Part 19
_Howard_ and his Consorts stood along the West-Side of the Island, with Design to round the North End, and to go to St. _Mary_'s, but finding the Current too strong to stem, they lay there about a Fortnight; in the Interim they spied three Sail of tall Ships, which were Men of War under Commadore _Littleton_, (_viz._ the _Anglesea_, _Hastings_ and _Lizard_,) who had carried a Pardon to the Island of St. _Mary_, accepted of by many of the Pyrates. Thinking these might be also Pyrates, they made a Smoak, which brought the Boats ashoar; but finding they were Men of War's Boats, the Pyrates thought fit to abscond, wherefore finding nothing, nor any Body, the said Men of War's Boats return'd, and the Ships kept their Cruise.
They had here plenty of Fish and wild Hogs, which they found in the Wood. One Day, when _Howard_ was Hunting, his Comrades took the Opportunity, went off, rounded the North End, and left Mr. _Howard_ to provide for himself.
About four or five and twenty Leagues from the Cape, they went into a fine Harbour on the East Side, not frequented nay, hardly known to the _European_ Ships. They were here received handsomely, treated and provided with fresh Meat, and what Necessaries they wanted, by the King of this District, whose Name was _Mushmango_, who had formerly been driven from _Augustine_ by War, and travelling thro' the Heart of the Country, had here fixed his Settlement. When the Boats were victualled, and while _Johnson_, who took on him the Command after they had deserted _Howard_, was ashoar with three more, the rest went off with the Boats and Booty, and stood away to the Southward, along the Coast, designing for St. _Mary_'s, going every Night into some Harbour, or coming to an Anchor under some Point when the Winds proved contrary.
_Johnson_ addressed himself to the King, and told him the Boat and Goods were his Property; upon which he went along Shore with a Number of Men, and found the Boat at an Anchor, and all asleep, except one to look out, at whom the King fired his Blunderbuss, and kill'd him; the Report of the Piece awaken'd the others, who cut and stood off the Coast. The King return'd, gave _Johnson_ an Account of his Expedition, and furnish'd him a Canoe, some Calabashes of fresh Water, Provisions and Launces, that he might pursue after his People.
_Johnson_ kept the Shoar on Board till he came to the Island of St. _Mary_'s, where he heard his Comrade Fugitives were gone to, and settled at _Ambonavoula_, in a Village belonging to the Natives on the River of _Manansallang_; leaving his Canoe, he went into one belonging to an Inhabitant, who carried him to his Companions.
After he had been here some few Months _Fourgette_, already mention'd in _White_'s Life, came in with his Ship from _Martinico_: With this Vessel they sail'd to the West-Side, and came to an Anchor at an Island called _Anquawla_, 30 Leagues from the Place where they left _Howard_.
Some of the Subjects of the King of _Anquawla_ had before met with, and brought hither, Captain _Howard_, who seeing the Ship at an Anchor near Shore, haled her, and desired the Boat might be sent to fetch him off, which was accordingly done, and he joined the rest of the Crew.
Here two Boys ran away from them, whom they demanded of the King; but he not delivering them, they went ashore by Day-Break, surpriz'd his Town, and brought off 12 of his Concubines, whom they detain'd on board, till their Boys, who were Blacks, were returned, and then delivered them back. From this Ship he went on board the _Speaker_, where he continued till she was lost on _Mauritius_, when he came back to _Madagascar_, and settled at _Augustine_, here he staid till the _Prosperous_, a Ship of 36 Guns, commanded by Captain _Hilliard_, came in; which _Howard_ and some other Pyrates, (with the Assistance of the Boatswain and some of the Crew belonging to the Ship) seized. In the taking of this Ship, the Captain and his chief Mate were killed, and several others wounded. _Howard_ was by the Company declared Captain.
Several of the Ship's Crew took on with them, and they went round the South End to the East Side, till they came the Length of _Maritan_, where they found some of the _Speaker_'s Company, whom they took on board, and made up their Complement about 70 Men.
From hence they steer'd for the Island of St. _Mary_, where they heel'd their Ship, water'd, wooded, and shipp'd some more Hands: Here they had an Invitation from one _Ort Van Tyle_, who liv'd on the Main of _Madagascar_, to come to the Ceremony of christening two of his Children; they were kindly received and treated by him, but it having been reported, that this _Ort Van Tyle_ had murdered some Pyrates, they in Revenge, tho' they had no Certainty of the Fact, took him Prisoner, plunder'd his House, and what Goods they could not take off in a great Canoe belonging to him, they threw into the River or burnt. _Ort Van Tyle_ they design'd to carry on board, and hang at a Yard Arm, but one of the Pyrates help'd him to escape, and he took into the Woods, where meeting some of his Blacks, he way-laid his Canoe, and _Howard_'s Pinnace by the River Side; besides what Goods they had on board of this _Dutchman_'s, they had several Women and Children belonging to him, and some white Men, who had left them under his Care. The Pyrates set the Women to the Paddles, and the Canoe was over-set on the Bar; _Ort Van Tyle_ fired on the Men, and shot one thro' the Arm and thro' the Thigh, whom with his Comrade, he took Prisoner, and kept with him: The rest of the Men got ashore on the South-Side the River and escaped him; the Women on the North-Side, and returned home. When the _Pinnace_ came down, he fir'd and shot the Captain thro' the Arm, but he got on board, where his Arm was set. After this, the _Prosperous_ sail'd for _Methelage_, where they victualled, with a Design to go to the _East-Indies_; while he lay here, came in a large _Dutch_ Ship, well mann'd, and of 40 Guns; the _Prosperous_ was not strong enough to attack her, and the _Dutch_ fearing he should spoil his Trade, would not meddle with Captain _Howard_, tho' hard Words pass'd, and the _Dutchmen_ threatned to fall foul on him if he did not leave the Place, which _Howard_ thought fit to do, and sail'd to _Mayotta_.
Few Days after the Departure of the _Prosperous_, Captain _Bowen_, in the _Scotch_ Ship, came in, anchored within small Arm-Shot, and right a-head of the _Dutchman_, whom he saluted with 11 Guns Shot and all, which the other returned, with 15 after the same Manner; Drums beating, and Trumpets sounding, on both Sides. The _Dutchman_, however, was surprized, and under Apprehensions; he hal'd the Pyrate, and answer was return'd, _From the Seas_; he then bid 'em send their Boat on Board, which accordingly went with the Quarter-Master, who told the Captain, that they had no Design on him, but were going against the _Moors_, and came in for Provision; he replied, they could get none there, and the best Way was to be gone; however the Quarter-Master went ashore (where the _Dutch_ had made his Factory, and had some Goods) and shot down three Oxen, which he ordered the Natives to help to cut in Pieces; the _Dutchman_ perceiving a Friendship between the Natives and Pyrates, seeing _Bowen_ full of Men, and hearing two more Pyrates were expected, thought fit to go off in the Night, and leave the Goods he had put on shore.
Few Days after _Bowen_ seizing the Goods left, went for _Mayotta_, where he join'd the _Prosperous_, and lay for the Season to go to the _East-Indies_. After some Stay here, their Salt Provisions perishing, they return'd to _Madagascar_ to revictual, _Bowen_ to St. _Augustin_'s, and _Howard_ (on board of whose Ship was Captain _Whaley_, taken as is said in _Bowen_'s Life) to _Methelage_, agreeing to meet at the Island of St. _John_'s, to lie for the _Moors_ Fleet; where, after some Disappoints, they met, and got Sight of the _Moors_ Fleet, one of which fell a Prize to _Bowen_; but the _Prosperous_ being a heavy Sailor, did not come up with them till they were at an Anchor at the Bar of _Surat_, where they waited to lighten. The _Moors_, seeing few Hands on board, for _Howard_ concealed his Men; and not imagining a Pyrate would venture up, they concluded him an _English East-India_ Man: _Howard_ clapp'd the largest on board, which stood him a smart Engagement, and killed him about 30 Men. At length the Pyrates forced Captain _Whaley_, who spoke the _Moors_ Language, to go on board and offer Quarter, which they accepted: There was on board this Prize a Nobleman belonging to the Great _Mogul_, who had been at _Juffa_ to buy Horses for his Master; the Prize yielded them a great Booty, tho' they found but Part of the Money which was on board. They intended to carry her to _Madagascar_, but her Bowsprit being wounded in the boarding, she lost all her Masts, wherefore, they set her a-drift, and she ran ashore at _Deman_, belonging to the _Portuguese_.
From hence he steer'd to the _Malabar_ Coast, where he met _Bowen_ in his Prize, which mounted 56 Guns; here a Dispute arose, as shall be mention'd in the Appendix of _Bowen_'s Life, both Crews went on board _Bowen_, sunk the _Prosperous_, and burnt the _Scotch_ Ship, called the _Speedy Return_: Hence they stood along the Coast of _India_, and _Howard_, with about 20 more, landed with what they had, and retired among the Natives, where _Howard_ married a Woman of the Country, and being a morose ill natur'd Fellow, and using her ill, he was murder'd by her Relations.
OF Captain _LEWIS_. And his CREW.
This worthy Gentleman was an early Pyrate; we first find him a Boy on Board the Pyrate _Banister_, who was hang'd at the Yard Arm of a Man of War in sight of _Port-Royal_ in _Jamaica_. This _Lewis_ and another Boy were taken with him, and brought into the Island hanging by the Middle at the Mizzen-Peak. He had a great Aptitude for Languages, and spoke perfectly well that of the _Mosquill Indians_, the _French_, _Spanish_ and _English_. I mention our own, because it is doubted whether he was _French_ or _English_, for we cannot trace him back to his Original.
He sailed out of _Jamaica_ till he was a lusty Lad, and was then taken by the _Spaniards_ at the _Havana_, where he staid some Time; but at length he and six more ran away with a small Canoe, and surprized a _Spanish_ Periagua, out of which two Men joined them, so that they were now nine in Company: With this Periagua they suprized a Turtleing Sloop, and forced some of the Hands to take on with them, the others they sent away in the Periagua.
He play'd at this small Game, surprising and taking Coasters and Turtlers, till with forced Men and Voluntiers he made up a Complement of 40 Men.
With these he took a large Pink built Ship, bound from _Jamaica_ to the Bay of _Campeachy_, and after her several others bound to the said Bay; and having Intelligence that there lay in the Bay a fine _Bermudas_ built Brigantine of 10 Guns, commanded by Captain _Tucker_; he sent the Captain of the Pink to him with a Letter, the Purport of which was, that he wanted such a Brigantine, and if he would part with her, he would pay him honestly 10000 Pieces of Eight; if he refused this, he would take Care to lie in his Way, for he was resolved, either by fair or foul Means, to have the Vessel. Captain _Tucker_ having read the Letter, sent for the Masters of Vessels then lying in the Bay, and told them, after he had shewn the Letter, that if they would made him up 54 Men (for there were about 10 _Bermudas_ Sloops) he would go out and fight the Pyrates. They said, No, they would not hazard their Men, they depended on their Sailing, and every one must take Care of himself as well as he could.
However, they all put to Sea together, and spied a Sail under the Land, which had a Breeze while they lay becalmed; some said he was a Turtler, others, the Pyrate, and so it proved; for it was honest Captain _Lewis_, who putting out his Oars, got in among them. Some of the Sloops had four Guns, some two, some none. _Joseph Dill_ had two, which he brought on one Side, and fired smartly at the Pyrate, but unfortunately one of them split, and killed him three Men. _Tucker_ called to all the Sloops to send him Men, and he would fight _Lewis_, but to no Purpose; no Body came on board him. In the mean while a Breeze sprung up, and _Tucker_ trimming his Sails left them, who all fell a Prey to the Pyrate; into whom however he fired a Broadside at going off. One Sloop, whose Master I won't Name, was a very good Sailer, and was going off; but _Lewis_ firing a Shot at him, brought her to, and he lay by till all the Sloops were visited and secured. Then _Lewis_ sent on board him, and ordered the Master into his Sloop. As soon as he was aboard, he asked the Reason of his lying by, and betraying the Trust his Owners had reposed in him, which was doing like a Knave and Coward, and he would punish him accordingly; for, he said, you might have got off, being so much a better Sailer than my Vessel. After this Speech he fell upon him with a Rope's End, and then snatching up his Cane, drove him about the Decks without Mercy. The Master, thinking to pacify him, told him he had been out trading in that Sloop several Months, and had on board a good Quantity of Money, which was hid, and which, if he would send on board a Black belonging to the Owners, he would discover it to him.
This had not the desired Effect, but one quite contrary; for _Lewis_ told him he was a Rascal and Villain for this Discovery, and, by G--d, he would pay him for betraying his Owners, and redoubled his Strokes. However, he sent and took the Money and Negroe, who was an able Sailor. He took out of his Prizes what he had occasion for, 40 able Negroe Sailors, and a white Carpenter; the largest Sloop, which was about 90 Tuns, he took for his own Use, and mounted her with 12 Guns; his Crew was now about 80 Men, Whites and Blacks.
After these Captures he cruised in the Gulf of _Florida_, lying in wait for the _West-India_ homeward bound Ships which took the Leeward Passage, several of which falling into his Hands were plundered by him, and released; from hence he went to the Coast of _Carolina_, where he cleaned his Sloop, and a great many Men, whom he had forced, ran away from him; however, the Natives traded with him for Rum and Sugar, and brought him all he wanted, without the Government's having any Knowledge of him, for he had got into a very private Creek; tho' he was very much on his Guard, that he might not be surprized from the Shoar.
From _Carolina_ he cruized on the Coast of _Virginia_, where he took and plunder'd several Merchant Men, and forced several Men, and then return'd to the Coast of _Carolina_, where he did abundance of Mischief.
As he had now abundance of _French_ on board who had entered with him, and _Lewis_ hearing the _English_ had a Design to Maroon them, he secured the Men he suspected, and put them in a Boat, with all the other _English_, 10 Leagues from Shoar, with only 10 Pieces of Beef, and sent them away, keeping none but _French_ and Negroes; these Men, it is supposed, all perished in the Sea.
From the Coast of _Carolina_ he shaped his Course for the Banks of _Newfoundland_, where he overhawled several Fishing Vessels, and then went into a commodious Harbour, where he cleaned his Sloop, and went into _Trinity Harbour_ in _Conception Bay_, where there lay several Merchants, and siezed a 24 Gun Galley, called the _Herman_: The Commander, Captain _Beal_, told _Lewis_, if he would send his Quarter-Master ashoar he would furnish him with Necessaries. He being sent ashoar, a Council was held among the Masters, the Consequence of which was, the seizing the Quarter-Master, whom they carried to Captain _Woodes Rogers_; he chained him to a Sheet Anchor which was ashoar, and planted Guns at the Point, to prevent the Pyrate getting out, but to little Purpose; for the People from one of these Points firing too soon, _Lewis_ quitted the Ship, and, by the Help of Oars and the Favour of the Night, got out in his Sloop, though she received many Shot in her Hull. The last Shot that was fired at the Pyrate did him considerable Damage.
He lay off and on the Harbour, swearing he would have his Quarter-Master, and intercepted two fishing Shallops, on board of one was the Captain of the Galley's Brother; he detained them, and sent Word, if his Quarter-Master did not immediately come off, he would put all his Prisoners to Death; he was sent on board him without Hesitation. _Lewis_ and the Crew enquired, how he had been used? and he answered, very civilly. Its well, said the Pyrate; for had you been ill treated, I would have put all these Rascals to the Sword. They were dismiss'd, and the Captain's Brother going over the Side, the Quarter-Master stopp'd him, saying, he must drink the Gentlemens Health ashoar, in particular Captain _Rogers_', and, whispering him in the Ear, told him, if the Crew had known of his being chain'd all Night, he would have been cut in Pieces, with all his Men. After this poor Man and his Shallop's Company were gone, the Quarter-Master told the Usage he had met with, which enraged _Lewis_, and made him reproach his Quarter-Master, whose Answer was, that he did not think it just the Innocent should suffer for the Guilty.
The Masters of the Merchant Men sent to Captain _Tudor Trevor_, who lay at St. _John_'s in the _Sheerness_ Man of War; he immediately got under Sail, and miss'd the Pyrate but four Hours.
She kept along the Coast, and made several Prizes, _French_ and _English_, and put into a Harbour where a _French_ Ship lay making Fish: She was built at the latter End of the War for a Privateer, was an excellent Sailer, and mounted 24 Guns. The Commander haled him; the Pyrate answered, from _Jamaica_ with Rum and Sugar. The _French_ Man bid him go about his Business; that a Pyrate Sloop was on the Coast, and he might be the Rogue; if he did not immediately sheer off he would fire a Broadside into him. He went off and lay a Fortnight out at Sea, so far as not to be descry'd from Shoar, with Resolution to have the Ship. The _French_ Man being on his Guard, in the mean while raised a Battery on the Shoar, which commanded the Harbour. After a Fortnight, when he was thought to be gone off, he return'd, and took two of the fishing Shallops belonging to the _French_ Man, and manning them with Pyrates, they went in; one Shallop attack'd the Battery, the other surpriz'd, boarded, and carry'd the Ship, just as the Morning Star appear'd, for which Reason he gave her that Name. In the Engagement the Owner's Son was kill'd, who made the Voyage out of Curiosity only. The Ship being taken, 7 Guns were fired, which was the Signal, and the Sloop came down and lay a Long-side the Ship. The Captain told him, he suppos'd he only wanted his Liquor; but _Lewis_ made Answer, he wanted his Ship, and accordingly hoisted all his Ammunition and Provision into her. When the _French_ Man saw they would take away his Ship, he sold her Trim, and _Lewis_ gave him the Sloop; and, excepting what he took for Provision, all the Fish he had made. Several of the _French_ took on with him, who, with others, _English_ and _French_, had by Force or voluntarily, made him up 200 Men.
From _Newfoundland_ he steer'd for the Coast of _Guiney_, where he took a great many Ships, _English_, _Dutch_, and _Portuguese_; among these Ships was one belonging to _Carolina_, commanded by Captain _Smith_. While he was in Chace of this Vessel an Accident happen'd, which made his Men believe he dealt with the Devil; for he carried away his Fore and Main-Top Mast; and he, _Lewis_, running up the Shrouds to the Main-Top, tore off a Handful of Hair, and throwing it into the Air, used this Expression, _Good Devil take this till I come_: And, it was observed, that he came afterwards faster up with the Chace than before the Loss of his Top-Masts.
_Smith_ being taken, _Lewis_ used him very civilly, and gave him as much, or more in Value, than he took from him, and let him go, saying, he would come to _Carolina_ when he had made Money on the Coast, and would rely on his Friendship.
They kept some Time on the Coast, when they quarrell'd among themselves, the _French_ and _English_, of which the former was more numerous, and they resolved to part: The _French_ therefore chose a large Sloop newly taken, thinking the Ship's Bottom, which was not Sheath'd, damaged by the Worms.
According to this Agreement they took on board what Ammunition and Provision they thought fit out of the Ship, and put off, chusing one _le Barre_ Captain. As it blew hard, and the Decks were encumbered, they came to an Anchor under the Coast, to stow away their Ammunition, Goods, _&c._ _Lewis_ told his Men, they were a Parcel of Rogues, and he would make 'em refund; accordingly run a Long-side his Guns, being all loaded and new primed, and ordered him to cut away his Mast, or he would sink him. _Le Barre_ was obliged to obey. Then he ordered them all ashoar; they begged to have Liberty of carrying their Arms, Goods, _&c._ with 'em, but he allow'd 'em only their small Arms, and Cartridge Boxes. Then he brought the Sloop a Long-side, put every Thing on board the Ship, and sunk the Sloop.
_Le Barre_ and the rest begg'd to be taken on board; however, though he denied 'em, he suffered _le Barre_ and some few to come, with whom he and his Men drank plentifully. The Negroes on board _Lewis_ told him, the _French_ had a Plot against him. He answer'd, he could not withstand his Destiny; for the Devil told him in the great Cabin, he should be murdered that Night.
In the dead of Night came the rest of the _French_ on board in Canoes, got into the Cabbin and killed _Lewis_; they fell on the Crew, but, after an Hour and Half's Dispute, the _French_ were beat off, and the Quarter-Master, _John Cornelius_, an _Irish_ Man, succeeded _Lewis_.
OF Captain _Cornelius_, And his CREW.
Having now the Command of the _Morning Star_, _Cornelius_ kept on the Coast, and made several Prizes both _English_ and _Portuguese_; the former he always discharged, after he had taken what he thought fitting, but the latter he commonly burnt.
While he was thus ravaging the Coast, two _English_ Ships which had slaved at _Whydah_, one of 36 Guns, and the other of 12, which fought close, were ready to sail; and having Notice of a Pyrate, who had done great Mischief, resolved to keep Company together for their Defence. The Captain of the small Ship lay sick in his Cabbin, and she was left to the Care of the Mates. When they had got under Sail, 200 Negroes jump'd over board from the larger Ships, which obliged her to bring to and get out her Boats; the Mate of the other went into the Cabbin, told the Accident, and advised lying by, and sending their Boats to assist their Consort; but the Captain being ill, and willing to get off the Coast, bid him keep on his Way, for it would be dangerous, having 400 Slaves on board, and being but weakly mann'd, when the Boats were gone they might rise upon him. The Mate urged the Danger of the Pyrates, should they leave their Consort. The Captain answered, the Seas were wide, and he would not bring to; accordingly they kept on their Way with a fresh Gale.