Part 20
Two Days after, the Mate about Eight in the Morning, ordered a Man to the Mast-head, who spied a Sail, which made them prepare for an Engagement. There was on board one _Joseph Williams_, who had served the _African_ Company three Years on the _Guiney_ Coast, who spoke the Negroe Tongue very well; he told the Slaves he had pick'd out to the Number of 50, that the Ship in Sight he believed would fight them, and if they got the better, would certainly, as they were Cannibals, kill and eat them all, and therefore it behoved them to fight for their Lives; they had Lances and small Arms given them.
About Ten _Cornelius_ came up with them, and being haled, answered, he was a Man of War, in Search of Pyrates, and bid them send their Boat on board; but they refusing to trust him, tho' he had _English_ Colours and Pendent aboard, the Pyrate fired a Broadside, and they began a running Fight of about 10 Hours, in which Time the Negroes discharged their Arms so smartly, that _Cornelius_ never durst attempt to board. About 8 at Night the Ship blew up abaft, they immediately cut the Lashings of the Long-Boat, but the Ship going down they had not Time to get her out, and barely enough to launch the Yawl, which lay on the Forecastle. The Ship went down on one Side, and _Joseph Williams_ running on the other was hook'd by the Mizzen-Truss, and was carried down with her; but having his Knife in his Hand, and a great Presence of Mind, he cut the Wast-band of his Trowzers where he was catch'd, got clear, and swam after the Boat, into which about 16 had gotten, and either knock'd those on the Head, or cut off their Hands, who laid hold on it; however, with much Entreaty, he was permitted to lay one Hand on to ease him: They made to the Pyrate, who refused to receive them, without they would enter with him, which, to save their Lives, they all agreed to, and was then civilly received, and dry Cloaths given them; these and one Negroe were all the Souls saved.
In a little Time after this he took two _Portuguese_ Ships, which he plundered and kept with him; and one foggy Morning hearing the firing of Guns, which, by the distance of Time, he judg'd to be Minute Guns, as they really were, for the Death of an _English_ Commander; he called his Men on board from the Prizes, sent them about their Business, and directed his Course by the Report of the Canon he had heard.
In about two Hours he spied the Ship that had fired, came up with her very soon, and took her without Resistance. The Officers of the Ship which blew up, finding this Prize _English_, and that the Pyrate did not intend to detain it, begg'd to be discharged, as they had all large Families, which must perish without their Support.
_Cornelius_ taking them into Consideration, discharged Mr. _Powis_ of _Limehouse_, who has since been a Commander, and raised a Fortune; the then chief Mate, Mr. _George Forelong_, the Boatswain, Carpenter, and other married Men, set them on board the Prize, and was very generous to them out of the Plunder of the _Portuguese_ Ships, because they had made a broken Voyage; but _Joseph Williams_ and the Batchelors he detained, and forced some out of the Prize, which he let go.
After this he took three _Portuguese_ Ships at an Anchor, which he plundered and burnt, after he had hove down by one of them; he continued some Time longer on the Coast, did a great Deal of Mischief to the Trade, and forced a great many Men: These he put to do all the Slavery of the Ship, and they were beat about the Decks, without daring to strike again. I shall take Notice of an Instance of this Kind, to shew how far Revenge will carry a Man. One _Robert Bland_ was at Helm, and called _Joseph Williams_ to take the Whipstaff, till he went to play, _Williams_ refused it; upon which _Bland_ drubb'd him with the Lanyard of the Whipstaff very severely, _Williams_ that he might revenge himself, and have Liberty to fight _Bland_, went that Instant and entered himself a Voluntier in the Ships Books, and ask'd Leave to fight _Bland_, which was allowed him, but with no other Weapons than his Fists; he, however, challenged his Antagonist, who was too hard for him; so that he turned Pyrate to be heartily thresh'd.
_Cornelius_ thinking they had been long enough on the _Guiney_ Coast, doubled the Cape, off which he spied the _Lizard_ and two more Men of War, under the Command of Commadore _Littleton_; _Cornelius_ was for giving Chase, but finding his Men unwilling, there being, as they gave for Reason, 70 forc'd Men on board, and these Ships being, as they suspected, Men of War, he made the best of his Way for _Madagascar_, went up the River _Methelage_, on the West Side, and anchored against _Pombotoque_, a small Village of Blacks.
The Quarter-Master went ashore, and the black Governor examined him, for several of these Blacks speak _English_; he told the Governor they were come for Provision and to trade: Upon which he sent a Couple of Oxen on board, and then ordered some of the Inhabitants to go up with the Quarter-Master to the King. The Boat's Crew seeing a Number of Blacks come upon the Strand without the Quarter-Master, apprehended some Mischief had befallen him; but were eas'd of their Fears, when they saw two Oxen given them, and were told, the white Man, who was gone to the King, would be back next Day, it not being above 20 Miles from the Shore.
When the Quarter-Master, who carried up a Blunderbuss, a fine Gun, and a Pair of Pistols, for a Present to the King, told him they wanted Provisions, he asked where they were bound? To which he answered, to seek their Fortunes, for, at present, they were very poor. Look ye, replied the King, I require nothing of you, all white Men I look upon as my Children; they help'd me to conquer this Country, and all the Cattle in it is at their Service. I will send you down Provisions enough, and when that is spent you shall have more; he accordingly sent 1000 Head of Cattle, out of which he bid them chuse what they would, and they salted up a 100 fat Oxen.
It may be an Amusement to the Reader to have a short History of this King, who was called _Andian Chimenatto_, that is, King _Chimenatto_: He was 2d Son of _Andian Lifouchy_, whose Country lay between _Methelage_ and St. _Augustine_, his elder Brother was _Timanangarivo_.
At the Death of _Andian Lyfouchy_, _Chimenatto_, assisted by a younger Brother, and a great Number of the People, endeavour'd to wrest the Kingdom from his elder Brother _Timanangarivo_; but he was defeated, and with his Party obliged to retire, however, he still made War upon his Brother, till he was, by repeated Losses, very much weaken'd, and apprehensive of being attack'd by him; he retir'd farther Northward, where he made War on _Andian Methelage_, but without great Success, so that he settled on a Point of Land by the Sea-Coast, where the _Tyloutes_, that is, Inhabitants of the Sea, who are descended from the _Arabs_, and the _Vaujimbos_, who are esteem'd the meanest Cast on the whole Island, were very vexatious and troublesome to him, and kept him in continual Alarms.
In the mean while a couple of Ships arrived at _Yungowl_ (the Country of _Timanangarivo_) belonging to _Frederick Phillips_, of _New York_, to slave; but hearing the old King was dead, who had a great Respect for the Whites, and that _Timanangarivo_ had cut off the Crew of a Brigantine, on Pretence that they had poison'd his Father _Andian Lyfouchy_, for he drunk on board her so much Brandy that he died of it; they would not stay here, but went farther on the Coast to look for Trade.
_Andian Chimenatto_ spying them, caused a Smoak to be made, which brought one of their Boats on Shoar; _Chimenatto_ received the Crew very civilly, and invited the Ships in, promising Trade.
The Commanders ask'd if he had Slaves? He said he had but few; however, if they would allow some of their Men to go with him to War, he would slave both Ships: They answered, that _Timanangarivo_ his Brother, had murder'd some of their Countrymen, and they could put no Confidence in him; upon which he gave them the History of his Wars, said his Brother was a wicked Man for what he had done; but if they would send some Men with him, he would give his Wives and nearest Relations for Hostages, to be kept on board.
This was agreed to, and _Chimenatto_ furnished them with as much fresh Provision as they could dispose of; twenty Whites went with him to War, and they took a Town and a great Number of Slaves, out of whom he ordered the Captain to pick and cull what they pleas'd; they asked the Price, he said, he required nothing, if they would let their Men go out once more. They went on a second Expedition, took several Towns, and brought down some thousand Slaves, beside great Droves of Cattle.
The two Ships took their Choice of about 6000 Slaves, which with fresh Provision, and Provision for their Voyage, cost them only 2 or 3 Barrels of Powder, and a few Arms.
The King told them, if they would leave those Men and come again, he would again slave them for nothing; the Men being willing to stay, the Ships sail'd, came again the next Season, were slaved according to Promise, and relieved those whites, such of them as would return, and left others, who were willing, in their Steads. With this Assistance _Chimenatto_ soon conquered the _Antylouts_ and _Vaujimbos_, and afterwards made himself Master of the whole Country of _Methelage_, of such Reputation are the _Europeans_ among these People, for they who have a white Man on their Side go on as to certain Victory; and the Sight of a white Man against them is such a Damp to their Spirits, that despairing of Success, they are preparing for Flight before they engage.
But to return, besides the Present of Oxen, the King sent 100 Blacks laden with Rice. _Cornelius_ sent him a Present of 2 Barrels of Powder, and would have given him more, with small Arms in Return, but he sent them Word he would have no more, nor any of their Arms, not being in Want of either; on the contrary, if they wanted he would send them ten Barrels of Powder, as they were his Children; bid them proceed on their Voyage, and if they were richer when they came back, and would send him any Present, he would accept it, but not now that they were poor.
Here _Cornelius_ lost 70 Men by their Excesses, having been long without fresh Provision, the eating immoderately, drinking Toke (a Liquor made of Honey) to Excess, and being too free with the Women, they fell into violent Fevers, which carried them off.
The Blacks having given _Cornelius_ an Account of the _Speaker_'s being sail'd from _Methelage_ about three Months before for the _East-Indies_, he, having taken in his Provisions, steer'd the same Course, in Hopes to join in Consort with her; but the _Speaker_ lying off the _Red Sea_, and the _Morning Star_ going into the Gulf of _Persia_ they never met: They run up a pretty Way in the Gulf, and lay under _Antelope_ Island, where they kept a Look-out, and whence they made their Excursions, and took a Number of Prizes.
Here they designed to heave down and clean, and they had got a good Part of their Goods and Water Casks ashore, when the Look-out discovered two tall Ships, one of them wearing a Flag at the Foretop-Mast Head; this put them into a great Confusion, they got what Casks and Necessaries they could on board, and lay till the Ships came a-breast of them; then they got under Sail at once, their Sails being furl'd with Rope Yarns, and came close along-side the larger Ship, which was a _Portuguese_ of 70 Guns, as the other was of 26; they exchanged a Broadside with her, and the smaller Ship engaged her so close, that they threw Hand Grenades into each other; but _Cornelius_'s Business was to run, and the great Ship put a Stays twice to follow him, but missing, was obliged to Ware, which gave the Pyrate a great Advantage; the small Ship in staying, tail'd aground, she, however, gave Chase till she had run a good Way a-head of her Consort, which the Pyrate seeing, brought to, and stay'd for her, as did the _Portuguese_ for her Consort, not caring to engage him singly. When it was quite dark _Cornelius_ ran up the other Shore, pass'd the _Portuguese_ Ships (which kept down the Gulf) and came again to Anchor at his old Station, where he found his Enemies had been ashore in their Boats and staved his Casks; he here cleaned, and finding no Money to be got out of any Prizes made, and Bale Goods being of little Value to them, they from hence went away to the Island of _Johanna_, where it was designed to moroon the Blacks, who were the greater Number, and all bred among the _English_; _Joseph Williams_, fearing they would next moroon the _English_, who were not above a third of the whites, gave the Negroes Notice of the Design, who secured all the Arms of the Ship, and gave _Williams_ the Command till they should get to _Madagascar_, keeping a good Guard on the _French_ and _Dutch_. When they came to _Methelage_ they gave the Ship to the King, her Bottom being eaten so much with the Worms, that she was no longer fit for Service; and they all went and lived with the new King _Chimave_, Son to _Andian Chimenatto_, who died before their Return: About five Months after they broke up, _Cornelius_ died, and was buried with the usual Ceremony.
OF Capt. _David Williams_, And his CREW.
This Man was born in _Wales_, of very poor Parents, who bred him up to the Plough and the following of Sheep, the only Things he had any Notion of till he went to Sea. He was never esteem'd among the Pyrates as a Man of good natural Parts, perhaps, on account of his Ignorance of Letters, for, as he had no Education, he knew as little of the sailing a Ship, set aside the Business of a foremast Man, as he did of History, in which, and natural Philosophy, he was equally vers'd: He was of a morose, sour, unsociable Temper, very cholerick, and easily resented as an Affront what as brave and a more knowing Man would not think worth Notice; but he was not cruel, neither did he turn Pyrate from a wicked or avaritious Inclination, but by Necessity, and we may say, tho' he was no forced Man, he could not well avoid that Life he fell into.
When he was grown a lusty Lad he would see the World, and go seek his Fortune, as the Term is among the Country Youths, who think fit to withdraw themselves from the Subjection of their Parents; with this Whim in his Head he got to _Chester_, where he was received, and sailed on board a Coaster, till he had made himself acquainted with the Rigging, learned to knot, splice, and do the other Parts of a common Sailor's Duty; then coming to _London_, he shipp'd himself on board the _Mary India_ Man, bound for _Bengal_ and _Maderas_, which Voyage he performed outward, and it was not his Fault that he did not come home in the same Ship; for, in her Return, falling short of Water, they steer'd for the Island of _Madagascar_, and fell in with the East Side, in the Lat. of 20, or thereabouts. The Captain mann'd and sent ashore the Long-Boat to seek for Water, but a large Surf running, she came to an Anchor, at some little Distance from Shore, and _David Williams_ with another, being both good Swimmers, stripp'd and swam off in Search of Water: While they were ashore, the Wind which blew full upon the Island and freshning, the Surf ran too high for them to get off; and the Long-Boat, after waiting some time, seeing no Possibility of getting these Men on board, weigh'd and stood for the Ship, which filled her Sails and stood for St. _Augustine_'s Bay, where she watered and proceeded on her Voyage.
Thus our poor _Welshman_ and his Companion were left destitute on an Island altogether unknown to them, without Cloaths or Subsistance, but what the Fruits of the Trees offer'd. They rambled some little Time along the Coast, and were met with by the Natives, and by them carried up into the Country, where they were humanly treated, and provided with all the Necessaries of Life, tho' this was not sufficient to expel his Consort's Melancholy, who took his being left behind so much to Heart, that he sicken'd and died in a very little Time.
Some time after, the Prince of the Country, who entertained _Williams_, had a Quarrel with a neighbouring King, which broke into a War. _Williams_ took the Field with his Patron, but the Enemy being superior in Number, got the Victory, and took a great many Prisoners, among whom was the unfortunate _Welshman_: The King, whose Prisoner he was, treated him very kindly; and being Master of an old Musket, gave it him, saying, 'such Arms were better in the Hands of a white Man than in those of any of his Subjects, who were not so much used to them; that he should be his Friend and Companion, and should fare as well as himself, if he would assist him in his Wars.'
It will not be amiss here to take Notice, that this Island, on the East Side, is divided into a great Number of Principalities or Kingdoms, which are almost in continual War one with another; the Grounds of which are very trivial, for they will pick a Quarrel with a Neighbour, especially, if he has a Number of Cattle (in which, and Slaves, consist their Riches) on the slightest Occasion, that they may have an Opportunity of Plunder; and when a Battle or two is lost, the conquer'd makes his Peace, by delivering up such a certain Number of Bullocks and Slaves as shall be demanded by the victorious Prince. On the West Side of the Island, the Principalities are mostly reduced under one Prince, who resides near _Methelage_, and who is, as we have said in the Lives of other Pyrates, a great Friend to white Men; for his Father, who founded his Empire by the Assistance of the _Europeans_, left it in Charge with his Son, to assist them with what Necessaries they should require, and do them all friendly Offices; but if he disobeyed this Command, and should ever fall out with the white Men, or spill any of their Blood, he threaten'd to come again, turn him out of his Kingdom, and give it to his younger Brother. These Menaces had a very great Effect upon him, for he firmly believed his Father would, on his Disobedience, put them in Execution; for there is not on Earth, a Race of Men equally superstitious.
But to return to _Williams_, he lived with this Prince in great Tranquility, and was very much esteem'd by him (for Necessity taught him Complaisance) after some time, his new Patron was informed, that his vanquish'd Enemy had form'd a grand Alliance, in order to make War upon him; wherefore, he resolved to begin, and march into the Countries of the Allies, and ravage the nearest before they could join their Forces. He rais'd an Army, and accordingly march'd Southward; at the News of his Approach, the Inhabitants abandoned all the small Towns, and sending Messengers to their Friends, rais'd a considerable Body to oppose him, suffering him to over-run a great Deal of Ground without Molestation. At length being reinforced, they took their Opportunity, and setting upon him when his Men were fatigued, and his Army incumber'd with Booty, they gained a signal Victory; the King had the good Luck to get off, but _Williams_ was a second Time taken Prisoner.
He was carried before the Conqueror, who, (having been an Eye-witness of his Bravery, for _Williams_ kill'd a Number of his Enemies with his Shot, and behav'd very well, defending himself with the Butt End of his Musket for some Time, when he was surrounded) reach'd him his Hand, and told him, he made War with his Enemies only, that he did not esteem the White Men such, but should be glad of their Friendship.
Here _Williams_ was used with more Respect than he had been even by his last Patron, and lived with this Prince some Years; but a War breaking out, he was routed in a set Battle, in which _Williams_ was his Companion; in the Pursuit the poor _Welshman_ finding he could not get off, clapp'd his Musket at the Foot of a Tree, and climbing up, he capitulated: He was now terribly afraid of being cut to Pieces, for he had shot and wounded a great Number of the Enemy; they, however, promis'd him good Quarter, and kept their Word.
The King of _Maratan_, who took him, used him as well as any of the former had done; and carried him always with him to the Wars, in which Fortune was more propitious, for the Parties _Williams_ commanded had constantly the better of their Enemies, and never returned but with great Booties of Cattle and Slaves, for all the Prisoners they take are so, till redeem'd; tho' these Prisoners are, for the most part, Women and Children, they seldom giving Quarter to any other.
The Fame of his Bravery and Success, spread it self round the Country; and his Name alone was so terrible, that the giving out he was at the Head of any Party, was giving the Enemies an Overthrow without a Battle.
This reaching the Ears of _Dempaino_, a mighty Prince who lived 200 Miles from him, and who had several Petty Princes Tributaries, he sent an Embassador to demand the White Man; but his Patron, who had no Mind to part with him, denied that he had any White Man with him, that he who was called so was a Native of the Country. For the Readers better understanding this Passage, I must inform him, that there is a Race of what they call White Men, who have been settled on _Madagascar_, Time out of Mind, and are descended from the _Arabs_; but mixing with the Negroes, have propagated a Race of Molattoes, who differ in nothing from the Manner of living of the Black Natives.
To proceed, the Embassador desired to see this Man, and _Williams_ coming to him, being extremely tann'd, he had pass'd for what he was reported, had he been before apprized of what had been said, to have answered accordingly, for he spoke the Language perfectly; or had the Embassador not examined him; who, after he had some Time viewed him, ask'd of what Country he was, and whether it was true that he was one of _Madagascar_? _Williams_ answered, he was an _Englishman_, and was left in the Country, relating the Particulars, as I have already set them down, adding, he had been five Years in the Island.
The Embassador then told the King, that he must send the White Man with him, for such were the Orders of his Master the great _Dempaino_, who was Lord over most of the Kings on the Side the Country where he resided; and that it would be dangerous for him to disobey the Commands of so great a Monarch.
The King answered, those who were subject to _Dempaino_ ought to obey his Commands, but for him, he knew no Man greater than himself, therefore should receive Laws from none; and with this Answer dismiss'd the Ambassador; who, at his Return, reported to his Master the very Words, adding, they were delivered in a haughty Strain. _Dempaino_, who was not used to have his Commands disputed, order'd one of his Generals to march with 6000 Men, and demand the White Man, and in Case of Refusal, to denounce War, that he should send him back an Express of it, and he would follow in Person with an Army to enforce a Compliance.
These Orders were put in Execution with the greatest Dispatch and Secrecy; so that the Town was invested, before any Advice was given of the Approach of an Enemy. The General told the King, it was in his Choice to have Peace or War with his Master, since it depended on the Delivery of the White Man.
The King thus surpriz'd, was obliged, however contrary to his Inclinations, to give _Williams_ up to the General, who return'd with him to _Dempaino_, without committing any Hostilities; tho' he threatned to besiege the Town, and put all but the Women and Children to the Sword, if the King of _Maratan_ did not pay the Expence of his Master's sending for the White Man, which he rated at 100 Slaves, and 500 Head of Cattle, the King objected to this as a hard Condition and an unjust Imposition, but was obliged to acquiesce in it.