A General History of the Pyrates Part 8

_Having obtained Leave to go on Board the Pyrates, and a Promise of Safety, several of the Chief of them knew me, and some of them had sailed with me, which I found of great Advantage; because, notwithstanding their Promise, some of them would have cut me, and all that would not enter with them, to Pieces, had it not been for the chief Captain_, Edward England, _and some others I knew. They talked of burning one of their s.h.i.+ps, which we had so entirely disabled, as to be no farther useful to them, and to fit the_ Ca.s.sandra _in her room; but in the End I managed my Tack so well, that they made me a Present of the said shattered s.h.i.+p, which was_ Dutch _built, called the_ Fancy, _about three hundred Tons, and also a hundred and twenty nine Bales of the Company's Cloth, tho' they would not give me a Rag of my Cloathes_.

_They sailed the_ 3_d of_ September; _and with Jury-Masts, and such old Sails as they left me, I made s.h.i.+ft to do the like on the_ 8_th, together with forty three of my s.h.i.+p's Crew, including two Pa.s.sengers and twelve Soldiers, having but five Tons of Water aboard; and after a Pa.s.sage of forty eight Days, I arrived here_ October 26, _almost naked and starv'd, having been reduced to a Pint of Water a Day, and almost in despair of ever seeing Land, by Reason of the Calms we met with between the Coast of_ Arabia _and_ Malabar.--_We had in all thirteen Men killed and twenty four wounded; and we were told, that we had destroyed about ninety or a hundred of the Pyrates. When they left us, they were about three hundred Whites and eighty Blacks in both s.h.i.+ps. I am persuaded, had our Consort the_ Greenwich _done his Duty, we had destroyed both of them, and got two hundred thousand Pounds for our Owners and selves; whereas to his deserting us, the Loss of the_ Ca.s.sandra _may justly be imputed. I have delivered all the Bales that were given me into the Company's Warehouse, for which the Governor and Council have ordered me a Reward. Our Governor, Mr._ Boon, _who is extreme kind and civil to me, has ordered me home with this Pacquet; but Captain_ Harvey, _who had a prior Promise, being come in with the Fleet, goes in my room. The Governor hath promis'd me a Country Voyage, to help make me up my Losses, and would have me stay to go home with him next Year_.

Captain _Mackra_ certainly run a great Hazard, in going aboard the Pyrate, and began quickly to repent his Credulity; for though they had promised, that no Injury should be done to his Person, he found their Words were not to be trusted; and it may be supposed, that nothing but the desperate Circ.u.mstances Captain _Mackra_ imagined himself to be in, could have prevailed upon him to fling himself and Company into their Hands, perhaps not knowing how firmly the Natives of that Island were attach'd to the _English_ Nation; for about 20 Years ago, Captain _Cornwall_, Commadore of an _English_ Squadron, a.s.sisted them against another Island called _Mohilla_, for which they have ever since communicated all the grateful Offices in their Power, insomuch that it became a Proverb, _That an_ Englishman, _and a_ Juanna _Man were all one_.

_England_ was inclined to favour Captain _Mackra_; but he was so free to let him know, that his Interest was declining amongst them; and that the Pyrates were so provoked at the Resistance he made against them, that he was afraid he should hardly be able to protect him; he therefore advised him to sooth up and manage the Temper of Captain _Taylor_, a Fellow of a most barbarous Nature, who was become a great Favourite amongst them for no other Reason than because he was a greater Brute than the rest. _Mackra_ did what he could to soften this Beast, and ply'd him with warm Punch; notwithstanding which, they were in a Tumult whether they should make an End of him, or no, when an Accident happen'd which turn'd to the Favour of the poor Captain; a Fellow with a terrible pair of Whiskers, and a wooden Leg, being stuck round with Pistols, like the Man in the Almanack with Darts, comes swearing and vapouring upon the Quarter-Deck, and asks, in a d.a.m.ning Manner, which was Captain _Mackra_: The Captain expected no less than that this Fellow would be his Executioner;--but when he came near him, he took him by the Hand, swearing, _d.a.m.n him he was glad to see him; and shew me the Man_, says he, _that offers to hurt Captain_ Mackra, _for I'll stand by him_; and so with many Oaths told him, _he was an honest Fellow, and that he had formerly sail'd with him_.

This put an End to the Dispute, and Captain _Taylor_ was so mellow'd with the Punch, that he consented that the old Pyrate s.h.i.+p, and so many Bales of Cloth should be given to Captain _Mackra_, and so he fell asleep. _England_ advised Captain _Mackra_ to get off with all Expedition, least when the Beast should awake, he might repent his Generosity: Which Advice was followed by the Captain.

Captain _England_ having sided so much to Captain _Mackra_'s Interest, was a Means of making him many Enemies among the Crew; they thinking such good Usage inconsistent with their Polity, because it looked like procuring Favour at the Aggravation of their Crimes; therefore upon Imagination or Report, that Captain _Mackra_ was fitting out against them, with the Company's Force, he was soon _abdicated_ or pulled out of his Government, and marooned with three more on the Island of _Mauritius_: An Island indeed, not to be complained of, had they acc.u.mulated any Wealth by their Villanies that would have afforded some future comfortable Prospect, for it abounds with Fish, Deer, Hogs and other Flesh. Sir _Thomas Herbert_, says, the Sh.o.r.es with Coral and Ambergrease; but I believe the _Dutch_ had not deserted it, had there been much of these Commodities to have been found.

It was in 1722, resettled by the _French_, who have a Fort at another neighbouring Island, called _Don Mascarine_, and are touched at for Water, Wood, and Refreshments, by _French_ s.h.i.+ps bound to, or for _India_; as St.

_Helena_ and _Cape Bon Esperance_, are by us and the _Dutch_. From this Place, Captain _England_ and his Companions having made a little Boat of Staves and old Pieces of Deal left there, went over to _Madagascar_, where they subsist at present on the Charity of some of their Brethren, who had made better Provision for themselves, than they had done.

The Pyrates detained some Officers and Men belonging to Captain _Mackra_, and having repaired the Damages received in their Rigging, they sailed for _India_. The Day before they made Land, saw two s.h.i.+ps to the Eastward, who at first Sight, they took to be _English_, and ordered one of the Prisoners, who had been an Officer with Captain _Mackra_, to tell them the private Signals between the Company's s.h.i.+ps, the Captain swearing he would cut him in pound Pieces, if he did not do it immediately; but unable, was forced to bear their Scurility, till they came up with them, and found they were two _Moor_ s.h.i.+ps from _Muscat_, with Horses; they brought the Captain of them, and Merchants, on Board, torturing them, and rifling the s.h.i.+ps, in order to discover Riches, as believing they came from _Mocha_; but being baulked in their Expectation, and next Morning seeing Land, and at the same Time a Fleet in Sh.o.r.e plying to Windward, they were puzzled how to dispose of them; to let them go, was to discover and ruin the Voyage, and it was cruel to sink the Men and Horses with the s.h.i.+ps, (as many of them were inclined to,) therefore, as a Medium, they brought them to an Anchor, threw all their Sails over-board, and cut one of the s.h.i.+ps Masts half through.

While they lay at an Anchor, and were all the next Day employed in taking out Water, one of the aforementioned Fleet bore towards them with _English_ Colours, answered with a red Ensign from the Pyrates, but did not speak with one another. At Night they left the _Muscatt_ s.h.i.+ps, weighed with the Sea Wind, and stood to the Northward after this Fleet: About four next Morning, just as they were getting under sail, with the Land Wind, the Pyrates came amongst them, made no stop, but fired their great and small Guns very briskly, till they got through; and as Day-Light cleared, were in a great Consternation in their Minds, having all along taken them for _Angria_'s Fleet; what to do was the Point, whether run or pursue? They were sensible of their Inferiority of Strength, having no more than 300 Men in both s.h.i.+ps, and 40 of them Negroes; besides, the _Victory_ had then four Pumps at Work, and must inevitably been lost before, had it not been for some Hand-Pumps, and several pair of Standards brought out of the _Ca.s.sandra_, to relieve and strengthen her; but observing the Indifferency of the Fleet, chose rather to chase than run; and thought the best Way to save themselves, was to play at Bullbeggar with the Enemy: So they came up with the Sea Wind, about Gun-Shot to Leeward, the great s.h.i.+ps of the Fleet a-head, and some others a-stern; which latter they took for Fire-Vessels: And these a-head gaining from them by cutting away their Boats, they could do nothing more than continue their Course all Night, which they did, and found them next Morning out of Sight, excepting a Ketch and some few Gallivats, (_small sort of Vessels something like the Feluccas of the_ Mediterranean, _and hoists, like them, triangular Sails_.) They bore down, which the Ketch perceiving, transported her People on Board a Gallivat, and set fire to her; the other proved too nimble and made off. The same Day they chased another Gallivat and took her, being come from _Gogo_, bound for _Callicut_ with Cotton. Of these Men they enquired concerning the Fleet, supposing they must have been in it; and altho' they protested they had not seen a s.h.i.+p or Boat since they left _Gogo_, and pleaded very earnestly for Favour; yet they threw all their Cargo over-board, and squezed their Joints in a Vice, to extort Confession: But they entirely ignorant of who or what this Fleet should be, were obliged not only to sustain this Torment, but next Day a fresh easterly Wind having split the Gallivats Sails, they put her Company into the Boat, with nothing but a Trysail, no Provisions, and only four Gallons of Water, (half of it Salt,) and then out of Sight of Land, to s.h.i.+ft for themselves.

For the better elucidating of this Story, it may be convenient to inform the Reader, who _Angria_ is, and what the Fleet were, that had so scurvily behaved themselves.

_Angria_ is a famous _Indian_ Pyrate, of considerable Strength and Territories, that gives continual Disturbance to the _European_ (and especially the _English_) Trade: His chief Hold is _Callaba_, not many Leagues from _Bombay_, and has one Island in Sight of that Port, whereby he gains frequent Opportunities of annoying the Company. It would not be so insuperable a Difficulty to suppress him, if the Shallowness of the Water did not prevent s.h.i.+ps of War coming nigh: And a better Art he has, of bribing the _Mogul_'s Ministers for Protection, when he finds an Enemy too powerful.

In the Year 1720, the _Bombay_ Fleet consisting of four _Grabbs, (s.h.i.+ps built in_ India _by the Company, and have three Masts, a Prow like a Row-Galley, instead of a Boltsprit, about_ 150 _Tons; are officered and armed like a Man of War, for Defence and Protection of the Trade,)_ the _London, Chandois_, and two other s.h.i.+ps with Gallivats, who besides their proper Compliments, carried down 1000 Men to bombard and batter _Gayra_, a Fort belonging to _Angria_, on the _Malabar_ Coast, which they having performed ineffectually, were returning to _Bombay_, and, to make amends, fell in with the Pyrates, to the Purpose has been already related. Captain _Upton_, Commadore of that Fleet, prudently objecting to Mr. _Brown_, (who went General,) That the s.h.i.+ps were not to be hazarded, since they sailed without their Governor _Boon_'s Orders to engage; and besides, that they did not come out with such a Design. This favourable Opportunity of destroying the Pyrates, angered the Governor, and he transferred the Command of the Fleet to Captain _Mackra_, who had Orders immediately to pursue and engage, where ever he met them.

The Vice-Roy of _Goa_, a.s.sisted by the _English_ Company's Fleet from _Bombay_, did attempt the Reduction of _Callaba_, his princ.i.p.al Place, landed 8 or 10000 Men the next Year, the _English_ Squadron of Men of War being then in those Seas; but having viewed the Fortification well, and expended some of their Army by Sickness and the Fatigues of a Camp, carefully withdrew again.

I return to the Pyrates, who, after they had sent away the Gallivats People, resolved to cruise to the Southward; and the next Day, between _Goa_ and _Carwar_, heard several Guns, which brought them to an Anchor, and they sent their Boat on the Scent, who returned about two in the Morning, and brought Word of two Grabs lying at Anchor in the Road. They weighed and ran towards the Bay, till Day-Light gave the Grabs Sight of them, and was but just Time enough to get under _India Diva_ Castle, out of their reach; this displeased the Pyrates the more, in that they wanted Water; and some were for making a Descent that Night and taking the Island, but it not being approved of by the Majority, they proceeded to the Southward, and took next in their Way, a small s.h.i.+p out of _Onnore_ Road, with only a _Dutch_ Man and two _Portuguese_ on Board. They sent one of these on Sh.o.r.e to the Captain, to acquaint him, if he would supply them with some Water, and fresh Provisions, he should have his s.h.i.+p again; and the Master returned for answer, by his Mate _Frank Harmless_, that if they would deliver him Possession over the Bar, he would comply with their Request; the Proposal the Mate thought was collusive, and they rather jump'd into _Harmless_'s Opinion, (who very honestly entered with them,) and resolved to seek Water at the _Laccadeva_ Islands; so having sent the other Persons on Sh.o.r.e, with threats, that he should be the last Man they would give Quarter too, (by Reason of this uncivil Usage;) they put directly for the Islands, and arrived there in three Days: Where being informed by a Menchew they took (with the Governor of _Canwars_ Pa.s.s,) of there being no Anchor-Ground among them, and _Melinda_ being the next convenient Island, they sent their Boats on Sh.o.r.e, to see if there was any Water, and whether it was inhabited or not; who returned with an Answer to their Satisfaction, _viz._ that there was abundance of good Water, and many Houses, but deserted by the Men, who had fled to the neighbouring Islands on the Approach of s.h.i.+ps, and left only the Women and Children to guard one another. The Women they forced in a Barbarous Manner to their l.u.s.ts, and to require them, destroyed their Cocoa Trees, and fired several of their Houses and _Churches_. (I suppose built by the _Portuguese_, who formerly used there, in their Voyages to _India_.)

While they were at this Island, they lost three or four Anchors, by the Rockyness of the Ground, Freshness of Winds, and at last were forced thence by a harder Gale than ordinary, leaving 70 People, Blacks and Whites, and most of their Water Casks: In ten Days they regained the Island again, filled their Water, and took the People on Board.

Provisions were very scarce, and they now resolved to visit their good Friends the _Dutch_, at _Cochin_, who, if you will believe these Rogues, never fail of supplying Gentlemen of their Profession. After three Days sail, they arrived off _Tellechery_, and took a small Vessel belonging to Governor _Adams, John Tawke_ Master, whom they brought on Board very drunk, and he giving an Account of Captain _Mackra_'s fitting out, put them in a Tempest of Pa.s.sion: _A Villain_, say they, _that we have treated so civilly, as to give him a s.h.i.+p and other Presents, and now to be armed against us, he ought to be hanged; and since we cannot show our Resentment on him, let us hang the Dogs his People, who wish him well, and would do the same, if clear. If it be in my Power_, says the Quarter-Master, _both Masters and Officers of s.h.i.+ps shall be carried with us for the future, only to plague them. --d--n_ England.

Thence they proceeded to _Calicut_, where they endeavoured to take a large _Moor_ s.h.i.+p out of the Road, but was prevented by some Guns mounted on Sh.o.r.e, and discharged at them: Mr. _Lasinby_, who was one of Captain _Mackra_'s Officers, and detained, was under the Deck at this Time, and commanded both by the Captain and Quarter Master of the Pyrates, to tend the Braces on the Booms, in hopes, it was believed, a Shot would take him before they got clear, asking the Reason why he was not there before? And when he would have excused himself, threat'ned on the like Neglect to shoot him; at which the other beginning to expostulate farther, and claim their Promise of putting him ash.o.r.e, got an unmerciful beating from the Quarter-Master. Captain _Taylor_, who was now Successor to _England_, and whose Priviledge it was to do so, being lame of his Hands, and unable.

The next Day in their Pa.s.sage down, came up with a _Dutch_ Galliot, bound for _Calicut_ with Lime Stone, and aboard of her they put Captain _Tawke_, and sent him away, and several of the People interceeded for _Lasinby_ in vain, _For_, says _Taylor_ and his Party, _if we let this Dog go, who has heard our Designs and Resolutions, we overset all our well advised Projections, and particularly this Supply we are now seeking for, at the Hands of the_ Dutch.

It was but one Day more before they arrived off _Cochin_, where, by a Fis.h.i.+ng-Canoe, they sent a Letter on Sh.o.r.e; and in the Afternoon, with the Sea-breeze, ran into the Road and anch.o.r.ed, saluting the Fort with 11 Guns each s.h.i.+p, and received the Return, in an equal Number; a good Omen of the welcome Reception they found; for at Night there came on Board a large Boat, deeply laden with fresh Provisions and Liquors, and with it a Servant (of a favourite Inhabitant) called _John Trumpet_: He told them they must immediately weigh, and run farther to the Southward, where they should be supplied with all Things they wanted, naval Stores or Provisions.

They had not been long at Anchor again, before they had several Canoes on Board with both black and white Inhabitants, who continued, without Interruption, all good Offices, during their Stay; particularly _John Trumpet_ brought a large Boat of Arrack, than which, nothing could be more pleasing (about 90 Legers,) as also 60 Bales of Sugar; an Offering, its presumed, from the Governor and his Daughter, who, in Return, had a fine Table-Clock sent him, (the Plunder of Captain _Mackra_'s s.h.i.+p,) and she a large Gold Watch, Earnests of the Pay they designed to make.

When they had all on Board, they paid Mr. _Trumpet_ to his Satisfaction, it was computed, 6 or 7000 _l._ gave him three Cheers, 11 Guns each s.h.i.+p, and throw'd Ducatoons into his Boat by handfuls, for the Boat-Men to scramble for.

That Night being little Wind, did not weigh, and _Trumpet_, in the Morning, waked them to the Sight of more Arrack, Chests of Piece-Goods, and ready made Clothes, bringing the Fiscal of the Place also with him. At Noon, while those were on Board, saw a Sail to the Southward, which they weighed, and chaced after; but she having a good Offing, got to the Northward of them, and anch.o.r.ed a small Distance from _Cochin_ Fort; the aforementioned Gentlemen a.s.suring them, that they would not be molested in taking her from under the Castle, sollicited before hand for the buying her, and advised them to stand in, which they did boldly, to board her; but when they came within a Cable's length or two of the Chace, now near Sh.o.r.e, the Fort fired two small Guns, whose Shot falling nigh their Muzzels, they instantly bore out of the Road, made an easy Sail to the Southward, and anch.o.r.ed at Night in their former Birth, where _John Trumpet_, to engage their Stay a little longer, informed them, that in a few Days a very rich s.h.i.+p was to pa.s.s by, commanded by the General of _Bombay_'s Brother.

This Governor is an Emblem of foreign Power. What Inconvenience and Injury must the Master's Subjects sustain under one who can truckle to such treacherous and base Means, as corresponding and trading with Pyrates to enrich himself? Certainly such a Man will stickle at no Injustice to repair or make a Fortune. He has the _Argumentum bacillum_ always in his own Hands, and can convince, when he pleases, in half the Time of other Arguments, that Fraud and Oppression is Law. That he imploys Instruments in such dirty Work, expresses the Guilt and Shame, but no way mitigates the Crime. _John Trumpet_ was the Tool; but, as the Dog said in the Fable, on another Occasion, _What is done by the Master's Orders, is the Master's Actions_.

I cannot but reflect, on this Occasion, what a vile Government _Sancho Pancho_ had of it; he had not only such _Perquisites_ rescinded, but was really almost starved; the Victuals taken from him almost every Day, and only under a Pretence of preserving his Excellency's Health: But Governments differ.

From _Cochin_ some were for proceeding to _Madagascar_ directly; others thought it proper to cruize till they got a Store-s.h.i.+p, and these being the Majority, they ply'd to the Southward, and after some Days saw a s.h.i.+p in Sh.o.r.e, which being to Windward of them, they could not get nigh, till the Sea Wind, and Night, favouring, they separated, one to the Northward, the other to the Southward, thinking to enclose her between: But to their Astonishment, and contrary to Expectation, when Day broke, instead of the Chace, found themselves very near five Sail of tall s.h.i.+ps, who immediately making a Signal for the Pyrates to bear down, put them in the utmost Confusion, particularly _Taylor_'s s.h.i.+p, because their Consort was at a Distance from them, (at least three Leagues to the Southward) they stood to one another, and joined, and then together made the best of their Way from the Fleet, whom they judged to be commanded by Captain _Mackra_; of whose Courage having Experience, they were glad to shun any farther Taste of.

In three Hours Chace, none of the Fleet gaining upon them, excepting one Grab, their dejected Countenances cleared up again, the more, in that a Calm succeeded for the Remainder of that Day; and in the Night, with the Land Wind, they ran directly off Sh.o.r.e, and found next Day, to their great Consolation, that they had lost Sight of all the Fleet.

This Danger escaped, they proposed to spend _Christmas_ (the _Christmas_ of 1720) in Carowzing and Forgetfulness, and kept it for three Days in a wanton and riotous Way, not only eating, but wasting their fresh Provisions in so wretched and inconsiderable a Manner, that when they had agreed after this to proceed to _Mauritius_, they were in that Pa.s.sage at an Allowance of a Bottle of Water _per Diem_, and not above two Pounds of Beef, and a small Quant.i.ty of Rice, for ten Men for a Day; so that had it not been for the leaky s.h.i.+p, (which once they were about to have quitted, and had done, but for a Quant.i.ty of Arrack and Sugar She had on Board,) they must most of them have perished.

In this Condition they arrived at the Island of _Mauritius_, about the Middle of _February_, sheathed and refitted the _Victory_, and on the 5th of _April_ sailed again, leaving this terrible Inscription on one of the Walls. _Left this Place the_ 5_th of_ April, _to go to_ Madagascar _for Limes_, and this, least (like Lawyers and Men of Business) any Visits should be paid in their Absence: However, they did not sail directly for _Madagascar_, but the Island _Mascarine_, and luckily as Rogues could wish, they found at their Arrival on the 8th, a _Portuguese_ s.h.i.+p at Anchor, of 70 Guns, but most of them thrown overboard, her Masts lost, and so much disabled by a violent Storm they had met with in the Lat.i.tude of 13 South, that she became a Prize to the Pyrates, with very little or no Resistance, and a glorious one indeed, having the _Conde de Ericeira_, Viceroy of _Goa_, who made that fruitless Expedition against _Angria_, the _Indian_, and several other Pa.s.sengers on Board; who, as they could not be ignorant of the Treasure she had in, did a.s.sert, that in the single Article of Diamonds, there was to the Value of between three and four Millions of Dollars.

The Vice-Roy, who came on Board that Morning, in Expectation of the s.h.i.+ps being _English_, was made a Prisoner, and obliged to ransome; but in Consideration of his great Loss, (the Prize being Part his own,) they agreed after some Demurrings, to accept of 2000 Dollars, and set him and the other Prisoners ash.o.r.e, with Promises to leave a s.h.i.+p that they might Transport themselves, because the Island was not thought in a Condition to maintain so great a Number; and tho' they had learned from them, the Account of an _Ostender_ being to Leeward of the Island, which they took on that Information, (being formerly the _Greyhound_ Galley of _London_,) and could conveniently have comply'd with so reasonable a Request; yet they sent the _Ostender_ with some of their People to _Madagascar_, with News of their Success, and to prepare Masts for the Prize; and followed themselves soon after, without regard to the Sufferers, carrying 200 _Mozambique_ Negroes with them in the _Portuguese_ s.h.i.+p.

_Madagascar_ is an Island larger than _Great-Britain_, most of it within the Tropick of _Capricorn_, and lays East from the Eastern Side of _Africa_: It abounds with Provisions of all Sorts, Oxen, Goats, Sheep, Poultry, Fish, Citrons, Oranges, Tamarinds, Dates, Coco-Nuts, Bananas, Wax, Honey, Rice; or in short, Cotton, Indigo, or any other Thing they will take Pains to plant, and have Understanding to manage: They have likewise Ebony, a hard Wood like Brasil, of which they make their Lances; and Gum of several Sorts, Benzin, Dragon's Blood, Aloes, _&c_. What is most incommodious, are the numerous Swarms of Locusts on the Land, and Crocodiles or Alligators in their Rivers. Hither, in St. _Augustin_'s Bay, the s.h.i.+ps sometimes touch for Water, when they take the inner Pa.s.sage for _India_, and do not design to stop at _Johanna_; and we may observe from the sixth general Voyage set forth by the _East-India_ Company, in Confirmation of what is hereafter said in Relation to Currents in general; that this inner Pa.s.sage or Channel, has its Northern and Southern Currents strongest where the Channel is narrowest, and is less, and varies on different Points of the Compa.s.s, as the Sea comes to spread again, in the Pa.s.sage cross the Line.

Since the Discovery of this Island by the _Portuguese, A. D._ 1506, the _Europeans_, and particularly Pyrates, have increased a dark Mulatto Race there, tho' still few in Comparison with the Natives, who are Negroes, with curled short Hair, Active, and formerly represented malicious and revengeful, now tractable and communicable, perhaps owing to the Favours and Generosity in Cloathing and Liquors, they from Time to Time have received from these Fellows, who live in all possible Friends.h.i.+p, and can, any single Man of them, command a Guard of 2 or 300 at a Minute's warning: This is farther the Native's Interest, to cultivate with them, because the Island being divided into petty Governments and Commands, the Pyrates, settled here, who are now a considerable Number, and have little Castles of their own, can preponderate where-ever they think fit to side.

When _Taylor_ came with the _Portuguese_ Prize here, they found the _Ostender_ had played their Men a Trick, for they took Advantage of their Drink, rise upon them, and (as they heard afterwards) carried the s.h.i.+p to _Mozambique_, whence the Governor ordered her for _Goa_.

Here the Pyrates came, cleaned the _Ca.s.sandra_, and divided their Plunder, sharing 42 small Diamonds a Man, or in less Proportion according to their Magnitude. An ignorant, or a merry Fellow, who had only, one in this Division, as being judged equal, in Value to 42 small, muttered very much at the Lot, and went and broke it in a Morter, swearing afterwards, he had a better Share than any of them, for he had beat it, he said, into 43 Sparks.

Those who were not for running the Hazard of their Necks, with 42 Diamonds, besides other Treasure, in their Pockets, knocked off, and stay'd with their old Acquaintance at _Madagascar_, on mutual Agreements, the longer Livers to take all. The Residue having therefore no Occasion for two s.h.i.+ps, the _Victory_ being leaky, she was burnt, the Men (as many as would) coming into the _Ca.s.sandra_, under the Command of _Taylor_, who we must leave a Time, projecting either for _Cochin_, to dispose of their Diamonds among their old Friends the _Dutch_, or else for the _Red_ or _China_ Seas, to avoid the Men of War, that continually clamoured in their Ears, a Noise of Danger, and give the _little_ Account we are able, of that Squadron, who arrived in _India_, early in the Year 1721.

At _Cape Good Hope_, in _June_, the Commadore met with a Letter, which was left for him by the Governor of _Madras_, to whom it was wrote by the Governor of _Pandicherry_, a _French_ Factory, on the _Coromondel_ Coast, signifying, the Pyrates at the Writing of it, were then strong in the _Indian_ Seas, having 11 Sail and 1500 Men, but that many of them went away about that Time, for the Coast of _Brazil_ and _Guinea_; others settled and fortified themselves at _Madagascar, Mauritius, Johanna_ and _Mohilla_: And that others under _Conden_, in a s.h.i.+p called the _Dragon_, took a large _Moor_'s Vessel, coming from _Iudda_ and _Mocho_, with thirteen Lackies of Rupees on Board, (_i. e._ 1300000 half Crowns,) who having divided the Plunder, burnt their s.h.i.+p and Prize, and sat down quietly with their other Friends at _Madagascar_.

The Account contain'd several other Things which we have before related.--Commadore _Matthews_, upon receiving this Intelligence, and being fond of the Service he came out for, hastened to those Islands, as the most hopeful Places of Success; at St. _Mary_'s would have engaged _England_ with Promises of Favour, if he would communicate what he knew, concerning the _Ca.s.sandra_, and the rest of the Pyrates, and a.s.sist in the Pilotage; but _England_ was wary, and thought this was to _surrender at Discretion_, so they took up the _Judda_ s.h.i.+p's Guns that was burnt, and the Men of War dispersed themselves on several Voyages and Cruises afterwards, as was thought likeliest to succeed, tho' to no Purpose: Then the Squadron went down to _Bombay_, were saluted by the Fort, and came home.

The Pyrates, I mean those of the _Ca.s.sandra_, now Captain _Taylor_, fitted the _Portuguese_ Man of War, and resolved upon another Voyage to the _Indies_, notwithstanding the Riches they had heaped up; but as they were preparing to sail, they heard of the four Men of War coming after them to those Seas, therefore they altered their Minds, sail'd for the Main of _Africa_, and put in at a little Place called _Delagoa_, near the River _de Spiritu Sancto_, on the Coast of _Monomotapa_, in 26 South Lat.i.tude. They believed this to be a Place of Security, in regard that the Squadron could not possibly get Intelligence of them, there being no Correspondence over Land, nor any Trade carried on by Sea, between that and the Cape, where the Men of War were then supposed to be. The Pyrates came to in the Evening, and were surprized with a few Shot from the Sh.o.r.e, not knowing of any Fortification or _European_ Settlement in that Part of the World; so they anch.o.r.ed at a Distance that Night, and perceiving, in the Morning, a small Fort of six Guns, they run up to it, and battered it down.

This Fort was built and settled by the _Dutch East-India_ Company, a few Months before, for what Purpose, I know not, and having left 150 Men upon the Place, they were then dwindled to a third Part by Sickness and Casualties, and never after received any Relief or Necessaries; so that Sixteen of those that were left, upon their humble Pet.i.tion, were admitted on Board the Pyrates, and all the rest would have had the same Favour (they said) had they been any other than _Dutch_. I mention this, as an Instance of their Ingrat.i.tude, who had been so much obliged to their Countrymen for Support.

Here they staid above four Months, carreened both their s.h.i.+ps, and took their Diversions with Security, till they had expended all their Provisions, and then put to Sea, leaving considerable Quant.i.ties of Muslins, Chintzes, and such Goods behind, to the half starved _Dutch_ Men, which enabled them to make good Pennyworths to the next that came, to whom they bartered for Provisions, at the Rate of three Farthings an _English_ Yard.

They left _Delagoa_ the latter End of _December_ 1722, but not agreeing where, or how to proceed, they concluded to part, so those who were for continuing that sort of Life, went on Board the _Portuguese_ Prize, and steered for _Madagascar_ to their Friends, with whom I hear they are now settled; and the rest took the _Ca.s.sandra_ and sailed for the _Spanish West-Indies_. The _Mermaid_ Man of War happening then to be down on the Main with a Convoy, about 30 Leagues from these Pyrates, would have gone and attacked them; but on a Consultation of the Masters, whose Safety he was particularly to regard, they agreed their own Protection was of more Service than destroying the Pyrate, and so the Commander was unwillingly withheld. He dispatched a Sloop to _Jamaica_, with the News, which brought down the _Lanceston_, only a Day, or two, too late, they having just before he came, surrendered with all their Riches, to the Governor of _Porto Bello_.

Here they sate down to spend the Fruits of their dishonest Industry, dividing the Spoil and Plunder of Nations among themselves, without the least Remorse or Compunction, satisfying their Conscience with this Salvo, that other People would have done as much, had they the like Opportunities.

I can't say, but that if they had known what was doing in _England_, at the same Time by the _South-Sea_ Directors, and their Directors, they would certainly have had this Reflection for their Consolation, _viz. That what ever Robberies they had committed, they might be pretty sure they were not the greatest Villains then living in the World_.

It is a difficult Matter to make a Computation of the Mischief that was done by this Crew, in about five Years Time, which is much more than the Plunder they gained, for they often sunk or burnt the Vessel they took, as it suited their Humour or Circ.u.mstances, sometimes to prevent giving Intelligence, sometimes because they did not leave Men to navigate them, and at other Times out of Wantonness, or because they were displeased at the Master's Behaviour; for any of these, it was but to give the Word, and down went s.h.i.+ps and Cargoes to the Bottom of the Sea.

Since their Surrender to the _Spaniards_, I am informed several of them have left the Place, and dispersed themselves elsewhere; eight of them were s.h.i.+pp'd about _November_ last, in one of the _South-Sea_ Company's a.s.siento Sloops, and pa.s.sed for s.h.i.+p-wreck'd Men, came to _Jamaica_, and there sailed in other Vessels; and I know one of them that came to _England_ this Spring from that Island. 'Tis said that Captain _Taylor_ has taken a Commission in the _Spanish_ Service, and commanded the Man of War that lately attack'd the _English_ Log-Wood Cutters, in the Bay of _Honduras_.

CHAP. VI. OF Captain _Charles Vane_, And his CREW.

C_Harles Vane_ was one of those who stole away the Silver which the _Spaniards_ had fished up from the Wrecks of the Galleons, in the Gulph of _Florida_, and was at _Providence_ (as has been before hinted) when Governor _Rogers_ arrived there with two Men of War.

All the Pyrates who were found at this Colony of Rogues, submitted, and received Certificates of their Pardon, except Captain _Vane_ and his Crew; who, as soon as they saw the Men of War enter, slipp'd their Cable, set Fire to a Prize they had in the Harbour, and sailed out with their pyratical Colours flying, firing at one of the Men of War as they went off.

Two Days after they went out, they met with a Sloop belonging to _Barbadoes_, which they made Prize of, and kept the Vessel for their own Use, putting aboard five and twenty Hands, with one _Yeats_ to command them. A Day or two afterwards they fell in with a small interloping Trader, with a Quant.i.ty of _Spanish_ Pieces of Eight aboard, bound into _Providence_, called the _John_ and _Elizabeth_, which they also took along with them. With these two Sloops _Vane_ went to a small Island and cleaned; where they shared their Booty, and spent some Time in a riotous Manner of Living, as is the Custom of Pyrates.

The latter End of _May_ 1718, they sail'd, and being in want of Provisions, they beat up for the Windward Islands, and met with a _Spanish_ Sloop bound from _Porto Rico_ to the _Havana_, which they burnt, and stowed the _Spaniards_ in a Boat, and left them to get to the Island, by the Light of their Vessel. But steering between St. _Christopher_'s and _Anguilla_, they fell in with a Brigantine and a Sloop, with the Cargo they wanted; from whom they got Provisions for Sea-Store.