mighty lover of children, would often divert himself by
+talking to the boy, till at length he took such a fancy to him, that
+he ordered him a little hammock in his own cabin, and none were so
+great as the Captain and his boy _Avery_, which had like to have
+proved very fatal to him; for Avery one night, observing the Captain
+to be very drunk with some passengers that were on board, got a
+lighted match and had like to have blown up the ship, had not the
+Gunner happened accidentally to follow him into the store-room. This
+made the Captain ever after very shy of his new Acquaintance, and
+_Avery_, after he had been well whipped, was ordered down into the
+hold, where he remained until they arrived at _Carolina_, which
+happened four or five days after.
+
+The boy was given to a merchant, who, taking a fancy to him, put him
+to school; but he made so little progress in learning, and committed
+so many unlucky tricks, that the merchant, in about three years,
+shipped him off to his friends at _Plymouth_ on board the _Nonesuch_,
+where he was no sooner arrived but his mother was overjoyed with the
+sight of her son, his father being dead about a month before his
+arrival.
+
+And, indeed, it was thought the loss of their son broke his heart, for
+it was observed the father never held up his head after, the
+neighbours often reflecting upon him for his ill-usage of the seamen,
+who had spent so much money at his house; saying he could never expect
+that all his ill-gotten riches could prosper him, which so happened,
+as you shall hear presently. For his mother, dying soon after, the boy
+was left under the guardianship of one Mr. _Lightfoot_, a merchant,
+who, having great losses at sea, became a bankrupt, and so young
+_Avery_ was left to look out after himself; there he continued for
+many years in pilfering and stealing till the country was too hot for
+him, when he betook him to sea again, where in time he became as
+famous for robbing as _Cromwell_ for rebellion.
+
+He entered himself on board the _Duke_, Captain _Gibson_ Commander,
+being one of the two ships of twenty-four guns and one hundred men
+which were fitted out by the merchants of _Bristol_ for the service of
+_Spain_, which they had no sooner done, but they were ordered by their
+agents at _Bristol_ to sail for the _Groyne_ to receive their orders.
+
+On board one of which ships _Avery_, being at this time above twenty
+years old, entered himself, where he had not been long before he
+observed the Captain was much addicted to drunkenness.
+
+He endeavoured to spirit up not only his own ship's crew, but having
+also given the word to part of the other ship's crew, the conspirators
+gave the signal.
+
+At which the _Duchess_, as the other ship was named, put off her
+longboat; which the conspirators hailing were answered by the men in
+the boat, "Is your drunken Boatswain on board?" This being the word
+agreed upon, Avery answered, "All is safe;" upon which twenty lusty
+fellows came aboard and joined them, which they had no sooner done but
+they secured the hatches and went to work, putting to sea without any
+disorder, although there were several ships in the bay, amongst whom
+was a frigate of forty-four guns.
+
+The Captain, by this time being awaked by the noise of the
+conspirators working the ship, rung the bell, inquiring what was the
+matter, to whom _Avery_ and some of the crew replied, "Nothing. Are
+you mutinous in your cups? Can't you lie down, sleep, and be quiet?"
+
+"No," saith the Captain. "I am sure something's the matter with the
+ship. Does she drive? What weather is it? Is it a storm?"
+
+Saith _Avery_: "Cannot you lie quiet while you are quiet? I tell you
+all's well; we are at sea in a fair wind and good weather."
+
+"At sea," saith the Captain; "that can't be."
+
+"Be not frightened," saith Avery, "and I'll tell you. You must note, I
+am now the Captain of the ship; nay, you must turn out, for this is my
+cabin, and I am bound for _Madagascar_, to make my own fortune as well
+as my companions."
+
+The Captain, being more terrified than ever, did not know what to say,
+which _Avery_ perceiving, bid him take heart. "For," saith he, "if you
+will join me and these brave fellows, my companions, in time you may
+get some post under me. If not, step into the longboat and get about
+your business."
+
+This the Captain was glad to hear, but yet began to expostulate with
+them upon the injustice of such doings. Saith _Avery_: "What do I
+care? Every man for himself. Come, come, Captain, if you will go, get
+you gone; the longboat waits for you, and if there be any more cowards
+in the ship, you may all go together." Which words so affrighted the
+whole crew, that there was not above nine or ten of them that durst
+venture, who made the best of their way to the shore as fast as they
+could, and thought they were well off.
+
+The Captain was no sooner gone, but they called a Council, which
+agreed to own _Avery_ as their Captain; which he accepted of with all
+humility imaginable, seeming to excuse himself on account of his
+inexperience at sea. But he did it so artfully that it more confirmed
+them in the good opinion of their choice. "Gentlemen," said he, "what
+we have done we must live or die by; let us all be hearty and of one
+mind, and I don't question but we shall make our fortune in a little
+time. I propose that we sail first to _Madagascar_, where we may
+settle a correspondence, in order to secure our retreats, whenever we
+think fit to lie by."
+
+To which they all agreed, "Nemine contradicente."
+
+"But hold," saith _Avery_; "it is necessary that we make some order
+among us, for the better governing of the ship's crew." Which were in
+a few days drawn up by the clerk of the ship.
+
+And _Avery_ promising them vast things, they all came into them at
+last, although some things went very much against the grain of many of
+them.
+
+It took up all their spare time till they arrived at _Madagascar_,
+where they saw a Ship lying at the N.E. part of the Island, with which
+the men had run away from _New England_; and seeing _Avery_, they
+supposed that he had been sent after them to take them, but _Avery_
+soon undeceived them, and promised them protection; therefore they
+resolved to sail together. In the whole company, there was not above
+ten that pretended to any skill in navigation; for _Avery_ himself
+could neither write nor read very well, he being chosen Captain of the
+_Duke_ purely for his courage and contrivance.
+
+In the latitude of _Descada_, one of the Islands, they took two other
+sloops, which supplied them with provisions, and then they agreed to
+proceed to the _West Indies_; and coming to _Barbadoes_, they fell in
+with a ship for _London_ with twelve guns, from which they took some
+clothes and money, ten barrels of powder, ten casks of beef, and
+several other goods, and five of her men, and then let her go. From
+thence he went to the Island of _Dominico_, and watered; there he met
+with six _Englishmen_, who willingly entered with _Avery_. They stayed
+not long before they sailed for the _Granada_ Island to clean their
+ships; which being known to the _French_ Colony, the Governor of
+_Martenico_ sent four sloops well manned after them. But they stayed
+there not long, but made the best of their way for _Newfoundland_,
+entering the harbour of _Trepasse_ with black colours, drums beating,
+and trumpets sounding.
+
+It is impossible to relate the havoc they made there, burning all
+before them. When they left _Newfoundland_ they sailed for the _West
+Indies_, and from thence to the Island _Descada_, it being judged the
+most convenient place, at that time of the year, to meet with a rich
+booty.
+
+From hence they steered towards the _Arabian_ Coast, near the River
+_Indus_, where, spying a sail, they gave chase. At their near approach
+she hoisted _Mogul_ colours and seemed as if she would stand upon her
+defence, whilst _Avery_ contented himself by cannonading her at a
+distance, which made many of his men begin to mutiny, thinking him a
+coward.
+
+But _Avery_ knew better, and commanding his sloops to attack her, one
+in the Bow, and the rest on the Quarter, clapt her on board, upon
+which she struck her colours and yielded. Aboard her was one of the
+_Mogul's_ own daughters, with several persons of distinction, who
+were carrying rich offerings of jewels and other valuable presents to
+_Mecca_; which booty was the more considerable, because these people
+always travel with great magnificence, having all their slaves and
+attendants always with them, besides jewels and great sums of money to
+defray the charges. But _Avery_, not content with this, seized the
+young Princess, and taking her with him into his own ship, made the
+best of his way to _Madagascar_, where she soon broke her heart and
+died. Also her father, the _Great Mogul_, did no sooner hear of it but
+he threatened all _Europe_ with revenge. And when he knew they were
+_Englishmen_ who had captured his daughter and robbed him, he
+threatened to send a mighty army, with fire and sword, to extirpate
+all the _English_ from their settlements on the _Indian_ Coasts, which
+gave no small uneasiness to the _Indian Company_ at _London_, when
+they heard of it.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: CAPTAIN JOHN RACKHAM]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CAPTAIN JOHN RACKHAM, AND HIS CREW
+
+
+John Rackham was Quarter-Master to _Vane's_ Company, till _Vane_ was
+turned out for not fighting the French Man-of-War, and _Rackham_ put
+in Captain in his place, which happened about the 24th day of
+_November_, 1718. His first cruise was among the _Caribbe_ Islands,
+where he took and plundered several vessels. Afterwards, to the
+windward of _Jamaica_, he fell in with a _Madeira_ Man, which he
+detained till he had made his market out of her, and then restored her
+to her Master, suffering _Hosea Tisdel_, a tavern-keeper at _Jamaica_,
+whom he had taken among his Prizes, to go aboard her, she being bound
+for that Island.
+
+Afterwards he sailed towards the Island _Bermuda_, where he took a
+Ship bound to _England_ from _Carolina_, and a small Ship from _New
+England_, both which he carried to the _Bahama Islands_, and there
+clean'd. But staying too long in that Neighbourhood, Captain _Rogers_
+sent out a Sloop well mann'd, which retook both the Prizes, the Pirate
+making his Escape.
+
+From hence they proceeded to the Back of _Cuba_, where _Rackham_ staid
+a long Time with his Delilahs, till their Provision was consumed, when
+he concluded it Time to look out for more. As he was putting to Sea, a
+_Garda del Costa_ came in with a small _English_ Sloop, which he had
+taken as an interloper on that coast. The _Spaniards_ seeing the
+Pirate, attacked her; but finding he could not come to her that night,
+because she lay close behind a little island, he warps into the
+channel, to make sure of her in the morning. Upon this _Rackham_ took
+his Crew into the Boat, with their pistols and cutlasses, and falls
+aboard the _Spaniards_ in the night, without being discovered, telling
+them, if they spoke a word they were dead men: And so shipping their
+cables, drove out to sea, commanding them to take the Boat, and go
+aboard their Sloop immediately, or else they were all dead men.
+Afterwards they waking the Captain and his men in the Hammocks, who
+rose full of their expectation of the Prizes, they sent them aboard
+their empty Sloop.
+
+In the Beginning of _September_, they went off of the French part of
+_Hispaniola_, where they took two or three _Frenchmen_ on board, that
+were looking after some cattle grazing near the waterside. Then
+plundered two Sloops, they returned to _Jamaica_, where they took a
+Schooner.
+
+_Rackham_ continuing about this Island longer than a Man of his
+business ought to have done, gave time to a Canoe, which he had
+surprised in _Ocho_ Bay, to inform the Governor of _Jamaica_ of his
+civilities to all he met with going or coming from the Island.
+Thereupon a Sloop was sent out in quest of him, well mann'd and arm'd,
+under Captain _Barnet_, to repay him for all his good-natured
+Actions, and, if possible, to bring him into the Island. In the mean
+Time _Rackham_ met, near the _Negril_ Point, a small Pettiauger,
+which, upon sight of him, ran ashore, and landed her Men; but
+_Rackham_ hailing them, desired the Pettiauger's men to come aboard
+him, and drink a bowel of punch; swearing, _They were all Friends and
+would do no Harm_. Hereupon they agreed to his Request, and went
+aboard him, though it proved fatal to every one of them, they being
+nine in all. For, they were no sooner got aboard, and had laid down
+their muskets and cutlasses, in order to take up their pipes, and make
+themselves merry with their new acquaintance over a can of Flip, but
+Captain _Barnet's_ Sloop was in sight, which soon put a damp to all
+their merriment: Finding she stood directly towards them, they
+immediately weighed their anchor and stood off. _Barnet_ gave them
+chase, and having the advantage of the wind, soon came up with her,
+gave her a broadside or two, and, after a very small dispute, took her
+and his nine new guests, and brought them all together into
+_Port-Royal_ in _Jamaica_, in about a fortnight's time.
+
+_November_ the 10th, 1720, a Court of Admiralty was held at _St. Jago
+de la Vega_, where the following Persons were tried and convicted of
+Piracy, and accordingly Sentence of Death was passed upon them by the
+Governor, viz.: _John Rackham_, Captain; _George Fetherstone_, Master;
+_Richard Corner_, Quarter-Master; _John Davis_, _John Howel_, _Patrick
+Carty_, _Thomas Earle_, _James Dobbin_, and _Noah Harwood_; Five of
+whom was hang'd the next day at _Gallows-point_, and the rest the day
+after. The three first were taken and hanged in Chains; _Rackham_ at
+_Plumb-point_, _Fetherstone_ at _Bush-key_, and _Corner_ at _Gun-key_.
+
+But what was yet more strange was the conviction of the nine guests,
+that knew nothing of the matter, or at least they pretended so; but
+the People would not believe them, because it was proved that they
+came on board with pistols and cutlasses: However, they were so much
+favoured as to have the Court adjourned to the 24th of January
+following, to give a better Account of themselves than at the time
+appeared to the Court: Beside, the Jury also then wanted sufficient
+evidence to prove the piratical intention of going aboard the said
+Sloops. The two _Frenchmen_ taken by _Rackham_ from the Island of
+_Hispaniola_, deposed, That _John Eaton_, _Edward Warner_, _Thomas
+Baker_, _Thomas Quick_, _John Cole_, _Benjamin Palmer_, _Walter
+Rouse_, _John Hanson_, and _John Howard_, came on board the Pirate's
+Sloop at _Negril Point_ in _Jamaica_. Indeed they owned, That at first
+Sight of them, they run away from _Rackham's_ Sloop, but that he
+hailing them, they returned, and _Rackham_ sent his canoe ashore to
+fetch them aboard him, when they saw them all armed with guns and
+cutlasses, which they brought with them; and that when they were
+chased by Captain _Barnet_, they were frank and free, some drinking
+and walking about the deck not at all dispirited; during which time
+there was a great gun, and small arms, fired by the Pirate Sloop at
+Captain _Barnet's_ Sloop; but that they could not say that the
+Prisoners were any way concerned in it: However, they were certain
+that when Captain _Barnet's_ Sloop fired at _Rackham's_, the Prisoners
+at the Bar went under Deck, for cowardice, as they supposed; not so
+much as once peeping up during the time of the whole action: But when
+Captain _Barnet_ drew nigh to them to board them, all of them came up,
+and helped to row the sloop, in order to escape from him: And that
+_Rackham's_ Men and they seemed to agree very well together, and that
+they did verily believe they were all of a Party, having heard them
+say, when they came on board, _They liked them never the worse for
+being Pirates, since they were all honest Boys, and loved their
+Bottles_.
+
+To which the Prisoners answered, in their own Defence; That they were
+a great way off from friends and acquaintance, and, therefore it was
+impossible to have any one to give an account of them. That they were
+very honest pains-taking men, and came out to go a-turtling to provide
+for their families; accordingly going ashore at _Negril_ Point they
+saw a Sloop, with a white pendant, making towards them, whereupon they
+took up their arms, which were no other but what all people carry upon
+such occasions, and ran into the woods, to hide themselves among the
+bushes, not knowing what she might be. But when they hailed them and
+told them they were _Englishmen_, they ventured out, and came aboard
+them, as they desired, to drink a bowl of punch, they being poor men,
+who get their livelihood very hardily, and such a thing was very
+acceptable to them. But when they came on board the Sloop, to their
+very great surprise, they found they were Pirates; upon which they
+begged to be released; but _Rackham_ swore, That if they did not stay
+and assist them against that Sloop that was coming down against them,
+he would cut all their throats. So being compelled thereunto by
+_Rackham_ and his men, to save their Lives, they did assist him, and
+with no other design but to prevent their being cut in pieces, but as
+soon as Captain _Barnet_ came up with them, they all very readily and
+willingly submitted.
+
+This being all they had to say in their own Defence, the Prisoners
+were ordered from the Bar: The Court were divided in their Judgments;
+but the majority were of opinion, that they were all guilty of the
+Piracy and Felony they were charged with; thereupon they all received
+Sentence of Death, as usual in such cases, the Judge making a very
+pathetic Speech to them, exhorting them to bear their Sufferings
+patiently, assuring them, that if they were innocent, which he very
+much doubted, then their reward would be greater in the Other World:
+But everybody must own their case was very hard in this.
+
+February the 17th, _John Eaton_, _Thomas Quick_, and _Thomas Baker_,
+were accordingly executed at _Gallows-Point_; and the next Day, _John
+Cole_, _John Howard_, and _Benjamin Palmer_, underwent the same fate
+at _Kingston_. The other three got a Reprieve, they being against
+going aboard the Pirate's Sloop, and are now living.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CAPTAIN SPRIGGS, AND HIS CREW
+
+
+_Spriggs_ sailed at first with _Lowe_, and came away with him from
+_Lowther_. Afterwards _Lowe_ took a ship of twelve guns on the Coast
+of _Guinea_, called the _Delight_, which _Spriggs_ went off on board
+with twenty men, and leaving _Lowe_ in the night, came to the _West
+Indies_. In their passage they made a Black Ensign, which they called
+the _Jolly Roger_, with a skeleton in the middle holding a dart in one
+hand, striking a bleeding heart; and in the other an hour-glass; and
+being hoisted, they fired all their guns to salute _Spriggs_, whom
+they chose Captain, and then went to look out for prey.
+
+In their voyage they took a _Portugueze_ barque, wherein they had rich
+plunder. Near _St. Lucia_, they took a Sloop belonging to
+_Barbadoes_, which they first plundered, and then burnt, forcing some
+of the men into their Service, and beating, in a barbarous manner,
+those that refused to join with them, and afterwards sent them away in
+the Boat, half dead with their wounds, the rest got to _Barbadoes_,
+with much ado, though some of them died soon after of their cuts and
+slashes. After this they took a _Martinico_ Man, which they used in
+like manner, save that they did not burn the ship. Then running down
+to the Leeward, they took one Captain _Hawkins_ coming from _Jamaica_,
+laden with Logwood; out of which, they took her stores, arms, and
+ammunition, and what they did not want they threw over-board; they cut
+the cables to pieces, knocked down the cabins, broke the windows, and
+did what mischief they could, taking _Burridge_ and _Stephens_, the
+two Mates, and some other Hands, by force; and then after keeping her
+a week, they let her go. On the 27th they took a _Rhode_ Island Sloop,
+compelling the Captain, and all his men, to go on board the Pirate:
+One of them not being willing to stay with them, they told him he
+should have a discharge presently, which was to receive ten lashes
+from every man on board.
+
+The next day _Burridge_ signed their Articles; which pleased them so
+much, that they fired all the Guns, and made him Master, spending that
+day in rejoicings and drinking healths.
+
+The First of _April_ they spied a sail, and gave her chase all night,
+believing she had been a _Spaniard_; but when they came up to her, and
+gave her a broadside, she cried out for Quarters, which made them
+cease firing, and ordered the Captain to come aboard, which proved to
+be Captain _Hawkins_, whom they had dismissed three days before, not
+worth a groat. Two Days after, they anchored at _Ratran_, not far from
+_Honduras_, and put ashore Captain _Hawkins_, and several others,
+giving them powder and ball, and a musquet, and then left them to
+shift as well as they could. Here they staid three weeks, when two men
+came in a canoe, that had been left in another Maroon Island near
+_Benecca_, and carried them thither. A fortnight after they espied a
+Sloop at sea, which had lately escaped from the _Spaniards_ at the Bay
+of _Honduras_, which, upon a signal stood in and took them all off.
+
+At an Island to the westward, the Pirates cleaned their ship, and then
+sailed towards _St. Christophers_ to meet Captain _Moor_.
+
+_Spriggs_ next stood towards _Bermudas_, where he took a Schooner
+belonging to _Boston_, from which he took all the Men, and sunk the
+Vessel.
+
+Instead of going to _Newfoundland_, they came back to the Islands, and
+on the 8th of _June_, to windward of _St. Christophers_, they took a
+Sloop, _Nicholas Trot_, Master, belonging to _St. Eustatia_, whose men
+they hoisted as high as the main fore-tops, and so let them fall down
+again; then whipping them about the deck, they gave _Trot_ his Sloop,
+and let him go, keeping only two of his men, besides the plunder. Two
+or three days after, they took a ship coming from _Rhode Island_ to
+_St. Christophers_, laden with provisions and some horses, and burnt
+ship, men, and horses: Since when _Spriggs_ has not been heard of:
+though it is supposed he went to _Madagascar_, to spend, in rioting
+and wantonness, his ill gotten plunder; till by a letter from
+_Jamaica_, of the 2nd of _March_ last, we understood, That he had been
+again at the Bay of _Honduras_, and taken sixteen Sail.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: CAPTAIN EDWARD LOWE]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CAPTAIN EDWARD LOWE, AND HIS CREW
+
+
+_Edward Lowe_, born at _Westminster_, very early began the Trade of
+Plundering; for if any Child refused him what he had, he must fight
+him. When he grew bigger, he took to Gaming among Blackshoe Boys upon
+the _Parade_, with whom he used to play the _Whole Game_, as they call
+it; that is, cheat every Body, and if they refused, they had to fight
+him.
+
+_Ned_ went to Sea with his eldest Brother, and leaving him in
+_New-England_, he worked in a Rigging House, at Boston, for some
+Time, when not liking that, he returned to _England_ to see his
+Mother, with whom he did not stay long before he took his Leave of
+her, for the last Time, as he said, and returned to _Boston_, where he
+shipped himself in a Sloop that was bound to the Bay of _Honduras_;
+and when he arrived there, he was made Patron of the Boat, to bring
+the logwood on board to lade the ship; where he differing with the
+Captain about the hurry of taking the logwood on board, _Lowe_ takes
+up a loaden Musquet, and fired at him; then putting off the Boat, he,
+with twelve of his companions, goes to sea. Next day they met a small
+vessel, which they took, made a Black Flag, and declared War against
+all the world. From hence they proceed to the Island of the _Grand
+Caimanes_, where they met with _George Lowther_, who took him under
+his protection as an ally, without any formal Treaty; which _Lowe_
+readily agreed to. But parting with _Lowther_ on the 28th of _May_, as
+we have already given in an Account in _Lowther's_ Life, _Lowe_ took a
+Vessel belonging to _Amboy_, which he plundered, and then stood away
+to the South East, by which he avoided two Sloops which the Governor
+had sent to take him from _Rhode_ Island.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_July_ the 12th, he sailed into the Harbour of Port _Rosemary_, where
+he found 13 small vessels at anchor, whom he told they would have no
+quarters if they resisted; which so frightened the Masters of the
+vessels, that they all yielded. Out of them he took whatever he
+wanted, keeping for his own Use a Schooner of 80 Tons, on board of
+which he put 10 Carriage Guns, and 50 men, and named her the _Fancy_
+making himself Captain, and appointing _Charles Harris_ Captain of the
+Brigantine. Making up a complement of 80 men out of the vessels, some
+by force, and others by their own inclinations, he sailed away from
+_Mablehead_, and soon after he met two Sloops bound for _Boston_, with
+provisions for the garrison; but there being an officer and soldiers
+on board, he thought it the safest way, after some small resistance,
+to let them go on about their business.
+
+They then steered for the _Leeward_ Islands; but in their voyage met
+with such a hurricane, as had not been known in the memory of man.
+After the storm was over, they got safe to one of the small Islands of
+the _Carribees_, and there refitted their vessels as well as they
+could. As soon as the Brigantine was ready, they took a short cruise,
+leaving the Schooner in the harbour till their return; which had not
+been many days at sea, before she met a ship that had lost all her
+masts, on board of which they went, and took, in money and goods, to
+the value of 1000_l._ Upon this success, the Brigantine returned to the
+Schooner, which being then ready to sail, they agreed to go to the
+_Azores_, or Western Islands, where _Lowe_ took a _French_ Ship of 32
+Guns, and in _St. Michael's_ Road, he took several sail that were
+lying there, without firing a gun. Being in great want of water, he
+sent to the Governor of _St. Michael's_ for a Supply, promising upon
+that Condition, to release the Ships he had taken, otherwise to burn
+them all; which the Governor, for the sake of the Ships, agreed to.
+Thereupon he released six, keeping only the _Rose_ Pink, of which he
+took the Command.
+
+The Pirates took several of the Guns out of the ships, and mounted
+them on board the _Rose_. _Lowe_ ordered the Schooner to lie in the
+Fare between _St. Michael's_ and _St. Mary's_, where he met with
+Captain _Carter_ in the _Wright_ Galley; who, defending himself, they
+cut and mangled him and his Men in a barbarous manner; after which,
+they were for burning the ship, but contented themselves with cutting
+her cable, rigging, and sails to pieces, and so left her to the mercy
+of the seas. From hence they sailed to the Island of _Maderas_, where
+they took a fishing boat, with two old men and a boy in her, one of
+whom they sent ashore, demanding a boat of water, otherwise they would
+kill the old man, which being complied with, the old man was
+discharged. From hence they sailed to the _Canaries_, and thence
+continued their course for the _Cape de Verde_ Islands, where they
+took a ship called the _Liverpool Merchant_, from which they took 300
+gallons of brandy, two guns and carriages, besides six of the men, and
+then obliged them to go to the Isle of _May_. They also took two
+_Portugueze_ ships bound to _Brazil_, and three Sloops from _St.
+Thomas's_ bound to _Curaso_: All of which they plundered, and let them
+go, except one Sloop, by which they heard that two Gallies were
+expected at the Western Islands. Her they manned, and sent in Quest of
+these Ships whilst they careened the _Rose_ at _Cape de Verde_; but
+the Sloop missing the prey, was reduced to great want of water and
+provisions, so that they ventured to go ashore _St. Michael's_, and
+pass for Traders; where, being suspected by the Governor, they were
+conducted into the Castle, and provided for as long as they lived.
+
+_Lowe's_ ship was overset a-careening, so that he was reduced to his
+old Schooner, aboard of which there went about an hundred as bold
+rogues as ever was hanged, and sailed to the _West-Indies_, where they
+took a rich _Portugueze_ ship bound Home from _Bahia_, putting to the
+torture several of the men, who confest the Captain flung into the sea
+a bag of 11000 Moidores. This made _Lowe_ swear a thousand oaths; and
+after cutting off his lips, he murdered him and all his Crew, being 36
+men.
+
+After this, they cruised to the Northward, and took several Vessels
+and then steered for the Bay of _Honduras_, where they took Five
+_English_ Sloops, and a Pink, and a _Spaniard_ of 6 Guns and 70 men,
+whom they killed every man; which being done they rummaged the
+_Spanish_ Ship, bringing all the booty on board their own vessel.
+
+In the next cruise, between the _Leeward Islands_ and the Main, they
+took two Snows from Jamaica to Liverpool, and just after a Ship called
+the _Amsterdam Merchant_, the Captain thereof he slit his Nose, cut
+his Ears off, and then plundered the ship and let her go. Afterwards
+he took a Sloop bound to _Amboy_, of whose Men he tied lighted
+matches between the fingers, which burnt the flesh off the bones, and
+afterwards set them ashore in an uninhabited part of the country, as
+also other ships which fell a prey to those villains.
+
+One of His Majesty's Men-of-War called the _Greyhound_, of 20 guns and
+120 men, hearing of their barbarous actions, went in search of them
+and, seeing the Pirates, allowed _Lowe_ to chase them at first, till
+they were in readiness to engage him, and when he was within gunshot,
+tacked about and stood towards him. The Pirates edged away under the
+Man-of-War's stern, making a running fight for about two hours. But
+little wind happening, the Pirates gained from her; thereupon the
+_Greyhound_ left off firing, and turned all her hands to her oars, and
+came up with them, when the fight was renewed with a brisk fire on
+both sides, till the _Ranger's_ main-yard was shot down; upon which,
+the _Greyhound_ pressing close, _Lowe_ bore away and left his consort,
+who seeing the cowardice of his Commadore, and that there was no
+possibility of escaping, called out for quarters.
+
+_Lowe's_ conduct in this engagement shewed him to be a cowardly
+villain; for had he fought half as briskly as _Harris_, the Man-of-War
+could never have taken either of them. The _Greyhound_ carried her
+Prize to _Rhode-Island_, which was looked upon to be of such signal
+Service to the Colony, that in Council they resolved to compliment
+_Peter Sulgard_ Captain, with the Freedom of their Corporation. They
+secured the prisoners under a strong guard in Jail, till a Court of
+Vice-Admiralty could be held for their Trials, which was on the 10th
+of _July_ at _Newport_, lasting three Days. The Judges were _William
+Dummer_, Esq; Lieutenant Governor of the _Massachusets_, President;
+_Nathaniel Payne_, Esq; _John Lechmore_, Esq; Surveyor General; _John
+Valentine_, Esq; Advocate General; _Samuel Cranston_, Governor of
+_Rhode Island_; _John Menzies_, Esq; Judge of the Admiralty; _Richard
+Ward_, Esq; Registrar; and Mr. _Jahleet Brinton_, Provost Marshal.
+_Robert Auchmuta_, Esq, was appointed by the Court, Counsel for the
+prisoners here under mentioned.
+
+_Charles Harris_, Captain, _William Blads_, _Daniel Hyde_, _Thomas
+Powel_, jun., _Stephen Munden_, _Thomas Hugget_, _William Read_,
+_Peter Kneeves_, _James Brinkley_, _Joseph Sound_, _William
+Shutfield_, _Edward Eaton_, _John Brown_, _Edward Lawson_, _Owen
+Rice_, _John Tomkins_, _John Fitzgerald_, _Abraham Lacy_, _Thomas
+Linester_, _Francis Leyton_, _John Walters_, Quarter-master, _William
+Jones_, _Charles Church_, _Thomas Hazel_, and _John Bright_, who were
+all executed the 19th of _July_, 1723, near _Newport_ in _Rhode
+Island_; but _John Brown_ and _Patrick Cunningham_ were recommended to
+Mercy.
+
+The eight following were found Not Guilty; _John Wilson_, _Henry
+Barnes_, _Thomas Jones_, _Joseph Switzer_, _Thomas Mumper_, Indian,
+_John Hencher_, Doctor, _John Fletcher_, and _Thomas Child_.
+
+Instead of working repentance in _Lowe_, this deliverance made him ten
+times worse, vowing revenge upon all they should meet with for the
+future, which they executed upon _Nathan Skiff_, Master of a
+_Whale-fishing_ Sloop, whom they whipt naked about the deck, and then
+cut off his ears, making his torture their sport. At length being
+weary thereof, they shot him through the head, and sunk his vessel.
+Some days after, he took a fishing boat off of _Black_ Island, and
+only cut off the master's head; but next day taking two Whale Boats
+near _Rhode_ Island, he brutally killed one of the masters and cut off
+the ears of the other. From hence he went to _Newfoundland_, where he
+took 23 _French_ Vessels, and mann'd one of them of 22 Guns with
+pirates; after which, they took and plundered 18 ships, some of which
+they destroyed.
+
+The latter end of _July_, _Lowe_ took a large ship called the _Merry
+Christmas_, and mounted her with 34 Guns, on which he goes aboard,
+taking the title of Admiral, and sails to the Western Islands, where
+he took a Brigantine manned with _English_ and _Portugueze_, the
+Latter of whom he hanged.
+
+Afterwards _Lowe_ went to the Coast of _Guinea_, but nothing happened
+till he came to _Sierra Leon_, in _Africa_, when he met with the
+_Delight_, which he took, mounting her with 16 Guns, and 60 men,
+appointing _Spriggs_ Captain, and from whom two days after he
+separated.
+
+In _January_ after, he took a Ship called _Squirrel_, but what came of
+him afterwards we cannot tell.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CAPTAIN GEORGE LOWTHER, AND HIS CREW
+
+
+_George Lowther_ went second Mate on board the _Gambia Castle_,
+belonging to the _Royal African_ Company, on board which was Captain
+_Massey_, with soldiers that he was to command under Colonel
+_Whitney_, whom were landed on _James_ Island; but the Fort and
+Garrison not agreeing the Company soon after lost a Galley worth
+10000_l._ by it.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_Massey_ finding he must be over-ruled by the merchants, soon began to
+complain of their ill-treatment of his men in their allowance, saying
+he did not come to be a _Guinea_ Slave; and that if they did not use
+him and his men better, he should take other measures.
+
+At the same time, there happened a dispute between the Captain of the
+ship and _Lowther_, which very much contributing to Lowther's design:
+For _Lowther_ finding himself neglected by the Captain, found means to
+ingratiate himself into the favour of the sailors, who, upon the
+Captain's going to punish him, swore, They would knock down the first
+man that should offer to lay hands on him; which _Lowther_ improved to
+a general disaffection of the ship's Crew. _Massey_ in the meantime,
+having contracted an intimacy with _Lowther_, they agreed to curb
+their enemies, and provide for themselves some other way; which the
+Captain perceiving, he goes on shore to the Governor and Factor, to
+consult what methods to take. But _Lowther_ apprehending it was
+against him, he sent a letter in the same boat to _Massey_, advising
+him to repair on board, to put their project in execution.
+
+Upon which _Massey_ harangued the Soldiers, saying, _You that have a
+Mind to return to England_, may now do it; which they all agreed to.
+Then he went to the Governor's appartment, and took his bed, baggage,
+plate and furniture, believing the Governor would go with him, which
+he refused; however _Massey_ came aboard with the Governor's son.
+After demolishing all the guns of the Fort, they weighed anchor, and
+fell down, but soon ran the ship aground; upon which _Massey_ returns
+to the Fort, remounts the guns, and keeps garrison till the ship got
+clear. In the meantime Captain _Russell_ got off but was not suffered
+to come on board, although he offered _Lowther_ what terms he pleased.
+Next tide they got the ship afloat, having first nailed up and
+dismounted all the cannon. Then putting the Governor's son ashore,
+they put out to sea, when _Lowther_ called upon the men, and told
+them, _It was Madness to think of returning to _England_; for what
+they had done, would be judged a Capital Offence_; and therefore,
+since they had a good ship under them, he proposed that they should
+seek their fortunes upon the Seas, as others had done before them,
+which they all agreed to, calling the ship _The Delivery_, and swore
+to stand by one another.
+
+_Lowther_ left the Fort the 13th of _June_, and on the 20th, near
+_Barbadoes_, he came up with a Brigantine, belonging to _Boston_,
+which he plundered, and then let go. After this he proceeded to
+_Hispaniola_, where he met with a _French_ Sloop loaden with wine and
+brandy, on board whom Captain _Massey_ went, pretending at first to be
+a merchant; but finding her to be a Ship of value, he told Monsieur,
+He must have it all without money. On board her, there was 30 casks of
+brandy, 5 hogsheads of wine, several pieces of chintz, and 70_l._ in
+money, all of which they took, only _Lowther_ return'd the French
+Master five pounds again.
+
+But this good harmony did not last long amongst them, _Massey_ was
+uneasy, and resolved to leave them; which _Lowther_ agreed to, giving
+him a Sloop he had just before taken, to go where he thought fit.
+Accordingly _Massey_ goes aboard, with ten men, and comes in directly
+for _Jamaica_, where, putting a bold face on the matter, he informs
+Sir _Nicholas Laws_, the then Governor, how he had left _Lowther_ the
+pirate, and of all that had been transacted before, adding, That he
+assisted him at the River _Gambia_ only to save so many of His
+Majesty's subjects, and return to _England_.
+
+_Massey_ was well received, and, at his own report, he was sent on
+board the _Happy Sloop_, to cruise off _Hispaniola_ for _Lowther_; but
+not meeting with him, he returned to _Jamaica_, and getting a
+Certificate, he came home to _England_, where, when he arrived, he
+writes to the _African_ Company, relating the whole transaction of his
+voyage, but excuses it as an inadvertency, by his being ill-used; for
+which, if they would not forgive him, he begged to die like a soldier,
+and not be hanged like a dog. This not producing so favourable an
+answer as he expected, he went the next day to the Lord Chief Justice
+Chambers, and enquired, If there had been ever a Warrant granted and
+against one Captain _Massey_ for Piracy. But being told, There was
+not, he said, He was the Man, and that the _African_ Company would
+soon apply to my Lord for one, which if they did, he lodged in
+_Aldersgate street_, where the Officer might at any time find him.
+This the Clerk took down in writing, and a Warrant being soon granted,
+the Tipstaff went accordingly, and took him without any trouble.
+
+But still there was no person to charge him, neither could they prove
+the letter to be his own hand-writing, till the Justice interrogated
+him, _Whether he did write the letter or not_; which he readily
+confessed, as also gave an ample account of the whole voyage,
+thereupon he was committed to _Newgate_, though soon after he was
+admitted out upon bail.
+
+_July_ the 5th, 1723, he was tried at the _Old-Baily_ by a Court of
+Admiralty, when Captain _Russell_ and others appeared against him: But
+he would have saved them all that trouble, for he confessed more than
+they knew, fixing the facts so firm upon himself, that he was found
+Guilty, received Sentence of Death, and was executed three weeks
+after at _Execution Dock_.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+But to return to _Lowther_, whom _Massey_ left cruising off of
+_Hispaniola_, who plying to the Windward near _Porto Rico_, took two
+sail, one was a small _Bristol_ Ship, the other a _Spanish_ Pirate,
+who had taken the _Bristol_ Ship; which so provoked _Lowther_, that he
+threatened to put all the _Spaniards_ to Death, for daring to
+intermeddle in his Affairs: But at last he contented himself with
+burning both their ships; and the _Spaniards_ getting away in their
+launch, they thought they were well off.
+
+Afterwards he took a small Sloop from _St. Christophers_, which he
+manned; and carried with him to an island where they cleaned, and then
+going aboard, they sailed towards the Bay of _Honduras_, where they
+met with a small vessel with 13 Hands, of the same employment, under
+Captain _Lowe_, whom _Lowther_ received as friends, inviting them, as
+they were few in number, to join their strength together; which being
+accepted of, _Lowther_ continued Captain, and _Lowe_ was made
+Lieutenant, burning his own ship. Then coming into the Bay, they fell
+upon a ship of two hundred tons, called the _Greyhound_; against whom
+_Lowther_ firing his guns, hoisted the piratical Colours, which
+Captain _Edward_ bravely returned; but at length finding the Pirate
+too strong for him he yielded, and the Pirate came on Board, and not
+only rifling the ship, but beat and cut the men in a cruel manner. In
+crusing about the Bay, they took several other vessels without any
+resistance, particularly a Sloop of 100 Tons, which they mounted with
+8 carriages and 10 swivel guns. With this fleet, _Lowther_ in the
+_Happy Delivery_, _Lowe_ in the _Rhode Island_ Sloop, _Harris_ in
+_Hamilton's_ Sloop, left the Bay, and came to _Port Mayo_, where they
+made preparations to careen, carrying ashore all their sails, to lay
+their plunder and stores in; but when they were busy at work, a body
+of the natives came down and attacked the Pirates unprepared, who were
+glad to fly to their Sloops, and leave them masters of the field,
+leaving the _Happy Delivery_ behind them, contenting themselves with
+the _Ranger_, which had only 20 guns, and 8 swivels, taking all the
+men on board her, wherein they presently began to quarrel, laying the
+blame upon one another. Being very much in want of provisions, they
+got to the _West Indies_, _May_ 1722, and near the Island of _Descada_
+took a Brigantine stored with provisions and necessaries, which put
+them in better temper. Then they watered and stood to the Northward,
+intending to visit the North Coast of _America_, and in Latitude 38,
+they took the _Rebecca_ of _Boston_, at which Time the Crews divided,
+_Lowe_ with 44 Hands went on board the Brigantine, and _Lowther_ with
+the same number, staid in the Sloop, separating that very night, being
+the 28th of May 1722.
+
+_Lowther_ cruised a pretty while among the Islands to no purpose,
+till at length he fell in with a _Martinico_ Man, which proved a
+seasonable relief, he being reduced to great want of provisions, and
+after that a _Guinea_ Man. After which they thought it time to clean,
+in order to prepare for new adventures; for which purpose they sailed
+to the Island of _Blanco_, which is a low Island 30 leagues from the
+main of _Spanish America_, where he unrigged his Sloop, sending his
+guns, rigging, and sails ashore, and putting his vessel upon the
+careen. But the _Eagle_ Sloop of _Barbadoes_, coming near this Island,
+and seeing her, supposing her to be a Pirate, took the advantage of
+attacking her when unprepared, who immediately hoisted the _St.
+George's_ Flag at her top-mast head to bid them defiance: But when
+they found the _Eagle_ resolved to board them in good earnest, the
+Pirates cut their cable, and hawled the stern on shore, which obliged
+the _Eagle_ to come to an anchor athwart the hawse, where they engaged
+them till they cried out for Quarters. At which time _Lowther_ and 12
+men made their escape, but they took the rest, and brought them to
+_Camena_, where the _Spanish_ Governor condemned the Sloop to the
+captors, and sent 23 Hands to scour the Bushes of _Blanco_ for the
+Pirates, when they took 40; but could not find _Lowther_, three men
+and a little Boy. _John Churchill_, _Edward Mackonald_, _Nicholas
+Lewis_, _Rich. West_, _Sam Lavercot_, _Rob. White_, _John Shaw_, _And.
+Hunter_, _Jonathan Delve_, _Matthew Freeborn_, and _Henry Watson_,
+were hanged, _Roger Granger_, _Ralph Candem_, and _Robert Willis_,
+were acquitted. And Captain _Lowther_, it is said, afterwards shot
+himself, being found dead, and a pistol burst by his side.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CAPTAIN ANSTIS, AND HIS CREW
+
+
+_Thomas Anstis_ shipped himself at _Providence_, in the Year 1718,
+aboard the _Buck_ Sloop, and was one of the six that conspired
+together to get off with the vessel, along with _Howel Davis_, _Dennis
+Topping_, and _Walter Kennedy_, etc. I shall only observe, that this
+combination was the beginning of Captain _Roberts's_ company, which
+afterwards proved so formidable, from whom _Anstis_ separated the 18th
+of _April_, 1721, leaving his Commodore to pursue his adventures upon
+the Coasts of _Guinea_, whilst he returned to the _West Indies_, upon
+the same design.
+
+About the middle of _June_, he met with one Captain _Maiston_,
+between _Hispaniola_ and _Jamaica_, bound to _New-York_, from which he
+took all the wearing apparel, liquors and provisions, and six men.
+Afterwards he met with the _Irwin_, Captain _Ross_ from _Cork_, on the
+Coast of _Martinico_, which ship had Colonel _Doyly_ of _Montserrat_
+on board, and his Family, and 600 barrels of beef.
+
+Afterwards they went into one of the Islands to clean, and thence
+proceeding towards _Bermudas_, they met with a stout ship called the
+_Morning Star_, bound from _Guinea_ to _Carolina_, which they kept for
+their own use. Just after, they took a ship from _Barbadoes_ bound to
+_New England_, from whence taking her guns, they mounted the _Morning
+Star_ with 32 pieces of cannon, and 100 men, appointing _John Fenn_
+Captain: For _Anstis_ was so in love with his own vessel, she being a
+good sailor, he made it his choice to stay in her, and let _Fenn_ have
+the other ship. Though they were not sufficiently strong, yet being
+most new men, they could not agree, but resolving to break up company,
+sent a Petition to His Majesty by a Merchant Ship, expecting her
+Return at _Cuba_.
+
+Here they staid about nine months; but not having provisions for above
+two, they were obliged to take what the Island afforded; which is many
+sorts of fish, particularly turtle; though they eat not a bit of
+bread, nor flesh meat, during their being on the Island.
+
+They passed their time here in dancing, and other diversions,
+agreeable to these sort of folks. Among the rest, they appointed a
+mock Court of Judicature, to try one another for Piracy, and he that
+was a Criminal one day, was made a Judge another. I shall never forget
+one of their Trials, which for the curiosity of it, I shall relate.
+The Judge got up into a tree, having a dirty tarpaulin over his
+shoulders for a robe, and a Thrum Cap upon his head, with a large pair
+of spectacles upon his nose, and a monkey bearing up his train, with
+abundance of Officers attending him, with crows and hand-spikes
+instead of wands and tip-staves in their hands. Before whom the
+Criminals were brought out, making 1000 wry Faces; when the
+Attorney-General moved the Court, and said, An't please your Lordship,
+and you Gentlemen of the Jury, this fellow before you is a sad dog, a
+sad, a sad dog, and I hope your Lordship will order him to be hanged
+out of the way; he has committed Piracy upon the High Seas; nay, my
+Lord, that's not all; this fellow, this sad dog before you, has
+out-rid a hundred storms, and you know, my Lord, _He that's born to be
+hanged, will never be drowned_. Nor is this all, he has been guilty of
+worse villany than this, and that is of drinking of small beer; and
+your Lordship knows, there was never a sober fellow but what was a
+rogue--My Lord, I should have said more, but your Lordship knows our
+rum is out, and how should a Man speak that has drunk a dram to-day.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+    _Judge._ Harkee me, Sirrah--you ill-looked dog. What
+    have you to say why you may not be tucked up, and set
+    a-sun-drying like a scare-crow?--Are you Guilty, or not?
+
+    _Prisoner._ Not Guilty, an't please your Worship.
+
+    _Judge._ Not Guilty! say so again, and I will have you
+    hanged without any Trial.
+
+    _Prisoner._ An't please your Worship's Honour, my Lord,
+    I am as honest a fellow as ever went between stem and
+    stern of a ship, and can hand, reef, steer, and clap two
+    ends of a rope together, as well as e'er a He that ever
+    crossed Salt-water; but I was taken by one _George
+    Bradley_ (the name of the Judge) a notorious Pirate, and
+    a sad rogue as ever was hanged, and he forced me, an't
+    please your Honour.
+
+    _Judge._ Answer me, Sirrah--how will you be tried?
+
+    _Prisoner._ By God and my country.
+
+    _Judge._ The Devil you will.... Then, Gentlemen of the
+    Jury, we have nothing to do but to proceed to Judgment.
+
+    _Attorney-Gen._ Right, my Lord; for if the fellow should
+    be suffered to speak, he might clear himself; and that,
+    you know, is an affront to the Court.
+
+    _Prisoner._ Pray, my Lord, I hope your Lordship will
+    consider.
+
+    _Judge._ Consider!--How dare you talk of
+    considering!--Sirrah, Sirrah, I have never considered in
+    all my life.--I'll make it Treason to consider.
+
+    _Pris._ But I hope your Lordship will hear reason.
+
+    _Judge._ What have we to do with Reason?--I would have
+    you to know, Sirrah, we do not sit here to hear
+    Reason--we go according to Law.--Is our dinner ready?
+
+    _Attorney-General._ Yes, my Lord.
+
+    _Judge._ Then harkee you rascal at the Bar, hear me,
+    Sirrah, hear me.--You must be hanged for three reasons:
+    _First_, because it is not fit that I should sit as
+    Judge, and no-body to be hang'd: _Secondly_, You must be
+    hang'd because you have a damn'd hanging Look:
+    _Thirdly_, You must be hanged, because I am hungry.
+    There's Law for you, ye dog; take him away, Gaoler.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+By this we may see how these fellows can jest upon things, the
+thoughts of which should make them tremble.
+
+_August_ 1722, they made ready the Brigantine, and came out to sea,
+where meeting their correspondent returning, and finding nothing done,
+they all agreed to ply their old trade. So they sailed with the ship
+and Brigantine to the Southward, where they ran the _Morning Star_
+upon the _Grand Carmanes_, and wrecked her; the next Day _Anstis_ went
+ashore to fetch the men off, who were all safe. _Anstis_ had just time
+to get Captain _Fenn_, and a few others on board, before the _Hector_
+and _Adventure_ came down upon him; but he got to sea, and one of the
+Men-of-War after him, keeping within gun-shot several hours, when the
+wind dying away, the Pirates got to their oars, and rowed for their
+lives.
+
+The _Hector_ landed her men, and took 40 of the _Morning Star's_ Crew,
+without any resistance, they pretending they were glad of this
+opportunity; the rest hid themselves in the woods.
+
+The Brigantine after her escape, sailed to an Island, near the Bay of
+_Honduras_, to clean, and in her way took a Sloop, Captain _Durfey_
+Commander, which they destroyed, but brought the men on board. While
+she was cleaning, _Durfey_ conspired with some of the prisoners, to
+carry off the Brigantine; but it being discovered, he and four or
+five more got ashore, with arms and ammunition; and when the Pirates'
+Canoe came in for Water, seized the boat and men; upon which, _Anstis_
+sent another boat with 30 hand ashore; but _Durfey_ gave them such a
+warm reception that they were glad to return back again.
+
+In _December_ 1722, _Anstis_ left this place, taking in his cruise a
+good ship. He mounted her with 24 Guns and made _Fenn_ Commander. From
+hence they went to the _Bahama_ Islands, taking what they wanted.
+
+As they were cleaning their ship the _Winchelsea_ came down upon them,
+when most of them escaped to the woods; but _Anstis_ having a light
+pair of heels, escaped in the Brigantine. Afterwards, some of the
+Company, being tired of this trade, shot _Anstis_ in his Hammock, and
+put the rest in irons, and then carried the Brigantine to _Curacco_, a
+_Dutch_ Settlement, where they were hanged, and those that delivered
+up the vessel acquitted. _Fenn_ was soon after taken by the
+Man-of-War's Men, straggling in the woods, with a few more, and
+carried to _Antegoa_ and hanged. But some escaped among the negroes,
+and were never heard of since.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CAPTAIN JOHN PHILLIPS, AND HIS CREW
+
+
+_John Phillips_ was bred a carpenter, but sailing in a West Country
+ship to _Newfoundland_, was taken by _Anstis_, who soon persuaded him
+to join with him, making him Carpenter of the Vessel, in which station
+he continued till they broke up at _Tobago_, when he came Home in a
+Sloop that was sunk in _Bristol_ Channel. But he did not stay long in
+_England_; for hearing of some of his companions being taken in
+_Bristol_ Gaol, he moved off to _Topsham_, and there shipped himself
+with one Captain _Wadham_ for _Newfoundland_, where when the ship
+came he ran away, and hired himself a splitter in the Fishery for the
+season: but he soon combined with others in the Fishery, to go off
+with one of the vessels that lay in the Harbour, and turn Pirate, and
+accordingly fixed upon the 29th of _August_, 1713, at Night; but of 16
+Men that promised five only were as good as their Word.
+Notwithstanding, _Phillips_ was for pushing on, assuring them that
+they should soon increase their company. Hereupon they seized a
+vessel, and went out to sea, when they soon began to settle their
+Officers to prevent dispute, appointing, _John Phillips_, Captain;
+_John Nutt_, Navigator of the Vessel; _James Sparks_, Gunner; _Thomas
+Fern_, Carpenter; and _William White_ was only a private man among
+them.
+
+Before they left the Banks, they took several small fishing vessels,
+out of which they took some more Hands, and then sailed to the
+_West-Indies_: Among those that were taken, was one _John Rose Archer_
+who having been a pirate under _Blackbeard_ was made Quarter-Master to
+the company: They came off _Barbadoes_ in _October_, and cruised
+about the Islands about three Months, without meeting with a vessel,
+so that they were almost starved for want of provisions, when at
+length they fell in with a _Martinico_ Man of 12 guns and 35 hands,
+upon which they hoisted the Black Flag and ran up along side of the
+Sloop, with piratical Colours flying, swearing, If they did not strike
+immediately, they must expect no quarters; which so frightened the
+_Frenchman_, that he never fired a gun. Having got this supply, they
+took her provisions, and four of her men.
+
+Having occasion to clean their vessel, _Phillips_ proposed _Tobago_;
+and just as they had done, a Man-of-War's boat came into the Harbour,
+the ship cruising to the Leeward of the Island; which was no sooner
+gone, but they warped out, and plied to the Windward for safety.
+
+In a few days they took a Snow with a few Hands in it, on board of
+which they sent _Fern_ the Carpenter, _William Smith_, _Philips Wood_,
+and _Taylor_; but _Fern_ being dissatisfied at _Archer's_ being
+preferred before him to be Quarter-Master, persuaded the rest to go
+off with the prize; but _Phillips_ gave them Chase, and coming up with
+them, shot _Wood_, and wounded _Taylor_ in the leg; upon which the
+other two surrendered.
+
+From _Tobago_ they stood away to the Northward, and took a
+_Portugueze_ bound for _Brazil_, and two or three Sloops for
+_Jamaica_, in one of which _Fern_ endeavouring to go off, was killed
+by _Phillips_, as was also another man for the like attempt, which
+made all the others more fearful of discovering their Minds, dreading
+the villany of a few hardened wretches, who feared neither God nor
+Devil, as _Phillips_ was often used blasphemously to say.
+
+On the 25th of March, they took two ships from _Virginia_, the
+Master's name of one was _John Phillips_, the Pirate's Name-sake; of
+the other, _Robert Mortimer_, a stout young man. _Phillips_ staid on
+board _Mortimer's_ Ship, while they transported the crew to the Sloop,
+when _Mortimer_ took up a hand-spike and struck _Phillips_ over the
+Head; but not knocking him down, he recovered and wounded _Mortimer_
+with his sword; and the other two Pirates who were on board, coming
+to _Phillip's_ assistance they cut _Mortimer_ to pieces, while his own
+two men stood and looked on. Out of the other _Virginia_ Man, they
+took _Edward Cheesman_, a carpenter, to supply the Place of _Fern_,
+who being averse to that way of life, proposed to _J. Philamore_, who
+was ordered to row _Cheesman_ on board _Mortimer's_ ship, to overthrow
+their Piratical government; which from time to time, as occasion
+offered, they consulted how to do. The Pirates, in the mean time,
+robbed and plundered several ships and vessels, bending their course
+towards _Newfoundland_, where they designed to raise more men, and do
+all the mischief they could on the Banks, and in the harbours. Towards
+which country, _Phillips_ making his way, took one _Salter_ in a Sloop
+on the Isle of _Sables_, which he kept, and gave _Mortimer's_ Ship to
+the Mate and crew; also a Schooner, one _Chadwell_ Master, which they
+scuttled in order to sink: But _Phillips_ understanding that she
+belonged to Mr. _Menors_ of _Newfoundland_, with whose Vessel they
+first went off a-Pirating, said, _We have done him injury enough
+already_, and so ordering his Vessel to be repaired, returned her to
+the Master.
+
+In the Afternoon, they chased another vessel, whose Master was an
+Inward Light Man, named _Dependence Ellery_, who told _Phillips_ he
+took him for a Pirate as soon as he saw him, otherwise he would not
+have given him the Trouble of chasing him so long. This so provoked
+_Phillips_ and his Crew, that they made poor _Dependence_, for his
+Integrity, dance about the Ship till he was weary. After which they
+took 10 other ships and vessels; and on the 14th of _April_, they took
+a Sloop belonging to Cape _Anne_, _Andrew Harradine_ Master; which
+looking upon to be more fit for their purpose, they came on board,
+keeping only the Master of her Prisoner, and sending the crew away in
+_Salter's_ vessel. _Cheesman_ broke his mind to _Harradine_, to
+destroy the crew. Upon this, it was concluded to be 12 a Clock at
+Noon, when _Cheesman_ leaves his working-tools on the deck, as if he
+had been going to use them, walks off. But perceiving some signs of
+fear in _Harradine_, he fetches his brandy bottle, and gives him and
+the rest a dram, saying, _Here's to our next Meeting_; then he talks
+to _Nutt_, in the mean while _Philamore_ takes up an axe, while
+_Cheesman_ and _Harradine_ seize _Nutt_ by the Collar, and toss him
+over the Side of the Vessel.
+
+By this Time the Boatswain was dead; for as soon as _Philamore_ saw
+the Master laid hold on, he up with the axe, and cut off the
+Boatswain's head, which Noise soon brought the Captain upon Deck, whom
+_Cheesman_ saluted with the blow of a mallet, which broke his
+jaw-bone, but did not knock him down; upon which _Harradine_ came to
+the Carpenter's aid, when _Sparks_ the Gunner interposing, _Cheesman_
+trips up his Heels, and flung him into the arms of _Charles Ivemay_,
+who at that moment threw him into the Sea; and at the same Time
+_Harradine_ throws Captain _Phillips_ after him, bidding the Devil
+take them both. This done, _Cheesman_ jumps from the deck into the
+Hold, to knock _Archer_ on the Head, when _Harry Gyles_ came down
+after him, desired his Life might be spared; which being agreed to, he
+was made a Prisoner, and secured.
+
+All being over, they altered their course from _Newfoundland_ to
+_Boston_, where they arrived the 3rd of _May_, to the great joy of the
+Province, and on the 12th of _May_, a special Court of Admiralty was
+held for the Trial of these Pirates, when _John Philamore_, _Edward
+Cheesman_, _John Cobs_, _Henry Gyles_, _Charles Joymay_, _John
+Bootman_, and _Henry Payne_, were honourably acquitted; as also three
+_French_ Men, _John Baptis_, _Peter Taffery_, and _Isaac Lassen_, as
+also three Negroes, _Pedro_, _Francisco_, and _Pierro_. _John Rose
+Archer_, the Quarter-Master, _William White_, _William Taylor_, and
+_William Phillips_ were condemned; altho' the two latter got a
+Reprieve, and the two former, _Archer_ and _White_, were executed the
+2nd of _June_ following.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: CAPTAIN TEACH]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CAPTAIN TEACH, _ALIAS_ BLACKBEARD
+
+
+_Edward Teach_ was a _Bristol_ Man, and had served many years in the
+late wars, in a Privateer fitted out from _Jamaica_, in which he had
+often distinguished himself for his boldness. He was never thought fit
+to be entrusted with any Command, till he went a-pirating in the Year
+1716, when Captain _Benjamin Hornigold_ put him into a Prize Sloop,
+with whom he kept company till _Hornigold_ surrendered.
+
+In 1727, _Teach_ and _Hornigold_ sailed from _Providence_ for
+_America_, where, in their way, they took a vessel with above 100
+Barrels of Flour, as also a Sloop from _Bermudas_, and a Ship bound to
+_Carolina_; from which they had a good plunder. After cleaning at
+_Virginia_, they returned to the _West-Indies_, and made Prize of a
+_French Guinea_ Man bound to _Martinico_, which _Teach_ was made
+Captain of; but _Hornigold_ with his Sloop returned to _Providence_,
+and surrendered to mercy. Aboard the _French Guinea_ Ship, _Teach_
+mounted 46 guns, and called her _Queen Anne's Revenge_. Not long after
+he fell in with the _Scarborough_ Man-of-War, who, after a long fight
+finding she could do no good with _Teach_, left him, and returned to
+_Barbadoes_, while _Teach_ sailed to _Spanish America_. In his way, he
+met with Major _Bonnet_ a Gentleman, formerly of a good estate in
+_Barbadoes_, in a small Sloop with which he had turned Pirate: But
+_Teach_ finding _Bonnet_ knew nothing of the matter, took him into his
+own Ship, and put one _Richards_ Captain in his room, telling the
+Major, _That he had not been us'd to the Fatigues of the Sea, he had
+better decline it, and take his pleasure aboard his Ship_. At
+_Turnissi_ they took in fresh water; but seeing a Sloop coming in,
+they ran to meet her, which struck her sail, upon the sight of the
+Black Flag, to _Teach_, who took the Captain and his men aboard, and
+put _Israel Hands_ to mann the Sloop: From thence they sailed to the
+Bay, where they found a ship and four Sloops. _Teach_ hoisted his
+Black Colours, at the Sight of which, the Captain and his men left the
+Ship, and ran into the woods. _Teach's_ Quarter-Master, with some of
+his Men, took possession of her, and _Richards_ secured the Sloops:
+One of which they burnt, because she belonged to _Boston_, where some
+of his Men had been hanged; but the others they let go after
+plundering them.
+
+From hence they sailed to the _Grand Canaries_, then to the _Bahama_
+Wrecks, and then to _Carolina_, where they took a Brigantine and two
+Sloops, lying off the Bar of _Charles Town_; as also a Ship bound for
+_London_, with some passengers aboard. The next Day they took another
+Vessel coming out, and two Pinks going in, and a Brigantine with
+negroes, in the Face of the Town; which put the Inhabitants into a sad
+fright, being in no condition to help themselves.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_Teach_, alias _Blackbeard_, sent _Richards_ along with Mr. _Mark_,
+one of the Prisoners, to demand a chest of medicines of the Governor,
+several of his Men being sick aboard; threatening otherwise to burn
+the Ships, and destroy all the prisoners, among whom was Mr. _Samuel
+Wrag_, one of his Council. Altho' this went very much against the
+inhabitants, yet they were forced to comply with it to save the lives
+of the many souls had in his custody. So sending him a chest worth
+about 3 or 4 hundred Pounds, _Richards_ went back safe to the ships
+with his booty; which as soon as _Blackbeard_ had received, (for so I
+shall call him for the future) he let the ships and the prisoners go,
+having first taken 1500_l._ Sterling, and some provisions out of her.
+From thence they sailed to North _Carolina_, where he had thoughts of
+breaking up the company, and securing the money and the best of the
+effects for himself and friends. Accordingly he ran a-ground, as if it
+had been by accident, and calling _Israel Hands_ to his assistance, he
+ran the Sloop ashore near the other, and so they were both lost. This
+done _Blackbeard_ goes into the _Revenge_ and maroons 17 men upon a
+desert island; where they must inevitably have perished, if _Bonnet_
+had not after taken them up.
+
+_Blackbeard_ goes straight to the Governor of _North Carolina_, with
+Twenty of his Men, and pleads his Majesty's Pardon, and receives
+Certificates thereupon. He went to his Sloop which lay at _Okere-Cock_
+Inlet, and set out for Sea upon another expedition, steering his Ship
+towards _Bermudas_. Meeting with one or two _English Vessels_ in his
+way, he robb'd them only of provisions for his present occasion; but
+meeting with a _French_ Ship laden with sugar and cocoa, he brought
+her home with her cargoe to _North Carolina_, where the Governor and
+the Pirates shared the plunder. He had no sooner arrived there, but he
+and four of his Men made affidavit, That they found the _French_ Ship
+at Sea, without ever a Man on board; upon which she was condemned. The
+Governor had sixty hogheads of sugar for his dividend, his Secretary
+twenty, and the rest were shared amongst the other Pirates. And for
+fear the ship might be discovered by some that might come into the
+River, _Blackbeard_, under pretence that she was leaky, and might
+sink, obtained an order from the Governor to bring her out into the
+River, and burn her; which they did, and sunk her bottom.
+
+The Sloops trading in the River, being so often pillaged by
+_Blackbeard_, consulted with the traders what course to take, knowing
+it was in vain to make any application to the Governor; therefore they
+sent a deputation to the Governor of _Virginia_, to sollicit a force
+from the Men-of-War to destroy this Pirate. Accordingly the Governor
+consulted with the Captains of the _Pearl_ and _Lime_ Men-of-War,
+which lay in _St. James's_ River; whereupon it was agreed, That the
+Governor should have a couple of small Sloops, and they should be
+mann'd out of the Men of War, the Command of which was given to Mr.
+_Robert Maynard_, first Lieutenant of the _Pearl_. But before they
+sailed, it was agreed in Council, to offer a reward of 100_l._ for _any
+one that should take _Edward Teach_, commonly called _Blackbeard_;
+_for every_ Lieutenant, Master, Quarter-Master, Boatswain, _or_
+Carpenter Twenty Pounds; For every inferior Officer, Fifteen Pounds;
+And for every Man taken on Board each Sloop, Ten Pounds_.
+
+Upon this, the Lieutenant sailed from _James's_ River in _Virginia_,
+the 17th of _November_, 1718, and the 21st in the evening came to
+_Okere-cock_ Inlet, where he had fight of the Pirate: And altho' this
+Expedition was made with all the Secrecy imaginable, yet _Blackbeard_
+had notice of it from the Governor of North _Carolina_ and his
+Secretary: But having heard several false reports before, he gave the
+less credit to this, till he saw the Sloops; and then he put himself
+in a Posture of defence, with his 25 Men.
+
+Lieutenant _Maynard_ came to an anchor that night, because the Channel
+was so intricate that there was no getting in, in the dark. In the
+Morning, coming within gun-shot of the Pirate, he received his fire:
+whereupon the _Maynard_ stood directly towards him, endeavouring to
+make a running fight. _Maynard's_ men being most expos'd, he lost
+twenty at one broadside; upon which he ordered his men under deck, and
+bid them get ready for close fighting upon the first signal. Then
+_Blackbeard's_ men pour'd in grenadoes; after which, seeing no Hands
+aboard, he told his men they were all kill'd; _Let's jump in, and fall
+to Plunder_: Which they had no sooner done, but the Lieutenant and his
+men gave them as unwelcome a reception as ever they met with before.
+The Lieutenant and _Blackbeard_ fired first at each other, and then
+they went to it sword in hand, whilst the men on each side were as
+warmly engaged as their Captains, until the vessel was all over
+blood. _Blackbeard_ stood it till he had received above twenty wounds,
+five of them being shots, before he fell down dead. Eight of his
+fourteen men being kill'd, and the other six being much wounded, they
+call'd for quarters; which was granted, and then the Lieutenant
+attacked with equal bravery the men that remained in the Sloop and
+took them.
+
+The Lieutenant caused _Blackbeard's_ head to be cut off, and hung at
+the bowsprit end; with which he sailed to _Bath Town_ to get his
+wounded men cured, and then began to rummage the Pirate Sloop, aboard
+which they found several Letters of Correspondence betwixt the
+Governor of _North Carolina_, his Secretary, and some Traders of _New
+York_ and _Blackbeard_. Thereupon going to _Bath Town_ in _North
+Carolina_, he seized in the Governors Store-house, the Sixty Hogsheads
+of Sugar, and Mr. _Knight_ his Secretary's 20, which was their
+dividend of the plunder taken in the _French_ Ship before-mentioned.
+
+After his Men were a little recovered, he returned to the Men-of-War
+in _James's_ River in _Virginia_, with _Blackbeard's_ head hanging at
+his bowsprit, and 15 prisoners, 13 of whom were hanged, one of them
+being taken but the night before out of a trading Sloop: The other,
+not being in the fight, was taken at _Bath Town_, being just before
+disabled by _Blackbeard_ in one of his drunken humours.
+
+The night before he was killed, being ask'd if he should chance to be
+killed, whether his wife knew where his money was; he answered, _That
+no-body but himself and the Devil, knew where it was, and the longest
+Liver should take all_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Names of the Pirates killed in the engagement were _Edward
+Blackbeard_, Commander; _Philip Morton_, Gunner; _Garnet Gibbons_,
+Boatswain; _Owen Roberts_, Carpenter; _Thomas Miller_, Quarter-Master;
+_John Husk_, _Joseph Curtice_, _Joseph Brooks_, _Nath. Jackson_.
+
+The following, except the two last, were hanged, viz.: _John Carnes_,
+_Jo. Brookes, jun._, _James Blake_, _John Gibbs_, _Thomas Gates_,
+_James White_, _Richard Styles_, _Cesar_, _Joseph Philip_, _James
+Robbins_, _John Martyn_, _Edward Salter_, _Stephen Daniel_, _Richard
+Greensarl_, _Israel Hands_, and _Samuel Odel_.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: MAJOR STEDE BONNET]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+MAJOR STEDE BONNET, AND HIS CREW
+
+
+The Major was a Gentleman of Fortune and Distinction in the Island of
+_Barbadoes_, who before his Piracy bore the character of a worthy
+honest _man_, and no-body could ever account for this his undertaking,
+for he wanted neither learning nor understanding. He fitted out a
+Sloop with ten guns and sixty men, which he named the _Revenge_, at
+his own expence, and sailed from _Barbadoes_ for the Cape of
+_Virginia_, where he took the _Anne_ from _Glasgow_, the _Turbet_ from
+_Barbadoes_, the _Endeavour_ from _Bristol_, the _Young_ from _Leith_,
+and many others. From thence he went to _New York_, and there took a
+Sloop, and then stood in at _Gardiner's_ Island where he bought
+provisions, and went off. _August_, 1717, he came off at the Bar of
+_South Carolina_, and took a Sloop and Brigantine, which they
+plundered, and then he dismissed the Brigantine, but took the Sloop
+with him to an Inlet in _North-Carolina_, where he careened, and set
+her on fire.
+
+Afterwards he put to sea, but could not agree with the men what course
+to take; for the Major being no sailor, was obliged to submit to many
+things his men imposed upon him, when falling in with _Edward Teach_,
+alias _Blackbeard_, who was a good sailor, but a hardened villain,
+_Bonnet's_ Crew joined with him, and put _Bonnet_ aboard
+_Blackbeard's_ Ship.
+
+But _Blackbeard_ losing his Ship at _Topsail_ Inlet, surrendered to
+the King's Proclamation; when _Bonnet_ re-assumed the command of his
+own Sloop, and sailed directly for _Bath_ Town in _North-Carolina_,
+where he also surrenders himself, and receives a certificate. There
+getting a clearance for his Sloop, he pretended to sail for the
+Island of _St. Thomas_, to get the Emperor's Commission to go
+a-Privateering upon the _Spaniards_. But returning to _Topsail_ Inlet,
+he found that _Blackbeard_ and his gang were gone, with their effects;
+and that they had set on shore, on a small sandy island about a league
+from the continent, seventeen men, without any provisions, or vessel
+to escape. There they had been two nights and one day without any
+sustenance, when, to their inexpressible joy, they saw Major _Bonnet_,
+who had been informed of their being there by two of _Blackbeard's_
+crew, who had escaped to avoid his cruelty.
+
+Then he steered his course towards _Virginia_, where meeting with a
+Pink having Provisions on board, and they being in want, he took out
+of her ten barrels of pork, and five hundredweight of bread, and gave
+her, in exchange, ten casks of Rice, and an old cable.
+
+Two days after they took a Sloop of sixty tons, from which they took
+two hogsheads of rum, and two of molasses, and then put in her eight
+men, to take care of the Prize; but they not liking her new
+acquaintance took the first opportunity to get off with her.
+
+After this the Major threw off all restraint, and became a downright
+Pirate, by the name of Captain _Thomas_, taking and plundering all the
+vessels he met with. He took off Cape _Henry_, two Ships from
+_Virginia_, bound to _Glasgow_; the next day a small Sloop from
+_Virginia_ bound to _Bermudas_; from which they took twenty barrels of
+pork, and gave her in return, two barrels of rice, and as much
+molasses. The next day they took another _Virginia_ man, bound to
+_Glasgow_, out of which they took two men, and a few small things, and
+gave her a barrel of pork, and another of bread. From thence they
+sailed to _Philadelphia_, where they took a Schooner coming from
+_North Carolina_ to _Boston_, from which they took two men, and two
+dozen of calves skins, to make covers for guns. In the latitude of
+32 deg., off of _Delaware_ River, near _Philadelphia_, they took two Snows
+bound to _Bristol_, from which they took money and goods to the value
+of two hundred pounds; as also a Sloop of sixty tons, from
+_Philadelphia_ to _Barbadoes_, from which they took a few goods, and
+let her go. The 29th of _July_, they took a Sloop of fifty tons, bound
+from _Philadelphia_ to _Barbadoes_, laden with provisions, which they
+kept; as also another of sixty tons, from _Antegoa_ to _Philadelphia_,
+having on board, rum, molasses, sugar, cotton and indigo, to the value
+of five hundred Pounds, all of which they kept. Then they left
+_Delaware_ Bay, and sailed to Cape _Fear_ River, where they staid
+almost two months to repair their Sloop, which proved very leaky, till
+news came to _Carolina_ of a Pirate's Sloop, with her Prizes, being
+there a-careening.
+
+Whereupon Colonel _William Rhet_ offered to go with two Sloops to
+attack them; which being by the Governor and Council approved of, he
+was commissioned on board the _Henry_, with eight guns and seventy
+men, commanded by Captain _John Masters_; and the _Sea Nymph_,
+commanded by Captain Farier-Hall, with as many guns and men; both
+under the Direction of the Colonel, who went on board the _Henry_ the
+14th of _September_, and sailed from _Charles_ Town to _Swillivant's_
+Island, in order to cruise: where he was informed, by a small ship
+from _Antegoa_, which in sight of the Bar, was taken and plundered by
+_Charles Vane_, in a Brigantine of sixteen guns, and a hundred men;
+that he had taken two Sloops, one Captain _Dill_, Master, from
+_Barbadoes_; the other Captain _Thompson_, from _Guinea_, with seventy
+negroes, which they put on board one _Yeats_ his consort, being a
+small Sloop with twenty-five men, who being weary of this course of
+life, ran into _Edisto_ River, and surrender'd to his Majesty's
+Pardon, by which the owners got their negroes again, and _Yeats_ and
+his men had their certificates sign'd.
+
+_Vane_ cruised for some time thereabouts, in hopes to take _Yeats_,
+and be revenged on him; during which time, he took a ship bound to
+London, to whom he gave out, that he designed to go to the southward;
+which Colonel _Rhet_ hearing, sailed over the Bar the 15th with the
+two Sloops, and went after the Pirate _Vane_; but not meeting with
+him, tack'd and stood for Cape _Fear_, according to his first Design;
+and on the 26th following he entered the River, where he saw _Bonnet_,
+and the three Sloops his Prizes, at anchor; but the Pilot running the
+Sloops a-ground, hindered their getting up that Night. The Pirates
+seeing the Sloops, and not knowing who they were, mann'd three canoes,
+and sent them down to take them; but finding their mistake, _Bonnet_
+took all the men out of the Prizes to engage them. Colonel _Rhet's_
+Sloops the next morning getting under sail, stood for the Pirates, who
+designed only to make a running fight; but the Colonel getting upon
+his quarters, he edged in upon the shore, and ran his Sloop a-ground.
+The Colonel's Sloops were soon in the same condition: The _Henry_
+grounded within pistol-shot of the Pirate, on his bow; the other,
+right a-head of him, almost out of gun-shot, which made it of but very
+little use to the Colonel. By this time the Pirate had a very great
+advantage: For his Sloop lifted from Colonel _Rhet's_, which converted
+them all over; and the Colonel's Sloop lifting the same way, was much
+exposed for about five hours, whilst they lay a-ground. The Colonel's
+Sloop being first a-float, he got into deeper water, and after mending
+his rigging, he stood for the Pirate, to go directly on board him;
+which they prevented, by hoisting a flag of truce, and surrendering
+soon after. The Colonel lost in this action ten men, and had fourteen
+wounded. The _Sea Nymph_ had two killed, and four wounded. Among the
+Pirates were none killed, and three were wounded. The next day the
+Colonel weighed from Cape _Fear_, and arrived at _Charles Town_ the 3d
+of _October_, to the no small joy of the people of _Carolina_.
+
+There being no publick prison, _Bonnet_ was committed into the custody
+of the marshal, and his Men were kept at the Watch-house under a
+strict guard; a little before the trial, _David Harriot_ the Master,
+and _Ignatius Rathe_ Boatswain, the evidences, were removed from the
+Crew, to the Marshal's house, from whence on the 24th _Bonnet_ and
+_Harriott_ made their escape; which as soon as the Governor heard of,
+he published a Proclamation, promising a reward of 700_l._ to any one
+that would take him, and also sent several boats with armed men in
+pursuit of him.
+
+_Bonnet_ stood to the northward, in a small vessel; but through stress
+of weather, and want of necessaries, he was forced to _Swillivant's_
+Island. Of which information being given to the Governor, he sent for
+Colonel _Rhet_, and desired him once more to go in pursuit of him;
+which the Colonel readily accepted of; and having got all Things
+ready, went that Night for _Swillivant's_ Island, where, after a long
+search, he discovered them. After the Colonel's men had fired upon
+them, and killed _Harriott_, _Bonnet_ immediately surrendered himself,
+and was, next Morning, brought back to _Charles Town_, and confined
+under a strong guard till his trial, which was hastened for fear he
+should give them the slip again.
+
+On the 28th of _October_, 1718, a Court of Vice-Admiralty was held at
+_Charles Town_, and, by several adjournments continued to the 12th of
+_November_ following, by _Nicholas Trot_, Esq; Judge of the
+Vice-Admiralty, and Chief Judge of _Carolina_, and other Assistant
+Judges; where, after the King's Commission was read, and a Grand Jury
+sworn, _Judge Trot_ gave them a learned Charge: And then the _Grand
+Jury_ went out, and found the Bills; upon which, a _Petit-Jury_ was
+sworn, and the following Persons were arraingn'd and try'd.
+
+    _Stede Bonnet_, alias _Edwards_, alias _Thomas_, late of
+    _Barbadoes_, Merchant.
+
+    _Robert Tucker_, late of _Jamaica_, Merchant.
+
+    _Edward Robinson_, late of _Newcastle_-upon-_Tine_,
+    Mariner.
+
+    _Neal Peterson_, late of _Aberdeen_, Mariner.
+
+    _William Scot_, late of _Aberdeen_, Mariner.
+
+    _William Eddy_, alias _Neddy_, late of _Aberdeen_,
+    Mariner.
+
+    _Alexander Annand_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.
+
+    _George Rose_, late of _Glasgow_, Mariner.
+
+    _George Dubin_, late of _Glasgow_, Mariner.
+
+    _John Ridge_, late of _London_, Mariner.
+
+    _Matthew King_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.
+
+    _Daniel Perry_, late of _Guernsey_, Mariner.
+
+    _Henry Virgin_, late of _Bristol_, Mariner.
+
+    _James Rattle_, alias _Robbins_, late of _London_,
+    Merchant.
+
+    _James Mullet_, alias _Millet_, late of _London_,
+    Mariner.
+
+    _Thomas Price_, late of _Bristol_, Mariner.
+
+    _James Wilson_, late of _Dublin_, Mariner.
+
+    _John Lopez_, late of _Oporto_, Mariner.
+
+    _Zachariah Long_, late of the Province of _Holland_,
+    Mariner.
+
+    _Job. Barley_, late of _London_, Mariner.
+
+    _John William Smith_, late of _Charles_ Town in
+    _Carolina_, Mariner.
+
+    _Thomas Carman_, late of _Maidstone_ in _Kent_, Mariner.
+
+    _John Thomas_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.
+
+    _William Morrison_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.
+
+    _Samuel Booth_, late of _Charles_ Town, Mariner.
+
+    _William Howet_, late of _Jamaica_, Mariner.
+
+    _John Kent_, late of _North Carolina_, Mariner.
+
+    _William Livres_, alias _Evis_, late of _Carolina_,
+    Mariner.
+
+    _John Brierly_, alias _Timberhead_, late of _Bath_ Town
+    in _North Carolina_, Mariner.
+
+    _Robert Boyd_, late of _Bath_ Town in North _Carolina_,
+    Mariner.
+
+    _Thomas Nicholas_, late of _London_, Mariner.
+
+    _Rowland Sharp_, late of _Bath_ Town, Mariner.
+
+    _Jonathan Clark_, late of _Charles_ Town, Mariner.
+
+    _Thomas Gerrard_, late of _Antegoa_, Mariner.
+
+All of whom, except the four last, were found Guilty, and received
+Sentence of Death, upon two Indictments, for Robbing upon the High Sea
+the _Francis_, _Peter Manwaring_, Commander; and for seizing, in a
+Piratical Manner, the Sloop _Fortune_, _Thomas Read_, Commander: To
+which they all pleaded Not Guilty, except _James Wilson_ and _John
+Levit_, who pleaded Guilty to both Indictments, and _Daniel Piercy_
+to one only. _Bonnet_ moved to go through both the Indictments at
+once; but the Court overruling it, he was found Guilty of one, and
+retracted his Plea to the other. They made but little Defence,
+pretending they were taken off a _Maroon_ Shore, and were shipped with
+Major _Bonnet_ to go to _St. Thomas's_, but wanting provisions they
+were obliged to do what they did; and the Major himself pretended it
+was _Necessity_ and not _Inclination_ that compelled them to do it.
+But that not appearing, they having all shared ten or eleven Pounds a
+man, except the four last, they were all found Guilty. After which the
+Judge set forth the enormity of their Crimes: And then pronounced
+Sentence of Death upon the persons aforesaid, except Major _Bonnet_,
+who not being brought back in time, was not tried till the 10th of
+_November_; and being then also found Guilty, he received Sentence in
+like manner as the others; before whom Judge _Trot_ made an excellent
+speech, saying afterwards.
+
+_And now, having discharged my Duty as a Christian, I must do my
+Office as a Judge, which is_
+
+_You the said _Stede Bonnet_ shall go from hence, to the Place from
+whence you came, and from thence to the Place of Execution, where you
+shall be hanged by the Neck till you are dead._
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: CAPTAIN WILLIAM KID]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CAPTAIN WILLIAM KID
+
+
+We are now going to give an account of one whose name is better known
+in _England_, than most of those whose histories we have already
+related; the person we mean is Captain _Kid_, whose public Trial and
+Execution here, rendered him the subject of all conversation.
+
+In the beginning of King _William's_ War, Captain _Kid_ commanded a
+Privateer in the _West-Indies_, and by several adventurous actions
+acquired the reputation of a brave man, as well as an experienced
+seaman. About this time the Pirates were very troublesome in those
+parts, wherefore Captain _Kid_ was recommended by the Lord
+_Bellamont_, then Governor of _Barbadoes_, as well as by several other
+persons, to the Government here, as a person very fit to be entrusted
+with the command of a Government Ship, and to be employed in cruising
+upon the Pirates, as knowing those Seas perfectly well, and being
+acquainted with their lurking places; but what reasons governed the
+politics of those times, I cannot tell, but this proposal met with no
+encouragement here, though it is certain it would have been of great
+consequence to the subject, our merchants suffering incredible damages
+by those robbers.
+
+Upon this neglect the Lord _Bellamont_, and some others who knew what
+great captures had been made by the Pirates, and what a prodigious
+wealth must be in their possession, were tempted to fit out a ship at
+their own private charge, and to give the command of it to Captain
+_Kid_; and to give the thing a greater reputation, as well as to keep
+their seamen under the better command, they procured the King's
+Commission for the said Captain _Kid_.
+
+Captain _Kid_ had also another Commission, which was called a
+Commission of Reprisals; for it being then War time, this Commission
+was to justify him in the taking of _French_ Merchant Ships, in case
+he should meet with any. He sail'd out of _Plymouth_ in _May_ 1696, in
+the _Adventure_ Galley of thirty guns, and eighty men; the place he
+first design'd for was _New York_; in his Voyage thither he took a
+French _Banker_, but this was no Act of Piracy, he having a Commission
+for that purpose, as we have just observed.
+
+When he arrived at _New York_ he put up Articles for engaging more
+Hands, it being necessary to his Ship's crew, since he proposed to
+deal with a desperate enemy: The terms he offered were, that every man
+should have a share of what was taken, reserving for himself and
+Owners forty shares. Upon this encouragement he soon increas'd his
+company to a hundred and fifty five men.
+
+With this company he first sail'd for _Maderas_, where he took in wine
+and some other necessaries; from thence he proceeded to _Bonavist_,
+one of the _Cape de Verd Islands_, to furnish the ship with salt, and
+from thence went immediately to _St. Jago_, another of the _Cape de
+Verd Islands_, in order to stock himself with provisions. When all
+this was done, he bent his course to _Madagascar_, the known
+rendezvous of Pirates; in this way he fell in with Captain _Warren_,
+Commodore of three Men-of-War; he acquainted them with his design,
+kept them company two or three days, and then leaving them, made the
+best way for _Madagascar_, where he arrived in _February_ 1696, just
+nine months from his departure from _Plymouth_.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+It does not appear all this while that he had the least design of
+turning Pirate; for near _Mahala_ and _Joanna_ both he met with
+several _Indian_ ships richly laden, to which he did not offer the
+least violence, tho' he was strong enough to have done what he pleas'd
+with them; and the first outrage or depredation I find he committed
+upon mankind, was after his repairing his ship, and leaving _Joanna_;
+he touch'd at a place call'd _Mabbee_, upon the _Red Sea_, where he
+took some _Guinea_ Corn from the natives, by force.
+
+After this he sail'd to _Bab's Key_, a Place upon a little Island at
+the entrance of the _Red Sea_; here it was that he first began to open
+himself to his ship's company, and let them understand that he
+intended to change his measures; for, happening to talk of the _Moca_
+Fleet, which was to sail that way, he said _We have been unsuccessful
+hitherto, but courage, my Boys, we'll make our fortunes out of this
+Fleet_: And finding that none of them appear'd averse to it, he
+order'd a boat out, well mann'd, to go upon the coast to make
+discoveries, commanding them to take a prisoner and bring to him, or
+get intelligence any way they could. The boat return'd in a few days,
+bringing him word, that they saw fourteen or fifteen ships ready to
+sail, some with _English_, some with _Dutch_, and some with _Moorish_
+Colours. He therefore order'd a man continually to watch at the
+mast-head, least this Fleet should go by them; and about four days
+after, towards evening, it appear'd in sight, being convoy'd by one
+_English_ and one _Dutch_ Man-of-War. _Kid_ soon fell in with them,
+and getting into the midst of them, fir'd at a _Moorish_ ship which
+was next him; but the Men-of-War taking the Alarm, bore down upon
+_Kid_, and firing upon him, obliged him to sheer off, he not being
+strong enough to contend with them. Now he had begun hostilities, he
+resolv'd to go on, and therefore he went and cruis'd along the coast
+of _Malabar_; the first Prize he met was a small vessel belonging to
+_Aden_, the vessel was _Moorish_, and the Owners were _Moorish_
+Merchants, but the Master was an _Englishman_, his name was _Parker_.
+_Kid_ forc'd him and a _Portugueze_ that was call'd _Don Antonio_,
+which were all the _Europeans_ on Board, to take on with them; the
+first he design'd as a pilot, and the last as an interpreter. He also
+used the men very cruelly, causing them to be hoisted up by the arms,
+and drubb'd with a naked cutlass, to force them to discover whether
+they had money on board, and where it lay; but as they had neither
+gold nor silver on board, he got nothing by his cruelty; however, he
+took from them a bale of pepper, and a bale of coffee, and so let them
+go.
+
+Soon after this he came up with a _Moorish_ Ship, the Master whereof
+was a _Dutchman_, call'd _Schipper Mitchel_, and chased her under
+_French_ Colours, which they observing, hoisted _French_ Colours too:
+When he came up with her, he hail'd her in _French_, and they having a
+_Frenchman_ on board, answer'd him in the same language; upon which he
+order'd them to send their boat on board; they were oblig'd to do so,
+and having examin'd who they were, and from whence they came; he ask'd
+the _Frenchman_, who was a passenger, if he had a _French_ pass for
+himself? The _Frenchman_ gave him to understand that he had. Then he
+told the _Frenchman_ he must pass for Captain, _and by God_, says he,
+_you are the Captain_: The _Frenchman_ durst not refuse doing as he
+would have him: The meaning of this was, that he would seize the Ship
+as fair Prize, and as if she belonged to _French_ Subjects, according
+to a commission he had for that purpose; tho', one would think, after
+what he had already done, that he need not have recourse to a quibble
+to give his actions a colour.
+
+In short, he took the cargoe and sold it some time after, yet still he
+seem'd to have some fears upon him least these proceedings should have
+a bad end; for, coming up with a _Dutch_ Ship some time, when his men
+thought of nothing but attacking her, _Kid_ oppos'd it; upon which a
+mutiny arose, and the majority being for taking the said ship, and
+arming themselves to man the boat to go and seize her, he told them,
+such as did, never should come on Board him again; which put an end to
+the design, so that he kept company with the said ship some time,
+without offering her any violence: However, this dispute was the
+occasion of an accident, upon which an indictment was afterwards
+grounded against _Kid_; for _Moor_, the Gunner, being one day upon
+deck, and talking with _Kid_ about the said _Dutch_ Ship, some words
+arose betwixt them, and _Moor_ told _Kid_, that he had ruin'd them
+all; upon which, _Kid_, calling him _Dog_, took up a bucket and struck
+him with it, which breaking his skull, he died the next day.
+
+But _Kid's_ penitential fit did not last long, for coasting along
+_Malabar_, he met with a great number of boats, all which he
+plunder'd. Upon the same Coast he also lit upon a _Portugueze_ Ship,
+which he kept possession of a week, and then having taking out of her
+some chests of _Indian_ goods, thirty jars of butter, and some wax,
+iron, and a hundred bags of rice, he let her go.
+
+The _Adventure_ Galley was now so old and leaky, that they were forced
+to keep two pumps continually going, wherefore _Kid_ shifted all the
+guns and tackle out of her into the _Queda_ Merchant, intending her
+for his Man-of-War; and as he had divided the Money before, he now
+made a division of the remainder of the cargo: Soon after which, the
+greatest part of the company left him, some going on board Captain
+_Culliford_, and others absconding in the Country, so that he had not
+above forty men left.
+
+He put to sea and happened to touch at _Amboyna_, one of the _Dutch_
+Spice Islands, where he was told, that the news of his Actions had
+reach'd _England_, and that he was there declared a Pirate.
+
+The truth on't is, his Piracies so alarmed our Merchants, that some
+motions were made in Parliament, to enquire into the commission that
+was given him, and the persons who fitted him out: These proceedings
+seem'd to lean a little hard upon the Lord _Bellamont_, who thought
+himself so much touch'd thereby, that he published a Justification of
+himself in a pamphlet after _Kid's_ execution. In the mean time, it
+was thought advisable, to publish a Proclamation, offering the King's
+free Pardon to all such Pirates as should voluntarily surrender
+themselves, whatever Piracies they had been guilty of at any time,
+before the last day of _April_, 1699--That is to say, for all
+Piracies committed Eastward of the _Cape of Good_ Hope, to the
+Longitude and Meridian of _Socatora_, and _Cape Camorin_. In which
+Proclamation, _Avery_ and _Kid_ were excepted by Name.
+
+When _Kid_ left _Amboyna_ he knew nothing of this Proclamation, for
+certainly had he had notice of his being excepted in it, he would not
+have been so infatuated, to run himself into the very jaws of danger;
+but relying upon his interest with the Lord _Bellamont_, and fancying,
+that a _French_ Pass or two he found on board some of the ships he
+took, would serve to countenance the matter, and that part of the booty
+he got would gain him new friends--I say, all these things made him
+flatter himself that all would be hushed, and that justice would but
+wink at him. Wherefor he sail'd directly for _New York_, where he was
+no sooner arrived, but by the Lord _Bellamont's_ orders, he was secured
+with all his papers and effects. Many of his fellow-adventurers who had
+forsook him at _Madagascar_, came over from thence passengers, some to
+_New England_ and some to _Jersey_; where hearing of the King's
+Proclamation for pardoning of Pirates, they surrendered themselves to
+the Governor of those places: At first they were admitted to bail, but
+soon after were laid in strict confinement, where they were kept for
+some time, till an opportunity happened of sending them with their
+Captain over to _England_ to be tried.
+
+Accordingly a Sessions of Admiralty being held at the _Old Baily_, in
+_May_, 1701, _Captain Kid_, _Nicholas Churchill_, _James How_, _Robert
+Lumley_, _William Jenkins_, _Gabriel Loff_, _Hugh Parrot_, _Richard
+Barlicorn_, _Abel Owens_, and _Darby Mullins_, were arraingn'd for
+Piracy and Robbery on the High Seas, and all found guilty, except
+three; these were _Robert Lumley_, _William Jenkins_, and _Richard
+Barlicorn_, who proving themselves to be apprentices to some of the
+officers of the ship, and producing their Indentures in Court, were
+acquitted.
+
+_Kid_ was tried upon an indictment of Murder also, _viz._ for killing
+_Moor_ the Gunner, and found guilty of the same. _Nicholas Churchill_
+and _James How_ pleaded the King's Pardon, as having surrendered
+themselves within the time limited in the Proclamation, and Colonel
+_Bass_, Governor of _West Jersey_, to whom they surrendered, being in
+Court, and called upon, proved the same; however, this plea was
+over-ruled by the Court, because there being four Commissioners named
+in the Proclamation, it was adjudged no other person was qualified to
+receive their surrender, and that they could not be intitled to the
+benefit.
+
+As to Captain _Kid's_ Defence, he insisted much upon his own
+innocence, and the villany of his men; he said he went out in a
+laudable employment and had no occasion, being then in good
+circumstances, to go a-Pirating; that the men often mutinied against
+him, and did as they pleas'd; that he was threatened to be shot in his
+cabin, and that ninety five left him at one time, and set fire to his
+boat, so that he was disabled from bringing his ship home, or the
+Prizes he took, to have them regularly condemn'd, which he said were
+taken by virtue of a commission under the broad seal, they having
+_French_ Passes--The Captain called one Col. _Hewson_ to his
+Reputation, who gave him an extraordinary character, and declared to
+the Court, that he had served under his command, and been in two
+engagements with him against the _French_, in which he fought as well
+as any man he ever saw; that there were only _Kid's_ Ship and his own
+against Monsieur _du Cass_, who commanded a squadron of six sail, and
+they got the better of him, but this being several years before the
+facts mentioned in the Indictment were committed, prov'd of no manner
+of service to the Prisoner on his Trial.
+
+As to the friendship shown to _Culliford_, a notorious Pirate, _Kid_
+denied, and said, he intended to have taken him, but his men being a
+parcel of rogues and villains refused to stand by him, and several of
+them ran away from his ship to the said Pirate.--But the evidence
+being full and particular against him, he was found Guilty as before
+mentioned.
+
+When _Kid_ was asked what he had to say why Sentence should not pass
+against him, he answered, That _he had nothing to say, but that he had
+been sworn against by perjured wicked People_. And when Sentence was
+pronounced, he said, _My Lord it is a very hard Sentence. For my part
+I am the innocentest Person of them all, only I have been sworn
+against by perjured Persons_.
+
+Wherefore about a week after, Capt. _Kid_, _Nicholas Churchill_,
+_James How_, _Gabriel Loff_, _Hugh Parrot_, _Abel Owen_, and _Darby
+Mullins_, were executed at _Execution Dock_, and afterwards hung up in
+Chains, at some distance from each other, down the river, where their
+Bodies hung exposed for many years.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: CAPTAIN EDWARD ENGLAND]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CAPTAIN EDWARD ENGLAND, AND HIS CREW
+
+
+_Edward England_ went Mate of a Sloop that sailed out of _Jamaica_,
+and was taken by _Winter_, a Pirate, from whom he had the Command of a
+Sloop just before their Settlement at _Providence_. The man was brave
+and good natured, and far from being cruel, as most of them are; and
+would not have committed such barbarous actions as he did, had not his
+comrades compelled him to it.
+
+He sailed to the Coast of _Africa_, after the Island of _Providence_
+was inhabited by the _English_. In his Passage he took several Ships,
+particularly the _Cadogan_ Snow belonging to _Bristol_, one _Skinner_
+Master, who was murdered by those very men who had formerly served
+under him, upon a quarrel that happened between _Skinner_ and them,
+about their wages: He shipped them on board a Man-of-War, from whence
+they deserted, and went on board a ship in the _West-Indies_, where
+they were taken by a pirate, and brought to _Providence_, and then
+they sailed with Captain _England_ a-Pirating.
+
+As soon as _Skinner_ came on board, he saw his old Boatswain, who
+said, _Ah! Captain Skinner is it you, I am much in your Debt, and now
+I shall pay you in your own Coin_. These words put the Captain in a
+panic Fear: And indeed he had Reason enough to be afraid, for they
+immediately seized him, bound him to the Windlass, pelted him with
+Glass Bottles, afterwards whipt him about the Deck, and then said,
+because he had been a good Master, he should have an easy Death, and
+so shot him through the Head; the vessel and her Cargoe being given to
+_Howel Davis_.
+
+After this _England_ went into an _Harbour_ to clean his Ship, and
+also fitted up the _Peterborough_, which he called the _Victory_.
+Then putting out to sea, they sailed for the _East-Indies_, and took
+_Madagascar_, by the Way. From thence, after taking in water and
+provisions, they went for _Malabar_, in the Empire of the _Mogul_.
+Here they took several _Indian_ Vessels, and one _European_, a _Dutch_
+Ship, which they exchanged for one of their own, and then came back to
+_Madagascar_, where they sent several Hands on shore to kill venison,
+and then resolved to seek out for the remains of _Avery's_ Crew; but
+returning without success, they being settled on the other side, they
+stay'd no longer than till they had cleaned their ships, and then
+sailed to _Juanna_.
+
+In the Year 1720, the _Bombay_ Fleet, consisting of four _Grabs_, the
+_London Chandois_, and some other ships, carried 1000 Men to bombard
+and batter _Gapra_, a fort belonging to _Angria_, on the _Malabar_
+Coast; which they not being able to do, fell in with the Pirates, in
+their return to _Bombay_: But Captain _Upton_ the Commodore, having no
+orders, would not engage them; which so provoked the Governor, for
+missing so favourable an opportunity of cutting the Pirates all off,
+that he gave the command to Captain _Mackra_, with orders to fight
+them wherever he met with them.
+
+But the Pirates proceeded to the southward, and took a small ship out
+of _Orincro_ Road, with a _Dutch_ and two _Portugueze_ Men on board,
+one of which they sent to the Captain, to inform him, that if he would
+supply them with provisions and water he should have his ship again.
+But the Master would not agree to it; thereupon they sent other
+persons ashore, and swore he should be the last man they would give
+quarter to, and so put directly for _Laccadeva_ Island, and arrived
+there in three days. But being informed by a _Menchew_, there was no
+anchor-ground there, they went to the next Island, called _Melincha_,
+whence they were driven by a storm, leaving behind them a hundred
+people, and all their water-casks: But in a week's time, they regained
+the island, took their people on board, and filled the water-casks.
+Provisions being scarce, they resolved to visit the _Dutch_ at
+_Cochin_, and after three days sail, arrived off of _Tellechery_,
+where they took a small Vessel belonging to Governor _Adams_; who
+giving an account of Captain _Mackra's_ fitting out against them, put
+them into a grievous passion.
+
+Afterward they arrived at _Mauritius_, where they refitted the
+_Victory_, and then sailed the 5th of April for _Madagascar_, but
+called first at the Island _Mascarine_, at which they found a
+_Portugueze_ ship of seventy guns at anchor, disabled by a violent
+storm, so that they easily became a Prize to the Pirates. She had on
+board the _Conde Ereceira_ Vice-Roy of _Goa_, also they found on board
+her, in diamonds only, to the value of four millions of Dollars. They
+made the Vice-Roy a prisoner; but in consideration of his losses,
+accepted of a ransom of 2000 dollars and then set him and his
+followers ashore. Learning that an _Ostender_ was on the leeward of
+that Island, they sailed and took her, and sent her to _Madagascar_
+with news of their success, where they followed themselves soon
+after, with two hundred _Mozambique_ Negroes in the _Portugueze_ Ship.
+
+When _Taylor_ came with the _Portugueze_ Prize to _Madagascar_, they
+found that the _Ostender_ had made his men drunk, and seized his ship,
+which they carried to the _Mozambique_; from thence the Governor
+ordered her to _Goa_. But the Pirates staid and clean'd the
+_Cassandra_, and divided very great plunder. Some, who thought they
+had got enough, staid at _Madagascar_, and the rest, having no
+occasion for two ships, burnt the _Victory_, she being leaky, and went
+on board the _Cassandra_, under the Command of Captain _Taylor_,
+designing to go for _Cochin_ to dispose of his diamonds, amongst his
+old Friends the _Dutch_, and also to avoid the dangers of the
+Men-of-War that were in pursuit of them. But as he was preparing to
+sail, and heard of four Men-of-War coming after him; therefore he
+altered his mind, and sailed for the Main of _Africa_, and put in at
+_Delagoa_: But the Pirates were surprized in the evening with some
+shot from the shore. They took it for a desert shore, but it proved
+otherwise; for a few months before, the _Dutch East India Company_ had
+settled one hundred men upon it, who, not being supplied with
+necessaries, were reduced to about sixteen; whom _Taylor_, upon their
+humble petition took aboard, and they all became Pirates with him.
+
+Here they stayed about four months, careened their ships, and left
+_Delagoa_ the latter end of _December_: But not agreeing among
+themselves, they parted those who were weary of that sort of life,
+went on board the _Portugueze_ Prize, and sailed for _Madagascar_; the
+others went on board the _Cassandra_, and sailed for the _Spanish West
+Indies_. The _Mermaid_ Man-of-War, which was a convoy to some
+Merchant-men, about 30 leagues distance, would have gone to attack
+them, had not the Merchants, whom he had the care of, declar'd their
+protection was of more service than destroying the Pirates; and so he
+was oblig'd to be content with only dispatching the news of it to
+_Jamaica_. This brought down the _Lanceston_, though it was a day or
+two too late, for they had just before surrendered, with all their
+riches, to the Governor of _Porto-Bello_, where they now live upon
+their Spoils, saying, others would have done as much, had they had the
+same opportunity; swearing, _That whatever Robberies they had
+committed they are not the only Rogues in the World; for that the
+South-Sea[A] did more Mischief in one Year, than they were able to do
+in their whole Lives_.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+FOOTNOTE:
+
+[A] The South-Sea Bubble.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: CAPTAIN JOHN GOW]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+CAPTAIN JOHN GOW, _ALIAS_ SMITH, AND HIS CREW
+
+
+_John Gow_, alias _Smith_, was born at a place called _Caristoun_, in
+the _Orkney_ Islands, and was brought up a sailor from his youth,
+having served on board several Men-of-War, and last of all on board
+the _Suffolk_, along with _T. Swan_, who was engaged with him in the
+conspiracy to murder Captain _Ferneau_, and seize the ship and cargoe,
+as they went off the _Texel_, but they were prevented by _James
+Belvin_, who was led into the secret and discovered it. Captain
+_Ferneau_ taking little notice of it, contented himself with turning
+off _Swan_, and preferred _Gow_ to be second Mate and Gunner.
+
+They sailed on board the _George_ Galley, August the 1st, 1724, from
+the _Texel_ to _Santa Cruz_, having 15000_l._ on board, when Gow
+designed to have seized the Ship as they went out, but could not get a
+party strong enough to join with him, till he worked up a
+misunderstanding between the Captain and part of the crew, concerning
+the provisions of the ship, particularly _Winter_, _Peterson_, _and
+Mc.Cawley_, who came upon the Quarter-Deck, in presence of the Owners,
+just before they sailed, and made a long complaint against the
+Captain; who assured them that if there was any wrong done them, it
+was not by his consent; and that he would enquire into it as soon as
+they had unmoored the ship.
+
+About eight a clock at night, Captain _Ferneau_, as usual, called them
+up to prayers in the great Cabin, and then set the watch, and went to
+sleep, little thinking his end was so near, when _Winter_,
+_Rawlisson_, and _Melvin_, begun the scene of blood, _Gow_ lying snug
+in his hammock, as if he knew nothing of the matter, till he saw
+whether the villany would succeed, or not. _Winter_ cut the Doctor's
+throat as he was asleep in his hammock, and then went up to _Melvin_
+and _Rawlisson_, who in the mean time had seized the Captain and cut
+his throat also, but not touching the windpipe, _Gow_ stept up and
+shot him with a brace of bullets, and then threw him over-board.
+_Mc.Cawley_ cut _Stephen Algiers_ the Clerk's throat, as he lay in the
+hammock, and _Williams_ shot him dead afterwards. _Peterson_ cut the
+throat of _Bonaventure Jelphs_, the Chief Mate; and _Michael Moor_, at
+the Command of _Williams_, shot him.
+
+After this _Williams_ came upon the Quarter-Deck, and saluted _Gow_
+with Captain _Ferneau's_ sword, first striking it upon one of the
+guns, and saying, _Welcome Captain_ Gow, _welcome to your new
+Command_. After which, _Gow_ told the men, That if any of them durst
+murmur or cabal together, they must expect to meet with the same Fate;
+and then calling a Council, they agreed to go, _Upon the Account_, as
+they called it.
+
+They called the ship the _Revenge_, and mounted six more of her guns,
+she being able to carry four and twenty in all. But instead of going
+to _Genoa_ as intended, they sailed for the coasts of _Spain_ and
+_Portugal_, in hopes of getting a ship laden with wine, to keep up
+their spirits; but all was alike they met with; and instead of wine,
+they contented themselves with fish, which they took out of a ship
+called the _Delight_ of _Poole_, _Thomas Wise_, Master, bound from
+_New-England_ to _Cadiz_, out of which they took the men, and what
+they wanted, and then sunk the Ship, to prevent their being discovered
+to the _English_ Men-of-War who lay in the _Straights_.
+
+On the 18th of _December_, they took the _Snow-Galley_, out of which
+Crew they kept _Rob_, and discharged the Captain and the rest of the
+men, after having plundered the Ship of the arms, ammunition, cloth,
+provisions, sails, anchors, cables, and then let her go.
+
+By this time, they were got a great way to the southward; and being in
+want of water as well as wind, they agreed to go to _Maderas_, which
+Island they made in two days, cruising about it near a week, expecting
+some vessel to come in or come out; but the Country discovering what
+they were, they were disappointed in their attempts. Then they stood
+away for _Porto Santa_, where they put up _British_ Colours, and sent
+their Boat ashore with a compliment to the Governor, desiring leave to
+Water, and buy some refreshments; which he readily agreed to, and went
+with them to pay the _English_ Captain a Visit, who received him in a
+very grand Manner. But the refreshments not coming as expected, he at
+length told him he was his Prisoner, and must remain so till the
+provisions were come on board, which was not till next day, when _Gow_
+discharged him, giving him three Cerons of Bees-wax, and three Guns at
+his going away.
+
+Having now got provisions, they agreed to return to the Coasts of
+_Spain_ and _Portugal_; where they had not been above two days, before
+they met with the _Batchelor_, _Benjamin Cross_ Master, from
+_New-England_ bound to _Cadiz_; out of which they took _Cross_ and
+his Men, and gave the Ship to Captain _Wise_, as also 24 Cerons of
+Bees-wax to him and his mate, and to his four men 8 Cerons. After this
+they took a _French_ Ship from _Cadiz_, loaded with wine, oil, and
+fruit, which was what they wanted, and manned her with their own men,
+taking on board the _Revenge_ the _French_ Master, and his 12 Men, and
+most Part of the cargoe, with five guns and their carriages,
+ammunition, small arms, and sails, and gave the ship to _Somerville_,
+Captain of the _Snow Galley_; and to Captain _Cross_ the _New-English_
+Man, to who they gave half the ship and cargoe and _Somerville_ had
+all his Men, but _Alexander Rob_, whom they detained, and who was
+executed in 1725, for engaging along with them.
+
+Soon after they saw a large ship to the windward bearing down upon
+them, which at first they thought to have been a _Portugueze_
+Man-of-War; but they found afterwards, it was a _French_ Merchant Ship
+coming home from the _West-Indies_, which not fearing them, came on to
+the windward. _Gow_ perceiving she was a Ship of great strength,
+called all his men together, telling them they had a great many
+prisoners on board, and that he could not trust many of his own men;
+besides, six of his best Hands were on Board the other Ship, therefore
+he advised them not to meddle with her, she being far superior in
+Force. This so exasperated _Williams_, that he demanded of _Gow_ to
+give his orders for fighting; but he, by the advice of the whole crew,
+declined it; whereupon _Williams_ snapt his pistol at his Face; which
+not going off, made him still madder. _Winter_ and _Peterson_ standing
+by him fired each a Pistol at _Williams_, one shooting him through the
+arm, and the other in the belly; at which he fell, and they believing
+he was killed, were going to throw him overboard, when he leapt up,
+and ran into the Powder-Room, with his pistol cocked in his hand,
+swearing he would blow them all up; which he had certainly done, had
+they not prevented him that very moment, he having opened the scuttle
+to do it.
+
+They immediately put him in irons, and hand-cuffed him, and then put
+him between decks, in a place prepared for prisoners.
+
+Two days after this, they took the _Triumvirate_, a _Bristol_ Sloop,
+_Joel Davis_ Master, bound from _Newfoundland_ to _Oporto_, with fish;
+from whence they took all her provisions, arms, sails, and two of her
+men, and then let her go with the rest, and all her cargoe. Not
+knowing what to do with _Williams_, they resolved to put him on board
+them, and send him away, for fear of further danger, ordering the
+Master to put him on board the first _English_ man of War he should
+meet with, to hang him for Piracy; which when _Williams_ found they
+were resolved to do, he made all the submission he was able to Captain
+_Gow_, begging for pardon, knowing if he was carried to _Lisbon_ he
+should meet with his deserts. But all his entreaties would not do, he
+was brought up double fettered, when he begged they would throw him
+into the sea, and drown him, rather than give him up to be hanged in
+chains, which he knew he deserved from the _Portugueze_ as well as
+_English_. This made many of them begin to relent and pity him; but
+considering his savage disposition, they knew there was no safety to
+keep him on board, and so resolved to let him go, and give him a
+hearty curse at parting, wishing him a safe voyage to the gallows, not
+dreaming that they themselves should accompany him.
+
+The _Bristol_ Captain obeyed their orders, and as soon as he came to
+_Lisbon_ put him on board the _Argyle_ man of War, Captain _Bowler_
+Commander, who brought him home not above three days before Gow and
+his Crew came to keep him company.
+
+In the middle of last _January_, they arrived at _Caristoun_ in the
+Isles of _Orkney_, when _Gow_ gave them instructions, what account
+they should give of themselves to the people of the country, to avoid
+suspicion. But now began their misfortunes, for several of their men
+began to think of making their escape, the first was one _Read_, who
+took an opportunity to get away when the boat went ashore, who went to
+a farm-house which lay under a hill where he hired a horse and rode
+to _Kirkwall_, a market town about twelve miles off, where he informed
+them what they were; whereupon they raised the Country to defend
+themselves. The Pirates soon hearing what was done, ten more of them
+went away with the longboat, making the best of their way for
+_Scotland_, who were some time after taken in the _Frith_ of
+_Edinburgh_, and made Prisoners.
+
+This so provoked _Gow_, that he resolved to plunder the Country, be
+the consequence what it would, and in order thereto, he sent _Belvin_
+his Boatswain, with _Rob_ and Four more, to Mr. _Honnyman's_ house,
+the Sheriff, who not being at home, his Servants let them in, not
+suspecting their design. They immediately fell to work, but Mr.
+_Honnyman's_ Daughter had the presence of mind to hide the money in a
+tub of feathers, till she found an opportunity to carry it away, by
+the contrivance of _Alexander Rob_, who was placed centinel at the
+door. But when the Boatswain found the treasure was gone, Gow having
+before told them where it lay, he swore he would burn the house, and
+all that was in it, which the young Lady hearing, she runs to the
+Charter-room where the Treasure lay, and threw it out of the Window,
+jumping herself after. However, they plundered the house of about
+fifty pounds, and some plate, and then forced a servant who played on
+the bag-pipes, to pipe before them to the ship, whom they also
+detained, and was brought along with them to the _Marshalsea_, where
+he was sick till his release.
+
+The next day they weighed anchor, and came to _Calf-Sound_, where the
+boatswain went ashore again with four armed Men, meeting with no
+Plunder. From thence they went to the Island of _Eda_, to plunder the
+house of Mr. _Fea_, whom _Gow_ had formerly been School-fellow with,
+and knowing him to be a Man of Courage, believed that the Alarm at
+_Caristoun_ had drawn him thither: But Mr. _Fea's_ wife at that Time
+being very sick in Bed, kept him at home, and having notice of them he
+sent a letter to _Gow_ by _James Laing_, to desire him to withdraw,
+assuring him that most of the inhabitants were fled to the mountains
+on the report of his being a Pirate, desiring him to send the
+messenger safe back, at whose return the affrights of the people would
+be over. _Gow_ sent him word back, that he would write to nobody, but
+if Mr. _Fea_ would send his men with a Boat, he would reward them
+handsomely, which Mr. _Fea_ hearing, he ordered his great Boat to be
+staved, and sunk, and the sails to be carried out of sight. In the
+mean time, perceiving _Gow's_ boat come on shore, with five men in it,
+well armed, he met them, and said if they would go to a Publick House
+in the neighbourhood, and take a cup of ale with him, he would see
+what he could do to serve them, which they agreed to, seeing Mr. _Fea_
+was all alone, not suspecting any danger. Mr. _Fea_ had before given
+orders for half a dozen men, well armed, to lie in ambush to surprize
+them, which being done, Mr. _Fea_ sent to Mr. _Gow_ to let him know,
+that the country was alarmed, and that it would be his best way
+peaceable to surrender, which _Gow_ did in a day or two, thinking
+thereby to make himself an evidence; but it would not do, although he
+complied so far as to delude all his men ashore one after another, who
+would certainly have cut his throat, had they known of any ways
+afterwards to have escaped.
+
+They were put on board the _Greyhound_, which delivered them into the
+_Marshalsea_, _March_ 30, 1714, where they continued till _June_
+following, when eight of them were hanged at _Execution Dock_, viz.
+_John Gow_, _James Williams_, _James Belvin_, _John Winter_, _Peter
+Rawlisson_, _Daniel Mc.Cawley_, _William Ingram_, for another Piracy
+under _Anstis_, and a month afterwards _Alexander Rob_ was hanged for
+Piracy under _Gow_.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note
+
+Fraser notes in his foreword to this book that the original author's
+spelling was "indefinite even for his own day", and adds that it has
+"has been more or less modernized" in this edition; however, there are
+still many inconsistencies in spelling, use of hyphenation and
+italics, and capitalisation of words. These inconsistencies, along
+with archaic spelling, have been retained throughout.
+
+Minor typographic errors in punctuation have been corrected without
+note. The word 'with' was printed as 'htiw' (page 138), and has been
+corrected. The word 'were' has been amended to 'where' (page 139, "...
+where they sent several Hands ..."), for the sentence to make sense.
+Two instances of transposed letters have also been corrected--sieze
+changed to seize, and Goaler changed to Gaoler. The original title
+page illustration also contained an error, Jnae, which referred to a
+month. This was cross-checked with the rest of the text, and has been
+amended to read June in the transcription of the text.
+
+The frontispiece illustration has been moved to follow the front matter.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Pirates, by Anonymous
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