Part 12
The rest of them were settled in small Companies of about 12 or 14 together, more or less, up the said River, and along the Coast, every Nation by it self, as the _English_, _French_, _Dutch_, _&c._ They made Enquiry of their Consorts after the Shares of Prizes which belong'd to them, and they found all very justly laid by to be given them, if ever they return'd, as were what belong'd to the Men who went over Land. Captain _White_ hankering after home, proposed going out again in the Boat; for he was averse to settling with them; and many others agreed to go under his Command; and if they could not meet with a Ship to carry them to _Europe_, to follow their old Vocation. But the others did not think it reasonable he should have the Boat, but that it should be set to Sale for the Benefit of the Company. Accordingly it was set up, and Captain _White_ bought it for 400 Pieces of Eight, and with some of his old Consorts, whose Number was increas'd by others of the Ship's Crew, he went back the Way he had come, to _Methelage_: Here he met with a _French_ Ship of about 50 Tuns and 6 Guns; she had been taken by some Pyrates who lived at _Maratan_, on the East-Side of the Island, and some of the _Degrave East-India_ Man's Crew, to whom the Master of her refused a Passage to _Europe_; for as he had himself been a Pyrate and Quarter-Master to _Bowen_ in the _Speaker_, he apprehended their taking away his Ship, War being then between _England_ and _France_, he thought they might do it without being called in question as Pyrates. The Pyrates who had been concerned in taking _Herault_'s Ship, for that was his Name, had gone up the Country, and left her to the Men belonging to the _Degrave_, who had fitted her up, clean'd and tallow'd her, and got in some Provision, with a Design to go to the _East-Indies_, that they might light on some Ship to return to their own Country.
Captain _White_ finding these Men proposed their joining him, and going round to _Ambonavoula_, to make up a Company, which they agreed to, and unanimously chose him Commander. They accordingly put to Sea, and stood away round the South End of the Island, and touch'd at _Don Mascarena_, where he took in a Surgeon, and stretching over again to _Madagascar_, fell in with _Ambonavoula_, and made up his Complement 60 Men. From hence he shaped his Course for the Island of _Mayotta_, where he cleaned his Ship, and staid for the Season to go into the _Red Seas_: His Provisions being taken in, the Time proper, and the Ship well fitted, he steer'd for _Babelmandel_, and running into a Harbour waited for the _Mocha_ Ships.
He here took two Grabs laden with Provision, and having some small Money and Drugs aboard; these he plunder'd of what was for his Turn, kept 'em a Fortnight by him, and then let them go. Soon after they spied a tall Ship, upon which they put to Sea; but finding her _Europe_ built, and too strong to attempt, for it was a _Dutch_ Man, they gave over the Chace, and were glad to shake him off, and return to their Station. Fancying they were here discover'd, from the Coast of _Arabia_, or that the Grabs had given Information of them, they stood over for the _Ethiopian_ Shore, keeping a good look out for the _Mocha_ Ships.
Few Days after they met with a large Ship of about 1000 Tuns and 600 Men, called the _Malabar_, which they chased, kept Company with all Night, and took in the Morning, with the Loss only of their Boatswain, and two or three Men wounded. In the taking this Ship they damaged their own so much, by springing their Foremast, carrying away their Bowsprit, and beating in part of their upper Works, that they did not think her longer fit for their Use, therefore filled her with Prisoners, gave 'em Provision, and sent them away.
Some Days after this they spied a _Portuguese_ Man of War of 44 Guns, which they chased, but gave it over, by carrying away their Main-Top-Mast, so that they did not speak with her, for the _Portuguese_ took no Notice of them.
Four Days after they had left this Man of War, they fell in with a _Portuguese_ Merchant-Man, which they chased with the _English_ Colours flying, the Chace taking _White_ for an _English_ Man of War or _East-India_ Man, made no Sail to get from him, but on his coming up brought to, and sent his Boat on board with a Present of Sweet-Meats for the _English_ Captain; his Boat's Crew was detain'd, and the Pyrates getting into his Boat with their Arms, went on board, and fir'd on the _Portuguese_, who being surprizd, asked if War was broke out between _England_ and _Portugal_? They answer'd in the Affirmative, but the Captain could not believe 'em. However, they took what they liked, and kept him with them.
After two Days they met with the _Dorothy_, an _English_ Ship, Captain _Penruddock_ Commander, coming from _Mocha_. They exchanged several Shot in the Chace, but when they came a Long-side her, they entered their Men, and found no Resistance, she being navigated by _Moors_, no _Europeans_ except the Officers being on board. On a Vote they gave Captain _Penruddock_ (from whom they took a considerable Quantity of Money) the _Portuguese_ Ship and Cargoe, with what Bales he pleased to take out of his own, bid him go about his Business, and make what he could of her. As to the _English_ Ship, they kept her for their own Use.
Soon after they plunder'd the _Mallabar_ Ship, out of which they took as much Money as came to 200 l. Sterling a man, but miss'd 50000 Chequins which were hid in a Jar under a Cow's-Stall, kept for the giving Milk to the _Moor_ Supercargoe, an ancient Man. They then put the _Portuguese_ and _Moor_ Prisoners on board the _Mallabar_, and sent them about their Business. The Day after they had sent them away, one Captain _Benjamin Stacy_, in a Ketch of six Guns fell into their Hands; they took what Money he had, and what Goods and Provisions they wanted. Among the Money were 500 Dollars, a Silver Mug and two Spoons belonging to a Couple of Children on board, and under the Care of _Stacy_. The Children took on for their Loss, and the Captain asking the Reason of their Tears, was answer'd by _Stacy_, that the above Sum and Plate was all the Children had to bring them up.
Captain _White_ made a Speech to his Men, and told 'em, it was cruel to rob the innocent Children; upon which, by unanimous Consent, all was restor'd them again; besides, they made a Gathering among themselves, and made a Present to _Stacy_'s Mate, and other his inferior Officers, and about 120 Dollars to the Children; they then discharged _Stacy_ and his Crew, and made the best of their Way out of the _Red Sea_.
They came into the Bay of _Defarr_, where they found a Ketch at an Anchor, which the People had made Prize of, by seizing the Master and Boat's Crew ashoar. They found a _French_ Gentleman, one Monsieur _Berger_, on board, whom they carried with 'em, took out about 2000 Dollars, and sold the Ketch to the Chief ashoar for Provisions.
Hence they sailed for _Madagascar_, but touch'd at _Mascarena_, where several of 'em went ashoar with their Booty, about 1200 l. a Man. Here taking in fresh Provision, _White_ steer'd for _Madagascar_, and fell in with _Hopeful Point_, where they shar'd their Goods, and took up Settlements ashoar, where _White_ built a House, bought Cattle, took off the upper Deck of his Ship, and was fitting her up for the next Season. When she was near ready for Sea, Captain _John Halsey_, who had made a broken Voyage, came in with a Brigantine, which being a properer Vessel for their Turn, they desisted from working on the Ship, and who had a Mind for fresh Adventures, went on board _Halsey_, among whom Captain _White_ enter'd afore the Mast.
At his return to _Madagascar_, _White_ was taken ill of a Flux, which in about 5 or 6 Months ended his Days; finding his Time was drawing nigh, he made his Will, left several Legacies, and nam'd three Men of different Nations, Guardian to a Son he had by a Woman of the Country, requiring he might be sent to _England_ with the Money he left him, by the first _English_ Ship, to be brought up in the Christian Religion in hopes he might live a better Man than his Father. He was buried with the same Ceremony they use at the Funerals of their Companions, which is mention'd in the Account of _Halsey_. Some Years after an _English_ Ship touching there, the Guardians faithfully discharged their Trust, and put him on board with the Captain, who brought up the Boy with Care, acting by him as became a Man of Probity and Honour.
OF Captain _CONDENT_, And his CREW.
Captain _Condent_ was a _Plymouth_ Man born, but we are as yet ignorant of the Motives, and Time of his first turning Pyrate; he was one of those who thought fit to retire from _Providence_ (on Governor _Roger_'s Arrival at that Island) in a Sloop belonging to Mr. _Simpson_, of _New York_, a _Jew_ Merchant, of which Sloop he was then Quarter-Master. Soon after they left the Island, an Accident happened on board, which put the whole Crew into Consternation; they had among them an _Indian_ Man, whom some of them had beat; in revenge, he got most of the Arms forward into the Hold, and designed to blow up the Sloop. Upon which, some advised scuttling the Deck and throwing Grenade Shells down, but _Condent_ said, that was too tedious and dangerous, since the Fellow might fire thro' the Decks and kill several of them; he, therefore, taking a Pistol in one Hand, and his Cutlash in the other, leaped into the Hold; the _Indian_ discharged a Piece at him, which broke his Arm, but, however, he ran up to and shot the _Indian_. When he was dead the Crew hack'd him to Pieces, and the Gunner ripping up his Belly, tore out his Heart, broiled and eat it.
After this, they took a Merchant Man, called, the _Duke of York_; and some Disputes arising among the Pyrates, the Captain, and one half of the Company, went on board the Prize; the other half, who continued in the Sloop, chose _Condent_ Captain; he shaped his Course for the _Cape de Verd_ Islands, and in his Way, took a Merchant Ship from _Maderas_, laden with Wine, bound for the _West Indies_, which he plundered and let go; then coming to the Isle of _May_, one of the said Islands, he took the whole Salt Fleet, consisting of about 20 Sail; he wanting a Boom, took out the Mainmast of one of these Ships, to supply the Want: Here he took upon him the Administration of Justice, enquiring into the Manner of the Commander's Behaviour to their Men, and those, against whom Complaint was made, he whipp'd and pickled. He took what Provisions and other Necessaries he wanted, and having augmented his Company, by Voluntiers and forced Men, he left the Ships and sailed to St. _Jago_, where he took a _Dutch_ Ship, which had formerly been a Privateer; this prov'd also an easy Prize, for he fired but one Broadside, and clapping her on board, carried her without Resistance, for the Captain and several Men were killed, beside some wounded by his great Shot.
This Ship proving for his Purpose, he gave her the Name of the _Flying Dragon_, went on board with his Crew, and made a Present of his Sloop to a Mate of an _English_ Prize, whom he had forced with him; from hence he stood away for the Coast of _Brazil_, and in his Cruize, took several _Portuguese_ Ships, which he plundered and let go.
After these, he fell in with the _Wright_ Galley, Captain _John Spelt_, Commander, hired by the _South-Sea_ Company, to go to the Coast of _Angola_ for Slaves, and thence to _Buenos Ayres_. This Ship he detained a considerable Time, and the Captain being his Townsman, treated him very civilly; few Days after he took _Spelt_, he made Prize of a _Portuguese_, laden with Bale Goods and Stores; he new rigg'd the _Wright_ Galley, and put on board her several Goods.
Soon after he had discharged the _Portuguese_, he met with a _Dutch East-India_ Man of 26 Guns, whose Captain was kill'd the first Broadside, and took her with little Resistance, for he had hoisted the Pyrates Colours on board _Spelt_'s Ship.
He now, with three Sail, steer'd for the Island of _Ferdinando_, where he hove down and clean'd the _Flying Dragon_; having careen'd, he put 11 _Dutchmen_ on board Captain _Spelt_, to make Amends for the Hands he had forced from him, and sent him away, making him a Present of the Goods he took from the _Portuguese_ Ship. When he sail'd himself, he ordered the _Dutch_ to stay at _Ferdinando_ 24 Hours after his Departure; threatning, if he did not comply, to sink his Ship; if he fell a second Time into his Hands, and to put all the Company to the Sword. He then stood for the Coast of _Brazil_, where he met a _Portuguese_ Man of War of 70 Guns, which he came up with; the _Portuguese_ hal'd him, and he answer'd, _from London_, bound for _Buenos Ayres_: The _Portuguese_ mann'd his Shrouds and chear'd him, when _Condent_ fired a Broadside and a Volley of small Arms, which began a smart Engagement for the Space of 3 Glasses; but _Condent_ finding himself over-match'd, made the best of his Way, and, being the better Sailor, got off.
Few Days after he took a Vessel of the same Nation, who gave an Account, that he had killed above 40 Men in the _Guarda del Costa_, beside a Number wounded; he kept along the Coast to the Southward, and took a _French_ Ship of 18 Guns, laden with Wine and Brandy, bound for the _South-Sea_, which he carried with him into the River of _Plate_. He sent some of his Men ashore to kill some wild Cattle, but they were taken by the Crew of a _Spanish_ Man of War; on their Examination before the Captain, they said they were two _Guiney_ Ships, with Slaves belonging to the _South-Sea_ Company, and on this Story were allowed to return to their Boats: Here five of his forced Men ran away with his Canoe, he plundered the _French_ Ship, cut her adrift, and she was stranded. He proceeded along the _Brazil_ Coast, and hearing a Pyrate Ship was lost upon it, and the Pyrates imprisoned, he used all the _Portuguese_, who fell into his Hands, who were many, very barbarously, cutting off their Ears and Noses; and as his Master was a Papist, when they took a Priest, they made him say Mass at the Main-mast, and would afterwards get on his Back and ride him about the Decks, or else load and drive him like a Beast. He from this went to the _Guiney_ Coast, and took Captain _Hill_ in the _Indian Queen_.
In _Luengo_ Bay he saw two Ships at Anchor, one a _Dutchman_ of 44 Guns, the other an _English_ Ship, called the _Fame_, Captain _Bowen_, Commander; they both cut and ran ashore, the _Fame_ was lost, but the _Dutch_ Ship, the Pyrate, got off and took with him. When he was at Sea again he discharged Captain _Hill_, and stood away for the _East-Indies_. Near the Cape he took an _Ostend East-India_ Man, of which Mr. _Nash_, a noted Merchant in _London_, was Supercargo. Soon after he took a _Dutch East-India_ Man, discharged the _Ostender_, and made for _Madagascar_; at the Isle of St. _Mary_, he met with some of Captain _Halsey_'s Crew, whom he took on board with other Stragglers, and shaped his Course for the _East-Indies_, and in the Way, at the Island of _Johanna_, took, in Company of two other Pyrates he met at St. _Mary_'s, the _Cassandra East-India_ Man, commanded by Captain _James Macragh_; he continued his Course for the _East-Indies_, where he made a very great Booty, and returning, touch'd at the Isle of _Mascarenas_, where he met with a _Portuguese_ Ship of 70 Guns, with the Vice-Roy of _Goa_, on board. This Ship he made Prize of, and hearing she had Money on board, they would allow of no Ransom, but carried her to the Coast of _Zanguebar_, where was a _Dutch_ Fortification, which they took and plunder'd, razed the Fort, and carried off several Men who enter'd voluntarily. From hence they stood for St. _Mary_'s, where they shared their Booty, broke up their Company, and settled among the Natives: Here a _Snow_ came from _Bristol_, which they obliged to carry a Petition to the Governor of _Mascarenas_ for a Pardon, tho' they paid the Master very generously. The Governor returned Answer, he would take them into Protection if they would destroy their Ships, which they agreed to, and accordingly sunk the _Flying Dragon_, &c. _Condent_ and some others went to _Mascarenas_, where _Condent_ married the Governor's Sister-in-Law, and stay'd some Time; but as I have been credibly inform'd, he is since come to _France_, settled at St. _Maloes_, and drives a considerable Trade as a Merchant.
A DESCRIPTION of _MAGADOXA_, taken partly from the Journal of Captain _Beavis_, and also from an original Manuscript of a Molotto, who was taken by the Natives, and lived amongst them sixteen Years.
In the Year 1700, Capt. _William Beavis_, Commander of the Ship, called the _Albemarle_, then in the Service of the _East-India_ Company, sail'd from _England_, bound for _Surrat_, in the _East-Indies_, but after having been some Months at Sea, having the Misfortune to meet with contrary Masorns, he lost his Passage, so that he was forced on the Coast of _Zanguebar_, in the higher _Ethiopia_, or the Continent of _Africk_, where he endeavoured to find out some Place of Safety, that the Ship might ride secure, and where he might meet with some Necessaries for refreshing his Company, while he waited for the Change of Winds, which he could not expect in less than three or four Months.
They came in with the Land, and cast Anchor on the ninth of _November_, the Year before-mentioned; the Tenth it blew hard, but on the Eleventh the Weather being pretty fair, the Captain sent the Yawl on Shore, in two different Places, at considerable Distance from each other, they found the Land every where sandy, and all over green with Shrubs, but saw no Houses, nor could they discover the least Track of any human Creature; however, they saw Deer, but could not come near enough to have a Shot at them; they also found the Dung of Wolves, Hares, and some other Animals, but saw none; and near the Water-side they found the Shells of a great Number of Craw-Fish, but met with none alive; wherefore, they guessed that they were left here by some Creatures, who fished them up and usually fed upon them.
Finding this Place altogether inhospitable, they weigh'd Anchor and sail'd along the Shore, till the 17th of the same Month, when the Captain looking thro' his Spying-glass, saw three or four Men walking along the Sea-Side, and sometimes sitting down, but could not discern any House, Fire, or Smoak, but when they had sail'd about a League farther, they perceived an Inlet or Bay, where the Captain fancied there might be a River; he could also perceive several tall Trees, which were the first they had seen since they came upon the Coast, which made the Captain conjecture, that there must be some Inhabitants.
Upon this, they came to an Anchor, and manning out the Boat, the Captain sent Mr. _Baldwin_ the third Mate in her, to go into the Bay, in order to discover whether there was any River which discharged itself into it; when they were in with the Shore, they perceived about fifty or sixty People standing upon a Bank near the Water-side, and one separating himself from the Rest, approached nearer to them, and held up a white Piece of Linnen at the End of a Stick, and waved it at them, which they understood to be a Flag of Friendship, and which the Boat answered by the like Signal; then the Person on Shore beckon'd to them with his Hand, which they took to be an Invitation to come on Shore, and accordingly they ventured; there were two of the Boat's Men who spoke a little _Portuguese_, who saluted this Man in that Language; as soon as they came near him, his Gesture appeared very civil, but they could not understand a Syllable of what he said in Answer, but by his Signs, they fancied he invited them to come to their Huts, in order to eat and drink.
However, they did not think fit to stay longer at this Time, but returned on Board, to give the Captain an Account of what had pass'd, and to let him know, that they could discover no River in the Bay; they described the People to be pretty tall and well made, their Colour jet black, their Heads and Beards close shaved, wearing upon their Heads Turbants made of a Kind of Linnen, and a Sort of Sash made of Dungeree Linnen about their Wastes, the Rest of their Bodies being quite naked; whereupon, consulting with a Molotto, one of the Ship's Company, who understood the _Turkish_ and _Arabian_ Languages, what he thought the Language of these People might be, he judg'd it to be a Kind of corrupted _Arabick_, because their Dress was not unlike that of the _Arabians_ of the Desert, and that it was not unlikely, but that they might be some Way descended from them; wherefore, the Captain resolved to mann the Boat again, and to send the Molotto ashore with them, to try if he could so far understand their Language, as to learn from them, where there was fresh Water, or any other Refreshments to be had; and also to enquire for some Port or Bay, where the Ship might be with Safety till the breaking up of those Easterly Winds.
The Wind blew so fresh all that Day, which was the 19th, that they could not send the Boat on Shore. At Night they watched to see if they could discover any Appearance of Fire any where upon Land, but they could discern nothing like it; wherefore, it seemed strange to them, that in a Country inhabited, there should be neither Smoak by Day, nor Fire by Night, which made them suppose, the Huts of the Natives were far up the Country.
However, the next Day the Boat was sent on Shore with the Molotto Interpreter, and Mr. _Courser_ the fourth Mate; and for Fear of any Surprize, the Captain ordered them to carry Arms in the Boat. When they approach'd near the Shore, several of the Natives made towards the Waterside, but seeing the Boat's Men take their Arms in their Hands at their Landing, they fled affrighted up the Country, nor would they ever come near them after; the Men went a little Way up the Land and met with some Huts, which were covered with the Shells of Turtles, which Creatures it is supposed the Natives catch in their proper Season for Food, and then making a Covering of their Shells for their Houses; they also saw several Cows, at some Distance, which are very swift at running, and not larger than our Deer; they saw some other Animals, but took none, and so returned on Board without gaining any Intelligence.
The Mistake here was, that they did not lye off with their Boat, and make a Signal as they did at first, which would have disposed the Natives to have staid for them, as they did before, but going ashore abruptly with Arms in their Hands, frighten'd the Natives, as if they had come to kill them; wherefore, there was no Expectation of making any Discovery here, which induced the Captain to weigh Anchor, and steer a little farther Westward.