This narrow Escape of _Low_ and his Companions, one would have thought
might have brought them to a little Consideration of their black and horrid
Crimes, and to look upon this Interval as an Opportunity put into their
Hands by Providence, to reconcile themselves to God, by a hearty and
sincere Repentance. But alass they were dead to all Goodness, and had not
so much as one Spark of Virtue to stir them up to be thankful for such an
eminent Deliverance: But instead thereof, vented a Million of Oaths and
Curses upon the Captain of the _Greyhound_, vowing to execute Vengeance
upon all they should meet with afterwards, for the Indignity he put upon
them.
The first Prey that they met with, after their Flight, was a small Sloop
belonging to _Nantucket_, a Whale-Fishing, about 80 Miles from Land; the
Master of which, one _Nathan Skiff_, a brisk young Fellow, the Pyrates
cruelly whipp'd naked about the Deck, making his Torture their Sport; after
which they cut of his Ears, and last of all shot him through the Head, and
then sunk his Vessel; putting the rest of the Hands into their Whale-Boat,
with a Compass, a little Water, and a few Biskets; and it being good
Weather, they providentially got safe to _Nantucket_, beyond all
Expectation.
There was another Whale-Boat belonging to this Sloop last mentioned, which
happened to be at some Distance from her, and perceiving what was doing,
rowed with all speed to another Sloop not far off, to acquaint her with the
Misfortune, that the Men might take Care of themselves; and she happily got
away in Time. Some Days after, _Low_ took a Fishing-Boat off of _Block
Island_, but did not perpetrate so much Cruelty to her, contenting himself
with only cutting off the Master's Head: But after taking two Whale-Boats
near _Rhode Island_, he caused one of the Master's Bodies to be ripp'd up,
and his Intrails to be taken out; and cut off the Ears of the other, and
made him eat them himself with Pepper and Salt; which hard Injunction he
comply'd with, without making a Word. Several other Persons he would have
murthered, but Humanity prevailing in the tender Hearts of his Companions,
they refused to put his savage Orders in Execution. From the Coast of
_New-England, Low_ sailed directly for _Newfoundland_, and, near Cape
_Briton_, took two or three and twenty _French_ Vessels; and one of them of
22 Guns he mann'd with Pyrates, making a sort of a Man of War of her; with
which he scower'd the Harbours and Banks of _Newfoundland_, and took
sixteen or eighteen other Ships and Vessels, all which they plundered, and
some destroyed.
Thus these inhumane Wretches went on, who could not be contented to satisfy
their Avarice only, and travel in the common Road of Wickedness; but, like
their Patron, the Devil, must make Mischief their Sport, Cruelty their
Delight, and damning of Souls their constant Employment. Of all the
pyratical Crews that were ever heard of, none of the _English_ Name came up
to this, in Barbarity; their Mirth and their Anger had much the same
Effect, for both were usually gratified with the Cries and Groans of their
Prisoners; so that they almost as often murthered a Man from the Excess of
good Humour, as out of Passion and Resentment; and the Unfortunate could
never be assured of Safety from them, for Danger lurked in their very
Smiles. An Instance of this had liked to have happened to one Captain
_Graves_, Master of a _Virginia_ Ship last taken; for as soon as he came
aboard of the Pyrate, _Low_ takes a Bowl of Punch in his Hand, and drinks
to him, saying, _Captain_ Graves, _here's half this to you._ But the poor
Gentleman being too sensibly touched at the Misfortune of falling into his
Hands, modestly desired to be excused, for that he could not drink;
whereupon _Low_ draws out a Pistol, cocks it, and with the Bowl in 'tother
Hand, told him, he should either take one or the other: So _Graves_,
without Hesitation, made Choice of the Vehicle that contained the Punch,
and guttled down about a Quart, when he had the least Inclination that ever
he had in his Life to be merry.
The latter End of _July_, (1723,) _Low_ took a large Ship, called the
_Merry Christmas_, and fitted her for a Pyrate, cut several Ports in her,
and mounted her with 34 Guns. _Low_ goes aboard of this Ship, assumes the
Title of Admiral, and hoists a black Flag, with the Figure of Death in red,
at the Main-topmast Head, and takes another Voyage to the _Western
Islands_, where he arrived the Beginning of _September._ The first Vessel
he met with there, was a Brigantine, formerly an _English_ Sloop, commanded
by _Elias Wild_, but lately bought by a _Portuguese_ Nobleman, and altered:
She was manned partly with _English_, and partly _Portuguese_; the latter
_Low_ caused to be hang'd, by Way of Reprisal, for some of his own Men sent
thither in a Sloop from the _Cape de Verd_ Islands, as has been mentioned:
The _English_ Men he thrust into their own Boat, to shift for themselves,
and set Fire to the Vessel.
At St. _Michaels_, they sent in their Boats and cut out of the Road, a new
_London_ built Ship of 14 Guns, commanded by Captain _Thompson_, who was
taken there the Year before, by _Low_, in the _Rose_ Pink. The Boats had
fewer Men than the Ship, and Captain _Thompson_ would have defended
himself, but his Men through Cowardize, or too great an Inclination of
becoming Pyrates themselves, refused to stand by him, and he was obliged to
surrender; and when he came aboard the Pyrate, had his Ears cut off close
to his Head, for only proposing to resist Admiral _Low_'s black Flag; they
gave him one of his own Boats, and burnt his Ship.
The next was a _Portuguese_ Bark that fell into their Hands, whose Men came
off somewhat better than usual, for they only cut them with their
Cutlashes, out of Wantonness, turned them all into their Boat, and set
their Vessel on Fire. When the Boat was going from the Side of the Ship,
one of _Low_'s Men, who, we may suppose, was forced into his Gang, was
drinking with a Silver Tankard at one of the Ports, and took his
Opportunity to drop into the Boat among the _Portuguese_, and lye down in
the Bottom, in order to escape along with them: After he had stowed himself
in the Boat, so as not to be seen, it came into his Head, that the Tankard
might prove of some Use to him, where he was going; so he got up again,
laid hold of the Utensil, and went off, without being discover'd: In which
Attempt had he failed, no doubt his Life, if not the Lives of all the
People in the Boat, would have paid for it: The Name of this Man is
_Richard Hains._
_Low_ took his old Tour to the _Canaries, Cape de Verd_ Islands, and so to
the Coast of _Guiney_; but nothing extraordinary happened till they arrived
near _Sierraleon_ in _Africa_, where they met with a Ship call'd the
_Delight_, Captain _Hunt_ Commander; this Ship they thought fit for their
own Purpose, for she had been a small Man of War, and carried 12 Guns;
however, they mounted 16 on Board her, mann'd her with 60 Men, and
appointed one _Spriggs_, who was then their Quarter-Master, to be Captain
of her, who, two Days after, separated from the Admiral, and went to the
_West-Indies_ a-pyrating, upon his own, and particular Company's, Account,
where for the present we shall leave him.
In _January_ last, _Low_ took a Ship, called the _Squirrel_, Captain
_Stephenson_; but what became of him afterwards, I can't tell; we have had
no News concerning him come to _England_, since this I have now mentioned;
but I have heard that he talk'd of going to _Brazil_; and if so, it is
likely we may too soon hear of some Exploit or other; tho' the best
Information we could receive, would be, that he and all his Crew were at
the Bottom of the Sea.
CHAP. XIV. OF Capt. _JOHN EVANS_, And his CREW.
J_OHN Evans_ was a _Welch_ Man, had been formerly Master of a Sloop
belonging to _Nevis_, but losing his Employ there, he sailed for some Time
out of _Jamaica_ as Mate, till happening in Company of three or four of his
Comrades, and Wages not being so good as formerly, and Births scarce,
because of the great Number of Seamen; they agreed to go abroad in search
of Adventures. They sailed, or rather rowed out of _Port Royal_ in
_Jamaica_, the latter End of _September_ 1722, in a Canoa; and coming on
the North-Side of the Island, went ashore in the Night, broke open a House
or two, and robb'd them of some Money, and every Thing else they could find
that was portable, and brought the Booty on Board the Canoa.
This was very well for the first Time, but this kind of Robbery did not
please so well, they wanted to get out to Sea, but having no Vessel but
their Canoa, they were prevented in their laudable Design; however, they
kept a good look out, and traversed the Island, in Expectation that
Providence would send some unfortunate Vessel as a Sacrifice, and in a few
Days their Wishes were accomplished; for at _Duns Hole_, they found a small
Sloop at an Anchor, belonging to _Bermudas_: They made bold and went
aboard, and _Evans_ informed the Folks that belonged to her, that he was
Captain of the Vessel, which was a Piece of News they knew not before.
After they had put their Affairs in a proper Disposition aboard, they went
ashore to a little Village for Refreshments, and lived jovially the
remaining Part of the Day, at a Tavern, spending three Pistols, and then
departed. The People of the House admired at the merry Guests they had got,
were mightily pleased, and wished for their Company at another Time, which
happened too soon for their Profit; for, in the middle of the Night, they
came ashore all Hands, rifled the House, and carried what they could aboard
their Sloop.
The next Day they weighed in the Sloop, aboard of which they mounted four
Guns, called her the _Scowerer_, and sailed to _Hispaniola_; on the North
Part of which Island they took a _Spanish_ Sloop, which proved an
extraordinary rich Prize, as it fell among so few Persons as this Company
consisted of, for they shared upwards of 150 _l._ a Man.
In Pursuance of the Game, and beating up for the Windward Islands, the
_Scowerer_ met with a Ship from _New-England_, bound to _Jamaica_, 120
Tons, called the _Dove_, Captain _Diamond_ Master, off _Porto Rico_: They
plundered her, and strengthened their own Company, by taking out the Mate,
and two or three other Men; they discharged the Prize, and run into one of
the Islands for fresh Water and Necessaries, and staid there some Time.
The next Prize they made, was the _Lucretia and Catherine_, Captain
_Mills_, of 200 Ton Burthen; they came up with her near the Island
_Disseada, January_ 11th. Upon seizing of this Ship, the Pyrates began to
take upon themselves the Distribution of Justice, examining the Men
concerning their Master's Usage of them, according to the Custom of other
Pyrates; but the Captain over-hearing the Matter, put an End to the
judicial Proceedings, and fell to rumaging the Ship, saying to them, _What
have we to do to turn Reformers, 'tis Money we want?_ And speaking to the
Prisoners, he asked them, _Does your Captain give you Victuals enough?_ And
they answering in the Affirmative: _Why then_, said he, _he ought to give
you Work enough._
After the taking of this Prize, they went to the little Island of _Avis_,
with a Design to clean, and carried the _Lucretia_ along with them, in
order to heave down the _Scowerer_ by her; but meeting there with a Sloop,
the Pyrate gave Chace till the Evening, when she was within Gun-Shot of
her; but fearing to lose Company with the _Lucretia_, who was a heavy
Sailor, they left off, and saw her no more. This Chace brought them to
Leeward of their Port, so that they were obliged to look out for another
Place of Retreat, and the Island of _Ruby_ not being far distant, they
steered for that, and anchored there accordingly; but the next Day a
_Dutch_ Sloop coming as it were, into their Mouths, they could not forbear
dealing, and so making her their Prize, they plundered her of what came,
when shared, to fifty Pounds a Man.
They found this Sloop more for their Purpose than the _Lucretia_, to clean
their own Sloop by, as being much lower in the Wast, and therefore capable
of heaving her Bottom farther out of the Water, so she was discharged, and
the _Dutch_ Man kept in her Room; but not thinking it convenient to lay up
here, for fear a discovery should be made, they turned their Thoughts
another Way, and steered to the Coast of _Jamaica_, where they took a Sugar
Drover, and then run to the _Grand Caimanes_, about 30 Leagues to Leeward
of _Jamaica_, with Intention to clean there; but an unhappy Accident put an
End to their Pyracies, which hitherto had proved very successful to them.
The Boatswain of the Pyrate being a noisy surly Fellow, the Captain had at
several Times Words with him, relating to his Behaviour, who thinking
himself ill treated, not only returned ill Language, but also challenged
the Captain to fight him on the next Shore they came to, with Pistols and
Sword, as is the Custom among these Outlaws. When the Sloop arrived, as
abovementioned, the Captain proposed the Duel; but the cowardly Boatswain
refused to fight, or go ashore, tho' it was his own Challenge. When Captain
_Evans_ saw there was nothing to be done with him, he took his Cane, and
gave him a hearty drubbing; but the Boatswain not being able to bear such
an Indignity, drew out a Pistol and shot _Evans_ thro' the Head, so that he
fell down dead; and the Boatswain immediately jumped over-board, and swam
towards the Shore; but the Boat was quickly mann'd and sent after him,
which took him up and brought him aboard.
The Death of the Captain in that Manner, provoked all the Crew, and they
resolved the Criminal should die by the most exquisite Tortures; but while
they were considering of the Punishment, the Gunner, transported with
Passion, discharged a Pistol, and shot him thro' the Body; but not killing
him outright, the Delinquent in very moving Words, desired a Week for
Repentance only; but another stepping up to him, told him, _that he should
repent and be damned to him_, and without more ado shot him dead.
I should have observed, that when the _Lucretia_ and _Katharine_ was
suffered to go away, the Pyrates detained their Mate, who was now the only
Man aboard, who understood Navigation, and him they desired to take upon
him the Command of the Sloop, in the Room of Captain _Evans_ deceased; but
he desired to be excused that Honour, and at length positively refused it;
so they agreed to break up the Company, and leave the Mate in Possession of
the Vessel: Accordingly they went ashore at the _Caimanes_, carrying with
them about nine thousand Pounds among thirty Persons; and it being fair
Weather, the Mate and a Boy brought the Vessel into _Port Royal_, in
_Jamaica._
CHAP. XV. OF Captain _John Phillips_, And his CREW.
J_OHN Phillips_ was bred a Carpenter, and sailing to _Newfoundland_
in a West-Country Ship, was taken by _Anstis_ in the _Good Fortune_
Brigantine, the next Day after he had left his Consort and Commadore,
Captain _Roberts. Phillips_ was soon reconciled to the Life of a Pyrate,
and being a brisk Fellow, was appointed Carpenter of the Vessel, for at
first his Ambition reach'd no higher; there he remain'd till they broke up
at _Tabago_, and was one of those who came home in a Sloop that we have
mentioned to be sunk in _Bristol_ Channel.
His Stay was not long in _England_, for whilst he was paying his first
Visits to his Friends in _Devonshire_, he heard of the Misfortune of some
of his Companions, that is, of their being taken and committed to _Bristol_
Goal; and there being good Reason for his apprehending Danger from a Wind
that blew from the same Quarter, he mov'd off immediately to _Topsham_, the
nearest Port, and there shipp'd himself with one Captain _Wadham_, for a
Voyage to _Newfoundland_, and home again; which, by the way, Mr. _Phillips_
never design'd to perform, or to see _England_ any more. When the Ship came
to _Peter_ Harbour in _Newfoundland_ aforesaid, he ran away from her, and
hired himself a Splitter in the Fishery, for the Season: But this was only
till he could have an Opportunity of prosecuting his intended Rogueries; in
order to which, he combined with several others, in the same Employ, to go
off with one of the Vessels that lay in the Harbour, upon the pyratical
Account; accordingly the Time was fix'd, _viz._ the 29th of _August_ 1723,
at Night; but whether Remorse or Fear prevented their coming together, I
know not, but of sixteen Men that were in the Combination, five only kept
the Appointment: Notwithstanding which, _Phillips_ was for pushing forward
with that small Number, assuring his Companions, that they should soon
encrease their Company; and they agreeing, a Vessel was seiz'd on, and out
of the Harbour they sailed.
The first Thing they had now to do, was to chuse Officers, draw up
Articles, and settle their little Commonwealth, to prevent Disputes and
Ranglings afterwards; so _John Phillips_ was made Captain, _John Nutt_,
Master, (or Navigator) of the Vessel; _James Sparks_, Gunner; _Thomas
Fern_, Carpenter; and _Wiliam White_ was the only private Man in the whole
Crew: When this was done, one of them writ out the following Articles
(which we have taken _verbatim_) and all swore to 'em upon a Hatchet for
want of a Bible.