Containing an Account of the Author’s being taken by Pirates, on the North part of the Coast ofGuinea,in theBird GalleyofLondon,belonging to the lateHumphrey MorriceEsq; who was sole Owner of the said Ship. Interspersed with several Instances of the Author’s many Deliverances, and narrow Escapes from Death, during the time he was detain’d Prisoner by the Pirates.
Containing an Account of the Author’s being taken by Pirates, on the North part of the Coast ofGuinea,in theBird GalleyofLondon,belonging to the lateHumphrey MorriceEsq; who was sole Owner of the said Ship. Interspersed with several Instances of the Author’s many Deliverances, and narrow Escapes from Death, during the time he was detain’d Prisoner by the Pirates.
IN the beginning ofNovember, in the Year 1718, the lateHumphrey MorriceEsq; Merchant ofLondon, appointed me Commander of theBird Galley, and gave me Orders to go toHolland,to take on board a Cargoe for the Coast ofAfrica: Having so done, we were unfortunately detained by contrary Winds, atHelvoet-Sluys, till the 10th day ofDecember, when a violent Storm arose, and in the night following forc’d our Ship on Shore, with several others. The Ship, by the Strength of the Wind, and height of the Tide, was carried with a great force against the Dike, or Bank that secures the Land from being overflowed on such high Tides, which frightened the Inhabitants thereabouts not a little. Moreover, the Waves made her work so much on the Ground where she was stranded, that when the Tide had left her, we found she set seven foot deep abaft in the Strand; but had the Satisfaction to find, on Examination, the Ship had received no damage in her bottom. Having unloaded, and hired many Boors or Peasants, to dig a Trench of near 300 Foot in length to the low water mark, we waited some time for a high Tide; and then getting the Ship off, carried her intoHelvoet-SluysPeer.
Having refitted and loaded again, we proceeded on our Voyage the latter end ofJanuary; but the Wind changing by the time we were off the Isle ofWight, and rising to a great Storm westerly, we were forced intoSpithead; where having lain some time, we sailed again with a fair Wind, which carried us above 70 Leagues to the westward of theLizard. Here a severe Storm of Wind coming up at Southwest, obliged us to lye by, under a reef’d Mainsail; and it increased to such a violent Degree, that we expected to be swallowed up every Minute, by the great Sea which ran Mountains high; but it pleased God, that after 24 Hours, it began to abate, and we received no other damage, than the loss of theLyonfrom the Ship’s Cut-water, which was washed away by the Sea.
The Wind (after this Storm) remaining contrary a long time, with frequent hard Gales, obliged us at last to go forKingsaleinIreland: Where having lain a few days, and repaired the Ship’s Head, with other things that were out of Order,we sailed from that place, with a northerly Wind, the 10th day ofMarch1718-19, and had a short and fine Passage to the RiverSieraleon; on the North Coast ofGuinea, in the Latitude of 8 Deg. 30 Min. where we arrived the first day ofApril1719: We met with nothing remarkable in our Passage, except, that near theCanary Islands, we were chased by a Ship whom we judged to be aSallec-Rover; but our Ship outsailing her, they soon gave over the Chase.
There were, at the time of our unfortunate Arrival in the above mentioned River, three Pirate Ships, who had then taken tenEnglishShips in that place. As it is necessary for illustrating this Story, to give an Account how these three Ships came to meet there, I must observe, That the first of them which arrived in the River, was called theRising Sun, oneCocklynCommander, who had not with him above 25 Men. These having been with one CaptainMoody, a famous Pirate, some Months before, in aBrigantine, which sailed very well, andtook theRising Sun, they weremoroonedby him, (as they call it) that is forced on board that Ship, and deprived of their share of the Plunder, taken formerly by theBrigantine. These People being obliged to go away in her, with little Provision and Ammunition, choseCocklynfor their Commander, and made for the RiverSieraleon; where arriving, they surprized in his Sloop, oneSegnor Joseph, a black Gentleman, who had been formerly inEngland, and was a Person of good account in this Country. This Man’s Ransom procured the Pirates a sufficient supply of Provision and Ammunition. Moreover, severalBristoland other Ships arriving soon after, were likewise taken; and many of their People entring with the Pirates, they had, when I fell into their hands, near 80 Men in all.
The Crue of theBrigantine, who, with their CaptainMoody, had thus forced their Companions away in theRising Sun, soon after repenting of that Action, it bred great Discontents among them; so that they quarrelled with their Captainand some others, whom they thought the chief Promoters of it; and at last forced him, with twelve others, into an open Boat, which they had taken a few days before, from theSpaniardsof theCanary Islands; and as they never were heard of afterwards, doubtless they perished in the Ocean. After this, they chose oneLe BouseaFrenchmanfor their Commander, who carried them to the RiverSieraleon, where they arrived about a Month after their parting with theRising Sun.
At the first Appearance, of this Brigantine,Cocklynand his Crew were under a great Surprize; but when they understood howMoodyand some others had been served by them, they cheerfully joined their Brethren in Iniquity.
On the same day also arrived one CaptainDavis, who had been pirating in a Sloop, and had taken a large Ship at theCape de VerdIslands. He coming intoSieraleonwith her, it put the other two Pirates into some fear, believing at first it was a Man of War: But upon discoveringher black Flag at the Main-top mast-head, which Pirate Ships usually hoist to terrify Merchant-Men; they were easy in their Minds, and a little time after, saluted one another with their Cannon.
ThisDaviswas a generous Man, and kept his Crew, which consisted of near 150 Men, in good order; neither had he consorted or agreed to join with the others, when I was taken byCocklyn; which proved a great Misfortune to me, as will appear afterwards. For I foundCocklynand his Crew, to be a set of the basest and most cruel Villains that ever were. And indeed they told me, after I was taken, “That they chose him for their Commander, on account of his Brutality and Ignorance; having resolved never to have again a Gentleman-like Commander, as, they said,Moodywas.”
Upon mentioning this, I think it necessary to observe in this place, that the Captain of a Pirate Ship, is chiefly chosen to fight the Vessels they may meet with. Besides him, they chuse another principal Officer, whom they callQuarter-master,who has the general Inspection of all Affairs, and often controuls the Captain’s Orders: This Person is also to be the first Man in boarding any Ship they shall attack; or go in the Boat on any desperate Enterprize. Besides theCaptainandQuarter-master, the Pirates had all other Officers as is usual on board Men of War.
I come now to give an account how I was taken by them. The day that I made the Land, when I was within three Leagues of the River’s Mouth, it became calm in the Afternoon. Seeing a Smoke on Shore, I sent for my first Mate Mr.Simon Jones, who had been formerly atSieraleon, where I had not; “bidding him take the Pinnace, and go where the Smoke was, to enquire of the Natives, how Affairs stood up the River.” But he replied, “it would be to little purpose, for no People lived there: As to the Smoke we saw, he believed it might be made by some Travellers who were roasting of Oysters on the Shore; and would be gone before hecould get a Mile from the Ship. Moreover, as Night drew on, it would be difficult for him to find the Ship again.” Thinking this answer reasonable, I did not press him further; tho’ I understood afterwards, there was a Town where the Smoke appeared. But I did not then in the least suspect Mr.Joneswould have proved such a Villain as he did afterwards.
About five a Clock in the Afternoon, a small Breeze arising from the Sea, and the Tide of Flood setting strong, we stood for the River’s Mouth. At Sun-setting we perceived a Ship at Anchor, a great way up the River; which was the Pirate that took us soon after. The other two Pirate Ships, with their Prizes, were hid from our sight by a Point of Land.
It becoming calm about seven a Clock, and growing dark, we anchor’d in the River’s Mouth; soon after which I went to Supper, with the Officers that usually eat with me. About eight a Clock the Officer of the Watch upon Deck, sent me word, “He heard the rowing of aBoat.” Whereupon we all immediately went upon Deck; and the night being very dark, I ordered Lanthorns and Candles to be got ready, supposing the Boat might come from the Shore with some white Gentlemen, that lived there as free Merchants; or else from the Ship we had seen up the River a little while before we came to an Anchor. I ordered also, by way of Precaution, the first Mate to go into the Steerage, to put all things in order, and to send me forthwith twenty Men on theQuarter-deckwith fire Arms and Cutlaces, which I thought he went about.
As it was dark, I could not yet see the Boat, but heard the noise of the rowing very plain: Whereupon I ordered the second Mate to hail the Boat, to which the People in it answered, “They belonged to theTwo Friends, CaptainEliotofBarbadoes.” At this, one of the Officers who stood by me, said, “He knew the Captain very well, and that he commanded a Vessel of that name.” I replied, “It might be so; but Iwould not trust any Boat in such a place;” and ordered him to hasten the first Mate, with the People and Arms upon Deck, as I had just before ordered. By this time our Lanthorns and Candles were brought up, and I ordered the Boat to be hailed again: To which the People in it answered, “They were fromAmerica:” And at the same time fired a volly of small Shot at the Ship, tho’ they were then above Pistol shot from us; which showed the Boldness of these Villains: For there was in the Boat only twelve of them, as I understood afterwards, who knew nothing of the Strength of our Ship; which was indeed considerable, we having 16 Guns, and 45 Men on board. But as they told me after we were taken, “They judged we were a small Vessel of little force. Moreover, they depended on the same good fortune as in the other Ships they had taken; having met with no resistance: For the People were generally glad of an opportunity of entring with them:” Which last was but too true.
When they first began to fire, I called aloud to the first Mate, to fire at the Boat out of the Steerage Port-holes; which not being done, and the people I had ordered upon Deck with small Arms not appearing, I was extremely surprized; and the more, when an Officer came and told me, “The People would not take Arms.” I went thereupon down into the Steerage, where I saw a great many of them looking at one another. Little thinking that my first Mate had prevented them from taking Arms, I asked them with some Roughness, “Why they had not obeyed my Orders?” Calling upon some brisk Fellows by name, that had gone a former Voyage with me, to defend the Ship; saying, “It would be the greatest Reproach in the World to us all, if we should be taken by a Boat.” Some of them replied, “They would have taken Arms, but the Chest they were kept in could not be found.” The reason of which will be related hereafter.
By this time the Boat was along the Ship’s Side, and there being no body to oppose them, the Pirates immediately boarded us; and coming on the Quarter-deck, fired their Pieces several times down into the Steerage, and shot a Sailor in the Reins, of which Wound he died afterwards. They likewise threw several Granado-shells, which burst amongst us, so that ’tis a great wonder several of us were not killed by them, or by their Shot.
At last some of our People bethought themselves to call out forQuarter; which the Pirates granting, theQuarter-mastercame down into the Steerage, enquiring, “Where the Captain was?” I told him, “I had been so till now.” Upon that he asked me, “How I durst order my People to fire at their Boat out of the Steerage? saying, that they had heard me repeat it several times.” I answered, “I thought it my Duty to defend the Ship, if my People would have fought.” Upon that he presented a Pistol to my Breast, which I had but justtime to parry before it went off; so that the Bullet past between my Side and Arm. The Rogue finding he had not shot me, he turned the But-end of the Pistol, and gave me such a Blow on the Head as stunned me; so that I fell upon my Knees; but immediately recovering my self, I forthwith jumped out of the Steerage upon the Quarter-deck, where the Pirate Boatswain was.
He was a bloody Villain, having a few days before killed a poor Sailor, because he did not do something so soon as he had ordered him. This cruel Monster was asking some of my People, “Where their Captain was.” So at my coming upon Deck, one of them, pointing to me, said, “There he is.” Tho’ the night was very dark, yet there being four Lanthorns with Candles, he had a full sight of me: Whereupon lifting up his broad Sword, he swore, “No Quarter should be given to any Captain that offered to defend his Ship,” aiming at the same time a full stroke at my Head. To avoid it I stooped so low, that the Quarter-deckRail received the Blows and was cut in at least an inch deep: Which happily saved my Head from being cleft asunder: And the Sword breaking at the same time, with the force of the Blow on the Rail, it prevented his cutting me to pieces.
By good Fortune his Pistols, that hung at his Girdle, were all discharged; otherwise he would doubtless have shot me. But he took one of them, and with the But-end endeavoured to beat out my Brains, which some of my People that were then on the Quarter-deck observing, cried out aloud, “For God’s sake don’t kill our Captain, for we never were with a better Man.” This turned the Rage of him and two other Pirates on my People, and saved my Life: But they cruelly used my poor Men, cutting and beating them unmercifully. One of them had his Chin almost cut off; and another received such a Wound on his Head, that he fell on the Deck as dead; but afterwards, by the care of our Surgeon he recovered.
All this happened in a few Minutes and the Quarter-master then coming up ordered the Pirates to tie our People’s Hands, and told me, “That when they boarded us, they let their Boat go adrift, and that I must send an Officer with some of my People in our Boat to look for theirs.” Whereupon my first Mate, Mr.Simon Jones, who stood by offered to go: And the Quarter-master telling him, “He must return quickly otherwise he should judge that they were run away with the Boat, in order to go on Shore; and if they did so he would cut me to pieces:” Mr.Jonesreplied, “He would not stay above a quarter of an Hour, but return whether he found the Boat or not.” Happily for me he soon found her, and returned (tho’ it was very dark) in less time than he had promised.
Then the Quarter-master took me by the hand, and told me, “My Life was safe provided none of my People complained against me.” I replied, “I was sure none of them could.”
The Pirates next, loaded all their small Arms, and fired several Vollies for Joy they had taken us: Which their Comrades on board their Ship hearing, it being then very near us, tho’ we could not see it for the darkness of the Night, they concluded we had made Resistance, and destroyed their People.
It will be proper to observe here, that soon after we had anchored in the Mouth of the RiverSieraleon, it became calm; and the Tide of Ebb beginning to come down, the Pirates cut their Cable, and let their Ship drive down with the Tide towards us, from the place where we had seen her at anchor; having sometime before sent their Boat against the Tide of Flood, to discover us. The Ship being by that means come near us, and seeing our Lights, without asking any Questions, gave us a Broad-side with their great Guns; verily believing we had destroyed their Boat and People. This put the Pirates on board us into Confusion, which I observing, asked the Quarter-master, “Why he did not call with the speakingTrumpet, and tell their Ship they had taken us?” Upon that he asked me angrily, “Whether I was afraid of going to the Devil by a great Shot? For, as to his part, he hoped he should be sent to Hell one of these days by a Cannon Ball.” I answered, “I hoped that would not be my Road.” However, he followed my Advice, and informed their Ship, “They had taken a brave Prize, with all manner of good Liquors and fresh Provisions on board.”
Just after this,Cocklyn, the Pirate Captain, ordered them to dress a quantity of these Victuals; so they took many Geese, Turkeys, Fowls and Ducks, making our People cut their Heads off, and pull the great Feathers out of their Wings: But they would not stay till the other Feathers were pick’d off. All these they put into our great Furnace, which would boil Victuals for 500 Negroes, together with severalWestphaliaHams, and a large Sow with Pig, which they only bowelled, leaving the Hair on. This strange medley filled the Furnace, and theCook was ordered to boil them out of Hand.
As soon as the Pirate-ship had done firing, I asked the Quarter-master’s leave, for our Surgeon to dress my poor People that had been wounded; and I likewise went into the Steerage, to have my Arm dress’d, it being very much bruised by the Blow given me by the Pirate-Boatswain. Just after that, a person came to me from the Quarter-master, desiring to know, “What a Clock it was by my Watch?” Which judging to be a civil way of demanding it, I sent it him immediately: desiring the Messenger to tell him, it was a very good going Gold Watch. When it was delivered to the Quarter-master, he held it up by the Chain, and presently laid it down on the Deck, giving it a kick with his Foot; saying, “It was a pretty Foot-ball:” On which, one of the Pirates caught it up, saying, “He would put it in the common Chest to be sold at the Mast.”
I would not mention such trifling Circumstances; but that I judge they serve toshew the Humours and Temper of these sort of People.
By this time I was loudly called upon to go on board the Pirate-ship. As soon as I came upon Deck, they hurried me over our Ship’s side into the Boat; but when we arrived along the side of the Pirate-Vessel, I told them, “I was disabled in my Arm, and so desired their help to get me into their Ship:” Which was readily done. Then I was ordered to go on the Quarter-deck to their Commander, who saluted me in this manner. “I am sorry you have met with bad usage after Quarter given, but ’tis the Fortune of War sometimes. I expect you will answer truly to all such Questions as I shall ask you: otherwise you shall be cut to pieces; but if you tell the Truth, and your Men make no Complaints against you, you shall be kindly used; and this shall be the best Voyage you ever made in your Life, as you shall find by what shall be given you.” I thanked him for his good Intentions, telling him, “Iwas content to stand on the footing he had proposed to me:”
Having answered all his Questions, one of which was, “How our Ship sailed both large, and on a wind?” I replying, “Very well:” He then threw up his Hat, saying, “She would make a fine Pirate Man of War.” When I heard that, I must own I could not but be concern’d for having answered so truly in that particular: But then considering, that some of my People would no doubt have told them the same; and moreover, my Journal, when they look’d into it, would have made it plainly appear, which might have proved my Destruction, I satisfied my Mind with these Reflections.
As, in this whole Affair, I greatly experienced the Providence of Almighty God, in his Goodness delivering me from the hands of these Villains, and from many Dangers; so the same good Providence gave me such a presence of Mind, that when I believed I was upon the point of being killed, such Terrors did not arise, as I had formerly experienced,when in danger of Shipwrack. And tho’ I fared very hard, and endured great Fatigues during the time I was there Prisoner; yet praised be God, I enjoyed my Health: Submitting with that Resignation to the Will of the Almighty, as a Man ought to do in such severe Misfortunes.
But to return to my Narrative, which the Remembrance of my past Dangers hath interrupted.
As soon as I had done answering the Captain’s Questions, a tall Man, with four Pistols in his Girdle, and a broad Sword in his Hand, came to me on the Quarter-deck, telling me, “His name wasJames Griffin, and that we had been School-fellows.” Tho’ I remembred him very well; yet having formerly heard, it had proved fatal to some who had been taken by Pirates, to own any Knowledge of them; I replied, “I could not remember any such Person by name.” Upon that he mentioned some boyish Pranks that had formerly pass’d between us, But I still denying anyKnowledge of him, he told me, “He supposed I took him to be one of the Pirate’s Crew, because I saw him armed in that manner; but that he was a forc’d Man, and had been lately chief Mate to CaptainJames CreichtonofBristol; who was then, with his Ship, in the Possession of the Pirates in the River, and had not been destroyed by them, at his earnest intreaty: That since his being forced, they had obliged him to act as Master of the Pirate-ship; and the reason of his being so armed, was to prevent their imposing on him; for there was hardly any amongst the Crew of Pirates belonging to CaptainCocklyn, but what were cruel Villains; misusing much better Men than themselves, only for having the Misfortune to fall into their Hands, as I had already experienced, and might find hereafter; but he would himself take care of me that night, in which would be my greatest Danger; because many of their People would soon get drunk with the good Liquors found in my Ship.”
This generous Declaration was very acceptable to me, and I then readily owned my former acquaintance with him. Then he turned to CaptainCocklyn, and desired a Bowl of Punch might be made. Which being done, the Captain desired Mr.Griffinmy Schoolfellow to show me the way to the great Cabbin, and he followed himself.
There was not in the Cabbin either Chair, or any thing else to sit upon; for they always kept a clear Ship ready for an Engagement: So a Carpet was spread on the Deck, upon which we sat down cross-legg’d. CaptainCocklyndrank my Health, desiring, “I would not be cast down at my Misfortune, for one of the Boat’s Crew who had taken us had told him, My Ship’s Company in general spoke well of me; and they had Goods enough left in the Ships they had taken to make a Man of me.” Then he drank several other Healths, amongst which was that of thePretender, by the name of KingJames the Third, and thereby I found they weredoubly on the side of the Gallows, both as Traitors and Pirates.
It being by this time Midnight, my Schoolfellow desired the Captain, “To have a Hammock hung up for me to sleep in;” for it seems every one lay rough, as they called it, that is, on the Deck; the Captain himself not being allowed a Bed. This being granted, and soon after done, I took leave of the Captain, and got into the Hammock, tho’ I could not sleep in my melancholy Circumstances. Moreover, the execrable Oaths and Blasphemies I heard among the Ship’s Company, shock’d me to such a degree, that in Hell it self I thought there could not be worse; for tho’ many Seafaring Men are given to swearing and taking God’s Name in vain, yet I could not have imagined, human Nature could ever so far degenerate, as to talk in the manner those abandoned Wretches did.
After I was got into the Hammock, Mr.Griffin, according to his Promise, walked by me, with his broad Sword in his Hand, to protect me from Insults.Some time after, it being about two a clock in the morning, the PirateBoatswain(that attempted to kill me when taken) came on board very drunk, and being told I was in a Hammock, he came with his Cutlace near me. My generous Schoolfellow asked him what he wanted? he answered, “To slice my Liver, for I was a vile Dog, for ordering my People to fire on their Boat; neither would I deliver my Watch when theQuarter-masterfirst demanded it.” Upon hearing that, I told Mr.Griffin, “The last was false, for I had immediately sent it by a Messenger, who only asked, what a clock it was? supposing the Quarter-master expected it.” ThenGriffinbid the Boatswain keep his Distance, or else he would cleave his head asunder with his Broad Sword. Nevertheless, that bloody-minded Villain came on to kill me; but Mr.Griffinstruck at him with his Sword, from which he had a narrow Escape, and then ran away: So I lay unmolested till day light. By that time the Fumes of the Liquor being goneoff by Sleepamongst most ofthe Pirates, Mr.Griffincomplained to the Quarter-master and Company, of the cruel Intention of the Boatswain towards me; representing, “They ought to observe strictly that Maxim established amongst them, not to permit any ill usage to their Prisoners after Quarter given.” At the hearing of this, many of them voted for his being whipp’d, tho’ he was a great Favourite of several others. But tho’ I wish’d him hang’d in my Mind yet I thought it prudent to plead for him; saying, “I believed it was his being in Liquor that was the cause of his using me in that manner.” So he received a general Order, not to give me the least Offence afterwards: Yet did that vile Wretch attempt once more to kill me, as shall be related in its due place.
I come now to relate, How Mr.Simon Jones, my first Mate, and ten of my Men entred with the Pirates. The Morning after we were taken, he came to me, and said, “His Circumstances were bad at home: Moreover, he had a Wife whomhe could not love; and for these Reasons he had entred with the Pirates, and signed their Articles.” I was greatly surprized at this Declaration, and told him, “I was very sorry to hear it, for I believ’d he would repent when too late; and as he had taken this Resolution rashly, without communicating it to me, all I could say now would be to no Purpose; neither would it be proper for me, for the future, to have any Discourse with him in private.” I saw this poor Man afterwards despised by his Brethren in Iniquity; and have since been informed, he died a few Months after they left the RiverSieraleon. However, I must do him the Justice to own, He never shewed any Disrespect to me; and the ten People he persuaded to enter with him, remained very civil to me, and of their own accord, always manned the side for me, whenever I went on board the Ship they belonged to.
Several of these unhappy People soon after repented, and desired me to intercede for them, that they might be clearedagain; for they durst not themselves mention it to the Quarter-master, it being death by their Articles: But it was too nice a matter for me to deal in; and therefore I refused them.
Some days after this, one of these poor Men, whose name wasThomas Wilder, discovered things to me, of which I only had a suspicion before. After cursing Mr.Jonesfor persuading him to enter with the Pirates, he said to me, “That several times in the Night-watch, before we came toSieraleon, he had heard him say,That he hoped we should meet with Pirates when we came to that River; which he then thought to be spoken only in jest; but now he found it too true.” As I seemed not to believe this, he called another of our People, who confirmed what he had told me. “Then I asked them the Reason why the Chest of Arms was put out of the place where it usually stoodinthe Steerage; and where it was hidatthe time we were taken?” They answered, “I might remember, that the Morningwe made Land, I ordered the Steerage to be clean’d; to do which all the Chests there were carried between Decks; and after the Steerage was clean’d, all the Chests were brought back again in their places, except the Chest of Arms, which was left behind by the Mate’s Order: That when I called to the People in the Steerage to fire on the Pirate-boat, supposing Mr.Joneshad delivered them Arms according to my Order, many of the Men would have broken the Chest open, but he prevented them, by declaring,This was an opportunity he had wished for; and that if they fired a Musquet, they would be all cut to pieces.” And they further assured me, that to induce them to enter with the Pirates, he had declared to them,That I had promised him to enter my self. Putting all this together with what several of the Pirates told me afterwards, namely,That he had been the chief occasion of their keeping my Ship, it was a wonder that I escaped so well, having such a base Wretch for my principal Officer.
But to resume the thread of my Story. As soon as the Fumes of the Liquor were gone out of the Pirates Heads, they all went on board the Prize, as they called my Ship, about eight a clock in the morning, it being the second day ofApril. Mr.Jones, who had been my first Mate, went with them; and he having confirmed them in their intention of keeping the Ship for their own use, all hands went to work to clear the Ship, by throwing over board Bales of Woollen Goods; Cases ofIndiaGoods; with many other things of great Value: So that before night they had destroyed between three and four thousand Pounds worth of the Cargoe. For they had little regard to these things, Money and Necessaries being what they chiefly wanted. The sight of this much grieved me, but I was obliged in prudence to be silent. For my Schoolfellow told me, I was still under the displeasure of many of them, on account of my ordering my People to fire on their Boat when they took me.
There were then residing atSieraleon, severalEnglishmenwho traded on their own accounts; And among the rest, one CaptainHenry Glynn, who was since Governor for the RoyalAfrican CompanyatGambia, and died there. This Gentleman was an honest generous Person, and of so much Integrity, that tho’ he had suffered by the Pirates when they first landed, yet he would never accept of any Goods from them, which they had often press’d him to receive for his own use. This Conduct, with an engaging deportment, so gained him the Good-will of the Pirates, that they were ready to oblige him in whatever he requested. CaptainGlynnand my self having formerly been acquainted, as soon as he heard of my being taken, he engaged CaptainDavisandLe Boose, the Commanders of the two other Pirate Ships, who were then on Shore at his House, to come on board with him to see me. I was very agreeably surprized with his coming that Afternoon, and both the Pirate Captains that came with him saluted me civilly.CaptainDavistold me, “He knew me,” tho’ I never could recollect where I had seen him; and I found, he did not care to tell, where he had seen me.
Soon after this,Captain Cocklynwith his Quarter-master and others, came from the Prize on board their old Ship, to compliment CaptainDavisand the rest that came with him. After the Compliments were over, Captain Davis generously said, “He was ashamed to hear how I had been used by them. That they should remember, their Reasons for going a pirating were to revenge themselves on base Merchants, and cruel Commanders of Ships. That as for the Owner of the Prize, he had not his Fellow inLondonfor Generosity and Goodness to poor Sailors, as he had formerly heard from others, and now from CaptainGlynn: That as for my part, no one of my People, even those that had entered with them, gave me the least ill Character: But by their respect since shewn me, it was plain they loved me. That he indeed had heard the occasion ofmy ill usage, and of the ill-will some still bore me, was, because I had ordered my People to defend the Ship: Which he blamed them exceedingly for; saying, If he had had the good fortune to have taken me, and I had defended my Ship against him, he should have doubly valued me for it: That as he was not in Partnership with them, he would say no more at present; but that he hoped they would now use me kindly, and give me some Necessaries, with what remained undestroyed of my private Adventure.” This was by no means relished by this pack of Miscreants; for in their Hearts they hated CaptainDavis, because he kept his Ship’s Company in good order, tho’ they were almost double their Number; and being a brave generous Man, they dreaded his Resentment. HoweverCocklyn, and the chief of his People putting a good face on the matter, invited him and CaptainGlynnon board the Prize; and they two desiring I might accompany them, it was readily granted.
Soon after we were on board, we all went into the great Cabin, where we found nothing but Destruction. TwoScrutoresI had there were broke to Pieces, and all the fine Goods and Necessaries in them were all gone. Moreover two large Chests that had Books in them were empty; and I was afterwards informed, they had been all thrown overboard; for one of the Pirates, upon opening them, swore, “There was Jaw-work enough (as he called it) to serve a Nation, and proposed they might be cast into the Sea; for he feared, there might be some Books amongst them, that might breed Mischief enough; and prevent some of their Comrades from going on in their Voyage to Hell, whither they were all bound.” Upon which the Books were all flung out of the Cabin-windows into the River.
After the Company were all sat down in the Cabin, they were treated with all sorts of Liquors, and other things, that had once been mine: By this means the chief Pirates being put into a good humour,my Friend captainGlynntook the opportunity of begging of the Quarter-master several Necessaries for me: Which being readily granted, they were tied up in Bundles, and CaptainGlynndesigned to take them on Shore with him to his House for me. But an unlucky accident happened, which made me lose them all again.
For some of CaptainDavis’s People coming on board at that time; one of them, a pert young fellow of eighteen, broke a Chest open to plunder it. The Quarter-master hearing of it, goes out of the Cabin, and asks the reason of his so doing; the young Man replied, “As they were all Pirates, he thought he did what was right.” On that the Quarter-master strikes at him with his broad Sword, but the young Man running away, escaped the Blow, and fled for protection into the great Cabin to his Master CaptainDavis. The Quarter-master pursues him in a great Passion; and there not being room amongst so many of us, to make a stroke at him, he made a thrustwith his Sword, and slit the Ball of one of the young Man’s Thumbs, and slightly wounded at the same time CaptainDavison the back of one of his Hands.Davisupon that was all on Fire, and vowed Revenge, saying, “That tho’ his Man had offended, he ought to have been first acquainted with it; for no other Person had a right to punish him in his Presence;” and immediately goes on board his own Ship. Where telling the Story to his Ship’s Company, they all resolved forthwith to revenge this great injury done to one of their Comrades, and the Indignity shown their Captain. Upon that they slip one of their Cables, and begun to heave on the other, in order to come and boardCocklyn’s Ship, and destroy such a set of vile Fellows, as they called him and his Crew. When CaptainDaviswent from the Prize,Cocklynsoon followed, and went on board his own Ship, to get all things in a readiness to defend himself. CaptainGlynnand my self only remained behind, and hoped quickly to have seen hot work betweenthem; butCocklynhaving consulted his People, and judging they should be no ways able to cope with CaptainDavis, hastily came on board the Prize again, and desired CaptainGlynnto go on boardDaviswith him, in order to make up matters. My Friend would have refused this unpleasant Office, if he durst; but on his not readily complying,Cocklyngrew enraged. I fearing the consequences, persuaded, him to go: WhichCocklynwas so well pleased with, that he often spoke of it afterwards to my advantage.
By the time they came on boardDavis, his Ship wasjust heaving up their Anchor, and tho’ CaptainGlynnwas a well-spoken ingenious Man, he found it very difficult to compromise the Matter: Which at last was done on these Terms; “That CaptainDavisand his Ship’s Company, should have their share of Liquors and Necessaries on board the Prize; and, That the Quarter-master, who had wounded the young Man belonging toDavis, should before all his Crew acknowledge his fault, and ask Pardon for the same.”
Night now approaching, CaptainGlynnwas obliged to go on Shore, without calling upon me for the Things he had begged, intending to come next day for them. Being thus left on board the Prize, with only three or four of the Pirates, amongst whom the bloody-minded Boatswain (formerly mentioned) was one; and there being no Boat along the side at that time, I resolved to stay where I was all night, and not hail their Pirate-Ship to send their Boat for me.
The Pirate-Carpenter was then lying on my Bed in the State-room; so I sat some time by my self in the Cabin, having a Candle by me on a Table. When he awoke, he civilly desired me to go and take some rest; saying, “He feared I had not had any since I was taken.” I returned him thanks, saying, “I would sit up till eight a clock:” Whereupon he came and fat down by me on the Lockers, abaft in the Cabin.
The Boatswain came down soon after this, and being a little in Liquor, began to abuse me. On that the Carpenter toldhim, “He was a base Villain,” and turned him out of the Cabin. Soon after, a puff of Wind coming in at one of the Cabin Windows, put our Candle out; and the Carpenter and I rising up together, to blow the Candle in again, (but not being able to do it) we accidentally shifted places in the dark, he seating himself just over against the Cabin Door, where I sat before: And having no Tinder-box, we were at a great loss how to light the Candle again.
While we were considering how to do it, the Boatswain came into the Steerage, and finding the Candle out, began to swear and rant, saying, “I had put it out purposely, with design to go into the Powder-room undiscovered, and blow the Ship up.” But the Carpenter called to him, and told him, “It was done by accident, and that I still sat by him on the Locker.” So he came to the Cabin Door, and by the Star-light that came in at the Windows, perceived us sitting; but could not distinguish our Faces. Thinking I sat still in the Place wherehe had seen me before, he presented a Pistol, and drew the Trigger, swearing, “At that instant, he would blow my Brains out.” By good fortune the Pistol did not go off, but only flash’d in the Pan: By the Light of which the Carpenter observing that he should have been shot instead of me, it so provoked him, that he run in the dark to the Boatswain; and having wrenched the Pistol out of his hand, he beat him, with that and his Fist, to such a Degree, that he almost killed him.
The noise that was made in this Fray being heard on board the Pirate-ship that lay close to us, a Boat was sent from her; and they being informed of the Truth of the matter, the Officer that was in her, thought fit to carry away this wicked Villain, who had three times attempted to murder me.
After this I slept soundly, having been much fatigued; but I was awaked early in the Morning by a great number of CaptainDavis’s Crew, who came on board to take part of the Liquors and Necessaries, accordingto Agreement. It was very surprizing to see the Actions of these People. They andCocklyn’s Crew (forLe Boose’s were not yet admitted) made such Waste and Destruction, that I am sure a numerous set of such Villains would in a short time, have ruined a great City. They hoisted upon Deck a great many half Hogsheads ofClaret, andFrench Brandy; knock’d their Heads out, and dipp’d Canns and Bowls into them to drink out of: And in their Wantonness threw full Buckets of each sort upon one another. As soon as they had emptied what was on the Deck, they hoisted up more: And in the evening washed the Decks with what remained in the Casks. As to bottled Liquor of many sorts, they made such havock of it, that in a few days they had not one Bottle left: For they would not give themselves the trouble of drawing the Cork out, but nick’d the Bottles, as they called it, that is, struck their necks off with a Cutlace; by which means one in three was generally broke: Neither was there any Cask-liquor left in a short time, but a littleFrenchBrandy.
As to Eatables, such as Cheese, Butter, Sugar, and many other things, they were as soon gone. For the Pirates being all in a drunken Fit, which held as long as the Liquor lasted, no care was taken by any one to prevent this Destruction: Which they repented of when too late.
As for my things, which the Quarter-master had given me at CaptainGlynn’s Request, and which were accordingly bundled up; a company of drunken Pirates coming into the Cabin, and stumbling over some Goods that lay on the Floor, they took them, with three of my Bundles, and threw them overboard; swearing, “They had like to have broken their Necks by those things lying in their way.”
I had then but one Bundle left, in which was a black Suit of Cloaths, and other things which this Gang had spared. They being gone out of the Cabin, a Pirate, who was tolerably sober, came in soon after, and seeing my Bundle, said, “He would see what was in it;” which in prudence I did not oppose. Hethen took out my black Cloth Cloaths, a good Hat and Wig, and some other Things. Whereupon I told him, “CaptainCocklyn’s Quarter-master had given them to me; and I hoped he would not deprive me of them; for they were of no service to him in so hot a Country, but would be of great use to me, as I should soon return toEngland.” I had hardly done speaking, when he lifted up his broad Sword, and gave me a Blow on the Shoulder with the flat side of it; whispering at the same time these Words in my Ear, “I give you this Caution, never to dispute the Will of a Pirate: For, supposing I had cleft your Scull asunder for your Impudence, what would you have got by it but Destruction? Indeed you may flatter your self, I should have been put to death for killing a Prisoner in cold Blood; but assure your self my Friends would have brought me off on such an Occasion.” I gave him thanks for his Admonition, and soon after he put on the Clothes, which in less than half an hour after, I saw him takeoff and throw overboard. For some of the Pirates seeing him dress’d in that manner, had thrown several Buckets of Claret upon him. This Person’s true name wasFrancis Kennedy. He was afterwards hang’d atExecution-Dock, but he told me at the time he put my Cloaths on, that his name wasSun; asking me, “If I did not know his Father, who was then Commander of a Ship that used theBarbadoesTrade; and that if ever the old Dog fell in his way, he would kill him.” To which I answered, “I knew no such Person.”
When night came on, I had nothing left of what had been bundled up, but a Hat and Wig. I must own, that whenever they plundered me, no Affront was offered to my Person; but several brought me Liquor, and Slices of Ham broiled, a Biscuit being my Plate; saying, “They pitied my Condition.” The Hat and Wig I had left, being hung on Pins in the Cabin, a person half drunk came in about eight a clock at night, and put them on; telling me, “He was a greatMerchant on Shore, and that his name wasHogbin:” But supposing him to be a Pirate, I said little to him. By this time there was a great Quietness in the Ship, most of the Pirates being dead drunk. After a little Conversation, as Mr.Hogbinwas going out of the Cabin with my Hat and Wig on, he metCocklyn’sQuarter-master; whoknowing him not to be one of the Crew, asked him, “How he came by the things he had on?” To which the Fellow not returning a direct answer, the Quarter-master beat him very severely for taking things he had no Right to. Then coming to me, he asked in a kind manner, “How I had fared in the hurly burly of that Day?” When I told him, “I had lost all the Necessaries he had given me the Day before,” he express’d much concern, and said, “He would take care the next day to recover what he could for me.” But he did not prove so good as his word.
The next day, which was the third since my being taken,Le Boose’s Crew were permitted to come on board the Prize,Where they finished what was left of Liquors and Necessaries; acting in the same destructive manner as their vile Brethren in Iniquity had done before.
Being quite weary of such Company, and understanding, the three Pirate Captains were on Shore at my Friend CaptainGlynn’s House, I asked leave of the Quarter-master to go to them; which he readily granted. On this I got into a Cannoe, and as we rowed towards the Shore, we had like to have been overset, through the drunkenness of one of the Pirates that was with us. If Providence had not prevented this Accident, we should undoubtedly have all been lost; for the Tide ran very strong, and several voracious Sharks were then near us.
When I came to CaptainGlynn’s, he and the Pirate Captains received me in a very civil manner; and upon my telling them, “How I had lost all my Necessaries that had been given me;” the Captains promised, That the next day they would do what they could, to recover some of them again for me. Then Ibegged a Shirt of my Friend CaptainGlynn; for I had been three days without shifting, which is very uneasy in so hot a Country, where people sweat so much.
Being greatly refresh’d with that clean Shirt, and having stayed all night with him, where I had more rest than I before had for a good while; next day I went on board, in company with the Pirate-Captains. CaptainDavisdesiredCocklynto order all his People on the Quarter-deck, and made a Speech to them in my behalf; which they relishing better than that he had formerly made, It was resolved to give me the Ship they designed to leave, in order to go into the Prize, with the Remains of my Cargoe that was undestroyed. And there being a large quantity of Goods likewise remaining in several Prizes, they concluded to give me them also: Which, with my own, were worth several thousand Pounds. One of the leading Pirates proposed to the rest, “That they should take me along with them down the Coast ofGuinea; where I might exchange the Goods for Gold:And if in order to make a quick Sale, I sold them at prime cost, I should get Money enough by them: That, no doubt, as they went down the Coast, they should take someFrenchandPortugueseVessels, and then they might give me as many of their best Slaves, as would fill the Ship: That then he would advise me to go for the Island of St.Thomasin theWest Indies, a Free port belonging to theDanes, and sell them there, with the Vessel: And after rewarding my People in a handsom manner, I might return with a large sum of Money toLondon, and bid the Merchants defiance.”
This proposal was unanimously approved of by them: But it struck me with a sudden damp, apprehending it would be fatal to me. So I began to insinuate, “It would not be proper for me to accept of such a quantity of other Peoples Goods, as they had so generously voted for me:” And going on to give my reasons, I was immediately interrupted by several of the Pirates, who beganto be very angry, that I did not readily accept of what had been proposed, so much for my advantage, as they thought; for many of them were so ignorant, as to think their Gift would have been legal.
On this, CaptainDavissaid, “I know this Man, and can easily guess his thoughts concerning this matter; for he thinks, if he should act in the manner you have proposed, he shall ever after lose his Reputation. Now I am for allowing every body to go to the Devil in their own way; so desire you will give him the remains of his own Cargoe, with what is left of his private Adventure, and let him do with it what he thinks fitting.”
This was readily granted, and they advised me to takeLe Boose’s Brigantine, which he had then just quitted, (having fitted one of the Prizes for a Pirate-ship for him and his Crew) and carry her along the side of my Ship, in order to save the Goods then left undestroyed in her; allowing me some of my own People to do it. By this means we saved a considerablepart of the Cargoe, but of my private Adventure not above thirty Pounds Sterling: for that chiefly consisting in Necessaries and Liquors, with fine Goods, was soon destroyed by them: One instance of which out of many I shall give. The Pirates took several Pieces of fineHolland, and opening them, spread them on the Deck; and being almost drunk, lay down on them: Then others came and threw Buckets of Claret upon them, which rousing them up, and theHollandsbeing thereby stained, they flung the Pieces overboard.
CaptainDavislikewise further obtained for me, that I might lye on board theTwo FriendsCaptainElliotofBarbadoes; whom they had taken and forced to be their Store Ship; and that I might go on Shore when I pleased, to my Friend CaptainGlynn’s house, on condition I should return whenever they sent for me.
And now, the Tide being turned, they were as kind to me, as they had been at first severe. So we got the Brigantine along the side of the Prize, and as Bale-goodsand Cases came to hand, we got them into her; only now and then we lost some, by the ill-nature of two or three leading Pirates: For if we could not receive the Goods so fast as they expected, with the few People I had of my own then with me, they would let them drop overboard.
The same they did by a quantity ofIrishBeef, the first day after I was taken; for they despised it, having found so muchEnglish, in the several Prizes they had met with in the River. This sight moved me to intreat CaptainCocklynto give me theIrishBeef they were going to throw overboard; for the use of my poor People that had not entered with them. But I being then under the high Displeasure of him and his Crew, he brutishly replied, “There is Horse-beans enough in the Prize to serve you and your People six Months.” To which I answered, “It was coarse diet.” But finding this put him into a passion, I held my Tongue, and the Beef was all cast into the Sea.
In this place I think it proper to acquaint the Reader, What danger all the Prisoners were in by a false Report brought on board the Prize Ships that afternoon. For it was confidently averred by some Negroes, “That one of their Crew was murdered, by two Captains, whose names wereBennetandThompson, who had been obliged to fly into the Woods from the rage of the Pirates.” And they added, “That these two Gentlemen coming to the House of one Mr.Jones, (who lived a great way up the River) to seek for Provisions, they there met with the person whom they had killed.” Upon this report the Pirates resolved to revenge themselves on us who were their prisoners: “Which obliged me to argue with them, and observe how great a cruelty it would be, to punish us who were wholly innocent, for the faults of others.” Moreover I said, “The report might be false, it coming from the Shore-Negroes; and I hoped at least they would defer their resentment against us, till they had a more certainaccount of the matter.” This calmed their Rage a little, when, to our great Joy, the Person that was reported to be killed, came on board soon after; and told his Comrades, that he had met with CaptainBennetandThompsonat Mr.Jones’s House, who threatned him; from which the report arose that they had killed him; but that they had not otherwise misused him: So on this their Passion was entirely calmed.
As I have mentioned these two Captains,BennetandThompson, I shall give an account of their Misfortunes, which I had afterwards from their own Mouths. CaptainJohn Bennet, being bound fromAntegoato the Coast ofGuinea, was taken atCape de VerdIslands byDavis. Who, after plundering him, restored him his Ship; and he went into the RiverSieraleon, where CaptainThompsonwas arrived before him. UponCocklynthe Pirate’s coming into the River, they carried their Ships a good way up, to a place calledBrent’s-Island, being the Settlement of theRoyal African Company; where one Mr.Plunketwas Governour. Having got their Ships very near the Shore, they made a Battery thereon, and having landed Ammunition, resolved with their People to defend themselves to the utmost: thinking at that time they would remain faithful.Le Boosebeing arrived in his Brigantine, and hearing that several Ships were up the River, he resolved to have one of them for his use; so he went up to attack them, and they bravely defended themselves against him: But, soon after,Cocklyncoming with his Ship to the assistance ofLe Boose, their People begun to faulter; and these gallant Captains were, for saving their Lives, obliged, with Mr.Plunket, and several of their Officers, to fly into the Woods: Where, for many Weeks, they remained, having nothing to subsist on but Rice, with now and then some Oysters, which they got by night from the River side: neither durst they appear near the place where the Pirates were (as long as they remained there) for they had vowed to cut them to pieces, if ever they fell into their hands. Moreover, their Ships wereburnt; andLe Boosetook for his own use, one CaptainLamb’s Ship, which at that time lay farther up the River. I thought proper to relate this, in order to set the story in a better light, tho’ it happened some Weeks before I was taken.
But now, to return to my Subject. I was relating, how we were employed in saving what Goods we could. This took us up four days; and I slept every night on board theirTendercommanded by CaptainElliot, who was very kind to me, and had a great ascendant over the leading Pirates: so that he had seldom the Company of the common sort, having orders to drive them away, whenever they came on board him. And I have often been amazed, to hear and see what he has done to some of them when they were impudent; beating them, and saying, “He was sure he should see them hang’d in due time atExecution-dock.” However, by this means we were generally very easy on board him, which was no little satisfaction to me in my Circumstances.
About this time the Quarter-master who took me, fell sick of a Fever; which, increasing, he sent to speak with me: And having desired all present, except my self to withdraw, he told me, “That at the time I was taken, he designed to have killed me, when he presented the Pistol to my breast; begging I would forgive him for his cruel Intention:” Which I readily doing, he further said, “That he had been a most wicked Wretch, having been guilty of all manner of abominable Crimes; and that now believing he should die, his Conscience sadly tormented him, fearing he should be punished, as he deserved, in Hell-fire, which so often in their vile discourse he had made light of.” Upon hearing that, “I exhorted him to sincere Repentance; telling him, the Christian Religion assured us of God’s Mercies, if we are truly penitent; and I instanced the goodness of God to my self, in that he was graciously pleased to preserve me, the night I was taken, from being murdered by him and others; which greatMercies I believed were shown me, because I put my Hope and Trust in Almighty God; and exhorted him to do the same.” But he replied, with a sad countenance. “O, Sir, my heart is hardened; however, I will endeavour to follow your good counsel.” As he was going on, expressing his sorrow for his former course of Life, some of the Pirates broke in upon us, to ask him, “How he did?” So he called his Boy, and, as a mark of his Good-will towards me, ordered him to take the Key of his Chest, and let me take out what Necessaries I would. Accordingly I took that opportunity of providing my self with Shirts, Stockings, and several other things. As I was taking them out, a Pirate coming from the Deck, and knowing nothing of the Quarter-master’s order, called out aloud; “see how that Dog is thieving there: He does it as cleverly as any Rogue of us all.” But being told, “It was with the Quarter-master’s leave,” he came and helped me to bundle the things up, and I sent them on board theTender. These were the first Necessaries which I could call my own, since my Misfortune.
The Quarter-master that evening falling into a Delirium, died before morning in terrible Agonies; cursing his Maker in so shocking a manner, that it made a great Impression on several new entered Men: and they afterwards came privately to me, begging, “that I would advise them how to get off from so vile a Course of Life, which led them into Destruction both of Body and Soul. Some of them proposed to fly into the Woods, and remain there till their Ships were gone, if I would promise to protect them afterwards; but this being too nice a matter for me to meddle with at that Juncture, I declined it; Exhorting them in general, Not to be guilty of Murder, or any other Cruelty to those they should take. For if ever they should, by a general consent, resolve to embrace the King’s Pardon, it would be a great Advantage to them, to have the unfortunatePeople they had taken give them a good Character in that respect.”
Having mentioned the King’s Pardon, I shall here relate what I before omitted, with relation to his late Majesty’s Proclamation, for aPardon to Pirates, that should surrender themselves at any of theBritish Plantations,by the first ofJuly 1719. This Proclamation I had on board, with a Declaration of War againstSpain. The Quarter-master finding them amongst my Papers, and not being able to read, he brought them to me, the next day after I was taken, and “bid me read them aloud to all then present;” which I did: But there being Rewards offered in the Proclamation, to those that should take or destroy Pirates; so much for a Captain; and in proportion for the other Officers and common Pirates; this put them into such a Rage, that I began to apprehend my self in some Danger. But CaptainCocklynordering silence to be made, bid me read the other Paper, which wasThe Declaration of War againstSpain. When I had read it, some of them said,“They wished they had known it before they left theWest Indies” From thence I took occasion to observe to them, “That if they thought fit to embrace his Majesty’s most gracious Pardon, there was not only time enough for them to return to theWest Indies, (there being still three Months to come of the time limited in the Proclamation) but now that War was declared againstSpain, they would have an opportunity of inriching themselves in a legal way, by going a privateering, which many of them had privately done.” This seemed to be relished by many: but several oldBuccaneers, who had been guilty of Murder and other barbarous Crimes, being no ways inclined to it, they used the King’s Proclamation with great contempt, and tore it in pieces. I thought my self well off, that no Resentment or ill-usage was shown me on this occasion.
Amongst the several Pirates, that came to consult me, “How they should get off,” There was oneAmbrose Curtis, who was in a bad state of Health, andgenerally walked the Deck in a Silk Night-gown. This person finding me shy in answering his Questions, he told me, “Tho’ I had forgot him, yet he had not me; for he was eleven years ago at Sea with my Father, who had used him severely for being an unlucky Boy: That I might remember, my Father died inVirginia, and I commanded the Ship afterwards, and brought her home toEngland; having been very kind to him, except in one thing, which was, That he having confessed to me, he was a Servant, and run away from his Master, I refused to pay him his Wages, till he brought a person who gave me Security that I should not pay them twice; and then he had his Wages to a farthing:” Adding, “he had told this to several leading Pirates, who had persuaded him to revenge himself on me; but as I had been kind to him, and in his Conscience he believed I was in the right, to demand Security when I paid him his Wages, so he bore no ill-will to me on thataccount; and when my necessaries came to be sold at the Mast, he would buy some of them for me;” in which he proved as good as his word.
But as to his Questions about getting off, I replied as I had done to others; “Assuring him, if ever it came to be in my power to serve him, I would not spare for Money nor Pains to do it:” But this poor fellow died, before the Pirates leftSieraleon.
I hope the Reader will pardon me for mentioning several things, which are not so coherent as I could wish; as also several little Incidents. The reason why I mention them is, because I think they display the true humours and ways of these Miscreants.
Amongst my Adventure of Goods, I had in a Box three second-hand embroidered Coats. One day the three Pirate Captains, coming on board the Prize together, enquired for them, saying, “They understood by my Book such Clothes were in my Ship.” I told them, “They were in a Box under the bed place in theState-room. So they ordered them to be taken out, and immediately put them on.” But the longest Coat falling toCocklyn’s share, who was a very short Man, it almost reached as low as his Ancles. This very much displeased him, and he would fain have changed withLe Boose, orDavis: But they refused, telling him, “As they were going on Shore amongst theNegroe-Ladies, who did not know the white Mens fashions, it was no matter. Moreover, as his Coat was Scarlet embroidered with Silver, they believed he would have the preference of them, (whose Coats were not so showy) in the opinion of their Mistresses.” This making him easy, they all went on Shore together.
It is a Rule amongst the Pirates, not to allow Women to be on board their Ships, when in the Harbour. And if they should take a Prize at Sea, that has any Women on board, no one dares, on pain of death, to force them against their Inclinations. This being a good politicalRule to prevent disturbances amongst them, it is strictly observed. So now being in a Harbour, they went on Shore to the Negroe-women, who were very fond of their Company, for the sake of the great Presents they gave them. Nay, some white Men that lived there, did not scruple to lend their black Wives to the Pirates, purely on account of the great Rewards they gave.
The Pirate Captains having taken these Cloaths without leave from the Quarter-master, it gave great Offence to all the Crew; who alledg’d, “If they suffered such things, the Captains would for the future assume a Power, to take whatever they liked for themselves.” So, upon their returning on board next Morning, the Coats were taken from them, and put into the common Chest, to be sold at the Mast. And it having been reported, “That I had a hand in advising the Captains to put on these Coats,” it gained me the ill-will in particular of oneWilliams, who was Quarter-master ofLe Boose’s Ship. Heseeing me in theTender’s Boat, going on board aFrenchShip lately taken, where he then was, he swore, “That if I came there, he would cut me to pieces, for the advice I had given the Captains.” But CaptainElliot, who was then in the Boat, whispered me, saying, “Don’t be afraid of him, for it is his usual way of talking. But be sure call him Captain, as soon as you get on board.” It seems this Villain had been Commander of a Pirate Sloop; who, with a Brigantine, two years before, took CaptainLaurence Princein theWhidaw GalleynearJamaica; and being now Quarter-master, which he did not like, he loved to have the Title of Captain given him. So when I came into theFrenchShip, I adressed my self to him, saying, “CaptainWilliams, pray hear me upon the Point you are so offended at.” Upon that he gave me a slight Blow on the Shoulder, with the flat of his Cutlace, swearing at the same time, “he had not the heart to hurt me;” When I had told him how the affair had really happen’d, which he hadbeen so angry about, he gave me a Keg of Wine, and was my Friend ever after.
TheFrenchShip just now mentioned, fell into their hands about a fortnight after I was taken by them, in this manner. It was not bound toSieraleon, but having not had an Observation for several days, because the Sun was near theirZenith, they made land unexpectedly; and not knowing certainly whereabouts they were, but seeing several Ships in the River at an Anchor, they came boldly towards them.
I was then on board CaptainCocklyn’s old Ship; for they had not quite fitted mine for their use, not having at that time any Guns mounted; so I saw the great fear and confusion that was amongst them. My Mate, who had entered with them, said, “He believed, by the Ship’s coming in so boldly, it was theLauncestonMan of War of forty Guns, whom we had left inHolland. For he had heard me say, she was to follow us to the Coast ofGuinea.”
Happy would it have been for us and many more, if it had been so. For hadthat, or even a smaller Ship of twenty Guns, with the King’s Commission, come in at that time, or any other, whilst I was in their hands, I am persuaded they would have easily destroyed them. For the new-entered-men had little Courage; and the far greater part both of old and new Pirates, were so much in drink, that there could have been no Order or Conduct amongst them in an Engagement. So that it would have been very easy to have subdued them, and prevented that terrible Destruction, which happened to above one hundred Sail of Ships, that fell afterwards into their Hands, in their going down the Coast ofGuinea: Together with those Damages that happened a good while after in theEast Indies, by some of this Gang; and the great Ravage made byRoberts(who rose out ofDavis’s Ashes) the second time, on the Coast ofGuinea, till he was happily destroyed by SirChaloner Oglein theSwallowMan of War. But the reason why no timely care was taken to prevent so great a Destruction, is not proper for me to mention in this place.
As I had no business to be on board the Pirate Ship in time of Action, I asked CaptainCocklyn’s leave to go on board theirTender, which he readily granted. Just as I was going, several of my People who had entered with him, said, “They would go along with me, for they had never seen a Gun fired in anger.”Cocklynhearing that, told them, “That now they should learn to smell Gunpowder,” and caned them heartily.
So I went on board CaptainElliot, where I soon saw theFrenchShip taken. For coming so unexpectedly into the Pirates hands, they made no Resistance: And because the Captain did not strike on their first firing, they put a Rope about his Neck, and hoisted him up and down several times to the Main-yard-arm, till he was almost dead. CaptainLe Boosecoming at that instant, luckily saved his Life: And highly resenting this their cruel usage to his Countryman, he protested, “he would remain no longer in Partnership with such barbarous Villains.”So, to pacify him, they left theFrenchmenwith the Ship in his care; and after the Cargoe was destroyed, they cut the Ship’s Masts by the board, and run her on Shore, for she was very old, and not fit for their purpose.
After the affair of theFrenchShip was over, I was employed for several days, in landing out of the Brigantine the Goods that had been given me, out of my own Ship’s Cargoe, and carrying them to my Friend CaptainGlynn’s House; in which both he and I worked very hard. For my own People that did not enter with the Pirates, were mostly obliged to work on board the Prize, in fitting her for them; and the Natives who served CaptainGlynnat his House, were grown so insolent by the large quantity of Goods given them by the Pirates, that they would do nothing but what they pleased. However, at last, with much trouble we got them housed.