Part 23
In the mean Time _Rackam_ and the rest were busy heaving in the Cables, one of which they soon got up, and, for Expedition sake, they slipped the other, and so drove down the Harbour: They passed pretty near the Fort, which hailed them, as did also the Guardship, asking them where they were going; they answered, their Cable had parted, and that they had nothing but a Grappling on Board, which would not hold them. Immediately after which they put out a small Sail, just to give them steerage Way. When they came to the Harbour's Mouth, and thought they could not be seen by any of the Ships, because of the Darkness of the Night, they hoisted all the Sail they had, and stood to Sea; then calling up the two Men, they asked them if they would be of their Party; but finding them not inclined, they gave them a Boat to row themselves ashore, ordering them to give their Service to _Haman_, and to tell him, they would send him his Sloop again when they had done with it.
_Rackam_ and _Anne Bonny_, both bore a great Spleen to one _Richard Turnley_, whom _Anne_ had ask'd to be a Witness to the Writing, which _James Bonny_, her Husband, was to give to _Rackam_, by which she was to be resigned to him; _Turnley_ refused his Hand upon that Occasion, and was the Person who acquainted the Governor with the Story, for which they vowed Revenge against him. He was gone from _Providence_ a turtling before they made their Escape, and they knowing what Island he was upon, made to the Place. They saw the Sloop about a League from the Shore a fishing, and went aboard with six Hands; but _Turnley_, with his Boy, by good Luck, happened to be ashore salting some wild Hogs they killed the Day before; they inquired for him, and hearing where he was, rowed ashore in Search of him.
_Turnley_ from the Land saw the Sloop boarded, and observed the Men afterwards making for the Shore, and being apprehensive of Pyrates, which are very common in those Parts, he, with his Boy, fled into a neighbouring Wood. The Surf was very great, so that they could not bring the Boat to Shore; they waded up to the Arm-Pits, and _Turnley_, peeping through the Trees, saw them bring Arms on Shore: Upon the whole, not liking their Appearance, he, with his Boy, lay snug in the Bushes.
When they had looked about and could not see him, they hollow'd, and call'd him by his Name; but he not appearing, they thought it Time lost to look for him in such a Wilderness, and therefore they returned to their Boat, but rowed again back to the Sloop, and took away the Sails, and several other Things. They also carried away with them three of the Hands, _viz._ _Richard Connor_ the Mate, _John Davis_, and _John Howel_, but rejected _David Soward_ the fourth Hand, tho' he had been an old experienced Pyrate, because he was lame, and disabled by a Wound he had formerly received.
When they had done thus much, they cut down the Main-Mast, and towing the Vessel into deep Water, sunk her, having first put _David Soward_ into a Boat to shift for himself; he made Shift to get ashore, and after some Time, having found out _Turnley_, he told him, that _Rackam_ and _Mary Stead_ were determined, if they could have found him, to have whipp'd him to Death, as he heard them vow with many bitter Oaths and Imprecations; for whipping was the Punishment the Governor had threatened her with by his Information.
From thence they stretch'd over to the _Bury Islands_, plundering all the Sloops they met, and strengthening their Company with several additional Hands, and so went on till they were taken and executed at _Port Royal_, as has been told in the first Volume.
About this Time, the Governor, in Conjunction with some Factors then residing at _Providence_, thought fit to freight some Vessels for a trading Voyage; accordingly the _Batchelor_'s _Adventure_, a Schooner, Captain _Henry White_, Commander; the _Lancaster Sloop_, Captain _William Greenway_, Commander; the _May Sloop_, Captain _John Augur_, Commander, of which last _David Soward_ was Owner, (it having been given him by some Pyrates his former Associates) in which he also sail'd this Voyage, were fitted out with a Cargo of Goods and Merchandizes, bound for _Port Prince_ on the Island of _Cuba_.
The Governor thought it adviseable, for the Benefit of the Inhabitants of _Providence_, to settle a Correspondence with some Merchants at _Port Prince_, first, in order to procure fresh Provisions, there being scarce any upon the Island at the Governor's first Arrival; and there being at _Port Prince_ great Plenty of Cows and Hogs, he proposed to get a sufficient Number of each, to stock the Island for Breed, that the People for the future might have fresh Provision of their own.
They set Sail on _Sunday_ the fifth of _October_, 1718; the next Day they arrived at an Island known by the Name of _Green Key_, lying South, South-East from _Providence_, in the Degree of 23 and 40 North Latitude, being distance about twenty five Leagues; they cast Anchor, in order to wait for Morning to carry them thro' some Rocks and Shoals which lay in their Way, and some went ashore to try to kill something for Supper, before it should be dark; they expected to meet some wild Hogs, for, some Time before, one _Joseph Bay_ and one _Sims_, put two Sows and a Boar into the said Island; for they living at that Time at _Providence_, and being continually visited by Pyrates, were always plundered of all their fresh Provisions; wherefore, they thought of settling a Breed upon _Green Key_, that they might have Recourse to in Time of Necessity.
This Island is about nine Miles in Circumference, and about three Miles broad in the widest Place; it is overgrown with wild Cabbage and Palmuta Trees, and great Variety of other Herbs and Fruits, so that there is Plenty of Food for the Nourishment of such Animals; but the Trees lying so close together, makes it but bad Hunting, so that they kill'd but one Hog, which, however was of a monstrous Size.
The Hunters returned on Board their Ships again before Seven, having first divided the Hog, and sent part on Board each Vessel for Supper that Night. After Supper, Captain _Greenway_ and Captain _White_ came on Board of Captain _Augur_'s Sloop, in order to consult together, what Time to sail, and being all of Opinion, that if they weigh'd Anchor betwixt the Hours of ten and eleven, it would be Day before they would come up with the Shoals; they agreed upon that Hour for setting Sail, and so return'd to their own Vessels.
Soon after, _Phineas Bunch_, and _Dennis Macarty_, with a great many others, came from _White_'s Sloop on Board of _Augur_'s; their Pretence was, that they came to see _Richard Turnley_ and Mr. _James Carr_, who had formerly been a Midshipman in the _Rose_ Man of War under Captain _Whitney_, and being a great Favourite of Governor _Rogers_, he had appointed him Supercargo this Voyage. They desired to be treated with a Bottle of Beer, for they knew Mr. _Car_ had some that was very good in his Care, which had been put on Board, in order to make Presents of, and to treat the _Spanish_ Merchants with.
As it was not suspected they had any Thing else in View, Mr. _Carr_ readily went down, and brought up a Couple of Bottles of Beer: They sat upon the Poop with Captain _Augur_ in their Company, and were drinking their Beer; before the second Bottle was out, _Bunch_ and _Macarty_ began to rattle, and talk with great Pleasure, and much boasting of their former Exploits when they had been Pyrates, crying up a Pyrate's Life to be the only Life for a Man of any Spirit. While they were running on in this Manner, _Bunch_ on a sudden started up, and swore damn him, he would be Captain of that Vessel; _Augur_ answered him the Vessel did not want a Captain, for he was able to command her himself, which seem'd to put an End to the Discourse for that Time.
Soon after, _Bunch_ began to tell what bright Arms they had on Board their Sloop; upon which, one of _Augur_'s Men handed up some of their Cutlashes which had been clean'd that Day; among them was Mr. _Carr_'s Silver-hilted Sword; _Bunch_ seem'd to admire the Sword, and ask'd whose it was; Mr. _Carr_ made Answer it belong'd to him; _Bunch_ replied it was a very handsome one, and drawing it out, march'd about the Poop, flourishing it over his Head, and telling Mr. _Carr_ he would return it to him as soon as he had done with it: At the same Time he began to vapour again, and to brag of his former Pyracies, and coming near Mr. _Carr_, struck him with the Sword; _Turnley_ bid him take Care of what he did, for that Mr. _Carr_ would not take such Usage.
As they were disputing upon this Matter, _Dennis Macarty_ stole off, and with some of his Associates seiz'd upon the great Cabin where all the Arms lay: At the same Time several of the Men, began to sing a Song, with these Words, _Did not you promise me, that you would marry me_ (which it seems was the Signal agreed upon among the Conspirators for seizing the Ship) _Bunch_ no sooner heard them, but he cried out aloud by G--d that will I, for I am Parson, and struck Mr. _Carr_ again several Blows with his own Sword; Mr. _Carr_ and _Turnley_ both seiz'd him, and they began to struggle, when _Dennis Macarty_, with several others, return'd from the Cabin with each a Cutlash in one Hand, and a loaded Pistol in the other, and running up to them said, _What do the Governor's Dogs offer to resist?_ And beating _Turnley_ and _Carr_ with their Cutlashes, threaten'd to shoot them: At the same Time firing their Pistols close to their Cheeks, upon which _Turnley_ and _Carr_ begg'd their Lives.
When they were thus in Possession of the Vessel, they haled Captain _Greenway_, and desired him to come on Board about earnest Business: He, knowing nothing of what had pass'd, takes his Boat, and only with two Hands rows on Board of them; as soon as he was come, _Dennis Macarty_ leads him into the Cabin, and, as soon as he was there, lays hold of him, telling him he was now a Prisoner, and must submit: He offered to make some Resistance; upon which, they told him all Resistance would be vain, for his own Men were in the Plot; and, indeed, he saw the two Hands which row'd him aboard now armed, and joining with the Conspirators; wherefore he thought it was Time to submit.
As soon as this was done, they sent some Hands on Board to seize his Sloop, or rather to acquaint his Men with what had been done, for they expected to meet with no Resistance, many of them being in the Plot, and the rest, they supposed, not very averse to it: After which, they decoy'd Captain _White_ on Board, by the same Stratagem they used to _Greenway_, and likewise sent on Board his Sloop, and found his Men, one and all, well disposed for the Design; and what was most remarkable was, that Captain _Augur_ seeing how Things were going, joined with them, shewing himself as well inclined for pyrating as the worst of them.
Thus they made themselves Masters of the three Vessels with very little Trouble. The next Thing to be done was to resolve how to dispose of those who were not of their Party; some were for killing _John Turnley_, but the Majority carried it for marrooning, that he might be starved, and die like a Dog, as they called it; their great Spleen to him was, because he was the Person who had piloted the Governor into _Providence_.
Accordingly _Turnley_, with _John Carr_, _Thomas Rich_, and some others, were stripp'd naked, and tumbled over the Vessel's Side into a Boat which lay alongside; the Oars were all taken out, and they left them nothing to work themselves ashore with but an old Paddle, which, at other Times serv'd to steer the Boat, and so they commanded them to be gone.--However, they made shift to get safe ashore to the Island, which, as we observed before, was quite uninhabited.
The next Morning _Dennis Macarty_, with several others, went on Shore, and told them they must come on Board again, and they would give them some Clothes to put on. They fancied the Pyrates began to repent of the hard Usage they had given them, and were willing to return upon such an Errand; but when they got on Board again, they found their Opinion of the Pyrates good Nature was very ill grounded, for they began with beating them, and did it as if it were in Sport, one having a Boatswain's Pipe, the rest beating them till he piped _Belay_.
The true Design of bringing them on Board again was to make them discover where some Things lay, which they could not readily find, as particularly Mr. _Carr_'s Watch and Silver Snuff-Box; but he was soon obliged to inform them in what Corner of the Cabin they lay, and there they were found, with some Journals and other Books, which they knew how to make no other Use of, but by turning into Cartridges.--Then they began to question _Thomas Rich_ about a Gold Watch which had once been seen in his Possession on Shore at _Providence_; but he protested that it belonged to Captain _Gale_, who was Commander of the Guard-Ship called the _Delicia_, to which he then belonged; but his Protestations would have availed him little, had it not been that some on Board who belonged also to the _Delicia_ knew it to be true, which put an End to his Beating; and so they were all discharged from their Punishment for the present.
Some Time after, fancying the Pyrates to be in better Humour, they begg'd for something to eat, for they had none of them had any Nourishment that Day or the Night before; but all the Answer they received was, that such Dogs should not ask such Questions: In the mean Time, some of the Pyrates were very busy endeavouring to persuade Captain _Greenway_ to engage with them, for they knew him to be an excellent Artist, but he was obstinate and would not; then it was proposed what should be done with him, and the Word went for marrooning, which was opposed by some, because he was a _Bermudian_, meaning, that he might perhaps swim away, or swim on board his Vessel again, for the _Bermudians_ are all excellent Swimmers; but as he represented, that he could not hurt them by his Swimming, he obtain'd the Favour for himself and the other Officers, to be set ashore with _Turnley_, _Carr_, and _Rich_. Accordingly they were put into the same Boat without Oars, to the Number of eight, and were ordered to make the best of their Way on Shore.
The Pyrates, the next Day, having examined all their Vessels, and finding that _Greenway_'s Sloop was not fit for their Purpose, shifted every Thing out of it; those that were sent on Shore could see from thence what they were doing, and when they saw them row off, _Greenway_ swam on Board the Sloop, it is likely, to see whether they had left any Thing behind them. They perceiv'd him, and fancied, he repented his refusing to join with them, and was come to do it now; wherefore some of them return'd back to the Sloop, to speak to him, but they found him of the same Opinion he was in before; however he wheedled them into so much good Humour, that they told him he might have his Sloop again, in which, indeed, they had left nothing except an old Main-Sail, and old Fore-Sail, four small Pieces of _Irish_ Beef, in an old Beef Barrel, and about twenty Biscuits, with a broken Bucket which was used to draw Water in, telling him that he and the rest must not go on Board till they were sail'd.
_Greenway_ swam ashore again to give Notice to his Brothers in Distress, of what had pass'd; the same Afternoon _Bunch_ with several others went on Shore, carrying with them six Bottles of Wine and some Biscuits. Whether this was done to tempt _Greenway_ again, or no, is hard to say; for tho' they talk'd to him a great Deal, they drank all the Wine themselves to the last Bottle, and then they gave each of the poor Creatures a Glass a-piece, with a Bit of Biscuit, and immediately after fell a beating them, and so went on Board.
While they were on Shore, there came in a Turtle which belong'd to one _Thomas Bennet_ of _Providence_, whereof one _Benjamin Hutchins_ was Master; they soon laid hold of her, for she went excellently well; _Hutchins_ was reputed an extraordinary good Pilot among those Islands, wherefore they tempted him to engage with them; at first he refused, but rather than be maroon'd, he afterwards consented.
It was now the ninth of _October_, and they were just preparing to sail, when they sent on Shore, ordering the _condemn'd Malefactors_ to come on Board of the _Lancaster_, that was _Greenway_'s Sloop; they did so in the little Boat they went on Shore in, by the Help of the same Paddle; they found several of the Pyrates there, who told them that they gave them that Sloop to return to _Providence_, tho' they let them have no more Stores, than what were named before; they bad them take the Fore-Sail, and bend it for a Gib, and furl it close down to the Boltsprit, and to furl the Main-Sail close up upon the Boom: They did as they were order'd, for they knew there was no disputing whether it was right or wrong.
Soon after, another Detachment came on Board, among which were _Bunch_ and _Dennis Macarty_, who being either mad or drunk, fell upon them, beating them, and cutting the Rigging and Sails to Pieces with their Cutlashes and commanding them not to sail, till they should hear from them again, cursing and damning, if they did, they would put them all to Death, if ever they met them again; and so they went off, carrying with them the Boat, which they sent them first ashore in, and sail'd away.
They left them in this miserable Condition without Tackle to go their Voyage, and without a Boat to get on Shore, and having Nothing in View but to perish for Want; but as Self-Preservation put them upon exerting themselves, in Order to get out of this deplorable State, they began to rummage and search the Vessel thro' every Hole and Corner, to see if nothing was left which might be of use to them; and it happen'd by Chance that they found an old Hatchet, with which they cut some Sticks sharp to serve for Marlenspikes; they also cut out several other Things, to serve instead of such Tools as are absolutely necessary on Board a Ship.
When they had proceeded thus far, every Man began to work as hard as he could; they cut a Piece of Cable, which they strung into Rope Yarns, and fell to mend their Sails with all possible Expedition; they also made a Kind of Fishing-Lines of the said Rope-Yarns, and bent some Nails crooked to serve for Hooks; but as they were destitute of a Boat, as well for the Use of Fishing as for going on Shore, they resolved to make a Bark Log, that is, to lay two or three Logs together, and tie them close, upon which two or three Men may sit very safely in smooth Water.
As soon as this was done, some Hands went on Shore, upon one of the said Logs (for they made two of them) who employ'd themselves in cutting wild Cabbage, gathering Berries, and a Fruit which the Seamen call Pricklie Pears, for Food, while some others went a Fishing upon another.--Those who went ashore also carried the old Bucket with them, so that whilst some were busy in gathering Things to serve for Provision, one Hand was constantly employ'd, in bringing fresh Water aboard in the said Bucket, which was tedious Work, considering how little could be brought at a Time, and that the Sloop lay near a Mile from the Shore.
When they had employ'd themselves thus, for about four or five Days, they brought their Sails and Tackle into such Order, having also a little Water, Cabbage, and other Things on Board, that they thought it was Time to venture to sail; accordingly they weigh'd their Anchor, and putting out all the Sail they had, got out to the Harbour's Mouth, when to their great Terror and Surprize, they saw the Pyrates coming in again.
They were much frighten'd at the Pyrates unexpected Return, because of the Threatnings they had used to them at parting, not to sail without further Orders; wherefore they tack'd about, and ran as close into the Shore as they could, then throwing out their Bark Logs, they all put themselves upon them, and made to Land, as fast as they could work; but before they quite reach'd it, the Pyrates got so near that they fired at them, but were too far to do Execution; however, they pursued them ashore; the poor Fugitives immediately took to the Woods, and for greater Security climb'd up some Trees, whose Branches were very thick, and by that Means concealed themselves. The Pyrates not finding them, soon return'd to their Boat, and row'd on board the deserted Sloop, whose Mast and Boltsprit they cut away, and towing her into deep Water, sunk her; after which, they made again for the Shore, thinking that the Fugitives would have been come out of their lurking Holes, and that they should surprize them; but they continued still on the Tops of their Trees and saw all that pass'd, and therefore thought it safest to keep their Posts.
The Pyrates not finding them, return'd to their Vessels, and weighing their Anchors, set sail, steering Eastward: In the mean time, the poor Fugitives were in Despair, for seeing their Vessel sunk, they had scarce any Hopes left of escaping the Danger of perishing upon that uninhabited Island; there they lived eight Days, feeding upon Berries, and Shell-Fish, such as Cockles and Perriwinckles, sometimes catching a Stingrey, a Fish resembling Mead or Thornback, which coming into Shoal Water, they could wade near them, and by the Help of a Stick sharpen'd at the End, which they did by rubbing it against the Rock, (for they had not a Knife left amongst them) they stuck them as if it had been with a Spear.
It must be observed, that they had no Means of striking a Fire, and therefore their Way of dressing this Fish was, by dipping it often in Salt Water, then laying it in the Sun, till it became both hard and dry, and then they eat it.
After passing eight Days in this Manner, the Pyrates return'd, and saw the poor Fugitives ashore, who according to Custom made to the Woods; but their Hearts began to relent towards them, and sending ashore, they ordered a Man to go into the Woods single, to call out to them, and promise them upon their Honour, if they would appear, that they would give them Victuals and Drink, and not use them ill any more.
These Promises, and the Hunger which pinch'd them, tempted them to come forth, and accordingly they went on Board with them, and they were as good as their Words, for they gave them as much Beef and Biscuit as they could eat, during two or three Days they were on Board, but would not give them a Bit to carry on Shore; they also gave them three or four Blankets amongst them, to cover their Nakedness (for as we observed, they were quite naked) and let them have some Needles and Thread, to make them into some Form.
There was on Board one _George Redding_, an Inhabitant of _Providence_, who was taken out of the _Turtle Sloop_, and who was a forced Man, being an Acquaintance of _Richard Turnley_, and knowing, that he was resolved to go ashore again, rather than engage with the Pyrates, and hearing him say, that they could find Food to keep them alive, if they had but Fire to dress it, privately gave him a Tinder-Box, with Materials in it for striking Fire, which, in his Circumstances, was a greater Present than Gold or Jewels.
Soon after, the Pyrates put the Question to them, whether they would engage, or be put ashore? And they all agreed upon the latter: Upon which a Debate arose amongst the Pyrates, whether they should comply with their Request or no? And at length it was agreed, that _Greenway_ and the other two Masters should be kept whether they would or no: And the rest, being five in Number, should be as the Pyrates express'd it, have a second Refreshment of the Varieties of the Island.