Part 11
_White_ was marked out for a Sacrifice by one of these Villains, who, for I know not what Reason, had sworn his Death, which he escaped thus. One of the Crew, who had a Friendship for _White_, knew this Fellow's Design, to kill him in the Night, and therefore advised him to lye between him and the Ship's Side, with Intention to save him; which indeed he did, but was himself shot dead by the murderous Villain, who mistook him for _White_; but this by the Bye.
After some Time cruizing along the Coast, the Pyrates doubled the _Cape_ of _Good Hope_, and shaped their Course for _Madagascar_, where, being drunk and mad, they knock'd their Ship on the Head, at the _South_ End of the Island, at a Place called by the Natives _Elexa_; the Country thereabouts was governed by a King, named _Mafaly_.
When the Ship struck, Captain _White_, Captain _Boreman_, (born in the Isle of _White_, formerly a Lieutenant of a Man of War, but in the Merchants Service when he fell into the Hands of the Pyrates) Captain _Bowen_ and some other Prisoners got to the Long-Boat, and with broken Oars and Barrel Staves, which they found in the Bottom of the Boat, paddled to _Augustine_ Bay; that is about 14 or 15 Leagues from the Wreck where they landed, and were kindly received by the King of _Bavaw_ (the Name of that Part of the Island) who spoke good _English_.
They staid here a Year and a half at the King's Expence, who gave them a plentiful Allowance of Provision, as was his Custom to all White Men, who met with any Misfortune on his Coast; his Humanity not only provided for all such, but the first _European_ Vessel that came in, he always obliged them to take in the unfortunate People, let the Vessel be what it would; for he had no Notion of any Difference between Pyrates and Merchants.
At the Expiration of the above Term, a Pyrate Brigantine came in, aboard which the King obliged them to enter, or travel by Land to some other Place, which they durst not do; and of two Evils chose the least, that of going on board the Pyrate Vessel, which was commanded by one _William Read_, who received them very civilly.
This Commander went along the Coast, and pick'd up what _Europeans_ he could meet with; his Crew however did not exceed forty Men, he would have been glad of taking on board some of the wreck'd _Frenchmen_, but for the Barbarity they had used towards the _English_ Prisoners; however, it was impracticable, for the _French_ pretending to lord it over the Natives, whom they began to treat inhumanly, were set upon by them, one half of their Number cut off, and the other half made Slaves.
_Read_, with this Gang, and a Brigantine of 60 Tons, steer'd his Course for the Gulf of _Persia_, where they met a Grabb (a one masted Vessel) of about 200 Tons, which was made Prize.
They found nothing on board but Bale Goods, most of which they threw over-board to search for Gold, and to make Room in the Vessel; but as they learned afterwards, they threw over in their Search, what they so greedily hunted after, for there was a considerable Quantity of Gold concealed in one of the Bales they toss'd into the Sea.
In this Cruise Captain _Read_ fell ill and died; he was succeeded by one _James_. The Brigantine being small, crazy, and worm eaten, they shaped their Course for the Island of _Mayotta_, where they took out the Masts of the Brigantine, fitted up the Grabb, and made a Ship of her: Here they took in a Quantity of fresh Provision, which is in this Island very plentiful, and very cheap; and found a twelve oar'd Boat, which formerly belonged to the _Ruby East India_ Man, which had been lost there.
They staid here all the Monsoon Time, which is about six Months; after which they resolved for _Madagascar_. As they came in with the Land, they spied a Sail coming round from the _East_ Side of the Island; they gave Chase on both Sides, so that they soon met: They haled each other, and receiving the same Answer from each Vessel, _viz._ _from the Seas_, they joined Company.
This Vessel was a small _French_ Ship, laden with Liquors from _Martinico_, first commanded by one _Fourgette_, to trade with the Pyrates for Slaves, at _Ambonawoula_, on the _East_ Side the Island, in the Lat. of 17. 30. and was by them taken after the following Manner.
The Pyrates, who were headed by _George Booth_, Commander of the Ship, went on board (as they had often done) to the Number of ten, and carried Money with them under Pretence of purchasing what they wanted. (This _Booth_ had formerly been Gunner of a Pyrate Ship, called the _Dolphin_.) Captain _Fourgette_ was pretty much upon his Guard, and searched every Man as he came over the Side, and a Pair of Pocket Pistols were found upon a _Dutchman_, who was the first enter'd; the Captain told him, _he was a Rogue, and had a Design upon his Ship_, and the Pyrates pretended to be so angry with this Fellow's offering to come on board with Arms, that they threatned to knock on the Head, and tossing him roughly into the Boat, ordered him ashore, tho' they had before taken an Oath on the Bible, either to carry the Ship or die in the Undertaking.
They were all searched, but they however contrived to get on board 4 Pistols, which were all the Arms they had for the Enterprize, tho' _Fourgette_ had 20 Hands on board, and his small Arms on the Arning to be in Readiness.
The Captain invited them into the Cabbin to Dinner, but _Booth_ chose to dine with the petty Officers, tho' one _Johnson_, _Isaac_, and another, went down.
_Booth_ was to give the Watch Word, which was _Hurrah_; he pretending to make Water over the Side of the Gunnel, laid his Hand on the Arning, and being a nimble Fellow, at one Spring threw himself upon it, drew the Arms to him, fired his Pistol forward among the Men, one of whom he wounded, (who jumping over-board was lost) and gave the Signal.
Three I said were in the Cabbin, and seven upon Deck, who with Handspikes and the Arms seized, secured the Ship's Crew. The Captain and his two Mates, who were at Dinner in the Cabbin, hearing the Pistol, fell upon _Johnson_, and stabb'd him in several Places with their Forks, but they being Silver, did him no great Damage. _Fourgette_ snatch'd his Piece which he snapp'd at _Isaac_'s Breast several Times, but it would not go off; at last, finding his Resistance vain, he submitted, and the Pyrates set him, and those of his Men who would not join them, on Shore, allowing him to take his Books, Papers, and whatever else he claimed as belonging to himself; and besides treating him very humanly gave him several Casks of Liquor, with Arms and Powder, to purchase Provisions in the Country.
I hope this Digression, as it was in a Manner needful, will be excused; I shall now proceed.
After they had taken in the _Dolphin_'s Company, which were on the Island, and encreased by that Means their Crew to the Number of 80 Hands, they sail'd to St. _Mary_'s, where Captain _Misson_'s Ship lay at Anchor, between the Island and the Main: This Gentleman and his whole Ship's Company had been cut off, at the Instigation of _Ort-Vantyle_, a _Dutchman_ of _New-York_.
Out of her they took Water Casks and other Necessaries, which having done, they designed for the River _Methelage_, on the West Side _Madagascar_, in the Lat. of 16 or thereabouts, to salt up Provisions and to proceed to the _East Indies_, cruize off the Islands of St. _John_, and lie in Wait for the _Moors_ Ships from _Mocha_.
In their Way to _Methelage_ they fell in (as I have said) with the Pyrate, on board of which was Captain _White_; they join'd Company, came to an Anchor together in the above-nam'd River, where they had cleaned, salted up, taken in their Provisions, and were ready to go to Sea, when a large Ship appeared in Sight, and stood into the same River.
The Pyrates knew not whether she was a Merchant Man or Man of War; she had been the latter, belonging to the _French_ King, and could mount 50 Guns; but being taken by the _English_, she was bought by some _London_ Merchants, and fitted out from that Port, to slave at _Madagascar_, and go to _Jamaica_. The Captain was a young unexperienced Man, who was put in with a Nurse.
The Pyrates sent their Boats to speak with him, but the Ship firing at them, they concluded it a Man of War, and rowed to Shore, the two Pyrates slipp'd and run ashore; the Grabb standing in, and not keeping her Wind so well as the _French_ built Ship, run among a Parcel of Mangroves, and a Stump piercing her Bottom, she sunk; the other run aground, let go her Anchor, and came to no Damage, for the Tide of Flood fetch'd her off.
The Captain of the _Speaker_, for that was the Name of the Ship which frighten'd the Pyrates, was not a little vain of having forced these two Vessels ashore, tho' he did not know whether they were Pyrates or Merchant Men, and could not help expressing himself in these Words; _How will my Name ring on the_ Exchange, _when it is known I have run two Pyrates aground_, which gave Handle to a satyrical Return from one of his Men after he was taken, who said, _Lord, How our Captain's Name will ring on the_ Exchange, _when it is heard, he frighten'd two Pyrate Ships ashore, and was taken by their two Boats afterwards_.
When the _Speaker_ came within Shot, she fired several at the two Vessels; and when she came to an Anchor, several more into the Country, which alarm'd the Negroes, who, acquainting their King, he would allow him no Trade, till the Pyrates living ashore, and who had a Design on his Ship, interceded for 'em, telling the King, they were their Countrymen, and what had happened was thro' a Mistake, it being a Custom among them to fire their Guns by Way of Respect, and it was owing to the Gunner of the Ship's Negligence, that they fir'd Shot.
The Captain of the _Speaker_ sent his Purser ashore, to go up the Country to the King, who lived about 24 Miles from the Coast, to carry a couple of small Arms inlaid with Gold, a couple of Brass Blunderbusses, and a Pair of Pistols, as Presents, and to require Trade.
As soon as the Purser was ashore, he was taken Prisoner, by one _Tom Collins_, a _Welchman_, born in _Pembroke_, who lived on Shore, and had belong'd to the _Charming Mary_ of _Barbadoes_, which went out with a Commission, but was converted to a Pyrate; he told the Purser, he was his Prisoner, and must answer the Damage done two Merchants, who were slaving.
The Purser answer'd, that he was not Commander, that the Captain was a hot rash Youth, put into a Business by his Friends, which he did not understand; but however, Satisfaction should be made.
He was carried by _Collins_ on board _Booth_'s Ship, where, at first, he was talked to in pretty strong Terms; but after a while very civilly us'd, and the next Morning sent up to the King with a Guide, and Peace made for him, as already said.
The King allowed them Trade, and sent down the usual Presents, a couple of Oxen, between 20 and 30 People laden with Rice, and as many more with the Country Liquor, called _Toke_.
The Captain then settled the Factory on the Shore Side, and began to buy Slaves and Provisions; the Pyrates were among them, and had Opportunities of sounding the Men, and knowing in what Posture the Ship lay. They found by one _Hugh Man_, belonging to the _Speaker_, that there were not above 40 Men on board, and that they had lost the second Mate and 20 Hands in the Long Boat, on the Coast, before they came into this Harbour, but that they kept a good Look-out, and had their Guns ready primed; however, he, for a hundred Pounds, undertook to wet all the Priming, and assist in the taking the Ship.
After some Days the Captain of the _Speaker_ came on Shore, and was received with a great Deal of Civility by the Heads of the Pyrates, having agreed before to make Satisfaction; in a Day or two after, he was invited by them to eat a Barbacute Shoot, which Invitation he accepted.
After Dinner, Captain _Bowen_, who was, I have already said, a Prisoner on board the _French_ Pyrate, but now become one of the Fraternity, and Master of the _Grab_, went out, and returned with a Case of Pistols in his Hand, and told the Captain of the _Speaker_, whose Name I won't mention, that he was his Prisoner; he asked, upon what Account? _Bowen_ answered, they wanted a Ship, his was a good One, and they were resolved to have her, to make amends for the Damage he had done them.
In the mean while his Boats Crew, and the rest of his Men ashore, were told by other of the Pyrates, who were drinking with them, that they were also Prisoners; some of them answer'd, _Z--ds, we don't trouble our Heads what we are, let's have t'other Bowl of Punch_.
A Watch Word was given, and no Boat to be admitted on board the Ship; this Word, which was for that Night, _Coventry_, was known to them: At Eight a-Clock they mann'd the twelve-oar'd Boat, and that they found at _Mayotta_, with 24 Men, and set out for the Ship.
When they were put off, the Captain of the _Speaker_ desired them to come back, he wanted to speak with them; Captain _Booth_ asked, what he wanted? He said, they could never take his Ship, then said _Booth_, we'll die in or along Side of her; but replied the Captain, if you will go with Safety, don't board on the Lar-board Side, for there is a Gun out of the Steerage loaden with Patridge, will clear the Decks; they thank'd him, and proceeded.
When they were near the Ship they were haled, and the Answer was, _the Coventry_; all well, said the Mate, get the Lights over the Side, but spying the second Boat, he asked what Boat that was? one answered, it was a Raft of Water, another, that it was a Boat of Beef; this Disagreement in the Answers made the Mate suspicious, who cried out _Pyrates, take to your Arms my Lads_, and immediately clapp'd a Match to a Gun, which, as the Priming was before wet by the Treachery of _Hugh Man_, only fizz'd; they boarded in the Instant, and made themselves Masters of her, without the Loss of a Man on either Side.
The next Day they put necessary Provisions on board the _French_ built Ship, and gave her to the Captain of the _Speaker_, and those Men who would go off with him, among whom was _Man_, who had betray'd his Ship; for the Pyrates had both paid him the 100 l. agreed, and kept his Secret. The Captain having thus lost his Ship, sail'd in that the Pyrates gave him, for _Johanna_, where he fell ill and died with Grief.
The Pyrates having here victualled, they sail'd for the Bay of St. _Augustine_, where they took in between 70 and 80 Men, who had belonged to the Ship _Alexander_, commanded by Captain _James_, a Pyrate; they also took up her Guns, and mounted the _Speaker_ with 54, which made up their Number 240 Men besides Slaves, of which they had about 20.
From hence they sailed for the _East Indies_, but stopp'd at _Zanguebar_ for fresh Provisions, where the _Portuguese_ had once a Settlement, but now inhabited by _Arabians_; some of them went ashore with the Captain to buy Provisions, the Captain was sent for by the Governor, who went with about 14 in Company: They past thro' the Guard, and when they were entered the Governor's House, they were all cut off; and, at the same Time, others who were in different Houses of the Town were set upon, which made them fly to the Shore; the Long-Boat, which lay off at a Grapling, was immediately put in by those who look'd after her: There were not above half a dozen of the Pyrates who brought their Arms ashore, but they plyed them so well, for they were in the Boat, that most of the Men got into her, the Quarter-Master ran down Sword in Hand, and tho' he was attack'd by many, he behaved himself so well, that he got into a little Canoe, put her off and reached the Long-Boat.
In the Interim, the little Fort the _Arabians_ had, play'd upon the Ship, which returned the Salute very warmly. Thus they got on board, with the Loss of Captain _Booth_ and twenty Men, and set Sail for the _East-Indies_.
When they were under Sail, they went to Voting for a new Captain, and the Quarter-Master, who had behaved so well in the last Affair with the _Arabians_, was chosen; but he declining all Command, the Crew made Choice of _Bowen_ for Captain, _Pickering_ to succeed him as Master, _Samuel Herault_, a _Frenchman_, for Quarter-Master, and _Nathaniel North_, for Captain Quarter-Master.
Things being thus settled, they came to the Mouth of the _Red Sea_, and fell in with 13 Sail of _Moors_ Ships, which they kept Company with the greater Part of the Day, but were afraid to venture on them as they took them for _Portuguese_ Men of War; at length part were for boarding, and advised it, the Captain, tho' he said little, did not seem inclin'd, for he was but a young Pyrate, tho' an old Commander of a Merchant Man.
Those who push'd for boarding then, desired Captain _Boreman_, already mentioned, to take the Command; but he said, he would not usurp on any, that no Body was more fit for it than he who had it, that for his Part, he would stand by his Fusil and went forward to the Forecastle with such as would have had him taken the Command, to be ready to board; on which, the Captain's Quarter-Master said, if they were resolved to engage their Captain, (whose Representative he was) did not want Resolution, therefore, he ordered them to get their Tacks on board (for they had already made a clear Ship) and get ready for boarding; which they accordingly did, and coming up with the sternmost Ship, they fired a Broadside into her, which killed two _Moors_, clapp'd her on board and carried her; but Night coming on, they made only this Prize, which yielded them 500 l. _per_ Man.
From hence they sailed to the Coast of _Mallabar_; the Adventures of these Pyrates on this Coast are already set down in Captain _Bowen_'s Life, to which I refer the Reader, and shall only observe, Captain _White_ was all this while afore the Mast, being a forced Man from the Beginning.
_Bowen_'s Crew dispersing, Captain _White_ went to _Methelage_, where he lived ashore with the King, not having any Opportunity of getting off the Island, till another Pyrate Ship, called the _Prosperous_, commanded by one _Thomas Howard_, who had been bred a Lighterman on the River of _Thames_, came in: This Ship was taken at _Augustine_, by some Pyrates from Shore, and the Crew of their own Long-Boat, which join'd them, at the Instigation of one _Ranten_, Boatswain's Mate, who was sent for Water. They came on board in the Night and surprized her, tho' not without Resistance, in which the Captain and chief Mate was killed, and several others wounded, the Particulars of which will be found in _Hore_'s Life. Those who were ashore with Captain _White_, resolving to enter in this Ship, determined him to go also, rather than be left alone with the Natives, hoping, by some Accident or other, to have an Opportunity of returning home. He continu'd on board this Ship, in which he was made Quarter-Master, till they met with, and all went on board of _Bowen_, as is set down in his Life, in which Ship he continued after _Bowen_ left them, as shall be mentioned in the Appendix. At _Port Dolphin_ he went off in the Boat to fetch some of the Crew left ashoar, the Ship being blown to Sea the Night before. The Ship not being able to get in, and he supposing her gone to the West-Side of the Island, as they had formerly proposed, he steered that Course in his Boat with 26 Men. They touch'd at _Augustine_ expecting the Ship, but she not appearing in a Week, the Time they waited, the King order'd 'em to be gone, telling 'em they impos'd on him with Lies, for he did not believe they had any Ship; however, he gave 'em fresh Provision. They took in Water, and made for _Methelage_. Here, as Captain _White_ was known to the King, they were kindly received, and staid about a Fortnight in Expectation of their Ship, but she not appearing, they raised their Boat a-streak, salted up the Provisions the King gave 'em, put Water aboard, and stood for the North-End of the Island, designing to go round, believing their Ship might be at the Island of St. _Mary_. When they came to the North-End, the Current, which sets to the North-West for eight Months in the Year, was so strong they found it impossible to get round. Wherefore they got into a Harbour, of which there are many for small Vessels. Here they staid about three Weeks or a Month, when part of the Crew were for burning the Boat, and for travelling over Land to a black King of their Acquaintance, whose Name was _Reberimbo_, who lived at a Place called _Manangaromasigh_, in the Latitude of 15, or thereabouts. As this King had been several times assisted by the Whites in his Wars, he was a great Friend to them. Captain _White_ disswaded them from this Undertaking, and, with much ado, saved the Boat; but one half of the Men being resolved to go by Land, they took what Provisions they thought necessary, and set out, Captain _White_, and those who staid with him, convoy'd 'em a Day's Journey, and then returning, he got into the Boat with his Companions, and went back to _Methelage_, fearing these Men might return, prevail with the rest, and burn the Boat.
Here he built a Deck on his Boat, and lay by three Months, in which Time there came in three Pyrates with a Boat, who had formerly been trepann'd on board the _Severn_ and _Scarborough_ Men of War, which had been looking for Pyrates on the East-Side; from which Ships they made their escape at _Mohila_, in a small Canoe to _Johanna_, and from _Johanna_ to _Mayotta_, where the King built 'em the Boat which brought 'em to _Methelage_. The Time of the Current's setting with Violence to the North-West being over, they proceeded together in _White_'s Boat (burning that of _Mayotta_) to the North-End, where the Current running yet too strong to get round, they went into a Harbour and staid there a Month, maintaining themselves with Fish and wild Hog, of which there was great Plenty. At length, having a Slatch of fine Weather, and the Strength of the Current abating, they got round; and after sailing about 40 Mile on the East-Side, they went into a Harbour, where they found a Piece of a Jacket, which they knew belong'd to one of those Men who had left 'em to go over Land; he had been a forced Man, and a Ship Carpenter; this they supposed he had torn to wrap round his Feet, that Part of the Country being barren and rocky. As they sailed along this Coast, they came to an Anchor in convenient Harbours every Night, till they got as far as _Manangaromasigh_ where King _Reberimbo_ resided, where they went in to enquire for their Men, who left 'em at the North-End, and to recruit with Provisions. The latter was given 'em, but they could have no Information of their Companions.
From hence they went to the Island of St. _Mary_, where a Canoe came off to 'em with a Letter directed to any white Man. They knew it to be the Hand of one of their former Ship-Mates. The Contents of this Letter was to advise 'em to be on their Guard, and not trust too much to the Blacks of this Place, they having been formerly treacherous. They enquired after their Ship, and was inform'd, that the Company had given her to the _Moors_, who were gone away with her, and that they themselves were settled at _Ambonavoula_, about 20 Leagues to the Southward of St. _Mary_, where they lived among the Negroes as so many sovereign Princes.
One of the Blacks, who brought off the Letter, went on board their Boat, carried them to the Place called _Olumbah_, a Point of Land made by a River on one Side, and the Sea on the other, where twelve of 'em lived together in a large House they had built, and fortified with about 20 Pieces of Canon.