GREAT PIRATE STORIES

 EDITED BY

 JOSEPH LEWIS FRENCH Editor of "Great Sea Stories, " "Masterpieces of Mystery, " "Great Ghost Stories, " etc. 

 TWO VOLUMES IN ONE

 TUDOR PUBLISHING CO. NEW YORK

 First Printing, November, 1922 Second Printing, January, 1923 Third Printing, November, 1923 Fourth Printing, November, 1929

 _Printed in the United States of America_

 Copyright, 1922, by Brentano's

Transcriber's Note:

 Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. Archaic, dialect and quoted spellings (including inconsistent proper nouns), in addition to irregular hyphenation, remain as printed. 

 Go tell your King, he is King of the Land; But I am the King of the Sea!

 BARBAROSSA TO CHARLES V. 

FOREWORD

Piracy embodies the romance of the sea at its highest expression. It isa sad but inevitable commentary on our civilization, that, so far as thesea is concerned, it has developed from its infancy down to a century orso ago, under one phase or another of piracy. If men were savages onland they were doubly so at sea, and all the years of maritimeadventure--years that added to the map of the world till there waslittle left to discover--could not wholly eradicate the piratical germ. It went out gradually with the settlement and ordering of the far-flungBritish colonies. Great Britain, foremost of sea powers, must becredited with doing more both directly and indirectly for the abolitionof crime and disorder on the high seas than any other force. But theconquest was not complete till the advent of steam which chased thesea-rover into the farthest corners of his domain. It is said that hesurvives even today in certain spots in the Chinese waters, --but he iscertainly an innocuous relic. A pirate of any sort would be as great acuriosity today if he could be caught and exhibited as a fabulousmonster. 

The fact remains and will always persist that in the lore of the sea heis far and away the most picturesque figure, --and the more genuine andgross his career, the higher degree of interest does he inspire. 

There may be a certain human perversity in this, for the pirate wasunquestionably a bad man--at his best, or worst--considering hissurroundings and conditions, --undoubtedly the worst man that ever lived. There is little to soften the dark yet glowing picture of his exploits. But again, it must be remembered, that not only does the note ofdistance subdue, and even lend a certain enchantment to the scene, butthe effect of contrast between our peaceful times and his owncontributes much to deepen our interest in him. Perhaps it is thislatter, added to that deathless spark in the human breast that glows atthe tale of adventure, which makes him the kind of hero of romance thathe is today. 

He is undeniably a redoubtable historical figure. It is a curious factthat the commerce of the seas was cradled in the lap of buccaneering. The constant danger of the deeps in this form only made hardier marinersout of the merchant-adventurers, actually stimulating and strengtheningmaritime enterprise. 

Buccaneering--which is only a politer term for piracy--thus became thehigh romance of the seas during the great centuries of maritimeadventure. It went hand in hand with discovery, --they were in factalmost inseparable. Most of the mighty mariners from the days of Leifthe Discoverer, through those of the redoubtable Sir Francis Drake downto our own Paul Jones, answer to the roll-call. 

It was a bold hardy world--this of ours--up to the advent of ourgiant-servant, Steam, --every foot of which was won by fierce conquest ofone sort or another. Out of this past the pirate emerges as a romantic, even at times heroic, figure. This final niche, despite his crimes, cannot altogether be denied him. A hero he is and will remain so long astales of the sea are told. So, have at him, in these pages!

 JOSEPH LEWIS FRENCH. 

CONTENTS

 PAGE

 The Piccaroon 1 From _Tom Cringle's Log_. By MICHAEL SCOTT. 

 The Capture of Panama, 1671 23 From _The Buccaneers of America_. By JOHN ESQUEMELING. 

 The Malay Proas 52 From _Afloat and Ashore_. By JAMES FENIMORE COOPER. 

 The Wonderful Fight of the _Exchange_ of Bristol with the Pirates of Algiers 61 From _Purchas, His Pilgrims_. By SAMUEL PURCHAS. 

 The Daughter of the Great Mogul 89 From _The King of the Pirates_. By DANIEL DEFOE. 

 Barbarossa--King of the Corsairs 97 From _Sea Wolves of the Mediterranean_. By E. HAMILTON CURREY, R. N. 

 Morgan at Puerto Bello 115 From _The Buccaneers of America_. By JOHN ESQUEMELING. 

 The Ways of the Buccaneers 126 From _Buccaneer Customs on the Spanish Main_. By JOHN MASEFIELD after JOHN ESQUEMELING. 

 A True Account of Three Notorious Pirates 132 From _The Buccaneers of America_. By HOWARD PYLE, ED. 

 Narrative of the Capture of the Ship _Derby_, 1735 196 By CAPTAIN ANSELM. 

 Francis Lolonois, the Slave Who Became a Pirate King 209 From _The Buccaneers of America_. By JOHN ESQUEMELING. 

 The Fight between the _Dorrill_ and the _Moca_ 232 From _The Indian Antiquary_, Vol. 49. 

 Jaddi the Malay Pirate 240 From _The Indian Antiquary_, Vol. 49. 

 The Terrible Ladrones 247 From _The Ladrone Pirates_. By RICHARD GLASSPOOLE. 

 The Female Captive 276 From an Old Pamphlet, published in 1825. By LUCRETIA PARKER. 

 The Passing of Mogul Mackenzie, the Last of the North Atlantic Pirates 298 From _Blackwood's Magazine_. By ARTHUR HUNT CHUTE. 

 The Last of the Sea-Rovers: The Riff Coast Pirates 312 From the _Nautical Magazine_. By W. B. LORD. 

GREAT PIRATE STORIES

THE PICCAROON[1]

MICHAEL SCOTT

"Ours the wild life in tumult still to range. "--_The Corsair. _

We returned to Carthagena, to be at hand should any opportunity occurfor Jamaica, and were lounging about one forenoon on the fortifications, looking with sickening hearts out to seaward, when a voice struck up thefollowing negro ditty close to us:--

 "Fader was a Corramantee, Moder was a Mingo, Black picaniny buccra wantee, So dem sell a me, Peter, by jingo. Jiggery, jiggery, jiggery. "

"Well sung, Massa Bungo!" exclaimed Mr. Splinter; "where do you hailfrom, my hearty?"

"Hillo! Bungo, indeed! free and easy dat, anyhow. Who you yousef, eh?"

"Why, Peter, " continued the lieutenant, "don't you know me?"

"Cannot say dat I do, " rejoined the negro, very gravely, without liftinghis head, as he sat mending his jacket in one of the embrasures near thewater-gate of the arsenal--"Hab not de honour of your acquaintance, sir. "

He then resumed his scream, for song it could not be called:--

 "Mammy Sally's daughter Lose him shoe in an old canoe Dat lay half full of water, And den she knew not what to do. Jiggery, jig----"

"Confound your jiggery, jiggery, sir! But I know you well enough, myman; and you can scarcely have forgotten Lieutenant Splinter of theTorch, one would think?"

However, it was clear that the poor fellow really had not known us; forthe name so startled him, that, in his hurry to unlace his legs fromunder him, as he sat tailor-fashion, he fairly capsized out of hisperch, and toppled down on his nose--a feature, fortunately, soflattened by the hand of nature, that I question if it could have beenrendered more obtuse had he fallen out of the maintop on a timber-head, or a marine officer's. 

"Eh!--no--yes, him sure enough; and who is de picaniny hofficer--Oh! Isee, Massa Tom Cringle? Garamighty, gentlemen, where have you drop from?Where is de old Torch? Many a time hab I, Peter Mangrove, pilot to HimBritannic Majesty squadron, taken de old brig in and through amongst dekeys at Port Royal!"

"Ay, and how often did you scour her copper against the coral reefs, Peter?"

His Majesty's pilot gave a knowing look, and laid his hand on hisbreast--"No more of dat if you love me, massa. "

"Well, well, it don't signify now, my boy; she will never give you thattrouble again--foundered--all hands lost, Peter, but the two you seebefore you. "

"Werry sorry, Massa Plinter, werry sorry--What! de black cook's-mate andall?--But misfortune can't be help. Stop till I put up my needle, and Iwill take a turn wid you. " Here he drew himself up with a great deal ofabsurd gravity. "Proper dat British hofficer in distress should assistone anoder--we shall consult togeder. --How can I serve you?"

"Why, Peter, if you could help us to a passage to Port Royal, it wouldbe serving us most essentially. When we used to be lying there a weekseldom passed without one of the squadron arriving from this; but herehave we been for more than a month without a single pennant belonging tothe station having looked in: our money is running short, and if we areto hold on in Carthagena for another six weeks, we shall not have a shotleft in the locker--not a copper to tinkle on a tombstone. "

The negro looked steadfastly at us, then carefully around. There was noone near. 

"You see, Massa Plinter, I am desirable to serve you, for one littlereason of my own; but, beside dat, it is good for me at present to makesome friend wid de hofficer of de squadron, being as how dat I am absentwidout leave. "

"Oh, I perceive--a large R against your name in the master-attendant'sbooks, eh?"

"You have hit it, sir, werry close; besides, I long mosh to return to mypoor wife, Nancy Cator, dat I leave, wagabone dat I is, just about to beconfine. "

I could not resist putting in my oar. 

"I saw Nancy just before we sailed, Peter--fine child that; not quite soblack as you, though. "

"Oh, massa, " said Snowball, grinning, and showing his white teeth, "youknow I am soch a terrible black fellow--But you are a leetle out atpresent, massa--I meant, about to be confine in de work-house forstealing de admiral's Muscovy ducks;" and he laughed loud andlong. --"However, if you will promise dat you will stand my friends, Iwill put you in de way of getting a shove across to de east end ofJamaica; and I will go wid you too, for company. "

"Thank you, " rejoined Mr. Splinter; "but how do you mean to manage this?There is no Kingston trader here at present, and you don't mean to makea start of it in an open boat, do you?"

"No, sir, I don't; but in de first place--as you are a gentleman, willyou try and get me off when we get to Jamaica? Secondly, will youpromise dat you will not seek to know more of de vessel you may go in, nor of her crew, than dey are willing to tell you, provided you arelanded safe?"

"Why, Peter, I scarcely think you would deceive us, for you know I savedyour bacon in that awkward affair, when through drunkenness you plumpedthe Torch ashore, so----"

"Forget dat, sir--forget dat! Never shall poor black pilot forget howyou saved him from being seized up, when de gratings, boatswain's mates, and all, were ready at de gangway--never shall poor black rascal forgetdat. "

"Indeed, I do not think you would wittingly betray us into trouble, Peter; and as I guess you mean one of the forced traders, we willventure in her, rather than kick about here any longer, and pay amoderate sum for our passage. "

"Den wait here five minute"--and so saying, he slipped down through theembrasure into a canoe that lay beneath, and in a trice we saw him jumpon board of a long low nondescript kind of craft that lay moored withinpistol-shot of the walls. 

She was a large shallow vessel, coppered to the bends, of great breadthof beam, with bright sides, like an American, so painted as to give hera clumsy mercantile sheen externally, but there were many things thatbelied this to a nautical eye: her copper, for instance, was bright asburnished gold on her very sharp bows and beautiful run; and we couldsee, from the bastion where we stood, that her decks were flush andlevel. She had no cannon mounted that were visible; but we distinguishedgrooves on her well-scrubbed decks, as from the recent traversing ofcarronade slides, while the bolts and rings in her high and solidbulwarks shone clear and bright in the ardent noontide. There was atarpaulin stretched over a quantity of rubbish, old sails, old junk, andhencoops, rather ostentatiously piled up forward, which we conjecturedmight conceal a long gun. 

She was a very taught-rigged hermaphrodite, or brig forward and schooneraft. Her foremast and bowsprit were immensely strong and heavy, and hermainmast was so long and tapering, that the wonder was how the fewshrouds and stays about it could support it; it was the handsomest stickwe had ever seen. Her upper spars were on the same scale, tapering awaythrough topmast, topgallant-mast, royal and skysail-masts, until theyfined away into slender wands. The sails, that were loose to dry, wereold, and patched, and evidently displayed to cloak the character of thevessel by an ostentatious show of their unserviceable condition; but herrigging was beautifully fitted, every rope lying in the chafe of anotherbeing carefully served with hide. There were several largebushy-whiskered fellows lounging about the deck, with their hairgathered into dirty net-bags, like the fishermen of Barcelona; many hadred silk sashes round their waists, through which were stuck their longknives, in shark-skin sheaths. Their numbers were not so great as toexcite suspicion: but a certain daring, reckless manner, would at oncehave distinguished them, independently of anything else, from the quiet, hard-worked, red-shirted, merchant seaman. 

"That chap is not much to be trusted, " said the lieutenant; "his buntingwould make a few jackets for Joseph, I take it. " But we had little timeto be critical, before our friend Peter came paddling back with anotherblackamoor in the stern, of as ungainly an exterior as could well beimagined. He was a very large man, whose weight every now and then, asthey breasted the short sea, cocked up the snout of the canoe with PeterMangrove in it, as if he had been a cork, leaving him to flourish hispaddle in the air, like the weather-wheel of a steam-boat in a sea-way. The new-comer was strong and broad-shouldered, with long muscular arms, and a chest like Hercules; but his legs and thighs were, for his bulk, remarkably puny and misshapen. A thick fell of black wool, in closetufts, as if his face had been stuck full of cloves, covered his chinand upper-lip; and his hair, if hair it could be called, was twistedinto a hundred short plaits, that bristled out, and gave his head, whenhe took his hat off, the appearance of a porcupine. There was a largesaber-cut across his nose and down his cheek, and he wore two immensegold earrings. His dress consisted of short cotton drawers, that didnot reach within two inches of his knee, leaving his thin cucumbershanks (on which the small bullet-like calf appeared to have been stuckbefore, through mistake, in place of abaft) naked to the shoe; a checkshirt, and an enormously large Panama hat, made of a sort of cane, splitsmall, and worn shovel-fashion. Notwithstanding, he made his bow by nomeans ungracefully, and offered his services in choice Spanish, butspoke English as soon as he heard who we were. 

"Pray, sir, are you the master of that vessel?" said the lieutenant. 

"No, sir, I am the mate, and I learn you are desirous of a passage toJamaica. " This was spoken with a broad Scotch accent. 

"Yes, we are, " said I, in very great astonishment, "but we will not sailwith the devil; and who ever saw a negro Scotchman before, the spirit ofNicol Jarvie conjured into a blackamoor's skin!"

The fellow laughed. "I am black, as you see; so were my father andmother before me. " And he looked at me, as much as to say, I have readthe book you quote from. "But I was born in the good town ofPort-Glasgow notwithstanding, and many a voyage I have made as cabin-boyand cook in the good ship the Peggy Bogle, with worthy old Jock Hunter;but that matters not. I was told you wanted to go to Jamaica; I dare-sayour captain will take you for a moderate passage-money. But here hecomes to speak for himself. --Captain Vanderbosh, here are twoshipwrecked British officers, who wish to be put on shore on the eastend of Jamaica; will you take them, and what will you charge for theirpassage?"

The man he spoke to was nearly as tall as himself; he was a sunburnt, angular, raw-boned, iron-visaged veteran, with a nose in shape and colorlike the bowl of his own pipe, but not at all, according to the receivedidea, like a Dutchman. His dress was quizzical enough--white-trousers, along-flapped embroidered waistcoat that might have belonged to a Spanishgrandee, with an old-fashioned French-cut coat, showing the frayed markswhere the lace had been stripped off, voluminous in the skirts, but verytight in the sleeves, which were so short as to leave his large bonypaws, and six inches of his arm above the wrist, exposed; altogether, itfitted him like a purser's shirt on a hand-spike. 

"Vy, for von hondred thaler I will land dem safe in Mancheoneal Bay; buthow shall ve manage, Villiamson? De cabin vas point yesterday. "

The Scotch negro nodded. "Never mind; I dare-say the smell of the paintwon't signify to the gentlemen. "

The bargain was ratified; we agreed to pay the stipulated sum, and thatsame evening, having dropped down with the last of the sea-breeze, weset sail from Bocca Chica, and began working up under the lee of theheadland of Punto Canoa. When off the San Domingo Gate, we burned ablue-light, which was immediately answered by another in-shore of us. Inthe glare we could perceive two boats, full of men. Any one who has everplayed at snapdragon, can imagine the unearthly appearance of objectswhen seen by this species of firework. In the present instance it washeld aloft on a boat-hook, and cast a strong spectral light on the bandof lawless ruffians, who were so crowded together that they entirelyfilled the boats, no part of which could be seen. It seemed as if twoclusters of fiends, suddenly vomited forth from hell, were floating onthe surface of the midnight sea, in the midst of brimstone flames. In afew moments our crew was strengthened by about forty as ugly Christiansas I ever set eyes on. They were of all ages, countries, complexions, and tongues, and looked as if they had been kidnapped by a pressgang asthey had knocked off from the Tower of Babel. From the moment they cameon board, Captain Vanderbosh was shorn of all his glory, and sank intothe petty officer while, to our amazement, the Scottish negro took thecommand, evincing great coolness, energy, and skill. He ordered theschooner to be wore as soon as we had shipped the men, and laid her headoff the land, then set all hands to shift the old suit of sails, and tobend new ones. 

"Why did you not shift your canvas before we started?" said I to theDutch captain, or mate, or whatever he might be. 

"Vy vont you be content to take a quiet passage and hax no question?"was the uncivil rejoinder, which I felt inclined to resent, until Iremembered that we were in the hands of the Philistines, where a quarrelwould have been worse than useless. I was gulping down the insult aswell as I could, when the black captain came aft, and, with the air ofan equal, invited us into the cabin to take a glass of grog. We hadscarcely sat down before we heard a noise like the swaying up of guns, or some other heavy articles, from the hold. 

I caught Mr. Splinter's eye--he nodded, but said nothing. In half anhour afterwards, when we went on deck, we saw by the light of the moontwelve eighteen-pound carronades mounted, six of a side, with theiraccompaniments of rammers and sponges, water-buckets, boxes of round, grape, and canister, and tubs of wadding, while the coamings of thehatchways were thickly studded with round-shot. The tarpaulin and lumberforward had disappeared, and there lay long Tom, ready levelled, grinning on his pivot. 

The ropes were all coiled away, and laid down in regular man-of-warfashion; while an ugly gruff beast of a Spanish mulatto, apparently theofficer of the watch, walked the weatherside of the quarterdeck in thetrue pendulum style. Look-outs were placed aft, and at the gangways andbows, who every now and then passed the word to keep a bright look-out, while the rest of the watch were stretched silent, but evidently broadawake, under the lee of the boat. We noticed that each man had hiscutlass buckled round his waist--that the boarding-pikes had been cutloose from the main boom, round which they had been stopped, and thatabout thirty muskets were ranged along a fixed rack that ran athwartships near the main hatchway. 

By the time we had reconnoitred thus far the night became overcast, anda thick bank of clouds began to rise to windward; some heavy drops ofrain fell, and the thunder grumbled at a distance. The black veil creptgradually on, until it shrouded the whole firmament, and left us in asdark a night as ever poor devils were out in. By-and-by a narrow streakof bright moonlight appeared under the lower-edge of the bank, definingthe dark outlines of the tumbling multitudinous billows on the horizonas distinctly as if they had been pasteboard waves in a theater. 

"Is that a sail to windward in the clear, think you?" said Mr. Splinterto me in a whisper. At this moment it lightened vividly. "I am sure itis, " continued he--"I could see her white canvas glance just now. "

I looked steadily, and at last caught the small dark speck against thebright background, rising and falling on the swell of the sea like afeather. 

As we stood on, she was seen more distinctly, but, to all appearance, nobody was aware of her proximity. We were mistaken in this, however, for the captain suddenly jumped on a gun, and gave his orders with afiery energy that startled us. 

"Leroux!" A small French boy was at his side in a moment. "Forward, andcall all hands to shorten sail; but, _doucement_, you land-crab!--Manthe fore clew-garnets. --Hands by the top-gallant clew-lines--jibdown-haul--rise tacks and sheets--peak and throat haulyards--letgo--clew up--settle away the main-gaff there!"

In almost as short a space as I have taken to write it, every inch ofcanvas was close furled--every light, except the one in the binnacle, and that was cautiously masked, carefully extinguished--a hundred andtwenty men at quarters, and the ship under bare poles. The head-yardswere then squared, and we bore up before the wind. The stratagem provedsuccessful; the strange sail could be seen through the night-glassescracking on close to the wind, evidently under the impression that wehad tacked. 

"Dere she goes, chasing de Gobel, " said the Dutchman. 

She now burned a blue-light, by which we saw she was a heavycutter--without doubt our old fellow-cruiser the Spark. The Dutchman hadcome to the same conclusion. 

"My eye, captain, no use to dodge from her; it is only dat footy littleKing's cutter on de Jamaica station. "

"It is her, true enough, " answered Williamson; "and she is from SantaMartha with a freight of specie, I know. I will try a brush with her, by----"

Splinter struck in before he could finish his irreverent exclamation. "If your conjecture be true, I know the craft--a heavy vessel of herclass, and you may depend on hard knocks, and small profit if you dotake her; while if she takes you----"

"I'll be hanged if she does"--and he grinned at the conceit--thensetting his teeth hard, "or rather, I will blow the schooner up with myown hand before I strike; better that than have one's bones bleached inchains on a key at Port Royal. But you see you cannot control us, gentlemen; so get down into the cable-tier, and take Peter Mangrove withyou. I would not willingly see those come to harm who have trusted me. "

However, there was no shot flying as yet, we therefore stayed on deck. All sail was once more made; the carronades were cast loose on bothsides, and double-shotted, the long-gun slewed round, the tack of thefore-and-aft foresail hauled up, and we kept by the wind, and stoodafter the cutter, whose white canvas we could still see through thegloom like a snow-wreath. 

As soon as she saw us, she tacked and stood towards us, and came bowlingalong gallantly, with the water roaring and flashing at her bows. As thevessels neared each other they both shortened sail, and finding that wecould not weather her, we steered close under her lee. 

As we crossed on opposite tacks, her commander hailed, "Ho, thebrigantine, ahoy!"

"Hillo!" sung out Blackie, as he backed his main-top-sail. 

"What schooner is that?"

"The Spanish schooner Caridad. "

"Whence, and whither bound?"

"Carthagena to Porto Rico. "

"Heave-to, and send your boat on board. "

"We have none that will swim, sir. "

"Very well, bring-to, and I will send mine. "

"Call away the boarders, " said our captain, in a low stern tone; "letthem crouch out of sight behind the boat. "

The cutter wore, and hove-to under our lee quarter, within pistol-shot;we heard the rattle of the ropes running through the davit-blocks, andthe splash of the jolly-boat touching the water, then the measuredstroke of the oars, as they glanced like silver in the sparkling sea, and a voice calling out, "Give way, my lads. "

The character of the vessel we were on board of was now evident; and thebitter reflection that we were chained to the stake on board of apirate, on the eve of a fierce contest with one of our own cruisers, wasaggravated by the consideration, that the cutter had fallen into a snareby which a whole boat's crew would be sacrificed before a shot wasfired. 

I watched my opportunity as she pulled up alongside, and called out, leaning well over the nettings, "Get back to your ship!--treachery! getback to your ship!"

The little French serpent was at my side with the speed of thought, hislong clear knife glancing in one hand, while the fingers of the otherwere laid on his lips. He could not have said more plainly, "Hold yourtongue, or I'll cut your throat;" but Sneezer now startled him byrushing between us, and giving a short angry growl. 

The officer in the boat had heard me imperfectly; he rose up--"I won'tgo back, my good man, until I see what you are made of;" and as he spokehe sprang on board, but the instant he got over the bulwarks, he wascaught by two strong hands, gagged, and thrown bodily down themain-hatchway. 

"Heave, " cried a voice, "and with a will!" and four cold 32-pound shotwere hove at once into the boat alongside, which, crashing through herbottom, swamped her in a moment, precipitating the miserable crew intothe boiling sea. Their shrieks still ring in my ears as they clung tothe oars and some loose planks of the boat. 

"Bring up the officer, and take out the gag, " said Williamson. 

Poor Walcolm, who had been an old messmate of mine, was now dragged tothe gangway half-naked, his face bleeding, and heavily ironed, when theblackamoor, clapping a pistol to his head, bid him, as he fearedinstant death, hail "that the boat had swamped under the counter, and tosend another. " The poor fellow, who appeared stunned and confused, didso, but without seeming to know what he said. 

"Good God, " said Mr. Splinter, "don't you mean to pick up the boat'screw?"

The blood curdled to my heart, as the black savage answered in a voiceof thunder, "Let them drown and be d----d! Fill, and stand on!"

But the clouds by this time broke away, and the mild moon shone clearand bright once more upon this scene of most atrocious villainy. By herlight the cutter's people could see that there was no one struggling inthe water now, and that the people must either have been saved, or werepast all earthly aid; but the infamous deception was not entirely at anend. 

The captain of the cutter, seeing we were making sail, did the same, andafter having shot ahead of us, hailed once more. 

"Mr. Walcolm, why don't you run to leeward, and heave-to, sir?"

"Answer him instantly, and hail again for another boat, " said the sablefiend, and cocked his pistol. 

The click went to my heart. The young midship-man turned his pale mildcountenance, laced with his blood, upwards towards the moon and stars, as one who had looked his last look on earth; the large tears wereflowing down his cheeks, and mingling with the crimson streaks, and aflood of silver light fell on the fine features of the poor boy, as hesaid firmly, "Never. " The miscreant fired, and he fell dead. 

"Up with the helm, and wear across her stern. " The order was obeyed. "Fire!" The whole broadside was poured in, and we could hear the shotrattle and tear along the cutter's deck, and the shrieks and groans ofthe wounded, while the white splinters glanced away in all directions. 

We now ranged alongside, and close action commenced, and never do Iexpect to see such an infernal scene again. Up to this moment there hadbeen neither confusion nor noise on board the pirate--all had beencoolness and order; but when the yards locked the crew broke loose fromall control--they ceased to be men--they were demons, for they threwtheir own dead and wounded, as they were mown down like grass by thecutter's grape, indiscriminately down the hatchways to get clear ofthem. They had stripped themselves almost naked; and although theyfought with the most desperate courage, yelling and cursing, each in hisown tongue, most hideously, yet their very numbers, pent up in a smallvessel, were against them. At length, amidst the fire and smoke andhellish uproar, we could see that the deck had become a very shambles;and unless they soon carried the cutter by boarding, it was clear thatthe coolness and discipline of my own glorious service must prevail, even against such fearful odds; the superior size of the vessel, greater number of guns, and heavier metal. The pirates seemed aware ofthis themselves, for they now made a desperate attempt forward to carrytheir antagonist by boarding, led on by the black captain. Just at thismoment the cutter's main-boom fell across the schooner's deck, close towhere we were sheltering ourselves from the shot the best way we could;and while the rush forward was being made, by a sudden impulse Splinterand I, followed by Peter and the dog (who with wonderful sagacity, seeing the uselessness of resistance, had cowered quietly by my sideduring the whole row), scrambled along it as the cutter's people wererepelling the attack on her bow, and all four of us, in our haste, jumped down on the poor Irishman at the wheel. 

"Murder, fire, rape, and robbery!--it is capsized, stove in, sunk, burned, and destroyed I am! Captain, captain, we are carried afthere--Och, hubbaboo for Patrick Donnally!"

There was no time to be lost; if any of the crew came aft we were deadmen, so we tumbled down through the cabin skylight, men and beast, thehatch having been knocked off by a shot, and stowed ourselves away inthe side berths. The noise on deck soon ceased--the cannon were againplied--gradually the fire slackened, and we could hear that the piratehad scraped clear and escaped. Some time after this the lieutenantcommanding the cutter came down. Poor Mr. Douglas! both Mr. Splinterand I knew him well. He sat down and covered his face with his hands, while the blood oozed down between his fingers. He had received acutlass wound on the head in the attack. His right arm was bound up withhis neckcloth, and he was very pale. 

"Steward, bring me a light. --Ask the doctor how many are killed andwounded; and--do you hear?--tell him to come to me when he is doneforward, but not a moment sooner. To have been so mauled and duped by abuccaneer; and my poor boat's crew----"

Splinter groaned. He started--but at this moment the man returned again. 

"Thirteen killed, your honor, and fifteen wounded; scarcely one of usuntouched. " The poor fellow's own skull was bound round with a bloodycloth. 

"God help me! Gold help me! but they have died the death of men. Whoknows what death the poor fellows in the boat have died!"--Here he wascut short by a tremendous scuffle on the ladder, down which an oldquartermaster was trundled neck and crop into the cabin. "How now, Jones?"

"Please your honor, " said the man, as soon as he had gathered himselfup, and had time to turn his quid and smooth down his hair; but againthe uproar was renewed, and Donnally was lugged in, scrambling andstruggling between two seamen--"this here Irish chap, your honor, haslost his wits, if so be he ever had any, your honor. He has gone madthrough fright. "

"Fright be d----d!" roared Donnally; "no man ever frightened me; but ashis honor was skewering them bloody thieves forward, I was boarded andcarried aft by the devil, your honor--pooped by Beelzebub, by ----, " andhe rapped his fist on the table until everything on it danced again. "There were four of them, yeer honor--a black one and two blue ones--anda pie-bald one, with four legs and a bushy tail--each with two horns onhis head, for all the world like those on Father M'Cleary's red cow--no, she was humbled--it is Father Clannachan's, I mane--no, not his neither, for his was the parish bull; fait, I don't know what I mane, except thatthey had all horns on their heads, and vomited fire, and had each ofthem a tail at his stern, twisting and twining like a conger eel, with ablue light at the end on't. "

"And dat's a lie, if ever dere was one, " exclaimed Peter Mangrove, jumping from the berth. "Look at me, you Irish tief, and tell me if Ihave a blue light or a conger eel at my stern!"

This was too much for poor Donnally. He yelled out, "You'll believe yourown eyes now, yeer honor, when you see one o' dem bodily before you! Letme go--let me go!" and, rushing up the ladder, he would, in allprobability, have ended his earthly career in the salt sea, had hisbullet-head not encountered the broadest part of the purser, who was inthe act of descending, with such violence, that he shot him out of thecompanion several feet above the deck, as if he had been discharged froma culverin; but the recoil sent poor Donnally, stunned and senseless, tothe bottom of the ladder. There was no standing all this; we laughedoutright, and made ourselves known to Mr. Douglas, who received uscordially, and in a week we were landed at Port Royal. 

FOOTNOTES:

[1] From _Tom Cringle's Log_. 

THE CAPTURE OF PANAMA, 1671[2]

JOHN ESQUEMELING

Captain Morgan set forth from the castle of Chagre, towards Panama, August 18, 1670. He had with him twelve hundred men, five boats ladenwith artillery, and thirty-two canoes. The first day they sailed onlysix leagues, and came to a place called De los Bracos. Here a party ofhis men went ashore, only to sleep and stretch their limbs, being almostcrippled with lying too much crowded in the boats. Having rested awhile, they went abroad to seek victuals in the neighboring plantations; butthey could find none, the Spaniards being fled, and carrying with themall they had. This day, being the first of their journey, they had suchscarcity of victuals, as the greatest part were forced to pass with onlya pipe of tobacco, without any other refreshment. 

Next day, about evening, they came to a place called Cruz de JuanGallego. Here they were compelled to leave their boats and canoes, theriver being very dry for want of rain, and many trees having fallen intoit. 

The guides told them, that, about two leagues farther, the countrywould be very good to continue the journey by land. Hereupon they leftone hundred and sixty men on board the boats, to defend them, that theymight serve for a refuge in necessity. 

Next morning, being the third day, they all went ashore, except thosewho were to keep the boats. To these Captain Morgan gave order, undergreat penalties, that no man, on any pretext whatever, should dare toleave the boats, and go ashore; fearing lest they should be surprised byan ambuscade of Spaniards in the neighboring woods, which appeared sothick as to seem almost impenetrable. This morning beginning theirmarch, the ways proved so bad, that Captain Morgan thought it moreconvenient to transport some of the men in canoes (though with greatlabor) to a place farther up the river, called Cedro Bueno. Thus theyreëmbarked, and the canoes returned for the rest; so that about nightthey got altogether at the said place. The pirates much desired to meetsome Spaniards or Indians, hoping to fill their bellies with theirprovisions, being reduced to extremity and hunger. 

The fourth day the greatest part of the pirates marched by land, beingled by one of the guides; the rest went by water farther up, beingconducted by another guide, who always went before them, to discover, onboth sides of the river, the ambuscades. These had also spies, who werevery dextrous to give notice of all accidents, or of the arrival of thepirates, six hours, at least, before they came. This day, about noon, they came near a post called Torna Cavallos: here the guide of thecanoes cried out, that he perceived an ambuscade. His voice causedinfinite joy to all the pirates, hoping to find some provisions tosatiate their extreme hunger. Being come to the place, they found nobodyin it, the Spaniards being fled, and leaving nothing behind but a fewleathern bags, all empty, and a few crumbs of bread scattered on theground where they had eaten. Being angry at this, they pulled down a fewlittle huts which the Spaniards had made, and fell to eating theleathern bags, to allay the ferment of their stomachs, which was now sosharp as to gnaw their very bowels. Thus they made a huge banquet uponthese bags of leather, divers quarrels arising concerning the greatestshares. By the bigness of the place, they conjectured about five hundredSpaniards had been there, whom, finding no victuals, they were nowinfinitely desirous to meet, intending to devour some of them ratherthan perish. 

Having feasted themselves with those pieces of leather, they marched on, till they came about night to another post, called Torna Munni. Herethey found another ambuscade, but as barren as the former. They searchedthe neighboring woods, but could not find anything to eat, the Spaniardshaving been so provident, as not to leave anywhere the least crumb ofsustenance, whereby the pirates were now brought to this extremity. Here again he was happy that he had reserved since noon any bit ofleather to make his supper of, drinking after it a good draught of waterfor his comfort. Some, who never were out of their mothers' kitchens, may ask, how these pirates could eat and digest those pieces of leather, so hard and dry? Whom I answer, that, could they once experiment whathunger, or rather famine, is, they would find the way as the piratesdid. For these first sliced it in pieces, then they beat it between twostones, and rubbed it, often dipping it in water, to make it supple andtender. Lastly, they scraped off the hair, and broiled it. Being thuscooked, they cut it into small morsels, and ate it, helping it down withfrequent gulps of water, which, by good fortune, they had at hand. 

The fifth day, about noon, they came to a place called Barbacoa. Herethey found traces of another ambuscade, but the place totally asunprovided as the former. At a small distance were several plantations, which they searched very narrowly, but could not find any person, animal, or other thing, to relieve their extreme hunger. Finally, havingranged about, and searched a long time, they found a grot, which seemedto be but lately hewn out of a rock, where were two sacks of meal, wheat, and like things, with two great jars of wine, and certain fruitscalled platanoes. Captain Morgan, knowing some of his men were nowalmost dead with hunger, and fearing the same of the rest, caused whatwas found to be distributed among them who were in greatest necessity. Having refreshed themselves with these victuals, they marched anew withgreater courage then ever. Such as were weak were put into the canoes, and those commanded to land that were in them before. Thus theyprosecuted their journey till late at night; when coming to aplantation, they took up their rest, but without eating anything; forthe Spaniards, as before, had swept away all manner of provisions. 

The sixth day they continued their march, part by land and part bywater. Howbeit, they were constrained to rest very frequently, both forthe ruggedness of the way, and their extreme weakness, which theyendeavored to relieve by eating leaves of trees and green herbs, orgrass; such was their miserable condition. This day at noon they arrivedat a plantation, where was a barn full of maize. Immediately they beatdown the doors and ate it dry, as much as they could devour; then theydistributed a great quantity, giving every man a good allowance. Thusprovided, and prosecuting their journey for about an hour, they came toanother ambuscade. This they no sooner discovered, but they threw awaytheir maize, with the sudden hopes of finding all things in abundance. But they were much deceived, meeting neither Indians nor victuals, noranything else: but they saw, on the other side of the river, about ahundred Indians, who, all fleeing, escaped. Some few pirates leapedinto the river to cross it, and try to take any of the Indians, but invain: for, being much more nimble than the pirates, they not onlybaffled them, but killed two or three with their arrows; hooting atthem, and crying, "Ha, perros! a la savana, a la savana. "--"Ha, ye dogs!go to the plain, go to the plain. "

This day they could advance no farther, being necessitated to pass theriver, to continue their march on the other side. Hereupon they reposedfor that night, though their sleep was not profound; for greatmurmurings were made at Captain Morgan, and his conduct; some beingdesirous to return home, while others would rather die there than goback a step from their undertaking: others, who had greater courage, laughed and joked at their discourses. Meanwhile, they had a guide whomuch comforted them, saying, "It would not now be long before they metwith people from whom they should reap some considerable advantage. "

The seventh day, in the morning, they made clean their arms, and everyone discharged his pistol, or musket, without bullet, to try theirfirelocks. This done, they crossed the river, leaving the post wherethey had rested, called Santa Cruz, and at noon they arrived at avillage called Cruz. Being yet far from the place, they perceived muchsmoke from the chimneys: the sight hereof gave them great joy, and hopesof finding people and plenty of good cheer. Thus they went on as fast asthey could, encouraging one another, saying, "There is smoke comes outof every house: they are making good fires, to roast and boil what weare to eat;" and the like. 

At length they arrived there, all sweating and panting, but found noperson in the town, nor anything eatable to refresh themselves, exceptgood fires, which they wanted not; for the Spaniards, before theirdeparture, had every one set fire to his own house, except the king'sstorehouses and stables. 

They had not left behind them any beast, alive or dead, which muchtroubled their pursuers, not finding anything but a few cats and dogs, which they immediately killed and devoured. At last, in the king'sstables, they found, by good fortune, fifteen or sixteen jars of Peruwine, and a leathern sack full of bread. No sooner had they drank ofthis wine, when they fell sick, almost every man: this made them thinkthe wine was poisoned, which caused a new consternation in the wholecamp, judging themselves now to be irrecoverably lost. But the truereason was, their want of sustenance, and the manifold sorts of trashthey had eaten. Their sickness was so great, as caused them to remainthere till the next morning, without being able to prosecute theirjourney in the afternoon. This village is seated in 9 deg. 2 min. Northlatitude, distant from the river Chagre twenty-six Spanish leagues, andeight from Panama. This is the last place to which boats or canoes cancome; for which reason they built here storehouses for all sorts ofmerchandise, which to and from Panama are transported on the backs ofmules. 

Here Captain Morgan was forced to leave his canoes, and land all hismen, though never so weak; but lest the canoes should be surprised, ortake up too many men for their defense, he sent them all back to theplace where the boats were, except one, which he hid, that it mightserve to carry intelligence. Many of the Spaniards and Indians of thisvillage having fled to the near plantations, Captain Morgan ordered thatnone should go out of the village, except companies of one hundredtogether, fearing lest the enemy should take an advantage upon his men. Notwithstanding, one party contravened these orders, being tempted withthe desire of victuals: but they were soon glad to fly into the townagain, being assaulted with great fury by some Spaniards and Indians, who carried one of them away prisoner. Thus the vigilancy and care ofCaptain Morgan was not sufficient to prevent every accident. 

The eighth day in the morning Captain Morgan sent two hundred men beforethe body of his army, to discover the way to Panama, and any ambuscadestherein: the path being so narrow, that only ten or twelve persons couldmarch abreast, and often not so many. After ten hours' march they cameto a place called Quebrada Obscura: here, all on a sudden, three or fourthousand arrows were shot at them, they not perceiving whence theycame, or who shot them: though they presumed it was from a high rockymountain, from one side to the other, whereon was a grot, capable of butone horse or other beast laded. This multitude of arrows much alarmedthe pirates, especially because they could not discover whence they weredischarged. At last, seeing no more arrows, they marched a littlefarther, and entered a wood: here they perceived some Indians to fly asfast as they could, to take the advantage of another post, thence toobserve their march; yet there remained one troop of Indians on theplace, resolved to fight and defend themselves, which they did withgreat courage till their captain fell down wounded; who, though hedespaired of life, yet his valor being greater than his strength, wouldask no quarter, but, endeavoring to raise himself, with undaunted mindlaid hold of his azagayo, or javelin, and struck at one of the pirates;but before he could second the blow, he was shot to death. This was alsothe fate of many of his companions, who, like good soldiers, lost theirlives with their captain, for the defense of their country. 

The pirates endeavored to take some of the Indians prisoners, but theybeing swifter than the pirates, every one escaped, leaving eight piratesdead, and ten wounded: yea, had the Indians been more dextrous inmilitary affairs, they might have defended the passage, and not let oneman pass. A little while after they came to a large champaign, open, and full of fine meadows; hence they could perceive at a distance beforethem some Indians, on the top of a mountain, near the way by which theywere to pass: they sent fifty men, the nimblest they had, to try tocatch any of them, and force them to discover their companions: but allin vain; for they escaped by their nimbleness, and presently showedthemselves in another place, hallooing to the English and crying, "A lasavana, a la savana, perros Ingleses!" that is, "To the plain, to theplain, ye English dogs!" Meanwhile the ten pirates that were woundedwere dressed, and plastered up. 

Here was a wood, and on each side a mountain. The Indians possessedthemselves of one, and the pirates of the other. Captain Morgan waspersuaded the Spaniards had placed an ambuscade there, it lying soconveniently; hereupon, he sent two hundred men to search it. TheSpaniards and Indians perceiving the pirates descended the mountain, didso too, as if they designed to attack them; but being got into the wood, out of sight of the pirates, they were seen no more, leaving the passageopen. 

About night fell a great rain, which caused the pirates to march thefaster, and seek for houses to preserve their arms from being wet; butthe Indians had set fire to every one, and driven away all their cattle, that the pirates, finding neither houses nor victuals, might beconstrained to return: but, after diligent search, they found a fewshepherds' huts, but in them nothing to eat. These not holding manymen, they placed in them, out of every company, a small number, who keptthe arms of the rest: those who remained in the open field endured muchhardship that night, the rain not ceasing till morning. 

Next morning, about the break of day, being the ninth of that tediousjourney, Captain Morgan marched on while the fresh air of the morninglasted; for the clouds hanging yet over their heads, were much morefavorable than the scorching rays of the sun, the way being now moredifficult than before. After two hours' march, they discovered abouttwenty Spaniards, who observed their motions: they endeavored to catchsome of them, but could not, they suddenly disappearing, and abscondingthemselves in caves among the rocks unknown to the pirates. At last, ascending a high mountain, they discovered the South Sea. This happysight, as if it were the end of their labors, caused infinite joy amongthem: hence they could descry also one ship, and six boats, which wereset forth from Panama, and sailed towards the islands of Tavoga andTavogilla: then they came to a vale where they found much cattle, whereof they killed good store: here, while some killed and flayed cows, horses, bulls, and chiefly asses, of which there were most; otherskindled fires, and got wood to roast them: then cutting the flesh intoconvenient pieces, or gobbets, they threw them into the fire, and, halfcarbonadoed or roasted, they devoured them, with incredible haste andappetite. Such was their hunger, that they more resembled cannibals thanEuropeans; the blood many times running down from their beards to theirwaists. 

Having satisfied their hunger, Captain Morgan ordered them to continuethe march. Here, again, he sent before the main body fifty men to takesome prisoners, if they could; for he was much concerned, that in ninedays he could not meet one person to inform him of the condition andforces of the Spaniards. About evening they discovered about two hundredSpaniards, who hallooed to the pirates, but they understood not whatthey said. A little while after they came in sight of the higheststeeple of Panama: this they no sooner discovered but they showed signsof extreme joy, casting up their hats into the air, leaping andshouting, just as if they had already obtained the victory, andaccomplished their designs. All their trumpets sounded, and drums beat, in token of this alacrity of their minds. Thus they pitched their campfor that night, with general content of the whole army, waiting withimpatience for the morning, when they intended to attack the city. Thisevening appeared fifty horses, who came out of the city, on the noise ofthe drums and trumpets, to observe, as it was thought, their motions:they came almost within musket-shot of the army, with a trumpet thatsounded marvelously well. Those on horseback hallooed aloud to thepirates, and threatened them, saying, "Perros! nos veremos, " that is, "Ye dogs! we shall meet ye. " Having made this menace, they returned tothe city, except only seven or eight horsemen, who hovered thereaboutsto watch their motions. Immediately after the city fired, and ceased notto play their biggest guns all night long against the camp, but withlittle or no harm to the pirates, whom they could not easily reach. Nowalso the two hundred Spaniards, whom the pirates had seen in theafternoon, appeared again, making a show of blocking up the passages, that no pirates might escape their hands: but the pirates, though in amanner besieged, instead of fearing their blockades, as soon as they hadplaced sentinels about their camp, opened their satchels, and, withoutany napkins or plates, fell to eating, very heartily, the pieces ofbulls' and horses' flesh which they had reserved since noon. This done, they laid themselves down to sleep on the grass, with great repose andsatisfaction, expecting only, with impatience, the dawning of the nextday. 

The tenth day, betimes in the morning, they put all their men in order, and, with drums and trumpets sounding, marched directly towards thecity; but one of the guides desired Captain Morgan not to take thecommon highway, lest they should find in it many ambuscades. He took hisadvice, and chose another way through the wood, though very irksome anddifficult. The Spaniards perceiving the pirates had taken another waythey scarce had thought on, were compelled to leave their stops andbatteries, and come out to meet them. The governor of Panama put hisforces in order, consisting of two squadrons, four regiments of foot, and a huge number of wild bulls, which were driven by a great number ofIndians, with some negroes, and others, to help them. 

The pirates, now upon their march, came to the top of a little hill, whence they had a large prospect of the city and champaign countryunderneath. Here they discovered the forces of the people of Panama, inbattle array, to be so numerous, that they were surprised with fear, much doubting the fortune of the day: yea, few or none there were butwished themselves at home, or at least free from obligation of thatengagement, it so nearly concerning their lives. Having been some timewavering in their minds, they at last reflected on the straits they hadbrought themselves into, and that now they must either fight resolutely, or die; for no quarter could be expected from an enemy on whom they hadcommitted so many cruelties. Hereupon they encouraged one another, resolving to conquer, or spend the last drop of blood. Then they dividedthemselves into three battalions, sending before two hundred buccaneers, who were very dextrous at their guns. Then descending the hill, theymarched directly towards the Spaniards, who in a spacious field waitedfor their coming. As soon as they drew nigh, the Spaniards began toshout and cry, "Viva el rey!" "God save the king!" and immediately theirhorse moved against the pirates: but the fields being full of quags, andsoft under-foot, they could not wheel about as they desired. The twohundred buccaneers, who went before, each putting one knee to theground, began to battle briskly, with a full volley of shot: theSpaniards defended themselves courageously, doing all they could todisorder the pirates. Their foot endeavored to second the horse, butwere forced by the fire of the pirates to retreat. Finding themselvesbaffled, they attempted to drive the bulls against them behind, to putthem into disorder; but the wild cattle ran away, frighted with thenoise of the battle. Only some few broke through the English companies, and only tore the colors in pieces, while the buccaneers shot every oneof them dead. 

The battle having continued two hours, the greatest part of the Spanishhorse was ruined, and almost all killed: the rest fled, which the footseeing, and that they could not possibly prevail, they discharged theshot they had in their muskets, and throwing them down, fled away, everyone as he could. The pirates could not follow them, being too muchharassed and wearied with their long journey. Many, not being able tofly whither they desired, hid themselves, for that present, among theshrubs of the sea-side, but very unfortunately; for most of them beingfound by the pirates, were instantly killed, without any quarter. Somereligious men were brought prisoners before Captain Morgan; but he, being deaf to their cries, commanded them all to be pistoled, which wasdone. Soon after they brought a captain to him, whom he examined verystrictly; particularly, wherein consisted the forces of those of Panama?He answered, their whole strength consisted in four hundred horse, twenty-four companies of foot, each one hundred men complete; sixtyIndians, and some negroes, who were to drive two thousand wild bullsupon the English, and thus, by breaking their files, put them into atotal disorder: beside, that in the city they had made trenches, andraised batteries in several places, in all which they had placed manyguns; and that at the entry of the highway, leading to the city, theyhad built a fort mounted with eight great brass guns, defended by fiftymen. 

Captain Morgan having heard this, gave orders instantly to march anotherway; but first he made a review of his men, whereof he found both killedand wounded a considerable number, and much greater than had beenbelieved. Of the Spaniards were found six hundred dead on the place, besides the wounded and prisoners. The pirates, nothing discouraged, seeing their number so diminished, but rather filled with greater pride, perceiving what huge advantage they had obtained against their enemies, having rested some time, prepared to march courageously towards thecity, plighting their oaths to one another, that they would fight tillnot a man was left alive. With this courage they recommenced theirmarch, either to conquer or be conquered; carrying with them all theprisoners. 

They found much difficulty in their approach to the city, for within thetown the Spaniards had placed many great guns, at several quarters, somecharged with small pieces of iron, and others with musket bullets. Withall these they saluted the pirates at their approaching, and gave themfull and frequent broadsides, firing at them incessantly; so thatunavoidably they lost at every step great numbers of men. But not thesemanifest dangers of their lives, nor the sight of so many as droppedcontinually at their sides, could deter them from advancing, and gainingground every moment on the enemy; and though the Spaniards never ceasedto fire, and act the best they could for their defense, yet they wereforced to yield, after three hours' combat. And the pirates havingpossessed themselves at last of the city, killed all that attempted inthe least to oppose them. The inhabitants had transported the best oftheir goods to more remote and secret places; howbeit, they found in thecity several warehouses well stocked with merchandise, as well silks andcloths, as linen and other things of value. As soon as the first fury oftheir entrance was over, Captain Morgan assembled his men, and commandedthem, under great penalties, not to drink or taste any wine; and thereason he gave for it was, because he had intelligence that it was allpoisoned by the Spaniards. Howbeit, it was thought he gave these prudentorders to prevent the debauchery of his people, which he foresaw wouldbe very great at the first, after so much hunger sustained by the way;fearing, withal, lest the Spaniards, seeing them in wine, should rally, and, falling on the city, use them as inhumanly as they had used theinhabitants before. 

Captain Morgan, as soon as he had placed necessary guards at severalquarters within and without the city, commanded twenty-five men to seizea great boat, which had stuck in the mud of the port, for want of water, at a low tide. The same day about noon, he caused fire privately to beset to several great edifices of the city, nobody knowing who were theauthors thereof, much less on what motives Captain Morgan did it, whichare unknown to this day: the fire increased so, that before night thegreatest part of the city was in a flame. Captain Morgan pretended theSpaniards had done it, perceiving that his own people reflected on himfor that action. Many of the Spaniards, and some of the pirates, didwhat they could, either to quench the flames or by blowing up houseswith gunpowder, and pulling down others to stop it, but in vain: for inless than half an hour it consumed a whole street. All the houses of thecity were built with cedar, very curious and magnificent, and richlyadorned, especially with hangings and paintings, whereof part werebefore removed, but another great part were consumed by fire. 

There were in this city (which is the see of a bishop) eightmonasteries, seven for men, and one for women; two stately churches, andone hospital. The churches and monasteries were all richly adorned withaltar-pieces and paintings, much gold and silver, and other preciousthings, all which the ecclesiastics had hidden. Besides which, here weretwo thousand houses of magnificent building, the greatest part inhabitedby merchants vastly rich. For the rest of less quality, and tradesmen, this city contained five thousand more. Here were also many stables forthe horses and mules that carry the plate of the king of Spain, as wellas private men, towards the North Sea. The neighboring fields were fullof fertile plantations and pleasant gardens, affording deliciousprospects to the inhabitants all the year. 

The Genoese had in this city a stately house for their trade of negroes. This likewise was by Captain Morgan burnt to the very ground. Besideswhich building, there were consumed two hundred warehouses, and manyslaves, who had hid themselves therein, with innumerable sacks of meal;the fire of which continued four weeks after it had begun. The greatestpart of the pirates still encamped without the city, fearing andexpecting the Spaniards would come and fight them anew, it being knownthey much outnumbered the pirates. This made them keep the field, topreserve their forces united, now much diminished by their losses. Theirwounded, which were many, they put into one church, which remainedstanding, the rest being consumed by the fire. Besides these decreasesof his men, Captain Morgan had sent a convoy of one hundred and fiftymen to the castle of Chagre, to carry the news of his victory at Panama. 

They saw often whole troops of Spaniards run to and fro in the fields, which made them suspect their rallying, which they never had the courageto do. In the afternoon Captain Morgan reëntered the city with histroops, that every one might take up their lodgings, which now theycould hardly find, few houses having escaped the fire. Then they soughtvery carefully among the ruins and ashes, for utensils of plate or gold, that were not quite wasted by the flames: and of such they found nosmall number, especially in wells and cisterns, where the Spaniards hadhid them. 

Next day Captain Morgan dispatched away two troops, of one hundred andfifty men each, stout and well armed, to seek for the inhabitants whowere escaped. These having made several excursions up and down thefields, woods, and mountains adjacent, returned after two days, bringingabove two hundred prisoners, men, women, and slaves. The same dayreturned also the boat which Captain Morgan had sent to the South Sea, bringing three other boats which they had taken. But all these prizesthey could willingly have given, and greater labor into the bargain, forone galleon, which miraculously escaped, richly laden with all theking's plate, jewels, and other precious goods of the best and richestmerchants of Panama: on board which were also the religious women of thenunnery, who had embarked with them all the ornaments of their church, consisting in much gold, plate, and other things of great value. 

The strength of this galleon was inconsiderable, having only seven guns, and ten or twelve muskets, and very ill provided with victuals, necessaries, and fresh water, having no more sails than the uppermost ofthe mainmast. This account the pirates received from some one who hadspoken with seven mariners belonging to the galleon, who came ashore inthe cockboat for fresh water. Hence they concluded they might easilyhave taken it, had they given her chase, as they should have done; butthey were impeded from following this vastly rich prize, by theirgluttony and drunkenness, having plentifully debauched themselves withseveral rich wines they found ready, choosing rather to satiate theirappetites than to lay hold on such huge advantage; since this one prizewould have been of far greater value than all they got at Panama, andthe places thereabout. Next day, repenting of their negligence, beingweary of their vices and debaucheries, they set forth another boat, wellarmed, to pursue with all speed the said galleon; but in vain, theSpaniards who were on board having had intelligence of their own dangerone or two days before, while the pirates were cruising so near them;whereupon they fled to places more remote and unknown. 

The pirates found, in the ports of the island of Tavoga and Tavogilla, several boats laden with very good merchandise; all which they took, andbrought to Panama, where they made an exact relation of all that hadpassed to Captain Morgan. The prisoners confirmed what the pirates said, adding, that they undoubtedly knew where the galleon might then be, butthat it was very probable they had been relieved before now from otherplaces. This stirred up Captain Morgan anew, to send forth all the boatsin the port of Panama to seek the said galleon till they could find her. These boats, being in all four, after eight days' cruising to and fro, and searching several ports and creeks, lost all hopes of finding her, whereupon they returned to Tavoga and Tavogilla. Here they found areasonable good ship newly come from Payta, laden with cloth, soap, sugar, and biscuit, with 20, 000 pieces-of-eight. This they instantlyseized, without the least resistance; as also a boat which was not faroff, on which they laded great part of the merchandises from the ship, with some slaves. With this spoil they returned to Panama, somewhatbetter satisfied; yet, withal, much discontented that they could notmeet with the galleon. 

The convoy which Captain Morgan had sent to the castle of Chagrereturned much about the same time, bringing with them very good news;for while Captain Morgan was on his journey to Panama, those he had leftin the castle of Chagre had sent for two boats to cruise. These met witha Spanish ship, which they chased within sight of the castle. This beingperceived by the pirates in the castle, they put forth Spanish colors, to deceive the ship that fled before the boats; and the poor Spaniards, thinking to take refuge under the castle, were caught in a snare, andmade prisoners. The cargo on board the said vessel consisted in victualsand provisions, than which nothing could be more opportune for thecastle, where they began already to want things of this kind. 

This good luck of those of Chagre caused Captain Morgan to stay longerat Panama, ordering several new excursions into the country round about;and while the pirates at Panama were upon these expeditions, those atChagre were busy in piracies on the North Sea. Captain Morgan sentforth, daily, parties of two hundred men, to make inroads into all thecountry round about; and when one party came back, another went forth, who soon gathered much riches, and many prisoners. These being broughtinto the city, were put to the most exquisite tortures, to make themconfess both other people's goods and their own. Here it happened thatone poor wretch was found in the house of a person of quality, who hadput on, amidst the confusion, a pair of taffety breeches of hismaster's, with a little silver key hanging out; perceiving which, theyasked him for the cabinet of the said key. His answer was, he knew notwhat was become of it, but that finding those breeches in his master'shouse, he had made bold to wear them. Not being able to get any otheranswer, they put him on the rack, and inhumanly disjointed his arms;then they twisted a cord about his forehead, which they wrung so hardthat his eyes appeared as big as eggs, and were ready to fall out. Butwith these torments not obtaining any positive answer, they hung him upby the wrists, giving him many blows and stripes under that intolerablepain and posture of body. Afterwards they cut off his nose and ears, andsinged his face with burning straw, till he could not speak, nor lamenthis misery any longer: then, losing all hopes of any confession, theybade a negro to run him through, which put an end to his life, and totheir inhuman tortures. Thus did many others of those miserableprisoners finish their days, the common sport and recreation of thesepirates being such tragedies. 

Captain Morgan having now been at Panama full three weeks, commanded allthings to be prepared for his departure. He ordered every company of mento seek so many beasts of carriage as might convey the spoil to theriver where his canoes lay. About this time there was a great rumor, that a considerable number of pirates intended to leave Captain Morgan;and that, taking a ship then in port, they determined to go and rob onthe South Sea, till they had got as much as they thought fit, and thenreturn homewards, by way of the East Indies. For which purpose they hadgathered much provisions, which they had hid in private places, withsufficient powder, bullets, and all other ammunition: likewise somegreat guns belonging to the town, muskets, and other things, wherewiththey designed not only to equip their vessel, but to fortify themselvesin some island which might serve them for a place of refuge. 

This design had certainly taken effect, had not Captain Morgan hadtimely advice of it from one of their comrades; hereupon he commandedthe mainmast of the said ship to be cut down and burnt, with all theother boats in the port: hereby the intentions of all or most of hiscompanions were totally frustrated. Then Captain Morgan sent many of theSpaniards into the adjoining fields and country to seek for money, toransom not only themselves, but the rest of the prisoners, as likewisethe ecclesiastics. Moreover, he commanded all the artillery of the townto be nailed and stopped up. At the same time he sent out a strongcompany of men to seek for the governor of Panama, of whom intelligencewas brought, that he had laid several ambuscades in the way by which heought to return: but they returned soon after, saying they had not foundany sign of any such ambuscades. For confirmation whereof, they broughtsome prisoners, who declared that the said governor had had an intentionof making some opposition by the way, but that the men designed toeffect it were unwilling to undertake it: so that for want of means hecould not put his design in execution. 

February 24, 1671, Captain Morgan departed from Panama, or rather fromthe place where the city of Panama stood; of the spoils whereof hecarried with him one hundred and seventy-five beasts of carriage, ladenwith silver, gold, and other precious things, beside about six hundredprisoners, men, women, children and slaves. That day they came to ariver that passes through a delicious plain, a league from Panama: hereCaptain Morgan put all his forces into good order, so as that theprisoners were in the middle, surrounded on all sides with pirates, where nothing else was to be heard but lamentations, cries, shrieks, anddoleful sighs of so many women and children, who feared Captain Morgandesigned to transport them all into his own country for slaves. Besides, all those miserable prisoners endured extreme hunger and thirst at thattime, which misery Captain Morgan designedly caused them to sustain, toexcite them to seek for money to ransom themselves, according to the taxhe had set upon every one. Many of the women begged Captain Morgan, ontheir knees, with infinite sighs and tears, to let them return toPanama, there to live with their dear husbands and children in littlehuts of straw, which they would erect, seeing they had no houses tillthe rebuilding of the city. But his answer was, "He came not thither tohear lamentations and cries, but to seek money: therefore they oughtfirst to seek out that, wherever it was to be had, and bring it to him;otherwise he would assuredly transport them all to such places whitherthey cared not to go. "

Next day, when the march began, those lamentable cries and shrieks wererenewed, so as it would have caused compassion in the hardest heart: butCaptain Morgan, as a man little given to mercy, was not moved in theleast. They marched in the same order as before, one party of thepirates in the van, the prisoners in the middle, and the rest of thepirates in the rear; by whom the miserable Spaniards were at every steppunched and thrust in their backs and sides, with the blunt ends oftheir arms, to make them march faster. 

A beautiful lady, wife to one of the richest merchants of Tavoga, wasled prisoner by herself, between two pirates. Her lamentations piercedthe skies, seeing herself carried away into captivity often crying tothe pirates, and telling them, "That she had given orders to tworeligious persons, in whom she had relied, to go to a certain place, andfetch so much money as her ransom did amount to; that they had promisedfaithfully to do it, but having obtained the money, instead of bringingit to her, they had employed it another way, to ransom some of theirown, and particular friends. " This ill action of theirs was discoveredby a slave, who brought a letter to the said lady. Her complaints, andthe cause thereof, being brought to Captain Morgan, he thought fit toinquire thereinto. Having found it to be true--especially hearing itconfirmed by the confession of the said religious men, though under somefrivolous excuses of having diverted the money but for a day or two, inwhich time they expected more sums to repay it--he gave liberty to thesaid lady, whom otherwise he designed to transport to Jamaica. But hedetained the said religious men as prisoners in her place, using themaccording to their desserts. 

Captain Morgan arriving at the town called Cruz, on the banks of theriver Chagre, he published an order among the prisoners, that withinthree days every one should bring in their ransom, under the penalty ofbeing transported to Jamaica. Meanwhile he gave orders for so much riceand maize to be collected thereabouts, as was necessary for victualinghis ships. Here some of the prisoners were ransomed, but many otherscould not bring in their money. Hereupon he continued his voyage, leaving the village on the 5th of March following, carrying with him allthe spoil he could. Hence he likewise led away some new prisoners, inhabitants there, with those in Panama, who had not paid their ransoms. But the two religious men, who had diverted the lady's money, wereransomed three days after by other persons, who had more compassion forthem than they had showed for her. 

About the middle of the way to Chagre, Captain Morgan commanded them tobe mustered, and caused every one to be sworn, that they had concealednothing, even not to the value of sixpence. This done, Captain Morganknowing those lewd fellows would not stick to swear falsely forinterest, he commanded every one to be searched very strictly, both intheir clothes and satchels, and elsewhere. Yea, that this order mightnot be ill taken by his companions, he permitted himself to be searched, even to his very shoes. To this effect, by common consent, one wasassigned out of every company to be searchers of the rest. The Frenchpirates that assisted on this expedition disliked this new practice ofsearching; but, being outnumbered by the English, they were forced tosubmit as well as the rest. The search being over, they reëmbarked, andarrived at the castle of Chagre on the 9th of March. 

FOOTNOTES:

[2] From _The Buccaneers of America_. 

THE MALAY PROAS[3]

JAMES FENIMORE COOPER

We had cleared the Straits of Sunda early in the morning, and had made apretty fair run in the course of the day, though most of the time inthick weather. Just as the sun set, however, the horizon became clear, and we got a sight of two small sail, seemingly heading in toward thecoast of Sumatra, proas by their rig and dimensions. They were sodistant, and were so evidently steering for the land, that no one gavethem much thought, or bestowed on them any particular attention. Proasin that quarter were usually distrusted by ships, it is true; but thesea is full of them, and far more are innocent than are guilty of anyacts of violence. Then it became dark soon after these craft were seen, and night shut them in. An hour after the sun had set, the wind fell toa light air, that just kept steerage-way on the ship. Fortunately, the_John_ was not only fast, but she minded her helm, as a light-footedgirl turns in a lively dance. I never was in a better-steering ship, most especially in moderate weather. 

Mr. Marble had the middle watch that night, and, of course, I was ondeck from midnight until four in the morning. It proved misty most ofthe watch, and for quite an hour we had a light drizzling rain. The shipthe whole time was close-hauled, carrying royals. As everybody seemed tohave made up his mind to a quiet night, one without any reefing orfurling, most of the watch were sleeping about the decks, or whereverthey could get good quarters, and be least in the way. I do not knowwhat kept me awake, for lads of my age are apt to get all the sleep theycan; but I believe I was thinking of Clawbonny, and Grace, and Lucy; forthe latter, excellent girl as she was, often crossed my mind in thosedays of youth and comparative innocence. Awake I was, and walking in theweather-gangway, in a sailor's trot. Mr. Marble, he I do believe wasfairly snoozing on the hen-coops, being, like the sails, as one mightsay, barely "asleep. " At that moment I heard a noise, one familiar toseamen; that of an oar falling in a boat. So completely was my mind benton other and distant scenes, that at first I felt no surprise, as if wewere in a harbor surrounded by craft of various sizes, coming and goingat all hours. But a second thought destroyed this illusion, and I lookedeagerly about me. Directly on our weather-bow, distant, perhaps, acable's length, I saw a small sail, and I could distinguish itsufficiently well to perceive it was a proa. I sang out "Sail ho! andclose aboard!"

Mr. Marble was on his feet in an instant. He afterward told me that whenhe opened his eyes, for he admitted this much to me in confidence, theyfell directly on the stranger. He was too much of a seaman to require asecond look in order to ascertain what was to be done. "Keep the shipaway--keep her broad off!" he called out to the man at the wheel. "Laythe yards square--call all hands, one of you. Captain Robbins, Mr. Kite, bear a hand up; the bloody proas are aboard us!" The last part of thiscall was uttered in a loud voice, with the speaker's head down thecompanion-way. It was heard plainly enough below, but scarcely at all ondeck. 

In the meantime everybody was in motion. It is amazing how soon sailorsare wide awake when there is really anything to do! It appeared to methat all our people mustered on deck in less than a minute, most of themwith nothing on but their shirts and trousers. The ship was nearlybefore the wind by the time I heard the captain's voice; and then Mr. Kite came bustling in among us forward, ordering most of the men to layaft to the braces, remaining himself on the forecastle, and keeping mewith him to let go the sheets. On the forecastle, the strange sail wasno longer visible, being now abaft the beam; but I could hear Mr. Marbleswearing there were two of them, and that they must be the very chaps wehad seen to leeward, and standing in for the land at sunset. I alsoheard the captain calling out to the steward to bring him a powder-horn. Immediately after, orders were given to let fly all our sheets forward, and then I perceived that they were wearing ship. Nothing saved us butthe prompt order of Mr. Marble to keep the ship away, by which means, instead of moving toward the proas, we instantly began to move fromthem. Although they went three feet to our two, this gave us a moment ofbreathing time. 

As our sheets were all flying forward, and remained so for a fewminutes, it gave me leisure to look about. I soon saw both proas, andglad enough was I to perceive that they had not approached materiallynearer. Mr. Kite observed this also, and remarked that our movements hadbeen so prompt as to "take the rascals aback. " He meant they did notexactly know what we were at, and had not kept away with us. 

At this instant, the captain and five or six of the oldest seamen beganto cast loose all our starboard, or weather guns, four in all, andsixes. We had loaded these guns in the Straits of Banca, with grape andcanister, in readiness for just such pirates as were now coming downupon us; and nothing was wanting but the priming and a hot loggerhead. It seems two of the last had been ordered in the fire, when we saw theproas at sunset; and they were now in excellent condition for service, live coals being kept around them all night by command. I saw a clusterof men busy with the second gun from forward, and could distinguish thecaptain pointing to it. 

"There cannot well be any mistake, Mr. Marble?" the captain observed, hesitating whether to fire or not. 

"Mistake, sir? Lord, Captain Robbins, you might cannonade any of theislands astern for a week, and never hurt an honest man. Let 'em haveit, sir; I'll answer for it, you do good. "

This settled the matter. The loggerhead was applied, and one of oursixes spoke out in a smart report. A breathless stillness succeeded. Theproas did not alter their course, but neared us fast. The captainlevelled his night-glass, and I heard him tell Kite, in a low voice, that they were full of men. The word was now passed to clear away allthe guns, and to open the arm-chest, to come at the muskets and pistols. I heard the rattling of the boarding-pikes, too, as they were cut adriftfrom the spanker-boom, and fell upon the decks. All this sounded veryominous, and I began to think we should have a desperate engagementfirst, and then have all our throats cut afterward. 

I expected now to hear the guns discharged in quick succession, but theywere got ready only, not fired. Kite went aft, and returned with threeor four muskets, and as many pikes. He gave the latter to those of thepeople who had nothing to do with the guns. By this time the ship wason a wind, steering a good full, while the two proas were just abeam, and closing fast. The stillness that reigned on both sides was like thatof death. The proas, however, fell a little more astern; the result oftheir own manœuvering, out of all doubt, as they moved through the watermuch faster than the ship, seeming desirous of dropping into our wake, with a design of closing under our stern, and avoiding our broadside. Asthis would never do, and the wind freshened so as to give us four orfive knot way, a most fortunate circumstance for us, the captaindetermined to tack while he had room. The _John_ behaved beautifully, and came round like a top. The proas saw there was no time to lose, andattempted to close before we could fill again; and this they would havedone with ninety-nine ships in a hundred. The captain knew his vessel, however, and did not let her lose her way, making everything draw againas it might be by instinct. The proas tacked, too, and, laying up muchnearer to the wind than we did, appeared as if about to close on ourlee-bow. The question was, now, whether we could pass them or not beforethey got near enough to grapple. If the pirates got on board us, we werehopelessly gone; and everything depended on coolness and judgment. Thecaptain behaved perfectly well in this critical instant, commanding adead silence, and the closest attention to his orders. 

I was too much interested at this moment to feel the concern that Imight otherwise have experienced. On the forecastle, it appeared to usall that we should be boarded in a minute, for one of the proas wasactually within a hundred feet, though losing her advantage a little bygetting under the lee of our sails. Kite had ordered us to musterforward of the rigging, to meet the expected leap with a discharge ofmuskets, and then to present our pikes, when I felt an arm thrown aroundmy body, and was turned inboard, while another person assumed my place. This was Neb, who had thus coolly thrust himself before me, in order tomeet the danger first. I felt vexed, even while touched with thefellow's attachment and self-devotion, but had no time to betray eitherfeeling before the crews of the proas gave a yell, and discharged somefifty or sixty matchlocks at us. The air was full of bullets, but theyall went over our heads. Not a soul on board the _John_ was hurt. On ourside, we gave the gentlemen the four sixes, two at the nearest and twoat the stern-most proa, which was still near a cable's length distant. As often happens, the one seemingly farthest from danger, fared theworst. Our grape and canister had room to scatter, and I can at thisdistant day still hear the shrieks that arose from that craft! They werelike the yells of fiends in anguish. The effect on that proa wasinstantaneous; instead of keeping on after her consort, she wore shortround on her heel, and stood away in our wake, on the other tack, apparently to get out of the range of our fire. 

I doubt if we touched a man in the nearest proa. At any rate, no noiseproceeded from her, and she came up under our bows fast. As every gunwas discharged, and there was not time to load them, all now depended onrepelling the boarders. Part of our people mustered in the waist, whereit was expected the proa would fall alongside, and part on theforecastle. Just as this distribution was made, the pirates cast theirgrapnel. It was admirably thrown, but caught only by a ratlin. I sawthis, and was about to jump into the rigging to try what I could do toclear it, when Neb again went ahead of me, and cut the ratlin with hisknife. This was just as the pirates had abandoned sails and oars, andhad risen to haul up alongside. So sudden was the release, that twentyof them fell over by their own efforts. In this state the ship passedahead, all her canvas being full, leaving the proa motionless in herwake. In passing, however, the two vessels were so near, that those aftin the _John_ distinctly saw the swarthy faces of their enemies. 

We were no sooner clear of the proas than the order was given, "Readyabout!" The helm was put down, and the ship came into the wind in aminute. As we came square with the two proas, all our larboard guns weregiven to them, and this ended the affair. I think the nearest of therascals got it this time, for away she went, after her consort, bothrunning off toward the islands. We made a little show of chasing, but itwas only a feint; for we were too glad to get away from them, to be inearnest. In ten minutes after we tacked the last time, we ceased firing, having thrown some eight or ten round-shot after the proas, and wereclose-hauled again, heading to the southwest. 

FOOTNOTES:

[3] From _Afloat and Ashore_. 

THE WONDERFUL FIGHT OF THE _EXCHANGE_ OF BRISTOL WITH THE PIRATES OFALGIERS[4]

SAMUEL PURCHAS

In the yeere 1621, the first of November, there was one _Iohn Rawlins_, borne in _Rochester_, and dwelling three and twenty yeere in _Plimmoth_, imployed to the Strait of _Gibraltar_, by Master _Richard_, and _StevenTreviles_, Merchants of Plimmoth, and fraighted in a Barke, called the_Nicholas_ of _Plimmoth_, of the burden of forty Tun, which had also inher company another ship of _Plimmoth_, called the _George Benaventure_of seventy Tun burthen, or thereabouts; which by reason of hergreatnesse beyond the other, I will name the _Admirall_; and _IohnRawlins_ Barke shall, if you please, be the _Vice-admirall_. These twoaccording to the time of the yeere, had a faire passage, and by theeighteenth of the same moneth came to a place at the entring of thestraits, named _Trafflegar_: but the next morning, being in the sight of_Gibraltar_, at the very mouth of the straits, the watch descried fivesaile of ships, who as it seemed, used all the means they could to comeneere us, and we as we had cause, used the same means to go as farrefrom them: yet did their _Admirall_ take in both his top sailes, thateither we might not suspect them, or that his owne company might come upthe closer together. At last perceiving us _Christians_, they fell fromdevices to apparent discovery of hostility, and making out against us:we againe suspecting them Pirats, tooke our course to escape from them, and made all the sailes we possibly could for _Tirriff_, or _Gibraltar_:but all we could doe, could not prevent their approach. For suddenly oneof them came right over against us to wind-ward, and so fell upon ourquarter: another came upon our luffe, and so threatened us there, and atlast all five chased us, making great speed to surprise us. 

Their _Admirall_ was called _Callfater_, having upon her mainetop-saile, two top-gallant sailes, one above another. But whereas wethought them all five to be _Turkish_ ships of war, we afterwardsunderstood, that two of them were their prizes, the one a smal ship of_London_, the other of the West-countrey, that came out of the_Quactath_ laden with figges, and other Merchandise, but now subiect tothe fortune of the Sea, and the captivity of Pirats. But to ourbusinesse. Three of these ships got much upon us, and so much that erehalfe the day was spent, the _Admirall_ who was the best sailer, fetchtup the _George Bonaventure_, and made booty of it. The _Vice-Admirall_againe being neerest unto the lesser Barke, whereof _Iohn Rawlins_ wasMaster, shewed him the force of a stronger arme, and by his _Turkish_name, called _Villa-Rise_, commanded him in like sort to strike hissailes, and submit to his mercy, which not to be gaine-saied norprevented, was quickly done: and so _Rawlins_ with his Barke was quicklytaken, although the _Reare-Admirall_ being the worst sayler of thethree, called _Reggiprise_, came not in, till all was done. 

The same day before night, the _Admirall_ either loth to pester himselfewith too much company, or ignorant of the commodity that was to be madeby the sale of _English_ prisoners, or daring not to trust them in hiscompany, for feare of mutinies, and exciting others to rebellion; settwelve persons who were in the _George Bonaventure_ on the land, anddivers other _English_, whom he had taken before, to trie their fortunesin an unknowne Countrey. But _Villa-Rise_, the _Vice-Admirall_ that hadtaken _Iohn Rawlins_, would not so dispence with his men, but commandedhim and five more of his company to be brought aboord his ship, leavingin his Barke three men and his boy, with thirteene _Turkes_ and_Moores_, who were questionlesse sufficient to over-master the other, and direct the Barke to Harbour. Thus they sailed directly for _Algier_;but the night following, followed them with great tempest and fouleweather, which ended not without some effect of a storme: for they lostthe sight of _Rawlins_ Barke, called the _Nicholas_, and in a mannerlost themselves, though they seemed safe a shipboord, by fearefullconiecturing what should become of us: at last, by the two and twentiethof the same moneth, they, or we (chuse you whether) arrived at _Algier_, and came in safety within the Mould, but found not our other Barkethere; nay, though we earnestly inquired after the same, yet heard wenothing to our satisfaction; but much matter was ministred to ourdiscomfort and amazement. For although the Captaine and our over-seers, were loth we should have any conference with our Country-men; yet did weadventure to informe ourselves of the present affaires, both of theTowne, and the shipping: so that finding many _English_ at worke inother ships, they spared not to tell us the danger we were in, and themischiefes we must needs incurre, as being sure if we were not used likeslaves, to be sold as slaves; for there had beene five hundred broughtinto the market for the same purpose, and above a hundred hansome youthscompelled to turne _Turkes_, or made subiect to more viler prostitution, and all _English_: yet like good _Christians_, they bade us be of goodcheere, and comfort ourselves in this, that Gods trials were gentlepurgations, and these crosses were but to cleanse the drosse from thegold, and bring us out of the fire againe more cleare and lovely. Yet Imust needs confesse, that they afforded us reason for this cruelty, asif they determined to be revenged of our last attempt to fire theirships in the Mould, and therefore protested to spare none whom theycould surprise and take alive; but either to sell them for money, ortorment them to serve their owne turnes. Now their customes and usagesin both these was in this manner. 

First, concerning the first. The _Bashaw_ had the over-seeing of allprisoners, who were presented unto him at their first comming into theharbour, and to choose one out of every eight for a present or fee tohimselfe: the rest were rated by the Captaines, and so sent to theMarket to be sold; whereat if either there were repining, or any drawingbacke, then certaine _Moores_ and Officers attended either to beate youforward, or thrust you into the sides with Goades; and this was themanner of the selling of Slaves. 

Secondly, concerning their enforcing them, either to turne _Turke_, orto attend their filthines and impieties, although it would make aChristians heart bleed to heare of the same, yet must the truth not behid, nor the terror left untold. They commonly lay them on their nakedbacks or bellies, beating them so long, till they bleed at the nose andmouth; and if yet they continue constant, then they strike the teeth outof their heads, pinch them by their tongues, and use many other sorts oftortures to convert them; nay, many times they lay them their wholelength in the ground like a grave, and so cover them with boords, threatening to starve them, if they will not turne; and so many even forfeare of torment and death, make their tongues betray their hearts to amost fearefull wickednesse, and so are circumcised with new names, andbrought to confesse a new Religion. Others againe, I must confesse, whonever knew any God, but their own sensuall lusts and pleasures, thoughtthat any religion would serve their turnes, and so for preferment orwealth very voluntarily renounced their faith, and became _Renegadoes_in despight of any counsell which seemed to intercept them: and this wasthe first newes wee encountred with at our comming first to _Algier_. 

The 26. Of the same moneth, _Iohn Rawlins_ his Barke, with his otherthree men and a boy, came safe into the Mould, and so were put alltogether to be carried before the _Bashaw_, but that they tooke theOwners servant, and _Rawlins_ Boy, and by force and torment compelledthem to turne _Turkes_: then were they in all seven _English_, besides_Iohn Rawlins_, of whom the _Bashaw_ tooke one, and sent the rest totheir Captaines, who set a valuation upon them, and so the Souldiershurried us like dogs into the Market, whereas men sell Hacknies in_England_. We were tossed up and downe to see who would give most forus; and although we had heavy hearts, and looked with sad countenances, yet many came to behold us, sometimes taking us by the hand, sometimesturning us round about, sometimes feeling our brawnes and naked armes, and so beholding our prices written on our breasts, they bargained forus accordingly, and at last we were all sold, and the Souldiersreturned with the money to their Captaines. 

_Iohn Rawlins_ was the last who was sold, by reason of his lame hand, and bought by the Captaine that tooke him, even that dog _Villa Rise_, who better informing himselfe of his skill fit to be a Pilot, and hisexperience to bee an over-seer, bought him and his Carpenter at veryeasie rates. For as we afterwards understood by divers _EnglishRenegadoes_, he paid for _Rawlins_ but one hundred and fiftie Dooblets, which make of _English_ money seven pound ten shilling. Thus was he andhis Carpenter with divers other slaves sent into his ship to worke, andimployed about such affaires, as belonged to the well rigging andpreparing the same. But the villanous _Turkes_ perceiving his lame hand, and that he could not performe so much as other Slaves, quicklycomplained to their Patron, who as quickly apprehended theinconvenience; whereupon hee sent for him the next day, and told him hewas unserviceable for his present purpose, and therefore unlesse hecould procure fifteene pound of the _English_ there for his ransome, hewould send him up into the Countrey, where he should never see_Christendome_ againe, and endure the extremity of a miserablebanishment. 

But see how God worketh all for the best for his servants, andconfounded the presumption of Tyrants, frustrating their purposes, tomake his wonders knowne to the sonnes of men, and releeves his people, when they least thinke of succour and releasement. Whilest _IohnRawlins_ was thus terrified with the dogged answere of _Villa Rise_, the_Exchange_ of _Bristow_, [5] a ship formerly surprised by the Pirats, layall unrigged in the Harbour, till at last one _Iohn Goodale_, an_English Turke_, with his confederates, understanding shee was a goodsailer, and might be made a proper Man of Warre, bought her from the_Turkes_ that tooke her, and prepared her for their owne purpose. Nowthe _Captaine_ that set them at worke, was also an _English Renegado_, by the name of _Rammetham Rise_, but by his Christian name _HenrieChandler_, who resolved to make _Goodale_ Master over her; and becausethey were both _English Turkes_, having the command notwithstanding ofmany _Turkes_ and _Moores_, they concluded to have all _English_ slavesto goe in her, and for their Gunners, _English_ and _Dutch Renegadoes_, and so they agreed with the Patrons of nine _English_ and one _French_Slave for their ransoms, who were presently imployed to rig and furnishthe ship for a Man of Warre, and while they were thus busied, two of_Iohn Rawlins_ men, who were taken with him, were also taken up to servein this Man of Warre, their names, _Iames Roe_, and _Iohn Davies_, theone dwelling in _Plimmoth_, and the other in _Foy_, where the Commanderof this ship was also borne, by which occasion they came acquainted, sothat both the Captaine, and the Master promised them good usage, uponthe good service they should performe in the voyage, and withalldemanded of them, if they knew of any _Englishman_ to be bought, thatcould serve as a Pilot, both to direct them out of Harbour, and conductthem in their voyage. For in truth neither was the Captaine a Mariner, nor any _Turke_ in her of sufficiency to dispose of her through theStraites in securitie, nor oppose any enemie, that should hold it outbravely against them. _Davies_ quickly replied, that as farre as heunderstood, _Villa Rise_ would sell _Iohn Rawlins_ his Master, andCommander of the Barke which was taken, a man every way sufficient forSea affaires, being of great resolution and good experience; and for allhe had a lame hand, yet had he a sound heart and noble courage for anyattempt or adventure. 

When the Captaine understood thus much, he imployed _Davies_ to searchfor Rawlins, who at last lighting upon him, asked him if the _Turke_would sell him: _Rawlins_ suddenly answered, that by reason of his lamehand he was willing to part with him; but because he had disbursed moneyfor him, he would gaine something by him, and so prized him at threehundred Dooblets, which amounteth to fifteene pound _English_; which hemust procure, or incurre sorer indurances. When _Davies_ had certifiedthis much, the _Turkes_ a ship-boord conferred about the matter, and theMaster whose Christen name was _Iohn Goodale_ joyned with two _Turkes_, who were consorted with him, and disbursed one hundred Dooblets apiece, and so bought him of _Villa Rise_, sending him into the saidship, called the _Exchange_ of _Bristow_, as well to supervise what hadbeen done, as to order what was left undone, but especially to fit thesailes, and to accommodate the ship, all which _Rawlins_ was verycarefull and dilligent in, not yet thinking of any peculiar plot ofdeliverance, more than a generall desire to be freed from this _Turkish_slaverie, and inhumane abuses. 

By the seventh of Januarie, the ship was prepared with twelve good castPieces, and all manner of munition and provision, which belonged to sucha purpose, and the same day haled out of the Mould of _Algier_, withthis company, and in this manner. 

There were in her sixtie three _Turkes_ and _Moores_, nine _English_slaves, and one _French_, foure _Hollanders_ that were free men, to whomthe _Turkes_ promised one prise or other, and so to returne to Holland;or if they were disposed to goe backe againe for _Algier_, they shouldhave great reward and no enforcement offered, but continue as theywould, both their religion and their customes: and for their Gunnersthey had two of our Souldiers, one _English_ and one _Dutch_ Renegado;and thus much for the companie. For the manner of setting out, it was asusuall as in other ships, but that the _Turkes_ delighted in theostentous braverie of their Streamers, Banners, and Top-sayles; the shipbeing a handsome ship, and well built for any purpose. The Slaves and_English_ were imployed under Hatches about the Ordnance, and otherworkes of order, and accommodating themselves: all which _Iohn Rawlins_marked, as supposing it an intolerable slaverie to take such paines, andbe subiect to such dangers, and still to enrich other men and maintainetheir voluptuous filthinesse and lives, returning _themselves_ asSlaves, and living worse than their Dogs amongst them. Whereupon heeburst out into these, or the like abrupt speeches: "Oh Hellish slaverieto be thus subiect to Dogs! Oh, God strengthen my heart and hand, thatsomething shall be done to ease us of these mischiefs, and deliver usfrom these cruell _Mahumetan_ Dogs. " The other Slaves pittying hisdistraction (as they thought) bad him speake softly, lest they shouldall fare the worse for his distemperature. "The worse (quoth _Rawlins_)what can be worse? I will either attempt my deliverance at one time, oranother, or perish in the enterprise: but if you would be contented tohearken after a release, and joyne with me in the action, I would notdoubt of facilitating the same, and shew you a way to make your creditsthrive by some worke of amazement, and augment your glorie in purchasingyour libertie. " "I prethee be quiet (said they againe) and think not ofimpossibilities: yet if you can but open such a doore of reason andprobabilitie, that we be not condemned for desperate and distractedpersons, in pulling the Sunne as it were out of the Firmament, wee canbut sacrifice our lives, and you may be sure of secrecie andfaithfulnesse. "

The fifteenth of Januarie, the morning water brought us neere _Cape deGatt_, hard by the shoare, we having in our companie a smal _Turkish_ship of Warre, that followed us out of _Algier_ the next day, and nowioyning with us, gave us notice of seven small vessels, sixe of thembeing _Sallees_, and one _Pollack_, who very quickly appeared in sight, and so we made toward them: but having more advantage of the _Pollack_, then the rest, and loth to lose all, we both fetcht her up, and broughther past hope of recoverie, which when she perceived, rather then shewould voluntarily come into the slaverie of these _Mahumetans_, she ranher selfe a shoare, and so all the men forsooke her. We still followedas neere as we durst, and for feare of splitting, let fall our anchors, sending out both our boates, wherein were many Musketeers, and some_English_ and _Dutch_ Renegadoes, who came aboord home at their _Conge_, and found three pieces of Ordnance, and foure Murtherers: but theystraightway threw them all over-boord to lighten the ship, and so theygot her off, being laden with Hides, and Logwood for dying, andpresently sent her to _Algier_, taking nine _Turkes_, and one _English_Slave, out of one ship, and six out of the lesse, which we thoughtsufficient to man her. 

In the rifling of this _Catelaynia_, our _Turkes_ fell at variance onewith another, and in such a manner, that we divided our selves, thelesser ship returned to _Algier_, and our _Exchange_ tooke theopportunitie of the wind, and plyed out of the Streights, whichreioyced _Iohn Rawlins_ very much, as resolving on some Stratageme, whenopportunities should serve. In the meane-while, the _Turkes_ began tomurmurre, and would not willingly goe into the _Marr Granada_, as thephrase is amongst them: notwithstanding the _Moores_ being very_superstitious_, were contented to be directed by their _Hoshea_, whowith us, signifieth a Witch, and is of great account and reputationamongst them, as not going in any great Vessell to Sea without one, andobserving whatsoever he concludeth out of his Divination. The Ceremoniesthey use are many, and when they come into the Ocean, every second orthird night they make their Conjuration; it beginneth and endeth withPrayer, using many Characters, and calling upon God by divers names: yetat this time, all that they did consisted in these particulars. 

Upon the sight of two great ships, and as wee were afraid of theirchasing us, they beeing supposed to bee _Spanish_ men of Warre, a greatsilence is commanded in the ship, and when all is done, the companygiveth as great a skreech; the Captaine comming to _John Rawlins_, andsometimes making him take in all his sayles, and sometimes causing himto hoyst them all out, as the Witch findeth by his Booke, and presages;then have they two Arrowes, and a Curtleaxe, lying upon a Pillow naked;the Arrowes are one for the Turkes, and the other for the Christians;then the Witch readeth, and the Captaine or some other taketh theArrowes in their hand by the heads, and if the Arrow for the Christianscommeth over the head of the Arrow for the _Turkes_, then doe theyadvance their sayles, and will not endure the fight, whatsoever theysee: but if the Arrow of the _Turkes_ is found in the opening of thehand upon the Arrow of the Christians, then will they stay and encounterwith any shippe whatsoever. The Curtleaxe is taken up by some Childe, that is innocent, or rather ignorant of the Ceremonie, and so layd downeagaine; then doe they observe, whether the same side is uppermost, whichlay before, and so proceed accordingly. 

They also observe Lunatickes and Changelings, and the Coniurer writethdowne their Sayings in a Booke, groveling on the ground, as if hewhispered to the Devil to tell him the truth, and so expoundeth theLetter, as it were by inspiration. Many other foolish Rites they have, whereupon they doe dote as foolishly. 

Whilest he was busied, and made demonstration that all was finished, thepeople in the ship gave a great shout, and cryed out, "a sayle, asayle, " which at last was discovered to bee another man of Warre of_Turkes_. For he made toward us, and sent his Boat aboord us, to whomour Captain complained, that being becalmed by the Southerne Cape, andhaving made no Voyage, the _Turkes_ denyed to goe any further Northward:but the Captaine resolved not to returne to _Algier_, except he couldobtayne some Prize worthy his endurances, but rather to goe to _Salle_, and tell his Christians to victuall his ship; which the other Captaineapprehended for his honour, and so perswaded the _Turkes_ to be obedientunto him; whereupon followed a pacification amongst us, and so that_Turke_ tooke his course for the Streights, and wee put up Northward, expecting the good houre of some beneficiall bootie. 

All this while our slavery continued, and the _Turkes_ with insultingtyrannie set us still on worke in all base and servile actions, addingstripes and inhumane revilings, even in our greatest labour, whereupon_Iohn Rawlins_ resolved to obtane his libertie, and surprize the ship;providing Ropes with broad spikes of Iron, and all the Iron Crowes, withwhich hee knew a way, upon consent of the rest, to ramme up or tye fasttheir Scuttels, Gratings, and Cabbins, yea, to shut up the Captainehimselfe with all his consorts, and so to handle the matter, that uponthe watch-word given, the _English_ being Masters of the Gunner roome, Ordnance, and Powder, they would eyther blow them into the Ayre, or killthem as they adventured to come downe one by one, if they should by anychance open their Cabbins. But because hee would proceed the better inhis enterprise, as he had somewhat abruptly discovered himselfe to thenine _English_ slaves, so he kept the same distance with the foure_Hollanders_, that were free men, till finding them comming somewhattoward them, he acquainted them with the whole Conspiracie, and theyaffecting the Plot, offered the adventure of their lives in thebusinesse. Then very warily he undermined the _English_ Renegado, whichwas the Gunner, and three more his Associats, who at first seemed toretract. Last of all were brought in the _Dutch_ Renegadoes, who werealso in the Gunner roome, for alwayes there lay twelve there, fiveChristians, and seven _English_, and _Dutch Turkes_: so that whenanother motion had settled their resolutions, and _Iohn Rawlins_ hisconstancie had put new life as it were in the matter, the foure_Hollanders_ very honestly, according to their promise, sounded the_Dutch_ Renegadoes, who with easie perswasion gave their consent to sobrave an Enterprize; whereupon _Iohn Rawlins_, not caring whether the_English_ Gunners would yeeld or no, resolved in the Captaines morningwatch, to make the attempt. But you must understand that where the_English_ slaves lay, there hung up alwayes foure or five Crowes ofIron, being still under the carriages of the Peeces, and when the timeapproached being very darke, because _Iohn Rawlins_ would have his Crowof Iron ready as other things were, and other men prepared in theirseverall places, in taking it out of the carriage, by chance, it hit onthe side of the Peece, making such a noyse, that the Souldiers hearingit awaked the _Turkes_, and bade them come downe: whereupon the Botesaneof the _Turkes_ descended with a Candle, and presently searched all theslaves places, making much adoe of the matter, but finding neytherHatchet nor Hammer, nor any thing else to move suspicion of theEnterprize, more then the Crow of Iron, which lay slipped downe underthe carriages of the Peeces, they went quietly up againe, and certifiedthe Captaine what had chanced, who satisfied himselfe, that it was acommon thing to have a Crow of Iron slip from its place. But by thisoccasion wee made stay of our attempt, yet were resolved to take anotheror a better oportunitie. 

For we sayled still more North-ward, and _Rawlins_ had more time totamper with his Gunners, and the rest of the _English_ Renegadoes, whovery willingly, when they considered the matter, and perpended thereasons, gave way unto the Proiect, and with a kind of joy seemed toentertayne the motives: only they made a stop at the first on-set, whoshould begin the enterprize, which was no way fit for them to doe, because they were no slaves, but Renegadoes, and so had alwaysbeneficiall entertaynment amongst them. But when it is once put inpractice, they would be sure not to faile them, but venture their livesfor God and their Countrey. But once againe he is disappointed, and asuspitious accident brought him to recollect his spirits anew, andstudie on the danger of the enterprize, and thus it was. After theRenegado Gunner, had protested secrecie by all that might induce a manto bestow some beliefe upon him, he presently went up the Scottle, butstayed not aloft a quarter of an houre; nay he came sooner down, & inthe Gunner roome sate by _Rawlins_, who tarryed for him where he lefthim: he was no sooner placed, and entred into some conference, but thereentred into the place a furious _Turke_, with his Knife drawne, andpresented it to _Rawlins_ his body, who verily supposed, he intended tokill him, as suspitious that the Gunner had discovered something, whereat _Rawlins_ was much moved, and hastily asked what the mattermeant, and whether he would kill him, observing his companion'scountenance to change colour, whereby his suspitious heart, condemnedhim for a Traytor: but at more leisure he sware the contrary, andafterward proved faithfull and industrious in the enterprize. For thepresent, he answered _Rawlins_ in this manner, "no Master, be notafraid, I thinke hee doth but _iest_. " With that _John Rawlins_ gavebacke a little and drew out his Knife, stepping also to the Gunnerssheath and taking out his, whereby he had two Knives to one, which whenthe _Turke_ perceived, he threw downe his Knife, saying, hee did butiest with him. But when the Gunner perceived, _Rawlins_ tooke it so ill, hee whispered something in his eare, that at last satisfied him, callingHeaven to witnesse, that he never spake word of the Enterprize, nor everwould, either to the preiudice of the businesse, or danger of hisperson. Notwithstanding, _Rawlins_ kept the Knives in his sleeve allnight, and was somewhat troubled, for that hee had made so manyacquainted with an action of such importance; but the next day, when heeperceived the Coast cleere, and that there was no cause of furtherfeare, hee somewhat comforted himselfe. 

All this while, _Rawlins_ drew the Captaine to lye for the NortherneCape, assuring him, that thereby he should not misse a prize, whichaccordingly fell out, as a wish would have it: but his drift was intruth to draw him from any supply, or help of _Turkes_, if God shouldgive way to their Enterprize, or successe to the victorie: yet for thepresent the sixth of February, being twelve leagues from the Cape, weedescryed a sayle, and presently took the advantage of the wind inchasing her, and at last fetched her up, making her strike all hersayles, whereby wee knew her to be a Barke belonging to _Tor Bay_, neere_Dartmouth_, that came from _Auerure_ laden with Salt. Ere we had fullydispatched, it chanced to be foule weather, so that we could not, or atleast _would not_ make out our Boat, but caused the Master of the Barketo let downe his, and come aboord with his Company, being in the Barkebut nine men, and one Boy; and so the Master leaving his Mate with twomen in the ship, came himselfe with five men, and the boy unto us, whereupon our _Turkish_ Captain sent ten _Turkes_ to man her, amongstwhom were two _Dutch_, and one English Renegado, who were of ourconfederacie, and acquainted with the businesse. 

But when _Rawlins_ saw this partition of his friends; before they couldhoyst out their Boat for the Barke, he made meanes to speake with them, and told them plainly, that he would prosecute the matter eyther thatnight, or the next and therefore whatsoever came of it they shouldacquaint the _English_ with his resolution, and make toward _England_, bearing up the helme, whiles the _Turkes_ slept, and suspected no suchmatter: for by Gods grace in his first watch about mid-night, he wouldshew them a light, by which they might understand, that the Enterprizewas begunne, or at least in a good forwardnesse for the execution: andso the Boat was let downe, and they came to the Barke of _Tor Bay_, where the Masters Mate beeing left (as before you have heard)apprehended quickly the matter, and heard the Discourse with amazement. But time was precious, and not to be spent in disputing, or casting ofdoubts, whether the _Turkes_ that were with them were able to masterthem, or no, beeing seven to sixe, considering they had the helme of theship, and the _Turkes_ being Souldiers, and ignorant of Sea Affaires, could not discover, whether they went to _Algier_ or no; or if they did, they resolved by _Rawlins_ example to cut their throats, or cast themover-boord: and so I leave them to make use of the Renegadoesinstructions, and returne to _Rawlins_ againe. 

The Master of the Barke of _Tor Bay_, and his Company were quicklysearched, and as quickly pillaged, and dismissed to the libertie of theshippe, whereby _Rawlins_ had leisure to entertayne him with thelamentable newes of their extremities, and in a word, of everyparticular which was befitting to the purpose: yea, he told him, thatthat night he should lose the sight of them, for they would make thehelme for _England_ and hee would that night and evermore pray for theirgood successe, and safe deliverance. 

When the Master of the Barke of _Tor Bay_ had heard him out, and thathis company were partakers of his Storie, they became all silent, noteyther diffident of his Discourse, or afraid of the attempt, butresolved to assist him. Yet to shew himselfe an understanding man, heedemanded of _Rawlins_, what weapons he had, and in what manner he wouldexecute the businesse: to which he answered, that he had Ropes, and IronHookes to make fast the Scottels, Gratings, and Cabbines, he had also inthe Gunner roome two Curtleaxes, and the slaves had five Crowes of Ironbefore them: Besides, in the scuffling they made no question of some ofthe Souldiers weapons. Then for the manner, hee told them, they weresure of the Ordnance, the Gunner roome, and the Powder, and so blockingthem up, would eyther kill them as they came downe, or turne theOrdnance against their Cabbins, or blow them into the Ayre by oneStrategeme or other; and thus were they contented on all sides, andresolved to the Enterprize. 

The next morning, being the seventh of February, the Prize of _Tor Bay_was not to bee seene or found, whereat the Captaine began to storme andsweare, commanding _Rawlins_ to search the Seas up and downe for her, who bestowed all that day in the businesse, but to little purpose:whereupon when the humour was spent, the Captaine pacified himselfe, asconceiting he should sure find her at _Algier_: but by the permission ofthe Ruler of all actions, that _Algier_ was England, and all hiswickednesse frustrated: for _Rawlins_ beeing now startled, lest heeshould returne in this humour for the Streights, on the eight ofFebruary went downe into the hold, and finding a great deale of waterbelow, told the Captaine of the same, adding, that it did not come tothe Pumpe, which he said very politickly, that he might remove theOrdnance. For when the Captaine askt him the reason, he told him theship was too farre after the head: then hee commanded to use the bestmeanes he could to bring her in order: "sure then, " quoth _Rawlins_, "wee must quit our Cables, and bring foure Peeces of Ordnance after, andthat would bring the water to the Pumpe;" which was presently put inpractice, so the Peeces beeing usually made fast thwart the ship, webrought two of them with their mouthes right before the Binnacle, andbecause the Renegadoe _Flemmings_ would not begin, it was thusconcluded: that the ship having three Deckes, wee that did belong to theGunner roome should bee all there, and breake up the lower Decke. The_English_ slaves, who always lay in the middle Decks, should doe thelike, and watch the Scuttels: _Rawlins_ himselfe prevayled with theGunner, for so much Powder, as should prime the Peeces, and so told themall there was no better watch-word, nor meanes to begin, then upon thereport of the Peece to make a cry and shout, for God, and King _Iames_, and Saint _George_ for _England_!

When all things were prepared, and every man resolved, as knowing whathee had to doe, and the houre when it should happen, to be two in theafternoone, _Rawlins_ advised the Master Gunner to speake to theCaptaine, that the Souldiers might attend on the Poope, which wouldbring the ship after: to which the Captaine was very willing, and uponthe Gunners information, the Souldiers gat themselves to the Poope, tothe number of twentie, and five or sixe went into the Captaines Cabbin, where always lay divers Curtleaxes, and some Targets, and so wee fell toworke to pumpe the water, and carryed the matter fairely till the nextday, which was spent as the former, being the ninth of February, and asGod must have the prayse, the triumph of our victorie. 

For by that time all things were prepared, and the Souldiers got uponthe Poope as the day before: to avoid suspition, all that did belong tothe Gunner-roome went downe, and the slaves in the middle decke attendedtheir business, so that we could cast up our account in this manner. First, nine _English_ slaves, besides _Iohn Rawlins_: five of the _TorBay_ men, and one boy, foure _English_ Renegadoes, and two _French_, foure _Hollanders_: in all four and twenty and a boy: so that lifting upour hearts and hands to God for the successe of the businesse, we werewonderfully incouraged; and setled our selves, till the report of thepeece gave us warning of the enterprise. Now, you must consider, that inthis company were two of _Rawlins_ men, _Iames Roe_, and _Iohn Davies_, whom he brought out of _England_, and whom the fortune of the Seabrought into the same predicament with their Master. These were imployedabout noone (being as I said, the ninth of February) to prepare theirmatches, while all the _Turkes_ or at least most of them stood on thePoope, to weigh down the ship as it were, to bring the water forward tothe Pumpe: the one brought his match lighted betweene two spoons, theother brought his in a little peece of a Can: and so in the name of God, the _Turkes_ and _Moores_ being placed as you have heard, and five andforty in number, and _Rawlins_ having proined the Tuch-holes, _IamesRoe_ gave fire to one of the peeces, about two of the clocke in theafternoone, and the confederates upon the warning, shouted mostcheerefully: the report of the peece did teare and breake down all theBinnacle, and compasses, and the noise of the slaves made all theSouldiers amased at the matter, till seeing the quarter of the shiprent, and feeling the whole body to shake under them: understanding theship was surprised, and the attempt tended to their utter destruction, never Beare robbed of her whelpes was so fell and mad: For they notonely cald us dogs, and cried out, _Usance de Lamair_, which is as muchto say, the Fortune of the wars: but attempted to teare up the planckes, setting a worke hammers, hatchets, knives, the oares of the Boate, theBoat-hooke, their curtleaxes, and what else came to hand, besides stonesand brickes in the Cooke-roome, all which they threw amongst us, attempting still and still to breake and rip up the hatches, and boordsof the steering, not desisting from their former execrations, andhorrible blasphemies and revilings. 

When _Iohn Rawlins_ perceived them so violent, and understood how theslaves had cleared the deckes of all the _Turkes_ and _Moores_ beneath, he set a guard upon the Powder, and charged their owne Muskets againstthem, killing them from divers scout-holes, both before and behind, andso lessened their number, to the ioy of all our hearts, whereupon theycried out, and called for the Pilot, and so _Rawlins_, with some toguard him, went to them, and understood them by their kneeling, thatthey cried for mercy, and to have their lives saved, and they would comedowne, which he bade them doe, and so they were taken one by one, andbound, yea killed with their owne Curtleaxes; which when the restperceived, they called us _English_ dogs, and reviled us with manyopprobrious termes, some leaping over-boord, crying, it was the chanceof war; some were manacled, and so throwne over-boord, and some wereslaine and mangled with the Curtleaxes, till the ship was well cleared, and our selves assured of the victory. 

At the first report of our Peece, and hurliburly in the decks, theCaptaine was a writing in his Cabbin, and hearing the noyse, thought itsome strange accident, and so came out with his Curtleaxe in his hand, presuming by his authority to pacifie the mischiefe: But when hee casthis eyes upon us, and saw that we were like to surprise the ship, hethrew downe his Curtleaxe, and begged us to save his life, intimatingunto _Rawlins_, how he had redeemed him from _Villa-Rise_, and eversince admitted him to place of command in the ship, besides honest usagein the whole course of the Voyage. All which _Rawlins_ confessed, and atlast condescended to mercy, and brought the Captaine and five more into_England_. The Captain was called _Ramtham-Rise_, but his Christen name, _Henry Chandler_, and as they say, was a Chandler's sonne in Southwarke. _Iohn Goodale_, was also an _English Turke_. _Richard Clarke_, in_Turkish_, _Iafar_; _George Cooke_, _Ramdam_; _Iohn Browne_, _Mamme_;_William Winter_, _Mustapha_; besides all the slaves and _Hollanders_, with other Renegadoes, who were willing to be reconciled to their trueSaviour, as being formerly seduced with the hopes of riches, honour, preferment, and such like devillish baits, to catch the soules ofmortall men, and entangle frailty in the fetters of horrible abuses, andimposturing deceit. 

When all was done, and the ship cleared of the dead bodies, _IohnRawlins_ assembled his men together, and with one consent gave thepraise unto God, using the accustomed service on ship-boord, and forwant of bookes lifted up their voyces to God, as he put into theirhearts, or renewed their memories: then did they sing a Psalme, and lastof all, embraced one another for playing the men in such a Deliverance, whereby our feare was turned into joy, and trembling heartsexhillirated, that we had escaped such inevitable dangers, andespecially the slavery and terror of bondage, worse than death it selfe. The same night we washed our ship, put every thing in as good order aswe could, repaired the broken quarter, set up the Binnacle, and bore upthe Helme for _England_, where by Gods grace and good guiding, wearrived at _Plimmoth_, the thirteenth of February, and were welcommedlike the recovery of the lost sheepe, or as you read of a loving mother, that runneth with embraces to entertaine her sonne from a long Voyageand escape of many dangers. 

Not long after we understood of our confederats, that returned home inthe Barke of _Torbay_, that they arrived in _Pensance_ in _Corne-wall_the eleventh of February: and if any aske after their deliverance, considering there were ten _Turkes_ sent to man her, I will tell youthat too: the next day after they lost us, as you have heard and thatthe three Renegadoes had acquainted the Masters Mate, and the two_English_ in her with _Rawlins_ determination, and that they themselveswould be true to them, and assist them in any enterprise: then if theworst came, there were but seven to sixe: but as it fell out, they had amore easie passage, then turmoile, or man-slaughter. For they made the_Turkes_ beleeve, the wind was come faire, and that they were sayling to_Algier_, till they came within sight of _England_, which one of themamongst the rest discovered, saying plainely, that that land was notlike _Cape Vincent_; "yes faith, " said he, that was at the Helme, "andyou will be contented, and goe downe into the hold, and trim the saltover to wind-ward, whereby the ship may beare full saile, you shall knowand see more to morrow": Whereupon five of them went downe very orderly, the Renegadoes faining themselves asleep, who presently start up, andwith the helpe of the two _English_, nailed downe the hatches, whereatthe principall amongst them much repined, and began to grow into chollerand rage, had it not quickly beene suppressed. For one of them steppedto him, and dasht out his braines, and threw him over-boord: the restwere brought to _Excester_, and either to be arraigned, according to thepunishment of delinquents in such a kind, or disposed of, as the Kingand Counsell shall thinke meet and this is the story of thisdeliverance, and end of _Iohn Rawlins_ Voyage. The Actors in this ComickTragedie are most of them alive; The _Turkes_ are in prison; the ship isto be seene, and _Rawlins_ himselfe dare justifie the matter. 

FOOTNOTES:

[4] From _Purchas, His Pilgrims_. 

[5] Bristol. 

THE DAUGHTER OF THE GREAT MOGUL[6]

DANIEL DEFOE

In this time I pursued my voyage, coasted the whole Malabar shore, andmet with no purchase but a great Portugal East India ship, which Ichased into Goa, where she got out of my reach. I took several smallvessels and barks, but little of value in them, till I entered the greatBay of Bengal, when I began to look about me with more expectation ofsuccess, though without prospect of what happened. 

I cruised here about two months, finding nothing worth while; so I stoodaway to a port on the north point of the isle of Sumatra, where I madeno stay; for here I got news that two large ships belonging to the GreatMogul were expected to cross the bay from Hoogly, in the Ganges, to thecountry of the King of Pegu, being to carry the granddaughter of theGreat Mogul to Pegu, who was to be married to the king of that country, with all her retinue, jewels, and wealth. 

This was a booty worth watching for, though it had been some monthslonger; so I resolved that we would go and cruise off Point Negaris, onthe east side of the bay, near Diamond Isle; and here we plied off andon for three weeks, and began to despair of success; but the knowledgeof the booty we expected spurred us on, and we waited with greatpatience, for we knew the prize would be immensely rich. 

At length we spied three ships coming right up to us with the wind. Wecould easily see they were not Europeans by their sails, and began toprepare ourselves for a prize, not for a fight; but were a littledisappointed when we found the first ship full of guns and full ofsoldiers, and in condition, had she been managed by English sailors, tohave fought two such ships as ours were. However, we resolved to attackher if she had been full of devils as she was full of men. 

Accordingly, when we came near them, we fired a gun with shot as achallenge. They fired again immediately three or four guns, but firedthem so confusedly that we could easily see they did not understandtheir business; when we considered how to lay them on board, and so tocome thwart them, if we could; but falling, for want of wind, open tothem, we gave them a fair broadside. We could easily see, by theconfusion that was on board, that they were frightened out of theirwits; they fired here a gun and there a gun, and some on that side thatwas from us, as well as those that were next to us. The next thing wedid was to lay them on board, which we did presently, and then gavethem a volley of our small shot, which, as they stood so thick, killed agreat many of them, and made all the rest run down under their hatches, crying out like creatures bewitched. In a word, we presently took theship, and having secured her men, we chased the other two. One waschiefly filled with women, and the other with lumber. Upon the whole, asthe granddaughter of the Great Mogul was our prize in the first ship, soin the second was her women, or, in a word, her household, her eunuchs, all the necessaries of her wardrobe, of her stables, and of her kitchen;and in the last, great quantities of household stuff, and things lesscostly, though not less useful. 

But the first was the main prize. When my men had entered and masteredthe ship, one of our lieutenants called for me, and accordingly I jumpedon board. He told me he thought nobody but I ought to go into the greatcabin, or, at least, nobody should go there before me; for that the ladyherself and all her attendance was there, and he feared the men were soheated they would murder them all, or do worse. 

I immediately went to the great cabin door, taking the lieutenant thatcalled me along with me, and caused the cabin door to be opened. Butsuch a sight of glory and misery was never seen by buccaneer before. Thequeen (for such she was to have been) was all in gold and silver, butfrightened and crying, and, at the sight of me, she appeared trembling, and just as if she was going to die. She sat on the side of a kind of abed like a couch, with no canopy over it, or any covering; only made tolie down upon. She was, in a manner, covered with diamonds, and I, likea true pirate, soon let her see that I had more mind to the jewels thanto the lady. 

However, before I touched her, I ordered the lieutenant to place a guardat the cabin door, and fastening the door, shut us both in, which hedid. The lady was young, and, I suppose, in their country esteem, veryhandsome, but she was not very much so in my thoughts. At first, herfright, and the danger she thought she was in of being killed, taughther to do everything that she thought might interpose between her anddanger, and that was to take off her jewels as fast as she could, andgive them to me; and I, without any great compliment, took them as fastas she gave them me, and put them into my pocket, taking no great noticeof them or of her, which frighted her worse than all the rest, and shesaid something which I could not understand. However, two of the otherladies came, all crying, and kneeled down to me with their hands liftedup. What they meant, I knew not at first; but by their gestures andpointings I found at last it was to beg the young queen's life, and thatI would not kill her. 

When the three ladies kneeled down to me, and as soon as I understoodwhat it was for, I let them know I would not hurt the queen, nor letany one else hurt her, but that she must give me all her jewels andmoney. Upon this they acquainted her that I would save her life; and nosooner had they assured her of that but she got up smiling, and went toa fine Indian cabinet, and opened a private drawer, from whence she tookanother little thing full of little square drawers and holes. This shebrings to me in her hand, and offered to kneel down to give it me. Thisinnocent usage began to rouse some good-nature in me (though I never hadmuch), and I would not let her kneel; but sitting down myself on theside of her couch or bed, made a motion to her to sit down too. But hereshe was frightened again, it seems, at what I had no thought of. But asI did not offer anything of that kind, only made her sit down by me, they began all to be easier after some time, and she gave me the littlebox or casket, I know not what to call it, but it was full of invaluablejewels. I have them still in my keeping, and wish they were safe inEngland; for I doubt not but some of them are fit to be placed on theking's crown. 

Being master of this treasure, I was very willing to be good-humored tothe persons; so I went out of the cabin, and caused the women to be leftalone, causing the guard to be kept still, that they might receive nomore injury than I would do them myself. 

After I had been out of the cabin some time, a slave of the women's cameto me, and made sign to me that the queen would speak with me again. Imade signs back that I would come and dine with her majesty; andaccordingly I ordered that her servants should prepare her dinner, andcarry it in, and then call me. They provided her repast after the usualmanner, and when she saw it brought in she appeared pleased, and morewhen she saw me come in after it; for she was exceedingly pleased that Ihad caused a guard to keep the rest of my men from her; and she had, itseems, been told how rude they had been to some of the women thatbelonged to her. 

When I came in, she rose up, and paid me such respect as I did not wellknow how to receive, and not in the least how to return. If she hadunderstood English, I could have said plainly, and in good rough words, "Madam, be easy; we are rude, rough-hewn fellows, but none of our menshould hurt you, or touch you; I will be your guard and protection; weare for money indeed, and we shall take what you have, but we will doyou no other harm. " But as I could not talk thus to her, I scarce knewwhat to say; but I sat down, and made signs to have her sit down andeat, which she did, but with so much ceremony that I did not know wellwhat to do with it. 

After we had eaten, she rose up again, and drinking some water out of achina cup, sat her down on the side of the couch as before. When she sawI had done eating, she went then to another cabinet, and pulling out adrawer, she brought it to me; it was full of small pieces of gold coinof Pegu, about as big as an English half-guinea, and I think there werethree thousand of them. She opened several other drawers, and showed methe wealth that was in them, and then gave me the key of the whole. 

We had revelled thus all day, and part of the next day, in a bottomlesssea of riches, when my lieutenant began to tell me, we must considerwhat to do with our prisoners and the ships, for that there was nosubsisting in that manner. Upon this we called a short council, andconcluded to carry the great ship away with us, but to put all theprisoners--queen, ladies, and all the rest--into the lesser vessels, andlet them go; and so far was I from ravishing this lady, as I hear isreported of me, that though I might rifle her of everything else, yet, Iassure you, I let her go untouched for me, or, as I am satisfied, forany one of my men; nay, when we dismissed them, we gave her leave totake a great many things of value with her, which she would have beenplundered of if I had not been so careful of her. 

We had now wealth enough not only to make us rich, but almost to havemade a nation rich; and to tell you the truth, considering the costlythings we took here, which we did not know the value of, and besidesgold and silver and jewels, --I say, we never knew how rich we were;besides which we had a great quantity of bales of goods, as wellcalicoes as wrought silks, which, being for sale, were perhaps as acargo of goods to answer the bills which might be drawn upon them forthe account of the bride's portion; all which fell into our hands, witha great sum in silver coin, too big to talk of among Englishmen, especially while I am living, for reasons which I may give youhereafter. 

FOOTNOTES:

[6] From _The King of the Pirates_. 

BARBAROSSA--KING OF THE CORSAIRS[7]

E. HAMILTON CURREY, R. N. 

At the coming of spring Barbarossa was at sea again with thirty-twoships ready for any eventuality, his crews aflame with ardor for revengeagainst those by whom they had been so roughly handled. He chose for thescene of operations a place on the coast of Majorca some fifteen milesfrom Palma; from here he commanded the route of the Spaniards from theircountry to the African coast, and it was against this nation that hefelt a great bitterness owing to recent events. Eagerly did the corsairand his men watch for the Spanish ships, the heavier vessels lying atanchor, but the light, swift galleys ranging and questing afar so thatnone might be missed. Very soon the vigilance of the Moslems wasrewarded by the capture of a number of vessels, sent by Bernard deMendoza laden with Turkish and Moorish slaves, destined to be utilizedas rowers in the Spanish galleys. These men were hailed as a welcomereinforcement, and joyfully joined the forces of Kheyr-ed-Din when hemoved on Minorca, captured the castle by a surprise assault, raided thesurrounding country, and captured five thousand seven hundredChristians, amongst whom were eight hundred men who had been wounded inthe attack on Tunis--all these unfortunates were sent to refill thebagnio of Algiers. 

This private war of revenge was, however, destined soon to come to anend, as Soliman the Magnificent in this year became involved in disputeswith the Venetian Republic, and recalled "that veritable man of thesea, " as Barbarossa had been described by Ibrahim, to Constantinople. 

In this city by the sea there had taken place a tragedy which, althoughit only involved the death of a single man, was neverthelessfar-reaching in its consequences; for the man was none other than thatgreat statesman Ibrahim, Grand Vizier, and the only trusted counsellorof the Padishah. He who had been originally a slave had risen step bystep in the favor of his master until he arrived at the giddy eminencewhich he occupied at the time of his death. It is a somewhat curiouscommentary on the essentially democratic status of an autocracy that aman could thus rise to a position second only to that of the autocrathimself; and, in all probability, wielding quite as much power. 

Ibrahim had for years been treated by Soliman more as a brother than asa dependent, which, in spite of his Grand Viziership, he was in fact. They lived in the very closest communion, taking their meals together, and even sleeping in the same room, Soliman, a man of high intelligencehimself, and a ruler who kept in touch with all the happenings whicharose in his immense dominions, desiring always to have at hand the manwhom he loved; from whom, with his amazing grip of political problemsand endless fertility of resource, he was certain of sympathy and soundadvice. But in an oriental despotism there are other forces at workbesides those of _la haute politique_, and Ibrahim had one deadly enemywho was sworn to compass his destruction. The Sultana Roxalana was thelight of the harem of the Grand Turk. This supremely beautiful woman, originally a Russian slave, was the object of the most passionatedevotion on the part of Soliman; but she was as ambitious as she waslovely, and brooked no rival in the affections of Soliman, be thatperson man, woman, or child. In her hands the master of millions, thedespot whose nod was death, became a submissive slave; the undisciplinedpassions of this headstrong woman swept aside from her path all thosewhom she suspected of sharing her influence, in no matter how remote afashion. At her dictation had Soliman caused to be murdered his sonMustafa, a youth of the brightest promise, because, in his intelligenceand his winning ways he threatened to eclipse Selim, the son of Roxalanaherself. 

This woman possessed a strong natural intelligence, albeit she wastotally uneducated; she saw and knew that Ibrahim was all-powerful withher lover, and this roused her jealousy to fever-heat. She was notpossessed of a cool judgment, which would have told her that Ibrahim wasa statesman dealing with the external affairs of the Sublime Porte, andthat with her and with her affairs he neither desired, nor had he thepower, to interfere. What, however, the Sultana did know was that inthese same affairs of State her opinion was dust in the balance whenweighed against that of the Grand Vizier. 

Soliman had that true attribute of supreme greatness, the unerringaptitude for the choice of the right man. He had picked out Ibrahim fromamong his immense entourage, and never once had he regretted his choice. As time went on and the intellect and power of the man became more andmore revealed to his master, that sovereign left in his hands even suchmatters as despots are apt to guard most jealously. We have seen how, inspite of the murmurings of the whole of his capital, and the almostinsubordinate attitude of his navy, he had persevered in the appointmentof Kheyr-ed-Din Barbarossa, because the judgment of Ibrahim was in favorof its being carried out. This, to Roxalana, was gall and wormwood; wellshe knew that, as long as the Grand Vizier lived, her sovereignty was atbest but a divided one. There was a point at which her blandishmentsstopped short; this was when she found that her opinion did not coincidewith that of the minister. She was, as we have seen in the instance ofher son, not a woman to stick at trifles, and she decided that Ibrahimmust die. 

There could be no hole-and-corner business about this; he must die, andwhen his murder had been accomplished she would boldly avow to her loverwhat she had done and take the consequences, believing in her power overhim to come scatheless out of the adventure. In those days, when humanlife was so cheap, she might have asked for the death of almost any one, and her whim would have been gratified by a lover who had not hesitatedto put to death his own son at her dictation. But with Ibrahim it wasanother matter; he was the familiar of the Sultan, his _alter ego_ infact. It says much for the nerve of the Sultana that she dared sogreatly on this memorable and lamentable occasion. 

On March 5th, 1536, Ibrahim went to the royal seraglio, and, followinghis ancient custom, was admitted to the table of his master, sleepingafter the meal at his side. At least so it was supposed, but none knewsave those engaged in the murder what passed on that fatal night; thenext day his dead body lay in the house of the Sultan. 

Across the floor of jasper, in that palace which was a fitting residencefor one rightly known as "The Magnificent, " the blood of Ibrahim flowedto the feet of Roxalana. The disordered clothing, the terribleexpression of the face of the dead man, the gaping wounds which he hadreceived, bore witness that there had taken place a grim strugglebefore that iron frame and splendid intellect had been leveled with thedust. This much leaked out afterwards, as such things will leak out, andthen the Sultana took Soliman into her chamber and gazed up into hiseyes. The man was stunned by the immensity of the calamity which hadbefallen him and his kingdom, but his manhood availed him not againstthe wiles of this Circe. Ibrahim had been foully done to death in hisown palace, and this woman clinging so lovingly round his neck now wasthe murderess. The heart's blood of his best friend was coagulating onthe threshold of his own apartment when he forgave her by whom hismurder had been accomplished. This was the vengeance of Roxalana, andwho shall say that it was not complete?

The Ottoman Empire was the poorer by the loss of its greatest man, thejealousy of the Sultana was assuaged, the despot who had permitted thisunavenged murder was still on the throne, thrall to the woman who hadfirst murdered his son and then his friend and minister. But the deedcarried with it the evil consequences which were only too likely tooccur when so capable a head of the State was removed at so critical atime. Renewed strife was in the air, and endless squabbles betweenVenice and the Porte were taking place. With these we have no concern, but, in addition to other complaints, there were loud and continuousones concerning the corsairs. Venice, "The Bride of the Sea, " hadneither rest nor peace; the pirates swarmed in Corfu, in Zante, inCandia, in Cephalonia, and the plunder and murder of the subjects of theRepublic was the theme of the perpetual representations to the Sultan. The balance of advantage in this guerilla warfare was with the corsairsuntil Girolame Canale, a Venetian captain, seized one of the Moslemleaders known as "The Young Moor of Alexandria. " The victory of Canalewas somewhat an important one as he captured the galley of "The YoungMoor" and four others; two more were sunk, and three hundred Janissariesand one thousand slaves fell into the hands of the Venetian commander. There being an absence of nice feeling on the part of the Venetians, theJanissaries were at once beheaded to a man. 

The whole story is an illustration of the extraordinary relationsexisting among the Mediterranean States at this time. Soliman theMagnificent, Sultan of Turkey, had lent three hundred of hisJanissaries, his own picked troops, to assist the corsairs in theirdepredations on Venetian commerce. Having done this, and the Janissarieshaving been caught and summarily and rightly put to death as pirates, the Sultan, as soon as he heard of what had occurred, sent anambassador, one Yonis Bey, to Venice to demand satisfaction for theinsult passed upon him by the beheading of his own soldiers turnedpirates. The conclusion of the affair was that the Venetians released"The Young Moor of Alexandria" as soon as he was cured of the eightwounds which he had received in the conflict, and sent him back toAfrica with such of his galleys as were left. There was one rathercomical incident in connection with this affair, which was that whenYonis Bey was on his way from Constantinople to Venice he was chased bya Venetian fleet, under the command of the Count Grandenico, and drivenashore. The Count was profuse in his apologies when he discovered thathe had been chasing a live ambassador; but the occurrence so exasperatedSoliman that he increased his demands in consequence. 

Barbarossa, who had spent his time harrying the Spaniards at sea eversince the fall of Tunis, was shortly to appear on the scene again. Hereceived orders from the Sultan, and came as fast as a favoring windwould bring him. Kheyr-ed-Din had been doing well in the matter ofslaves and plunder, but he knew that, with the backing of the GrandTurk, he would once again be in command of a fleet in which he mightrepeat his triumph of past years, and prove himself once more theindispensable "man of the sea. "

Soon after his arrival his ambitions were gratified, and he foundhimself with a fleet of one hundred ships. Since the death of Ibrahim, and the incident which terminated with the dispatch of Yonis Bey toVenice, the relations between the Grand Turk and the Venetian Republichad become steadily worse, and at last the Sultan declared war. On May17th, 1537, Soliman, accompanied by his two sons, Selim and Mohammed, left Constantinople. With the campaign conducted by the Sultan we arenot concerned here; it was directed against the Ionian Islands, whichhad been in the possession of Venice since 1401. On August 18th Solimanlaid siege to Corfu, and was disastrously beaten, re-embarking his menon September 7th, after losing thousands in a fruitless attack on thefortress. He returned to Constantinople utterly discomfited. It was theseventh campaign which the Sultan had conducted in person, but the firstin which the ever-faithful Ibrahim had not been by his side. 

This defeat at the hands of the Venetians was not, however, the onlyhumiliation which he was destined to experience in this disastrous year;for once again Doria, that scourge of the Moslem, was loose upon theseas, and was making his presence felt in the immediate neighborhood ofCorfu, where the Turks had been defeated. On July 17th Andrea had leftthe port of Messina with twenty-five galleys, had captured ten richlyladen Turkish ships, gutted and burned them. Kheyr-ed-Din was at sea atthe time, but the great rivals were not destined to meet on thisoccasion. Instead of Barbarossa, Andrea fell in with Ali-Chabelli, thelieutenant of Sandjak Bey of Gallipoli. On July 22nd the Genoese admiraland the Turkish commander from the Dardanelles met to the southward ofCorfu, off the small island of Paxo, and a smart action ensued. Itended in the defeat of Ali-Chabelli, whose galleys were captured andtowed by Doria into Paxo. That veteran fighter was himself in thethickest of the fray, and, conspicuous in his crimson doublet, had beenan object of attention to the marksmen of Chabelli during the entireaction. In spite of the receipt of a severe wound in the knee, theadmiral refused to go below until victory was assured. He was surroundedat this time by a devoted band of nobles sworn to defend the person oftheir admiral or to die in his defense. His portrait has been sketchedfor us at this time by the Dominican Friar, Padre Alberto Guglielmotto, author of "La guerra dei Pirati e la marina Pontifica dal 1500 al 1560. "The description runs thus: "Andrea Doria was of lofty stature, his faceoval in shape, forehead broad and commanding, his neck was powerful, hishair short, his beard long and fan-shaped, his lips were thin, his eyesbright and piercing. "

Once again had he defeated an officer of the Grand Turk; and it may beremarked that Ibrahim was probably quite right in the estimation, orrather in the lack of estimation, in which he held the sea-officers ofhis master, as they seem to have been deficient in every quality savethat of personal valor, and in their encounters with Doria and theknights were almost invariably worsted. For the sake of Islam, for theprestige of the Moslem arms at sea, it was time that Barbarossa shouldtake matters in hand once more. 

The autumn of this year 1537 proved that the old Sea-wolf had lost noneof his cunning, that his followers were as terrible as ever. What did itseem to matter that Venetian and Catalan, Genoese and Frenchman, Andalusian and the dwellers in the Archipelago, were all banded togetherin league against this common foe? Did not the redoubtable Andrea rangethe seas in vain, and were not all the efforts of the Knights of SaintJohn futile, when the son of the renegado from Mitylene and hisChristian wife put forth from the Golden Horn? What was the magic ofthis man, it was asked despairingly, that none seemed able to prevailagainst him? Had it not been currently reported that Carlos Quinto, thegreat Emperor, had driven him forth from Tunis a hunted fugitive, brokenand penniless, with never a galley left, without one ducat in hispocket? Was he so different, then, from all the rest of mankind that hisfollowers would stick to him in evil report as well as in the height ofhis prosperity? Men swore and women crossed themselves at the mention ofhis name. 

"Terrible as an army with banners, " indeed, was Kheyr-ed-Din in thiseventful summer: things had gone badly with the crescent flag, thePadishah was unapproachable in his palace, brooding perchance on that"might have been" had he not sold his honor and the life of his onlyfriend to gratify the malice of a she-devil; those in attendance on theSultan trembled, for the humor of the despot was black indeed. 

But "the veritable man of the sea" was in some sort to console him forthat which he had lost; as never in his own history--and there was noneelse with which it could be compared--had the Corsair King made sofruitful a raid. He ravaged the coasts of the Adriatic and the islandsof the Archipelago, sweeping in slaves by the thousand, and by the endof the year he had collected eighteen thousand in the arsenal atStamboul. Great was the jubilation in Constantinople when theAdmiralissimo himself returned from his last expedition against theinfidel; stilled were the voices which hinted disaffection--who amongthem all could bring back four hundred thousand pieces of gold? Whatmariner could offer to the Grand Turk such varied and magnificentpresents?

Upon his arrival Barbarossa asked permission to kiss the threshold ofthe palace of the Sultan, which boon being graciously accorded to him, he made his triumphal entry. Two hundred captives clad in scarlet robescarried cups of gold and flasks of silver; behind them came thirtyothers, each staggering under an enormous purse of sequins; yet anothertwo hundred brought collars of precious stones or bales of the choicestgoods; and a further two hundred were laden with sacks of small coin. Certainly if Soliman the Magnificent had lost a Grand Vizier he hadsucceeded in finding an admiral!

All through the earlier months of 1538 the dockyards of Constantinoplehummed with a furious activity, for Soliman had decreed that themaritime campaign of this year was to begin with no less than onehundred and fifty ships. His admiral, however, did not agree with thisdecision; to the Viziers he raged and stormed. "Listen, " he said, "O menof the land who understand naught of the happenings of the sea. By thistime Saleh-Reis must have quitted Alexandria convoying to the Bosphorustwenty sail filled with the richest merchandise; should he fall in withthe accursed Genoese, Doria, where then will be Saleh-Reis and hisgalleys and his convoy? I will tell you: the ships in Genoa, the galleysburned, Saleh-Reis and all his mariners chained to the rowers' bench. "

The Viziers trembled as men did when Barbarossa stormed and turned uponthem those terrible eyes which knew neither fear nor pity. "We be butmen, " they answered, "and our lord the Sultan has so ordained it. "

"I have forty galleys, " replied the corsair; "you have forty more. Withthese I will take the sea; but, mark you, " he continued, softeningsomewhat, "you do right to fear the displeasure of the Sultan, and Ialso have no wish to encounter it; but vessels raised and equipped in ahurry will be of small use to me. In the name of Allah the compassionateand his holy Prophet give me my eighty galleys and let me go. "

In Kheyr-ed-Din Barbarossa sound strategical instinct went hand in handwith the desperate valor of the corsair. To dally in the Golden Hornwhile so rich a prey was at sea to be picked up by his Christian foeswas altogether opposed to his instincts: never to throw away a chance inthe game of life had ever been his guiding principle. 

Soliman, great man as he undoubtedly was, had not the adamantinehardness of character which enabled his admiral to risk all on thehazards of the moment; or possibly the Grand Turk was deficient in thatclearness of strategical instinct which never in any circumstancesforegoes a present advantage for something which may turn out well in aproblematical future. Soliman, sore, sullen, and unapproachable, dweltin his palace brooding over the misfortunes which had been his lot sincethe death of Ibrahim. Barbarossa, who so recently had lost practicallyall that he possessed, and who had reached an age at which most men haveno hopes for the future, was as clear in intellect, as undaunted inspirit, as if he had been half a century younger: to be even once morewith those by whom he had been defeated and dispossessed was the onlything now in his mind. The capture of Saleh-Reis and his convoy would bea triumph of which he could not bear to think. Further, it would add tothe demoralization of the sea forces of the Sultan, which were sadly inneed of some striking success after the defeats which had so recentlybeen their portion. The Sultan had decided that one hundred and fiftyships were necessary; his admiral thought otherwise. There was too muchat stake for him to dally at Constantinople; his fiery energy swept allbefore it, and in the end he had his way. On June 7th, 1538, he finallytriumphed over the hesitations of the Viziers and put to sea with eightysail. 

The Sultan, from his kiosk, the windows of which opened on theBosphorus, counted the ships. 

"Only eighty sail; is that all?" he asked. 

The trembling Viziers prostrated themselves before him. 

"O our Lord, the Padishah, " they cried, "Saleh-Reis comes fromAlexandria with a rich convoy; somewhere lurking is Andrea Doria, theaccursed; it was necessary, O Magnificent, to send succor. "

There was a pause, in which the hearts of men beat as do those who knownot but that the next moment may be their last on earth. 

The Sultan stared from his window at the retreating ships in a silencelike the silence of the grave. At last he turned:

"So be it, " he answered briefly; "but see to it that reinforcements donot lag upon the road. "

If there had been activity in the dockyards before it was as nothing tothe strenuous work that was to be done henceforward. 

Before starting on this expedition Kheyr-ed-Din had made an innovationin the manning of some of the most powerful of his galleys, which wasof the utmost importance, and which was to add enormously to thesuccess of his future maritime enterprises. The custom had always beenthat the Ottoman galleys had been rowed by Christians, captured andenslaved; of course the converse was true in the galleys of their foes. There were, for the size of the vessels, an enormous number of mencarried in the galleys of the sixteenth century, and an average craft ofthis description would have on board some four hundred men; of these, however, the proportion would be two hundred and fifty slaves to onehundred and fifty fighting men. That which Kheyr-ed-Din now insistedupon was that a certain proportion of his most powerful units should berowed by Moslem fighting men, so that on the day of battle the oarsmencould join in the fray instead of remaining chained to their benches, aswas the custom with the slaves. It is, however, an extraordinarytestimony to the influence which the corsair had attained inConstantinople that he had been able to effect this change in thecomposition of some of his crews; it must have been done with the activecoöperation of the Sultan, as no authority less potent than that of thesovereign himself could have induced free men to undertake the terribletoil of rower in a galley. This was reserved for the unfortunate slaveon either side owing to the intolerable hardship of the life, andresults, in the pace at which a galley proceeded through the water, were usually obtained by an unsparing use of the lash on the nakedbodies of the rowers. 

This human material was used up in the most prodigal manner possible, asthose in command had not the inducement of treating the rowers well, from that economic standpoint which causes a man to so use his beast ofburden as to get the best work from him. In the galley, when a slavewould row no more he was flung overboard and another was put in hisplace. 

The admiral, however, even when backed by the Padishah, could not man alarge fleet of galleys with Moslem rowers, and, as there was a shortagein the matter of propelling power, his first business was to collectslaves, and for this purpose he visited the islands of the Archipelago. The lot of the unhappy inhabitants of these was indeed a hard one. Theywere nearer to the seat of the Moslem power than any other Christians;they were in those days totally unable to resist an attack in force, andin consequence were swept off in their thousands. 

Seven islands cover the entrance to the Gulf of Volo. The nearest to thecoast is Skiathos, which is also the most important; it was defended bya castle built upon a rock. This castle was attacked by Barbarossa, whobombarded it for six days, carried it by assault, and massacred thegarrison. He spared the lives of the inhabitants of the island, and bythis means secured three thousand four hundred rowers for his galleys. He had to provide motor-power for the reinforcements which he expected. In July he was reinforced from Constantinople by ninety galleys, whilefrom Egypt came Saleh-Reis, who had succeeded in avoiding the terribleDoria, with twenty more; the fleet was thus complete. 

FOOTNOTES:

[7] From _Sea Wolves of the Mediterranean_. 

MORGAN AT PUERTO BELLO[8]

JOHN ESQUEMELING

Some may think that the French having deserted Captain Morgan, theEnglish alone could not have sufficient courage to attempt such greatactions as before. But Captain Morgan, who always communicated vigorwith his words, infused such spirit into his men, as put them instantlyupon new designs. He inspired them with the belief that the soleexecution of his orders would be a certain means of obtaining greatriches, which so influenced their minds, that with inimitable couragethey all resolved to follow him, as did also a certain pirate ofCampechy, on this occasion joined with Captain Morgan, to seek newfortunes under his conduct. Thus Captain Morgan in a few days gathered afleet of nine sail, either ships or great boats, wherein he had fourhundred and sixty military men. 

All things being ready, they put forth to sea, Captain Morgan impartinghis design to nobody at present; he only told them on several occasions, that he doubted not to make a good fortune by that voyage, if strangeoccurrences happened not. They steered towards the continent, wherethey arrived in a few days near Costa Rica, all their fleet safe. Nosooner had they discovered land but Captain Morgan declared hisintentions to the captains, and presently after to the company. He toldthem he intended to plunder Puerto Bello by night, being resolved to putthe whole city to the sack: and to encourage them he added, thisenterprise could not fail, seeing he had kept it secret, withoutrevealing it to anybody, whereby they could not have notice of hiscoming. To this proposition some answered, they had not a sufficientnumber of men to assault so strong and great a city. But Captain Morganreplied, "If our number is small, our hearts are great; and the fewerpersons we are, the more union and better shares we shall have in thespoil. " Hereupon, being stimulated with the hope of those vast richesthey promised themselves from their success, they unanimously agreed tothat design. Now, that my reader may better comprehend the boldness ofthis exploit, it may be necessary to say something beforehand of thecity of Puerto Bello. 

This city is in the province of Costa Rica, 10 deg. North latitude, fourteen leagues from the gulf of Darien, and eight westwards from theport called Nombre de Dios. It is judged the strongest place the king ofSpain possesses in all the West Indies, except Havanna and Carthagena. Here are two castles almost impregnable, that defend the city, situateat the entry of the port, so that no ship or boat can pass withoutpermission. The garrison consists of three hundred soldiers, and thetown is inhabited by four hundred families. The merchants dwell nothere, but only reside a while, when the galleons come from or go forSpain, by reason of the unhealthiness of the air, occasioned by vaporsfrom the mountains; so that though their chief warehouses are at PuertoBello, their habitations are at Panama, whence they bring the plate uponmules when the fair begins, and when the ships belonging to the companyof negroes arrive to sell slaves. 

Captain Morgan, who knew very well all the avenues of this city and theneighboring coasts, arrived in the evening with his men at Puerto deNaos, ten leagues to the west of Puerto Bello. Being come hither, theysailed up the river to another harbor called Puerto Pontin, where theyanchored: here they put themselves into boats and canoes, leaving in theships only a few men to bring them next day to the port. About midnightthey came to a place called Estera longa Lemos, where they all went onshore and marched by land to the first posts of the city. They had intheir company an Englishman, formerly a prisoner in those parts, who nowserved them for a guide. To him and three or four more they gavecommission to take the sentinel, if possible, or kill him on the place:but they seized him so cunningly, as he had no time to give warning withhis musket, or make any noise, and brought him, with his hands bound, to Captain Morgan, who asked him how things went in the city, and whatforces they had; with other circumstances he desired to know. Afterevery question they made him a thousand menaces to kill him, if hedeclared not the truth. Then they advanced to the city, carrying thesaid sentinel bound before them: having marched about a quarter of aleague, they came to the castle near the city, which presently theyclosely surrounded, so that no person could get either in or out. 

Being posted under the walls of the castle, Captain Morgan commanded thesentinel, whom they had taken prisoner, to speak to those within, charging them to surrender to his discretion; otherwise they should allbe cut in pieces, without quarter. But disregarding these threats, theybegan instantly to fire, which alarmed the city; yet notwithstanding, though the governor and soldiers of the said castle made as greatresistance as could be, they were forced to surrender. Having taken thecastle, Morgan resolved to be as good as his word, putting the Spaniardsto the sword, thereby to strike a terror into the rest of the city. Whereupon, having shut up all the soldiers and officers as prisonersinto one room, they set fire to the powder (whereof they found greatquantity) and blew up the castle into the air, with all the Spaniardsthat were within. This done, they pursued the course of their victory, falling upon the city, which as yet was not ready to receive them. Manyof the inhabitants cast their precious jewels and money into wells andcisterns, or hid them in places underground, to avoid as much aspossible, being totally robbed. One of the party of pirates, assigned tothis purpose, ran immediately to the cloisters, and took as manyreligious men and women as they could find. The governor of the city, not being able to rally the citizens, through their great confusion, retired to one of the castles remaining, and thence fired incessantly atthe pirates: but these were not in the least negligent either to assaulthim, or defend themselves, so that amidst the horror of the assault, they made very few shots in vain; for aiming with great dexterity at themouths of the guns, the Spaniards were certain to lose one or two menevery time they charged each gun anew. 

The fight continued very furious from break of day till noon; indeed, about this time of the day the case was very dubious which party shouldconquer, or be conquered. At last, the pirates perceiving they had lostmany men, and yet advanced but little towards gaining either this, orthe other castles, made use of fire-balls, which they threw with theirhands, designing to burn the doors of the castles. But the Spaniardsfrom the walls let fall great quantities of stones, and earthen potsfull of powder, and other combustible matter, which forced them todesist. Captain Morgan seeing this desperate defence made by theSpaniards, began to despair of success. Hereupon, many faint and calmmeditations came into his mind; neither could he determine which way toturn himself in that strait. Being thus puzzled, he was suddenlyanimated to continue the assault, by seeing the English colors put forthat one of the lesser castles, then entered by his men; of whom hepresently after spied a troop coming to meet him, proclaiming victorywith loud shouts of joy. This instantly put him on new resolutions oftaking the rest of the castles, especially seeing the chiefest citizenswere fled to them, and had conveyed thither great part of their riches, with all the plate belonging to the churches and divine service. 

To this effect, he ordered ten or twelve ladders to be made in allhaste, so broad, that three or four men at once might ascend them: thesebeing finished, he commanded all the religious men and women, whom hehad taken prisoners, to fix them against the walls of the castle. Thishe had before threatened the governor to do, if he delivered not thecastle: but his answer was, "he would never surrender himself alive. "Captain Morgan was persuaded the governor would not employ his utmostforce, on seeing the religious women and ecclesiastical persons exposedin the front of the soldiers to the greatest danger. Thus the ladders, as I have said, were at once put into the hands of religious persons ofboth sexes, and these were forced, at the head of the companies, toraise and apply them to the walls. But Captain Morgan was fullydeceived in his judgment of this design; for the governor, who actedlike a brave soldier in performance of his duty, used his utmostendeavor to destroy whomsoever came near the walls. The religious menand women ceased not to cry to him, and beg of him, by all the saints ofheaven, to deliver the castle, and spare both his and their own lives;but nothing could prevail with his obstinacy and fierceness. Thus manyof the religious men and nuns were killed before they could fix theladders; which at last being done, though with great loss of theirnumber, the pirates mounted them in great numbers, and with recklessvalor, having fire-balls in their hands, and earthen pots full ofpowder; which, being now at the top of the walls, they kindled and castdown among the Spaniards. 

This effort of the pirates was very great, insomuch that the Spaniardscould not longer resist nor defend the castle, which was now entered. Hereupon they all threw down their arms, and craved quarter for theirlives; only the governor of the city would crave no mercy, but killedmany of the pirates with his own hands, and not a few of his ownsoldiers; because they did not stand to their arms. And though thepirates asked him if he would have quarter; yet he constantly answered, "By no means, I had rather die as a valiant soldier, than be hanged as acoward. " They endeavored as much as they could to take him prisoner, buthe defended himself so obstinately, that they were forced to kill him, notwithstanding all the cries and tears of his own wife and daughter, who begged him, on their knees, to demand quarter, and save his life. When the pirates had possessed themselves of the castle, which was aboutnightfall, they enclosed therein all the prisoners, placing the womenand men by themselves, with some guards. The wounded were put in anapartment by themselves, that their own complaints might be the cure oftheir diseases; for no other was afforded them. 

This done, they fell to eating and drinking, and as usual, to committingall manner of debauchery and excess, so that fifty courageous men mighteasily have retaken the city, and killed all the pirates. Next day, having plundered all they could find, they examined some of theprisoners (who had been persuaded by their companions to say they werethe richest of the town), charging them severely to discover where theyhad hid their riches and goods. Not being able to extort anything fromthem, they not being the right persons, it was resolved to torture them:this they did so cruelly, that many of them died on the rack, orpresently after. Now the president of Panama being advertised of thepillage and ruin of Puerto Bello, he employed all his care and industryto raise forces to pursue and cast out the pirates thence; but thesecared little for his preparations, having their ships at hand, anddetermining to fire the city, and retreat. They had now been at PuertoBello fifteen days, in which time they had lost many of their men, bothby the unhealthiness of the country, and their extravagant debaucheries. 

Hereupon, they prepared to depart, carrying on board all the pillagethey had got, having first provided the fleet with sufficient victualsfor the voyage. While these things were doing Captain Morgan demanded ofthe prisoners a ransom for the city, or else he would burn it down, andblow up all the castles; withal, he commanded them to send speedily twopersons, to procure the sum, which was 100, 000 pieces-of-eight. To thiseffect two men were sent to the president of Panama, who gave him anaccount of all. The president, having now a body of men ready, set forthtowards Puerto Bello, to encounter the pirates before their retreat;but, they, hearing of his coming, instead of flying away, went out tomeet him at a narrow passage, which he must pass: here they placed ahundred men, very well armed, which at the first encounter put to flighta good party of those of Panama. This obliged the president to retirefor that time, not being yet in a posture of strength to proceedfarther. Presently after, he sent a message to Captain Morgan, to tellhim, "that if he departed not suddenly with all his forces from PuertoBello, he ought to expect no quarter for himself, nor his companions, when he should take them, as he hoped soon to do. " Captain Morgan, whofeared not his threats, knowing he had a secure retreat in his ships, which were at hand, answered, "he would not deliver the castles, beforehe had received the contribution-money he had demanded; which if it werenot paid down, he would certainly burn the whole city, and then leaveit, demolishing beforehand the castles, and killing the prisoners. "

The governor of Panama perceived by this answer that no means wouldserve to mollify the hearts of the pirates, nor reduce them to reason:whereupon, he determined to leave the inhabitants of the city to makethe best agreement they could. In a few days more the miserable citizensgathered the contributions required, and brought 100, 000 pieces-of-eightto the pirates for their ransom. The president of Panama was much amazedthat four hundred men could take such a great city, with so many strongcastles, especially having no ordnance, wherewith to raise batteries, and, knowing the citizens of Puerto Bello had always great repute ofbeing good soldiers themselves, who never wanted courage in their owndefence. His astonishment was so great, that he sent to Captain Morgan, desiring some small pattern of those arms wherewith he had taken withsuch vigor so great a city. Captain Morgan received this messenger verykindly, and with great civility; and gave him a pistol, and a few smallbullets, to carry back to the president his master; telling him, withal, "he desired him to accept that slender pattern of the arms wherewith hehad taken Puerto Bello, and keep them for a twelvemonth; after whichtime he promised to come to Panama, and fetch them away. "[9] Thegovernor returned the present very soon to Captain Morgan, giving himthanks for the favor of lending him such weapons as he needed not; and, withal, sent him a ring of gold, with this message, "that he desired himnot to give himself the labor of coming to Panama, as he had done toPuerto Bello: for he did assure him, he should not speed so well here, as he had done there. "

After this, Captain Morgan (having provided his fleet with allnecessaries, and taken with him the best guns of the castles, nailing upthe rest) set sail from Puerto Bello with all his ships, and arriving ina few days at Cuba, he sought out a place wherein he might quickly makethe dividend of their spoil. They found in ready money 250, 000pieces-of-eight, besides other merchandise; as cloth, linen, silks, etc. With this rich purchase they sailed thence to their common place ofrendezvous, Jamaica. Being arrived, they passed here some time in allsorts of vices and debaucheries, according to their custom; spendingvery prodigally what others had gained with no small labor and toil. 

FOOTNOTES:

[8] From _The Buccaneers of America_. 

[9] This promise was kept. See The Capture of Panama (footnote). 

THE WAYS OF THE BUCCANEERS[10]

JOHN MASEFIELD after JOHN ESQUEMELING

Throughout the years of buccaneering, the buccaneers often put to sea incanoas and periaguas, just as Drake put to sea in his three pinnaces. Life in an open boat is far from pleasant, but men who passed theirleisure cutting logwood at Campeachy, or hoeing tobacco in Jamaica, ortoiling over gramma grass under a hot sun after cattle, were notdisposed to make the worst of things. They would sit contentedly uponthe oar bench, rowing with a long, slow stroke for hours togetherwithout showing signs of fatigue. Nearly all of them were men of morethan ordinary strength, and all of them were well accustomed to theclimate. When they had rowed their canoa to the Main they were able totake it easy till a ship came by from one of the Spanish ports. If sheseemed a reasonable prey, without too many guns, and not too highcharged, or high built, the privateers would load their muskets, and rowdown to engage her. The best shots were sent into the bows, and excusedfrom rowing, lest the exercise should cause their hands to tremble. Aclever man was put to the steering oar, and the musketeers were biddento sing out whenever the enemy yawed, so as to fire her guns. It was inaction, and in action only, that the captain had command over his men. The steersman endeavored to keep the masts of the quarry in a line, andto approach her from astern. The marksmen from the bows kept up acontinual fire at the vessel's helmsmen, if they could be seen, and atany gun-ports which happened to be open. If the helmsmen could not beseen from the sea, the canoas aimed to row in upon the vessel'squarters, where they could wedge up the rudder with wooden chocks orwedges. They then laid her aboard over the quarter, or by the afterchains, and carried her with their knives and pistols. The first man toget aboard received some gift of money at the division of the spoil. 

When the prize was taken, the prisoners were questioned, and despoiled. Often, indeed, they were stripped stark naked, and granted the privilegeof seeing their finery on a pirate's back. Each buccaneer had the rightto take a shift of clothes out of each prize captured. The cargo wasthen rummaged, and the state of the ship looked to, with an eye to usingher as a cruiser. As a rule, the prisoners were put ashore on the firstopportunity, but some buccaneers had a way of selling their captivesinto slavery. If the ship were old, leaky, valueless, in ballast, orwith a cargo useless to the rovers, she was either robbed of her guns, and turned adrift with her crew, or run ashore in some snug cove, whereshe could be burnt for the sake of the iron-work. If the cargo were ofvalue, and, as a rule, the ships they took had some rich thing aboardthem, they sailed her to one of the Dutch, French or Englishsettlements, where they sold her freight for what they could get--sometenth or twentieth of its value. If the ship were a good one, in goodcondition, well found, swift, and not of too great draught (for theypreferred to sail in small ships), they took her for their cruiser assoon as they had emptied out her freight. They sponged and loaded herguns, brought their stores aboard her, laid their mats upon her deck, secured the boats astern, and sailed away in search of other plunder. They kept little discipline aboard their ships. What work had to be donethey did, but works of supererogation they despised and rejected as ashade unholy. The night watches were partly orgies. While some slept, the others fired guns and drank to the health of their fellows. By thelight of the binnacle, or by the light of the slush lamps in the cabin, the rovers played a hand at cards, or diced each other at "seven andeleven, " using a pannikin as dice-box. While the gamblers cut andshuffled, and the dice rattled in the tin, the musical sang songs, thefiddlers set their music chuckling, and the seaboots stamped approval. The cunning dancers showed their science in the moonlight, avoiding thesleepers if they could. In this jolly fashion were the nights madeshort. In the daytime, the gambling continued with little intermission;nor had the captain any authority to stop it. One captain, in thehistories, was so bold as to throw the dice and cards overboard, but, asa rule, the captain of a buccaneer cruiser was chosen as an artist, ornavigator, or as a lucky fighter. He was not expected to spoil sport. The continual gambling nearly always led to fights and quarrels. Thelucky dicers often won so much that the unlucky had to part with alltheir booty. Sometimes a few men would win all the plunder of thecruise, much to the disgust of the majority, who clamored for aredivision of the spoil. If two buccaneers got into a quarrel theyfought it out on shore at the first opportunity, using knives, swords, or pistols, according to taste. The usual way of fighting was withpistols, the combatants standing back to back, at a distance of ten ortwelve paces, and turning round to fire at the word of command. If bothshots missed, the question was decided with cutlasses, the man who drewfirst blood being declared the winner. If a man were proved to be acoward he was either tied to the mast, and shot, or mutilated, and sentashore. No cruise came to an end until the company declared themselvessatisfied with the amount of plunder taken. The question, like all otherimportant questions, was debated round the mast, and decided by vote. 

At the conclusion of a successful cruise, they sailed for Port Royal, with the ship full of treasure, such as vicuna wool, packets of pearlsfrom the Hatch, jars of civet or of ambergris, boxes of "marmalett" andspices, casks of strong drink, bales of silk, sacks of chocolate andvanilla, and rolls of green cloth and pale blue cotton which the Indianshad woven in Peru, in some sandy village near the sea, in sight of thepelicans and the penguins. In addition to all these things, they usuallyhad a number of the personal possessions of those they had taken on theseas. Lying in the chests for subsequent division were swords, silver-mounted pistols, daggers chased and inlaid, watches from Spain, necklaces of uncut jewels, rings and bangles, heavy carved furniture, "cases of bottles" of delicately cut green glass, containing cordialsdistilled of precious mints, with packets of emeralds from Brazil, bezoar stones from Patagonia, paintings from Spain, and medicinal gumsfrom Nicaragua. All these things were divided by lot at the main-mast assoon as the anchor held. As the ship, or ships, neared port, her menhung colors out--any colors they could find--to make their vessel gay. Acup of drink was taken as they sailed slowly home to moorings, and asthey drank they fired off the cannon, "bullets and all, " again and yetagain, rejoicing as the bullets struck the water. Up in the bay, theships in the harbor answered with salutes of cannon; flags were dippedand hoisted in salute; and so the anchor dropped in some safe reach, andthe division of the spoil began. 

After the division of the spoil in the beautiful Port Royal harbor, insight of the palm-trees and the fort with the colors flying, thebuccaneers packed their gear, and dropped over the side into a boat. They were pulled ashore by some grinning black man with a scarlet scarfabout his head and the brand of a hot iron on his shoulders. At thejetty end, where the Indians lounged at their tobacco and thefishermen's canoas rocked, the sunburnt pirates put ashore. Among thenoisy company which always gathers on a pier they met with theircompanions. A sort of Roman triumph followed, as the "happily returned"lounged swaggeringly towards the taverns. Eager hands helped them tocarry in their plunder. In a few minutes the gang was entering thetavern, the long, cool room with barrels round the walls, where therewere benches and a table and an old blind fiddler jerking his elbow at ajig. Noisily the party ranged about the table, and sat themselves uponthe benches, while the drawers, or potboys, in their shirts, drew nearto take the orders. I wonder if the reader has ever heard a sailor inthe like circumstance, five minutes after he has touched his pay, address a company of parasites in an inn with the question: "What's itgoing to be?"

FOOTNOTES:

[10] From _Buccaneer Customs on the Spanish Main_. 

A TRUE ACCOUNT OF THREE NOTORIOUS PIRATES[11]

HOWARD PYLE, ED. 

I

CAPTAIN TEACH _alias_ BLACK-BEARD

Edward Teach was a Bristol man born, but had sailed some time out ofJamaica, in privateers, in the late French war; yet though he had oftendistinguished himself for his uncommon boldness and personal courage, hewas never raised to any command, till he went a-pirating, which, Ithink, was at the latter end of the year 1716, when Captain BenjaminHornygold put him into a sloop that he had made prize of, and with whomhe continued in consortship till a little while before Hornygoldsurrendered. 

In the spring of the year 1717 Teach and Hornygold sailed fromProvidence, for the main of America, and took in their way a billop fromthe Havana, with 120 barrels of flour, as also a sloop from Bermuda, Thurbar master, from whom they took only some gallons of wine, and thenlet him go; and a ship from Madeira to South Carolina, out of which theygot plunder to a considerable value. 

After cleaning on the coast of Virginia, they returned to the WestIndies, and in the latitude of 24, made prize of a large FrenchGuineaman, bound to Martinico, which, by Hornygold's consent, Teach wentaboard of as captain, and took a cruise in her. Hornygold returned withhis sloop to Providence, where, at the arrival of Captain Rogers, thegovernor, he surrendered to mercy, pursuant to the king's proclamation. 

Aboard of this Guineaman Teach mounted forty guns, and named her the_Queen Ann's Revenge_; and cruising near the island of St. Vincent, tooka large ship, called the _Great Allen_, Christopher Taylor, commander;the pirates plundered her of what they thought fit, put all the menashore upon the island above mentioned, and set fire to the ship. 

A few days after Teach fell in with the _Scarborough_, man-of-war, ofthirty guns, who engaged him for some hours; but she, finding the piratewell-manned, and having tried her strength, gave over the engagement andreturned to Barbadoes, the place of her station, and Teach sailedtowards the Spanish America. 

In this way he met with a pirate sloop of ten guns, commanded by oneMajor Bonnet, lately a gentleman of good reputation and estate in theisland of Barbadoes, whom he joined; but in a few days after, Teach, finding that Bonnet knew nothing of a maritime life, with the consent ofhis own men, put in another captain, one Richards, to command Bonnet'ssloop, and took the Major on board his own ship, telling him, that as hehad not been used to the fatigues and care of such a post, it would bebetter for him to decline it and live easy, at his pleasure, in such aship as his, where he would not be obliged to perform the necessaryduties of a sea-voyage. 

At Turniff, ten leagues short of the Bay of Honduras, the pirates tookin fresh water, and while they were at anchor there, they saw a sloopcoming in, whereupon Richards, in the sloop called the _Revenge_, slipped his cable and run out to meet her; who, upon seeing the blackflag hoisted, struck his sail and came to under the stern of Teach, thecommodore. She was called the _Adventure_, from Jamaica, David Harriot, master. They took him and his men aboard the great ship, and sent anumber of other hands with Israel Hands, master of Teach's ship, to manthe sloop for the piratical account. 

The 9th of April they weighed from Turniff, having lain there about aweek, and sailed to the bay, where they found a ship and four sloops;three of the latter belonged to Jonathan Bernard, of Jamaica, and theother to Captain James. The ship was of Boston, called the _ProtestantCæsar_, Captain Wyar, commander. Teach hoisted his black colors andfired a gun, upon which Captain Wyar and all his men left their ship andgot ashore in their boat. Teach's quartermaster and eight of his crewtook possession of Wyar's ship, and Richards secured all the sloops, oneof which they burnt out of spite to the owner. The _Protestant Cæsar_they also burnt, after they had plundered her, because she belonged toBoston, where some men had been hanged for piracy, and the three sloopsbelonging to Bernard they let go. 

From hence the rovers sailed to Turkill, and then to the Grand Caimanes, a small island about thirty leagues to the westward of Jamaica, wherethey took a small turtler, and so to the Havana, and from thence to theBahama Wrecks; and from the Bahama Wrecks they sailed to Carolina, taking a brigantine and two sloops in their way, where they lay off thebar of Charles Town for five or six days. They took here a ship as shewas coming out, bound for London, commanded by Robert Clark, with somepassengers on board for England. The next day they took another vesselcoming out of Charles Town, and also two pinks coming into Charles Town;likewise a brigantine with fourteen negroes aboard; all of which, beingdone in the face of the town, struck so great a terror to the wholeprovince of Carolina, having just before been visited by Vane, anothernotorious pirate, that they abandoned themselves to despair, being in nocondition to resist their force. There were eight sail in the harbor, ready for the sea, but none dared to venture out, it being almostimpossible to escape their hands. The inward bound vessels were underthe same unhappy dilemma, so that the trade of this place was totallyinterrupted. What made these misfortunes heavier to them was a long, expensive war the colony had had with the natives, which was but justended when these robbers infested them. 

Teach detained all the ships and prisoners, and, being in want ofmedicines, resolved to demand a chest from the government of theprovince. Accordingly, Richards, the captain of the _Revenge_ sloop, with two or three more pirates, were sent up along with Mr. Marks, oneof the prisoners whom they had taken in Clark's ship, and veryinsolently made their demands, threatening that if they did not sendimmediately the chest of medicines and let the pirate ambassadorsreturn, without offering any violence to their persons, they wouldmurder all their prisoners, send up their heads to the governor, and setthe ships they had taken on fire. 

Whilst Mr. Marks was making application to the council, Richards and therest of the pirates walked the streets publicly in the sight of allpeople, who were fired with the utmost indignation, looking upon them asrobbers and murderers, and particularly the authors of their wrongs andoppressions, but durst not so much as think of executing their revengefor fear of bringing more calamities upon themselves, and so they wereforced to let the villains pass with impunity. The government was notlong in deliberating upon the message, though it was the greatestaffront that could have been put upon them, yet, for the saving so manymen's lives (among them Mr. Samuel Wragg, one of the council), theycomplied with the necessity and sent aboard a chest, valued at betweenthree and four hundred pounds, and the pirates went back safe to theirships. 

Black-beard (for so Teach was generally called, as we shall hereaftershow), as soon as he had received the medicines and his brother rogues, let go the ships and the prisoners, having first taken out of them ingold and silver about £1, 500 sterling, besides provisions and othermatters. 

From the bar of Charles Town they sailed to North Carolina, CaptainTeach in the ship, which they called the man-of-war, Captain Richardsand Captain Hands in the sloops, which they termed privateers, andanother sloop serving them as a tender. Teach began now to think ofbreaking up the company and securing the money and the best of theeffects for himself and some others of his companions he had mostfriendship for, and to cheat the rest. Accordingly, on pretense ofrunning into Topsail inlet to clean, he grounded his ship, and then, asif it had been done undesignedly and by accident, he orders Hands' sloopto come to his assistance and get him off again, which he, endeavoringto do, ran the sloop on shore near the other, and so were both lost. This done, Teach goes into the tender sloop, with forty hands, andleaves the _Revenge_ there, then takes seventeen others and maroons themupon a small sandy island, about a league from the main, where there wasneither bird, beast, or herb for their subsistence, and where they musthave perished if Major Bonnet had not, two days after, taken them off. 

Teach goes up to the governor of North Carolina, with about twenty ofhis men, and they surrender to his Majesty's proclamation, and receivecertificates thereof from his Excellency; but it did not appear thattheir submitting to this pardon was from any reformation of manners, butonly to await a more favorable opportunity to play the same game overagain; which he soon after effected, with greater security to himself, and with much better prospect of success, having in this time cultivateda very good understanding with Charles Eden, Esq. , the governor abovementioned. 

The first piece of service this kind governor did to Black-beard was togive him a right to the vessel which he had taken when he was a-piratingin the great ship called the _Queen Ann's Revenge_, for which purpose acourt of vice-admiralty was held at Bath Town, and, though Teach hadnever any commission in his life, and the sloop belonging to the Englishmerchants, and taken in time of peace, yet was she condemned as a prizetaken from the Spaniards by the said Teach. These proceedings show thatgovernors are but men. 

Before he sailed upon his adventures, he married a young creature ofabout sixteen years of age, the governor performing the ceremony. As itis a custom to marry here by a priest, so it is there by a magistrate;and this, I have been informed, made Teach's fourteenth wife whereofabout a dozen might be still living. 

In June, 1718, he went to sea upon another expedition, and steered hiscourse towards Bermudas. He met with two or three English vessels in hisway, but robbed them only of provisions, stores, and other necessaries, for his present expense; but near the island before mentioned, he fellin with two French ships, one of them was laden with sugar and cocoa, and the other light, both bound to Martinico. The ship that had nolading he let go, and putting all the men of the loaded ship aboard her, he brought home the other with her cargo to North Carolina, where thegovernor and the pirates shared the plunder. 

When Teach and his prize arrived he and four of his crew went to hisExcellency and made affidavit that they found the French ship at seawithout a soul on board her; and then a court was called, and the shipcondemned. The governor had sixty hogsheads of sugar for his dividend, and one Mr. Knight, who was his secretary and collector for theprovince, twenty, and the rest was shared among the other pirates. 

The business was not yet done; the ship remained, and it was possibleone or other might come into the river that might be acquainted withher, and so discover the roguery. But Teach thought of a contrivance toprevent this, for, upon a pretence that she was leaky, and that shemight sink, and so stop up the mouth of the inlet or cove where she lay, he obtained an order from the governor to bring her out into the riverand set her on fire, which was accordingly executed, and she was burntdown to the water's edge, her bottom sunk, and with it their fears ofher ever rising in judgment against them. 

Captain Teach, alias Black-beard, passed three or four months in theriver, sometimes lying at anchor in the coves, at other times sailingfrom one inlet to another, trading with such sloops as he met for theplunder he had taken, and would often give them presents for stores andprovisions he took from them; that is, when he happened to be in agiving humor; at other times he made bold with them, and took what heliked, without saying "By your leave, " knowing well they dared not sendhim a bill for the payment. He often diverted himself with going ashoreamong the planters, where he revelled night and day. By these he waswell received, but whether out of love or fear I cannot say. Sometimeshe used them courteously enough, and made them presents of rum and sugarin recompense of what he took from them; but, as for liberties, which itis said he and his companions often took with the wives and daughters ofthe planters, I cannot take upon me to say whether he paid them _advalorem_ or no. At other times he carried it in a lordly manner towardsthem, and would lay some of them under contribution; nay, he oftenproceeded to bully the governor, not that I can discover the leastcause of quarrel between them, but it seemed only to be done to show hedared do it. 

The sloops trading up and down this river being so frequently pillagedby Black-beard, consulted with the traders and some of the best planterswhat course to take. They saw plainly it would be in vain to make anapplication to the governor of North Carolina, to whom it properlybelonged to find some redress; so that if they could not be relievedfrom some other quarter, Black-beard would be like to reign withimpunity; therefore, with as much secrecy as possible, they sent adeputation to Virginia, to lay the affair before the governor of thatcolony, and to solicit an armed force from the men-of-war lying there totake or destroy this pirate. 

This governor consulted with the captains of the two men-of-war, viz. , the _Pearl_ and _Lime_, who had lain in St. James's river about tenmonths. It was agreed that the governor should hire a couple of smallsloops, and the men-of-war should man them. This was accordingly done, and the command of them given to Mr. Robert Maynard, first lieutenant ofthe _Pearl_, an experienced officer, and a gentleman of great braveryand resolution, as will appear by his gallant behavior in thisexpedition. The sloops were well manned, and furnished with ammunitionand small arms, but had no guns mounted. 

About the time of their going out the governor called an assembly, inwhich it was resolved to publish a proclamation, offering certainrewards to any person or persons who, within a year after that time, should take or destroy any pirate. The original proclamation, being inour hands, is as follows:--

 By his Majesty's Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia. 

 A PROCLAMATION, Publishing the Rewards given for apprehending or killing Pirates. 

 WHEREAS, by an Act of Assembly, made at a Session of Assembly, begun at the capital in Williamsburg, the eleventh day of November, in the fifth year of his Majesty's reign, entitled, An Act to Encourage the Apprehending and Destroying of Pirates: It is, amongst other things, enacted, that all and every person, or persons, who, from and after the fourteenth day of November, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighteen, and before the fourteenth day of November, which shall be in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and nineteen, shall take any pirate, or pirates, on the sea or land, or, in case of resistance, shall kill any such pirate, or pirates, between the degrees of thirty-four and thirty-nine of northern latitude, and within one hundred leagues of the continent of Virginia, or within the provinces of Virginia, or North Carolina, upon the conviction, or making due proof of the killing of all and every such pirate, and pirates, before the Governor and Council, shall be entitled to have, and receive out of the public money, in the hands of the Treasurer of this Colony, the several rewards following: that is to say, for Edward Teach, commonly called Captain Teach, or Black-beard, one hundred pounds; for every other commander of a pirate ship, sloop, or vessel, forty pounds; for every lieutenant, master, or quartermaster, boatswain, or carpenter, twenty pounds; for every other inferior officer, fifteen pounds; and for every private man taken on board such ship, sloop, or vessel, ten pounds; and that for every pirate which shall be taken by any ship, sloop, or vessel, belonging to this colony, or North Carolina, within the time aforesaid, in any place whatsoever, the like rewards shall be paid according to the quality and condition of such pirates. Wherefore, for the encouragement of all such persons as shall be willing to serve his Majesty, and their country, in so just and honourable an undertaking as the suppressing a sort of people who may be truly called enemies to mankind: I have thought fit, with the advice and consent of his Majesty's Council, to issue this Proclamation, hereby declaring the said rewards shall be punctually and justly paid, in current money of Virginia, according to the directions of the said Act. And I do order and appoint this proclamation to be published by the sheriffs at their respective country houses, and by all ministers and readers in the several churches and chapels throughout this colony. 

 Given at our Council-Chamber at Williamsburgh, this 24th day of November, 1718, in the fifth year of his Majesty's reign. GOD SAVE THE KING. A. SPOTSWOOD. 

The 17th of November, 1718, the lieutenant sailed from Kicquetan, inJames river in Virginia, and the 31st, in the evening, came to the mouthof Okerecock inlet, where he got sight of the pirate. This expeditionwas made with all imaginable secrecy, and the officer managed with allthe prudence that was necessary, stopping all boats and vessels he metwith in the river from going up, and thereby preventing any intelligencefrom reaching Black-beard, and receiving at the same time an accountfrom them all of the place where the pirate was lurking. Butnotwithstanding this caution, Black-beard had information of the designfrom his Excellency of the province; and his secretary, Mr. Knight, wrote him a letter particularly concerning it, intimating "that he hadsent him four of his men, which were all he could meet with in or abouttown, and so bid him be upon his guard. " These men belonged toBlack-beard, and were sent from Bath Town to Okerecock inlet, where thesloop lay, which is about twenty leagues. 

Black-beard had heard several reports, which happened not to be true, and so gave the less credit to this advice; nor was he convinced till hesaw the sloops. Then it was time to put his vessel in a posture ofdefense. He had no more than twenty-five men on board, though he gaveout to all the vessels he spoke with that he had forty. When he hadprepared for battle he sat down and spent the night in drinking with themaster of a trading sloop, who, it was thought, had more business withTeach than he should have had. 

Lieutenant Maynard came to an anchor, for the place being shoal, and thechannel intricate, there was no getting in where Teach lay that night;but in the morning he weighed, and sent his boat ahead of the sloops tosound, and coming within gun-shot of the pirate, received his fire;whereupon Maynard hoisted the king's colors, and stood directly towardshim with the best way that his sails and oars could make. Black-beardcut his cable, and endeavored to make a running fight, keeping acontinual fire at his enemies with his guns. Mr. Maynard, not havingany, kept a constant fire with small arms, while some of his men laboredat their oars. In a little time Teach's sloop ran aground, and Mr. Maynard's, drawing more water than that of the pirate, he could not comenear him; so he anchored within half gun-shot of the enemy, and, inorder to lighten his vessel, that he might run him aboard, thelieutenant ordered all his ballast to be thrown overboard, and all thewater to be staved, and then weighed and stood for him; upon whichBlack-beard hailed him in this rude manner: "Damn you for villains, whoare you; and from whence came you?" The lieutenant made him answer, "Youmay see by our colors we are no pirates. " Black-beard bid him send hisboat on board that he might see who he was; but Mr. Maynard repliedthus: "I cannot spare my boat, but I will come aboard of you as soon asI can with my sloop. " Upon this Black-beard took a glass of liquor, anddrank to him with these words: "Damnation seize my soul if I give youquarter, or take any from you. " In answer to which Mr. Maynard told him"that he expected no quarter from him, nor should he give him any. "

By this time Black-beard's sloop fleeted as Mr. Maynard's sloops wererowing towards him, which being not above a foot high in the waist, andconsequently the men all exposed, as they came near together (therebeing hitherto little or no execution done on either side), the piratefired a broadside charged with all manner of small shot. A fatal stroketo them!--the sloop the lieutenant was in having twenty men killed andwounded, and the other sloop nine. This could not be helped, for therebeing no wind, they were obliged to keep to their oars, otherwise thepirate would have got away from him, which it seems, the lieutenant wasresolute to prevent. 

After this unlucky blow Black-beard's sloop fell broadside to the shore;Mr. Maynard's other sloop, which was called the _Ranger_, fell astern, being for the present disabled. So the lieutenant, finding his own sloophad way and would soon be on board of Teach, he ordered all his mendown, for fear of another broadside, which must have been theirdestruction and the loss of their expedition. Mr. Maynard was the onlyperson that kept the deck, except the man at the helm, whom he directedto lie down snug, and the men in the hold were ordered to get theirpistols and their swords ready for close fighting, and to come up at hiscommand; in order to which two ladders were placed in the hatchway forthe more expedition. When the lieutenant's sloop boarded the otherCaptain Teach's men threw in several new-fashioned sort of grenades, viz. , case-bottles filled with powder and small shot, slugs, and piecesof lead or iron, with a quick-match in the mouth of it, which, beinglighted without side, presently runs into the bottle to the powder, and, as it is instantly thrown on board, generally does great executionbesides putting all the crew into a confusion. But, by good Providence, they had not that effect here, the men being in the hold. Black-beard, seeing few or no hands aboard, told his men "that they were all knockedto head, except three or four; and therefore, " says he, "let's jump onboard and cut them to pieces. "

Whereupon, under the smoke of one of the bottles just mentioned, Black-beard enters with fourteen men over the bows of Maynard's sloop, and were not seen by him until the air cleared. However, he just thengave a signal to his men, who all rose in an instant, and attacked thepirates with as much bravery as ever was done upon such an occasion. Black-beard and the lieutenant fired the first shots at each other, bywhich the pirate received a wound, and then engaged with swords, tillthe lieutenant's unluckily broke, and stepping back to cock a pistol, Black-beard, with his cutlass, was striking at that instant that one ofMaynard's men gave him a terrible wound in the neck and throat, by whichthe lieutenant came off with only a small cut over his fingers. 

They were now closely and warmly engaged, the lieutenant and twelve menagainst Black-beard and fourteen, till the sea was tinctured with bloodround the vessel. Black-beard received a shot into his body from thepistol that Lieutenant Maynard discharged, yet he stood his ground, andfought with great fury till he received five-and-twenty wounds, and fiveof them by shot. At length, as he was cocking another pistol, havingfired several before, he fell down dead; by which time eight more out ofthe fourteen dropped, and all the rest, much wounded, jumped overboardand called out for quarter, which was granted, though it was onlyprolonging their lives a few days. The sloop _Ranger_ came up andattacked the men that remained in Black-beard's sloop with equalbravery, till they likewise cried for quarter. 

Here was an end of that courageous brute, who might have passed in theworld for a hero had he been employed in a good cause. 

The lieutenant caused Black-beard's head to be severed from his body, and hung up at the boltsprit end; then he sailed to Bath Town, to getrelief for his wounded men. 

In rummaging the pirate's sloop, they found several letters and writtenpapers, which discovered the correspondence between Governor Eden, thesecretary and collector, and also some traders at New York, andBlack-beard. It is likely he had regard enough for his friends to havedestroyed these papers before action, in order to hinder them fromfalling into such hands, where the discovery would be of no use eitherto the interest or reputation of these fine gentlemen, if it had notbeen his fixed resolution to have blown up together, when he found nopossibility of escaping. 

When the lieutenant came to Bath Town, he made bold to seize from thegovernor's storehouse the sixty hogsheads of sugar, and from honest Mr. Knight, twenty; which it seems was their dividend of the plunder takenin the French ship. The latter did not survive this shameful discovery, for, being apprehensive that he might be called to an account for thesetrifles, fell sick, it is thought, with the fright, and died in a fewdays. 

After the wounded men were pretty well recovered, the lieutenant sailedback to the men-of-war in James River, in Virginia, with Black-beard'shead still hanging at the boltsprit end, and fifteen prisoners, thirteenof whom were hanged, it appearing, upon trial, that one of them, viz. , Samuel Odell, was taken out of the trading sloop but the night beforethe engagement. This poor fellow was a little unlucky at his firstentering upon his new trade, there appearing no less than seventy woundsupon him after the action; notwithstanding which he lived and was curedof them all. The other person that escaped the gallows was one IsraelHands, the master of Black-beard's sloop, and formerly captain of thesame, before the _Queen Ann's Revenge_ was lost in Topsail inlet. 

The aforesaid Hands happened not to be in the fight, but was takenafterwards ashore at Bath Town, having been sometime before disabled byBlack-beard, in one of his savage humors, after the following manner:One night, drinking in his cabin with Hands, the pilot, and another man, Black-beard, without any provocation, privately draws out a small pairof pistols, and cocks them under the table, which being perceived by theman, he withdrew and went upon deck, leaving Hands, the pilot, and thecaptain together. When the pistols were ready he blew out the candle, and, crossing his hands, discharged them at his company; Hands, themaster, was shot through the knee and lamed for life, the other pistoldid no execution. Being asked the meaning of this, he only answered bydamning them, that "if he did not now and then kill one of them, theywould forget who he was. "

Hands being taken, was tried and condemned, but just as he was about tobe executed a ship arrived at Virginia with a proclamation forprolonging the time of his Majesty's pardon to such of the pirates asshould surrender by a limited time therein expressed. Notwithstandingthe sentence, Hands pleaded the pardon, and was allowed the benefit ofit, and was alive some time ago in London, begging his bread. 

Now that we have given some account of Teach's life and actions, itwill not be amiss that we speak of his beard, since it did not a littlecontribute towards making his name so terrible in those parts. 

Plutarch and other grave historians have taken notice that several greatmen amongst the Romans took their surnames from certain odd marks intheir countenances--as Cicero, from a mark, or vetch, on his nose--soour hero, Captain Teach, assumed the cognomen of Black-beard, from thatlarge quantity of hair which, like a frightful meteor, covered his wholeface, and frightened America more than any comet that has appeared therea long time. 

This beard was black, which he suffered to grow of an extravagantlength; as to breadth, it came up to his eyes. He was accustomed totwist it with ribbons, in small tails, after the manner of our Ramiliewigs, and turn them about his ears. In time of action he wore a slingover his shoulders, with three brace of pistols hanging in holsters likebandoliers, and stuck lighted matches under his hat, which, appearing oneach side of his face, his eyes naturally looking fierce and wild, madehim altogether such a figure that imagination cannot form an idea of afury from hell to look more frightful. 

If he had the look of a fury, his humors and passions were suitable toit. 

In the commonwealth of pirates, he who goes the greatest length ofwickedness is looked upon with a kind of envy amongst them as a personof a more extraordinary gallantry, and is thereby entitled to bedistinguished by some post, and if such a one has but courage, he mustcertainly be a great man. The hero of whom we are writing was thoroughlyaccomplished this way, and some of his frolics of wickedness were soextravagant, as if he aimed at making his men believe he was a devilincarnate; for being one day at sea, and a little flushed with drink, "Come, " says he, "let us make a hell of our own, and try how long we canbear it. " Accordingly he, with two or three others, went down into thehold, and closing up all the hatches, filled several pots full ofbrimstone and other combustible matter, and set it on fire, and socontinued till they were almost suffocated, when some of the men criedout for air. At length he opened the hatches, not a little pleased thathe held out the longest. 

The night before he was killed he sat up and drank till the morning withsome of his own men and the master of a merchantman; and having hadintelligence of the two sloops coming to attack him, as has been beforeobserved, one of his men asked him, in case anything should happen tohim in the engagement with the sloops, whether his wife knew where hehad buried his money? He answered, "That nobody but himself and thedevil knew where it was, and the longest liver should take all. "

Those of his crew who were taken alive told a story which may appear alittle incredible; however, we think it will not be fair to omit itsince we had it from their own mouths. That once upon a cruise theyfound out that they had a man on board more than their crew; such a onewas seen several days amongst them, sometimes below and sometimes upondeck, yet no man in the ship could give an account who he was, or fromwhence he came, but that he disappeared a little before they were castaway in their great ship; but it seems they verily believed it was thedevil. 

One would think these things should induce them to reform their lives, but so many reprobates together, encouraged and spirited one another upin their wickedness, to which a continual course of drinking did not alittle contribute, for in Black-beard's journal, which was taken, therewere several memorandums of the following nature found writ with his ownhand: Such a day rum all out; our company somewhat sober; a damnedconfusion amongst us; rouges a-plotting; great talk of separation; so Ilooked sharp for a prize; such a day took one with a great deal ofliquor on board, so kept the company hot, damned hot, then all thingswent well again. 

Thus it was these wretches passed their lives, with very little pleasureor satisfaction in the possession of what they violently take away fromothers, and sure to pay for it at last by an ignominious death. 

The names of the pirates killed in the engagement, are as follows:--

Edward Teach, commander; Philip Morton, gunner; Garret Gibbens, boatswain; Owen Roberts, carpenter; Thomas Miller, quartermaster; JohnHusk, Joseph Curtice, Joseph Brooks (1), Nath. Jackson. All the rest, except the two last, were wounded, and afterwards hanged inVirginia:--John Carnes, Joseph Brooks (2), James Blake, John Gills, Thomas Gates, James White, Richard Stiles, Cæsar, Joseph Philips, JamesRobbins, John Martin, Edward Salter, Stephen Daniel, Richard Greensail, Israel Hands, pardoned, Samuel Odel, acquitted. 

There were in the pirate sloops, and ashore in a tent near where thesloops lay, twenty-five hogsheads of sugar, eleven tierces, and onehundred and forty-five bags of cocoa, a barrel of indigo, and a bale ofcotton; which, with what was taken from the governor and secretary, andthe sale of the sloop, came to £2, 500, besides the rewards paid by thegovernor of Virginia, pursuant to his proclamation; all which wasdivided among the companies of the two ships, _Lime_ and _Pearl_, thatlay in James River; the brave fellows that took them coming in for nomore than their dividend amongst the rest, and were paid it not tillfour years afterwards. 

II

CAPTAIN WILLIAM KID

We are now going to give an account of one whose name is better known inEngland than most of those whose histories we have already related; theperson we mean is Captain Kid, whose public trial and execution hererendered him the subject of all conversation, so that his actions havebeen chanted about in ballads; however, it is now a considerable timesince these things passed, and though the people knew in general thatCaptain Kid was hanged, and that his crime was piracy, yet there werescarce any, even at that time, who were acquainted with his life oractions, or could account for his turning pirate. 

In the beginning of King William's war, Captain Kid commanded aprivateer in the West Indies, and by several adventurous actionsacquired the reputation of a brave man, as well as an experiencedseaman. About this time the pirates were very troublesome in thoseparts, wherefore Captain Kid was recommended by the Lord Bellamont, thengovernor of Barbadoes, as well as by several other persons, to theGovernment here, as a person very fit to be entrusted with the commandof a Government ship, and to be employed in cruising upon the pirates, as knowing those seas perfectly well, and being acquainted with alltheir lurking places; but what reasons governed the politics of thosetimes I cannot tell, but this proposal met with no encouragement here, though it is certain it would have been of great consequence to thesubject, our merchants suffering incredible damages by those robbers. 

Upon this neglect the Lord Bellamont and some others, who knew whatgreat captures had been made by the pirates, and what a prodigiouswealth must be in their possession, were tempted to fit out a ship attheir own private charge, and to give the command of it to Captain Kid;and to give the thing a great reputation, as well as to keep theirseamen under the better command, they procured the King's Commission forthe said Captain Kid, of which the following is an exact copy:--

 "WILLIAM REX, --William the Third, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To our trusty and well-beloved Captain William Kid, Commander of the ship the _Adventure_ galley, or to any other the commander of the same for the time being, greeting; Whereas we are informed, that Captain Thomas Too, John Ireland, Captain Thomas Wake, and Captain William Maze, or Mace, and other subjects, natives or inhabitants of New York, and elsewhere, in our plantations in America, have associated themselves, with divers others, wicked and ill-disposed persons, and do, against the law of nations, commit many and great piracies, robberies, and depredations on the seas upon the parts of America, and in other parts, to the great hindrance and discouragement of trade and navigation, and to the great danger and hurt of our loving subjects, our allies, and all others, navigating the seas upon their lawful occasions. Now know ye, that we being desirous to prevent the aforesaid mischiefs, and, as much as in us lies, to bring the said pirates, freebooters and sea-rovers to justice, have thought fit, and do hereby give and grant to the said William Kid (to whom our Commissioners for exercising the office of Lord High Admiral of England, have granted a commission as a private man-of-war, bearing date December 11, 1695), and unto the commander of the said ship for the time being, and unto the officers, mariners, and others, which shall be under your command, full power and authority to apprehend, seize, and take into your custody as well the said Captain Thomas Too, John Ireland, Captain Thomas Wake, and Captain William Maze, or Mace, as all such pirates, freebooters and sea-rovers, being either our subjects, or of other nations associated with them, which you shall meet with upon the seas or coasts of America, or upon any other seas or coasts, with all their ships and vessels; and all such merchandises, money, goods, and wares as shall be found on board, or with them, in case they shall willingly yield themselves; but if they will not yield without fighting, then you are by force to compel them to yield. And we do also require you to bring, or cause to be brought, such pirates, freebooters, or sea-rovers, as you shall seize, to a legal trial, to the end they may be proceeded against according to the law in such cases. And we do hereby command all our officers, ministers, and other our loving subjects whatsoever, to be aiding and assisting to you in the premisses. And we do hereby enjoin you to keep an exact journal of your proceedings in the execution of the premisses, and set down the names of such pirates, and of their officers and company, and the names of such ships and vessels as you shall by virtue of these presents take and seize, and the quantities of arms, ammunition, provision, and lading of such ships, and the true value of the same, as near as you judge. And we do hereby strictly charge and command you as you will answer the contrary at your peril, that you do not, in any manner, offend or molest our friends or allies, their ships, or subjects, by colour or pretence of these presents, or the authority thereby granted. In witness whereof we have caused our Great Seal of England to be affixed to these presents. Given at our Court of Kensington, the 26th day of January, 1695, in the seventh year of our reign. "

Captain Kid had also another commission, which was called a Commissionof Reprisals; for it being then war time, this commission was to justifyhim in the taking of French merchant ships, in case he should meet withany. 

With these two commissions he sailed out of Plymouth in May, 1696, inthe _Adventure_ galley of thirty guns and eighty men. The place he firstdesigned for was New York; in his voyage thither he took a Frenchbanker, but this was no act of piracy, he having a commission for thatpurpose, 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 adesperate enemy. The terms he offered were that every man should have ashare of what was taken, reserving for himself and owners forty shares. Upon which encouragement he soon increased his company to a hundred andfifty-five men. 

With this company he sailed first for Madeira, where he took in wineand some other necessaries; from thence he proceeded to Bonavist, one ofthe Cape de Verde islands, to furnish the ship with salt, and fromthence went immediately to St. Jago, another of the Cape de Verdeislands, in order to stock himself with provisions. When all this wasdone he bent his course to Madagascar, the known rendezvous of pirates. In his way he fell in with Captain Warren, commodore of threemen-of-war; he acquainted them with his design, kept them company two orthree days, and then leaving them made the best way for Madagascar, where he arrived in February, 1696, just nine months from his departurefrom Plymouth. 

It happened that at this time the pirate ships were most of them out insearch of prey, so that, according to the best intelligence Captain Kidcould get, there was not one of them at this time about the island, wherefore, having spent some time in watering his ship and taking inmore provisions, he thought of trying his fortune on the coast ofMalabar, where he arrived in the month of June following, four monthsfrom his reaching Madagascar. Hereabouts he made an unsuccessful cruise, touching sometimes at the island of Mahala, sometimes at that of Joanna, between Malabar and Madagascar. His provisions were every day wasting, and his ship began to want repair; wherefore, when he was at Joanna, hefound means of borrowing a sum of money from some Frenchmen who had losttheir ship, but saved their effects, and with this he purchasedmaterials for putting his ship in good repair. 

It does not appear all this while that he had the least design ofturning pirate, for near Mahala and Joanna both he met with severalIndian ships richly laden, to which he did not offer the least violence, though he was strong enough to have done what he pleased with them; andthe first outrage or depredation I find he committed upon mankind wasafter his repairing his ship and leaving Joanna. He touched at a placecalled Mabbee, upon the Red Sea, where he took some Guinea corn from thenatives, by force. 

After this he sailed to Bab's Key, a place upon a little island at theentrance of the Red Sea. Here it was that he first began to open himselfto his ship's company, and let them understand that he intended tochange his measures; for, happening to talk of the Moca fleet which wasto sail that way, he said, "We have been unsuccessful hitherto; butcourage, my boys, we'll make our fortunes out of this fleet. " Andfinding that none of them appeared averse to it he ordered a boat out, well manned, to go upon the coast to make discoveries, commanding themto take a prisoner and bring to him, or get intelligence any way theycould. The boat returned in a few days, bringing him word that they sawfourteen or fifteen ships ready to sail, some with English, some withDutch, and some with Moorish colors. 

We cannot account for this sudden change in his conduct, otherwise thanby supposing that he first meant well, while he had hopes of making hisfortune by taking of pirates; but now, weary of ill-success, and fearinglest his owners, out of humor at their great expenses, should dismisshim, and he should want employment, and be marked out for an unluckyman--rather, I say, than run the hazard of poverty, he resolved to dohis business one way, since he could not do it another. 

He therefore ordered a man continually to watch at the mast-head, lestthis fleet should go by them; and about four days after, towards eveningit appeared in sight, being convoyed by one English and one Dutchman-of-war. Kid soon fell in with them, and, getting into the midst ofthem, fired 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 himto sheer off, he not being strong enough to contend with them. Now hehad begun hostilities he resolved to go on, and therefore he went andcruised along the coast of Malabar. The first prize he met was a smallvessel belonging to Aden; the vessel was Moorish, and the owners wereMoorish merchants, but the master was an Englishman; his name wasParker. Kid forced him and a Portuguese that was called Don Antonio, which were all the Europeans on board, to take on with them; the firsthe designed as a pilot, and the last as an interpreter. He also used themen very cruelly, causing them to be hoisted up by the arms, anddrubbed with a naked cutlass, to force them to discover whether they hadmoney on board, and where it lay; but as they had neither gold norsilver on board he got nothing by his cruelty; however, he took fromthem a bale of pepper, and a bale of coffee, and so let them go. 

A little time after he touched at Carawar, a place upon the same coast, where, before he arrived, the news of what he had done to the Moorishship had reached them; for some of the English merchants there hadreceived an account of it from the owners, who corresponded with them;wherefore, as soon as Kid came in, he was suspected to be the person whocommitted this piracy, and one Mr. Harvey and Mr. Mason, two of theEnglish factory, came on board and asked for Parker and Antonio, thePortuguese, but Kid denied that he knew any such persons, having securedthem both in a private place in the hold, where they were kept for sevenor eight days, that is till Kid sailed from thence. 

However, the coast was alarmed, and a Portuguese man-of-war was sent outto cruise. Kid met with her, and fought her about six hours, gallantlyenough; but finding her too strong to be taken, he quitted her, for hewas able to run away from her when he would. Then he went to a placecalled Porco, where he watered the ship, and bought a number of hogs ofthe natives to victual his company. 

Soon after this he came up with a Moorish ship, the master whereof was aDutchman, called Schipper Mitchel, and chased her under French colors, which, they observing, hoisted French colors too. When he came up withher he hailed her in French, and they, having a Frenchman on board, answered him in the same language; upon which he ordered them to sendtheir boat on board. They were obliged to do so, and having examined whothey were, and from whence they came, he asked the Frenchman, who was apassenger, if he had a French pass for himself? The Frenchman gave himto understand that he had. Then he told the Frenchman he must pass forcaptain, and "by G--d, " says he, "you are the captain. " The Frenchmandurst 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 had belongedto French subjects, according to a commission he had for that purpose;though, one would think, after what he had already done, that he neednot have recourse to a quibble to give his actions a color. 

In short, he took the cargo and sold it some time after; yet still heseemed to have some fears upon him lest these proceedings should have abad end, for, coming up with a Dutch ship some time, when his menthought of nothing but attacking her, Kid opposed it; upon which amutiny arose, and the majority being for taking the said ship, andarming 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 tothe design, so that he kept company with the said ship some time, without offering her any violence. However, this dispute was theoccasion of an accident, upon which an indictment was afterwardsgrounded against Kid; for Moor, the gunner, being one day upon deck, andtalking with Kid about the said Dutch ship, some words arose betweenthem, and Moor told Kid that he had ruined 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 alongMalabar, he met with a great number of boats, all which he plundered. Upon the same coast he also lighted upon a Portuguese ship, which hekept possession of a week, and then, having taken out of her some chestsof Indian goods, thirty jars of butter, with some wax, iron, and ahundred bags of rice, he let her go. 

Much about the same time he went to one of the Malabar islands for woodand water, and his cooper, being ashore, was murdered by the natives;upon which Kid himself landed, and burnt and pillaged several of theirhouses, the people running away; but having taken one, he caused him tobe tied to a tree, and commanded one of his men to shoot him; thenputting to sea again he took the greatest prize which fell into hishands while he followed his trade. This was a Moorish ship of fourhundred tons, richly laden, named the _Queda_, merchant, the masterwhereof was an Englishman--he was called Wright, for the Indians oftenmake use of English or Dutch men to command their ships, their ownmariners not being so good artists in navigation. Kid chased her underFrench colors, and, having come up with her, he ordered her to hoist outher boat and to send on board of him, which, being done, he told Wrighthe was his prisoner; and informing himself concerning the said ship, heunderstood there were no Europeans on board except two Dutch, and oneFrenchman, all the rest being Indians or Armenians, and that theArmenians were part owners of the cargo. Kid gave the Armenians tounderstand that if they would offer anything that was worth his takingfor their ransom, he would hearken to it; upon which they proposed topay him twenty thousand rupees, not quite three thousand poundssterling; but Kid judged this would be making a bad bargain, whereforehe rejected it, and setting the crew on shore at different places on thecoast, he soon sold as much of the cargo as came to near ten thousandpounds. With part of it he also trafficked, receiving in exchangeprovisions or such other goods as he wanted. By degrees he disposed ofthe whole cargo, and when the division was made it came to about twohundred pounds a man, and, having reserved forty shares to himself, hisdividend amounted to about eight thousand pounds sterling. 

The Indians along the coast came on board and trafficked with allfreedom, and he punctually performed his bargains, till about the timehe was ready to sail; and then, thinking he should have no furtheroccasion for them, he made no scruple of taking their goods and settingthem on shore without any payment in money or goods, which they littleexpected; for as they had been used to deal with pirates, they alwaysfound them men of honor in the way of trade--a people, enemies todeceit, and that scorned to rob but in their own way. 

Kid put some of his men on board the _Queda_, merchant, and with thisship and his own sailed for Madagascar. As soon as he was arrived andhad cast anchor there came on board of him a canoe, in which wereseveral Englishmen who had formerly been well acquainted with Kid. Assoon as they saw him they saluted him and told him they were informed hewas come to take them, and hang them, which would be a little unkind insuch an old acquaintance. Kid soon dissipated their doubts by swearinghe had no such design, and that he was now in every respect theirbrother, and just as bad as they, and, calling for a cup of bomboo, drank their captain's health. 

These men belonged to a pirate ship, called the _Resolution_, formerlythe _Mocco_, merchant, whereof one Captain Culliford was commander, andwhich lay at an anchor not far from them. Kid went on board with them, promising them his friendship and assistance, and Culliford in his turncame on board of Kid; and Kid, to testify his sincerity in iniquity, finding Culliford in want of some necessaries, made him a present of ananchor and some guns, to fit him out for the sea again. 

The _Adventure_ galley was now so old and leaky that they were forced tokeep two pumps continually going, wherefore Kid shifted all the guns andtackle out of her into the _Queda_, merchant, intending her for hisman-of-war; and as he had divided the money before, he now made adivision of the remainder of the cargo. Soon after which the greatestpart of the company left him, some going on board Captain Culliford, andothers absconding in the country, so that he had not above forty menleft. 

He put to sea and happened to touch at Amboyna, one of the Dutch spiceislands, where he was told that the news of his actions had reachedEngland, and that he was there declared a pirate. 

The truth of it is, his piracies so alarmed our merchants that somemotions were made in Parliament, to inquire into the commission that wasgiven him, and the persons who fitted him out. These proceedings seemedto lean a little hard upon the Lord Bellamont, who thought himself somuch touched thereby that he published a justification of himself in apamphlet after Kid's execution. In the meantime it was thoughtadvisable, in order to stop the course of these piracies, to publish aproclamation, offering the king's free pardon to all such pirates asshould voluntarily surrender themselves, whatever piracies they had beenguilty of at any time, before the last day of April, 1699. That is tosay, for all piracies committed eastward of the Cape of Good Hope, tothe longitude and meridian of Socatora and Cape Camorin. In whichproclamation Avery[12] and Kid were excepted by name. 

When Kid left Amboyna he knew nothing of this proclamation, forcertainly had he had notice of his being excepted in it he would nothave been so infatuated to run himself into the very jaws of danger; butrelying upon his interest with the Lord Bellamont, and fancying that aFrench pass or two he found on board some of the ships he took wouldserve to countenance the matter, and that part of the booty he got wouldgain him new friends--I say, all these things made him flatter himselfthat all would be hushed, and that justice would but wink at him. Wherefore he sailed directly for New York, where he was no soonerarrived but by the Lord Bellamont's orders he was secured with all hispapers and effects. Many of his fellow-adventurers who had forsook himat Madagascar, came over from thence passengers, some to New England, and some to Jersey, where, hearing of the king's proclamation forpardoning of pirates, they surrendered themselves to the governor ofthose places. At first they were admitted to bail, but soon after werelaid in strict confinement, where they were kept for some time, till anopportunity happened of sending them with their captain over to Englandto be tried. 

Accordingly, a Sessions of Admiralty being held at the Old Bailey, inMay, 1701, Captain Kid, Nicholas Churchill, James How, Robert Lumley, William Jenkins, Gabriel Loff, Hugh Parrot, Richard Barlicorn, AbelOwens, and Darby Mullins, were arraigned for piracy and robbery on thehigh seas, and all found guilty except three: these were Robert Lumley, William Jenkins, and Richard Barlicorn, who, proving themselves to beapprentices to some of the officers of the ship, and producing theirindentures in court, were acquitted. 

The three above mentioned, though they were proved to be concerned intaking and sharing the ship and goods mentioned in the indictment, yet, as the gentlemen of the long robe rightly distinguished, there was agreat difference between their circumstances and the rest; for theremust go an intention of the mind and a freedom of the will to thecommitting an act of felony or piracy. A pirate is not to be understoodto be under constraint, but a free agent; for, in this case, the bareact will not make a man guilty, unless the will make it so. 

Kid was tried upon an indictment of murder also--viz. , for killing Moor, the gunner--and found guilty of the same. 

As to Captain Kid's defense, he insisted much upon his own innocence, and the villainy of his men. He said he went out in a laudableemployment, and had no occasion, being then in good circumstances, to goa-pirating; that the men often mutinied against him, and did as theypleased; that he was threatened to be shot in his cabin, and thatninety-five left him at one time, and set fire to his boat, so that hewas disabled from bringing his ship home, or the prizes he took, to havethem regularly condemned, which he said were taken by virtue of acommission under the broad seal, they having French passes. The captaincalled one Colonel Hewson to his reputation, who gave him anextraordinary character, and declared to the court that he had servedunder his command, and been in two engagements with him against theFrench, in which he fought as well as any man he ever saw; that therewere only Kid's ship and his own against Monsieur du Cass, who commandeda squadron of six sail, and they got the better of him. But this beingseveral years before the facts mentioned in the indictment werecommitted, proved 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 ofrogues and villains, refused to stand by him, and several of them ranaway from his ship to the said pirate. But the evidence being full andparticular against him, he was found guilty as before mentioned. 

When Kid was asked what he had to say why sentence should not passagainst him, he answered that "he had nothing to say, but that he hadbeen sworn against by perjured, wicked people. " And when sentence waspronounced, he said, "My lord, it is a very hard sentence. For my part Iam the innocentest person of them all, only I have been sworn against byperjured persons. "

Wherefore, about a week after, Captain Kid, Nicholas Churchill, JamesHow, Gabriel Loff, Hugh Parrot, Abel Owen, and Darby Mullins, wereexecuted at Execution Dock, and afterwards hung up in chains, at somedistance from each other down the river, where their bodies hung exposedfor many years. 

III

CAPTAIN BARTHOLOMEW ROBERTS AND HIS CREW

Bartholomew Roberts sailed in an honest employ from London, aboard ofthe _Princess_, Captain Plumb, commander, of which ship he was secondmate. He left England November, 1719, and arrived at Guinea aboutFebruary following and being at Anamaboe, taking in slaves for the WestIndies, was taken in the said ship by Captain Howel Davis. In thebeginning he was very averse to this sort of life, and would certainlyhave escaped from them had a fair opportunity presented itself; yetafterwards he changed his principles, as many besides him have done uponanother element, and perhaps for the same reason too, viz. , preferment;and what he did not like as a private man he could reconcile to hisconscience as a commander. 

Davis having been killed in the Island of Princes whilst planning tocapture it with all its inhabitants, the company found themselves underthe necessity of filling up his post, for which there appeared two orthree candidates among the select part of them that were distinguishedby the title of Lords--such were Sympson, Ashplant, Anstis, &c. --and oncanvassing this matter, how shattered and weak a condition theirgovernment must be without a head, since Davis had been removed in themanner before mentioned, my Lord Dennis proposed, it is said, over abowl, to this purpose:

"That it was not of any great signification who was dignified withtitle, for really and in good truth all good governments had, liketheirs, the supreme power lodged with the community, who might doubtlessdepute and revoke as suited interest or humor. We are the original ofthis claim, " says he, "and should a captain be so saucy as to exceedprescription at any time, why, down with him! It will be a caution afterhe is dead to his successors of what fatal consequence any sort ofassuming may be. However, it is my advice that while we are sober wepitch upon a man of courage and skilled in navigation, one who by hiscouncil and bravery seems best able to defend this commonwealth, andward us from the dangers and tempests of an unstable element, and thefatal consequences of anarchy; and such a one I take Roberts to be--afellow, I think, in all respects worthy your esteem and favor. "

This speech was loudly applauded by all but Lord Sympson, who had secretexpectations himself, but on this disappointment grew sullen and leftthem, swearing "he did not care who they chose captain so it was not apapist, for against them he had conceived an irreconcilable hatred, forthat his father had been a sufferer in Monmouth's rebellion. "

Roberts was accordingly elected, though he had not been above six weeksamong them. The choice was confirmed both by the Lords and Commoners, and he accepted of the honor, saying that, since he had dipped his handsin muddy water and must be a pirate, it was better being a commanderthan a common man. 

As soon as the government was settled, by promoting other officers inthe room of those that were killed by the Portuguese, the companyresolved to avenge Captain Davis's death, he being more than ordinarilyrespected by the crew for his affability and good nature, as well as hisconduct and bravery upon all occasions; and, pursuant to thisresolution, about thirty men were landed, in order to make an attackupon the fort, which must be ascended to by a steep hill against themouth of the cannon. These men were headed by one Kennedy, a bold, daring fellow, but very wicked and profligate; they marched directly upunder the fire of their ship guns, and as soon as they were discovered, the Portuguese quitted their post and fled to the town, and the piratesmarched in without opposition, set fire to the fort, and threw all theguns off the hill into the sea, which after they had done they retreatedquietly to their ship. 

But this was not looked upon as a sufficient satisfaction for the injurythey received, therefore most of the company were for burning the town, which Roberts said he would yield to if any means could be proposed ofdoing it without their own destruction, for the town had a securersituation than the fort, a thick wood coming almost close to it, affording cover to the defendants, who, under such an advantage, he toldthem, it was to be feared, would fire and stand better to their arms;beside, that bare houses would be but a slender reward for their troubleand loss. This prudent advice prevailed; however, they mounted theFrench ship they seized at this place with twelve guns, and lightenedher, in order to come up to the town, the water being shoal, andbattered down several houses; after which they all returned on board, gave back the French ship to those that had most right to her, andsailed out of the harbor by the light of two Portuguese ships, whichthey were pleased to set on fire there. 

Roberts stood away to the southward, and met with a Dutch Guineaman, which he made prize of, but, after having plundered her, the skipper hadhis ship again. Two days after he took an English ship, called the_Experiment_, Captain Cornet, at Cape Lopez; the men went all into thepirate service, and having no occasion for the ship they burnt her andthen steered for St. Thome, but meeting with nothing in their way, theysailed for Annabona, and there watered, took in provisions, and put itto a vote of the company whether their next voyage should be to the EastIndies or to Brazil. The latter being resolved on, they sailedaccordingly, and in twenty-eight days arrived at Ferdinando, anuninhabited island on that coast. Here they watered, boot-topped theirship, and made ready for the designed cruise. 

Upon this coast our rovers cruised for about nine weeks, keepinggenerally out of sight of land, but without seeing a sail, whichdiscouraged them so that they determined to leave the station and steerfor the West Indies; and, in order thereto, stood in to make the landfor the taking of their departure; and thereby they fell in unexpectedlywith a fleet of forty-two sail of Portuguese ships off the bay of LosTodos Santos, with all their lading in, for Lisbon, several of them ofgood force, who lay-to waiting for two men-of-war of seventy guns each, their convoy. However, Roberts thought it should go hard with him, buthe would make up his market among them, and thereupon mixed with thefleet, and kept his men hid till proper resolutions could be formed. That done, they came close up to one of the deepest, and ordered her tosend the master on board quietly, threatening to give them no quarterif any resistance or signal of distress was made. The Portuguese, beingsurprised at these threats, and the sudden flourish of cutlasses fromthe pirates, submitted without a word, and the captain came on board. Roberts saluted him after a friendly manner telling him that they weregentlemen of fortune, but that their business with him was only to beinformed which was the richest ship in that fleet; and if he directedthem right he should be restored to his ship without molestation, otherwise he must expect immediate death. 

Whereupon this Portuguese master pointed to one of forty guns and ahundred and fifty men, a ship of greater force than the _Rover_; butthis no ways dismayed them; they were Portuguese, they said, and soimmediately steered away for him. When they came within hail, the masterwhom they had prisoner was ordered to ask "how Seignior Captain did?"and to invite him on board, "for that he had a matter of consequence toimpart to him;" which being done, he returned for answer that "he wouldwait upon him presently, " but by the bustle that immediately followed, the pirates perceived that they were discovered, and that this was onlya deceitful answer to gain time to put their ship in a posture ofdefense; so without further delay they poured in a broadside, boarded, and grappled her. The dispute was short and warm, wherein many of thePortuguese fell, and two only of the pirates. By this time the fleet wasalarmed: signals of top-gallant sheets flying and guns fired to givenotice to the men-of-war, who rid still at an anchor, and made butscurvy haste out to their assistance; and if what the pirates themselvesrelated to be true, the commanders of those ships were blameable to thehighest degree, and unworthy the title, or so much as the name, of men. For Roberts, finding the prize to sail heavy, and yet resolving not tolose her, lay by for the headmost of them, which much outsailed theother, and prepared for battle, which was ignominiously declined, thoughof such superior force; for, not daring to venture on the pirate alone, he tarried so long for his consort as gave them both time leisurely tomake off. 

They found this ship exceedingly rich, being laden chiefly with sugar, skins, and tobacco, and in gold forty thousand moidores, besides chainsand trinkets of considerable value; particularly a cross set withdiamonds designed for the king of Portugal, which they afterwardspresented to the governor of Caiana, by whom they were obliged. 

Elated with this booty, they had nothing now to think of but some saferetreat where they might give themselves up to all the pleasures thatluxury and wantonness could bestow; and for the present pitched upon aplace called the Devil's Islands in the river of Surinam, on the coastof Caiana, where they arrived, and found the civilest receptionimaginable, not only from the governor and factory, but their wives, who exchanged wares, and drove a considerable trade with them. 

They seized in this river a sloop, and by her gained intelligence that abrigantine had also sailed in company with her from Rhode Island, ladenwith provisions for the coast--a welcome cargo! They growing short inthe sea store, and, as Sancho says, "No adventures to be made withoutbelly-timber. " One evening, as they were rummaging their mine oftreasure, the Portuguese prize, this expected vessel was descried at themasthead, and Roberts, imagining nobody could do the business so well ashimself, takes forty men in the sloop, and goes in pursuit of her; but afatal accident followed this rash, though inconsiderable adventure, forRoberts, thinking of nothing less than bringing in the brigantine thatafternoon, never troubled his head about the sloop's provision, norinquired what there was on board to subsist such a number of men; butout he sails after his expected prize, which he not only lost furthersight of, but after eight days' contending with contrary winds andcurrents, found themselves thirty leagues to leeward. The current stillopposing their endeavors, and perceiving no hopes of beating up to theirship, they came to an anchor, and inconsiderately sent away the boat togive the rest of the company notice of their condition, and to order theship to them; but too soon--even the next day--their wants made themsensible of their infatuation, for their water was all expended, andthey had taken no thought how they should be supplied till either theship came or the boat returned, which was not likely to be under five orsix days. Here, like Tantalus, they almost famished in sight of thefresh streams and lakes, being drove to such extremity at last that theywere forced to tear up the floor of the cabin and patch up a sort of tubor tray with rope-yarns to paddle ashore and fetch off immediatesupplies of water to preserve life. 

After some days the long-wished-for boat came back, but with the mostunwelcome news in the world; for Kennedy, who was lieutenant, and left, in absence of Roberts, to command the privateer and prize, was gone offwith both. This was mortification with a vengeance, and you may imaginethey did not depart without some hard speeches from those that were leftand had suffered by their treachery. And that there need be no furthermention of this Kennedy, I shall leave Captain Roberts to vent his wrathin a few oaths and execrations, and follow the other, whom we may reckonfrom that time as steering his course towards Execution Dock. 

Kennedy was now chosen captain of the revolted crew, but could not bringhis company to any determined resolution. Some of them were for pursuingthe old game, but the greater part of them seemed to have inclinationsto turn from those evil courses, and get home privately, for there wasno act of pardon in force; therefore they agreed to break up, and everyman to shift for himself, as he should see occasion. The first thingthey did was to part with the great Portuguese prize, and having themaster of the sloop (whose name, I think, was Cane) aboard, who, theysaid, was a very honest fellow--for he had humored them upon everyoccasion--told them of the brigantine that Roberts went after; and whenthe pirates first took him he complimented them at any odd rate, tellingthem they were welcome to his sloop and cargo, and wished that thevessel had been larger and the loading richer for their sakes. To thisgood-natured man they gave the Portuguese ship, which was then abovehalf loaded, three or four negroes, and all his own men, who returnedthanks to his kind benefactors, and departed. 

Captain Kennedy, in the _Rover_, sailed to Barbadoes, near which islandthey took a very peaceable ship belonging to Virginia. The commander wasa Quaker, whose name was Knot; he had neither pistol, sword, nor cutlasson board; and Mr. Knot appearing so very passive to all they said tohim, some of them thought this a good opportunity to go off; andaccordingly eight of the pirates went aboard, and he carried them safeto Virginia. They made the Quaker a present of ten chests of sugar, tenrolls of Brazil tobacco, thirty moidores, and some gold dust, in all tothe value of about £250. They also made presents to the sailors, somemore, some less, and lived a jovial life all the while they were upontheir voyage, Captain Knot giving them their way; nor, indeed, could hehelp himself, unless he had taken an opportunity to surprise them whenthey were either drunk or asleep, for awake they wore arms aboard theship and put him in a continual terror, it not being his principle (orthe sect's) to fight, unless with art and collusion. He managed theseweapons well till he arrived at the Capes; and afterwards four of thepirates went off in a boat, which they had taken with them for the moreeasily making their escapes, and made up the bay towards Maryland, butwere forced back by a storm into an obscure place of the country, where, meeting with good entertainment among the planters, they continuedseveral days without being discovered to be pirates. In the meantimeCaptain Knot, leaving four others on board his ship who intended to goto North Carolina, made what haste he could to discover to Mr. Spotswood, the governor, what sort of passengers he had been forced tobring with him, who, by good fortune, got them seized; and search beingmade after the others, who were revelling about the country, they werealso taken, and all tried, convicted, and hanged; two Portuguese Jews, who were taken on the coast of Brazil and whom they brought with them toVirginia, being the principal evidences. The latter had found means tolodge part of their wealth with the planters, who never brought it toaccount. But Captain Knot surrendered up everything that belonged tothem that were taken aboard, even what they presented to him, in lieuof such things as they had plundered him of in their passage, andobliged his men to do the like. 

Some days after the taking of the Virginiaman last mentioned, incruising in the latitude of Jamaica, Kennedy took a sloop bound thitherfrom Boston, loaded with bread and flour; aboard of this sloop went allthe hands who were for breaking the gang, and left those behind that hada mind to pursue further adventures. Among the former was Kennedy, theircaptain, of whose honor they had such a despicable notion that they wereabout to throw him overboard when they found him in the sloop, asfearing he might betray them all at their return to England; he havingin his childhood been bred a pick-pocket, and before he became a piratea house-breaker; both professions that these gentlemen have a very meanopinion of. However, Captain Kennedy, by taking solemn oaths of fidelityto his companions, was suffered to proceed with them. 

In this company there was but one that pretended to any skill innavigation (for Kennedy could neither write nor read, he being preferredto the command merely for his courage, which indeed he had oftensignalized, particularly in taking the Portuguese ship), and he provedto be a pretender only; for, shaping their course to Ireland, where theyagreed to land, they ran away to the north-west coast of Scotland, andthere were tossed about by hard storms of wind for several days withoutknowing where they were, and in great danger of perishing. At lengththey pushed the vessel into a little creek and went all ashore, leavingthe sloop at an anchor for the next comers. 

The whole company refreshed themselves at a little village about fivemiles from the place where they left the sloop, and passed there forshipwrecked sailors, and no doubt might have travelled on withoutsuspicion, but the mad and riotous manner of their living on the roadoccasioned their journey to be cut short, as we shall observe presently. 

Kennedy and another left them here, and, travelling to one of theseaports, shipped themselves for Ireland, and arrived there in safety. Six or seven wisely withdrew from the rest, travelled at their leisure, and got to their much-desired port of London without being disturbed orsuspected, but the main gang alarmed the country wherever they came, drinking and roaring at such a rate that the people shut themselves upin their houses, in some places not daring to venture out among so manymad fellows. In other villages they treated the whole town, squanderingtheir money away as if, like Æsop, they wanted to lighten theirburthens. This expensive manner of living procured two of their drunkenstragglers to be knocked on the head, they being found murdered in theroad and their money taken from them. All the rest, to the number ofseventeen, as they drew nigh to Edinburgh, were arrested and throwninto gaol upon suspicion of they knew not what; however, the magistrateswere not long at a loss for proper accusations, for two of the gangoffering themselves for evidences were accepted of, and the others werebrought to a speedy trial, whereof nine were convicted and executed. 

Kennedy having spent all his money, came over from Ireland and kept apublic-house on Deptford Road, and now and then it was thought, made anexcursion abroad in the way of his former profession, till one of hishousehold gave information against him for a robbery, for which he wascommitted to Bridewell; but because she would not do the business byhalves she found out a mate of a ship that Kennedy had committed piracyupon, as he foolishly confessed to her. This mate, whose name was Grant, paid Kennedy a visit in Bridewell, and knowing him to be the man, procured a warrant, and had him committed to the Marshalsea prison. 

The game that Kennedy had now to play was to turn evidence himself;accordingly he gave a list of eight or ten of his comrades, but, notbeing acquainted with their habitations, one only was taken, who, thoughcondemned, appeared to be a man of a fair character, was forced intotheir service, and took the first opportunity to get from them, andtherefore received a pardon; but Walter Kennedy, being a notoriousoffender, was executed July 19, 1721, at Execution Dock. 

The rest of the pirates who were left in the ship _Rover_ stayed notlong behind, for they went ashore to one of the West India islands. Whatbecame of them afterwards I cannot tell, but the ship was found at seaby a sloop belonging to _St. Christophers_, and carried into that islandwith only nine negroes aboard. 

Thus we see what a disastrous fate ever attends the wicked, and howrarely they escape the punishment due to their crimes, who, abandoned tosuch a profligate life, rob, spoil, and prey upon mankind, contrary tothe light and law of nature, as well as the law of God. It might havebeen hoped that the examples of these deaths would have been as marks tothe remainder of this gang, how to shun the rocks their companions hadsplit on; that they would have surrendered to mercy, or dividedthemselves for ever from such pursuits, as in the end they might be surewould subject them to the same law and punishment, which they must beconscious they now equally deserved; impending law, which never let themsleep well unless when drunk. But all the use that was made of it here, was to commend the justice of the court that condemned Kennedy, for hewas a sad dog, they said, and deserved the fate he met with. 

But to go back to Roberts, whom we left on the coast of Caiana, in agrievous passion at what Kennedy and the crew had done, and who was nowprojecting new adventures with his small company in the sloop; butfinding hitherto they had been but as a rope of sand, they formed a setof articles to be signed and sworn to for the better conservation oftheir society, and doing justice to one another, excluding all Irishmenfrom the benefit of it, to whom they had an implacable aversion upon theaccount of Kennedy. How, indeed, Roberts could think that an oath wouldbe obligatory where defiance had been given to the laws of God and man, I cannot tell, but he thought their greatest security lay in this--"thatit was every one's interest to observe them, if they minded to keep upso abominable a combination. "

 * * * * *

The following is the substance of articles as taken from the pirates'own informations:--

I

Every man has a vote in affairs of moment, has equal title to the freshprovisions or strong liquors at any time seized, and may use them atpleasure, unless a scarcity (no uncommon thing among them) make itnecessary for the good of all to vote a retrenchment. 

II

Every man to be called fairly in turn by list, on board of prizes, because, over and above their proper share, they were on these occasionsallowed a shift of clothes. But if they defrauded the company to thevalue of a dollar, in plate, jewels, or money, marooning was theirpunishment. (This was a barbarous custom of putting the offender onshore, on some desolate or uninhabited cape or island, with a gun, a fewshot, a bottle of water, a bottle of powder, to subsist with or starve. )If the robbery was only between one another, they contented themselveswith slitting the ears and nose of him that was guilty, and set him onshore, not in an uninhabited place, but somewhere where he was sure toencounter hardships. 

III

No person to game at cards or dice for money. 

IV

The lights and candles to be put out at eight o'clock at night. If anyof the crew after that hour still remained inclined for drinking, theywere to do it on the open deck. (Which Roberts believed would give acheck to their debauches, for he was a sober man himself, but found atlength that all his endeavors to put an end to this debauch provedineffectual. )

V

To keep their piece, pistols, and cutlass clean, and fit for service. (In this they were extravagantly nice, endeavoring to outdo one anotherin the beauty and richness of their arms, giving sometimes at anauction--at the mast--£30 or £40 a pair for pistols. These were slung intime of service, with different colored ribbons, over their shoulders, in a way peculiar to these fellows, in which they took great delight. )

VI

No boy or woman to be allowed amongst them. If any man were foundseducing any of the latter sex, and carried her to sea disguised, he wasto suffer death. (So that when any fell into their hands, as it chancedin the _Onslow_, they put a sentinel immediately over her to prevent illconsequences from so dangerous an instrument of division and quarrel;but then here lies the roguery--they contend who shall be sentinel, which happens generally to one of the greatest bullies. )

VII

To desert the ship or their quarters in battle, was punished with deathor marooning. 

VIII

No striking one another on board, but every man's quarrel to be ended onshore, at sword and pistol. Thus the quartermaster of the ship, when theparties will not come to any reconciliation, accompanies them on shorewith what assistance he thinks proper, and turns the disputants back toback at so many paces distance. At the word of command they turn andfire immediately, or else the piece is knocked out of their hands. Ifboth miss, they come to their cutlasses, and then he is declared victorwho draws the first blood. 

IX

No man to talk of breaking up their way of living till each had shared£1, 000. If, in order to this, any man should lose a limb, or become acripple in their service, he was to have 800 dollars out of the publicstock, and for lesser hurts proportionably. 

X

The captain and quartermaster to receive two shares of a prize; themaster, boatswain, and gunner, one share and a half, the other officersone and a quarter. 

XI

The musicians to have rest on the Sabbath-day, but the other six daysand nights none without special favor. 

 * * * * *

These, we are assured, were some of Roberts's articles, but as they hadtaken care to throw overboard the original they had signed and sworn to, there is a great deal of room to suspect the remainder containedsomething too horrid to be disclosed to any, except such as were willingto be sharers in the iniquity of them. Let them be what they will, theywere together the test of all newcomers, who were initiated by an oathtaken on a Bible, reserved for that purpose only, and were subscribed toin presence of the worshipful Mr. Roberts. And in case any doubt shouldarise concerning the construction of these laws, and it should remain adispute whether the party had infringed them or no, a jury was appointedto explain them, and bring in a verdict upon the case in doubt. 

Since we are now speaking of the laws of this company, I shall go on, and, in as brief a manner as I can, relate the principal customs andgovernment of this roguish commonwealth, which are pretty near the samewith all pirates. 

For the punishment of small offences which are not provided for by thearticles, and which are not of consequence enough to be left to a jury, there is a principal officer among the pirates, called thequartermaster, of the men's own choosing, who claims all authority thisway, excepting in time of battle. If they disobey his command, arequarrelsome and mutinous with one another, misuse prisoners, plunderbeyond his order, and in particular, if they be negligent of their arms, which he musters at discretion, he punishes at his own arbitrament, withdrubbing or whipping, which no one else dare do without incurring thelash from all the ship's company. In short, this officer is trustee forthe whole, is the first on board any prize, separating for the company'suse what he pleases, and returning what he thinks fit to the owners, excepting gold and silver, which they have voted not returnable. 

After a description of the quartermaster and his duty, who acts as asort of civil magistrate on board a pirate ship, I shall consider theirmilitary officer, the captain; what privileges he exerts in such anarchyand unruliness of the members. Why, truly very little--they only permithim to be captain, on condition that they may be captain over him; theyseparate to his use the great cabin, and sometimes vote him smallparcels of plate and china (for it may be noted that Roberts drank histea constantly), but then every man, as the humor takes him, will usethe plate and china, intrude into his apartment, swear at him, seize apart of his victuals and drink, if they like it, without his offering tofind fault or contest it. Yet Roberts, by a better management thanusual, became the chief director in everything of moment; and ithappened thus:--The rank of captain being obtained by the suffrage ofthe majority, it falls on one superior for knowledge andboldness--pistol proof, as they call it--who can make those fear who donot love him. Roberts is said to have exceeded his fellows in theserespects, and when advanced, enlarged the respect that followed it bymaking a sort of privy council of half a dozen of the greatest bullies, such as were his competitors, and had interest enough to make hisgovernment easy; yet even those, in the latter part of his reign, he hadrun counter to in every project that opposed his own opinion; for which, and because he grew reserved and would not drink and roar at their rate, a cabal was formed to take away his captainship, which death did moreeffectually. 

The captain's power is uncontrollable in chase or in battle, drubbing, cutting, or even shooting any one who dares deny his command. The sameprivilege he takes over prisoners, who receive good or ill usage mostlyas he approves of their behavior, for though the meanest would take uponthem to misuse a master of a ship, yet he would control herein when hesees it, and merrily over a bottle give his prisoners this double reasonfor it: first, that it preserved his precedence; and secondly, that ittook the punishment out of the hands of a much more rash and mad set offellows than himself. When he found that rigor was not expected from hispeople (for he often practiced it to appease them), then he would givestrangers to understand that it was pure inclination that induced him toa good treatment of them, and not any love or partiality to theirpersons; for, says he, "there is none of you but will hang me, I know, whenever you can clinch me within your power. "

 * * * * *

And now, seeing the disadvantages they were under for pursuing theirplans, viz. , a small vessel ill repaired, and without provisions orstores, they resolved, one and all, with the little supplies they couldget, to proceed for the West Indies, not doubting to find a remedy forall these evils and to retrieve their loss. 

In the latitude of Deseada, one of the islands, they took two sloops, which supplied them with provisions and other necessaries, and a fewdays afterwards took a brigantine belonging to Rhode Island, and thenproceeded to Barbadoes, off of which island they fell in with a Bristolship of ten guns, in her voyage out, from whom they took abundance ofclothes, some money, twenty-five bales of goods, five barrels ofpowder, a cable, hawser, ten casks of oatmeal, six casks of beef, andseveral other goods, besides five of their men; and after they haddetained her three days let her go, who, being bound for the aforesaidisland, she acquainted the governor with what had happened as soon asshe arrived. 

Whereupon a Bristol galley that lay in the harbor was ordered to befitted out with all imaginable expedition, of 20 guns and 80 men, therebeing then no man-of-war upon that station, and also a sloop with 10guns and 40 men. The galley was commanded by one Captain Rogers, ofBristol, and the sloop by Captain Graves, of that island, and CaptainRogers, by a commission from the governor, was appointed commodore. 

The second day after Rogers sailed out of the harbor he was discoveredby Roberts, who, knowing nothing of their design, gave them chase. TheBarbadoes ships kept an easy sail till the pirates came up with them, and then Roberts gave them a gun, expecting they would have immediatelystruck to his piratical flag; but instead thereof, he was forced toreceive the fire of a broadside, with three huzzas at the same time, sothat an engagement ensued; but Roberts, being hardly put to it, wasobliged to crowd all the sail the sloop would bear to get off. Thegalley, sailing pretty well, kept company for a long while, keeping aconstant fire, which galled the pirate; however, at length, by throwingover their guns and other heavy goods, and thereby lightening thevessel, they, with much ado, got clear; but Roberts could never endure aBarbadoes man afterwards, and when any ships belonging to that islandfell in his way, he was more particularly severe to them than others. 

Captain Roberts sailed in the sloop to the island of Dominico, where hewatered and got provisions of the inhabitants, to whom he gave goods inexchange. At this place he met with thirteen Englishmen, who had beenset ashore by a French Guard de la Coste, belonging to Martinico, takenout of two New England ships that had been seized as prizes by the saidFrench sloop. The men willingly entered with the pirates, and it proveda seasonable recruiting. 

They stayed not long here, though they had immediate occasion forcleaning their sloop, but did not think this a proper place; and hereinthey judged right, for the touching at this island had like to have beentheir destruction, because they, having resolved to go away to theGranada Islands for the aforesaid purpose, by some accident it came tobe known to the French colony, who, sending word to the governor ofMartinico, he equipped and manned two sloops to go in quest of them. Thepirates sailed directly for the Granadilloes, and hall'd into a lagoonat Corvocoo, where they cleaned with unusual dispatch, staying but alittle above a week, by which expedition they missed of the Martinicosloops only a few hours, Roberts sailing overnight and the Frencharriving the next morning. This was a fortunate escape, especiallyconsidering that it was not from any fears of their being discoveredthat they made so much haste from the island, but, as they had theimpudence themselves to own, for the want of wine and women. 

Thus narrowly escaped, they sailed for Newfoundland, and arrived uponthe banks the latter end of June, 1720. They entered the harbor ofTrepassi with their black colors flying, drums beating, and trumpetssounding. There were two-and-twenty vessels in the harbor, which the menall quitted upon the sight of the pirate, and fled ashore. It isimpossible particularly to recount the destruction and havoc they madehere, burning and sinking all the shipping except a Bristol galley, anddestroying the fisheries and stages of the poor planters without remorseor compunction; for nothing is so deplorable as power in mean andignorant hands--it makes men wanton and giddy, unconcerned at themisfortunes they are imposing on their fellow-creatures, and keeps themsmiling at the mischiefs that bring themselves no advantage. They arelike madmen that cast fire-brands, arrows, and death, and say, Are notwe in sport?

FOOTNOTES:

[11] A contemporary narrative. From _The Buccaneers of America_. 

[12] Avery was called "The King of the Pirates. " See "The Daughter ofthe Great Mogul. "

NARRATIVE OF THE CAPTURE OF THE SHIP _DERBY_, 1735

CAPTAIN ANSELM

I fell in with the Land of _Madagascar_, the Latitude of about 24Degrees, 13 Minutes North: And some time before I had made it, I metwith nothing but light Airs of Winds, and Calms, and continued so long. My People dropping down with the Scurvy, I took a small Still that Ihad, and distill'd Salt Water into Fresh. I allow'd them as much Peaseand Flower as they could eat, that they might not eat any SaltProvision, tho' I boil'd it in fresh Water. I had been very liberal withmy fresh Provision in my Passage, to my People, and the Passage so long, that I had hardly any left, and that only a few Fowls; and myself andOfficers too had been much out of Order. At last, being got to theNorthward of _Augustin_ Bay, seeing my poor People fall down so veryfast, it gave me very great Concern for them, but still was willing, inHopes of Change of Wind, for _Johanna_. But the small Airs trifled withme, and what there were Northerly, a Current setting to the Southward, that what to do I could not well tell. To go into _Augustin_ Bay I wasvery unwilling: I had two Boats came off to me, the People talkingtolerable good _English_. At last, my Doctor, _Sharp_, told me therewere above Thirty People down with the Scurvy, and all the rest, evensome of the Petty Officers, were touch'd with the same. If I did notsoon put into Port, I plainly found I should have been in a badCondition, for Men; I consulted with my Officers, to go into _Augustin_Bay, and we agreed, and bore away for it. Soon after, the Wind cameSoutherly, and I bore away for _Johanna_. A fine Passage I had, andanchor'd the next Day about Four in the Afternoon, being _Sept. _ 13. Ithank God I brought all my People in alive, and that is as much I cansay of a good many of them. I had a Tent made ashore for them, andsupplied them all that ever I could, and the Doctors assisting withevery thing in their Way for their speedy Recovery. After I had beenhere a Fortnight, the Winds in the Day-time set in very fresh from theN. N. W. To the N. N. E. Finding the People recover so very slowly, whatto do I could not tell. To go out with my People as bad as when theycame in, I was not willing, but resolv'd to have Patience one Week more. I consulted with Mr. _Rogers_, my Chief-Mate, and told him that we mustconsider the Condition of the People, and how we met the Winds andCurrents before we came in. The People of the Island told me, that thiswas about the time of Year for the Northerly Winds and SoutherlyCurrents, and I told him I thought it better to trim all our Casks, andfill what Water we could, fearing of a long Passage, if our Stay was alittle longer. Mr. _Rogers_ was of my Opinion. This I must say, I foundthe Cask not so well used in the Hold, as they ought to have been, whichcaus'd the Coopers more Work; neither did I make a little Noise aboutit, because I had more Words with my Chief and Second Mate, about myThird and Fourth Mate, than any thing else. 

Having all my Water aboard, about 80 Tun, 25 Head of Oxen, _&c. _, Isail'd the 13th of _October_, with several of my Men not recover'd; someI buried at _Johanna_, and some after, to the Number of Ten, orthereabouts. Having a fine Gale, I made all the Sail I could, exceptStudding-sails, which I thought needless. The Wind veer'd to theNorthward, and I was resolved to make the _Mallabar_ Course as soon aspossible, for the Advantage of the Land and Sea Winds. I had onePassenger aboard, a sad troublesome wicked Fellow, whose Behaviour wasso bad, that I could hardly forbear using him ill. I forbid my Officerskeeping Company with him; but Mr. _B----s_ would do it at all Events. Iturn'd him once off the Quarter-Deck for being with him there, yet thatdid not avail. I came out one Night about half an Hour past Ten, mysecond Mate's Watch, and this _B----s's_ Turn to sleep; and seeing aLight in his Cabin, I sent Mr. _Cuddon_, the second Mate, to him, toknow how he would be able to sit up one Watch, and keep his own. Uponthis _B----s_ came up half way the Steerage-Ladder, with his Pipe in hisHand, and talk'd to me very pertly; and that was not the first time. This put me into a Passion, to be so talk'd to by a Boy, that I diddismiss him for two or three Days, and then re-stated him, which wasmore than he deserv'd, for keeping Company with him for whom the worstof Names is good enough, and those who recommended him to hisCommission. _B----s_ was told of this by Mr. _Rogers_, by my Orders, andI told him of it on the Quarter-Deck, and told him at the same time Iwas resolv'd to tell the Gentlemen at Home of ----; and ask'd him whathe imagin'd they would think of him for keeping such swearing drunkenCompany. This was before I dismiss'd him. 

Before I came in with the Land, hearing much talk of _Angria_, [13] byCapt. _Scarlet_, and Mr. _Rogers_, and of his great Force (for I hadvery little Notion of him before) I took care to put the Ship in aproper Posture of Defence: Powder-Chests on the Quarter-Deck, Poop, andForecastle, a Puncheon fill'd with Water in the Main-top, a Hogshead inthe Fore-top, and a Barrel in the Mizen-top, all fill'd with Water:Chests with good Coverings in the Tops for Grenado-Shells; all the smallArms, with 50 new ones in Readiness. My Ship being too deep to get theGun-room Ports open, as the Gunner inform'd me, the Ship _sending_, andthe Sea washing above the Tops of the Ports; I got those Guns into theGreat Cabin; Quarter-Bills over the Guns; the Rewards andClose-quarters, _&c. _ at the Mizen-mast, Shot-lockers and Shot in theirproper Station; Pluggs for Shot-holes; and every thing that I couldthink of: and gave particular Orders to my Gunner, Carpenter, andBoatswain, to have every thing in their way, in Readiness, the two lowerYards flung with the Top-chains. Not being easy in my Mind about theseGun-room Stern-Ports, I sent Mr. _Rogers_, it being smooth Water, toopen one of the Gun-room Stern-Ports, to see, if we could, on Occasion, get Guns out there, but he brought me Word it could not be done withSafety, the Ship being so deep. A few Days before I made the Land, theWinds used to vere and haul, that Offing in an Hour I could hardly upfrom E. N. E. To S. E. But the Winds chiefly kept to the Northward. Iwas very desirous to make the Land, not knowing how far the SouthwestCurrents might set me to the Westward. At noon, being _Dec. _ 12, I madethe Land of _Goa_, in the Latitude of 15 Degrees North. My Chief Matewanted me to go into _Goa_, but I was resolved not, but to make the bestof my Way for _Bombay_. The next Morning, having a fine Six-Knot-Gale, about Nine o' Clock Mr. _Rogers_ told me, he saw _Gereah_, and desiredme to haul further off Shore, and said, if _Angria_ and his Grabbsshould see us in his River, he would send them out after us. I askedhim, if his Grabbs came out of Sight of Land. He told me they wereafraid to do that, fearing the _Bombay_ Vessels should get between themand the Shore, and keep them out of their Ports. To prevent running intoDanger, I kept out of Sight of Land: I thought it better to do so, sinceit would make but a few Days Difference in getting at _Bombay_; makingno Doubt I should get there the last of the Month, as doubtless weshould, if we had not met with our sad Misfortune. 

When it was too late, I was acquainted by those taken in the _Severn_, that Mr. _Rogers_ inform'd me wrong; for _Angria_ sometimes keeps theShore aboard, and sometimes goes directly out to Sea 60 Leagues off. Itwas too late to reflect; neither could I blame myself, knowing I haddone every thing to the best of my Judgment: But had I been betterinform'd, it is my Opinion we might have escaped those cursed Dogs, bykeeping in Shore, and taken the Advantage of the Land and Sea Winds. 

I have since repented that we did not go into _Goa_; but God knowswhether a Man goes too fast or too slow; for I had certainly a verysuitable Cargo for that Place; But my earnest Desire was to get to_Bombay_, the Season of the Year being far advanc'd. 

_December_ 26, being my second Mate's Morning Watch, about Five o' Clockhe came to me, and told me he saw Nine Sail of Gallivats. I got up, andfound them to be Five Top-mast Vessels, and Four Gallivats, not abovetwo Miles from us. I order'd all Hands to be call'd, and down with theCabins in the Steerage, which was done in an Instant, and every body totheir respective Quarters. They came up with us apace, having but lightAirs of Winds, and found them to be _Angria's_ Fleet. I had the Transomein the great Cabin, and the Balcony in the Round-house cut away, fortraversing the Stern-Chase Guns. They came up with me very boldly withinPistol-shot. Before Six, they began firing upon us, throwing their Shotin at our Stern, raking us afore and aft. I order'd everything to be gotready for going about, to give them my Broad-side, when my Chief-MateMr. _Rogers_, and my Third Mate Mr. _Burroughs_ came to me, and begg'dthat I would not put about, for if I did, they would certainly board us. As to my Part, being a Stranger to this Coast and _Angria_, knowing myChief Mate had been often this Way, and my Third Mate had sail'd in theGallies, I was over prevail'd upon not to tack about. As the Enemy keptunder my Stern, playing their Shot in very hot upon us, and destroyingmy Rigging so fast, I soon after endeavour'd to wear the Ship upon theEnemy; but the Wind dying away to a Calm, she would not regard her Helm, but lay like a Log in the Water. By Eight o' Clock most of my Riggingwas destroy'd, and the Long-boat taking Fire a-stern, was forc'd to cuther away. The Yaul being stove by their shot, we launch'd her overboard. By Nine, the Top-chain that flung the Main-yard, was shot away, withGeer and Geer-Blocks. The Main-yard came next down, with the Sailsalmost torn to Pieces with the Shot. As fast as our People knotted andspliced the Rigging, it was shot away in their Hands. The Water-Tubs inthe Tops were shot to pieces, and the Boatswain's Mate's Leg shot off inthe Main-top. One of the Foremast-Men's Leg was shot off in theFore-top, and one wounded. By Ten, the Mizen-mast was shot by the Board. Wanting People to cut the Mast-Rigging, _&c. _ from her Side, found themappear very thin upon Deck, and desired my younger Mates to drive themout of their Holes. Word was then brought me, that my Chief Mate's Legwas shot off, but that he was in good Heart. All this time it was aCalm, and our Guns of the Broad-side of no Service, not being able, during the Engagement, to bring one Gun to bear upon them. They keptthrowing their shot so thick in at our Stern, with a continual Fire, andwe return'd it as fast as we could load and fire. About One, myMain-mast was shot by the Board, and the Fall of that stove the Pinnaceon the Booms. The Loss of my Main-mast gave me a very great Concern, andseeing the Condition of the Fore-mast, the Fore-yard half way down, andthe Top-sail Yard-arm sprung in several Places, the Head of theTop-gallant-Mast shot away, render'd that Mast quite useless. I couldnot see which way it was in the Power of Men to save us from these Dogs. However, I made myself as easy as could be expected, and kept myThoughts to myself. Tho' the Shot were like Hail about my Ears, I thankGod I escaped them, neither did they give me much Uneasiness as to myPerson. The Grabbs perceiving their great Advantage by the Fall of ourMain-mast, _&c. _ tho' all the time before within Musket-Shot, come upboldly within Call, throwing in at our Stern Double-round and Partridgeas fast as they could load and fire; we doing the same with Bolts, _&c. _We saw a great many Holes in their Sails. Soon after this, they lodg'dtwo Double-head-Shot, and a large Stone in the Fore-mast, the Shrowds ofwhich were mostly gone. I often sent Capt. _Scarlet_ to Mr. _Cudden_, toencourage the People, and to take care to cool his Guns, and not fire inHaste, but take good Aim. We received two Double-headed-Shot in theBread-room, which were soon plugg'd up, and one Shot under the LarboardChesstree, but so low in the Water, that could not get at it, and theShip prov'd leaky. I had a Pack of sad cowardly, ignorant Dogs as evercame into a Ship. As to my common Sailors, who were not above TwelveSeamen, with the Officers, they stood by me. It was all owing to myMisfortune on the _Mouse_, that I was so poorly Mann'd. As to my ThirdMate, _B----s_, he did not seem to stomach what he was about; he wassometimes on the Quarter-Deck (not being able to use any Guns but theStern-Chase) and every Shot the Enemy fir'd, he cowardly trembled, withhis Head almost down to the Deck. This Captain _Scarlet_ has oftendeclared to the Gentlemen at _Bombay_, and before those that are nowcoming Home. I had six Men kill'd, and six their Legs shot off, withseveral others wounded by their Partridge-Shot, _&c. _ Had our Peoplekept the Deck like Men, there must have been several more kill'd andwounded. About Three, I heard a great Call for Shot, and desired Capt. _Scarlet_ to go to Mr. _Cuddon_, and tell him not to fire in Waste. 

We lay now just like a Wreck in the Sea, and at our Wits Ends. Our Shotbeing almost spent, we had a Hole cut in the Well to try to come at theCompany's. We continued on with Double-round and Partridge, and Bolts, _&c. _ with a Double Allowance of Powder to each Gun, doing the utmost wecould to save the Ship. The Tiller-rope was now shot away, tho' of noService before. The Carpenter told me the Ship made a great deal ofWater, and had above two Foot in her Hold. The Caulker afterwards toldme she had three Foot. I saw nothing we could do more than firing ourStern-Chase. There was a sad Complaint for Shot; however we fir'd Bolts. I call'd out to the People to have good Hearts, and went into theRound-house to encourage them there. It was very hard we could stand noChance for a Mast of theirs, nor no lucky Shot to disable some of them, in all the Number that we fir'd. As to our small Arms, they were oflittle Service, they keeping their Men so close. The Rigging of theForemast being gone, and that fetching so much way, I expected it to goevery Minute; and about Seven in the Evening, the Ship falling off intothe Trough of the Sea, the Foremast came by the Board. It was now aboutFour o' Clock, when Mr. _Thomas Rogers_, my Chief Mate, sent my Stewardto desire to speak with me. When I went to him, he spoke to me to thisPurpose. "Sir, " says he, "I am inform'd what Condition the Ship is in;as her Masts are gone, you had better not be obstinate, in standing outlonger; it will only be the Means of making more Objects, of murderingmore Men, and all to no Purpose, but to be used worse by the Enemy, forit is impossible to get away. Therefore you had better surrender. " Tothe best of my Knowledge, I hardly made him any Answer; nor had I, before he sent to me, the least Thoughts of surrendering, which Ideclare before God and Man; tho' I was well convinc'd within myself, that it was impossible to save the Ship. I went up to my old Station theQuarter-Deck, and took several Turns, as usual, and proceeded in theEngagement. I begun to consider what Mr. _Rogers_ told me, and theCondition of the Ship, and argue within myself the Impossibility ofdoing any more (for if a Gale had sprung up, it could be of no Service)and all the time from the Fall of our Main-mast, the Enemy were got sonear, that I could hear them talk, and my Second Mate did the same. Asto our Masts, they had gain'd their Ends, and their only Business nowwas to fire at the Hull. There was no Hopes of their leaving us, considering the condition they had brought us to, and it could not belong before we sunk: for as they lay so near us, and so low in Water, our Shot must doubtless fly over them. At last I was of Mr. _Rogers's_Opinion, that it was only sacrificing the Men to no Purpose; for theyhad so large a Mark of us, they could not miss us; and during all theEngagement, as they play'd their Shot so hot at our Stern, it issurprizing there were not many more Men Kill'd. I then sent for mySecond and Third Mate, and told them Mr. _Rogers's_ Opinion and my own. They both agreed to it, and consented to the surrendering of the Ship. So we submitted to the Enemy, finding it in vain to proceed. By my Watchit was Five o' Clock. My Second and Third Mate went in to the Steerageto forbid firing, and myself in the Round-House, did the same. EveryBody seem'd to be very well satisfied as to the surrendering Part, andno Objection was made. Colours we had none to strike; those and theEnsign-Staff were shot to Pieces; and what was left of the Ensign beingmade fast to the Main-Shrowds, went with the Mast. Capt. _Scarlet_ wentinto the Round-House, and call'd the Enemy on board, and told them wehad no Boats. They sent their Dingey aboard with Four Men for me and mychief Officers. They left Two of the Four aboard the _Derby_. Myself andmy Second Mate went in the Dingey aboard the Grabb. We were gone an Hourand a half good, if not more; then we return'd in a Gallivat with 50 or60 Men, but not a Soul went aboard the _Derby_, till we return'd. Thencame aboard more Gallivats and more Men, and secured the Arms, _&c. _ anddrove our People up, some to the Pumps, and some to clear the Riggingoff the Ship's Side. They transkipt to their Grabbs what Treasure couldbe got at, and the next Day turn'd out the Remainder, with myself, _Scarlet_, _Cuddon_, the two Ladies, and my Servants, into one of theGrabbs. 

FOOTNOTES:

[13] A noted pirate. 

FRANCIS LOLONOIS

THE SLAVE WHO BECAME A PIRATE KING[14]

JOHN ESQUEMELING

Francis Lolonois was a native of that territory in France which iscalled Les Sables d'Olone, or The Sands of Olone. In his youth he wastransported to the Caribbee islands, in quality of servant, or slave, according to custom. Having served his time, he came to Hispaniola; herehe joined for some time with the hunters, before he began his robberiesupon the Spaniards. 

At first he made two or three voyages as a common mariner, wherein hebehaved himself so courageously as to gain the favor of the governor ofTortuga, Monsieur de la Place; insomuch that he gave him a ship, inwhich he might seek his fortune, which was very favorable to him atfirst; for in a short time he got great riches. But his crueltiesagainst the Spaniards were such, that the fame of them made him so wellknown through the Indies, that the Spaniards, in his time, would chooserather to die, or sink fighting, than surrender, knowing they shouldhave no mercy at his hands. But Fortune, being seldom constant, aftersome time turned her back; for in a huge storm he lost his ship on thecoast of Campechy. The men were all saved, but coming upon dry land, theSpaniards pursued them, and killed the greatest part, wounding alsoLolonois. Not knowing how to escape, he saved his life by a stratagem;mingling sand with the blood of his wounds, with which besmearing hisface, and other parts of his body, and hiding himself dextrously amongthe dead, he continued there till the Spaniards quitted the field. 

They being gone, he retired to the woods and bound up his wounds as wellas he could. These being pretty well healed, he took his way toCampechy, having disguised himself in a Spanish habit; here he enticedcertain slaves, to whom he promised liberty if they would obey him andtrust to his conduct. They accepted his promises, and stealing a canoe, they went to sea with him. Now the Spaniards, having made several of hiscompanions prisoners, kept them close in a dungeon, while Lolonois wentabout the town and saw what passed. These were often asked, "What isbecome of your captain?" To whom they constantly answered, "He is dead:"which rejoiced the Spaniards, who made thanks to God for theirdeliverance from such a cruel pirate. Lolonois, having seen theserejoicings for his death, made haste to escape, with the slavesabove-mentioned, and came safe to Tortuga, the common refuge of allsorts of wickedness, and the seminary, as it were, of pirates andthieves. Though now his fortune was low, yet he got another ship withcraft and subtlety, and in it twenty-one men. Being well provided witharms and necessaries, he set forth for Cuba, on the south whereof is asmall village, called De los Cayos. The inhabitants drive a great tradein tobacco, sugar, and hides, and all in boats, not being able to useships, by reason of the little depth of that sea. 

Lolonois was persuaded he should get here some considerable prey; but bythe good fortune of some fishermen who saw him, and the mercy of God, they escaped him: for the inhabitants of the town dispatched immediatelya vessel overland to the Havannah, complaining that Lolonois was come todestroy them with two canoes. The governor could hardly believe this, having received letters from Campechy that he was dead: but, at theirimportunity, he sent a ship for their relief, with ten guns and ninetymen, well armed; giving them this express command, "that they should notreturn into his presence without having totally destroyed thosepirates. " To this effect he gave them a negro to serve for a hangman, and orders, "that they should immediately hang every one of the pirates, excepting Lolonois, their captain, whom they should bring alive to theHavannah. " This ship arrived at Cayos, of whose coming the pirates wereadvertised beforehand, and instead of flying, went to seek it in theriver Estera, where she rode at anchor. The pirates seized somefishermen, and forced them by night to show them the entry of the port, hoping soon to obtain a greater vessel than their two canoes, andthereby to mend their fortune. They arrived, after two in the morning, very nigh the ship; and the watch on board the ship asking them, whencethey came, and if they had seen any pirates abroad. They caused one ofthe prisoners to answer, they had seen no pirates, nor anything else. Which answer made them believe that they were fled upon hearing of theircoming. 

But they soon found the contrary, for about break of day the piratesassaulted the vessel on both sides, with their two canoes, with suchvigor, that though the Spaniards behaved themselves as they ought, andmade as good defense as they could, making some use of their great guns, yet they were forced to surrender, being beaten by the pirates, withsword in hand, down under the hatches. From hence Lolonois commandedthem to be brought up, one by one, and in this order caused their headsto be struck off. Among the rest came up the negro, designed to be thepirates' executioner; this fellow implored mercy at his hands verydolefully, telling Lolonois he was constituted hangman of that ship, andif he would spare him, he would tell him faithfully all that he shoulddesire. Lolonois, making him confess what he thought fit, commanded himto be murdered with the rest. Thus he cruelly and barbarously put themall to death, reserving only one alive, whom he sent back to thegovernor of the Havannah, with this message in writing: "I shall neverhenceforward give quarter to any Spaniard whatsoever; and I have greathopes I shall execute on your own person the very same punishment I havedone upon them you sent against me. Thus I have retaliated the kindnessyou designed to me and my companions. " The governor, much troubled atthis bad news, swore, in the presence of many, that he would never grantquarter to any pirate that should fall into his hands. But the citizensof the Havannah desired him not to persist in the execution of that rashand rigorous oath, seeing the pirates would certainly take occasion fromthence to do the same, and they had an hundred times more opportunity ofrevenge than he; that being necessitated to get their livelihood byfishery, they should hereafter always be in danger of their lives. Bythese reasons he was persuaded to bridle his anger, and remit theseverity of his oath. 

Now Lolonois had got a good ship, but very few provisions and people init; to purchase both which he resolved to cruise from one port toanother. Doing thus, for some time, without success, he determined to goto the port of Maracaibo. Here he surprised a ship laden with plate, andother merchandises, outward bound, to buy cocoa-nuts. With this prize hereturned to Tortuga, where he was received with joy by the inhabitants;they congratulating his happy success, and their own private interest. He stayed not long there, but designed to equip a fleet sufficient totransport five hundred men, and necessaries. Thus provided, he resolvedto pillage both cities, towns, and villages, and finally, to takeMaracaibo itself. For this purpose he knew the island of Tortuga wouldafford him many resolute and courageous men, fit for such enterprises:besides, he had in his service several prisoners well acquainted withthe ways and places designed upon. 

Of this design Lolonois giving notice to all the pirates, whether athome or abroad, he got together, in a little while, above four hundredmen; beside which, there was then in Tortuga another pirate, namedMichael de Basco, who, by his piracy, had got riches sufficient to liveat ease, and go no more abroad; having, withal, the office of major ofthe island. But seeing the great preparations that Lolonois made forthis expedition, he joined him, and offered him, that if he would makehim his chief captain by land (seeing he knew the country very well, andall its avenues) he would share in his fortunes, and go with him. Theyagreed upon articles to the great joy of Lolonois, knowing that Bascohad done great actions in Europe, and had the repute of a good soldier. Thus they all embarked in eight vessels, that of Lolonois being thegreatest, having ten guns of indifferent carriage. 

All things being ready, and the whole company on board, they set sailtogether about the end of April, being, in all, six hundred and sixtypersons. They steered for that part called Bayala, north of Hispaniola:here they took into their company some French hunters, who voluntarilyoffered themselves, and here they provided themselves with victuals andnecessaries for their voyage. 

From hence they sailed again the last of July, and steered directly tothe eastern cape of the isle called Punta d'Espada. Hereabouts espying aship from Puerto Rico, bound for New Spain, laden with cocoa-nuts, Lolonois commanded the rest of the fleet to wait for him near Savona, onthe east of Cape Punta d'Espada, he alone intending to take the saidvessel. The Spaniards, though they had been in sight full two hours, andknew them to be pirates, yet would not flee, but prepared to fight, being well armed, and provided. The combat lasted three hours, and thenthey surrendered. This ship had sixteen guns, and fifty fighting menaboard: they found in her 120, 000 weight of cocoa, 40, 000pieces-of-eight, and the value of 10, 000 more, in jewels. Lolonois sentthe vessel presently to Tortuga to be unladed, with orders to return assoon as possible to Savona, where he would wait for them: meanwhile, therest of the fleet being arrived at Savona, met another Spanish vesselcoming from Coman, with military provisions to Hispaniola, and money topay the garrisons there. This vessel they also took, without anyresistance, though mounted with eight guns. In it were 7, 000 weight ofpowder, a great number of muskets, and like things, with 12, 000pieces-of-eight. 

These successes encouraged the pirates, they seeming very luckybeginnings, especially finding their fleet pretty well recruited in alittle time: for the first ship arriving at Tortuga, the governorordered it to be instantly unladen, and soon after sent back, with freshprovisions, and other necessaries, to Lolonois. This ship he chose forhimself, and gave that which he commanded to his comrade, Anthony duPuis. Being thus recruited with men in lieu of them he had lost intaking the prizes, and by sickness, he found himself in a good conditionto set sail for Maracaibo, in the province of Neuva Venezuela, in thelatitude of 12 deg. 10 min. North. This island is twenty leagues long, and twelve broad. To this port also belong the islands of Onega andMonges. The east side thereof is called Cape St. Roman, and the westernside Cape of Caquibacoa: the gulf is called, by some, the Gulf ofVenezuela, but the pirates usually call it the Bay of Maracaibo. 

At the entrance of this gulf are two islands extending from east towest; that towards the east is called Isla de las Vigilias, or the WatchIsle; because in the middle is a high hill, on which stands awatch-house. The other is called Isla de la Palomas, or the Isle ofPigeons. Between these two islands runs a little sea, or rather lake offresh water, sixty leagues long, and thirty broad; which disgorgingitself into the ocean, dilates itself about the said two islands. Between them is the best passage for ships, the channel being no broaderthan the flight of a great gun, of about eight pounds. On the Isle ofPigeons standeth a castle, to impede the entry of vessels, all beingnecessitated to come very nigh the castle, by reason of two banks ofsand on the other side, with only fourteen feet water. Many other banksof sand there are in this lake; as that called El Tablazo, or the GreatTable, no deeper than ten feet, forty leagues within the lake; othersthere are, that have no more than six, seven, or eight feet in depth:all are very dangerous, especially to mariners unacquainted with them. West hereof is the city of Maracaibo, very pleasant to the view, itshouses being built along the shore, having delightful prospects allround: the city may contain three or four thousand persons, slavesincluded, all which make a town of reasonable bigness. There are judgedto be about eight hundred persons able to bear arms, all Spaniards. Hereare one parish church, well built and adorned, four monasteries, and onehospital. The city is governed by a deputy governor, substituted by thegovernor of the Caraccas. The trade here exercised is mostly in hidesand tobacco. The inhabitants possess great numbers of cattle, and manyplantations, which extend thirty leagues in the country, especiallytowards the great town of Gibraltar, where are gathered great quantitiesof cocoa-nuts, and all other garden fruits, which serve for the regaleand sustenance of the inhabitants of Maracaibo, whose territories aremuch drier than those of Gibraltar. Hither those of Maracaibo send greatquantities of flesh, they making returns in oranges, lemons, and otherfruits; for the inhabitants of Gibraltar want flesh, their fields notbeing capable of feeding cows or sheep. 

Before Maracaibo is a very spacious and secure port, wherein may bebuilt all sorts of vessels, having great convenience of timber, whichmay be transported thither at little charge. Nigh the town lies also asmall island called Borrica, where they feed great numbers of goats, which cattle the inhabitants use more for their skins than their fleshor milk; they slighting these two, unless while they are tender andyoung kids. In the fields are fed some sheep, but of a very small size. In some islands of the lake, and in other places hereabouts, are manysavage Indians, called by the Spaniards bravoes, or wild: these couldnever be reduced by the Spaniards, being brutish, and untameable. Theydwell mostly towards the west side of the lake, in little huts built ontrees growing in the water; so to keep themselves from innumerablemosquitoes, or gnats, which infest and torment them night and day. Tothe east of the said lake are whole towns of fishermen, who likewiselive in huts built on trees, as the former. Another reason of thisdwelling, is the frequent inundations; for after great rains, the landis often overflown for two or three leagues, there being no less thantwenty-five great rivers that feed this lake. The town of Gibraltar isalso frequently drowned by these, so that the inhabitants areconstrained to retire to their plantations. 

Gibraltar, situate at the side of the lake about forty leagues withinit, receives its provisions of flesh, as has been said, from Maracaibo. The town is inhabited by about 1, 500 persons, whereof four hundred maybear arms; the greatest part of them keep shops, wherein they exerciseone trade or another. In the adjacent fields are numerous plantations ofsugar and cocoa, in which are many tall and beautiful trees, of whosetimber houses may be built, and ships. Among these are many handsome andproportionable cedars, seven or eight feet about, of which they canbuild boats and ships, so as to bear only one great sail; such vesselsbeing called piraguas. The whole country is well furnished with riversand brooks, very useful in droughts, being then cut into many littlechannels to water their fields and plantations. They plant also muchtobacco, well esteemed in Europe, and for its goodness is called there_tobacco de sacerdotes_, or priest's tobacco. They enjoy nigh twentyleagues of jurisdiction, which is bounded by very high mountainsperpetually covered with snow. On the other side of these mountains issituate a great city called Merida, to which the town of Gibraltar issubject. All merchandise is carried hence to the aforesaid city onmules, and that but at one season of the year, by reason of theexcessive cold in those high mountains. On the said mules returns aremade in flour of meal, which comes from towards Peru, by the way ofEstaffe. 

Lolonois arriving at the gulf of Venezuela, cast anchor with his wholefleet out of sight of the Vigilia or Watch Isle; next day very early heset sail thence with all his ships for the lake of Maracaibo, where theycast anchor again; then they landed their men, with design to attackfirst the fortress that commanded the bar, therefore called _de labarra_. This fort consisted only of several great baskets of earthplaced on a rising ground, planted with sixteen great guns, with severalother heaps of earth round about for covering their men: the pirateshaving landed a league off this fort, advanced by degrees towards it;but the governor having espied their landing, had placed an ambuscade tocut them off behind, while he should attack them in front. This thepirates discovered, and getting before, they defeated it so entirely, that not a man could retreat to the castle: this done, Lolonois, withhis companions, advanced immediately to the fort, and after a fight ofalmost three hours, with the usual desperation of this sort of people, they became masters thereof, without any other arms than swords andpistols: while they were fighting, those who were the routed ambuscade, not being able to get into the castle, retired into Maracaibo in greatconfusion and disorder, crying "The pirates will presently be here withtwo thousand men and more. " The city having formerly been taken by thiskind of people, and sacked to the uttermost, had still an idea of thatmisery; so that upon these dismal news they endeavored to escape towardsGibraltar in their boats and canoes, carrying with them all the goodsand money they could. Being come to Gibraltar, they told how thefortress was taken, and nothing had been saved, nor any persons escaped. 

The castle thus taken by the pirates, they presently signified to theships their victory, that they should come farther in without fear ofdanger: the rest of that day was spent in ruining and demolishing thesaid castle. They nailed the guns, and burnt as much as they could notcarry away, burying the dead, and sending on board the fleet thewounded. Next day, very early, they weighed anchor, and steered directlytowards Maracaibo, about six leagues distant from the fort; but the windfailing that day, they could advance little, being forced to await thetide. Next morning they came in sight of the town, and prepared forlanding under the protection of their own guns, fearing the Spaniardsmight have laid an ambuscade in the woods. They put their men intocanoes, brought for that purpose, and landed, shooting meanwhilefuriously with their great guns. Of those in the canoes, half only wentashore, the other half remained aboard. They fired from the ships asfast as possible, towards the woody part of the shore, but coulddiscover nobody; then they entered the town, whose inhabitants wereretired to the woods, and Gibraltar, with their wives children andfamilies. Their houses they left well provided with victuals, as flour, bread, pork, brandy, wines, and poultry, and with these the pirates fellto making good cheer, for in four weeks before they had no opportunityof filling their stomachs with such plenty. 

They instantly possessed themselves of the best houses in the town, andplaced sentinels wherever they thought necessary;--the great churchserved them for their main guard. Next day they sent out an hundred andsixty men to find out some of the inhabitants in the woods thereabouts. These returned the same night, bringing with them 20, 000pieces-of-eight, several mules laden with household goods andmerchandise, and twenty prisoners, men, women, and children. Some ofthese were put to the rack, to make them confess where they had hid therest of the goods; but they could extort very little from them. Lolonois, who valued not murdering, though in cold blood, ten or twelveSpaniards, drew his cutlass, and hacked one to pieces before the rest, saying, "If you do not confess and declare where you have hid the restof your goods, I will do the like to all your companions. " At last, amongst these horrible cruelties and inhuman threats, one promised toshow the place where the rest of the Spaniards were hid. But those thatwere fled, having intelligence of it, changed place, and buried theremnant of their riches underground, so that the pirates could not findthem out, unless some of their own party should reveal them. Besides, the Spaniards flying from one place to another every day, and oftenchanging woods, were jealous even of each other, so that the fatherdurst scarce trust his own son. 

After the pirates had been fifteen days in Maracaibo, they resolved forGibraltar; but the inhabitants having received intelligence thereof, andthat they intended afterwards to go to Merida, gave notice of it to thegovernor there, who was a valiant soldier, and had been an officer inFlanders. His answer was, "he would have them take no care, for he hopedin a little while to exterminate the said pirates. " Whereupon he came toGibraltar with four hundred men well armed, ordering at the same timethe inhabitants to put themselves in arms, so that in all he made eighthundred fighting men. With the same speed he raised a battery toward thesea, mounted with twenty guns, covered with great baskets of earth:another battery he placed in another place, mounted with eight guns. This done, he barricaded a narrow passage to the town through which thepirates must pass, opening at the same time another one through muchdirt and mud into a wood which was totally unknown to the pirates. 

The pirates, ignorant of these preparations, having embarked all theirprisoners and booty, took their way towards Gibraltar. Being come insight of the place, they saw the royal standard hanging forth, and thatthose of the town designed to defend their homes. Lolonois seeing this, called a council of war what they ought to do, telling his officers andmariners, "That the difficulty of the enterprise was very great, seeingthe Spaniards had had so much time to put themselves in a posture ofdefense, and had got a good body of men together, with much ammunition;but notwithstanding, " said he, "have a good courage; we must eitherdefend ourselves like good soldiers, or lose our lives with all theriches we have got. Do as I shall do who am your captain: at other timeswe have fought with fewer men than we have in our company at present, and yet we have overcome greater numbers than there possibly can be inthis town: the more they are, the more glory and the greater riches weshall gain. " The pirates supposed that all the riches of the inhabitantsof Maracaibo were transported to Gibraltar, or at least the greatestpart. After this speech, they all promised to follow, and obey him. Lolonois made answer, "'Tis well; but know ye, withal, that the firstman who shall show any fear, or the least apprehension thereof, I willpistol him with my own hands. "

With this resolution they cast anchor nigh the shore, nearthree-quarters of a league from the town: next day before sun-rising, they landed three hundred and eighty men well provided, and armed everyone with a cutlass, and one or two pistols, and sufficient powder andbullet for thirty charges. Here they all shook hands in testimony ofgood courage, and began their march, Lolonois speaking thus, "Come, mybrethren, follow me, and have good courage. " They followed their guide, who, believing he led them well, brought them to the way which thegovernor had barricaded. Not being able to pass that way, they went tothe other newly made in the wood among the mire, which the Spaniardscould shoot into at pleasure; but the pirates, full of courage, cut downthe branches of trees and threw them on the way, that they might notstick in the dirt. Meanwhile, those of Gibraltar fired with their greatguns so furiously, they could scarce hear nor see for the noise andsmoke. Being passed the wood, they came on firm ground, where they metwith a battery of six guns, which immediately the Spaniards dischargedupon them, all loaded with small bullets and pieces of iron; and theSpaniards sallying forth, set upon them with such fury, as caused thepirates to give way, few of them caring to advance towards the fort, many of them being already killed and wounded. This made them go back toseek another way; but the Spaniards having cut down many trees to hinderthe passage, they could find none, but were forced to return to thatthey had left. Here the Spaniards continued to fire as before, nor wouldthey sally out of their batteries to attack them any more. Lolonois andhis companions not being able to climb up the bastion of earth, werecompelled to use an old stratagem, wherewith at last they deceived andovercame the Spaniards. 

Lolonois retired suddenly with all his men, making show as if he fled;hereupon the Spaniards crying out "They flee, they flee, let us followthem, " sallied forth with great disorder to the pursuit. Being drawn tosome distance from the batteries, which was the pirates only design, they turned upon them unexpectedly with sword in hand, and killed abovetwo hundred men; and thus fighting their way through those who remained, they possessed themselves of the batteries. The Spaniards that remainedabroad, giving themselves over for lost, fled to the woods: those in thebattery of eight guns surrendered themselves, obtaining quarter fortheir lives. The pirates being now become masters of the town, pulleddown the Spanish colors and set up their own, taking prisoners as manyas they could find. These they carried to the great church, where theyraised a battery of several great guns, fearing lest the Spaniards thatwere fled should rally, and come upon them again; but next day, beingall fortified, their fears were over. They gathered the dead to burythem, being above five hundred Spaniards, besides the wounded in thetown, and those that died of their wounds in the woods. The pirates hadalso above one hundred and fifty prisoners, and nigh five hundredslaves, many women and children. 

Of their own companions only forty were killed, and almost eightywounded, whereof the greatest part died through the bad air, whichbrought fevers and other illness. They put the slain Spaniards into twogreat boats, and carrying them a quarter of a league to sea, they sunkthe boats; this done, they gathered all the plate, household stuff, andmerchandise they could, or thought convenient to carry away. TheSpaniards who had anything left had hid it carefully; but theunsatisfied pirates, not contented with the riches they had got, soughtfor more goods and merchandise, not sparing those who lived in thefields, such as hunters and planters. They had scarce been eighteen dayson the place, when the greatest part of the prisoners died for hunger. For in the town were few provisions, especially of flesh, though theyhad some, but no sufficient quantity of flour of meal, and this thepirates had taken for themselves, as they also took the swine, cows, sheep, and poultry, without allowing any share to the poor prisoners. For these they only provided some small quantity of mules' and asses'flesh; and many who could not eat of that loathsome provision died forhunger, their stomachs not being accustomed to such sustenance. Of theprisoners many also died under the torment they sustained to make themdiscover their money or jewels; and of these, some had none, nor knew ofnone, and others denying what they knew, endured such horrible deaths. 

Finally, after having been in possession of the town four entire weeks, they sent four of the prisoners to the Spaniards that were fled to thewoods, demanding of them a ransom for not burning the town. The sumdemanded was 10, 000 pieces-of-eight, which if not sent, they threatenedto reduce it to ashes. For bringing in this money, they allowed themonly two days; but the Spaniards not having been able to gather sopunctually such a sum, the pirates fired many parts of the town;whereupon the inhabitants begged them to help quench the fire, and theransom should be readily paid. The pirates condescended, helping as muchas they could to stop the fire; but, notwithstanding all their bestendeavors, one part of the town was ruined, especially the churchbelonging to the monastery was burned down. After they had received thesaid sum, they carried aboard all the riches they had got, with a greatnumber of slaves which had not paid the ransom; for all the prisonershad sums of money set upon them, and the slaves were also commanded tobe redeemed. Thence they returned to Maracaibo, where being arrived, they found a general consternation in the whole city, to which they sentthree or four prisoners to tell the governor and inhabitants, "theyshould bring them 30, 000 pieces-of-eight aboard their ships, for aransom of their houses, otherwise they should be sacked anew andburned. "

Among these debates a party of pirates came on shore, and carried awaythe images, pictures, and bells of the great church, aboard the fleet. The Spaniards who were sent to demand the sum aforesaid returned, withorders to make some agreement; who concluded with the pirates to givefor their ransom and liberty 20, 000 pieces-of-eight, and five hundredcows, provided that they should commit no further hostilities, butdepart thence presently after payment of money and cattle. The one andthe other being delivered, the whole fleet set sail, causing great joyto the inhabitants of Maracaibo, to see themselves quit of them: butthree days after they renewed their fears with admiration, seeing thepirates appear again, and re-enter the port with all their ships: butthese apprehensions vanished, upon hearing one of the pirate's errand, who came ashore from Lolonois, "to demand a skilful pilot to conduct oneof the greatest ships over the dangerous bank that lieth at the veryentry of the lake. " Which petition, or rather command, was instantlygranted. 

They had now been full two months in these towns, wherein they committedthose cruel and insolent actions we have related. Departing thence, theytook their course to Hispaniola, and arrived there in eight days, casting anchor in a port called Isla de la Vacca, or Cow Island. Thisisland is inhabited by French buccaneers, who mostly sell the flesh theyhunt to pirates and others, who now and then put in there to victual, ortrade. Here they unladed their whole cargazon of riches, the usualstorehouse of the pirates being commonly under the shelter of thebuccaneers. Here they made a dividend of all their prizes and gains, according to the orders and degree of every one, as has been mentionedbefore. Having made an exact calculation of all their plunder, theyfound in ready money 260, 000 pieces-of-eight: this being divided, everyone received for his share in money, as also in silk, linen, and othercommodities, to the value of 100 pieces-of-eight. Those who had beenwounded received their first part, after the rate mentioned before, forthe loss of their limbs: then they weighed all the plate uncoined, reckoning ten pieces-of-eight to a pound; the jewels were prizedindifferently, either too high or too low, by reason of their ignorance:this done, every one was put to his oath again, that he had not smuggledanything from the common stock. Hence they proceeded to the dividend ofthe shares of such as were dead in battle, or otherwise: these shareswere given to their friends, to be kept entire for them, and to bedelivered in due time to their nearest relations, or their apparentlawful heirs. 

The whole dividend being finished, they set sail for Tortuga. Here theyarrived a month after, to the great joy of most of the island; for as tothe common pirates, in three weeks they had scarce any money left, having spent it all in things of little value, or lost it at play. Herehad arrived, not long before them, two French ships, with wine andbrandy, and suchlike commodities; whereby these liquors, at the arrivalof the pirates, were indifferent cheap. But this lasted not long, forsoon after they were enhanced extremely, a gallon of brandy being soldfor four pieces-of-eight. The governor of the island bought of thepirates the whole cargo of the ship laden with cocoa, giving for thatrich commodity scarce the twentieth part of its worth. Thus they madeshift to lose and spend the riches they had got, in much less time thanthey were obtained. The taverns and stews, according to the custom ofpirates, got the greatest part; so that, soon after, they were forced toseek more by the same unlawful means they had got the former. 

FOOTNOTES:

[14] _The Buccaneers of America. _

THE FIGHT BETWEEN THE _DORRILL_ AND THE _MOCA_[15]

These truly representeth a scheem of what misfortune has befell us as wewere going through the streights of Malacca, in the persuance to ourpretended voyage, _vizt. _, Wednesday the 7th July, 5 o'clock morning weespied a ship to windward; as soon as was well light perceived her tobare down upon us. Wee thought at first she had been a Dutchman boundfor Atcheen or Bengall, when perceived she had no Gallerys, did thensuppose her to be what after, to our dreadful sorrow, found her. Weegott our ship in the best posture of defence that suddain emergentnecessity would permitt. Wee kept good looking out, expecting to see anIsland called Pullo Verello [Pulo Barahla], but as then saw it not. 

About 8 of the clock the ship came up fairely within shott. Saw in roomof our Gallerys there was large sally ports, in each of which was alarge gunn, seemed to be brass. Her tafferill was likewise taken downe. Wee having done what possibly could to prepare ourselves, fearing mightbe suddenly sett on, ordered our people to their respective stations foraction. Wee now hoisted our colours. The Captain commanded to naile ourEnsigne to the staff in sight of the enimie, which was immediately done. As they perceived wee hoisted our colours they hoisted theirs, with theUnion Jack, and let fly a broad red Pendant at their maintopmast head. 

The Pirate being now in little more than half Pistoll shott from us, weecould discerne abundance of men who went aft to the Quarter Deck, whichas wee suppose was to consult. They stood as we stood, but wee spokeneither to other. Att noone it fell calme, so that [wee] were affraidshould by the sea have been hove on one another. Att 1 a clock sprang upa gale. The Pirate kept as wee kept. Att 3 a clock the villain backt hersailes and they went from us. Wee kept close halled, having a contrarywind for Mallacca. When the Pirate was about 7 miles distant tackt andstood after us. Att 6 that evening saw the lookt for island, and thePirate came up with us on our starboard side within shott. Wee see hekept a man at each topmast head, looking out till it was darke, then hehalled a little from us, but kept us company all night. 

At 8 in the morning he drew near us, but wee had time to mount our otherfour guns that were in hold, and now wee were in the best posture ofdefence could desire. He drawing near us and seeing that if [wee] would, [wee] could not gett from him, he far outsailing us by or large [in onedirection or another], the Captain resolved to see what the rogue woulddoe, soe ordered to hand [furl] all our small sailes and furled ourmainesaile. He, seeing this, did the like, and as [he] drew near us beata drum and sounded trumpets, and then hailed us four times before weanswered him. 

At last it was thought fitt to know what he would say, soe theBoatswaine spoke to him as was ordered, which was that wee came fromLondon. Then he enquired whether peace or war with France. Our answer, there was an universall peace through Europe, att which they paused andthen said, "That's well. " He further enquired if had touched atAttcheen. Wee said a boat came off to us, but [wee] came not near itt byseveral leagues. Further he enquired our Captain's name and whither weewere bound. Wee answered to Mallacca. They too and [would have] had theCaptain gone aboard to drink a glass of wine. Wee said that would seeone another at Mallacca. Then he called to lye by and he would comeaboard us. Our answer was as before, saying it was late. He said, true, it was for China, and enquired whether should touch at the Water Islands[Pulo Ondan, off Malacca]. Wee said should. Then said he, So shall wee. After he had asked us all these questions wee desired to know fromwhence he was. He said from London, their Captain name Collyford, theship named the _Resolution_, bound for China. This Collyford had beenGunners Mate at Bombay, and after run away with the Ketch. 

Thus past the 8th July. Friday the 9th do. , he being some distance fromus, About ½ an hour after 10 came up with us. Then it grew calme. Weecould discerne a fellow on the Quarter Deck wearing a sword. As he drewnear, this Hellish Imp cried, Strike you doggs, which [wee] perceivedwas not by a general consent for he was called away. Our Boatswaine in afury run upon the poop, unknown to the Captain, and answered that weewould strike to noe such doggs as he, telling him the rogue Every andhis accomplices were all hanged. The Captain was angry that he spakewithout order, then ordered to haile him and askt what was his reason todogg us. One stept forward on the forecastle, beckoned with his hand andsaid, Gentlemen, wee want not your ship nor men, but money. Wee toldthem had none for them but bid them come up alongside and take it ascould gett it. Then a parcell of bloodhound rogues clasht theircutlashes and said they would have itt or our hearts blood, saying, "What doe you not know us to be the _Moca_?" Our answer was Yes, Yes. Thereon they gave a great shout and so they all went out of sight andwee to our quarters. They were going to hoist colours but the ensignehalliards broke, which our people perceiving gave a great shout, so theylett them alone. 

As soon as they could bring their chase gunns to bear, fired upon us andsoe kept on our quarter. Our gunns would not bear in a small space, butas soon as did hap, gave them better than [the pirates] did like. Hissecond shott carried away our spritt saile yard. About half on hourafter or more he came up alongside and soe wee powered in upon him andcontinued, some time broadsides and sometimes three or four gunns asopportunity presented and could bring them to doe best service. He wasgoing to lay us athwart the hawse, but by God's providence Captain Hidefrustrated his intent by pouring a broadside into him, which made himgive back and goe asterne, where he lay and paused without fireing, thenin a small space fired one gunn. The shott come in at our round housewindow without damage to any person, after which he filled and boreaway, and when was about ¼ mile off fired a gunn to leeward, which weeanswered by another to windward. About an hour after he tackt and cameup with us againe. Wee made noe saile, but lay by to receive him, but hekept aloof off. The distance att most in all our fireing was never morethan two ships length; the time of our engagement was from ½ an hourafter 11 till about 3 afternoon. 

When [wee] came to see what damage [wee] had sustained, found our CheifeMate, Mr. Smith, wounded in the legg, close by the knee, with a splinteror piece of chaine, which cannot well be told, our Barber had two of hisfingers shott off as was spunging one of our gunns, the Gunner's boy hadhis legg shott off in the waste, John Amos, Quartermaster, had his legshott off [while] at the helme, the Boatswaine's boy (a lad of 13 yearsold) was shott in the thigh, which went through and splintered his bone, the Armorer Jos. Osborne in the round house wounded by a splinter justin the temple, the Captain's boy on the Quarter Deck a small shottraised his scull through his cap and was the first person wounded andatt the first onsett. Wm. Reynolds's boy had the brim of his hatt ½shott off and his forefinger splintered very sorely. John Blake, turner, the flesh of his legg and calfe a great part shott away. 

Our ships damage is the Mizentopmast shott close by the cap and it was amiracle stood soe long and did not fall in the rogues sight. Our riggingshott that had but one running rope left clear, our mainshrouds three onone side, two on the other cutt in two. Our mainyard ten feet from themast by a shott cutt 8 inches deep, our foretopmast backstays shottaway, a great shott in the roundhouse, one on the Quarter Deck and twoof the roundhouse shott came on the said deck, severall in the stearidgebetwixt decks and in the forecastle, two in the bread room which causedus to make much water and damaged the greatest part of our bread. Theydismounted one of our gunns in the roundhouse, two in the stearidge, twoin the waste, one in the forecastle, with abundance more damage whichmay seem tedious to rehearse. 

Their small shott were most Tinn and Tuthenage [_tutenaga_, spelter]. They fired pieces of glass-bottles, do. Teapots, chains, stones and whatnot, which were found on our decks. We could observe abundance of greatshott to have passed through the rogues foresaile, and our hope is havedone that to him which [will] make him shunn having to do with anyEurope ship againe. Att night wee perceived kept close their lights. Weedid the like and lay by. In the morning they were as far off as [wee]could discerne upon deck. Wee sent up to see how they stood, which wasright with us. In the night wee knotted our rigging and in the morningmade all haist to repare our carriages. 

Our men, seeing they stood after us, [wee] could perceive theircountinances to be dejected. Wee cheared them what wee could, and, fortheir encouragement, the Captain and wee of our proper money did givethem, to every man and boy, three dollars each, which animated them, andpromised to give them as much more if engaged againe, and that if [wee]took the ship, for every prisoner five pounds and besides a gratuityfrom the Gentlemen Employers. Wee read the King's Proclamation aboutEvery, &c. , and the Right Honble. Company's. 

About 9 o'clock the 10th July wee perceived the rogue made from us, soewee gave the Almighty our most condigne thanks for his mercy thatdelivered us not to the worst of our enimies, for truly he [the pirate]was very strong, having at least an hundred Europeans on board, 34 gunnsmounted, besides 10 pattererers and 2 small mortars in the head; hislower tier, some of them, as wee judged, sixteen and eighteen pounders. We lay as near our course as could, and next day saw land on ourstarboard side which was the Maine [Land]. Kept on our way. 

The 12th July dyed the Boatswaine's boy, George Mopp, in the morning. Friday the 16th do. In the evening dyed the Gunner's boy, ThomasMatthews. Sunday the 18th at anchor two leagues from the Pillo Sumbelong[Pulo Sembîlan] Islands dyed the Barber, Andrew Miller. Do. The 31stdyed the Cheife Mate, Mr. John Smith. The other two are yet in a verydeplorable condition and wee are ashore here to refresh them. .. . TheChinese further report . .. The _Mocco_ was at the Maldives and creaned[careened]; there they gave an end to the life of their commanding rogueStout, who they murdered for attempting to run away. 

FOOTNOTES:

[15] From _The Indian Antiquary_, Vol. 49. 

JADDI THE MALAY PIRATE[16]

Long before that action with the English man-of-war which drove me toSingapore, I sailed in a fine fleet of prahus belonging to the Rajah ofJohore [Sultân Mahmâd Shâh]. We were all then very rich--ah! suchnumbers of beautiful wives and such feasting!--but, above all, we had agreat many most holy men in our force! When the proper monsoon came, weproceeded to sea to fight the Bugismen [of Celebes] and Chinamen boundfrom Borneo and the Celebes to Java; for you must remember our Rajah wasat war with them. (Jadee always maintained that the proceedings in whichhe had been engaged partook of a purely warlike, and not of a piraticalcharacter. )

Our thirteen prahus had all been fitted out in and about Singapore. Iwish you could have seen them, Touhan [_Tüan_, Sir]. These prahus we seehere are nothing to them, such brass guns, such long pendants, suchcreeses [Malay _kris_, dagger]! Allah-il-Allah! Our Datoos [_datuk_, achief] were indeed great men!

Sailing along the coast as high as Patani, we then crossed over toBorneo, two Illanoon prahus acting as pilots, and reached a placecalled Sambas [West Borneo]: there we fought the Chinese and Dutchmen, who ill-treat our countrymen, and are trying to drive the Malays out ofthat country. Gold-dust and slaves in large quantities were here taken, most of the latter being our countrymen of Sumatra and Java, who arecaptured and sold to the planters and miners of the Dutch settlements. 

"Do you mean to say, " I asked, "that the Dutch countenance suchtraffic?"

"The Hollanders, " replied Jadee, "have been the bane of the Malay race;no one knows the amount of villainy, the bloody cruelty of their systemtowards us. They drive us into our prahus to escape their taxes andlaws, and then declare us pirates and put us to death. There are nativesin our crew, Touhan, of Sumatra and Java, of Bianca [Banka] and Borneo;ask them why they hate the Dutchmen; why they would kill a Dutchman. Itis because the Dutchman is a false man, not like the white man[English]. The Hollander stabs in the dark; he is a liar!"

However, from Borneo we sailed to Biliton [island between Banka andBorneo] and Bianca, and there waited for some large junks that wereexpected. Our cruise had been so far successful, and we feastedaway--fighting cocks, smoking opium and eating white rice. At last ourscouts told us that a junk was in sight. She came, a lofty-sided one ofFokien [Fuhkien]. We knew these Amoy men would fight like tiger-catsfor their sugar and silks; and as the breeze was fresh, we only kept herin sight by keeping close inshore and following her. Not to frighten theChinamen, we did not hoist sail but made our slaves pull. "Oh!" saidJadee, warming up with the recollection of the event--"oh! it was fineto feel what brave fellows we then were!"

Towards night we made sail and closed upon the junk, and at daylight itfell a stark calm, and we went at our prize like sharks. All ourfighting men put on their war-dresses; the Illanoons danced theirwar-dance, and all our gongs sounded as we opened out to attack her ondifferent sides. 

But those Amoy men are pigs! They burnt joss-paper; sounded their gongs, and received us with such showers of stones, hot-water, long pikes, andone or two well-directed shots that we hauled off to try the effect ofour guns, sorry though we were to do it, for it was sure to bring theDutchmen upon us. Bang! bang! we fired at them, and they at us; threehours did we persevere, and whenever we tried to board, the Chinese beatus back every time, for her side was as smooth and as high as a wall, with galleries overhanging. 

We had several men killed and hurt; a council was called; a certaincharm was performed by one of our holy men, a famous chief, and twentyof our best men devoted themselves to effecting a landing on the junk'sdeck, when our look-out prahus made the signal that the Dutchmen werecoming; and sure enough some Dutch gun-boats came sweeping round aheadland. In a moment we were round and pulling like demons for theshores of Biliton, the gun-boats in chase of us, and the Chinese howlingwith delight. The sea-breeze freshened and brought up a schooner-riggedboat very fast. We had been at work twenty-four hours and were heartilytired; our slaves could work no longer, so we prepared for theHollanders; they were afraid to close upon us and commenced firing at adistance. This was just what we wanted; we had guns as well as they, andby keeping up the fight until dark, we felt sure of escape. TheDutchmen, however, knew this too, and kept closing gradually upon us;and when they saw our prahus bailing out water and blood, they knew wewere suffering and cheered like devils. We were desperate; surrender toDutchmen we never would; we closed together for mutual support, anddetermined at last, if all hope of escape ceased, to run our prahusashore, burn them, and lie hid in the jungle until a future day. But abrave Datoo with his shattered prahus saved us; he proposed to let theDutchmen board her, creese [stab with a _kris_] all that did so, andthen trust to Allah for his escape. 

It was done immediately; we all pulled a short distance away and leftthe brave Datoo's prahu like a wreck abandoned. How the Dutchmen yelledand fired into her! The slaves and cowards jumped out of the prahu, butour braves kept quiet; at last, as we expected, one gun-boat dashedalongside of their prize and boarded her in a crowd. Then was the timeto see how the Malay man could fight; the creese was worth twentyswords, and the Dutchmen went down like sheep. We fired to cover ourcountrymen, who, as soon as their work was done, jumped overboard andswam to us; but the brave Datoo, with many more died as brave Malaysshould do, running a-muck against a host of enemies. 

The gun-boats were quite scared by this punishment, and we lost no timein getting away as rapidly as possible; but the accursed schooner, bykeeping more in the offing, held the wind and preserved her position, signaling all the while for the gun-boats to follow her. We did not wantto fight any more; it was evidently an unlucky day. On the opposite sideof the channel to that we were on, the coral reefs and shoals wouldprevent the Hollanders following us: it was determined at all risks toget there in spite of the schooner. With the first of the land-wind inthe evening we set sail before it and steered across for Bianca. Theschooner placed herself in our way like a clever sailor, so as to turnus back; but we were determined to push on, take her fire, and run allrisks. 

It was a sight to see us meeting one another; but we were desperate: wehad killed plenty of Dutchmen; it was their turn now. I was in thesecond prahu, and well it was so, for when the headmost one got closeto the schooner, the Dutchman fired all his guns into her, and knockedher at once into a wrecked condition. We gave one cheer, fired our gunsand then pushed on for our lives. "Ah! sir, it was a dark night indeedfor us. Three prahus in all were sunk and the whole force dispersed. "

To add to our misfortunes a strong gale sprang up. We were obliged tocarry canvas; our prahu leaked from shot-holes; the sea continuallybroke into her; we dared not run into the coral reefs on such a night, and bore up for the Straits of Malacca. The wounded writhed and shriekedin their agony, and we had to pump, we fighting men, and bale like_black fellows_ [Caffre or negro slaves]! By two in the morning we wereall worn out. I felt indifferent whether I was drowned or not, and manythrew down their buckets and sat down to die. The wind increased and, atlast, as if to put us out of our misery, just such a squall as this camedown upon us. I saw it was folly contending against our fate, andfollowed the general example. "God is great!" we exclaimed, but theRajah of Johore came and reproved us. "Work until daylight, " he said, "and I will ensure your safety. " We pointed at the black storm which wasapproaching. "Is that what you fear?" he replied, and going below heproduced just such a wooden spoon and did what you have seen me do, andI tell you, my captain, as I would if the "Company Sahib" stood beforeme, that the storm was nothing, and that we had a dead calm one hourafterwards and were saved. God is great and Mahomet is his prophet!--butthere is no charm like the Johore one for killing the wind!

FOOTNOTES:

[16] From _The Indian Antiquary_, Vol. 49. 

THE TERRIBLE LADRONES[17]

RICHARD GLASSPOOLE

On the 17th of September, 1809, the Honorable Company's ship _Marquis ofEly_ anchored under the Island of _Sam Chow_, in China, about twelveEnglish miles from Macao, where I was ordered to proceed in one of ourcutters to procure a pilot, and also to land the purser with the packet. I left the ship at 5 P. M. With seven men under my command, well armed. It blew a fresh gale from the N. E. We arrived at Macao at 9 P. M. , whereI delivered the packet to Mr. Roberts, and sent the men with the boat'ssails to sleep under the Company's Factory, and left the boat in chargeof one of the Compradore's men; during the night the gale increased. Athalf-past three in the morning I went to the beach, and found the boaton shore half-filled with water, in consequence of the man having lefther. I called the people, and baled her out; found she was considerablydamaged, and very leaky. At half-past 5 A. M. , the ebb-tide making, weleft Macao with vegetables for the ship. 

One of the Compradore's men who spoke English went with us for thepurpose of piloting the ship to Lintin, as the Mandarines, inconsequence of a late disturbance at Macao, would not grant permissionfor regular pilots. I had every reason to expect the ship in the roads, as she was preparing to get under weigh when we left her; but on ourrounding Cabaretta-Point, we saw her five or six miles to leeward, underweigh, standing on the starboard tack: it was then blowing fresh at N. E. Bore up, and stood towards her; when about a cable's length towindward of her, she tacked; we hauled our wind and stood after her. Ahard squall then coming on, with a strong tide and heavy swell againstus, we drifted fast to leeward, and the weather being hazy, we soon lostsight of the ship. Struck our masts, and endeavored to pull; finding ourefforts useless, set a reefed foresail and mizzen, and stood towards acountry-ship at anchor under the land to leeward of Cabaretta-Point. When within a quarter of a mile of her she weighed and made sail, leaving us in a very critical situation, having no anchor, and driftingbodily on the rocks to leeward. Struck the masts: after four or fivehours hard pulling, succeeded in clearing them. 

At this time not a ship in sight; the weather clearing up, we saw a shipto leeward, hull down, shipped our masts, and made sail towards her; sheproved to be the Honourable Company's ship _Glatton_. We made signals toher with our handkerchiefs at the mast-head, she unfortunately took nonotice of them, but tacked and stood from us. Our situation was nowtruly distressing, night closing fast, with a threatening appearance, blowing fresh, with hard rain and a heavy sea; our boat very leaky, without a compass, anchor or provisions, and drifting fast on alee-shore, surrounded with dangerous rocks, and inhabited by the mostbarbarous pirates. I close-reefed my sails, and kept tack and tack 'tilldaylight, when we were happy to find we had drifted very little toleeward of our situation in the evening. The night was very dark, withconstant hard squalls and heavy rain. 

Tuesday, the 19th, no ships in sight. About ten o'clock in the morningit fell calm, with very hard rain and a heavy swell;--struck our mastsand pulled, not being able to see the land, steered by the swell. Whenthe weather broke up, found we had drifted several miles to leeward. During the calm a fresh breeze springing up, made sail, and endeavoredto reach the weather-shore, and anchor with six muskets we had lashedtogether for that purpose. Finding the boat made no way against theswell and tide, bore up for a bay to leeward, and anchored about oneA. M. Close under the land in five or six fathoms water, blowing fresh, with hard rain. 

Wednesday, the 20th, at daylight, supposing the flood-tide making, weighed and stood over to the weather-land, but found we were driftingfast to leeward. About ten o'clock perceived two Chinese boats steeringfor us. Bore up, and stood towards them, and made signals to inducethem to come within hail; on nearing them, they bore up, and passed toleeward of the islands. The Chinese we had in the boat advised me tofollow them, and he would take us to Macao by the leeward passage. Iexpressed my fears of being taken by the Ladrones. Our ammunition beingwet, and the muskets rendered useless, we had nothing to defendourselves with but cutlasses, and in too distressed a situation to makemuch resistance with them, having been constantly wet, and eaten nothingbut a few green oranges for three days. 

As our present situation was a hopeless one, and the man assured methere was no fear of encountering any Ladrones, I complied with hisrequest, and stood in to leeward of the islands, where we found thewater much smoother, and apparently a direct passage to Macao. Wecontinued pulling and sailing all day. At six o'clock in the evening Idiscovered three large boats at anchor in a bay to leeward. On seeing usthey weighed and made sail towards us. The Chinese said they wereLadrones, and that if they captured us they would most certainly put usall to death! Finding they gained fast on us, struck the masts, andpulled head to wind for five or six hours. The tide turning against us, anchored close under the land to avoid being seen. Soon after we saw theboats pass us to leeward. 

Thursday, the 21st, at daylight, the flood making, weighed and pulledalong shore in great spirits, expecting to be at Macao in two or threehours, as by the Chinese account it was not above six or seven milesdistant. After pulling a mile or two perceived several people on shore, standing close to the beach; they were armed with pikes and lances. Iordered the interpreter to hail them, and ask the most direct passage toMacao. They said if we came on shore they would inform us; not likingtheir hostile appearance, I did not think proper to comply with therequest. Saw a large fleet of boats at anchor close under the oppositeshore. Our interpreter said they were fishing-boats, and that by goingthere we should not only get provisions, but a pilot also to take us toMacao. 

I bore up, and on nearing them perceived there were some large vessels, very full of men, and mounted with several guns. I hesitated to approachnearer; but the Chinese assuring me they were Mandarine junks[18] andsalt-boats, we stood close to one of them, and asked the way to Macao. They gave no answer, but made some signs to us to go in shore. We passedon, and a large rowboat pulled after us; she soon came alongside, whenabout twenty savage-looking villains, who were stowed at the bottom ofthe boat, leaped on board us. They were armed with a short sword in eachhand, one of which they laid on our necks, and the other pointed to ourbreasts, keeping their eyes fixed on their officer, waiting his signalto cut or desist. Seeing we were incapable of making any resistance, hesheathed his sword, and the others immediately followed his example. They then dragged us into their boat, and carried us on board one oftheir junks, with the most savage demonstrations of joy, and as wesupposed, to torture and put us to a cruel death. When on board thejunk, they searched all our pockets, took the handkerchiefs from ournecks, and brought heavy chains to chain us to the guns. 

At this time a boat came, and took me, with one of my men and theinterpreter, on board the chief's vessel. I was then taken before thechief. He was seated on deck, in a large chair, dressed in purple silk, with a black turban on. He appeared to be about thirty years of age, astout commanding-looking man. He took me by the coat, and drew me closeto him; then questioned the interpreter very strictly, asking who wewere, and what was our business in that part of the country. I told himto say we were Englishmen in distress, having been four days at seawithout provisions. This he would not credit, but said we were bad men, and that he would put us all to death; and then ordered some men to putthe interpreter to the torture until he confessed the truth. 

Upon this occasion, a Ladrone, who had been once to England and spoke afew words of English, came to the chief, and told him we were reallyEnglishmen, and that we had plenty of money, adding, that the buttons onmy coat were gold. The chief then ordered us some coarse brown rice, ofwhich we made a tolerable meal, having eat nothing for nearly four days, except a few green oranges. During our repast, a number of Ladronescrowded round us, examining our clothes and hair, and giving us everypossible annoyance. Several of them brought swords, and laid them on ournecks, making signs that they would soon take us on shore, and cut us inpieces, which I am sorry to say was the fate of some hundreds during mycaptivity. 

I was now summoned before the chief, who had been conversing with theinterpreter; he said I must write to my captain, and tell him, if he didnot send a hundred thousand dollars for our ransom, in ten days he wouldput us all to death. In vain did I assure him it was useless writingunless he would agree to take a much smaller sum; saying we were allpoor men, and the most we could possibly raise would not exceed twothousand dollars. Finding that he was much exasperated at myexpostulations, I embraced the offer of writing to inform my commanderof our unfortunate situation, though there appeared not the leastprobability of relieving us. They said the letter should be conveyed toMacao in a fishing-boat, which would bring an answer in the morning. Asmall boat accordingly came alongside, and took the letter. 

About six o'clock in the evening they gave us some rice and a littlesalt fish, which we ate, and they made signs for us to lay down on thedeck to sleep; but such numbers of Ladrones were constantly coming fromdifferent vessels to see us, and examine our clothes and hair, theywould not allow us a moment's quiet. They were particularly anxious forthe buttons of my coat, which were new, and as they supposed gold. Itook it off, and laid it on the deck to avoid being disturbed by them;it was taken away in the night, and I saw it on the next day stripped ofits buttons. 

About nine o'clock a boat came and hailed the chief's vessel; heimmediately hoisted his mainsail, and the fleet weighed apparently ingreat confusion. They worked to windward all night and part of the nextday, and anchored about one o'clock in a bay under the island of Lantow, where the head admiral of Ladrones was lying at anchor, with about twohundred vessels and a Portuguese brig they had captured a few daysbefore, and murdered the captain and part of the crew. 

Saturday, the 23d, early in the morning, a fishing-boat came to thefleet to inquire if they had captured an European boat; being answeredin the affirmative, they came to the vessel I was in. One of them spokea few words of English, and told me he had a Ladrone-pass, and was sentby Captain Kay in search of us; I was rather surprised to find he had noletter. He appeared to be well acquainted with the chief, and remainedin his cabin smoking opium, and playing cards all the day. [19]

In the evening I was summoned with the interpreter before the chief. Hequestioned us in a much milder tone, saying, he now believed we wereEnglishmen, a people he wished to be friendly with; and that if ourcaptain would lend him seventy thousand dollars 'till he returned fromhis cruise up the river, he would repay him, and send us all to Macao. Iassured him it was useless writing on those terms, and unless our ransomwas speedily settled, the English fleet would sail, and render ourenlargement altogether ineffectual. He remained determined, and said ifit were not sent, he would keep us, and make us fight, or put us todeath. I accordingly wrote, and gave my letter to the man belonging tothe boat before mentioned. He said he could not return with an answer inless than five days. 

The chief now gave me the letter I wrote when first taken. I have neverbeen able to ascertain his reasons for detaining it, but suppose he darenot negotiate for our ransom without orders from the head admiral, who Iunderstood was sorry at our being captured. He said the English shipswould join the mandarines and attack them. [20] He told the chief thatcaptured us, to dispose of us as he pleased. 

Monday, the 24th, it blew a strong gale, with constant hard rain; wesuffered much from the cold and wet, being obliged to remain on deckwith no covering but an old mat, which was frequently taken from us inthe night by the Ladrones who were on watch. During the night thePortuguese who were left in the brig murdered the Ladrones that were onboard of her, cut the cables, and fortunately escaped through thedarkness of the night. I have since been informed they ran her on shorenear Macao. 

Tuesday, the 25th, at daylight in the morning, the fleet, amounting toabout five hundred sail of different sizes, weighed, to proceed on theirintended cruise up the rivers, to levy contributions on the towns andvillages. It is impossible to describe what were my feelings at thiscritical time, having received no answers to my letters, and the fleetunder-way to sail, --hundreds of miles up a country never visited byEuropeans, there to remain probably for many months, which would renderall opportunities of negotiating for our enlargement totallyineffectual; as the only method of communication is by boats, that havea pass from the Ladrones, and they dare not venture above twenty milesfrom Macao, being obliged to come and go in the night, to avoid theMandarines; and if these boats should be detected in having anyintercourse with the Ladrones, they are immediately put to death, andall their relations, though they had not joined in the crime, [21] sharein the punishment, in order that not a single person of their familiesshould be left to imitate their crimes or revenge their death. Thisseverity renders communication both dangerous and expensive; no boatwould venture out for less than a hundred Spanish dollars. 

Wednesday, the 26th, at daylight, we passed in sight of our ships atanchor under the island of Chun Po. The chief then called me, pointed tothe ships, and told the interpreter to tell us to look at them, for weshould never see them again. About noon we entered a river to thewestward of the Bogue, three or four miles from the entrance. We passeda large town situated on the side of a beautiful hill, which istributary to the Ladrones; the inhabitants saluted them with songs asthey passed. 

The fleet now divided into two squadrons (the red and the black)[22] andsailed up different branches of the river. At midnight the division wewere in anchored close to an immense hill, on the top of which a numberof fires were burning, which at daylight I perceived proceeded from aChinese camp. At the back of the hill was a most beautiful town, surrounded by water, and embellished with groves of orange trees. Thechop-house (custom-house)[23] and a few cottages were immediatelyplundered, and burned down; most of the inhabitants, however, escaped tothe camp. 

The Ladrones now prepared to attack the town with a formidable force, collected in rowboats from the different vessels. They sent a messengerto the town, demanding a tribute of ten thousand dollars annually, saying, if these terms were not complied with, they would land, destroythe town, and murder all the inhabitants; which they would certainlyhave done, had the town laid in a more advantageous situation for theirpurpose; but being placed out of the reach of their shot, they allowedthem to come to terms. The inhabitants agreed to pay six thousanddollars, which they were to collect by the time of our return down theriver. This finesse had the desired effect, for during our absence theymounted a few guns on a hill, which commanded the passage, and gave usin lieu of the dollars a warm salute on our return. 

October the 1st, the fleet weighed in the night, dropped by the tide upthe river, and anchored very quietly before a town surrounded by a thickwood. Early in the morning the Ladrones assembled in rowboats andlanded; then gave a shout, and rushed into the town, sword in hand. Theinhabitants fled to the adjacent hills, in numbers apparently superiorto the Ladrones. We may easily imagine to ourselves the horror withwhich these miserable people must be seized, on being obliged to leavetheir homes, and everything dear to them. It was a most melancholy sightto see women in tears, clasping their infants in their arms, andimploring mercy for them from those brutal robbers! The old and thesick, who were unable to fly, or to make resistance, were either madeprisoners or most inhumanly butchered! The boats continued passing andrepassing from the junks to the shore, in quick succession, laden withbooty, and the men besmeared with blood! Two hundred and fifty women, and several children, were made prisoners, and sent on board differentvessels. They were unable to escape with the men, owing to thatabominable practice of cramping their feet: several of them were notable to move without assistance, in fact, they might all be said tototter, rather than walk. Twenty of these poor women were sent on boardthe vessel I was in; they were hauled on board by the hair, and treatedin a most savage manner. 

When the chief came on board, he questioned them respecting thecircumstances of their friends, and demanded ransoms accordingly, fromsix thousand to six hundred dollars each. He ordered them a berth ondeck, at the after part of the vessel, where they had nothing to shelterthem from the weather, which at this time was very variable, --the daysexcessively hot, and the nights cold, with heavy rains. The town beingplundered of every thing valuable, it was set on fire, and reduced toashes by the morning. The fleet remained here three days, negotiatingfor the ransom of the prisoners, and plundering the fish-tanks andgardens. During all this time, the Chinese never ventured from thehills, though there were frequently not more than a hundred Ladrones onshore at a time, and I am sure the people on the hills exceeded tentimes that number. [24]

October 5th, the fleet proceeded up another branch of the river, stopping at several small villages to receive tribute, which wasgenerally paid in dollars, sugar and rice, with a few large pigs roastedwhole, as presents for their joss (the idol they worship). [25] Everyperson on being ransomed, is obliged to present him with a pig, or somefowls, which the priest offers him with prayers; it remains before him afew hours, and is then divided amongst the crew. Nothing particularoccurred 'till the 10th, except frequent skirmishes on shore betweensmall parties of Ladrones and Chinese soldiers. They frequently obligedmy men to go on shore, and fight with the muskets we had when taken, which did great execution, the Chinese principally using bows andarrows. They have match-locks, but use them very unskillfully. 

On the 10th, we formed a junction with the black squadron, and proceededmany miles up a wide and beautiful river, passing several ruins ofvillages that had been destroyed by the black squadron. On the 17th, thefleet anchored abreast four mud batteries, which defended a town, soentirely surrounded with wood that it was impossible to form any idea ofits size. The weather was very hazy, with hard squalls of rain. TheLadrones remained perfectly quiet for two days. On the third day theforts commenced a brisk fire for several hours: the Ladrones did notreturn a single shot, but weighed in the night and dropped down theriver. 

The reasons they gave for not attacking the town, or returning the fire, were that Joss had not promised them success. They are verysuperstitious, and consult their idol on all occasions. If his omens aregood, they will undertake the most daring enterprizes. 

The fleet now anchored opposite the ruins of the town where the womenhad been made prisoners. Here we remained five or six days, duringwhich time about a hundred of the women were ransomed; the remainderwere offered for sale amongst the Ladrones, for forty dollars each. Thewoman is considered the lawful wife of the purchaser, who would be putto death if he discarded her. Several of them leaped overboard anddrowned themselves, rather than submit to such infamous degradation. 

The fleet then weighed and made sail down the river, to receive theransom from the town before mentioned. As we passed the hill, they firedseveral shots at us, but without effect. The Ladrones were muchexasperated, and determined to revenge themselves; they dropped out ofreach of their shot, and anchored. Every junk sent about a hundred meneach on shore, to cut paddy, and destroy their orange-groves, which wasmost effectually performed for several miles down the river. During ourstay here, they received information of nine boats lying up a creek, laden with paddy; boats were immediately dispatched after them. 

Next morning these boats were brought to the fleet; ten or twelve menwere taken in them. As these had made no resistance, the chief said hewould allow them to become Ladrones, if they agreed to take the usualoaths before Joss. Three or four of them refused to comply, for whichthey were punished in the following cruel manner: their hands were tiedbehind their back, a rope from the mast-head rove through their arms, and hoisted three or four feet from the deck, and five or six menflogged them with three rattans twisted together 'till they wereapparently dead; then hoisted them up to the mast-head, and left themhanging nearly an hour, then lowered them down, and repeated thepunishment, 'till they died or complied with the oath. 

October the 20th, in the night, an express-boat came with theinformation that a large mandarine fleet was proceeding up the river toattack us. The chief immediately weighed, with fifty of the largestvessels, and sailed down the river to meet them. About one in themorning they commenced a heavy fire till daylight, when an express wassent for the remainder of the fleet to join them: about an hour after acounter-order to anchor came, the mandarine fleet having run. Two orthree hours afterwards the chief returned with three captured vessels intow, having sunk two, and eighty-three sail made their escape. Theadmiral of the mandarines blew his vessel up, by throwing a lightedmatch into the magazine as the Ladrones were boarding her; she ran onshore, and they succeeded in getting twenty of her guns. 

In this action very few prisoners were taken: the men belonging to thecaptured vessels drowned themselves, as they were sure of suffering alingering and cruel death if taken after making resistance. The admiralleft the fleet in charge of his brother, the second in command, andproceeded with his own vessel towards Lantow. The fleet remained inthis river, cutting paddy, and getting the necessary supplies. 

On the 28th of October, I received a letter from Captain Kay, brought bya fisherman, who had told him he would get us all back for threethousand dollars. He advised me to offer three thousand, and if notaccepted, extend it to four; but not farther, as it was bad policy tooffer much at first: at the same time assuring me we should beliberated, let the ransom be what it would. I offered the chief thethree thousand, which he disdainfully refused, saying he was not to beplayed with; and unless they sent ten thousand dollars, and two largeguns, with several casks of gunpowder, he would soon put us all todeath. I wrote to Captain Kay, and informed him of the chief'sdetermination, requesting if an opportunity offered, to send us a shiftof clothes, for which it may be easily imagined we were much distressed, having been seven weeks without a shift; although constantly exposed tothe weather, and of course frequently wet. 

On the first of November, the fleet sailed up a narrow river, andanchored at night within two miles of a town called Little Whampoa. Infront of it was a small fort, and several mandarine vessels lying in theharbor. The chief sent the interpreter to me, saying I must order my mento make cartridges and clean their muskets, ready to go on shore in themorning. I assured the interpreter I should give the men no suchorders, that they must please themselves. Soon after the chief came onboard, threatening to put us all to a cruel death if we refused to obeyhis orders. For my own part I remained determined, and advised the mennot to comply, as I thought by making ourselves useful we should beaccounted too valuable. 

A few hours afterwards he sent to me again, saying, that if myself andthe quartermaster would assist them at the great guns, that if also therest of the men went on shore and succeeded in taking the place, hewould then take the money offered for our ransom, and give them twentydollars for every Chinaman's head they cut off. To these proposals wecheerfully acceded, in hopes of facilitating our deliverance. 

Early in the morning the forces intended for landing were assembled inrowboats, amounting in the whole to three or four thousand men. Thelargest vessels weighed, and hauled in shore, to cover the landing ofthe forces, and attack the fort and mandarine vessels. About nineo'clock the action commenced, and continued with great spirit for nearlyan hour, when the walls of the fort gave way, and the men retreated inthe greatest confusion. 

The mandarine vessels still continued firing, having blocked up theentrance of the harbor to prevent the Ladrone boats entering. At thisthe Ladrones were much exasperated, and about three hundred of themswam on shore, with a short sword lashed close under each arm; they thenran along the banks of the river 'till they came abreast of the vessels, and then swam off again and boarded them. The Chinese thus attacked, leaped overboard, and endeavored to reach the opposite shore; theLadrones followed, and cut the greater number of them to pieces in thewater. They next towed the vessels out of the harbor, and attacked thetown with increased fury. The inhabitants fought about a quarter of anhour, and then retreated to an adjacent hill, from which they were soondriven with great slaughter. 

After this the Ladrones returned, and plundered the town, every boatleaving it when laden. The Chinese on the hills perceiving most of theboats were off, rallied, and retook the town, after killing near twohundred Ladrones. One of my men was unfortunately lost in this dreadfulmassacre! The Ladrones landed a second time, drove the Chinese out ofthe town, then reduced it to ashes, and put all their prisoners todeath, without regarding either age or sex!

I must not omit to mention a most horrid (though ludicrous) circumstancewhich happened at this place. The Ladrones were paid by their chief tendollars for every Chinaman's head they produced. One of my men turningthe corner of a street was met by a Ladrone running furiously after aChinese; he had a drawn sword in his hand, and two Chinaman's headswhich he had cut off, tied by their tails, and slung round his neck. Iwas witness myself to some of them producing five or six to obtainpayment!

On the 4th of November an order arrived from the admiral for the fleetto proceed immediately to Lantow, where he was lying with only twovessels, and three Portuguese ships and a brig constantly annoying him;several sail of mandarine vessels were daily expected. The fleet weighedand proceeded towards Lantow. On passing the island of Lintin, threeships and a brig gave chase to us. The Ladrones prepared to board; butnight closing we lost sight of them: I am convinced they altered theircourse and stood from us. These vessels were in the pay of the Chinesegovernment, and style themselves the Invincible Squadron, cruising inthe river Tigris to annihilate the Ladrones!

On the fifth, in the morning, the red squadron anchored in a bay underLantow; the black squadron stood to the eastward. In this bay theyhauled several of their vessels on shore to bream their bottoms andrepair them. 

In the afternoon of the 8th of November, four ships, a brig and aschooner came off the mouth of the bay. At first the pirates were muchalarmed, supposing them to be English vessels come to rescue us. Some ofthem threatened to hang us to the mast-head for them to fire at; andwith much difficulty we persuaded them that they were Portuguese. TheLadrones had only seven junks in a fit state for action; these theyhauled outside, and moored them head and stern across the bay; andmanned all the boats belonging to the repairing vessels ready forboarding. 

The Portuguese observing these maneuvers hove to, and communicated byboats. Soon afterwards they made sail, each ship firing her broadside asshe passed, but without effect, the shot falling far short. The Ladronesdid not return a single shot, but waved their colors, and threw uprockets, to induce them to come further in, which they might easily havedone, the outside junks lying in four fathoms water which I soundedmyself: though the Portuguese in their letters to Macao lamented therewas not sufficient water for them to engage closer, but that they wouldcertainly prevent their escaping before the mandarine fleet arrived!

On the 20th of November, early in the morning, I perceived an immensefleet of mandarine vessels standing for the bay. On nearing us, theyformed a line, and stood close in; each vessel as she discharged herguns tacked to join the rear and reload. They kept up a constant firefor about two hours, when one of their largest vessels was blown up by afirebrand thrown from a Ladrone junk; after which they kept at a morerespectful distance, but continued firing without intermission 'till the21st at night, when it fell calm. 

The Ladrones towed out seven large vessels, with about two hundredrowboats to board them; but a breeze springing up, they made sail andescaped. The Ladrones returned into the bay, and anchored. ThePortuguese and mandarines followed, and continued a heavy cannonadingduring that night and the next day. The vessel I was in had her foremastshot away, which they supplied very expeditiously by taking a mainmastfrom a smaller vessel. 

On the 23d, in the evening, it again fell calm; the Ladrones towed outfifteen junks in two divisions, with the intention of surrounding them, which was nearly effected, having come up with and boarded one, when abreeze suddenly sprung up. The captured vessel mounted twenty-two guns. Most of her crew leaped overboard; sixty or seventy were takenimmediately, cut to pieces and thrown into the river. Early in themorning the Ladrones returned into the bay, and anchored in the samesituation as before. The Portuguese and mandarines followed, keeping upa constant fire. The Ladrones never returned a single shot, but alwayskept in readiness to board, and the Portuguese were careful never toallow them an opportunity. 

On the 28th, at night, they sent in eight fire-vessels, which ifproperly constructed must have done great execution, having everyadvantage they could wish for to effect their purpose; a strong breezeand tide directly into the bay, and the vessels lying so close togetherthat it was impossible to miss them. On their first appearance theLadrones gave a general shout, supposing them to be mandarine vessels onfire, but were very soon convinced of their mistake. They came veryregularly into the center of the fleet, two and two, burning furiously;one of them came alongside of the vessel I was in, but they succeeded inbooming her off. She appeared to be a vessel of about thirty tons; herhold was filled with straw and wood, and there were a few small boxes ofcombustibles on her deck, which exploded alongside of us without doingany damage. The Ladrones, however, towed them all on shore, extinguishedthe fire, and broke them up for fire-wood. The Portuguese claim thecredit of constructing these destructive machines, and actually sent adispatch to the Governor of Macao, saying they had destroyed at leastone-third of the Ladrones' fleet, and hoped soon to effect their purposeby totally annihilating them!

On the 29th of November, the Ladrones being all ready for sea, theyweighed and stood boldly out, bidding defiance to the invinciblesquadron and imperial fleet, consisting of ninety-three war-junks, sixPortuguese ships, a brig, and a schooner. Immediately the Ladronesweighed, they made all sail. The Ladrones chased them two or threehours, keeping up a constant fire; finding they did not come up withthem, they hauled their wind and stood to the eastward. 

Thus terminated the boasted blockade, which lasted nine days, duringwhich time the Ladrones completed all their repairs. In this action nota single Ladrone vessel was destroyed, and their loss about thirty orforty men. An American was also killed, one of three that remained outof eight taken in a schooner. I had two very narrow escapes: the first, a twelve-pounder shot fell within three or four feet of me; another tooka piece out of a small brass-swivel on which I was standing. The chief'swife frequently sprinkled me with garlic-water, which they consider aneffectual charm against shot. The fleet continued under sail all night, steering towards the eastward. In the morning they anchored in a largebay surrounded by lofty and barren mountains. 

On the 2nd of December I received a letter from Lieutenant Maughn, commander of the Honorable Company's cruiser _Antelope_, saying that hehad the ransom on board, and had been three days cruising after us, andwished me to settle with the chief on the securest method of deliveringit. The chief agreed to send us in a small gunboat, 'till we came withinsight of the _Antelope_; then the Compradore's boat was to bring theransom and receive us. 

I was so agitated at receiving this joyful news, that it was withconsiderable difficulty I could scrawl about two or three lines toinform Lieutenant Maughn of the arrangements I had made. We were all sodeeply affected by the gratifying tidings, that we seldom closed oureyes, but continued watching day and night for the boat. On the 6th shereturned with Lieutenant Maughn's answer, saying he would respect anysingle boat; but would not allow the fleet to approach him. The chiefthen, according to his first proposal, ordered a gunboat to take us, andwith no small degree of pleasure we left the Ladrone fleet about fouro'clock in the morning. 

At one P. M. Saw the _Antelope_ under all sail, standing toward us. TheLadrone boat immediately anchored, and dispatched the Compradore's boatfor the ransom, saying, that if she approached nearer, they would returnto the fleet; and they were just weighing when she shortened sail, andanchored about two miles from us. The boat did not reach her 'till latein the afternoon, owing to the tide's being strong against her. Shereceived the ransom and left the _Antelope_ just before dark. Amandarine boat that had been lying concealed under the land, andwatching their maneuvers, gave chase to her, and was within a fewfathoms of taking her, when she saw a light, which the Ladronesanswered, and the Mandarine hauled off. 

Our situation was now a most critical one; the ransom was in the handsof the Ladrones, and the Compradore dare not return with us for fear ofa second attack from the mandarine boat. The Ladrones would not remain'till morning, so we were obliged to return with them to the fleet. 

In the morning the chief inspected the ransom, which consisted of thefollowing articles: two bales of superfine scarlet cloth; two chests ofopium; two casks of gunpowder; and a telescope; the rest in dollars. Heobjected to the telescope not being new; and said he should detain oneof us 'till another was sent, or a hundred dollars in lieu of it. TheCompradore however agreed with him for the hundred dollars. 

Every thing being at length settled, the chief ordered two gunboats toconvey us near the _Antelope_; we saw her just before dusk, when theLadrone boats left us. We had the inexpressible pleasure of arriving onboard the _Antelope_ at 7 P. M. , where we were most cordially received, and heartily congratulated on our safe and happy deliverance from amiserable captivity, which we had endured for eleven weeks and threedays. 

_A few Remarks on the Origin, Progress, Manners, and Customs of theLadrones_

The Ladrones are a disaffected race of Chinese, that revolted againstthe oppressions of the mandarins. They first commenced theirdepredations on the Western coast (Cochin-China), by attacking smalltrading vessels in rowboats, carrying from thirty to forty men each. They continued this system of piracy several years; at length theirsuccesses, and the oppressive state of the Chinese, had the effect ofrapidly increasing their numbers. Hundreds of fishermen and othersflocked to their standard; and as their number increased theyconsequently became more desperate. They blockaded all the principalrivers, and captured several large junks, mounting from ten to fifteenguns each. 

With these junks they formed a very formidable fleet, and no smallvessels could trade on the coast with safety. They plundered severalsmall villages, and exercised such wanton barbarity as struck horrorinto the breasts of the Chinese. To check these enormities thegovernment equipped a fleet of forty imperial war-junks, mounting fromeighteen to twenty guns each. On the very first rencontre, twenty-eightof the imperial junks struck to the pirates; the rest saved themselvesby a precipitate retreat. 

These junks, fully equipped for war, were a great acquisition to them. Their numbers augmented so rapidly, that at the period of my captivitythey were supposed to amount to near seventy thousand men, eight hundredlarge vessels, and nearly a thousand small ones, including rowboats. They were divided into five squadrons, distinguished by differentcolored flags: each squadron commanded by an admiral, or chief; but allunder the orders of A-juo-Chay (Ching yĭh saou), their premier chief, amost daring and enterprising man, who went so far as to declare hisintention of displacing the present Tartar family from the throne ofChina, and to restore the ancient Chinese dynasty. 

This extraordinary character would have certainly shaken the foundationof the government, had he not been thwarted by the jealousy of thesecond in command, who declared his independence, and soon aftersurrendered to the mandarines with five hundred vessels, on promise of apardon. Most of the inferior chiefs followed his example. A-juo-Chay(Ching yĭh saou) held out a few months longer, and at length surrenderedwith sixteen thousand men, on condition of a general pardon, and himselfto be made a mandarine of distinction. 

The Ladrones have no settled residence on shore, but live constantly intheir vessels. The after-part is appropriated to the captain and hiswives; he generally has five or six. With respect to conjugal rightsthey are religiously strict; no person is allowed to have a woman onboard, unless married to her according to their laws. Every man isallowed a small berth, about four feet square, where he stows with hiswife and family. 

From the number of souls crowded in so small a space, it must naturallybe supposed they are horridly dirty, which is evidently the case, andtheir vessels swarm with all kinds of vermin. Rats in particular, whichthey encourage to breed, and eat them as great delicacies; in fact, there are very few creatures they will not eat. During our captivity welived three weeks on caterpillars boiled with rice. They are muchaddicted to gambling, and spend all their leisure hours at cards andsmoking opium. 

FOOTNOTES:

[17] From _The Ladrone Pirates_. 

[18] _Junk_ is the Canton pronunciation of _chuen_, ship. 

[19] The pirates had many other intimate acquaintances on shore, likeDoctor _Chow_ of Macao. 

[20] The pirates were always afraid of this. We find the followingstatement concerning the Chinese pirates, taken from the records in theEast-India House, and printed in Appendix C. To the _Report relative tothe trade with the East-Indies and China_, in the sessions 1820 and 1821(reprinted 1829), p. 387. 

"In the year 1808, 1809, and 1810, the Canton river was so infested withpirates, who were also in such force, that the Chinese government madean attempt to subdue them, but failed. The pirates totally destroyed theChinese force; ravaged the river in every direction; threatened toattack the city of Canton, and destroyed many towns and villages on thebanks of the river; and killed or carried off, to serve as Ladrones, several thousands of inhabitants. 

"These events created an alarm extremely prejudicial to the commerce ofCanton, and compelled the Company's supercargoes to fit out a smallcountry ship to cruize for a short time against the pirates. "

[21] That the whole family must suffer for the crime of one individual, seems to be the most cruel and foolish law of the whole Chinese criminalcode. 

[22] We know by the "History of the Chinese Pirates, " that these "waspsof the ocean, " to speak with _Yuen tsze yung lun_, were originallydivided into six squadrons. 

[23] In the barbarous Chinese-English spoken at Canton, all things areindiscriminately called _chop_. You hear of a chop-house, chop-boat, tea-chop, Chaou-chaou-chop, etc. To give a bill or agreement on making abargain is in Chinese called _chă tan_; chă in the pronunciation ofCanton is _chop_, which is then applied to any writing whatever. 

[24] The following is the _Character of the Chinese of Canton, as givenin ancient Chinese books_: "People of Canton are silly, light, weak inbody, and weak in mind, without any ability to fight on land. "

[25] _Joss_ is a Chinese corruption of the Portuguese _Dios_, _God_. TheJoss, or idol, of which Mr. Glasspoole speaks is the _San po shin_, which is spoken of in the work of Yuen tsze. 

THE FEMALE CAPTIVE[26]

LUCRETIA PARKER

The event which is here related is the capture by the Pirates of theEnglish sloop _Eliza Ann_, bound from St. Johns to Antigua, and themassacre of the whole crew (ten in number) with the exception of onefemale passenger, whose life, by the interposition of Divine Providence, was miraculously preserved. The particulars are copied from a letterwritten by the unfortunate Miss Parker (the female passenger abovealluded to) to her brother in New York. 

 St. Johns, April 3, 1825. 

 Dear Brother, You have undoubtedly heard of my adverse fortune, and the shocking incident that has attended me since I had the pleasure of seeing you in November last. Anticipating your impatience to be made acquainted with a more circumstantial detail of my extraordinary adventures, I shall not on account of the interest which I know you must feel in my welfare, hesitate to oblige you; yet, I must declare to you that it is that consideration alone that prompts me to do it, as even the recollection of the scenes which I have witnessed you must be sensible must ever be attended with pain: and that I cannot reflect on what I have endured, and the scenes of horror that I have been witness to, without the severest shock. I shall now, brother, proceed to furnish you with a detail of my misfortunes as they occurred, without exaggeration, and if it should be your wish to communicate them to the public, through the medium of a public print, or in any other way, you are at liberty to do it, and I shall consider myself amply rewarded if in a single instance it proves beneficial in removing a doubt in the minds of such, who, although they dare not deny the existence of a Supreme Being, yet disbelieve that he ever in any way revealed Himself to his creatures. Let Philosophy (as it is termed) smile with pity or contempt on my weakness or credulity, yet the superintendence of a particular PROVIDENCE, interfering by second causes, is so apparent to me, and was so conspicuously displayed in the course of my afflictions, that I shall not banish it from my mind from the beginning to the end of my narration. 

 On the 28th February I took passage on board the sloop _Eliza Ann_, captain Charles Smith, for Antigua, in compliance with the earnest request of brother Thomas and family, who had advised me that they had concluded to make that island the place of their permanent residence, having a few months previous purchased there a valuable Plantation. We set sail with a favorable wind, and with every appearance of a short and pleasant voyage, and met with no incident to destroy or diminish those flattering prospects, until about noon of the 14th day from that of our departure, when a small schooner was discovered standing toward us, with her deck full of men, and as she approached us from her suspicious appearance there was not a doubt in the minds of any on board, but that she was a Pirate. When within a few yards of us, they gave a shout and our decks were instantly crowded with the motley crew of desperadoes, armed with weapons of almost every description that can be mentioned, and with which they commenced their barbarous work by unmercifully beating and maiming all on board except myself. As a retreat was impossible, and finding myself surrounded by wretches, whose yells, oaths, and imprecations, made them more resemble demons than human-beings, I fell on my knees, and from one who appeared to have the command, I begged for mercy, and for permission to retire to the cabin, that I might not be either the subject or a witness of the murderous scene that I had but little doubt was about to ensue. The privilege was not refused me. The monster in human shape (for such was then his appearance) conducted me by the hand himself to the companionway, and pointing to the cabin said to me, "Descend and remain there and you will be perfectly safe, for although Pirates, we are not barbarians to destroy the lives of innocent females!" Saying this he closed the companion doors and left me alone, to reflect on my helpless and deplorable situation. It is indeed impossible for me, brother, to paint to your imagination what were my feelings at this moment; being the only female on board, my terror it cannot be expected was much less than that of the poor devoted mariners! I resigned my life to the Being who had lent it, and did not fail to improve the opportunity (which I thought it not improbable might be my last), to call on Him for that protection, which my situation so much at this moment required--and never shall I be persuaded but that my prayers were heard. 

 While I remained in this situation, by the sound of the clashing of swords, attended by shrieks and dismal groans, I could easily imagine what was going on on deck, and anticipated nothing better than the total destruction by the Pirates of the lives of all on board. After I had remained about one hour and a half alone in the cabin, and all had become silent on deck, the cabin doors were suddenly thrown open, and eight or ten of the Piratical crew entered, preceded by him whom I had suspected to be their leader, and from whom I had received assurances that I should not be injured. By him I was again addressed and requested to banish all fears of personal injury--that they sought only for the money which they suspected to be secreted somewhere on board the vessel, and which they were determined to have, although unable to extort a disclosure of the place of its concealment by threats and violence from the crew. The Pirates now commenced a thorough search throughout the cabin, the trunks and chests belonging to the captain and mate were broken open, and rifled of their most valuable contents--nor did my baggage and stores meet with any better fate, indeed this was a loss which at this moment caused me but little uneasiness. I felt that my life was in too much jeopardy to lament in any degree the loss of my worldly goods, surrounded as I was by a gang of the most ferocious looking villains that my eyes ever before beheld, of different complexions, and each with a drawn weapon in his hand, some of them fresh crimsoned with the blood (as I then supposed) of my murdered countrymen and whose horrid imprecations and oaths were enough to appal the bravest heart!

 Their search for money proving unsuccessful (with the exception of a few dollars which they found in the captain's chest) they returned to the deck, and setting sail on the sloop, steered her for the place of their rendezvous, a small island or key not far distant I imagine from the island of Cuba, where we arrived the day after our capture. The island was nearly barren, producing nothing but a few scattered mangroves and shrubs, interspersed with the miserable huts of these outlaws of civilization, among whom power formed the only law, and every species of iniquity was here carried to an extent of which no person who had not witnessed a similar degree of pollution, could form the most distant idea. 

 As soon as the sloop was brought to an anchor, the hatches were thrown off and the unfortunate crew ordered on deck--a command which to my surprise was instantly obeyed, as I had harboured strong suspicions that they had been all murdered by the Pirates the day previous. The poor devoted victims, although alive, exhibited shocking proofs of the barbarity with which they had been treated by the unmerciful Pirates; their bodies exhibiting deep wounds and bruises too horrible for me to attempt to describe! Yet, however great had been their sufferings, their lives had been spared only to endure still greater torments. Being strongly pinioned they were forced into a small leaky boat and rowed on shore, which we having reached and a division of the plunder having been made by the Pirates, a scene of the most bloody and wanton barbarity ensued, the bare recollection of which still chills my blood. Having first divested them of every article of clothing but their shirts and trousers, with swords, knives, axes, etc. , they fell on the unfortunate crew of the _Eliza Ann_ with the ferocity of cannibals. In vain did they beg for mercy and intreat of their murderers to spare their lives. In vain did poor Capt. S. Attempt to touch their feelings and to move them to pity by representing to them the situation of his innocent family; that he had a wife and three small children at home wholly dependent on him for support. But, alas, the poor man intreated in vain. His appeal was to monsters possessing hearts callous to the feelings of humanity. Having received a heavy blow from one with an ax, he snapped the cords with which he was bound, and attempted an escape by flight, but was met by another of the ruffians, who plunged a knife or dirk to his heart. I stood near him at this moment and was covered with his blood. On receiving the fatal wound he gave a single groan and fell lifeless at my feet. Nor were the remainder of the crew more fortunate. The mate while on his knees imploring mercy, and promising to accede to anything that the vile assassins should require of him, on condition of his life being spared, received a blow from a club, which instantaneously put a period to his existence! Dear brother, need I attempt to paint to your imagination my feelings at this awful moment? Will it not suffice for me to say that I have described to you a scene of horror which I was compelled to witness! and with the expectation too of being the next victim selected by these ferocious monsters, whose thirst for blood appeared to be insatiable. There appeared now but one alternative left me, which was to offer up a prayer to Heaven for the protection of that Being who has power to stay the assassin's hand, and "who is able to do exceeding abundantly above what we can ask or think, "--sincerely in the language of scripture I can say, "I found trouble and sorrow, then called I upon the name of the Lord. "

 I remained on my knees until the inhuman wretches had completed their murderous work, and left none but myself to lament the fate of those who but twenty-four hours before, were animated with the pleasing prospects of a quick passage, and a speedy return to the bosoms of their families! The wretch by whom I had been thrice promised protection, and who seemed to reign chief among them, again approached me with hands crimsoned with the blood of my murdered countrymen, and, with a savage smile, once more repeated his assurances that if I would but become reconciled to my situation, I had nothing to fear. There was indeed something truly terrific in the appearance of this man, or rather monster as he ought to be termed. He was of a swarthy complexion, near six feet in height, his eyes were large, black and penetrating; his expression was remarkable, and when silent, his looks were sufficient to declare his meaning. He wore around his waist a leathern belt, to which was suspended a sword, a brace of pistols and a dirk. He was as I was afterward informed the acknowledged chief among the Pirates, all appeared to stand in awe of him, and no one dared to disobey his commands. Such, dear brother, was the character who had promised me protection if I would become reconciled to my situation, in other words, subservient to his will. But, whatever might have been his intentions, although now in his power, without a visible friend to protect me, yet such full reliance did I place in the Supreme Being, who sees and knows all things, and who has promised his protection to the faithful in the hour of tribulation, that I felt myself in a less degree of danger than you or any one would probably imagine. 

 As the day drew near to a close, I was conducted to a small temporary hut or cabin, where I was informed I might repose peaceably for the night, which I did without being disturbed by any one. This was another opportunity that I did not suffer to pass unimproved to pour out my soul to that Being, who had already given me reasons to believe that he did not say to the house of Jacob, seek you me in vain. Oh! that all sincere Christians would in every difficulty make Him their refuge; He is a hopeful stay. 

 Early in the morning ensuing I was visited by the wretch alone whom I had viewed as chief of the murderous band. As he entered and cast his eyes upon me, his countenance relaxed from its usual ferocity to a feigned smile. Without speaking a word, he seated himself on a bench that the cabin contained, and drawing a table toward him, leaned upon it resting his cheek upon his hand. His eyes for some moments were fixed in stedfast gaze upon the ground, while his whole soul appeared to be devoured by the most diabolical thoughts. In a few moments he arose from his seat and hastily traversed the hut, apparently in extreme agitation, and not unfrequently fixing his eyes stedfastly upon me. But, that Providence, which while it protects the innocent, never suffers the wicked to go unpunished, interposed to save me and to deliver me from the hands of this remorseless villain, at the very instant when in all probability he intended to have destroyed my happiness forever. 

 On a sudden the Pirate's bugle was sounded, which (as I was afterward informed) was the usual signal of a sail in sight. The ruffian monster thereupon without uttering a word left my apartment, and hastened with all speed to the place of their general rendezvous on such occasions. Flattered by the pleasing hope that Providence might be about to complete her work of mercy, and was conducting to the dreary island some friendly aid, to rescue me from my perilous situation, I mustered courage to ascend to the roof of my hovel, to discover if possible the cause of the alarm, and what might be the issue. 

 A short distance from the island I espied a sail which appeared to be lying to, and a few miles therefrom to the windward, another, which appeared to be bearing down under a press of sail for the former--in a moment the whole gang of Pirates, with the exception of four, were in their boats, and with their oars, etc. , were making every possible exertion to reach the vessel nearest to their island; but by the time they had effected their object the more distant vessel (which proved to be a British sloop of war disguised) had approached them within fair gunshot, and probably knowing or suspecting their characters, opened their ports and commenced a destructive fire upon them. The Pirates were now, as nearly as I could judge with the naked eye, thrown into great confusion. Every possible exertion appeared to have been made by them to reach the island, and escape from their pursuers. Some jumped from their boats and attempted to gain the shore by swimming, but these were shot in the water, and the remainder who remained in their boats were very soon after overtaken and captured by two well manned boats dispatched from the sloop of war for that purpose; and, soon had I the satisfaction to see them all on board of the sloop, and in the power of those from whom I was fully satisfied that they would meet with the punishment due to their crimes. 

 In describing the characters of this Piratical band of robbers, I have, dear brother, represented them as wretches of the most frightful and ferocious appearance--blood-thirsty monsters, who, in acts of barbarity ought only to be ranked with cannibals, who delight to feast on human flesh. Rendered desperate by their crimes and aware that they should find no mercy if so unfortunate as to fall into the hands of those to whom they show no mercy, to prevent a possibility of detection, and the just execution of the laws wantonly destroy the lives of every one, however innocent, who may be so unfortunate as to fall into their power--such, indeed, brother, is the true character of the band of Pirates (to the number of 30 or 40) by whom it was my misfortune to be captured, with the exception of a single one, who possessed a countenance less savage, and had the appearance of possessing a heart less callous to the feelings of humanity. Fortunately for me, as Divine Providence ordered, this person was one of the four who remained on the island, and on whom the command involved after the unexpected disaster which had deprived them forever of so great a portion of their comrades. From this man (after the capture of the murderous tyrant to whose commands he had been compelled to yield) I received the kindest treatment, and assurances that I should be restored to liberty and to my friends when an opportunity should present, or when it could be consistently done with the safety of their lives and liberty. 

 This unhappy man (for such he declared himself to be) took an opportunity to indulge me with a partial relation of a few of the most extraordinary incidents of his life. He declared himself an Englishman by birth, but his real name and place of nativity was he said a secret he would never disclose! "although I must (said he) acknowledge myself by profession a Pirate, yet I can boast of respectable parentage, and the time once was when I myself sustained an unimpeachable character. Loss of property, through the treachery of those whom I considered friends, and in whom I had placed implicit confidence, was what first led me to and induced me to prefer this mode of life, to any of a less criminal nature--but, although I voluntarily became the associate of a band of wretches the most wicked and unprincipled perhaps on earth, yet I solemnly declare that I have not in any one instance personally deprived an innocent fellow creature of life. It was an act of barbarity at which my heart ever recoiled, and against which I always protested. With the property I always insisted we ought to be satisfied, without the destruction of the lives of such who were probably the fathers of families, and who had never offended us. But our gang was as you may suppose chiefly composed of and governed by men without principle, who appeared to delight in the shedding of blood, and whose only excuse has been that by acting with too much humanity in sparing life, they might thereby be exposed and themselves arraigned to answer for their crimes at an earthly tribunal. You can have no conception, madam (continued he), of the immense property that has been piratically captured, and of the number of lives that have been destroyed by this gang alone, and all without the loss of a single one on our part until yesterday, when by an unexpected circumstance our number has been reduced as you see from thirty-five to four! This island has not been our constant abiding place, but the bodies of such as have suffered here have always been conveyed a considerable distance from the shore, and thrown into the sea, where they were probably devoured by the sharks, as not a single one has ever been known afterward to drift on our shores. The property captured has not been long retained on this island, but shipped to a neighboring port, where we have an agent to dispose of it. 

 "Of the great number of vessels captured by us (continued he) you are the first and only female that has been so unfortunate as to fall into our hands--and from the moment that I first saw you in our power (well knowing the brutal disposition of him whom we acknowledged our chief) I trembled for your safety, and viewed you as one deprived perhaps of the protection of a husband or brother, to become the victim of an unpitying wretch, whose pretended regard for your sex, and his repeated promises of protection, were hypocritical--a mere mask to lull your fears until he could effect your ruin. His hellish designs, agreeable to his own declarations, would have been carried into effect the very morning that he last visited you, had not an all-wise Providence interfered to save you--and so sensible am I that the unexpected circumstance of his capture, as well as that of the most of our gang, as desperate and unprincipled as himself, must have been by order of Him, from whose all-seeing eye no evil transaction can be hidden, that were I so disposed I should be deterred from doing you any injury through fear of meeting with a similar fate. Nor do my three remaining companions differ with me in opinion, and we all now most solemnly pledge ourselves, that so long as you remain in our power, you shall have nothing to complain of but the deprivation of the society of those whose company no doubt would be more agreeable to you; and as soon as it can be done consistently with our own safety, you shall be conveyed to a place from which you may obtain a passage to your friends. We have now become too few in number to hazard a repetition of our Piratical robberies, and not only this, but some of our captured companions to save their own lives, may prove treacherous enough to betray us; we are therefore making preparation to leave this island for a place of more safety, when you, madam, shall be conveyed and set at liberty as I have promised you. "

 Dear brother, if you before doubted, is not the declaration of this man (which I have recorded as correctly as my recollection will admit of) sufficient to satisfy you that I owe my life and safety to the interposition of a Divine Providence! Oh, yes! surely it is--and I feel my insufficiency to thank and praise my Heavenly Protector as I ought, for his loving kindness in preserving me from the evil designs of wicked men, and for finally restoring me to liberty and to my friends!

 I cannot praise Him as I would, But He is merciful and good. 

 From this moment every preparation was made by the Pirates to remove from the island. The small quantity of stores and goods which remained on hand (principally of the _Ann Eliza's_ cargo) was either buried on the island, or conveyed away in their boats in the night to some place unknown to me. The last thing done was to demolish their temporary dwellings, which was done so effectually as not to suffer a vestige of any thing to remain that could have led to a discovery that the island had ever been inhabited by such a set of beings. Eleven days from that of the capture of the _Ann Eliza_ (the Pirates having previously put on board several bags of dollars, which from the appearance of the former, I judged had been concealed in the earth) I was ordered to embark with them, but for what place I then knew not. 

 About midnight I was landed on the rocky shores of an island which they informed me was Cuba, they furnished me with a few hard biscuit and a bottle of water, and directed me to proceed early in the morning in a northeast direction, to a house about a mile distant, where I was told I would be well treated and be furnished with a guide that would conduct me to Mantansies. With these directions they left me, and I never saw them more. 

 At daybreak I set out in search of the house to which I had been directed by the Pirates, and which I had the good fortune to reach in safety in about an hour and a half. It was a humble tenement thatched with canes, without any flooring but the ground, and was tenanted by a man and his wife only, from whom I met with a welcome reception, and by whom I was treated with much hospitality. Although Spaniards, the man could speak and understand enough English to converse with me, and to learn by what means I had been brought so unexpectedly alone and unprotected to his house. Though it was the same to which I had been directed by the Pirates, yet he declared that so far from being in any way connected with them in their Piratical robberies, or enjoying any portion of their ill-gotten gain, no one could hold them in greater abhorrence. Whether he was sincere in these declarations or not, is well known to Him whom the lying tongue cannot deceive--it is but justice to them to say that by both the man and his wife I was treated with kindness, and it was with apparent emotions of pity that they listened to the tale of my sufferings. By their earnest request I remained with them until the morning ensuing, when I set out on foot for Mantansies, accompanied by the Spaniard who had kindly offered to conduct me to that place, which we reached about seven in the evening of the same day. 

 At Mantansies I found many Americans and Europeans, by whom I was kindly treated, and who proffered their services to restore me to my friends, but as there were no vessels bound direct from thence to Antigua or St. Johns, I was persuaded to take passage for Jamaica, where it was the opinion of my friends I might obtain a passage more speedily for one or the other place, and where I safely arrived after a pleasant passage of four days. 

 The most remarkable and unexpected circumstance of my extraordinary adventures, I have yet, dear brother, to relate. Soon after my arrival at Jamaica, the Authority having been made acquainted with the circumstance of my recent capture by the Pirates, and the extraordinary circumstance which produced my liberation, requested that I might be conducted to the Prison, to see if I could among a number of Pirates recently committed, recognize any of those by whom I had been captured. I was accordingly attended by two or three gentlemen, and two young ladies (who had politely offered to accompany me) to the prison apartment, on entering which, I not only instantly recognized among a number therein confined, the identical savage monster of whom I have had so much occasion to speak (the Pirates' Chief) but the most of those who had composed his gang, and who were captured with him!

 The sudden and unexpected introduction into their apartment of one, whom they had probably in their minds numbered with the victims of their wanton barbarity, produced unquestionably on their minds not an inconsiderable degree of horror as well as surprise! and, considering their condemnation now certain, they no doubt heaped curses upon their more fortunate companions, for sparing the life and setting at liberty one whom an all-wise Providence had conducted to and placed in a situation to bear witness to their unprecedented barbarity. 

 Government having through me obtained the necessary proof of the guilt of these merciless wretches, after a fair and impartial trial they were all condemned to suffer the punishment due to their crimes, and seven ordered for immediate execution, one of whom was the barbarian their chief. After the conviction and condemnation of this wretch, in hopes of eluding the course of justice, he made (as I was informed) an attempt upon his own life, by inflicting upon himself deep wounds with a knife which he had concealed for that purpose; but in this he was disappointed, the wounds not proving so fatal as he probably anticipated. 

 I never saw this hardened villain or any of his equally criminal companions after their condemnation, although strongly urged to witness their execution, and am therefore indebted to one who daily visited them, for the information of their behavior from that period until that of their execution; which, as regarded the former, I was informed was extremely impenitent--that while proceeding to the place of ignominy and death, he talked with shocking unconcern, hinting that by being instrumental in the destruction of so many lives, he had become too hardened and familiar with death to feel much intimidated at its approach! He was attended to the place of execution by a Roman Catholic Priest, who it was said labored to convince him of the atrociousness of his crimes, but he seemed deaf to all admonition or exhortation, and appeared insensible to the hope of happiness or fear of torment in a future state--and so far from exhibiting a single symptom of penitence, declared that he knew of but one thing for which he had cause to reproach himself, which was in sparing my life and not ordering me to be butchered as the others had been! How awful was the end of the life of this miserable criminal! He looked not with harmony, regard, or a single penitent feeling toward one human being in the last agonies of an ignominious death. 

 After remaining nine days at Jamaica, I was so fortunate as to obtain a passage with Capt. Ellsmore, direct for St. Johns--the thoughts of once more returning home and of so soon joining my anxious friends, when I could have an opportunity to communicate to my aged parents, to a beloved sister and a large circle of acquaintances, the sad tale of the misfortunes which had attended me since I bid them adieu, would have been productive of the most pleasing sensations, had they not been interrupted by the melancholy reflection that I was the bearer of tidings of the most heart-rending nature, to the bereaved families of those unfortunate husbands and parents who had in my presence fallen victims to Piratical barbarity. Thankful should I have been had the distressing duty fell to the lot of some one of less sensibility--but, unerring Providence had ordered otherwise. We arrived safe at our port of destination after a somewhat boisterous passage of 18 days. I found my friends all well, but the effects produced on their minds by the relation of the distressing incidents and adverse fortune that had attended me since my departure, I shall not attempt to describe--and much less can you expect, brother, that I should attempt a description of the feelings of the afflicted widow and fatherless child, who first received from me the melancholy tidings that they were so!

 Thus, brother, have I furnished you with as minute a detail of the sad misfortunes that have attended me, in my intended passage to Antigua, in February and March last, as circumstances will admit of--and here permit me once more to repeat the enquiry--is it not sufficient to satisfy you and every reasonable person, that I owe my life and liberty to the interposition of a Divine Providence?--so fully persuaded am I of this, dear brother, and of my great obligations to that Supreme Being who turned not away my prayer nor his mercy from me, that I am determined to engage with my whole heart to serve Him the residue of my days on earth, by the aid of his heavenly grace--and invite all who profess to fear Him (should a single doubt remain on their minds) to come and hear what he hath done for me!

 I am, dear brother, affectionately yours, LUCRETIA PARKER. 

FOOTNOTES:

[26] From an Old Pamphlet, published in 1825. 

THE PASSING OF MOGUL MACKENZIE

The Last of the North Atlantic Pirates[27]

ARTHUR HUNT CHUTE

In the farther end of the Bay of Fundy, about a mile off from the NovaScotian coast, is the Isle of Haut. It is a strange rocky island thatrises several hundred feet sheer out of the sea, without any bay orinlets. A landing can only be effected there in the calmest weather; andon account of the tremendous ebb of the Fundy tides, which rise and fallsixty feet every twelve hours, the venturesome explorer cannot long keephis boat moored against the precipitous cliffs. 

Because of this inaccessibility little is known of the solitary island. Within its rampart walls of rock they say there is a green valley, andin its center is a fathomless lake, where the Micmac Indians used tobury their dead, and hence its dread appellation of the "Island of theDead. " Beyond these bare facts nothing more is certain about the secretvalley and the haunted lake. Many wild and fabulous descriptions arecurrent, but they are merely the weavings of fancy. 

Sometimes on a stormy night the unhappy navigators of the North Channelmiss the coast lights in the fog, and out from the Isle of Haut agentle undertow flirts with their bewildered craft. Then little bylittle they are gathered into a mighty current against which allstriving is in vain, and in the white foam among the iron cliffs theirship is pounded into splinters. The quarry which she gathers in sosoftly at first and so fiercely at last, however, is soon snatched awayfrom the siren shore. The ebb-tide bears every sign of wreckage far outinto the deeps of the Atlantic, and not a trace remains of theill-starred vessel or her crew. But one of the boats in the fishingfleet never comes home, and from lonely huts on the coast reproachfuleyes are cast upon the "Island of the Dead. "

On the long winter nights, when the "boys" gather about the fire in OldSteele's General Stores at Hall's Harbor, their hard gray life becomesbright for a spell. When a keg of hard cider is flowing freely the grimfishermen forget their taciturnity, the ice is melted from their speech, and the floodgates of their souls pour forth. But ever in the backgroundof their talk, unforgotten, like a haunting shadow, is the "Island ofthe Dead. " Of their weirdest and most blood-curdling yarns it is alwaysthe center; and when at last, with uncertain steps, they leave the emptykeg and the dying fire to turn homeward through the drifting snow, fearful and furtive glances are cast to where the island looms up like aghostly sentinel from the sea. Across its high promontory the NorthernLights scintillate and blaze, and out of its moving brightness theterrified fishermen behold the war-canoes of dead Indians freighted withtheir redskin braves; the forms of _cœur de bois_ and desperateFrenchmen swinging down the sky-line in a ghastly snake-dance; theshapes and spars of ships long since forgotten from the "Missing List";and always, most dread-inspiring of them all, the distress signals fromthe sinking ship of Mogul Mackenzie and his pirate crew. 

Captain Mogul Mackenzie was the last of the pirates to scourge the NorthAtlantic seaboard. He came from that school of freebooters that was letloose by the American Civil War. With a letter of marque from theConfederate States, he sailed the seas to prey on Yankee shipping. Heand his fellow-privateers were so thorough in their work of destruction, that the Mercantile Marine of the United States was ruined for ageneration to come. When the war was over the defeated South called offher few remaining bloodhounds on the sea. But Mackenzie, who was stillat large, had drunk too deeply of the wine of a wild, free life. He didnot return to lay down his arms, but began on a course of shamelesspiracy. He lived only a few months under the black flag, until he wentdown on the Isle of Haut. The events of that brief and thrilling periodare unfortunately obscure, with only a ray of light here and there. Butthe story of his passing is the most weird of all the strange yarnsthat are spun about the "Island of the Dead. "

In May, 1865, a gruesome discovery was made off the coast of Maine, which sent a chill of fear through all the seaport towns of New England. A whaler bound for New Bedford was coming up Cape Cod one night longafter dark. There was no fog, and the lights of approaching vesselscould easily be discerned. The man on the lookout felt no uneasiness athis post, when, without any warning of bells or lights, the sharp bow ofa brigantine suddenly loomed up, hardly a ship's length in front. 

"What the blazes are you trying to do?" roared the mate from the bridge, enraged at this unheard-of violation of the right of way. But no voiceanswered his challenge, and the brigantine went swinging by, with allher sails set to a spanking breeze. She bore directly across the bow ofthe whaler, which just grazed her stern in passing. 

"There's something rotten on board there, " said the mate. 

"Ay, " said the captain, who had come on the bridge, "there's somethingrotten there right enough. Swing your helm to port, and get after thedevils, " he ordered. 

"Ay, ay, sir!" came the ready response, and nothing loth the helmsmanchanged his course to follow the eccentric craft. She was evidentlybound on some secret mission, for not otherwise would she thus tearthrough the darkness before the wind without the flicker of a light. 

The whaler was the swifter of the two ships, and she could soon haveoverhauled the other; but fearing some treachery, the captain refrainedfrom running her down until daylight. All night long she seemed to beveering her course, attempting to escape from her pursuer. In themorning, off the coast of Maine, she turned her nose directly out tosea. Then a boat was lowered from the whaler, and rowed out to interceptthe oncoming vessel. When they were directly in her course, they lay ontheir oars and waited. The brigantine did not veer again, but camesteadily on, and soon the whalemen were alongside, and made themselvesfast to a dinghy which she had in tow. A few minutes of apprehensivewaiting followed, and as nothing happened, one of the boldest swunghimself up over the tow-rope on to the deck. He was followed by theothers, and they advanced cautiously with drawn knives and pistols. 

Not a soul was to be seen, and the men, who were brave enough before acharging whale, trembled with fear. The wheel and the lookout were alikedeserted, and no sign of life could be discovered anywhere below. In thegalley were the embers of a dead fire, and the table in the captain'scabin was spread out ready for a meal which had never been eaten. Ondeck everything was spick and span, and not the slightest evidence of astorm or any other disturbance could be found. The theory of a derelictwas impossible. Apparently all had been well on board, and they had beensailing with good weather, when, without any warning, her crew had beensuddenly snatched away by some dread power. 

The sailors with one accord agreed that it was the work of asea-serpent. But the mate had no place for the ordinary superstitions ofthe sea, and he still scoured the hold, expecting at any minute toencounter a dead body or some other evil evidence of foul play. Nothingmore, however, was found, and the mate at length had to end his searchwith the unsatisfactory conclusion that the _St. Clare_, a brigantineregistered from Hartpool, with cargo of lime, had been abandoned on thehigh seas for no apparent reason. Her skipper had taken with him theship's papers, and had not left a single clue behind. 

A crew was told off to stand by the _St. Clare_ to bring her into port, and the others climbed into the long-boat to row back to the whaler. 

"Just see if there is a name on that there dinghy, before we go, " saidthe mate. 

An exclamation of horror broke from one of the men as he read on the bowof the dinghy the name, _Kanawha_. 

The faces of all went white with a dire alarm as the facts of themystery suddenly flashed before them. The _Kanawha_ was the ship inwhich Captain Mogul Mackenzie had made himself notorious as aprivateersman. Every one had heard her awe-inspiring name, and everyYankee seafaring man prayed that he might never meet her on the seas. After the _Alabama_ was sunk, and the _Talahassee_ was withdrawn, the_Kanawha_ still remained to threaten the shipping of the North. For along time her whereabouts had been unknown, and then she was discoveredby a Federal gunboat, which gave chase and fired upon her. Withoutreturning fire, she raced in for shelter amongst the dangerous islandsoff Cape Sable, and was lost in the fog. Rumor had it that she ran onthe rocks off that perilous coast, and sank with all on board. As timewent by, and there was no more sign of the corsair, the rumor wasaccepted as proven. Men began to spin yarns in the forecastle aboutMogul Mackenzie, with an interest that was tinged with its former fear. Skippers were beginning to feel at ease again on the grim waters, whensuddenly, like a bolt from the blue, came the awful news of thediscovery of the _St. Clare_. 

Gunboats put off to scour the coast-line; and again with fear andtrembling the look-out began to eye suspiciously every new sail comingup on the horizon. 

One afternoon, toward the end of May, a schooner came tearing intoPortland harbor, with all her canvas, crowded on, and flying distresssignals. Her skipper said that off the island of Campabello he had seena long gray sailing-ship with auxiliary power sweeping down upon him. Asthe wind was blowing strong inshore, he had taken to his heels and madefor Portland. He was chased all the way, and his pursuer did not drophim until he was just off the harbor bar. 

Many doubted his story, however, saying that no one would dare to chasea peaceful craft so near to a great port in broad daylight. And, again, it was urged that an auxiliary vessel could easily have overhauled theschooner between Campabello and Portland. The fact that the captain ofthe schooner was as often drunk as sober, and that when he was under theinfluence of drink he was given to seeing visions, was pointed to asconclusive proof that his yarn was a lie. After the New Bedford whalercame into port with the abandoned _St. Clare_, it was known beyond doubtthat the _Kanawha_ was still a real menace. But nobody cared to admitthat Mogul Mackenzie was as bold as the schooner's report would imply, and hence countless arguments were put forward to allay such fears. 

But a few days later the fact that the pirates were still haunting theircoast was absolutely corroborated. A coastal packet from Boston arrivedat Yarmouth with the news that she had not only sighted _Kanawha_ in thedistance, but they had crossed each other's paths so near that the namecould be discerned beyond question with a spyglass. She was heading upthe Bay of Fundy, and did not pause or pay any heed to the other ship. 

This news brought with it consternation, and every town and villagealong the Fundy was a-hum with stories and theories about the pirateship. The interest, instead of being abated, was augmented as the dayswent by with no further report. In the public-houses and along the quaysit was almost the only topic of conversation. The excitement becamealmost feverish when it was known that several captains, outward bound, had taken with them a supply of rifles and ammunition. The prospect of afight seemed imminent. 

About a week after the adventure of the Boston packet Her Majesty's ship_Buzzard_ appeared off Yarmouth harbor. The news of the _Kanawha_ hadcome to the Admiral at Halifax, and he had dispatched the warship tocruise about the troubled coast. 

"That'll be the end of old Mogul Mackenzie, now that he's got an Englishship on his trail, " averred a Canadian as he sat drinking in the"Yarmouth Light" with a group of seafaring men of various nationalities. "It takes the British jack-tar to put the kibosh on this pirate game. One of them is worth a shipload of Yankees at the business. "

"Well, don't you crow too loud now, " replied a Boston skipper. "I reckonthat that Nova Scotian booze-artist, who ran into Portland the other dayscared of his shadow, would not do you fellows much credit. "

"Yes; but what about your gunboats that have had the job of fixing the_Kanawha_ for the last three years, and haven't done it yet?" Thefeelings between Canada and the United States were none too good justafter the Civil War, and the Canadian was bound not to lose thisopportunity for horse-play. "You're a fine crowd of sea-dogs, you are, you fellows from the Boston Tea-Party. Three years after one littlehalf-drowned rat, and haven't got him yet. Wouldn't Sir Francis Drake orLord Nelson be proud of the record that you long-legged, slab-sidedYankees have made on the sea!"

"Shut your mouth! you blue-nosed, down-East herring-choker!" roared theYankee skipper. "I reckon we've given you traitors that tried to stab usin the back a good enough licking; and if any more of your dirty dogsever come nosing about down south of Mason and Dixon's Line, I betthey'll soon find out what our record is. "

"Well, you fools can waste your tongue and wind, " said a third man, raising his glass, "but for me here's good luck to the _Buzzard_. "

"So say we all of us, " chimed in the others, and the Yankee and theCanadian drank together to the success of the British ship, forgettingtheir petty jealousies before a common foe. 

Everywhere the news of the arrival of the British warship was hailedwith delight. All seemed to agree that her presence assured the speedyextermination of the pirate crew. But after several days of futilecruising about the coast, her commander, to escape from a coming storm, had to put into St. Mary's Bay, with the object of his search stilleluding his vigilance. He only arrived in time to hear the last chapterof the _Kanawha's_ tale of horrors. 

The night before, Dominic Lefountain, a farmer living alone atMeteighan, a little village on the French shore, had been awakened fromhis sleep by the moaning and wailing of a human voice. For days theimminent peril of an assault from the pirates had filled the people ofthe French coast with forebodings. And now, awakened thus in the dead ofnight, the lonely Frenchman was wellnigh paralyzed with terror. With hisflesh creeping, and his eyes wide, he groped for his rifle, and waitedin the darkness, while ever and anon came those unearthly cries from thebeach. Nearly an hour passed before he could gather himself togethersufficiently to investigate the cause of the alarm. At last, when thepiteous wailing had grown weak and intermittent, the instinct ofhumanity mastered his fears, and he went forth to give a possible succorto the one in need. 

On the beach, lying prostrate, with the water lapping about his feet, hefound a man in the last stage of exhaustion. The blood was flowing fromhis mouth, and as Dominic turned him over to stanch its flow, he foundthat his tongue had been cut out, and hence the unearthly wailing whichhad roused him from his sleep. The beach was deserted by this time, andit was too dark to see far out into the bay. 

Dominic carried the unfortunate man to his house, and nursed him therefor many weeks. He survived his frightful experiences, and lived on fortwenty years, a pathetic and helpless figure, supported by thebig-hearted farmers and fishermen of the French shore. Evidently he hadknown too much for his enemies, and they had sealed his mouth forever. He became known as the "Mysterious Man of Meteighan, " and his deplorablecondition was always pointed to as a mute witness of the last villainyof Mogul Mackenzie. 

On the night following the episode of the "Mysterious Man of Meteighan, "a wild and untoward storm swept down the North Atlantic and over theseaboard far and near. In the Bay of Fundy that night the elements metin their grandest extremes. Tide-rips and mountain waves opposed eachother with titanic force. All along the bleak and rock-ribbed coast theboiling waters lay churned into foam. Over the breakwaters the giantcombers crashed and soared far up into the troubled sky; while out underthe black clouds of the night the whirlpools and the tempests met. Wasever a night like this before? Those on shore thanked God; and thosewith fathers on the sea gazed out upon a darkness where no star of hopecould shine. 

Now and again through the Stygian gloom a torrent of sheet-lightningrolled down across the heavens, bringing in its wake a moment ofterrible light. It was in one of these brief moments of illuminationthat the wan watchers at Hall's Harbor discerned a long gray ship beingswept like a specter before the winds towards the Isle of Haut. Untilthe flash of lightning the doomed seamen appeared to have beenunconscious of their fast approaching fate; and then, as if suddenlyawakened, they sent a long thin trail of light, to wind itself far upinto the darkness. Again and again the rockets shot upward from her bow, while above the noises of the tempest came the roar of a gun. 

The people on the shore looked at each other with blanched faces, speechless, helpless. A lifetime by that shore had taught them the utterpuniness of the sons of men. Others would have tried to do somethingwith what they thought was their strong arm. But the fishermen knew toowell that the Fundy's arm was stronger. In silence they waited withbated breath while the awful moments passed. Imperturbable they stoodthere, with their feet in the white foam and their faces in the saltspray, and gazed at the curtain of the night, behind which a tragedy waspassing, as dark and dire as any in the annals of the sea. 

Another flash of lightning, and there, dashing upon the iron rocks, wasa great ship, with all her sails set, and a cloud of lurid smoketrailing from her funnel. She was gray-colored, with auxiliary power, and as her lines dawned upon those who saw her in the moment of light, they burst out with one accord, "It's the _Kanawha_! It's the_Kanawha_!" As if an answer to their sudden cry another gun roared, andanother shower of rockets shot up into the sky; and then all was lostagain in the darkness and the voices of the tempest. 

Next morning the winds had gone out with the tide, and when in theafternoon the calm waters had risen, a boat put off from Hall's Harborand rowed to the Isle of Haut. For several hours the rocky shores weresearched for some traces of the wreck, but not a spar or splinter couldbe found. All about the bright waters laughed, with naught but thesunbeams on their bosom, and not a shadow remained from last night'ssorrow on the sea. 

So Mogul Mackenzie, who had lived a life of stress, passed out on thewings of storm. In his end, as always, he baffled pursuit, and wassought but could not be found. His sailings on the sea were in secret, and his last port in death was a mystery. But, as has been alreadyrelated, when the Northern Lights come down across the haunted island, the distress signals of his pirate crew are still seen shooting up intothe night. 

FOOTNOTES:

[27] From _Blackwood's Magazine_. 

THE LAST OF THE SEA-ROVERS

The Riff Coast Pirates[28]

W. B. LORD

 O nay, O nay, then said our King, O nay, this must not be, To yield to such a rover Myself will not agree; He hath deceived the Frenchman, Likewise the King of Spain, And how can he be true to me, That hath been false to twain?

 OLD SEA SONG OF THE YEAR 1620. 

Probably by this time the greater part of the piratical craft along theRiff coast has been destroyed, and the long-promised Moorish gunboatstationed there to protect foreign shipping. [29] These steps havedoubtless been hastened by the fact that the pirates, unfortunately forthemselves, attacked a vessel some little time ago belonging to theSultan of Morocco. For years past the Governments of several EuropeanPowers have sought to put friendly pressure upon the Sultan of Moroccoto effectually stop the depredations of the Riffian coast pirates. Nostrong measures, however, were really taken until the above episodeoccurred. It is said that in early days the Moors were some time inaccustoming themselves to the perils of the deep. At first theymarvelled greatly at "those that go down to the sea in ships, and havetheir business in great waters, " but they did not hasten to follow theirexample. One eminent ruler of ancient times, in that region, when askedwhat the sea was like, replied, "The sea is a huge beast which sillyfolk ride like worms on logs. " But it afterwards became clear that theMoors had a strong fancy for the "worms" and "logs" too. They gave upmarvelling at those who went to sea, and went on it themselves in searchof plunder. The risk, the uncertainty, the danger, the sense of superiorskill and ingenuity, that attract the adventurous spirit, and thepassion for sport, are stated by some writers to have brought such astate of things into existence. One fact seems to be pretty certain, that when these depredations were first made, they took the form ofreprisals upon the Spaniards. No sooner was Granada fallen, thanthousands of desperate Moors left the land, disdaining to live under aSpanish yoke. Settling along a portion of the northern coast of Africa, they immediately proceeded to first attack all Spanish vessels thatcould be found. Their quickness and knowledge of the coasts gave themthe opportunity of reprisals for which they longed. Probably this gotmonotonous in course of time, for in their wild sea courses they tookto harrying the vessels belonging to other nations, and so laid thefoundation for a race of pirates, which has continued down to quiterecently. As nowadays, the Moors cruised in boats from the commencementof their marauding expeditions. Each man pulled an oar, and knew how tofight as well as row. Drawing little water, a small squadron of thesecraft could be pushed up almost any creek, or lie hidden behind a rock, till the enemy came in sight. Then oars out, and a quick stroke for afew minutes. Next they were alongside their unsuspecting prey, andpouring in a first volley. Ultimately the prize was usually taken, thecrew put in irons, and the pirates returned home with their capture, nodoubt being received with acclamation upon their arrival. 

As far back as the sixteenth century the Spanish forts at Alhucemas--notto mention other places--were established for the purpose of repressingpiracy in its vicinity. Considerable interest is attached to several ofthe piracies committed during the past few years, as they culminated instrong representations being made to the Sultan of Morocco by thevarious Governments under whose flag the respective vessels sailed. Someof them went so far as to send warships to cruise along the Riffiancoast. This step apparently had some moral effect upon the pirates, forfrom that time onwards attacks upon foreign vessels practically ceased. Something more than this, however, was needed, for no one could say howsoon the marauding expeditions might be renewed upon a larger scale thanever, so as to make up for lost opportunities. On August 14, 1897, theItalian three-masted schooner _Fiducia_ was off the coast of Morocco, inthe Mediterranean, homeward bound from Pensacola to Marseilles. Here shegot becalmed, and while in that condition two boats approached her fromthe shore. At first the crew of the _Fiducia_ thought they were nativefishing boats. When, however, the latter got within a hundred yards orso of the helpless vessel, the suspicions of the crew were aroused. Thecaptain warned the Moors not to approach any nearer; a volley of bulletswas returned by way of reply, followed by a regular fusillade as theboats advanced. There were only three revolvers on board the schooner, and with these the crew prepared to defend themselves. Soon, however, their supply of ammunition became exhausted, and the pirates boarded theschooner without further opposition. The vessel was at once ransacked, even the clothes of the crew being taken. The ship's own boat waslowered, and into this the marauders put their booty, and took itashore, also carrying the captain and one of the crew with them. Aboutan hour later another boat, containing about twenty pirates, came offand fired on the ship. The crew, seeing that they could offer noeffective resistance, hid themselves away in the hold. The other pirateshad left very little for the new arrivals to take, and this seemed toannoy them so much that they gave vent to their ill-feelings in severalways, not the least wanton being the pollution of the ship's freshwater. They also smashed the vessel's compass, and tore up the charts. For the next two days the crew existed on a few biscuits, which thepirates had left behind. The following day the British steamship_Oanfa_, of London, hove in sight. The crew of the schooner hoisted ashirt as a signal, which was fortunately seen, and a boat sent off inresponse thereto. Assistance was promptly rendered, and the _Fiducia_put in a position to resume her voyage. This was done until spoken bythe Italian cruiser _Ercole_, which assisted the schooner to herdestination. 

In October, 1896, the French barque _Prosper Corue_ was lying becalmedoff Alhucemas, a place fortified by the Spaniards to keep the pirates incheck, when several boats full of armed Moors seized the vessel and madethe crew prisoners. They then completely pillaged the ship, removingalmost everything of any use or value. While the miscreants were thusbusily engaged a Spanish merchant steamship, named the _Sevilla_, happened to come along, and was in time to capture one boat and rescueseveral of the prisoners. The _Sevilla_ then made towards the barque, but the pirates opened fire on the steamer, killing and wounding some ofthe crew. The Spaniard was compelled to retire, leaving the captain ofthe barque in the hands of the Moors. Subsequently the barque waspicked up in an abandoned condition by the British steamship _Oswin_, and towed into Almeria. An arrangement was afterwards made with thepirates to release the captains of the _Fiducia_ and the Portuguesebarque _Rosita Faro_--a much earlier capture--and some members of bothcrews, in exchange for the Riffians captured by the Spanish steamer_Sevilla_ and a ransom of 3, 000 dollars. It was only after prolongednegotiations and a large sum of money that a French warship succeeded inobtaining the freedom of the captain of the _Prosper Corue_ and a fewother Frenchmen. For some reason or other, the pirates seemed very muchdisinclined to part with these prisoners. Only a short time before theattack on the French barque took place, a notice was issued by theBritish Board of Trade, in which the attention of ship-owners andmasters of vessels was called to the dangers attending navigation offthe coast of Morocco. The document then proceeded to detail the case ofthe British schooner _Mayer_, of Gibraltar, which was boarded about 10miles from the Riff coast by twenty Moors armed with rifles and daggers. As usual, the pirates ransacked the vessel, destroyed the ensign andship's papers, brutally assaulted the men on board, and then made off intheir boat. Scarcely had the foregoing notice been generally circulatedthan another case of a similar character happened in connection with theItalian schooner _Scatuola_. Again, there is the Spanish cutter_Jacob_. She was running along the Moorish coast one fine summer'sevening a few years since, when a boat full of pirates suddenly camealongside, and speedily upset the quietness which had previously reignedon board the _Jacob_. Five of the crew managed to escape in the cutter'sboat and were picked up some days later by a passing vessel. Those whoremained on board the cutter fared very badly. After the vessel had beenpillaged, the rigging and sails destroyed, the men were all securelybound and left to their fate. Fortunately the weather continued fine, and the _Jacob_ drifted towards the Spanish coast, where she was seenand assistance promptly rendered. 

The captain of another Spanish vessel had quite a "thrilling" adventureamong these pirates in May, 1892. He left Gibraltar in command of thebarque _San Antonio_ for Alhucemas, and when about six miles from Peñonde la Gomera a boat manned by thirteen Moors was observed to beapproaching the vessel. When near enough they opened fire, and orderedthe captain to lower his sails, which was done, as the Spaniards were, practically speaking, without arms. The Moors then boarded the _SanAntonio_ and took her in tow. When close to the land the captain wasrowed ashore, and the pirates spent part of the night in unloading thecargo. Next morning the _San Antonio_ was seen drifting out to sea, andthe captain, who was afraid of being put to death, suggested that heshould go on board and bring her back to the anchorage. Probablythinking that some of their comrades were on the barque, but unable toset the necessary canvas to return, only two Moors were sent off withthe captain, and these remained in the boat when the vessel was reached. Upon gaining the deck of the barque the captain was surprised to findhimself alone. Without hesitating for a moment he released the crew, whowere confined below, hoisted sail and stood out to sea. The Moors whohad been left in the boat were speedily cut adrift, much to theiramazement, for it so happened that none of the pirates had stayed onboard. No doubt they were eager to find a safe hiding-place for theirplunder, and, thinking the barque quite secure till morning, took nofurther heed of the matter. A few days later the _San Antonio_ arrivedat Gibraltar, where full particulars of the outrage were furnished tothe authorities. Space will not admit of details being given of theattacks on the Spanish barque _Goleta_, the Portuguese barque _RositaFaro_, the British felucca _Joven Enrique_, and other vessels. It shouldbe mentioned, however, that several famous British and foreign sailingyachts upon various occasions have had remarkably narrow escapes frombeing captured by these sea ruffians. 

It is sincerely to be hoped that the Sultan of Morocco is carrying outhis task in such a manner as will induce the inhabitants of the Riffcoast to follow some occupation in future which is more likely to beappreciated by those who have to navigate vessels in the Mediterranean. Previous to stern measures being taken by the Sultan, it was not at alluncommon for his envoys to the native tribes--for the purpose ofobtaining the release of captives--to be received with derision. Often, too, they were maltreated to such an extent that they were glad toescape with their lives. Some of the neighboring tribes continuallyendeavored to purchase captives for the pleasure of killing them, but itis satisfactory to learn that no sales are recorded, as the anticipatedransom was always largely in excess of the sums offered by thebloodthirsty natives. 

FOOTNOTES:

[28] From the _Nautical Magazine_. 

[29] About twenty years ago.