The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-07-14


spare their lives, IL they would
swear to be faithful to him in re-
covering the ship, and afterwards
in carrying her back to Jamaica,
from whence they came. They
gave him all the protestations Of
their sincerity that could be de-
sired. and so our victory was COM
iplete.
But there was still six-and-
twenty hands on board, who. hav-
ing forfeited their lives to the law,
would be hardened In 1t now
knowing that IL they were reduced
they should be brought to the
gallows as soon as they came to
any Of the English colonies.
Upon this l told him the first
thing we had to do was to- stave
the boat which lay upon the beach,
so that they might not carry her
off, and, taking everything out Of
her, leave her so far useless as
not to be fit to swim.
While we were thus preparing
our designs, we heard the ship
fire gun. as a signal for the boat
| 10 come on board; but no boat
stirred; and they fired several
times, making other signals for
the boat.
At last we saw them, by the
help of my glasses, hoist another
boat out, and row towards the
shore: and we found as they APP
preached that there was no less
than ten men in her, and that they
had firearms with them.
AS the ship lay almost two
leagues from the shore, we had
a full view of them as they came
and plain sight of the men, of
whom the captain said that there
were three very honest fellows
who were led into this conspiracy
by the rest, being overpowered
and frightened.
AS soon as they got to the place
where their boat lay. 1t was easy
to see that they were under a
great surprise to find her stripped
of all that was in her, and great
hole in her bottom. After they had
unused a while upon this, seven
men came on shore, and three who
remained in the boat put her up q
good way into the creek.
This was what wished for; and
crossing the creek out of theil
sight, we surprised the men before
they were aware. one of them ly
ing on shore, and the others being
in the boat. There needed very
few arguments to persuade then
to yield when they saw five mer
upon them, and they were per
suaded not only to yield, but aft
erwards to join very sincerely witt
us.
1t was several hours later and
quite dark before the others came
back; but it is impossible to ex.
press their confusion when they
found the boat fast aground in the
creek, the tide ebbed out, and
their men gone!
We then came upon them in the
dark, so that they could not SEE
our number, and, in a word, they
all laid down their arms, and
begged their lives.
The captain talked to them o.
the injury done him, of the con.
idition they were brought to; and
that IL they were sent to England
they would all be hanged In
chains; but that II they would joir
in an attempt to recover the ship
he would have the governors (fol
that is how he spoke of mel en-
gagement for their pardon.
Any one may guess how readily
such a proposal would be accepted
by men in their condition. They
fell down on their knees to the
captain, and promised that they
would be faithful to him to the
last drop.
The captain now had but to fur
nish his two boats, and man them
He made his passenger captain Of
one, with four other men; and
himself and HIS mate and five
more went in the other. And they
contrived their business very we'll
for they came up to the ship abou,
midnight, and took the rest of the
crew by surprise; upon which they
yielded, and the ship was taker
effectually, without any more
lives lost.
AS soon as the ship was thus
secured, the captain ordered seven
guns to be fired, which was the
signal agreed upon with me To
give me notice of his success:
which, YOU may be sure. I was