Part 24
Accordingly _Richard Turnley_, _James Carr_, _Thomas Rich_, _John Cox_, and _John Taylor_, were a second Time marooned, and the Pyrates as soon as they landed them, sail'd off, steering Eastward, till they came to an Island call'd _Pudden Point_, near _Long-Island_ in the Latitude of 24, where they cleaned their Vessels.
In the mean Time _Turnley_ and his Companions made a much better Shift than they had done before, his Friend _George Redding_'s Present being of infinite Use to them, for they constantly kept a good Fire, with which they broil'd their Fish; there were Plenty of Land Crabs and Snakes in the Island, which they could eat when they were dress'd, and thus they pass'd fourteen Days: At the End of which, the Pyrates made them another Visit, and they according to Custom made for the Woods, thinking that the Reason of their Return must be, in order to force them to serve amongst them.
But here they were mistaken, for the Anger of these Fellows being over, they began to pity them, and came now with a Design to succour them; but going ashore, and not finding them, they knew they were hid for Fear: Nevertheless, they left upon the Shore, where they knew they would come, some Stores which they intended in this Fit of good Humour to present them with.
The poor Islanders were got to their Retreat, the Tops of the Trees, and saw the Pyrates go off; upon which they ventured down, and going to the Water-side, were agreeably surprized to find a small Cask of Flower, of betwixt twenty and thirty Pounds, about a Bushel of Salt, two Bottles of Gunpowder, several Bullets, besides a Quantity of small Shot, with a Couple of Musquets, a very good Axe, and also a Pot and a Pan, and three Dogs, which they took in the _Turtle Sloop_; which Dogs are bred to Hunting, and generally the Sloops which go Turtling, carry some of them, as they are very useful in tracing out the wild Hogs; besides all these, there were a dozen Horn-handled Knives, of that Sort which are usually carried to _Guiney_.
They carried all these Things into the Wood, to that Part where they had their fresh Water, and where they usually kept, and immediately went to work with their Axe; some cutting down Bows, and making Poles, so that four of them were employ'd in building a Hut, while _Richard Turnley_ taking the Dogs and a Gun, went a hunting, he understanding that Sport very well. He had not been gone long before he kill'd a large Boar, which he brought home to his Companions, who fell to cutting it up, and some they dress'd for their Dinner, and the rest they salted, for another Time.
Thus they lived, as they thought, very happy, in respect to their former Condition; but after four Days, the Pyrates made them another Visit, for they wanted to fill some Casks with Water: It happen'd when they came in, that _Turnley_ was gone a Hunting, and the rest all busy at some Work, so that they did not see them, till they just came into the Wood upon them; seeing the Hut, one of them in Wantonness set it on Fire, and it was burnt to the Ground; and they appear'd inclined to do Mischief, when _Richard Turnley_ knowing nothing of the Matter, happened to return from Hunting, with a fine Hog upon his Back, as much as he could carry; he was immediately surrounded by the Pyrates, who seized upon the fresh Meat, and which seemed to put them into better Humour, they made _Richard Cox_ carry it down to their Boat, and when he had done, they gave him a Bottle of Rum to carry back to his Companions to drink their Healths, telling him, that they might get home if they could, or if they staid there, they never would trouble them any more.
They were, indeed, as good as their Words, for sailing away immediately, they made for _Long Island_, and coming up toward the Salt Ponds there, they saw at a Distance in the Harbour, three Vessels at an Anchor, and supposing them to be either _Bermudas_ or _New-York_ Sloops lying there to take in Salt, they bore down upon them with all the Sail they could make, expecting a good Booty. The _Turtle Sloop_ taken from _Benjamin Hutchins_, was by much the best Sailor; however, it was almost dark before she came up with them, and then coming close alongside of one of them, she gave a Broadside, with a Design to board the next Minute, but received such a Volley of small Shot in return, as killed and wounded a great many of the Pyrates, and the rest, in great Surprize and Fright, jumped overboard, to save themselves by swimming ashore.
The Truth on't is, these Sloops proved to be _Spanish_ Privateers, who observing the Pyrates to bear down upon them, prepared themselves for Action: The Commander in Chief of these three Privateers was one who was called by the Name of _Turn Joe_, because he had once privateer'd on the _English_ Side; he had also been a Pyrate, and now acted by Vertue of a Commission from a _Spanish_ Governor. He was by Birth an _Irishman_, a bold enterprising Fellow, and was afterwards killed in an Engagement with one _John Bonnavee_, Captain of Privateer belonging to _Jamaica_.
But to return to our Story: The Sloop was taken, and on board her was found, desperately wounded _Phineas Bunch_, who was the Captain.--By and by a second of the Pyrate Sloops came up; she heard the Volley, and supposed it to be fired by _Bunch_, when he boarded one of the Sloops; she came also alongside of one of the _Spaniards_, and received the Welcome that was given to _Bunch_, and submitted as soon. A little after, came up the third, which was taken with the same Ease, and in the same Manner, as many of the Pyrates as could swim, jumping over board to save themselves on Shore, there not being a Man lost on the Side of the _Spaniards_.
The next Day _Turn Joe_ asked them many Questions, and finding out that several amongst them had been forc'd Men, he, with the Consent of the other _Spanish_ Officers, ordered all the Goods to be taken out of a _Spanish_ Launce, and putting some of the wounded Pyrates into the said Launce, with some Provision, Water, and other Liquors, gave it to the forced Men, to carry them to _Providence_.
Accordingly _George Redding_, _Thomas Betty_, _Matthew Betty_, _Benjamin Hutchins_, with some others, set Sail, and in eight and forty Hours arrived in the Harbour of _Providence_.
They went on Shore immediately, and acquainted the Governor with every Thing that had pass'd, from the Time of their setting out, acquainting him, that _Phineas Bunch_, who was one of the chief Authors of all the Mischief, was on board the _Launce_; the Governor, with some others, went and examined him, and he confessed all, wherefore there was no Occasion for a Trial; and as he had been pardoned before, and it was necessary to make some speedy Example, it was resolved that he should be executed the next Day, but it was prevented by his dying that Night of his Wounds.
They also informed the Governor of the Condition of _Turnley_, _Car_, and the rest, who were marooned by the Pyrates upon _Green Key_ Island; upon which the Governor sent for one _John Sims_, a Molotto Man, who had a two Mast Boat in the Harbour of _Providence_, very fit for sailing; and laying some Provisions into the said Boat, ordered him to get five or six Hands, and to sail for _Green Key_, in order to bring off the five Men there marooned.
_Sims_ accordingly made the best of his Way, and sailing out in the Morning, arrived at _Green Key_ the next Day towards Evening. The poor People on Shore saw them, and supposing them to be some of the Pyrates returned, thought it best to take to the Wood and hide, not knowing what Humour they might be in now.
_Sims_ and his Ship-Mates carried some Provision on Shore, not knowing but they might want, and searched about, and calling out to them by their Names. After wandering about some Time, they came to the Place where the Fire was constantly kept; at perceiving which, they fancied they must be thereabouts, and that it would be best to wait for them there, and accordingly they sat them down, laying the Provisions near them. _Turnley_, who was climbed to the Top of a Tree just by, saw them, and observed their Motions, and fancied they were no Enemies who were bringing them Provisions, and, looking more earnestly, he knew _Sims_ the Molotto, whom he was very well acquainted with at _Providence_; upon which he called him, who desired him to come down, telling him the comfortable News, that he was come to the Relief of him and his Companions.
_Turnley_ made what Haste he could to the Bottom, and as soon as he was down, summoned his Companions, who were climbed to the Top of some neighbouring Trees, being in Haste to communicate the glad Tidings to them; being all together, the Molotto related to them the History of what had happened to the Pyrates.
That Night they supped comfortably together upon the Provision brought ashore; but so strange an Effect has Joy, that scarce one of them slept a Wink that Night, as they declared. The next Day they agreed to go a Hunting, in order to get something fresh to carry off with them, and were so successful, that they killed three fine Hogs. When they return'd, they made the best of their Way on Board, carrying with them all their Utensils, and set Sail for _Providence_, whither they arrived in three Days; it being now just seven Weeks from the Time of their being first set on Shore by the Pyrates.
The Governor, in the mean Time, was fitting out a Sloop to send for _Long Island_, in order to take those Pyrates who had saved themselves near the Salt Ponds there, which Sloop was now ready to sail, and put under the Command of _Benjamin Horneygold_; _Turnley_ and his Companions embarked on Board of her, and Care was taken to get as many Men as they could, who were entire Strangers to the Pyrates.
When they arrived at the said Island, they run in pretty near the Shore, keeping but few Hands on Deck, that it might look like a trading Vessel, and those Men that were quite unknown to the Pyrates.
The Pyrates seeing them, came only two or three of them near the Shore, the rest lying in Ambush, not without Hopes of finding an Opportunity to seize the Sloop. The Sloop sent her Boat out towards the Shore, with Orders to lie off at a little Distance, as if she was afraid: Those in Ambush seeing the Boat so near, had not Patience to stay any longer, but flocked to the Water Side, calling out to them to come on Shore, and help them, for they were poor Ship-wreck'd Men, almost perish'd for Want. Upon which the Boat row'd back again to the Sloop.
Upon second Thoughts they sent her off again with two Bottles of Wine, a Bottle of Rum, and some Biscuits, and sent another Man, who was a Stranger to those ashore, with Orders to pass for Master of the Vessel. As soon as they approach'd them, the Pyrates call'd to them as before, begging them, for God's sake to come on Shore; they did so, and gave them the Biscuit, Wine and Rum, which he said he brought ashore on purpose to comfort them, because his Men told him they were cast away. They were very inquisitive to know where he was bound; he told them, to _New-York_, and that he came in there to take in Salt: They earnestly intreated him to take them on Board, and carry them as Passengers to _New-York_; they being about sixteen in Number, he answered, he was afraid he had not Provision sufficient for so great a Number; but that he would go on Board and over-hall his Provision, and, if they pleased, some of them might go with him, and see how his Stock stood, that at least he would carry some of them, and leave some Refreshment for the rest, till they could be succoured another Way, but that he hoped they would make him some Recompence when they should arrive at _New York_.
They seemed wonderfully pleased with his Proposal, and promised to make him ample Satisfaction for all the Charges he should be at, pretending to have good Friends and considerable Effects in several Parts of _America_. Accordingly he took several of them with him in the Boat, and as soon as they got on Board, he invited them into the Cabin, where, to their Surprize, they saw _Benjamin Horneygold_, formerly a Brother Pyrate; but what astonished them more, was to see _Richard Turnley_, whom they had lately marooned upon _Green Key_; they were immediately surrounded by several with Pistols in their Hands, and clapped in Irons.
As soon as this was over, the Boat went on Shore again, and those in the Boat told the Pyrates, that the Captain would venture to carry them with what Provision he had; at which they appeared much rejoyced, and so the rest were brought on Board, and without much Trouble clapped in Irons, as well as their Companions.
The Sloop had nothing more to do, and therefore set Sail, and reaching _Providence_, delivered the Pyrates all Prisoners into the Fort: A Court of Admiralty was immediately called, and they were all tried, and ten received Sentence of Death; the other six were acquitted, it appearing that they were forced. The following nine were executed in the Manner described in the first Volume, _John Augur_, _William Cunningham_, _Dennis Macarty_, _William Lewis_, _Thomas Morris_, _George Bendal_, _William Morris_, _George Bendal_, _William Ling_, and _George Rogers_. _George Rounsavil_ was reprieved after he had been tied up, and just going to be cast off, and was brought down to see the Execution of the rest.
But we cannot quit this Story without taking Notice of the Fate of this _George Rounsavil_. He work'd for some Time ashore for his living, but afterwards ingaged himself with Captain _Burghess_, a pardoned Pyrate, who had received a Commission to go a privateering. It happened they were driven upon the Rocks to the Southward of _Green Key_ Island, and there they were beat to pieces; this _Rounsavil_, with five others, upon the first Shock, stept into the Canoe, and were going off, when _Burghess_ standing upon the Poop of his Vessel, call'd out to him, saying, _Will you go away and leave me to perish in this Manner_. _Rounsavil_ begg'd his Companions to put back, and take him in; but they answered, that the rest would be as willing to save themselves as he, and of Consequence, so many would crowd into the Canoe as would sink it, wherefore they would not venture it; upon which he jump'd into the Water, and swam to the Vessel, and there perished with his Friend since he could not save him.
_Of Captain_ TEACH.
We shall add here a few Particulars (not mentioned in our first Volume) of the famous _Blackbeard_, relating to his taking the South _Carolina_ Ships, and insulting that Colony. This was at the Time that the Pyrates had obtained such an Acquisition of Strength, that they were in no Concern about preserving themselves from the Justice of Laws, but of advancing their Power, and maintaining their Sovereignty, not over the Seas only, but to stretch their Dominions to the Plantations themselves, and the Governors thereof, insomuch that when their Prisoners came aboard their Captors Ships, the Pyrates freely own'd their Acquaintance with them, and never endeavour'd to conceal their Names, or Habitations, as if they had been Inhabitants of a legal Commonwealth, and were resolved to treat with all the World on the Foot of a free State; and all judicial Acts went in the Name of _Teach_, under the Title of Commodore.
All the _Carolina_ Prisoners were lodg'd aboard the Commodore's Ship, after being strictly examin'd concerning the Lading of their Vessels, and the Number and Condition of other Traders in the Harbour; when they thought they would sail, and whither bound: And the Enquiry was so solemnly carried on, that the Pyrates swore, that it should be Death for that Man that told a Lye, or otherwise shifted or evaded in his Answers. At the same Time all their Papers were perused with the same Diligence as though it had been at the Secretary's Office here in _England_. When this Business was gone through, Word was given, that all the Prisoners should be immediately turn'd aboard their own Ship, out of which they had already taken their Provisions and Stores. This was done with that Hurry and Precipitation, that it struck a great Terror in the unfortunate People, verily believing they were then going to their Destruction; and what seem'd to confirm them in this Notion was, that no Regard was had to the Qualities of the Prisoners, but Merchants, Gentlemen of Rank, and even a Child of Mr. _Wragg_'s, were thrust aboard in a tumultuous and confus'd Manner, and lock'd all under the Hatches, where not so much as one Pyrate stay'd amongst them.
In this melancholly Situation were these innocent People left, bewailing their Condition for several Hours, expecting every Moment that pass'd either that a Match would be laid to a Train to blow them up, or that the Ship was to be set on Fire, or sunk; no Body could tell which, but every one supposed they were, one Way or other, destin'd for a Sacrifice to their brutal Humours.
But, at length, a Gleam of Light shot in upon them, that recover'd their drooping Souls; the Hatches were unlaid, and they were immediately order'd back on board the Commodore: They began then to think the Pyrates had changed their savage Resolution; and that God had inspired them with Sentiments less shocking to Nature and Humanity, and they went aboard, as it were, with new Life. The Chief of them were brought before _Blackbeard_, the Pyrates General, who acquainted them with the Occasion of that extraordinary Procedure; and that they were only put out of the Way while a general Council was held, at which Time they suffer'd no Prisoner to be present. He told them, the Company was in want of Medicines, and must be supply'd from the Province; that their first Surgeon had drawn up a Catalogue, which he would send to the Governor and Council, by two of his own Officers, for whose safe Return, as well as for the Chest it self, they had come to a Resolution of keeping all the Prisoners as Hostages, who would all be put to Death, if such their Demands were not comply'd with punctually.
Mr. _Wragg_ answer'd, that, perhaps, it might not be in their Power to comply with every Part of it; and, he fear'd, that some certain Drugs in the Surgeon's List, were not to be had in the Province; and, if it should prove so, he hop'd they would be contented to have that Want made up by substituting something else in the Place. He likewise proposed, that one of them might go with the two Gentlemen that were to be sent on the Embassy, who might truly represent the Danger they were in, and induce them more readily to submit, in order to save the Lives of so many of the King's Subjects; and further, to prevent any Insult from the common People, (for whose Conduct, on such an Occasion, they could not answer) on the Persons of his Envoys.
His Excellency _Blackbeard_ thought this Advice reasonable, and therefore call'd another Council, who likewise approv'd of the Amendment; thereupon Mr. _Wragg_, who was the first in Authority, and known to be a Man of good Understanding among the _Carolinians_, was offer'd, and the Gentleman, himself, was willing to leave a young Son in the Hands of the Pyrates, till he should return, which he promis'd to do, though the Government should refuse the Terms of their Releasement: But _Blackbeard_ positively deny'd this Request, saying, he knew too well of what consequence he was in the _Provence_, and he would be equally so to them, and therefore he should be the last Man they would part with.
After some Debate, Mr. _Marks_ was agreed upon to accompany the Ambassadors, and accordingly they went off from the Fleet in a Canoe, and two Days were appointed for their Return; in the mean while the Commadore lay too at five or six Leagues Distance from the Land, expecting the Conditions of Peace; but the Time expiring, and nothing appearing from the Harbour, Mr. _Wragg_ was sent for up before _Teach_, who putting on a terrible Countenance, told him, they were not to be trifled with, that he imagined some foul Treachery was play'd them, and that nothing but immediate Death to them all should be the Consequence of it. Mr. _Wragg_ begg'd to respite the dreadful Execution one Day longer, for, that he was sure, the Province regarded their Lives so much, that they would be sollicitous to the last Degree to redeem them; that, perhaps, some Misfortune might have befallen the Canoe in going in, or it might be their own Men that occasioned the Delay, for either of which it would be hard for them to suffer.
_Teach_ was pacified for the present, and allow'd a Day more for their coming back; but at the End of that Time, how was he enraged to find himself disappointed, calling them Villains a thousand Times, and swearing, they should not live two Hours. Mr. _Wragg_, humour'd him all he could, and desired a good Look-out should be kept. Matters seem'd now to be coming to Extremities, and no Body thought their Lives worth a Day's Purchase; the innocent People were under great Agonies of Mind, expecting that nothing but a Miracle could preserve them from being crush'd by the Weight of the Enemy's Power, when Word was given from the Forecastle, that a small Boat appear'd in Sight. This raised their drooping Spirits, and reviv'd their Hopes; _Blackbeard_ went forward himself with his Spying-Glass, and declared he could perceive his own Scarlet Cloak he lent Mr. _Marks_ to go ashore in; this was thought to be a sure Reprieve, till the Boat came aboard, and then their Fears returned, seeing neither the Pyrates, Mr. _Marks_, nor the Chest of Medicines in the Boat.
This Boat, it seems, was sent off by Mr. _Marks_ very discreetly, lest a Misconstruction should be put upon the Stay, that an unfortunate Accident had occasioned, and which the Men that belong'd to her acquainted the Commodore of, _viz._ That the Boat they had sent ashore was cast away, being overset by a sudden Squall of Wind, and the Men with great Trouble had got ashore at the uninhabited Island of ...... three or four Leagues from the Main, that having staid there some time till reduced to Extremity, there being no Provision of any Kind, and fearing what Disaster might befal the Prisoners aboard; the Persons belonging to their Company, set Mr. _Marks_ upon a Hatch, and floated it upon the Sea, after which, they stripp'd and flung themselves in, and swiming after it, and thrust the Float forward, endeavouring, by that means, to get to Town. This prov'd a very tedious Voiture, and in all Likelihood they had perished, had not this Fishing Boat sail'd by in the Morning, and perceiving something in the Water, made to it, and took them in, when they were near spent with their Labour.