Asto the Birth of this Pyrate, we can discover nothing by the Enquiries we have hitherto made; and, indeed, had we succeeded in our Search, could it have been of any great Consequence? For, its certain, by the Behaviour of the Man, he must have been of very obscure Parents; and, by his Education, (as he was no Artist) very unfit, in all Respects, except that of Cruelty, for the villainous Business he was in. We have been inform’d, that he had been a Pyrate in a private Capacity, and having escaped Justice, had an Opportunity of repenting his former Crimes, and, as a foremast Man, or petty Officer, of getting his Bread in a warrantable Way: But no; ignorant as he was of Letters, he was ambitious of Power, and capable of the most barbarous Actions to acquire it.
CaptainGreenofBristol, inApril1726, shipp’d thisFlyas Boatswain, atJamaica, being bound, in theElizabethSnow ofBristol, for the Coast ofGuinea.Fly, who had insinuated himself with some of the Men, whom he found ripe for any Villainy, resolved to seize the said Snow, and murder the Captain and Mate, and, taking the Command on himself, turn Pyrate. He proposed this his Design to his Brothers in Iniquity, who approving it, he, having the Watch at one o’ Clock in the Morning, on the 27th Day ofMay, went up to oneMorrice Cundon, then at the Helm, accompanied byAlexander Mitchel,Henry Hill,Samuel Cole,Thomas Winthrop, and other Conspirators, and swore damn him, if he spoke one Word, or stirr’d either Hand or Foot, he would blow his Brains out; and, tucking up his Shirt above his Elbow, with a Cutlass in his Hand, he, withMitchel, went into the Captain’s Cabbin, and told him, he must turn out. The Captain asking what was the Matter, was answered, byMitchel, they had no Time to answer impertinent Questions; that if he would turn out, and go upon Deck quietly, it would save ’em the Trouble of scraping the Cabbin; if he would not, a few Buckets of Water and a Scraper would take his Blood out of the Decks. That they had chosen CaptainFlyfor Commander, and damn his Blood, they would allow of no other, and would not waste their Provisions to feed useless Men.
The Captain reply’d, that since they had so resolved he should make no Resistance; but begged they would not murder him, since his living could be no Obstacle to their Designs; that he had never been harsh to either of them, and therefore they could not kill him out of revenge; and if it was only for their Security, he desired, if they would not take his Word to do nothing to obstruct the Measures they had resolved on, they would secure him in Irons till he might be put somewhere on Shore. Ay, G—d d—mn ye, saysFly, to live and hang us, if we are ever taken: No, no, walk up and be damn’d, that Bite won’t take, it has hanged many an honest Fellow already.MitchelandFlythen laying hold of him, pulled him out of his Bed. The poor Captain intreating to spare his Life, for his Soul’s sake, told ’em he would bind himself down by the most solemn Oaths, never to appear against them; that he was unfit to appear before the Judgment Seat of a just and pure God; that he was loaded with Sins, and to take him off before he had washed those Stains which sullied his Soul by the Tears of Repentance, would be a Cruelty beyond Comparison greater than that of depriving him of Life, were he prepared for Death, since it would be, without any Offence committed against them, dooming him to eternal Misery; however, if they would not be perswaded that his Life was consistent with their Safety, he begg’d they would allow him some Time to prepare himself for the great Change. That he begg’d no other Mercy than what the Justice and Compassion of the Laws would allow them, should they hereafter be taken.D—n your Blood, said Mitchel,no Preaching. Be damn’d an you will, what’s that to us? Let him look out who has the Watch. Upon Deck, you Dog, for we shall lose no more Time about you.
They hawl’d him into the Steerage, and forc’d him upon Deck, where one of the Hell-Hounds asked if he had rather take a Leap like a brave Fellow, or be to toss’d over like a sneaking Rascal. The Captain, addressing himself toFly, said,Boatswain, for God’s sake don’t throw me overboard, if you do, I am for ever lost; Hell’s the Portion of my Crimes.—Damn him answer’dFly, since he’s so devilish godly, we’ll give him Time to say his Prayers, and I’ll be Parson. Say after me.Lord, have Mercy on me.Short Prayers arebest, so no more Words, and over with him, my Lads.
The Captain still cry’d for Mercy, and begg’d an Hour’s respite only, but all in vain; he was seized by the Villains, and thrown over Board; catch’d however, and hung by the Main-Sheet, whichWinthorpseeing, fetch’d the Cooper’s broad Ax, and chopping off the unhappy Master’s Hand, he was swallowed up by the Sea.
The Captain being thus dispatched,Thomas Jenkins, the Mate, was secured and brought upon Deck, to share the same cruel Fate. His Intreaties were as useless as the Captain’s; the Sentence they had passed upon him was not to be reversed; they were deaf to his Prayers and Remonstrances, Strangers to Humanity and Compassion. He was of the Captain’s Mess, they said, and they should e’en drink together; it was Pity to part good Company.
Thus they jested with his Agonies; he, however, made some Struggle, which irritating his Murderers, one of them snatched up the Ax, with whichWinthorphad lopped off the Captain’s Hand, and gave him a great Cut on the Shoulder, by missing his Head, where the Blow was aimed, and he was thrown into the Sea. He swam notwithstanding, and called out to the Doctor to throw him a Rope, who, poor Man, could not hear him, being secured, and laid in Irons in his own Cabin; and had he heard, and been able to have thrown the Rope required, could it be expected that these harden’d Wretches would have relented, and shewn him Mercy? But the sinking Man will catch at a Straw, and Hope, they say, is the last that deserts us. While we have Life we are apt to flatter our selves, some lucky Accident may favour us.
It was next debated what should be done with the Doctor. Some were for sending him to look after the Captain and Mate, but the Majority, as he was a useful Man, thought it better to keep him. All obstacles being removed,MitchelsalutedFlyCaptain, and, with the rest of the Crew who had been in the Conspiracy, with some Ceremony, gave him Possession of the great Cabin.
Here a Bowl of Punch being made,Morice Cundonwas called down, and oneJohn Fitzherbertset to the Helm in his Place. At the same Time the Carpenter andThomas Streatonwere brought before the Captain, who told them they were three Rascals, and richly deserved to be sent after the Captain and Mate, but that they were willing to shew them Mercy, and not put them to Death in cold Blood, and he would therefore only put them in Irons, for the Security of the Ship’s Crew; they were accordingly ordered out, and iron’d.Flythen told his Comrades it was convenient to resolve on some Course, when Word was brought them, that a Ship was very near them. The Council broke up, and made a clear Ship, when, in a very little while after, they found it was thePompey, which had leftJamaicain Company with the Snow; thePompeystanding for the Snow, which did not make from her, soon haled, and asked how CaptainGreendid, and was answered byFly, that he was very well. They did not think fit to attack this Ship, but returning to hold their Consultation, it was resolved to steer forNorth Carolina.
Upon their Arrival on that Coast they spied a Sloop at Anchor within theBar; she was call’d theJohnandHannah, and commanded by CaptainFulker, who thinking the Snow might want a Pilot stepp’d into his Boat with his Mate, Mr.Atkinson, and Mr.Roan, two Passengers, and a youngLad, in order to bring her in. When they came on board, they were told, that theSnowwas come with a Cargoe fromJamaica; CaptainFulkerand Mr.Roanwere desired to walk down to the Captain, who was in the Cabbin;Flyreceived them very civilly, ordered a Bowl of Punch, and hearing CaptainFulkerhad brought another Passenger on Board, Mr.Atkinsonwas also invited down.
The Punch being brought in, CaptainFlytold his Guest,that he was no Man to mince Matters; that he and his Comrades were Gentlemen of Fortune, and should make bold to try if CaptainFulker’s Sloop was a better Sailor than theSnow, if she was, she would prove much fitter for their Business, and they must have her: TheSnowcame to an Anchor about a League off the Sloop, andFlyorderedFulker, with six of his own Hands, into the Boat, to bring her alongside of theSnow; but the Wind proving contrary, their Endeavours proved also vain, and they returned again in the Boat, bringing CaptainFulkerback with them.
As soon as they came on board theSnow,Flyfell into a violent Passion, cursing and damningFulkerfor not bringing off the Sloop; he gave him his Reason, and said, it was impossible.Damn ye, replied the Pyrate,you lie you Dog, but d—n my B—d, your Hide shall pay for your Roguery, and if I can’t bring her off I’ll burn her where she lies. He then order’d CaptainFulkerto the Geers; no Reason, no Arguments, could prevail; he was stripp’d and lash’d after a very inhuman Manner: And the Boat’s Crew being sent again, with much ado carried her off as far as the Barr, where she bilged and sunk. The Pyrates then endeavoured to set what remained of her out of Water on Fire, but they could not burn her.
TheSnowgetting under Sail to look out for some Booty,Fulkerand the others desired they might be set at Liberty, but it was denied them for the present, tho’ not without a Promise that they should be released the first Vessel they took.
The fifth ofJunethey leftCarolina, and the next Day they spied a Sail, which prov’d theJohnandBetty, commanded by Capt.Gale, bound fromBarbadoestoGuiney.Flygave Chase, but finding the Ship wronged him, he made a Signal of Distress, hoisting his Jack at the main Top-Mast Head; but this Decoy did not hinder the Ship making the best of her Way.Flycontinued the Chace all Night, and the Wind slackening, he came within Shot of the Ship, and fir’d several Guns at her under his black Ensign; the Ship being of no Force, and the Pyrates ready to board, the Captain struck; andFlymanning his Long-Boat, which carried a Pateraro in the Bow, the Crew being well armed with Pistols and Cutlashes went on Board the Prize, and sent Capt.Gale, after having secured his Men, Prisoner on board theSnow.
This Prize was of little Value to the Pyrates, who took nothing but some Sail-Cloaths and small Arms, and after two Days let her go, but took away six of his Men, setting on board Capt.Fulkerand a Passenger (Mr.Atkinsonwas detained) and Capt.Green’s Surgeon; they kept this Gentleman, Mr.Atkinson, knowing he was a good Artist, and lately Master of theBonetaBrigantine, as a Pilot for the Coast ofNew England, which they were satisfied he was well acquainted with.
Upon Mr.Atkinson’s desiring to have his Liberty with the others, CaptainFlymade him the following Speech:Look ye, CaptainAtkinson, it isnot that we care a T—d for your Company, G—d d—n ye; G—d d—n my Soul, not a T—d by G—d, and that’s fair; but G—d d—n ye, and G—d’s B—d and W—ds, if you don’t act like an honest Man G—d d—n ye, and offer to play us any Rogues Tricks by G—d, and G—d sink me, but I’ll blow your Brains out; G—d d—n me, if I don’t. Now, Capt.Atkinson, you may do as you please, you may be a Son of a Whore and pilot us wrong, which, G—d d—n ye, would be a rascally Trick by G—d, because you would betray Men who trust in you; but, by the eternal J—s, you shan’t live to see us hang’d. I don’t love many Words, G—d d—n ye, if you have a Mind to be well used you shall, G—d’s B—d; but if you will be a Villain and betray your Trust, may G—d strike me dead, and may I drink a Bowl of Brimstone and Fire with the D—l, if I don’t send you head-long to H—ll, G—d d—n me; and so there needs no more Arguments by G—d, for I’ve told you my Mind, and here’s all the Ships Crew for Witnesses, that if I do blow your Brains out, you may blame no Body but your self, G—d d—n ye.
Mr.Atkinsonanswered, it was very hard he should be forced to take upon him the Pilotage, when he did not pretend to know the Coast, and that his Life should answer for any Mistake his Ignorance of the Coast might make him guilty of, and therefore begg’d he might be set on board Capt.Gale; and that they would trust to their own Knowledge, since he did not doubt there being better Artists on Board.No, No, repliedFly,that won’t do by G—d, your palavring won’t save your Bacon.Muchas palabras no valen nada, as theSpaniardssay; so either discharge your Trust like an honest Man, for go you shan’t by G—d, or I’ll send you with my Service to the D—l; so no more Words, G—d d—n ye.
There was no Reply made, and they stood for the Coast ofNew England; offDelaware’s Bay they made a Sloop, commanded by oneHarris, bound fromNew YorktoPensilvania: She had on Board about fifty Passengers;Flygave Chase, and coming up with her, hoisted his black Ensign, and ordered her to strike, which she immediately did; andFlysent Capt.Atkinsonon Board with three of his Hands, to sail her, tho’ he would not allow him, (Atkinson) any Arms: They, the Pyrates, ransack’d this Prize, but not finding her of any Use to them, after a Detention of 24 Hours, they let her go, with her Men, excepting only a well made young Fellow, whose Name wasJames Benbrooke, whom they kept.
Fly, after having releas’d the Prize, ordered CaptainAtkinsonto carry theSnowintoMartha’s Vineyard, but, he willfully miss’d this Place.Flyfinding himself beyondNantuckets, and that his Design was baulk’d, called toAtkinson, and told him,he was a rascally Son of an envenom’d Bitch, and d—n his Blood it was a Piece of Cruelty to let such a Son of a Whore live, who design’d the Death of so many honest Fellows.Atkinson, in his Defence said, he never pretended to know the Coast, and that it was very hard he should die for being thought an abler Man than he really was; had he pretended to be their Pilot, and did not know his Business, he deserved Punishment; but when he was forc’d upon a Business which he before declared he did not understand, it would be certainly cruel to make him suffer for their Mistake.—G—d d—n ye, repliedFly,you are an obstinate Villain, and your Design is to hang us; but, B—d and W—ds you Dog, you shan’t live to see it, and saying this, he ran into his Cabbin and fetch’d a Pistol with Design to shootAtkinson; but by the InterpositionofMitchell, who thought him innocent of any Design, he escaped.
Atkinson, who perceived his Life every Minute in Danger, began to ingratiate himself with the Pyrates, and gave them Hopes, that with good and gentle Usage, he might be brought to join them; this he did not say in express Terms, but by Words he now and then let drop, as by Accident: They were not a little rejoiced at the View of having so good an Artist to join them; nay, some of them hinted to him, that if he would take upon him the Command, they were ready to dispossess Capt.Fly, who carried his Command too high, and was known to all the Crew to be no Artist, and to understand nothing beyond the Business of a Boatswain.Atkinsonthought it his Interest to keep them in the Opinion that he would join; but always declined hearing any Thing as to the Command.
This made him less severely us’d, and protected him from the Insults ofFly, who imagined he would betray them the first Opportunity, and therefore more than once proposed his being thrown over Board, which was never approved by theSnow’s Company.
FromNantuketthey stood to the Eastward, and offBrown’sBankmade a Fishing Schooner.Flycoming up with her fired a Gun, and hoisting his black Ensign, swore,d—n his Blood, if they did not instantly bring to, and send their Boat on Board, he would sink her: The Schooner obeyed, and sent away her Boat on Board theSnow; he examined the Captain what Vessels were to be met with, and promised, if he could put him in the Way of meeting with a good Sailor, to let him go, and give him his Vessel, or he should otherwise keep her: The poor Man told him, he had a Companionwhich would soon be in Sight, and was a much better Vessel; accordingly about 12 at Noon the same Day, which was the 23d ofJune, the other Schooner hove in Sight; upon which,Flymann’d this Prize with six Pyrates, and a Prisoner nam’dGeorge Tasker, and sent her in Chase, having himself on Board theSnow, no more than three Pyrates, CaptainAtkinson, (who had work’d himself into some Favour with him) and fifteen forced Men; but he took Care to have his Arms upon Deck by him.
The Men who had not taken on withFly, were,Atkinson, Capt.Fulker’s Mate, and two Youths belonging to him; the Carpenter and Gunner belonging formerly to CaptainGreen; six of CaptainGate’s Men, and the aforesaidBenbrooke, who belonged to CaptainHarris, with three of the Men out of the Schooner.Atkinsonseeing the Prisoners and forced Men were five to one of the Pyrates, thought of delivering himself from the Bondage he was in; and, as by good Luck, several other Fishing Vessels hove in Sight, right a-head of theSnow, he call’d to CaptainFly, and told him, he spied several other Vessels a-head, desiring, he would come forward and bring his Glass;Flydid so, and leaving his Arms on the Quarter-Deck, sat him on the Windlass to see if he could make what they were.Atkinson, who had concerted his Measures, with oneWalkerand the above-mention’dBenbrooke, secured the Arms on the Quarter-Deck, and gave them a Signal to seizeFly, which they did, with very little Trouble, and after made themselves Masters of the other three Pyrates and theSnow; the rest of the Prisoners, not knowing any Thing of, or what the Design might be, remaining altogether inactive, and brought theSnowand Pyrates toGreat Brewster, where a Guard was put on BoardJune28, 1726.
Soon after, the said Pyrates were brought to their Trial, that is, on the fourth ofJulyfollowing, before the HonourableWilliam Dummer, Esq; Lieutenant Governor and Commander in chief, of the Province ofMassachuset’s Bay, President of the special Court ofAdmiralty, held at the Court-house ofBoston, assisted by 18 Gentlemen of the Council, before whom they were found guilty of Murder and Pyracy, condemn’d to be executed, and accordingly were executed the 12th ofJuly;Flywas order’d to be hang’d in Chains at the Entrance of the Harbour ofBoston. Thus ended the short Reign of an obdurate Wretch, who only wanted Skill and Power to be as infamous as any who had scoured the Seas; the Names of the three Pyrates, executed with him, wereSamuel Cole,George CondickandHenry Greenvill.
Wehave said in another Life,viz.White’s, that he was a Lighterman on the RiverThames, his Father was of the Business, and had the Character of a very honest Man. After his Father’s Decease, he grew very extravagant, and squander’d away not only what he had left his Son, but what he had allotted for his Widow Mother to our Adventurer, whose Indulgence putting every Thing into her Son’s Hands, was follow’d by being her self turn’d out of Doors, for he sold the House over her Head. After having ruin’d himself and Mother, his Friends fearing the Wickedness of his Inclinations would bring a Scandal upon them, persuaded him to go to Sea, and procur’d him a Voyage toJamaica, on board a Merchant Ship. At this Island he ran away from his Ship, and associating himself with some desperate Fellows, they stole a Canoe, and went away to the grandCamanasto join some others of their own Stamp, who lurked thereabouts, with Design to go on theAccount, the Term for Pyrating: They met those they look’d for, made up a Company of 20 Men, surprized and made themselves Mastersof a Turtling Sloop, and set out in Search of Booty.
The first Prizes they made were only Turtlers, which, however, encreas’d the Number of their Crew, some being willing to join them, others being forced, with Threats of being set ashore on some desolate Key.
They after some Time cruizing met with anIrishBrigantine, who had Provisions and Servants on board. They made an Exchange with the Master, gave him Provision to carry him toJamaica, and allow’d five Hands to go with him; the rest (except the Servants, who readily took on with the Pyrates) were all forced.
Not long after, they surprized a Sloop which had been trading on theSpanishCoast; as she had 6 Guns, and was a fit Vessel for their Turn, they chang’d her against the Brigantine; several Hands belonging to this Sloop enter’d Voluntiers, and several more were obliged to join them by Compulsion.
After this Capture, they steer’d for the Coast ofVirginia, and, in their Way, met with a largeNew EnglandBrigantine, laden with Provisions, bound forBarbadoes. This they made Prize of; and shifting their own Guns on board her, sent the Master away in the Sloop; after forcing some of his Men with them. They had now a Vessel of 10 Guns, and a Crew of 80 Men, of whom oneJameswas Captain, andHowardQuarter-Master.
While they lay on the Coast ofVirginia, they made Prize of several Ships fromEngland, out of which they took Men, Liquors, Provisions, Cloaths, and whatever else they either liked or thought necessary. As these Ships had several Felons on board, who were Transports, they had out of them a Number of Voluntiers, beside forced Men; so that they had a large Complement. Among otherVirginiaShips which fell into their Hands, they made Prize, with little Trouble, of a fine Galley, mounted with 24 Guns, which afforded them a great many Voluntiers, as she had a Number of transported Malefactors and Servants on board. They changed their Brigantine for this Ship, and soon after, the Man of War, which waited on this Coast, heaving in Sight, they thought proper to take their Departure.
From the Coast ofVirginia, they shap’d their Course for that ofGuiney, where they took a great many Ships of different Nations, all which they rifled of what they thought fit: Out of these Ships they forced on board a Number of Men, equal to the Number of those formerly compell’d, who desired, and whom they permitted, to be discharged, after much Entreaty.
After they had been some Months on the Coast, they spied a large three deck’dPortugueseShip fromBrazil, mounted with 36 Guns; they gave Chase and came up with her: The Captain would make no Resistance, but his Mate, who was anEnglishman, namedRutland, thinking it Shame to give up such a Ship, resolved to defend her; which thePortugueseCaptain consented to, but went himself out of Harm’s Way.Rutland, who had been Master of anEnglishBrigantine, taken from him on the same Coast by another Gang of Pyrates, fought them the better Part of a Forenoon; but thePortugueseflying the Decks, and only thirty Men, who wereEnglish,Dutch, andFrench, standing by him, he was obliged to ask Quarters, which were given. When the Pyrates came on board, they askedRutland, if he was Commander? he answer’d, No. They enquired after him, and being told, he was somewhere in the Hold, they search’d, and found him hid in the Powder-Room; whence they hawled him up, and whipp’d him round the Deck for hisCowardice.Rutland, and those who fought the Ship, they forced on board, and their Complement being now 180 Men, they exchanged their Galley for thePortugueseShip, carried her in Shore, and ripping off her upper Deck, made her deep wasted, and much snugger, by cutting down some of her Gunnel. This Prize they named theAlexander.
They went down the Coast in this Ship, and made several Prizes, some of which they discharged, and put on board such of their forced Men as begg’d their Discharge; others, they sunk, and burnt others; but forced on board all Carpenters, Cawlkers, Armorers, Surgeons, and Musicians. In their Way toCape Lopez, where they designed, and afterwards did clean, they found a largeBristolShip at an Anchor, which had lost a great many Men by Sickness, and had then but few healthy on board, who got into the Boat, and endeavoured to get to Shore, but were prevented by the Pyrates: Here they changed some more of their forced Men, and did intend to change their Ship; but on a Survey, found theBristolMan too old for their Purpose, and therefore left her at an Anchor, after they had taken what they thought of Use to them; this Ship belong’d to one Mr.GodlyofBristol.
They met with nothing else in their Way toCape Lopez, where they clean’d their Ship, took in Wood and Water, and then stood away to Sea again.
At their leavingCape Lopez, they spied anEnglishShip, which they came up with and engaged; the Merchant Man made an obstinate Defence, and finding the Design to board, made to close Quarters.Howardand seven or eight more entered, but the Pyrate’s Boatswain not having secured his lashing, they fell a-stern, and left theseMen on board the Merchant-Ship, who seeing themselves in Danger, hawl’d up the Boat, which the Chace had a-stern, and, cutting the Rope, got on board theAlexander, which being considerably the larger Ship, and drawing a great deal more Water, stuck on an unknown Bank, which the Merchant Man went over, and by this lucky Accident escaped.
This obliged the Pyrates to start their Water, and throw over the Wood to get the Ship off, which put ’em under a Necessity of going back toCape Lopezto take in those Necessaries. After having a second time wooded and water’d, they put again to Sea, fell in with and took twoPortugueseBrigantines, which they burnt, and setting the Men on Shoar, they made for, and doubled the Cape ofGood Hope, and shap’d their Course forMadagascar, where to the Northward of, and forty Mile from, the Bay ofAugustine, and near a small Island, they run the Ship on a Reef, where she stuck fast. The Captain being then sick in his Bed, the Men went ashoar on the small adjacent Island, and carried off a great deal of Provision and Water to lighten the Ship, on board of which none but the Captain, the Quarter-Master, and about eleven more were left.
The Quarter-Master, who wasHoward, with the others, took all the Treasure, and put it on board the Boats, made off for the Main ofMadagascar; the Captain, hearing no Body stir upon Deck, made shift to crawl out of his Cabbin, and seeing ’em put off, fir’d the two fore chace Guns at ’em, which alarm’d (to no Purpose) the Men ashoar; as the Sea ebb’d, the Ship lay dry, and they could walk to her from the Island. She might have been saved had they had the Boats to carry out an Anchor; but for want of them they brought every Thing ashoar, at Tide of Flood, upon Rafts.As the Ship lay in a quiet Place, they had Opportunity to rip her up, and build a Vessel out of her Wreck. The major Part of the Crew beingEnglishandDutch, who sided together, they forced about 36PortugueseandFrench(thinking the Crew too numerous for their Provisions in their present Circumstances) to get upon a Raft, and take their Chance with the Sea-Breeze to get to the Island ofMadagascar, about 3 Leagues from them. They finish’d a Vessel of 60 Tuns, but the Day they design’d to have launch’d her, a Pyrate Brigantine hove in Sight, who took ’em on board.
Howardand his Consorts stood along the West-Side of the Island, with Design to round the North End, and to go to St.Mary’s, but finding the Current too strong to stem, they lay there about a Fortnight; in the Interim they spied three Sail of tall Ships, which were Men of War under CommadoreLittleton, (viz.theAnglesea,HastingsandLizard,) who had carried a Pardon to the Island of St.Mary, accepted of by many of the Pyrates. Thinking these might be also Pyrates, they made a Smoak, which brought the Boats ashoar; but finding they were Men of War’s Boats, the Pyrates thought fit to abscond, wherefore finding nothing, nor any Body, the said Men of War’s Boats return’d, and the Ships kept their Cruise.
They had here plenty of Fish and wild Hogs, which they found in the Wood. One Day, whenHowardwas Hunting, his Comrades took the Opportunity, went off, rounded the North End, and left Mr.Howardto provide for himself.
About four or five and twenty Leagues from the Cape, they went into a fine Harbour on the East Side, not frequented nay, hardly known to theEuropeanShips. They were here received handsomely, treated and provided with fresh Meat, and what Necessaries they wanted, by the Kingof this District, whose Name wasMushmango, who had formerly been driven fromAugustineby War, and travelling thro’ the Heart of the Country, had here fixed his Settlement. When the Boats were victualled, and whileJohnson, who took on him the Command after they had desertedHoward, was ashoar with three more, the rest went off with the Boats and Booty, and stood away to the Southward, along the Coast, designing for St.Mary’s, going every Night into some Harbour, or coming to an Anchor under some Point when the Winds proved contrary.
Johnsonaddressed himself to the King, and told him the Boat and Goods were his Property; upon which he went along Shore with a Number of Men, and found the Boat at an Anchor, and all asleep, except one to look out, at whom the King fired his Blunderbuss, and kill’d him; the Report of the Piece awaken’d the others, who cut and stood off the Coast. The King return’d, gaveJohnsonan Account of his Expedition, and furnish’d him a Canoe, some Calabashes of fresh Water, Provisions and Launces, that he might pursue after his People.
Johnsonkept the Shoar on Board till he came to the Island of St.Mary’s, where he heard his Comrade Fugitives were gone to, and settled atAmbonavoula, in a Village belonging to the Natives on the River ofManansallang; leaving his Canoe, he went into one belonging to an Inhabitant, who carried him to his Companions.
After he had been here some few MonthsFourgette, already mention’d inWhite’s Life, came in with his Ship fromMartinico: With this Vessel they sail’d to the West-Side, and came to an Anchor at an Island calledAnquawla, 30 Leagues from the Place where they leftHoward.
Some of the Subjects of the King ofAnquawlahad before met with, and brought hither, CaptainHoward, who seeing the Ship at an Anchor near Shore, haled her, and desired the Boat might be sent to fetch him off, which was accordingly done, and he joined the rest of the Crew.
Here two Boys ran away from them, whom they demanded of the King; but he not delivering them, they went ashore by Day-Break, surpriz’d his Town, and brought off 12 of his Concubines, whom they detain’d on board, till their Boys, who were Blacks, were returned, and then delivered them back. From this Ship he went on board theSpeaker, where he continued till she was lost onMauritius, when he came back toMadagascar, and settled atAugustine, here he staid till theProsperous, a Ship of 36 Guns, commanded by CaptainHilliard, came in; whichHowardand some other Pyrates, (with the Assistance of the Boatswain and some of the Crew belonging to the Ship) seized. In the takingof this Ship, the Captain and his chief Mate were killed, and several others wounded.Howardwas by the Company declared Captain.
Several of the Ship’s Crew took on with them, and they went round the South End to the East Side, till they came the Length ofMaritan, where they found some of theSpeaker’s Company, whom they took on board, and made up their Complement about 70 Men.
From hence they steer’d for the Island of St.Mary, where they heel’d their Ship, water’d, wooded, and shipp’d some more Hands: Here they had an Invitation from oneOrt Van Tyle, who liv’d on the Main ofMadagascar, to come to the Ceremony of christening two of his Children; they were kindly received and treated by him, but it having been reported, that thisOrt Van Tylehad murdered some Pyrates, they in Revenge, tho’they had no Certainty of the Fact, took him Prisoner, plunder’d his House, and what Goods they could not take off in a great Canoe belonging to him, they threw into the River or burnt.Ort Van Tylethey design’d to carry on board, and hang at a Yard Arm, but one of the Pyrates help’d him to escape, and he took into the Woods, where meeting some of his Blacks, he way-laid his Canoe, andHoward’s Pinnace by the River Side; besides what Goods they had on board of thisDutchman’s, they had several Women and Children belonging to him, and some white Men, who had left them under his Care. The Pyrates set the Women to the Paddles, and the Canoe was over-set on the Bar;Ort Van Tylefired on the Men, and shot one thro’ the Arm and thro’ the Thigh, whom with his Comrade, he took Prisoner, and kept with him: The rest of the Men got ashore on the South-Side the River and escaped him; the Women on the North-Side, and returned home. When thePinnacecame down, he fir’d and shot the Captain thro’ the Arm, but he got on board, where his Arm was set. After this, theProsperoussail’d forMethelage, where they victualled, with a Design to go to theEast-Indies; while he lay here, came in a largeDutchShip, well mann’d, and of 40 Guns; theProsperouswas not strong enough to attack her, and theDutchfearing he should spoil his Trade, would not meddle with CaptainHoward, tho’ hard Words pass’d, and theDutchmenthreatned to fall foul on him if he did not leave the Place, whichHowardthought fit to do, and sail’d toMayotta.
Few Days after the Departure of theProsperous, CaptainBowen, in theScotchShip, came in, anchored within small Arm-Shot, and right a-head of theDutchman, whom he saluted with 11 Guns Shot and all, which the other returned, with 15 after the same Manner; Drums beating, and Trumpetssounding, on both Sides. TheDutchman, however, was surprized, and under Apprehensions; he hal’d the Pyrate, and answer was return’d,From the Seas; he then bid ’em send their Boat on Board, which accordingly went with the Quarter-Master, who told the Captain, that they had no Design on him, but were going against theMoors, and came in for Provision; he replied, they could get none there, and the best Way was to be gone; however the Quarter-Master went ashore (where theDutchhad made his Factory, and had some Goods) and shot down three Oxen, which he ordered the Natives to help to cut in Pieces; theDutchmanperceiving a Friendship between the Natives and Pyrates, seeingBowenfull of Men, and hearing two more Pyrates were expected, thought fit to go off in the Night, and leave the Goods he had put on shore.
Few Days afterBowenseizing the Goods left, went forMayotta, where he join’d theProsperous, and lay for the Season to go to theEast-Indies. After some Stay here, their Salt Provisions perishing, they return’d toMadagascarto revictual,Bowento St.Augustin’s, andHoward(on board of whose Ship was CaptainWhaley, taken as is said inBowen’s Life) toMethelage, agreeing to meet at the Island of St.John’s, to lie for theMoorsFleet; where, after some Disappoints, they met, and got Sight of theMoorsFleet, one of which fell a Prize toBowen; but theProsperousbeing a heavy Sailor, did not come up with them till they were at an Anchor at the Bar ofSurat, where they waited to lighten. TheMoors, seeing few Hands on board, forHowardconcealed his Men; and not imagining a Pyrate would venture up, they concluded him anEnglish East-IndiaMan:Howardclapp’d the largest on board, which stood him a smart Engagement, and killed him about 30 Men. At length the Pyrates forced CaptainWhaley, who spoke theMoorsLanguage,to go on board and offer Quarter, which they accepted: There was on board this Prize a Nobleman belonging to the GreatMogul, who had been atJuffato buy Horses for his Master; the Prize yielded them a great Booty, tho’ they found but Part of the Money which was on board. They intended to carry her toMadagascar, but her Bowsprit being wounded in the boarding, she lost all her Masts, wherefore, they set her a-drift, and she ran ashore atDeman, belonging to thePortuguese.
From hence he steer’d to theMalabarCoast, where he metBowenin his Prize, which mounted 56 Guns; here a Dispute arose, as shall be mention’d in the Appendix ofBowen’s Life, both Crews went on boardBowen, sunk theProsperous, and burnt theScotchShip, called theSpeedy Return: Hence they stood along the Coast ofIndia, andHoward, with about 20 more, landed with what they had, and retired among the Natives, whereHowardmarried a Woman of the Country, and being a morose ill natur’d Fellow, and using her ill, he was murder’d by her Relations.
Thisworthy Gentleman was an early Pyrate; we first find him a Boy on Board the PyrateBanister, who was hang’d at the Yard Arm of a Man of War in sight ofPort-RoyalinJamaica. ThisLewisand another Boy were taken with him, and brought into the Island hanging by the Middle at the Mizzen-Peak. He had a great Aptitude for Languages, and spoke perfectly well that of theMosquill Indians, theFrench,SpanishandEnglish. I mention our own, because it is doubted whether he wasFrenchorEnglish, for we cannot trace him back to his Original.
He sailed out ofJamaicatill he was a lusty Lad, and was then taken by theSpaniardsat theHavana, where he staid some Time; but at length he and six more ran away with a small Canoe, and surprized aSpanishPeriagua, out of which two Men joined them, so that they were now nine in Company: With this Periagua they suprized a Turtleing Sloop, and forced some of the Hands to takeon with them, the others they sent away in the Periagua.
He play’d at this small Game, surprising and taking Coasters and Turtlers, till with forced Men and Voluntiers he made up a Complement of 40 Men.
With these he took a large Pink built Ship, bound fromJamaicato the Bay ofCampeachy, and after her several others bound to the said Bay; and having Intelligence that there lay in the Bay a fineBermudasbuilt Brigantine of 10 Guns, commanded by CaptainTucker; he sent the Captain of the Pink to him with a Letter, the Purport of which was, that he wanted such a Brigantine, and if he would part with her, he would pay him honestly 10000 Pieces of Eight; if he refused this, he would take Care to lie in his Way, for he was resolved, either by fair or foul Means, to have the Vessel. CaptainTuckerhaving read the Letter, sent for the Masters of Vessels then lying in the Bay, and told them, after he had shewn the Letter, that if they would made him up 54 Men (for there were about 10BermudasSloops) he would go out and fight the Pyrates. They said, No, they would not hazard their Men, they depended on their Sailing, and every one must take Care of himself as well as he could.
However, they all put to Sea together, and spied a Sail under the Land, which had a Breeze while they lay becalmed; some said he was a Turtler, others, the Pyrate, and so it proved; for it was honest CaptainLewis, who putting out his Oars, got in among them. Some of the Sloops had four Guns, some two, some none.Joseph Dillhad two, which he brought on one Side, and fired smartly at the Pyrate, but unfortunately one of them split, and killed him three Men.Tuckercalled to all the Sloops to send him Men, and he would fightLewis, but tono Purpose; no Body came on board him. In the mean while a Breeze sprung up, andTuckertrimming his Sails left them, who all fell a Prey to the Pyrate; into whom however he fired a Broadside at going off. One Sloop, whose Master I won’t Name, was a very good Sailer, and was going off; butLewisfiring a Shot at him, brought her to, and he lay by till all the Sloops were visited and secured. ThenLewissent on board him, and ordered the Master into his Sloop. As soon as he was aboard, he asked the Reason of his lying by, and betraying the Trust his Owners had reposed in him, which was doing like a Knave and Coward, and he would punish him accordingly; for, he said, you might have got off, being so much a better Sailer than my Vessel. After this Speech he fell upon him with a Rope’s End, and then snatching up his Cane, drove him about the Decks without Mercy. The Master, thinking to pacify him, told him he had been out trading in that Sloop several Months, and had on board a good Quantity of Money, which was hid, and which, if he would send on board a Black belonging to the Owners, he would discover it to him.
This had not the desired Effect, but one quite contrary; forLewistold him he was a Rascal and Villain for this Discovery, and, by G—d, he would pay him for betraying his Owners, and redoubled his Strokes. However, he sent and took the Money and Negroe, who was an able Sailor. He took out of his Prizes what he had occasion for, 40 able Negroe Sailors, and a white Carpenter; the largest Sloop, which was about 90 Tuns, he took for his own Use, and mounted her with 12 Guns; his Crew was now about 80 Men, Whites and Blacks.
After these Captures he cruised in the Gulf ofFlorida, lying in wait for theWest-Indiahomeward bound Ships which took the Leeward Passage, severalof which falling into his Hands were plundered by him, and released; from hence he went to the Coast ofCarolina, where he cleaned his Sloop, and a great many Men, whom he had forced, ran away from him; however, the Natives traded with him for Rum and Sugar, and brought him all he wanted, without the Government’s having any Knowledge of him, for he had got into a very private Creek; tho’ he was very much on his Guard, that he might not be surprized from the Shoar.
FromCarolinahe cruized on the Coast ofVirginia, where he took and plunder’d several Merchant Men, and forced several Men, and then return’d to the Coast ofCarolina, where he did abundance of Mischief.
As he had now abundance ofFrenchon board who had entered with him, andLewishearing theEnglishhad a Design to Maroon them, he secured the Men he suspected, and put them in a Boat, with all the otherEnglish, 10 Leagues from Shoar, with only 10 Pieces of Beef, and sent them away, keeping none butFrenchand Negroes; these Men, it is supposed, all perished in the Sea.
From the Coast ofCarolinahe shaped his Course for the Banks ofNewfoundland, where he overhawled several Fishing Vessels, and then went into a commodious Harbour, where he cleaned his Sloop, and went intoTrinity HarbourinConception Bay, where there lay several Merchants, and siezed a 24 Gun Galley, called theHerman: The Commander, CaptainBeal, toldLewis, if he would send his Quarter-Master ashoar he would furnish him with Necessaries. He being sent ashoar, a Council was held among the Masters, the Consequence of which was, the seizing the Quarter-Master, whom they carried to CaptainWoodes Rogers; he chained him to a Sheet Anchor which was ashoar, and planted Guns at the Point, to prevent the Pyrate getting out,but to little Purpose; for the People from one of these Points firing too soon,Lewisquitted the Ship, and, by the Help of Oars and the Favour of the Night, got out in his Sloop, though she received many Shot in her Hull. The last Shot that was fired at the Pyrate did him considerable Damage.
He lay off and on the Harbour, swearing he would have his Quarter-Master, and intercepted two fishing Shallops, on board of one was the Captain of the Galley’s Brother; he detained them, and sent Word, if his Quarter-Master did not immediately come off, he would put all his Prisoners to Death; he was sent on board him without Hesitation.Lewisand the Crew enquired, how he had been used? and he answered, very civilly. Its well, said the Pyrate; for had you been ill treated, I would have put all these Rascals to the Sword. They were dismiss’d, and the Captain’s Brother going over the Side, the Quarter-Master stopp’d him, saying, he must drink the Gentlemens Health ashoar, in particular CaptainRogers’, and, whispering him in the Ear, told him, if the Crew had known of his being chain’d all Night, he would have been cut in Pieces, with all his Men. After this poor Man and his Shallop’s Company were gone, the Quarter-Master told the Usage he had met with, which enragedLewis, and made him reproach his Quarter-Master, whose Answer was, that he did not think it just the Innocent should suffer for the Guilty.
The Masters of the Merchant Men sent to CaptainTudor Trevor, who lay at St.John’s in theSheernessMan of War; he immediately got under Sail, and miss’d the Pyrate but four Hours.
She kept along the Coast, and made several Prizes,FrenchandEnglish, and put into a Harbour where aFrenchShip lay making Fish: She was builtat the latter End of the War for a Privateer, was an excellent Sailer, and mounted 24 Guns. The Commander haled him; the Pyrate answered, fromJamaicawith Rum and Sugar. TheFrenchMan bid him go about his Business; that a Pyrate Sloop was on the Coast, and he might be the Rogue; if he did not immediately sheer off he would fire a Broadside into him. He went off and lay a Fortnight out at Sea, so far as not to be descry’d from Shoar, with Resolution to have the Ship. TheFrenchMan being on his Guard, in the mean while raised a Battery on the Shoar, which commanded the Harbour. After a Fortnight, when he was thought to be gone off, he return’d, and took two of the fishing Shallops belonging to theFrenchMan, and manning them with Pyrates, they went in; one Shallop attack’d the Battery, the other surpriz’d, boarded, and carry’d the Ship, just as the Morning Star appear’d, for which Reason he gave her that Name. In the Engagement the Owner’s Son was kill’d, who made the Voyage out of Curiosity only. The Ship being taken, 7 Guns were fired, which was the Signal, and the Sloop came down and lay a Long-side the Ship. The Captain told him, he suppos’d he only wanted his Liquor; butLewismade Answer, he wanted his Ship, and accordingly hoisted all his Ammunition and Provision into her. When theFrenchMan saw they would take away his Ship, hesold her Trim, andLewisgave him the Sloop; and, excepting what he took for Provision, all the Fish he had made. Several of theFrenchtook on with him, who, with others,EnglishandFrench, had by Force or voluntarily, made him up 200 Men.
FromNewfoundlandhe steer’d for the Coast ofGuiney, where he took a great many Ships,English,Dutch, andPortuguese; among these Ships was one belonging toCarolina, commanded by CaptainSmith.While he was in Chace of this Vessel an Accident happen’d, which made his Men believe he dealt with the Devil; for he carried away his Fore and Main-Top Mast; and he,Lewis, running up the Shrouds to the Main-Top, tore off a Handful of Hair, and throwing it into the Air, used this Expression,Good Devil take this till I come: And, it was observed, that he came afterwards faster up with the Chace than before the Loss of his Top-Masts.
Smithbeing taken,Lewisused him very civilly, and gave him as much, or more in Value, than he took from him, and let him go, saying, he would come toCarolinawhen he had made Money on the Coast, and would rely on his Friendship.
They kept some Time on the Coast, when they quarrell’d among themselves, theFrenchandEnglish, of which the former was more numerous, and they resolved to part: TheFrenchtherefore chose a large Sloop newly taken, thinking the Ship’s Bottom, which was not Sheath’d, damaged by the Worms.
According to this Agreement they took on board what Ammunition and Provision they thought fit out of the Ship, and put off, chusing onele BarreCaptain. As it blew hard, and the Decks were encumbered, they came to an Anchor under the Coast, to stow away their Ammunition, Goods,&c.Lewistold his Men, they were a Parcel of Rogues, and he would make ’em refund; accordingly run a Long-side his Guns, being all loaded and new primed, and ordered him to cut away his Mast, or he would sink him.Le Barrewas obliged to obey. Then he ordered them all ashoar; they begged to have Liberty of carrying their Arms, Goods,&c.with ’em, but he allow’d ’em only their small Arms, and Cartridge Boxes. Then he brought the Sloop a Long-side, put every Thing on board the Ship, and sunk the Sloop.
Le Barreand the rest begg’d to be taken on board; however, though he denied ’em, he sufferedle Barreand some few to come, with whom he and his Men drank plentifully. The Negroes on boardLewistold him, theFrenchhad a Plot against him. He answer’d, he could not withstand his Destiny; for the Devil told him in the great Cabin, he should be murdered that Night.
In the dead of Night came the rest of theFrenchon board in Canoes, got into the Cabbin and killedLewis; they fell on the Crew, but, after an Hour and Half’s Dispute, theFrenchwere beat off, and the Quarter-Master,John Cornelius, anIrishMan, succeededLewis.