CHAPTER XI

CAPTAIN ROBERTS’ ACCOUNT OF WHAT HAPPENED ON LOW’S SHIP

Captain George Roberts sailed from London in September, 1721, mate

of the ship “King Sagamore,” twenty-two guns, Capt. Andrew Scott,

commander, bound for the Barbadoes and Virginia where he was to take

command of a sloop and buy a cargo to slave with on the coast of

Guinea. After various delays he reached the Cape Verde islands in

the sloop “Margaret,” “sixty ton of cask,” and at Curisal Road, on

the island of St. Nicholas, was taken by the pirate fleet of which

Capt. Ned Low was commodore. Captain Roberts afterwards recounted

his adventures in a volume published[109] in London, from which the

following account is taken.

“When I came on board the _Rose Pink_, the Company welcomed me on

board, and said, _They were sorry for my Loss; but told me, I must go

to pay my Respects to the Captain, who was in the Cabbin, and waited

for me_. I was ushered in by an Officer, who, I think, was their

Gunner, and who, by his Deportment, acted as though he had been Master

of the Ceremonies; tho’ I do not remember to have heard of such an

Officer or Office mentioned among them, neither do I know whether they

are always so formal on Board their Commodore, at the first Reception

of their captivated Masters of Vessels. When I came into the Cabbin,

the Officer who conducted me thither, after paying his Respects to the

Commodore, told him, _That I was the Master of the Sloop which they had

taken the Day before_, and then withdrew out of the Cabbin, leaving us

two alone.

“Captain _Loe_, with the usual Compliment, welcomed me on board, and

told me, _He was very sorry for my Loss, and that it was not his Desire

to meet with any of his Country-men, but rather with Foreigners,

excepting some few that he wanted to chastise for their Rogueishness_,

as he call’d it: _But however_, says he, _since Fortune has ordered

it so, that you have fallen into our Hands, I would have you to be of

good Cheer, and not to be cast down_. I told him, _That I also was

very sorry, that it was my Chance to fall into their Way; but still

encouraged myself in the Hopes, that I was in the Hands of Gentlemen of

Honour and Generosity; it being still in their Power whether to make

this their Capture of me, a Misfortune or not_. He said, _It did not

lie in his particular Power; for he was but one Man, and all Business

of this Nature, must be done in Publick, and by a Majority of Votes

by the whole Company; and though neither he, nor, he believed, any of

the Company, desired to meet with any of their own Nation (except some

few Persons for the Reasons before-mention’d) yet when they did, it

could not well be avoided, but that they must take as their own what

Providence sent them: And as they were Gentlemen, who entirely depended

upon Fortune, they durst not be so ungrateful to her, as to refuse

any Thing which she put into their Way; for if they should despise

any of her Favours, tho’ never so mean, they might offend her, and

thereby cause her to withdraw her Hand from them; and so, perhaps, they

might perish for want of those Things, which in their rash Folly they

slighted_. He then, in a very obliging Tone, desired me to sit down, he

himself all this Time not once moving from his Seat, which was one of

the great Guns, though there were Chairs enough in the Cabbin; but I

suppose, he thought he should not appear so martial, or Hero-like, if

he sat on a Chair, as he did on a great Gun.

“After I had sat down, he asked me, _What I would drink?_ I thank’d

him, and told him, _I did not much Care for drinking; but out of a

Sense of the Honour he did me in asking, I would drink any Thing with

him which he pleased to drink_. He told me, _It would not avail me

any Thing to be cast down: It was Fortune of War, and grieving or

vexing myself, might be of no good Consequence in respect to my Health;

besides, it would be more taking_, he said, _with the Company, to

appear brisk, lively, and with as little Concern as I could. And come_,

says he, _you may, and I hope you will, have better Fortune hereafter_.

So ringing the Cabbin-bell, and one of his _Valet de Chambres_, or

rather _Valet de Cabins_, appearing, he commanded him to make a Bowl

of Punch, in the great Bowl, which was a rich silver one, and held, I

believe, about two Gallons; which being done, he ordered likewise some

Wine to be set on the Table, and accordingly two Bottles of Claret were

brought; and then he took the Bowl and drank to me in Punch; but bid

me pledge him in which I liked best; which I did in Wine. He told me,

_That what he could favour me in, he would, and wished that it had been

my Fortune to have been taken by them ten Days or a Fortnight sooner;

for then_, he said, _they had abundance of good Commodities, which

they took in_ 2 Portugueze _outward-bound_ Brasile _Men, viz. Cloth,

as well Linens as Woollens, both fine and coarse, Hats of all sorts,

Silk, Iron, and other rich Goods in abundance, and believed, he could

have prevailed with the Company even to have loaded my Sloop. But now

they had no Goods at all, he believed, having disposed of them all,

either by giving them to other Prizes, &c. or heaving the rest into_

David Jones’s Locker (i.e. the Sea); _but did not know, but it might

be his Lot, perhaps, to meet with me again, when it might lie in his

Way to make me a Retaliation for my present Loss; and he did assure me,

that when such an Occasion, as he was but now a speaking of, offered,

I might depend he would not be wanting to serve me in any Thing that

might turn to my Advantage, as far as his Power or Interest could

reach_. I could do no less, in common Civility, and the Truth is, I

dared do no less, than thank him....

“I was order’d to remain on Board the Commodore till by a general Vote

of the Company it should be determin’d how I and the Sloop were to

be dispos’d of; and Captain _Loe_ ordered a Hammock and Bedding to be

fix’d for me, and told me, _That he would not oblige me to sit up later

than I thought fit, nor drink more than suited my own Inclination;

and that he lik’d my Company no longer than his was agreeable to me_;

adding, _That there should be no Confinement or Obligation as to

drinking, or sitting up, but I might drink, and go to sleep, when I

pleas’d, without any Exceptions being taken, ordering me to want for

nothing that was on Board; for I was very welcome to anything that was

there, as to Eatables and Drinkables_. I thank’d him, and told him, _I

would, with all due Gratefulness, make Use of that Freedom which he was

so generous to offer me, &c._ About Eight a-Clock at Night I took my

Leave of him, and went to my Hammock, where I continued all Night, with

Thoughts roving and perplex’d enough, not being able, as yet, to guess

what they design’d to do with me, whether they intended to give me the

Sloop again, or to burn her, as I heard it toss’d about by some, or to

keep me as a Prisoner on Board, or put me ashoar.

“My two Boys and Mate remained still on Board the Sloop, but all the

rest they took on Board of them, not once so much as asking them

whether they would Enter with them, only demanding their Names, which

the Steward writ down in their Roll-Book.

“About eight a-Clock in the Morning I turn’d out, and went upon Deck,

and as I was walking backwards and forwards, as is usual amongst

us Sailors, there came up one of the Company to me, and bid me

Good-Morrow, and told me, _He was very sorry for my Misfortune_. I

answer’d, _So was I_: He look’d at me, and said, _He believ’d I did not

know him_. I replied, _It was true, I did not know him; neither, at

present, could I call to mind that ever I had seen him before in the

whole Course of my Life_. He smil’d, and said, _He once belong’d to

me, and sail’d with me when I was Commander of the_ Susannah _in the

Year 1718_ (At that Time I was Master of a Ship call’d the _Susannah_,

about the Burthen of 300 Tons, whereof was sole Owner Mr. _Richard

Stephens_, Merchant, living at this present writing in _Shad-Thames_,

_Southwark_ Side, near _London_----) In the _Interim_ came up two more,

who told me they all belong’d to me in the _Susannah_, at one Time.

By this time I had recollected my Memory so far as just to call them

to Mind, and that was all; and then I told them I did remember them.

They said, they were truly very sorry for my Misfortune, and would do

all that lay in their Power to serve me, and told me, they had among

them the Quantity of about 40 or 50 Pieces of white Linnen Cloth, and

6 or 8 Pieces of Silk, besides some other Things; and they would also,

they said, make what Interest they could for me with their Consorts and

Intimates, and with them would make a Gathering for me of what Things

they could, and would put it on Board for me as soon as the Company

had determined that I should have my Sloop again. They then look’d

about them as tho’ they had something to say that they were not willing

any body should hear; but as it happen’d, there was no body nigh us,

which was an Opportunity very rare in these Sort of Ships, of speaking

without Interruption: But we lying too all Night, no body had any thing

to do, but the Lookers-out, at the Topmast-head; the Mate of the Watch,

Quarter-master of the Watch, Helmsman, _&c._ being gone down to drink

a Dram, I suppose, or to smoak a Pipe of Tobacco, or the like. However

it was, we had the Quarter Deck intire to our selves, and they seeing

the Coast clear, told me, with much seeming Concern, That if I did not

take abundance of Care, they would force me to stay with them, for my

Mate had inform’d them, that I was very well acquainted on the Coast of

_Brasile_, and they were bound down along the Coast of _Guinea_, and

afterwards design’d to stretch over to the Coast of _Brasile_: That

there was not one Man of all the Company that had ever been upon any

Part of that Coast; and that there was but one Way for me to escape

being forced; but I must be very close, and not discover what they

were going to tell me; for if it was known that they had divulg’d it,

notwithstanding they were enter’d Men, and as much of the Company as

any of them, yet they were sure it would cost them no smaller a Price

for it than their Lives. I told them, I was very much obliged to them

for their Goodwill, and did not wish them to have any Occasion for my

Service; but if ever it should be so, they might depend it should be

to the utmost of my Power; and as for my betraying any thing that they

should tell me of, they could not fear that, because my own Interest

would be a sufficient Tye upon me to the contrary; and were it not so,

and that I was sure to get Mountains of Gold by divulging it to their

Prejudice, I would sooner suffer my Tongue to be pluck’d out.

“They said, they did not much fear my revealing it, because the

disclosing it would rather be a Prejudice to me than an Advantage,

and therefore out of pure Respect to me they would tell me; which was

thus: _You must know_, said they, _that we have an Article which we are

sworn to, which is, not to force any married Man, against his Will, to

serve us: Now we have been at a close Consultation whether we should

oblige you to go with us, not as one of the Company, but as a forc’d

Prisoner, in order to be our Pilot on the Coast of_ Brasile, _where we

are designed to Cruise, and hope to make our Voyage; and your Mate_,

continued they, _has offer’d to Enter with us, but desires to defer it

till we have determined your Case_. _Now your Mate, as yet, is ignorant

of our Articles, we never exposing them to any till they are going to

sign them. He was ask’d, Whether you was married or not? and he said,

he could not tell for certain, but believed you was not: Upon which

we spoke, and said, we had known you several Years, and had sail’d

with you in a Frigat-built Ship of 300 Tons, or more: That you was an

extraordinary good Man to your Men, both for Usage and Payment; and

that, to our Knowledge, you was married, and had four Children then:

However, there is one Man who would fain have the Company break through

their Oath on that Article, and tells them, they may, and ought to

do it, because it is a Case of Necessity, they having no Possibility

of getting a Pilot at present for that Coast, except they take you:

And in their Run along the Coast of_ Guinea, _if they should light of

any body that was acquainted with the Coast of_ Brasile, _and no way

exempted from serving them by the Articles, then they might take him,

and turn you ashore, but ’till such offer’d, he did not see but the

Oath might be dispens’d with; but_, continued they, _Captain_ Loe _is

very much against it, and told them, That it would be an ill Precedent,

and of bad Consequence; for if we once take the Liberty of breaking our

Articles and Oath, then there is none of us can be sure of any thing:

If_, said Captain _Loe, you can perswade the Man upon any Terms to stay

with us as a Prisoner, or otherwise, well and good; if not, do not let

us break the Laws that we have made our selves, and sworn to_. They

went on, and told me, _That most of the Company seem’d to agree with

Captain_ Loe’s _Opinion, but_ Russel, said they, _seem’d to be sadly

nettled at it, that his Advice was not to be taken; and_, continued

they, _you will be ask’d the Question, we reckon, by and by, when_

Russel _comes on Board, and all the Heads meet again; but you must be

sure to say you are married, and have five or six Children; for it is

only that, that will prevent your being forced; tho’, you may depend

upon it_, Russel _will do what he can to perswade the Company to break

the Article, which we hope they will not, nor shall they ever have our

Consent; and, indeed, there are very few of the Company but what are

against it, but_ Russel _bears a great Sway in the Company, and can

almost draw them any Way. However, we have put you in the best Method

that we can, and hope it will do: But, for fear Notice should be taken

of our being so long together, we have told you as much as we can, and

leave you to manage it; and so God bless you._

“Upon this, away they went, and by-and-by Captain _Loe_ turns out, and

comes upon Deck, and bidding me Good-morrow, ask’d me, _How I did? and

how I lik’d my Bed?_ I thank’d him, and told him, _I was very well,

at his Service, and lik’d my Bed very well, and was very much obliged

to him for the Care he had taken of me_. After which, he order’d a

Consultation Signal to be made, which was their _Green Trumpeter_, as

they call’d him, hoisted at the Mizen-Peek: It was a green silk Flag,

with a yellow Figure of a Man blowing a Trumpet on it. The Signal being

made, away came the Boats flocking on Board the Commodore, and when

they were all come on Board, Captain _Loe_ told them, He only wanted

them to Breakfast with him; so down they went into the Cabbin, as many

as it would well hold, and the rest in the Steerage, and where they

could.

“After Breakfast, Captain _Loe ask’d_ me, _If I was married? and how

many Children I had?_ I told him, _I had been married about ten Years,

and had five Children when I came from Home, and did not know but I

might have six now, one being on the Stocks when I came from Home_.

He asked me, _Whether I had left my Wife well provided for, when I

came from Home?_ I told him, _I had left her in but very indifferent

Circumstances: That having met with former Misfortunes, I was so low

reduc’d, that the greatest Part of my Substance was in this Sloop and

Cargo; and that, if I was put by this Trip, I did not know but my

Family might want Bread before I could supply them_.

“_Loe_ then turning to _Russel_, said, _It will not do_, Russel. _What

will not do_, said _Russel_? _Loe_ answer’d, _You know who I mean; we

must not, and it shall not be, by G--d. It must, and shall, by G--d_,

reply’d _Russel; Self-Preservation is the first Law of Nature, and

Necessity, according to the old Proverb, has no Law. Well_, says _Loe,

It shall never be with my Consent_. Hereupon most of the Company said,

_It was a Pity, and ought to be taken into Consideration, and seriously

weighed amongst them, and then put to the Vote_. At which _Loe_ said,

_So it ought, and there is nothing like the Time present to decide the

Controversy, and to determine the Matter_. They all answered, _Ay, it

was best to end it now_.

“Then _Loe_ ordered them all to go upon Deck, and bid me stay in the

Cabbin; so up they went all hands, and I sat still and smoak’d a Pipe

of Tobacco, Wine and Punch being left on the Table: And tho’ I was very

impatient to know the Determination, sometimes hoping it would be in my

Favour, and sometimes fearing the contrary; yet I durst not go out of

the Cabbin to hear what they said, nor make any Enquiry about it.

“After they had been upon Deck about two Hours, they came down again,

and _Loe_ ask’d me, _How I did? and how I lik’d my Company since

they went upon Deck?_ I thank’d him, and said, _I was very well, at

his Service; and as for my Company, I lik’d it very well, and it was

Company that few would dislike. Why_, said he, _I thought you had been

all alone ever since we went upon Deck_. I answer’d, _How could you

think, Sir, that I was alone, when you left me three such boon, jolly

Companions to keep me Company?_

“_Z--ds_, says _Loe_, and seem’d a little angry, _I left no-body,

and ordered no-body but the Boy_ Jack, _and him I bid stay at the

Cabbin-Door, with-out-side, and not go in, nor stir from the Door,

’till I bid him. But_, I said, _Sir, my three Companions were not

humane Bodies, but those which you left on the Table, to wit, a

Pipe of Tobacco, a Bottle of_ French _Claret, and a Bowl of Punch_;

at which they all laugh’d, and _Loe_ said, _I was right_: So after

some Discourses had pass’d by way of Diversion, _Russel_ said to me.

_Master, your Sloop is very Leaky_; I said, _Yes, she made Water.

Water!_ says he, _I do not know what you could do with her, suppose

we were to give her to you. Besides, you have no Hands, for all your

Hands now belong to us._ I said, _Sirs, if you please to give her to

me, I do not fear, with God’s Blessing, but to manage her well enough,

if you let me have only those which are on Board, which I hope you

will: namely, my Mate and the two Boys. Well_, says he, _and suppose

we did, you have no Cargo, for we have taken, to replenish our Stores,

all the Rum, Sugar, Tobacco, Rice, Flower, and, in short, all your

Cargo and Provisions_. I told him, _I would do as well as I could, and

if the worst came to the worst, I could load the Sloop with Salt, and

carry it to the_ Canaries, _where, I knew, they were in great Want of

Salt at present, and therefore was sure it would come to a good Market

there: Ay, but_, says he, _how will you do to make your Cargo of Salt,

having no Hands, and having nothing wherewith to hire the Natives to

help you to make it, or to pay for their bringing it down on their

Asses; for you must believe_, said he, _I understand Trade_. I told

him, _If it did come to that Extremity, I had so good Interest both

at the Island of_ Bona Vist, _as likewise at the Isle of_ May, _that

I was sure the Inhabitants would assist me all that they could, and

trust me for their Pay till I return’d again; especially when they came

to know the Occasion that oblig’d me to it; and that, upon the Whole,

I did not fear, with God’s Blessing, to get a Cargo of Salt on Board,

if they would be so generous as to give me the Sloop again. Well but_,

says Russel, _suppose we should let you have the Sloop, and that you

could do as you say, what would you do for Provisions? for we shall

leave you none; and I suppose I need not tell you, for, without doubt,

you know it already, that all these Islands to Windward are in great

Scarcity of Victuals, and especially the two Islands that produce the

Salt, which have been oppress’d for many Years with a sore Famine_.

I told him, _I was very sensible that all he said last was true, but

hop’d, if they gave me the Sloop, they would also be so generous as

to give me some Provisions, a small quantity of which would serve my

little Company; but if not, I could go down to the Leeward Islands,

where, likewise, I had some small Interest, and I did not doubt but I

could have a small Matter of such Provisions as the Islands afforded,

namely, Maiz, Pompions, Feshunes, &c. with which, by God’s Assistance,

we would endeavour to make shift, ’till it pleased God we could get

better. Ay but_, says he, _perhaps your Mate and Boys will not be

willing to run that Hazard with you, nor care to endure such Hardship_.

I told him, _As for my Boys, I did not fear their Compliance, and hop’d

my Mate would also do the same, seeing I requir’d him to undergo no

other Hardship but what I partook of myself. Ay, but_, says Russel,

_Your Mate has not the same Reasons as you have, to induce him to bear

with all those Hardships, which you must certainly be exposed to in

doing what you propose; and therefore you cannot expect him to be very

forward in accepting such hard Terms with you; (tho’ I cannot conceive

it to be so easie to go through with, in the Manner you propose, as you

seem to make it)_. I answer’d, _As for the Mate’s Inclinations, I was

not able positively to judge in this Affair, but I believed him to be

an honest, as well as a conscientious Man, and as I had been very civil

to him in several Respects, in my Prosperity, so I did not doubt, if I

had the Liberty to talk with him a little on this Affair, but he would

be very willing to undergo as much Hardship to extricate me out of this

my Adversity, as he could well bear, or I in Reason require of him,

which would be no more than I should bear myself; and when it pleased

God to turn the Scales, I would endeavour to make him Satisfaction to

the full of what, in reason, he could expect, or, at least, as far as I

was able_.

“_Come, come_, says Captain _Loe, let us drink about. Boy! how does

the Dinner go forward?_ The Boy answer’d, _Very well, Sir_. Says

Loe, _Gentlemen, you must all Dine with me to Day._ They unanimously

answer’d, _Ay: Come then_, says Loe, _toss the Bowl about, and let us

have a fresh One, and call a fresh Cause_.

“They all agreed to this, and then began to talk of their past

Transactions at _Newfoundland_, the _Western Islands_, _Canary

Islands_, &c. What Ships they had taken, and how they serv’d them when

in their Possession; and how they oblig’d the Governor of the Island of

St. _Michael_ to send them off two Boat-Loads of fresh Meat, Greens,

Wine, Fowls, &c. or otherwise, threatened to damnifie the Island, by

burning some of the small Vilages: Of their Landing on the Island of

_Teneriff_, to the Northward of _Oratavo_, in hopes of meeting with a

Booty, but got nothing but their Skins full of Wine; and how they had

like to have been surpriz’d by the Country, which was raised upon that

Occasion, but got all off safe, and without any Harm, except one Man,

who receiv’d a Shot in his Thigh after they were got into their Boats;

but, they said, they caused several of the _Spaniards_ to drop; and,

That they should have been certainly lost, if they had tarried but

half a quarter of an Hour longer in the House where they were drinking,

and where they expected to get the Booty, which they Landed in quest

of, according to the Information given them by one of the Inhabitants

of the Island, who was taken by them in a Fishing-Boat, and told them,

that, that Gentleman had an incredible Quantity of Money, as well as

Plate, in his House: And on this Occasion they threatened the poor

Fisherman how severely they would punish him for giving them a false

Information, if ever they should light of him again; but, I suppose,

the Fellow kept close ashore after they let him go, all the Time they

lay lurking about the Island: They also boasted how many _French_

Ships they had taken upon the Banks of _Newfoundland_, and what a vast

Quantity of Wine, especially _French_ Claret, they took from them; with

abundance of such like Stuff; which, as it did not immediately concern

me, so I shall not trouble myself with particularizing: And, indeed,

my Attention was so wholly taken up with the Uncertainty of my own

Affairs, that I gave no great Heed to those Subjects that were foreign

to me; and which, for that Reason, made but a slight Impression on my

Memory.

“In this Manner they pass’d the Time away, drinking and carousing

merrily, both before and after Dinner, which they eat in a very

disorderly Manner, more like a Kennel of Hounds, than like Men,

snatching and catching the Victuals from one another; which, tho’ it

was very odious to me, it seem’d one of their chief Diversions, and,

they said, look’d Martial-like.

“Before it was quite dark, every one repaired on Board their respective

Vessels, and about Eight a-Clock at Night I went to my Hammock, without

observing, as I remember, any thing worth remarking, save, that Captain

_Loe_, and I, and three or four more, drank a couple of Bottles of

Wine after the Company were gone, before we went to Sleep, in which

time we had abundance of Discourse concerning _Church_ and _State_, as

also about _Trade_, which would be tedious to relate in that confused

Manner we talked of these Subjects, besides the Reason I just now

mentioned.

“_Loe_ stay’d up after me, and when I was in my Hammock, I heard him

give the necessary Orders for the Night, which were, that they were

to lie too with their Head to the _North Westward_, as, indeed, we

had ever since I had been on Board of him; to mind the Top-light, and

for the Watch, to be sure, above all things, to keep a good Look-out;

and to call him if they saw any thing, or if the other Ships made any

Signals.

“I passed this Night as the former, ruminating on my present unhappy

Condition, not yet being able to dive into, or fathom their Designs, or

what they intended to do with me, and often thinking on what the three

Men told me, as also on what the Company said, but in a more particular

manner, of what _Russel_ told me concerning my Mate, ’till Sleep

overpowered my Senses, and gave me a short Recess from my Troubles.

“In the Morning, about five a-Clock, I turned out, and a little after,

one of the three Men who spoke to me the Morning before, came to me,

and bid me Good-morrow, and ask’d me very courteously how I did? and

told me, that they would all three, as before, have come and spoke to

me, but were afraid the Company, especially _Russel’s_ Friends, would

think they held a secret Correspondence with me, which was against one

of their Articles, it being punishable by Death, to hold any secret

Correspondence with a Prisoner; but they hop’d all would be well, and

that they believ’d I should have my Sloop again; _Russel_ being the

only Man who endeavour’d to hinder it, and he only, on the Account of

having me to go with them on the Coast of _Brasile_; but that most of

the Company was against it, except the meer Creatures of _Russel_. He

said, I might thank my Mate for it all, who, he much fear’d, would

prove a Rogue to me, and Enter with them; and then, if they should give

me my Sloop, I should be sadly put to it to manage her myself, with

one Boy, and the little Child. He also said, That he, and the other

two, heartily wish’d they could go with me in her, but that it was

impossible to expect it, it being Death even to motion it, by another

of their Articles, which says, _That if any of the Company shall

advise, or speak any thing tending to the separating or breaking of the

Company, or shall by any Means offer or endeavour to desert or quit the

Company, that Person shall be shot to Death by the Quarter-Master’s

Order, without the Sentence of a Court-Martial_. He added, That

’till my Mate had given _Russel_ an Account of my being acquainted

on the Coast of _Brasile_, he seem’d to be my best Friend, and would

certainly have prov’d so, and would have prevail’d with the Company

to have made a Gathering for me, which, perhaps, might not have come

much short in Value of what they had taken from me; for there was but

few in the Company but had several Pieces of Linnen Cloth, Pieces of

Silk, spare Hats, Shoes, Stockings, gold Lace, and abundance of other

Goods, besides the publick Store, which, if _Russel_ had continued my

Friend, for one Word speaking, there was not one of them but would have

contributed to make up my Loss; it being usual for them to reserve such

Things for no other Use but to give to any whom they should take, or

that formerly was of their Acquaintance, or that they took a present

Liking to: He said farther, That he believ’d Captain _Loe_ would be

my Friend, and do what he could for me; but that, in Opposition to

_Russel_, he could do but little, _Russel_ bearing twice the Sway with

the Company, that Captain _Loe_ did; and that _Russel_ was always more

considerate to those they took, than _Loe_; but now I must expect no

Favour from him, he was so exasperated by the Opposition that the

Company, and especially Captain _Loe_, made to my being forc’d to go

with them on the Coast of _Brasile_: He, however, bid me have a good

Heart, and wish’d it lay in his Power to serve me more than it did, and

bid me not to take very much Notice, or shew much Freedom with them,

but rather a seeming Indifference: Adding, That he and his two Consorts

wish’d me as well as Heart could wish, and whatever Service they could

do me, while among them, I might assure myself it should not be

wanting; desiring me to excuse him, and not take amiss his withdrawing

from me; concluding, with Tears in his Eyes, that he did not know

whether he should have another Opportunity of private Discourse with

me; neither would it be for the Advantage of either of us, except some

new Matter offer’d them Occasion to forewarn, or precaution me, which,

if it did, one of them would not fail to acquaint me with it: And so he

left me.

“Some time after, Captain _Loe_ turn’d out, and after the usual

Compliments pass’d, we took a Dram of Rum, and enter’d into Discourse

with one or another, on different Subjects; for as a Tavern or

Alehouse-keeper endeavours to promote his Trade, by conforming to the

Humours of every Customer, so was I forc’d to be pleasant with every

one, and bear a Bob with them in almost all their Sorts of Discourse,

tho’ never so contrary and disagreeable to my own Inclinations;

otherwise I should have fallen under an _Odium_ with them, and when

once that happens to be the Case with any poor Man, the Lord have Mercy

upon him; for then every rascally Fellow will let loose his Brutal

Fancy upon him, and either abuse him with his Tongue (which is the

least hurtful) or kick or cuff him, or otherways abuse him, as they are

more or less cruel, or artificially raised by Drinking, Passion, _&c._

“Captain _Russel_, with some more, came on Board about ten or eleven

a-Clock in the Forenoon, and seem’d to be very pleasant to me, asking

me how I did? telling me, that he had been considering of what I said

Yesterday, and could not see, how I should be able to go through with

it: That it would be very difficult, if not wholly impossible, and I

should run a very great Hazard in what I propos’d. He believed, he

said, that I was a Man, and a Man of Understanding, but in this Case

I rather seem’d to be directed by an obstinate Desperation, than by

Reason; and for his Part, since I was so careless of myself as to

determine to throw myself away, he did not think it would stand with

the Credit or Reputation of the Company, to put it into my Power. He

wish’d me well, he said, and did assure me, that the Thoughts of me had

taken him up the greatest Part of the Night; and he had hit on a Way

which, he was sure, would be much more to my Advantage, and not expose

me to so much Hazard and Danger, and yet would be more profitable, than

I could expect by having the Sloop, tho’ every thing was to fall out to

exceed my Expectation; and did not doubt of the Company’s agreeing to

it: _And this_, says he, _is, to take and sink or burn your Sloop, and

keep you with us no otherwise than as you are now_, viz. _a Prisoner;

and I promise you, and will engage to get the Company to sign and agree

to it, the first Prize we take, if you like her; and if not, you shall

stay with us till we take a Prize that you like, and you shall have her

with all her Cargo, to dispose of how and where you please, for your

own proper Use_. He added, _that this, perhaps, might be the making of

me, and put me in a Capacity of leaving off the Sea, and living ashore,

if I was so inclin’d_; protesting, _that he did all this purely out

of Respect to me, because he saw I was a Man of Sense_, as he said,

_and was willing to take Care and Pains to get a Living for myself and

Family_.

“I thank’d him, and told him, _I was sorry I could not accept of his

kind Offer; and hoped he would excuse me, and not impute it to an

obstinate Temper; because_, I said, _I did not perceive it would be

of any Advantage to me, but rather the Reverse; for I could not see

how I should be able to dispose of the Ship, or any Part of her Cargo;

because no Body would buy, except I had a lawful Power to sell; and

they all certainly knew, they had no farther Right to any Ship or Goods

that they took, than so long as such Ship or Goods was within the Verge

of their Power; which, they were sensible, could not extend so far, as

to reach any Place where such Sale could be made: Besides_, I said, _if

the Owners of any such Ship or Goods should ever come to hear of it,

then should I be liable to make them Restitution, to the full Value of

such Ship and Cargo, or be oblig’d to lie in a Prison the remaining

Part of my Days; or, perhaps, by a more rigid Prosecution of the Law

against my Person, run a Hazard of my Life_.

“_Russel_ said, _These were but needless and groundless Scruples, and

might easily be evaded: As for my having a Right to make Sale of the

Ship and Cargo, which they would give me, they could easily make me a

Bill of Sale of the Ship, and such other necessary Powers in Writing,

as were sufficient to justify my Title to it beyond all Possibility

of Suspicion; so that I should not have any Reason to fear my being

detected in the Sale: And as for my Apprehension of being discover’d

to the Owners, that might as easily be prevented; for they should

always know, by Examination of the Master, &c. and also by the Writings

taken on board such Ship (which they always took Care to seize upon)

who were the Owners and Merchants concern’d in both Ship and Cargo,

as also their Places of Abode; by which I might be able to shun a

Possibility of their discovering me_: Adding, _That I might have the

Powers and Writings made in another Name, which I might go by ’till I

had finish’d the Business, and then could assume my own; which Method

would certainly secure me from all Possibility of Discovery_.

“I told him, _I must confess, there was not only a Probability, but a

seeming Certainty, in what he said, and that it argued abundance of

Wit in the Contrivance; but_, I assur’d him, _that were I positively

certain, which I could not be, that ’till the Hour of my Death it would

not be discover’d, yet there was still a strong Motive to deter me from

accepting it; which, tho’ it might seem, perhaps, to them to be of no

Weight, and but a meer Chimera, yet it had greater Force with me than

all the Reasons I had hitherto mention’d; and that was my Conscience;

which would be a continual Witness against me, and a constant Sting,

even when, perhaps, no Body would accuse me: And as there could be no

hearty and unfeigned Repentance, without making a full Restitution,

as far as I was able, to the injur’d Person_; I ask’d them, _What

Benefit would it be to me, if I got Thousands of Pounds, and could

not be at Peace with my Conscience, ’till I had restor’d every Thing

to the proper Owners, and after all, remain as I was before?_ A great

deal more, I told them, I could say upon this Head; but doubted that

Discourses of this Nature were not very taking with some of them, and

might seem of very little Account; _Yet I hope_, said I, _and God

forbid that there should not be some of you, who have a Thought of a

great and powerful God, and a Consciousness of his impartial Justice

to punish, as well as of his unfathomable Mercy to pardon Offenders

upon their unfeigned Repentance, which would not so far extend as to

encourage us to run on in sinning, thereby presuming to impose on his

Mercy_.

“Some of them said, _I should do well to preach a Sermon, and would

make them a good Chaplain_. Others said, _No, they wanted no Godliness

to be preach’d there: That Pirates had no God but their_ Money, _nor_

Saviour _but their_ Arms. Others said, _That I had said nothing but

what was very good, true, and rational, and they wish’d that Godliness,

or, at least, some Humanity, were in more Practice among them; which

they believ’d, would be more to their Reputation, and cause a greater

Esteem to be had for them, both from God and Man_.

“After this, a Silence follow’d; which Capt. _Russel_ broke, saying to

me again, _Master, as to your Fear that you wrong your Neighbour in

taking a Ship from us, which we first took from him; in my Judgment,

it is groundless and without Cause; nor is it a Breach of the Laws

of God or Man, as far as I am able to apprehend; for you do not take

their Goods from them, nor usurp their Property: That we have done

without your Advice, Concurrence, or Assistance; and therefore whatever

Sin or Guilt follows that Action, it is intirely_ Ours, _and, in my

Opinion, cannot extend to make any unconcern’d Person guilty with us.

It is plain, beyond disputing_, continu’d he, _that you can be no Way

Partaker with us in any Capture, while you are only a constrain’d

Prisoner, neither giving your Advice or Consent, or any Ways assisting;

and therefore it may be most certainly concluded, that it is We only

that have invaded the Right, and usurp’d the Property of another; and

that you must be innocent, and cannot be Partaker of the Crime, unless

concern’d in that Action that made it a Crime. But you seem to allow,

that we have a Property, while we are in Possession; but_, added he, _I

suppose you think, that all the Claim we have to the Ships and Goods

that we take, is by an Act of Violence, and therefore unjust, and of

no longer Force than while we are capable to maintain them by the same

superior Strength by which we obtain’d them_.

“I told him, _I could not express my Conceptions of it better or

fuller, I thought, than he had done; but hoped, neither he, nor Capt._

Loe, _nor any of the Gentlemen present, would be offended at my taking

so much Liberty; which was rather to acquaint them with my Reasons

for not being able to accept of their kind Offer, than to give any

Gentleman Offence_; adding, _That I had so much Confidence in their

Favours, that, if I could have accepted them, I verily believ’d, they

would all have concurred with Capt._ Russel _in what he so kindly and

friendly design’d me_.

“At which Words they all cry’d, _Ay, Ay, by G--_, and that _I was

deserving of that and more_.

“I told them, _I heartily thank’d them all in general, and did not wish

any of them so unfortunate, as to stand in Need of my Service; yet,

if ever they did, they should find, that the uttermost of my Ability

should not be wanting in Retaliation of all the Civilities they had

shewn me, ever since it was my Lot to fall into their Hands; but, in a

more especial Manner, for this their now offer’d Kindness, tho’ I could

not accept it with a safe and clear Conscience, which I valued above

any Thing to be enjoy’d in this World_. I said, _I could add farther

Reasons to those I had already urg’d; but I would not trouble them

longer, fearing I had already been too tedious or offensive to some of

them; which, if I had, I heartily begg’d their Pardon; assuring them

once more, that if it was so, it was neither my Design nor Intent, but

the Reverse_.

“Hereupon they all said, _They liked to hear us talk, and thought we

were very well match’d_: Adding, _That Capt._ Russel _could seldom meet

with a Man that could stand him: But, as for their Parts, they were

pleas’d with our Discourse, and were very sure_ Loe _and_ Russel _were

so too_.

“Capt. _Loe_ than said, He liked it very well; but told me, I had

not return’d Capt. _Russel_ an Answer to what he last said, which he

thought deserv’d one.

“I answer’d, That since the Gentlemen were so good-natur’d, as not only

to take in good Part what I had hitherto said, but also to give me free

Liberty to pursue my Discourse, I should make Use of their Indulgence,

and answer what Capt. _Russel_ had said last to me, in as brief and

inoffensive a Manner as I was capable of.

“Then turning to _Russel_, I said, _Sir, Your Opinion of my Notion

of the Right you have to any Ship or Goods you may take, is exactly

true; and I think your Right cannot extend farther than your Power to

maintain that Right; and therefore it must follow, you can transfer

no other Right to any one than what you have your selves, which will

render any Person who receiv’d them, as guilty for detaining them from

the proper Owners, as you for the taking them_.

“He said, _Be it so; we will suppose_ (and seemed a little angry) _for

Argument Sake, we have taken a Ship, and are resolv’d to sink or burn

her, unless you will accept of her: Now, pray, where is the Owner’s

Property, when the Ship is sunk, or burned? I think the Impossibility

of his having her again, cuts off his Property to all Intents and

Purposes, and our Power was the same, notwithstanding our giving her to

you, if we had thought fit to make use of it._

“I was loth to argue any farther, seeing him begin to be peevish; and

knowing, by the Information afore given me by the three Men, that all

his pretended Kindness and Arguments were only in order to detain

me, without the Imputation of having broken their Articles; which he

found the major Part of the Company very averse to; wherefore, to cut

all short, I told him, I was very sensible of the Favours design’d

me; and should always retain a grateful Sense of them: That I knew I

was absolutely in their Power, and they might dispose of me as they

pleas’d; but that having been hitherto treated so generously by them, I

could not doubt of their future Goodness to me. And that if they would

be pleas’d to give me my Sloop again, it was all I requested at their

Hands; and I doubted not, but that, by the Blessing of God on my honest

Endeavours, I should soon be able to retrieve my present Loss; at

least, I said, I should have nothing to reproach myself with, whatever

should befal me, as I should have, if I were to comply with the Favour

they had so kindly intended for me.

“Upon which, Capt. _Loe_ said, _Gentlemen, the Master, I must needs

say, has spoke nothing but what is very reasonable, and I think he

ought to have his Sloop. What do you say Gentlemen?_

“The greatest Part of them answered aloud, _Ay, Ay, by G--, let the

poor Man have his Sloop again, and go in God’s Name, and seek a Living

in her for his Family. Ay_, said some of them, _and we ought to make

something of a Gathering for the poor Man, since we have taken every

Thing that he had on Board his Vessel_. This put an End to the Dispute;

and every Body talked according to their Inclinations, the Punch, Wine,

and Tobacco being moving Commodities all this Time: And every one who

had an Opportunity of speaking to me, wish’d me much Joy with, and

success in, my newly obtain’d Sloop.

“Towards Night, _Russel_ told Capt. _Loe_, that as the Company had

agreed to give me the Sloop again, it was to be hoped they would

discharge me, and let me go about my Business in a short Time; and

therefore, with his Leave, he would take me on Board the Scooner with

him, to treat me with a Sneaker of Punch before parting. Accordingly,

I accompany’d him on Board his Vessel, tho’ I had rather stay’d with

_Loe_, and he welcomed me there, and made abundance of Protestations

of his Kindness and Respect to me; but still argued, that he thought I

was very much overseen in not accepting what he had so kindly, and out

of pure Respect, offer’d to me, and which, he said, would really have

been the making of me. I told him, I thank’d him for his Favour and

Good-will; but was very well satisfy’d with the Company’s Generosity

in agreeing to give me the Sloop again, which, I said, was more

satisfactory to me, than the richest Prize that they could take.

“Well, says he, I wish it may prove according to your Expectation. I

thank’d him; so down we went into the Cabbin, and, with the Officers

only, diverted ourselves in talking ’till Supper was laid on the Table.

“After Supper, a Bowl of Punch, and half a Dozen of Claret, being set

on the Table, Capt. _Russel_ took a Bumper, and drank _Success to their

Undertaking_; which went round, I not daring to refuse it. Next Health

was _Prosperity to Trade_, meaning their own Trade. The third Health

was, _The King of France_: After which, _Russel_ began the _King of_

England_’s Health_; so they all drank round, some saying, _The King of_

England’s _Health_, others only _The aforesaid Health_, ’till it came

round to me; and Capt. _Russel_ having empty’d two Bottles of Claret

into the Bowl, as a Recruit, and there being no Liquor that I have a

greater Aversion to, than red Wine in Punch, I heartily begg’d the

Captain and the Company would excuse my drinking any more of that Bowl,

and give me leave to pledge the Health in a Bumper of Claret.

“Hereupon _Russel_ said, _Damn you, you shall drink in your Turn a full

Bumper of that Sort of Liquor that the Company does. Well, Gentlemen_,

said I, _rather than have any Words about it, I will drink it, tho’ it

is in a Manner Poyson to me; because I never drank any of this Liquor,

to the best of my Remembrance, but it made me sick two or three Days at

least after it._ _And d--n you_, says _Russel, if it be in a Manner, or

out of a Manner, or really, rank Poyson, you shall drink as much, and

as often, as any one here, unless you fall down dead, dead_!

“So I took the Glass, which was one of your _Hollands_ Glasses, made

in the Form of a Beaker, without a Foot, holding about three Quarters

of a Pint, and filling it to the Brim, said, _Gentlemen, here is the

aforesaid Health. What Health is that_, said _Russel? Why_, says I,

_the same Health you all have drank, The King of_ England’s _Health.

Why_, says _Russel, who is King of_ England? I answer’d, _In my

Opinion, he that wears the Crown, is certainly King while he keeps it.

Well_, says he, _and pray who is that? Why_, says I, _King_ George

_at present wears it_. Hereupon he broke out in the most outrageous

Fury, damning me, and calling me Rascally Son of a B--; and abusing

his Majesty in such a virulent Manner, as is not fit to be repeated,

asserting, with bitter Curses, that we had no King.

“I said, _I admir’d that he would begin and drink a Health to a Person

who was not in being_. Upon which, he whipp’d one of his Pistols from

his Sash, and I really believe would have shot me dead, if the Gunner

of the Scooner had not snatch’d it out of his Hand.

“This rather more exasperated _Russel_, who continu’d swearing and

cursing his Majesty in the most outrageous Terms, and asserting the

Pretender to be the lawful King of _England, &c._ He added, That ’twas

a Sin to suffer such a false traiterous Dog as I was to live; and with

that whipp’d out another Pistol from his Sash, and cock’d it, and swore

he would shoot me through the Head, and was sure he should do God and

his Country good Service, by ridding the World of such a traiterous

Villain. But the Master of the Scooner prevented him, by striking the

Pistol out of his Hand.

“Whether it was with the Fall, or his Finger being on the Trigger, I

cannot tell, but the Pistol went off without doing any Damage: At which

the Master, and all present, blamed _Russel_ for being so rash and

hasty; and the Gunner said, I was not to blame; for that I drank the

Health as it was first propos’d, and there being no Names mention’d,

and King _George_ being possess’d of the Crown, and establish’d

by Authority of Parliament, he did not see but his Title was the

best. _But what have we to do_, continued he, _with the Rights of

Kings or Princes? Our Business here, is to chuse a King for our own

Commonwealth; to make such Laws as we think most conducive to the Ends

we design; and to keep ourselves from being overcome, and subjected to

the Penalty of those Laws which are made against us._ He then intimated

to _Russel_, That he must speak his Sentiments freely, and imputed

his Quarrel with me, to his being hinder’d from breaking thro’ their

Articles: Urging, that he would appear no better than an Infringer of

their Laws, if the Matter were narrowly look’d into: And that it was

impossible ever to have any Order or Rule observ’d, if their Statutes

were once broken thro’. He put him in Mind of the Penalty, which was

Death, to any one who should infringe their Laws; and urg’d, That if it

were once admitted that a Man, thro’ Passion, or the like, should be

excused breaking in upon them, there would be an End to their Society:

And concluded with telling him, that it was an extraordinary Indulgence

in the Company, not to remind him of the Penalty he had incurr’d.

“_Russel_, still continuing his Passion, answer’d, That if he had

transgress’d, it was not for the Sake of his own private Interest,

but for the general Good of the Company; and therefore did not fear,

neither in Justice could he expect, any Severity from the Company for

what he had done; and for that Reason, whatever he (the Gunner) or

those of his Sentiments, thought of it, he was resolv’d, whatever came

of it, to pursue his present Humour.

“Then says the Gunner to the rest, _Well, Gentlemen, if you have a

Mind to maintain those Laws made, establish’d, and sworn to by you

all, as I think we are all obligated by the strongest Tyes of Reason

and Self-Interest to do, I assure you, my Opinion is, that we ought

to secure_ John Russel, _so as to prevent his breaking our Laws and

Constitutions, and thereby do ourselves, and him too, good Service:

Ourselves, by not suffering such an Action of Cruelty in cold Blood,

as he more than once attempted to commit, as you are Eye-witnesses of,

and, I believe, most on Board have been Ear-witnesses to the Pistol’s

going off; and all this for no other Reason in the World, but through a

proud and ambitious Humour, conceiting he is the Man that is not to be

contradicted, and that his Words, though tending to our Ruin, must yet

be receiv’d as an Oracle, without any Opposition_.

“At which they all said, It was a pity the Master should suffer,

neither would they permit it; and speaking to _Russel_, they said, they

would not allow him to be so barbarous: That they had always valued

themselves upon this very Thing of being civil to their Prisoners,

and not abusing their Persons: That, ’till now, he himself had been

always the greatest Perswader to Clemency, and even to the forgiving

Provocations, and permitting them to go from ’em with as little Loss

as could be, after they had taken what they had Occasion for: _But

now_, said they, _you are quite the Reverse, to this poor Man, and for

no other Reason, that we know of, but, as the Gunner said just now,

because we would not yield a greater Power to you alone, then you with

the whole Company have when conjoin’d; that is, that you at any Time,

to gratify your own Humour, shall have Liberty, not only to dispense

with our Laws, but to act against the Sentiments of the whole Company_.

“_Russel_ answer’d, That he never did oppose the Company before;

neither could he believe any present could charge him with any Cruelty

in cold Blood, ever since he belong’d to the Company; but that he

had a Reason for what he did, or would have done, if he had not been

prevented. Hereupon the Master interrupting him, said, _Capt._ Russel,

_we know of no Reason for your passionate Design, but what we have told

you; and, as you have been told before, it reflects a Revenge against

the Company; but not being able to effect that, you turn it on that

poor Man the Master of the Sloop, and, as it were, in despite of the

Company, because they have decreed him his Sloop again, that he may

provide a Living for his Family, you would barbarously, nay brutishly,

as well as to the Company contemptuously, murder that poor Man, who

has given you no Occasion to induce you to such an Action that we know

of; and if he has given you any sufficient Cause to be so offended at

him, we promise you this Instant, to deliver him up to you, to suffer

Death, or what other Punishment you think fit to inflict on him_.

“_Russel_ told them, That he had been in the Company almost from the

first, and he challeng’d any one to charge him with Singularity, or

Opposition to the Company, or of Cruelty to any one Prisoner before

that Rascal, as he call’d me, and that therefore they might be assur’d,

he should not have taken up such Resentments against me, if he had not

a sufficient Reason to provoke him to it, which he did not think proper

at that Time to divulge.

“_Then_, says the Gunner, _neither do we think proper that you shall

take any Man’s Life away in cold Blood, ’till you think fit to acquaint

the Company with the Reasons for it; and I think it was your Place to

satisfy the Company, before you took the Liberty to attempt the Life of

any Man under the Company’s Protection, as I think all Prisoners are:

And, to say the Truth, I do verily believe, you have no other Reasons

to give than those hinted by the Master and me; and therefore, I think

it but Reason, to use such Methods as may prevent your passionate

Design, and secure the Prisoner ’till Morning, and then send him on

Board the Commodore, who, with the Advice of the Majority, may order

the Matter as he thinks best_.

“This was consented to by all, and so _Russel_, having his Arms taken

from him, was order’d not to offer the least Disturbance again, nor

concern himself with or about me, ’till after I was on Board the

Commodore, on Pain of the Crew’s Displeasure, and also of being

prosecuted as a Mutineer; and the Gunner, Master, Boatswain, _&c._ bid

me not be discourag’d; assuring me, that there should no Harm come to

me while I was on Board of them; and that they would send me away now,

but that there is, said they, an express Order among us, to receive

no Boats on Board after eight at Night, or nine a-Clock at farthest;

but they would put me on Board Capt. _Loe_ in the Morning, where they

were sure I should be protected and secur’d from the revengeful Hand

of Capt. _Russel_; for they said, they were sure that Capt. _Loe_

had a great Respect for me, and would be a Means to counter-ballance

_Russel_; and they said they would sit up with me all Night for my

greater Security: Which they did, smoaking and drinking and talking,

every one according to his Inclination, and so we pass’d the Time away

’till Day.

“_Russel_ went to sleep about two a-Clock in the Morning in his Cabbin;

however, the Master, the Gunner, and five or six more, did not go to

Bed all that Night, but would have had me gone to sleep, telling me, I

need not fear, for they would take Care that _Russel_ should not hurt

me.

“About eight a-Clock in the Morning, I was carry’d on Board Capt.

_Loe_, the Gunner and Steward going with me, who told him all that had

pass’d; and acquainted him, that they still believ’d _Russel_ to be so

implacable against me, that he would murder me in cold Blood before

I got clear of them, if he did not interpose to protect me from his

Violence. Capt. _Loe_ said, He very well knew, and he believ’d so did

they all, what was the Reason that made _Russel_ so inveterate and

implacable to me: He added, That _Russel_ did not do well; and that

I had behav’d myself so inoffensively, that there could be no Reason

to induce the most savage Monster to be such an irreconcilable Enemy

to me; but that ’twas an easy Matter to dive into the Cause of it, to

wit, his being thwarted by the Company in his Humour; and because they

would not break thro’ the Articles which cemented them together, and

which were sign’d and swore to by them all, as the standing Rule of

their Duty, by which only they could decide and settle Controversies

and Differences among themselves; the least Breach of which, would be

a Precedent for the like Infractions, whenever _Russel_, or any other,

thought fit to give Way either to Revenge or Ambition, and that then

all their Counsels would be fluctuating; and Fancy, and not Reason,

would be the Rule of their Conduct; and their Resolutions would be

render’d more unconstant than the Weathercock. He added, That he hoped

the Company would inviolably adhere to their establish’d Laws, which,

he said, were very good; and were they not, yet, as they were made by

the unanimous Consent of the whole Company, so they ought not to be

alter’d without the same unanimous Consent; concluding, that, for his

Part, he would rather chuse to be out of the Company than in it, if

they did not resolve to be determin’d by their Articles. Hereupon they

answer’d, That what he had said was very good, and they were resolv’d

to adhere to his Advice.

“After this they drank a Dram, and then return’d with their Boat on

Board the Scooner; and Capt. _Loe_ told me, he was sorry for Capt.

_Russel’s_ Disgust against me, because he believ’d it would be a

disadvantage to me; but, however, there was no Remedy but Patience;

assuring me, That _Russel_ should neither kill me, nor abuse my Person,

and I should have my Sloop again, and be discharg’d in as short a while

as possible, that I might be clear of _Russel_, who, he was afraid,

would always continue my Foe.

“All the Officers and Men likewise spoke very friendly to me, and bid

me not be daunted; so we pass’d the Time away in several Kinds of

Discourse ’till Dinner; after which, _Loe_ order’d a Bowl of Punch to

be made, and said he wish’d I was well clear of them.

“About four a-Clock in the Afternoon Capt. _Russel_ came on Board, as

did also _Francis Spriggs_, who commanded the other Ship, and after a

little while, says _Russel_ to Capt. _Loe_, _The Mate of the Sloop is

willing to enter with us as a Volunteer_.

“_Loe_ made Answer, and said, _How must we do in that Case? For then

the Master of the Sloop will have no Body to help him, but one Boy;

for_, says he, _the little Child is no Help at all_.

“_Russel_ said, _He could not help that. But_, said Loe, _we must not

take all the Hands from the poor Man, if we design to give him his

Sloop again_; adding, _That he thought in Reason there could not be

less than two Boys and the Mate_.

“_Z--ds_, says _Russel, his Mate is a lusty young brisk Man, and has

been upon the Account before, and told me but even now_ (_for_, said

he, _I was on Board the Sloop but just before I came here, and_ Frank

Spriggs _was along with me, and heard him say_), _That he was fully

resolv’d to go with us, and would not go any more in the Sloop, unless

forced; and when he came out of_ Barbadoes, _he said, his Design was

to enter himself on Board the first Pyrate that he met with; And will

you refuse such a Man, contrary to your Articles, which you all so much

profess to follow; and which enjoin you by all Means, not repugnant to

them, to encrease and fill your Company? Besides_, continued he, _he

spoke to me the first Day, that he was resolv’d to enter with us_.

“_Loe_ reply’d, That to give the Man his Sloop, and no Hands with him

to assist him, was but putting him to a lingering Death, and they had

as good almost knock him on the Head, as do it.

“_Russel_ answer’d, As to that, they might do as they pleas’d; what he

spoke now was for the Good of the whole Company, and agreeable to the

Articles, and he would fain see or hear that Man that should oppose him

in it. He said, He was Quarter-Master of the whole Company, and, by the

Authority of his Place, he would enter the Mate directly, and had a

Pistol ready for the Man that should oppose him in it.

“_Loe_ said, As for what was the Law and Custom among them (as what he

now pleaded, was) he would neither oppose, nor argue against; but, if

they thought fit to take the Man’s Mate from him, then they might let

him have one of his own Men with him.

“_Russel_ said, No; for all the Sloop’s Men were already enroll’d

in their Books, and therefore none of them should go in her again.

_Gentlemen_, continu’d he, _you must consider I am now arguing, as well

for the Good of the Company, as for the due Maintenance and Execution

of the Laws and Articles; and as I am the proper Officer substituted

and intrusted by this Company with Authority to execute the same, so_

(_as I told you before_) _I have a Pistol and a Brace of Balls ready

for any one, who dare oppose me herein_; and turning to me, said,

_Master, the Company has decreed you your Sloop, and you shall have

her; you shall have your two Boys, and that is all: You shall have

neither Provisions, nor any Thing else, more than as she now is. And,

I hear, there are some of the Company design to make a Gathering for

you; but that also I forbid, by the Authority of my Place, because

we are not certain but we may have Occasion ourselves for those very

Things before we get more; and for that Reason I prohibit a Gathering;

and I swear by all that is Great and Good, that if I know any Thing

whatsoever carry’d, or left on Board the Sloop against my Order, or

without my Knowledge, that very Instant I will set her on Fire, and you

in her._

“Upon which I said, that since it was their Pleasure to order it

thus, I begged that they would not put me on Board the Sloop in such

a Condition; but rather begg’d, if they so pleas’d, to do what they

would with the Sloop, and put me, and my two Boys, ashore on one of the

Islands.

“_Russel_ said, No; for they were to Leeward of all the Islands, and

should hardly come near any of them this Season again.

“I said, I should rather be put ashore any where else, either on the

Coast of _Guinea_, or on whatever Coast they came at first, than be put

as a Victim on Board the Sloop; where I should have no Possibility of

any Thing but perishing, except by an extraordinary Miracle.

“He told me, My Fate was already decreed by the Company, and he,

by his Place, was to see all their Orders put in Execution; and he

would accordingly see me safely put on Board the Sloop, in the exact

Condition as he had but now mention’d.

“I was going to make him a Reply, but casting my Eye on Capt. _Loe_, he

wink’d at me to be silent; and taking a Bumper, drank Success to their

Proceedings. The Health went round, and _Loe_ order’d the great Bowl

to be fill’d with Punch, and Bottles of Wine to be set on the Table in

the Cabbin, to which we all resorted, and spent the remaining Part of

the Evening in Discourses on different Subjects: Only _Frank Spriggs_

offer’d to perswade me to accept of what was first offer’d me, which

_Russel_ swore I should not now have, I having not once, but several

Times already refus’d it. Capt. _Loe_ not being then willing to have

any more of that Kind of Discourse, broke it off by singing a Song, and

enjoining every one present to do the same, except me, whom he said he

would excuse ’till Times grew better with me: And thus they diverted

themselves, and pass’d the Evening away ’till towards eight a-Clock,

and then every one repair’d on Board their respective Ships; and,

after they were gone, _Loe_ and I, and two or three of his Confidents,

smoak’d a Pipe, and drank a Bottle or two of Wine; in which Time he

told me, He was very sorry that _Jack Russel_ was so set against me. I

said, So was I, and wonder’d what should be the Reason of it, having

given him no Cause, unless by drinking that Health the preceding Night:

I said, I had imputed to Liquor, the Fury he was then in, and was in

Hopes, that after that had work’d off, his Resentments also would have

cooled, and was not a little concern’d to find it otherwise. _Loe_

said, The Health was not the Cause, but rather the Effect of his Anger,

and a meer Pretence to cloak his Resentment for other Disappointments:

Adding, That I did right to take his Hint given me by winking, to

answer no more; _For_, says he, _I knew that every Thing which you

could speak to him, would be taken Edge-ways; and the more you said

to excuse yourself, the more it would add Fuel to his Anger, which he

turn’d against you who could not resist him, because he could not have

his Will of us; but we will endeavour to draw him off by Degrees; and

for that Reason will not discharge you, but I will keep you on Board

with me, where he shall not hurt nor abuse you, except with his Tongue,

which you must bear, ’till we see if we can alter his Temper, so as to

deal with you a little more favourable than at present he designs_.

“I thank’d him, and all of them present, for their Favours and

Good-will, and it being near Midnight, we parted, and every one retired

to his Rest, and I to my Hammock; and being pretty much fatigued the

Night before, as well as the preceding Day, soon fell asleep; and

about Day-dawning, I got up, and came upon Deck, and walking upon the

Quarter Deck very solitary, one of the three Men, mention’d before,

pass’d by me, and ask’d me how I did, and said he was very sorry for

the Unkindness already shew’d me, and like to be shew’d; but it was

what they expected, as they had before hinted to me, and that still

there was like to be a tough Struggle about me: That _Russel_ did

design to be very barbarous to me, and that _Loe_, and a great Part of

the Company, intended to oppose him in it; that there were a great many

who were _Russel’s_ Gang or Clan, and design’d to stand by him in it,

and had threaten’d, that if there were much Disturbance about it, they

would shoot me, and so put an End to the Controversy: That there were

some, on the other Hand, that threaten’d hard if they did, to revenge

my Death by some of theirs; so that it was likely to be an untoward

Touch, and he wish’d it might not prove to my Disadvantage in the

End; but would have me still to keep a good Heart, and trust in God,

and hope for the best, and by no means to speak one Word, or concern

myself either Way, but patiently wait the Issue, which he hoped would

be better for me than some of them intended; and so heartily wishing me

well, walk’d his Way.

“Now you must believe these Accounts were not a little shocking to me;

but I had no Friend that I could really rely on, but God, to whom I

made my Petitions, and whose Assistance I humbly besought, to extricate

me, in his own good Time, out of these Difficulties and Snares which

were laid for me on every Side, and, in the mean Time, patiently so to

bear them, as not to murmur and repine at his fatherly Chastisements,

nor, by their Extremity, through Desperation, wound my Conscience; but

that in all Things I might, through the Guidance of the holy Spirit, be

directed so as to submit myself entirely to his Will, who infinitely

knew what was better for me than I knew myself.

“After some Time pass’d, Capt. _Loe_ came upon Deck, who ask’d me how I

had rested the preceding Night? I told him, Very well, considering my

present Case; but, next under God, had grounded my Hopes upon him, to

rid me of my present Fears, by dispatching me away as soon as possible

he could with Conveniency. He told me, He would do every Thing in his

Power to further my Desires, and hoped that what he had already done on

my Account, would sufficiently convince me of his Desire to serve me;

but that Things hitherto had fallen out very unluckily and cross, as I

myself was able to judge by what was already pass’d.

“I told him, I had very good Reasons to return him my hearty Thanks,

and own’d myself bound to him in the strictest Ties of Gratitude; and

that if it ever should be in my Power to serve him, I would not content

myself with bare Acknowledgments of his Favour.

“He said, His Will was at present more extensive than his Power; but

that he still hoped to prevail with _Russel_, and those who were of his

Side, to be more compassionate to me before I parted with them, than at

present they seem’d to intend, and as soon as he had brought them to

a better Temper, he then would procure my Discharge; but if _Russel_

still continu’d inexorable, which he should be very sorry for, then you

must endeavour, says he, to keep up a good Heart, and patiently wait

’till Providence brings you out of your present Calamities, which I

hope he will.

“I thank’d him, and told him, I would endeavour to follow his Advice,

tho’, I said, ’twas with some Impatience that I waited to have my Doom

determin’d in a Discharge from them. He bid me be easy, it should be

shortly.

“By this Time there were several join’d with us, so we broke off that

Discourse, and fell into other Talk.

“About two or three a-Clock in the Afternoon, Capt. _Russel_, Capt.

_Spriggs_, and some of their Officers, came on Board, and held

a Consultation, which I was not allow’d to be a Hearer of; but

understood afterwards, ’twas chiefly about their own Affairs, in

Relation to the further Prosecution of their intended Voyage; and by

the little mention that was made of me, it appear’d, that _Russel_

continu’d still inflexible, bitterly swearing, that he would, if he had

a thousand Lives, lose them all, rather than miscarry in this his fix’d

Resolution.

“In this difficult Situation I stood, not daring to speak freely

for fear of offending, nor be silent, lest I should be thought

contemptuous; not knowing how to avoid their Resentments, and every

Resentment menacing, and often bringing Death. And thus I tediously,

as well as dangerously, pass’d my Time among them, until it pleas’d

God to put it into their Hearts to discharge me; tho’, if seriously

weigh’d, this my Discharge seem’d like sentencing me to a lingering

and miserable Death; yet I must needs confess, considering the whole

Matter, that I was in a Manner miraculously befriended and supported,

even in spite of Malice, Rage, and Revenge, for which I shall always

pay my humble Acknowledgements to the Divine Providence.

“After several Efforts made by Capt. _Loe_, and others, and abundance

of Arguments used to bring _Russel_ to better Temper relating to me;

and finding it all to no Purpose, and that some of his Clan had bound

themselves by Oath to stand by him, even to my Destruction, if the

Dispute continu’d much longer; Capt. _Loe_, and Capt. _Spriggs_, and

others, who were my Friends, resolv’d on sending me away as soon as

possible; and for that Purpose _Loe_, the 10th Day after I was taken,

made a Signal for a general Consultation on Board of him; and as soon

as the Officers and leading Men of the other two Ships, were assembled,

he made a Speech to them, to let them know the Reason of his calling

them to a Consultation, telling them, _That he thought it was Time to

discharge me, as they had before agreed, as also to prosecute their

intended Voyage, they having lain a long Time driving; and that,

altogether out of their Way, by Reason they could not expect, either

here, or in this Drift, to meet with any Ships_.

“To this they all agreeing, Capt. _Loe_ told them, _He thought it would

be best to discharge me first, for several Reasons, among which, my

being cumbersome to them, as well as unserviceable, they being forc’d

to sail the Sloop themselves; besides, he said it was not proper that I

should be made acquainted with the Design of their Voyage_.

“They ask’d, _Why he did not turn me away?_ Saying, _They did not know

for what Reason I had been kept so long, the Company having settled

that Matter so long since_.

“Capt. _Loe_ said, _Gentlemen, you all know what Arguments we have had

already about this Matter, and how Capt._ Russel, _and some more, were

angry with the Master of the Sloop, and, I verily believe, without any

Cause by him given to any of you designedly; and therefore, I hope you

have consider’d better of it since, and laid aside your Resentments

against the poor Man; neither_, said he, _let us do any Thing now in

Passion, for I do not design (nor would I, if I could) to inforce any

of you to comply to any Thing against your Will; nor would I have

you think, Gentlemen, that I shall ever shew so much Respect to any

Prisoner, as, on his Account, to cause a Difference or Wrangling among

our selves; but yet, Gentlemen, give me Leave to say, That tho’ we

are Pirates, yet we are Men, and tho’ we are deem’d by some People

dishonest, yet let us not wholly divest ourselves of Humanity, and

make ourselves more Savage than Brutes. If we send this poor Man away

from us, without Provisions or Hands to assist him, Pray what greater

Cruelty can there be? I think the more lingering any Death is made, the

more barbarous ’tis accounted by all Men; and therefore, Gentlemen, I

leave it to your own Consideration._

“To this, _Russel_ made answer, _That he, in the Company’s Name, had

made the Master of the Sloop very good and generous Offers, in the

Hearing of all the Company; but that I had, in his Opinion, after a

very slighting Manner, refus’d them: That ’twas my Choice to be sent

thus on Board the Sloop, rather than the Compulsion of the Company;

and that, notwithstanding he told me what I must trust to by insisting

on the Sloop, and how favourable they were design’d to be to me, if

I would have but a little Patience ’till they could provide for me,

yet that I had refus’d their Favours, notwithstanding the Pains he

took to perswade me_; adding an egregious Falshood, (but I durst not

tell him so) _That I had petition’d and begg’d of the Company, rather

to be put in the Sloop in the Condition he now propos’d for me, and

that therefore, according to my Desire, it should be so; and he hoped

it could never be reckon’d Cruelty in them to give a Person his free

Choice. And, Gentlemen_, says he, _we have had a great many more Words

about this Matter already, than ever we had in the like Case before;

but I hope you all have so much Value and Respect for one another, and

for the general Peace, as that we shall have no more Debate on this

Head, but determine at once the Time when he is to be discharg’d, the

Manner of it being already settled by the major Part, and I as your

Quarter-master, as my Office requires, will see it executed, and,

perhaps, in a more favourable Manner than at first I design’d, or he

really deserves at mine or your Hands either; but let that rest there_.

“Then Capt. _Loe_ said, _Mr._ Russel _hath spoke to you, Gentlemen, his

Sentiments, which, in the main, are reasonable and true, and I am glad

he is reconcil’d to the Master of the Sloop before their parting; and,

I cannot say, but I always believ’d_ Jack Russel _to be a Man of so

much Sense, as well as Good-nature, that he would scorn to take Revenge

on one whose Condition render’d him uncapable of helping himself. And I

think, Gentlemen, we may discharge him as soon as you please, and this

Afternoon, if you are all agreed to it._ They all said _Ay_. Upon which

_Russel_ told them, it should be done that Afternoon; telling _Loe_,

_That after Dinner he would take me on Board the Scooner with him, and,

from thence, send me on Board the Sloop, and see what could be done for

me_.

“Some of _Loe’s_ Company said, _They would look out some Things, and

give me along with me when I was going away_; but _Russel_ told them,

_they should not, for he would toss them all into_ Davy Jones’s Locker

_if they did; for I was the Scooner’s Prize, and she had all my Cargo

and Plunder on Board of her, and therefore what was given to me should

be given to me out of her_: And turning to me said, _Well, Master, I

will this Evening put you on Board your own Sloop, and will be a better

Friend to you, perhaps, than them that pretended a great deal more;

but I am above being led by Passion_, &c. They all din’d on Board of

_Loe_, who, after Dinner, order’d a Bowl of Punch to be made in the

great Silver Bowl, and set a Dozen of Claret on the Table, and that

they said was for me to take my Leave of them, and part Sailor-like.

I thank’d them; so they drank round to my good Success, and then to

their own fortunate Proceedings and good Success; and _Loe_ told me,

_He wish’d me very well, and hoped to meet with me again, at some Time

when they had a good Prize of rich Goods, and he would not fail to make

me a Retaliation with good Advantage for my present Loss_. And they all

present said, _I need not fear meeting with a Friend, whenever I met

with them again_.

“About duskish, they began to prepare to go on Board their Ships, and

I took my Leave of Capt. _Loe_, and all his Ship’s Company, and in

particular of the three Men, who, I believe, were my hearty Friends,

and return’d them all Thanks for their Kindness, as well as good

Humour, shew’d to me since my first coming on Board of them. I also

took my Leave of Capt. _Spriggs_, and those of his Company who were

present, wish’d me well, but not one of them, I believe, dar’d to give

me any Lumber with me, nor durst I have accepted of it had they offer’d

it, for Fear of angering my but newly and seemingly reconcil’d Enemy,

who, in all Likelihood, would have taken from me whatever they would

have given me: And for that Reason I believe it was, that none of them

offer’d to give me a Farthing, notwithstanding all their Professions of

Kindness to me; tho’ this Generosity is very usual with them, to People

that they profess much less Favour for, than they did to me.

“_Russel_ being ready, I was order’d to go in his Boat, which I did;

and, as soon as we were come on Board the Scooner, he order’d a Supper

to be got ready, and, in the mean Time, there was a Bowl of Punch made,

and some Wine set on the Table. _Russel_ invited me down into the

Cabbin, as also all his Officers, and we drank and smoak’d ’till Supper

was brought, and then he told me I was very welcome, and bid me eat

and drink heartily; _For_, he said, _I had as tedious a Voyage to go

through, as_ Elijah’s _forty Days Journey was to Mount_ Horeb, _and, as

far as he knew, without a Miracle, it must only be by the Strength of

what I eat now; for I should have neither Eatables nor Drinkables with

me in the Sloop_.

“I told him, _I hoped not so_: He rapt out a great Oath, _That I should

find it certainly true_. I told him, _That rather than be put on Board

the Sloop, in that Manner, where there was no Possibility to escape

perishing, without a Miracle, I would submit to tarry on Board, ’till

an Opportunity offer’d to put me ashore where they pleas’d; or would

yield to any Thing else they should think fit to do with me, excepting

to enter into their Service_.

“He said, _It was once in my Power to have been my own Friend; but my

slighting their proffer’d Favours, and my own chusing what I now must

certainly accept, had render’d me uncapable of any other Choice; and

that therefore all Apologies were but in vain; and he thought he shew’d

himself more my Friend than I could well expect, or than I had deserv’d

at his Hands, having caused him to have a great deal of Difference with

the Company more than ever he had in his Life before, or ever should

have again, he hoped_.

“I told him, _I was very sorry that I was so unfortunate as to be the

unhappy Occasion of it; but could from my Heart aver, that it was not

only undesign’d, but also sorely against my Inclinations_; and begg’d

of him, and all the Gentlemen then present, _to consider me as an

Object rather of their Pity, than of their Revenge_.

“He told me, _All my Arguments and Perswasions now were in vain, it

being too late: I had not only refus’d their Commiseration when I was

offer’d it, but ungratefully despis’d it: Therefore_, says he, _as

I told you before, it’s in vain for you to plead any more: Your Lot

is cast, and you have nothing now to do, but to go through with your

Chance as well as you can, and fill your Belly with good Victuals and

good Drink, to strengthen you to hold it as long as you can: It may

be, and is very probable to be, the last Meal that ever you may eat in

this World: However, perhaps, such a Conscientious Man as you would

fain seem, or it may be are, may have a supernatural, or, at least, a

natural Means wrought by a supernatural Power, in a miraculous Manner,

to deliver you. However, I cannot say but I pity the two Boys, and have

a great Mind to take them on Board, and let the miraculous Deliverance

be wrought on you alone_.

“The Master and Gunner said, _They heard the Boys say, they were

willing to take their Chance with their Master, let it be what it

would. Nay, then_, says _Russel_, _it’s fit they should. I suppose

their Master has made them as religious and as conscientious as

himself. However, Master_, says _Russel_, (speaking to me) _I would

have you eat and drink heartily, and talk no more about changing your

allotted Chance; because, as I told you before, it is all in vain;

besides, it may be a Means of Provocation to serve you worse_.

“_Gentlemen_, says I, _I have done: I will say no more; you can do no

more than God is pleas’d to permit you; and I own, for that Reason, I

ought to take it patiently_.

“_Well, well_, says _Russel_, _if it be done by God’s Permission, you

need not fear that he will permit any Thing hurtful to befall so good a

Man as you are_.

“About ten a-Clock at Night, he order’d to call the Sloop’s Boat, which

was brought by some of the Pirates of his own Clan, who were station’d

on Board of her, and ask’d them, _If they had done as he had order’d

them_, viz. _to clear the Sloop of every Thing_? And they said _Yes_,

raping out a great Oath or two, adding, _She had nothing on Board

except Ballast and Water. Z--ds_, said _Russel_, _did not I bid you

have all the Casks that had Water in them on Board? So we did_, said

they; _but the Water that we spoke of was Salt-water, leak’d in by the

Vessel, and is now above the Ballast; for we have not pump’d her we do

not know when_.

“Said _Russel_, _Have you brought away the Sails I told you of?_ They

said, _All but the Mainsail that was bent, for the other old Mainsail

that he had order’d to be left, was good for nothing but to cut up for

Parceling, and hardly for that, it was so rotten; besides, it was so

torn, that it could not be brought too, and was past mending, and for

that Reason they let it lie, and would not unbend the other Mainsail_.

“_Z--ds_, says _Russel_, _we must have it, for I want it to make us a

Mainsail. D--n it_, said the Men, _then you must turn the Man adrift in

the Sloop without a Mainsail_.

“_Pish_, said _Russel_, _the same miraculous Power that is to bring him

Provisions, can also bring him a Sail_.

“_What a Devil, is he a Conjurer?_ said one of them.

“_No, no_, says _Russel_, _but he expects Miracles to be wrought for

him, or he never would have chosen what he hath_.

“_Nay, nay_, said they, _if he be such a one, he will do well enough;

but I doubt_, says one of them, _he will fall short of his Expectation;

for if he be such a mighty Conjurer, how the Devil was it that he did

not conjure himself clear of us?_

“_Pish_, said another, _it may be his conjuring Books were shut up. Ay,

but_, said another, _now we have hove all his Conjuration Books over

Board, I doubt he will be hard put to it to find them again_.

“_Come, come_, says the Gunner, _Gentlemen, the poor Man is like to go

through Hardship enough, and very probably may perish; yet it is not

impossible but he may meet with some Ship, or other timely Succour,

to prevent his perishing, and I heartily wish he may; but however,

you ought not to add Affliction to the Afflicted; You have sentenc’d

him to a very dangerous Chance, which I think is sufficient to stop

your Mouths from making a Droll and Game of him. I would have you

consider_, added he, _if any of you were at_ Tyburn, _or any other

Place to be executed, as many better and stouter Men than some of you,

have been, and the Spectators, or_ Jack Catch _should make a Droll and

May-game of you, you would think them a very hard-hearted, as well as

an inconsiderate Sort of People: And pray, Gentlemen, consider the

Sentence which you are now going to execute on this poor Man, will

be as bad, or rather worse, than one of our Cases would be there;

because, unless Providence stand his Friend in an extraordinary Manner,

his Death must as certainly ensue or be the Consequence of this your

Sentence, as it would there be to any of us by the Sentence of a Judge,

and so much the more miserable, by how much it is more lingering_.

“_Damn it_, said _Russel_, _we have had enough, and too much of this

already_.

“_Ay_, said the Gunner, _and take Care_, Russel, _you have not this

to answer for one Day, when perhaps you will then, but too late, wish

you had never done it. But you have got the Company’s Assent in this,

I cannot tell how, and therefore I shall say no more, only that I,

as I believe most of the Company, came here to get Money, but not to

kill, except in Fight, and not in cold Blood, or for private Revenge.

And I tell you_, John Russel, _if ever such Cases as these be any more

practis’d, my Endeavour shall be to leave this Company as soon as I

possibly can_.

“To which _Russel_ said nothing in Answer; but bid the Men that came on

Board in the Boat, to leave the Sloop’s Boat on Board the Scooner, and

take the Scooner’s Boat with them on Board the Sloop; and, as soon as

they saw the Lights upon Deck on Board the Scooner, to come away from

the Sloop with the Scooner’s Boat, and bring the Master of the Sloop’s

biggest Boy with them; and to take their Hands out of the Sloop’s

Boat, and put the Master’s Boy on Board of the Sloop’s Boat with his

Master, and let them go on Board themselves with their Boat, and to be

sure to bring the Sloop’s Mainsail with them, and also the Mate of the

Sloop. All which they said they would do; so away they went; and then

_Russel_ told me, _He would give me something with me to remember him_;

which was an old Musket, and a Cartridge of Powder, but for what Reason

he made me that Present, I cannot tell; and then order’d the Candles

to be lighted in the Lanthorns and carry’d upon Deck, and order’d two

Hands to step into the Sloop’s Boat to carry me away, and to execute

his former Orders; and then shaking Hands with me, he wish’d me a good

Voyage. I told him I hoped I should. The Gunner, Master, and several

of the Crew, shook Hands with me also, and heartily wish’d me Success,

and hoped I should meet with a speedy and safe Deliverance. I thank’d

them for their good Wishes; and told them I was now forc’d into a

Necessity of going through it, whether I would or not; but thank’d God

I was very easy at present, not doubting in God’s Mercy to me, tho’ I

was not deserving of it: And that if I was permitted to perish, I knew

the worst; and doubted not but he would graciously pardon my Sins, and

receive me to his Everlasting Rest; and, in this Respect, what they had

intended for my Misfortune, would be the Beginning of my Happiness;

and that in the mean Time, I had nothing to do but to resign myself to

his blessed Will and Protection, and bear my Lot with Patience. And so

bidding them farewell, I went over the Side into the Boat, which was

directly put off; and about half Way between the Scooner and Sloop, we

met the Scooner’s Boat, and, according to their Orders from _Russel_,

they put my Boy on Board of me, and so put away again to get on Board

their own Vessel.

“After their Boat put away from us, I thought I heard the Voice of my

Mate, but was not certain, because he spoke so low, his Conscience

checking him, I suppose, for his leaving me so basely. I call’d to

him, and said Arthur, _what are you going to leave me?_ He answer’d,

_Ay_. _What_, said I, _do you do it voluntary, or are you forc’d?_ He

answer’d faintly, _I am forc’d, I think_. I said, _It was very well_.

He call’d to me again, and said, _He would desire me to write to his

Brother, and give him an Account where he was, if ever I should have

an Opportunity_. I told him, _I did not know where his Brother liv’d_.

He called and said, _He liv’d in_ Carlingford. I told him, _I did not

know where that was_. He said, _It was in_ Ireland. _Why_, said I, _you

told me in_ Barbadoes that you was a Scotchman, _and that all your

Friends liv’d in_ Scotland. But he made me no further Answer; but away

they row’d towards their Vessel, and I towards the Sloop, and it being

a very dark, as well as a close Night, it was as much as ever I could

do to see her; this being the last Time that I spoke to, or saw any of

them, nor do I ever more desire to see them, except at some Place of

Execution.”

FOOTNOTES

[109] _The Four Voyages of Capt. George Roberts ... written by

Himself_, London, 1726.