Part 22
In the mean Time there came some Men on board the Fleet from off a little Island, called _Harbour Island_, adjacent to _Providence_. The Advice they brought was, that there were near a thousand Pyrates on Shore upon the Island of _Providence_, waiting for the King's Pardon, which had been long expected. The principal of their Commanders were _Benj. Horneygold_, _Arthur Davis_, _Jos. Burgess_, _Tho. Carter_, and they were all in or about the Town of _Nassau_; that the Fort was extremely out of Repair, there being only one Gun mounted, a nine Pounder, and no Accommodation for Men, but one little Hut or House, which was inhabited by an old Fellow, whom the Pyrates, in Derision, called Governor _Sawney_.
The Fleet was seen from the Harbour, as well as the Town, so that Captain _Charles Vane_, who had no Design of surrendring; but, on the contrary, had fitted out his Ship with a Resolution of attempting new Adventures, took the Advantage of the Night to contrive his Escape; and though the Harbour was blocked up, and his Ship drew too much Water to get out by t'other East Passage, he shifted his Hands, and Things of most Value, into a lighter Vessel, and charging all the Guns of the Ship he quitted with Double-Round and Partridge, he set it on Fire, imagining, that some of the Ships, or their Boats, might be sent near him, and he might do some Mischief when it should burn down to them.
Those in the Fleet saw the Light, and heard the Guns, and fancied the Pyrates on Shore were making Bonfires, and firing Guns for Joy that the King's free Pardon was arrived; and Captain _Whitney_, Commander of the _Rose_ Man of War, sent his Boat with his Lieutenant on Shore, which was intercepted by _Vane_, who carried the Crew on Board, and stripped them of some Stores they had in the Boat, he kept them till he got under Sail, which was till Day-break, when there was Light enough for him to see how to steer his Way through the East Passage; which was no sooner done but he hoisted a black Flag, and fired a Gun, and then let the Lieutenant and Boat's Crew depart and join the Fleet.
The Fleet got safe into the Harbour, and as soon as the Lieutenant arrived on Board, and related what had passed, the _Buck_ Sloop was ordered to chace _Vane_; she made what Sail she could through the East Passage after him, having a Recruit of Men well armed sent to her from the other Ships; but being heavily laden with rich Goods, _Vane_ had the Heels of her, which the Commadore observing, made a Signal for her to leave off the Chace, and return, which she did accordingly.
They immediately fell to mooring and securing their Ships, which took up the Time till Night: Next Morning the Governor went on Shore, being received at his Landing by the principal People in the Government of the Place, as _Thomas Walker_, Esq; Chief Justice, and _Thomas Taylor_, Esq; President of the Council; the Pyrate Captains, _Hornygold_, _Davis_, _Carter_, _Burghess_, _Currant_, _Clark_, with some others, drew up their Crews in two Lines, reaching from the Water-Side to the Fort, the Governor and other Officers marching between them; in the mean Time, they being under Arms, made a running Fire over his Head.
Being arrived at the Fort, his Commission was opened and read, and he was sworn in Governor of the Island, according to Form.
The next Day the Governor made out a Commission to _Richard Turnley_, the chief Pilot, to Mr. _Salter_, a Factor, and some others, to go on Board and examine all suspected Ships and Vessels in the Harbour, to take an Inventory of their several Ladings, and to secure both Ship and Cargo for the Use of the King and Company, till such Time as a Court of Admiralty could be called, that they might be lawfully cleared or condemned by proving which belonged to Pyrates, and which to fair Traders.
The Day following a Court-Martial was held, in which a military Discipline was settled, in order to prevent Surprizes, both from _Spaniards_ and Pyrates, till such Time as the Fort could be repaired, and put into a Condition of Defence; for this Purpose the Governor was obliged to make Use of some of the pardoned Pyrates, such as _Hornygold_, _Davis_ and _Burghess_, to whom he gave some Commands; and _George Fetherston_, _James Bonney_, and _Dennis Macartey_, with some other Pyrates of a lower Rank, acted under them as inferior Officers.
Soon after the civil Government was also setled, some of the principal Officers being appointed Justices of the Peace, others of inferior Degree, Constables and Overseers of the Ways and Roads, which were overgrown with Bushes and Underwood, all about the Town of _Nassau_; so that if any Enemy had landed in the Night, they might lie in Ambuscade in those Covers, and surprize the Town; wherefore several of the common Pyrates were employed in clearing away the said Bushes and Underwood.
The Governor, with some Soldiers, guarded the Fort, and the Inhabitants, who were form'd into Train'd-Bands, took Care of the Town; but as there was no Sort of Accommodation to lodge such a Number of People, they were forced to unbend the Sails, and bring them on Shore, in order to make Tents, till they had Time to build Houses, which was done with all possible Expedition, by a Kind of Architecture altogether new.
Those that were built in the Fort were done by making six little Holes in the Rock, at convenient Distances, in each of which was stuck a forked Pole; on these, from one to t'other, were placed cross Poles or Rafters, which being lathed at Top, and on the Sides, with small Sticks, were afterwards covered with _Palmata_ Leaves, and then the House was finished; for they did not much trouble themselves about the Ornaments of Doors and Windows.
In the mean Time the repairing the Fort was carried on, and the Streets were ordered to be kept clean, both for Health and Conveniency, so that it began to have the Appearance of a civilized Place.
A Proclamation was published for the Encouragement of all such Persons should be willing to settle upon the Island of _Providence_, by which every Person was to have a Lot of Ground of a hundred and twenty Foot square, any where in or about the Town of _Nassau_, that was not before in the Possession of others, provided they should clear the said Ground, and build a House tenantable, by a certain Time therein limited, which might be easily done as they might have Timber for nothing. This had the Effect proposed, and a great many immediately fell to work to comply with the Conditions, in order to settle themselves there.
Many of the Pyrates were employed in the Woods in cutting down Sticks to make Pallisadoes; and all the People belonging to the Ships (Officers excepted) were obliged to work four Days in the Week upon the Fortifications, so that in a short Time a strong Entrenchment was cast round the Fort, and being well pallisadoed, it rendered the Fort tolerably strong.
But it did not much suit the Inclinations of the Pyrates to be set to work; and though they had Provision sufficient, and had also a good Allowance of Wine and Brandy to each Man, yet they began to have such a hankering after their old Trade, that many of them took Opportunities of seizing Perriaguas, and other Boats, in the Night, and making their Escapes, so that in a few Months there was not many of them left.
However, when the _Spanish_ War was proclaim'd, several of them return'd back again of their own Accords, being tempted with the Hopes of being employed upon the privateering Account, (which is something like pyrating;) for that Place lying near the Coast of _Spanish America_, and also not far from the Gulph of _Florida_, seemed to be a good Station for intercepting the _Spanish_ Vessels going to old _Spain_.
They were not mistaken in this Supposition, for the Governor, according to the Power vested in him, did grant Commissions for privateering, and made Choice of some of the principal Pyrates who had continued upon the Island, in Obedience to the Pardon, for Commanders, as being Persons well qualified for such Employments, who made up their Crews chiefly of their scattered Companions, who were newly returned upon the Hopes of Preferment.
About this Time a Fishing Vessel belonging to the Island of _Providence_ brought in the Master of a Ship and a few Sailors, whom she had picked up at Sea in a Canoe; the said Master was called Captain _King_, who sailed in a Ship called the _Neptune_, belonging to _South-Carolina_, loaden with Rice, Pitch, Tar, and other Merchandizes, bound for _London_.
The Account he gave of himself was, that he was met with by _Charles Vane_ the Pyrate, who carried him into _Green Turtle_ Bay, one of the _Bahama_ Islands, by whom he was plundered of a great Part of his Cargoe, which consisting chiefly of Stores, was of great Use to them; that afterwards they cut away Part of one of the Masts of the Ship, and fired a Gun down her Hold, with Design of sinking her; that they took some of his Men into their Service, and when they were sailing off gave him and the rest a Canoe to save themselves; that with this Canoe they made shift to sail from one little Island to another, till they had the good Luck to meet the Fishing Boat which took them up; and that he believed _Charles Vane_ might still be cruising thereabouts.
Upon this Intelligence the Governor fitted out a Ship which was named the _Willing Mind_, mann'd with fifty stout Hands, well armed, and also a Sloop with thirty Hands, which he sent to cruise amongst those Islands, in search of _Vane_ the Pyrate, giving them Orders also to endeavour to recover the Ship _Neptune_, which Captain _King_ told them had still Goods of a considerable Value left in her.
They went out accordingly, but never saw _Vane_; however, they found the _Neptune_, which was not sunk as the Pyrates intended; for the Ball they fired into her stuck in the Ballast, without passing through, by Reason the Gun had not been sufficiently charged, and so they returned with her about the 10th of _November_; but an unlucky Accident happened to the Ship _Willing Mind_, occasioned either by the ignorance or Carelessness of the Pilot, which was bulged in going over the Bar.
In the mean Time _Vane_ made towards the Coast of _Hispaniola_, living riotously on Board, having store of Liquor, and plenty of fresh Provisions, such as Hogs, Goats, Sheep, Fowl, which he got upon easy Terms, for touching at a Place called _Isleatherer_, he plundered the Inhabitants of as much of their Provision as they could carry away: Here they cruised to about _February_, when, near the Windward Passage of Cape _Mase_, they met with a large rich Ship of _London_, called the _Kingston_, loaden with Bale Goods, and other rich Merchandize, and having several Passengers on Board, some _English_, and some _Jews_, besides two Women.
Towards the North-End of _Jamaica_ they also met with a Turtle Sloop, bound in for that Island, on Board of which (after having first plundered her) they put the Captain of the _Kingston_, and some of his Men, and all the Passengers, except the two Women, whom they kept for their own Entertainment, contrary to the usual Practice of Pyrates, who generally sent them away, least they should occasion Contention.
The Ship _Kingston_ they kept for their own Use; for now their Company being strengthened by a great many Recruits, some Voluntiers, and some forced Men out of the _Neptune_ and _Kingston_, they thought they had Hands enough for two Ships; accordingly they shifted several of their Hands on Board the _Kingston_, and _John Rackham_, alias _Callico Jack_, (so called, because his Jackets and Drawers were always made of Callico) Quarter-Master to _Vane_, was unanimously chosen Captain of the _Kingston_.
The Empire of these Pyrates had not been long thus divided before they had like to have fallen into a civil War amongst themselves, which must have ended in the Destruction of one of them. The fatal Occasion of the Difference betwixt these two Brother Adventurers, was this;--It happened that _Vane_'s Liquor was all out, who sending to his Brother Captain for a Supply, _Rackham_ accordingly spared him what he thought fit; but it falling short of _Vane_'s Expectation, as to Quantity, he went on Board of _Rackham_'s Ship to expostulate the Matter with him, so that Words arising, _Rackham_ threaten'd to shoot him thro' the Head, if he did not immediately return to his own Ship; and told him likewise, that if he did not sheer off, and part Company, he would sink him.
_Vane_ thought it best to take his Advice, for he thought the other was bold enough to be as good as his Word, for he had it in his Power to be so, his Ship being the largest and strongest of the two.
Accordingly they parted, and _Rackham_ made for the Island of _Princes_, and having great Quantities of rich Goods on Board, taken in the late Prizes, they were divided into Lots, and he and his Crew shared them by throwing Dice, the highest Cast being to choose first: When they had done, they packed up their Goods in Casks, and buried them on Shore in the Island of _Princes_, that they might have Room for fresh Booty. In the mean Time it happened that a Turtle Sloop belonging to _Jamaica_ came in there, _Rackham_ sent his Boat, and brought the Master on Board of him, and asking him several Questions, the Master informed him, that War with _Spain_ had been proclaimed in _Jamaica_; and that the Time appointed by the general Pardon for Pyrates to surrender, in order to receive the Benefit thereof, was not expired.
Upon this Intelligence _Rackham_ and his Crew suddenly changed their Minds, and were resolved to take the Benefit of the Pardon by a speedy Surrender; wherefore, instead of using the Master ill, as the poor Man expected, they made him several Presents, desiring him to sail back to _Jamaica_, and acquaint the Governor they were willing to surrender, provided he would give his Word and Honour they should have the Benefit of the Pardon; which, as extensive as it was, they apprehended they were not intitled to, because they had run away in Defiance of it at _Providence_. They desired the Master also to return with the Governor's Answer, assuring him he should be no Loser by the Voyage.
The Master very willingly undertook the Commission, and arriving at _Jamaica_, delivered his Message to the Governor, according to his Instructions; but it happened that the Master of the _Kingston_, with his Passengers, being come to _Jamaica_, had acquainted the Governor with the Pyracies of _Vane_ and _Rackam_, before the Turtler got thither, who was actually fitting out two Sloops, which were now just ready, in pursuit of them, so that the Governor was very glad to discover, by the Turtler's Message, where _Rackam_ was to be found.
The two Sloops, well mann'd, accordingly sailed out, and found _Rackam_ in the Station where the Turtler had described him, but altogether in Disorder, and quite unprepared, either for Sailing or for Fight, most of his Sails being on Shore erected into Tents, and his Decks lumber'd with Goods; he happen'd to be on Board himself, tho' most of his Men were ashore, and seeing the two Sloops at a Distance, bearing towards him, he observed them with his Glass, and fancied he saw on Board something like Preparations for fighting. This was what he did not expect, for he look'd for no Enemy, and while he was in Doubt and Suspence about them, they came so near that they began to fire.
He had neither Time nor Means to prepare for Defence, so that there was nothing to be done but to run into his Boat, and escape to the Shore, which he did accordingly with the few Hands he had with him, leaving the two Women on Board to be taken by the Enemy.
The Sloops seized the Ship _Kingston_, mann'd her, and brought her into _Jamaica_, having still a great part of her Cargoe left; when she arrived, the Master of her fell to examining what part of the Cargoe was lost, and what left; he searched also for his Bills of Lading and Cockets, but they were all destroyed by _Rackam_; so that the Ship being freighted by several Owners, the Master could not tell whose Property was saved, and whose lost, till he had fresh Bills of Parcels of each Owner from _England_. There was one remarkable Piece of good Luck which happened in this Affair; there were, amongst other Goods, sixty Gold Watches on Board, and thirty of Silver; the Pyrates divided the Silver Watches, but the Gold being packed up amongst some Bale Goods, were never discovered by them, and the Master, in searching, found them all safe.
In the mean Time _Rackam_ and his Crew lived in the Woods, in very great Suspence what to do with themselves; they had with them Ammunition and small Arms, and also some of the Goods, such as Bales of Silk Stockings, and laced Hats, with which, it is supposed, they intended to make themselves fine; they had also two Boats and a Canoe.
Being divided in their Resolutions, _Rackam_ with six more determined to take one of the Boats, and make the best of their Way for the Island of _Providence_, and there claim the Benefit of the King's Pardon, which they fancied they might be intitled to, by representing, that they were carried away by _Vane_, against their Wills. Accordingly they put some Arms, Ammunition and Provision, into the best Boat, and also some of the Goods, and so set Sail. They first made the Island of _Pines_, from thence got over to the North-Side of _Cuba_, where they destroyed several _Spanish_ Boats and Launces; one they took, which being a stout Sea Boat, they shifted themselves and their Cargoe into her, and sunk their own, and then stretched over to the Island of _Providence_, where they landed safely about the Middle of _May_ 1719, where demanding the King's Pardon, the Governor thought fit to allow it them, and Certificates were granted to them accordingly.
Here they sold their Goods, and spent the Money merrily; when all was gone, some ingaged themselves in Privateers, and others in trading Vessels.
But _Rackam_, as Captain, having a much larger Share than any of the rest, his Money held out a little longer; but happening about this Time to come acquainted with _Anne Bonny_, that made him very extravagant. _Anne Bonny_, as has been taken Notice of in the first Volume, was married to _James Bonny_, one of the pardoned Pyrates, a likely young Fellow, and of a sober Life, considering he had been a Pyrate; but _Anne_, who was very young, soon turned a Libertine upon his Hands, so that he once surpriz'd her lying in a Hammock with another Man. _Rackam_ made his Addresses to her till his Money was all spent; but as he found there was no carrying on an Amour with empty Pockets, he ingaged himself with Captain _Burghess_, lately a Pyrate, but pardoned, who had received a Commission to privateer upon the _Spaniards_. This Cruize proved successful; they took several Prizes, amongst the rest, two of considerable Value, one loaded with Cocoa Nut, and another with Sugar. They brought them into _Providence_, and found Purchasers amongst the Factors, who came from other Places for that Purpose. The Dividend was considerable, and as soon as possible disposed of: _Burghess_ sailed out in Quest of new Purchase; but _Rackam_, who had nothing but _Anne Bonny_ in his Head, staid behind to spend his Money, and enjoy his Mistress.
_Rackam_ lived in all Manner of Luxury, spending his Money liberally upon _Anne Bonny_, who was so taken with his Generosity, that she had the Assurance to propose to her Husband to quit him, in order to cohabit with _John Rackam_; and that _Rackam_ should give him a Sum of Money, in Consideration he should resign her to the said _Rackam_ by a Writing in Form, and she even spoke to some Persons to witness the said Writing.
The Story made some Noise, so that the Governor hearing of it, sent for her and one _Anne Fulworth_, who came with her from _Carolina_, and pass'd for her Mother, and was privy to all her loose Behaviour, and examining them both upon it, and finding they could not deny it, he threaten'd if they proceeded further in it, to commit them both to Prison, and order them to be whipp'd, and that _Rackam_, himself, should be their Executioner.
These Menaces made her promise to be very good, to live with her Husband, and to keep loose Company no more; but all this was Dissimulation, for _Rackam_ and she consulting together, and finding they could not by fair Means enjoy each other's Company with Freedom, resolved to run away together, and enjoy it in Spight of all the World.
To this Purpose they plotted together to seize a Sloop which then lay in the Harbour, and _Rackam_ drew some brisk young Fellows into the Conspiracy; they were of the Number of the Pyrates lately pardoned, and who, he knew, were weary of working on Shore, and long'd to be again at their old Trade.
The Sloop they made choice of was betwixt thirty and forty Tun, and one of the swiftest Sailors that ever was built of that Kind; she belong'd to one _John Haman_, who lived upon a little Island not far from _Providence_, which was inhabited by no humane Creature except himself and his Family, (for he had a Wife and Children) his Livelihood and constant Employment was to plunder and pillage the _Spaniards_, whose Sloops and Launces he had often surprized about _Cuba_ and _Hispaniola_, and sometimes brought off a considerable Booty, always escaping by a good Pair of Heels, insomuch that it become a Bye-Word to say, _There goes_ John Haman, _catch him if you can_. His Business to _Providence_ now was to bring his Family there, in order to live and settle, being weary, perhaps, of living in that Solitude, or else apprehensive if any of the _Spaniards_ should discover his Habitation, they might land, and be revenged of him for all his Pranks.
_Anne Bonny_ was observed to go several times on Board this Sloop; she pretended to have some Business with _John Haman_, therefore she always went when he was on Shore, for her true Errand was to discover how many Hands were aboard, and what kind of Watch they kept, and to know the Passages and Ways of the Vessel.
She discovered as much as was necessary; she found there were but two Hands on Board; that _John Haman_ lay on Shore every Night: She inquired of them, Whether they watch'd? Where they lay? And ask'd many other Questions; to all which they readily answered her, as thinking she had no Design but common Curiosity.
She acquainted _Rackam_ with every Particular, who resolved to lose no Time, and therefore, acquainting his Associates, who were eight in Number, they appointed an Hour for meeting at Night, which was at twelve o'Clock. They were all true to the Roguery, and _Anne Bonny_ was as punctual as the most resolute, and being all well armed, they took a Boat and rowed to the Sloop, which was very near the Shore.
The Night seemed to favour the Attempt, for it was both dark and rainy. As soon as they got on Board, _Anne Bonny_, having a drawn Sword in one Hand and a Pistol in the other, attended by one of the Men, went strait to the Cabin where the two Fellows lay who belonged to the Sloop; the Noise waked them, which she observing, swore, that if they pretended to resist, or make a Noise, she would blow out their Brains, (that was the Term she used.)