THE
HISTORY and LIVES
Of all the most NOTORIOUS
PIRATES,
AND
Their CREWS,

From Captain Avery, who first fettled at Madagascar,
to Captain John Gow, and James Williams, his
Lieutenant, &c. who were hanged at Exceution
Dock, June 11, 1735, for Piracy and Murder: and
afterwards hanged in Chains between Blackwall
and Deptford: And in this Edition continued
down to the Year 1735.

Giving a more full and true Account than any yet
publifhed, of all their Murders, Piracies, Maroon-
ings, Places of Refuge, and way of Living.

To which is perfixed,
An Abftraet of the Laws against PIRACY.

The ELEVENTH EDITION

Adorned with Nineteen Beautiful CUTS, being the
Representation of each PIRATE.

GLASGOW:

Printed by ROBERT and THOMAS DUNCAN.

M,DCC,LXXXIII.

THE

PREFACE.

THE design of publishing this book at so small a Price, is to caution the unwary mariner against the temptations he may meet with at sea; as also to show the merchant what perils poor failors daily undergo to make them rich & great, being not only every moment liable to the dangers of the seas; but, what is worse, to the cruelty and inhuman treatment of savage and unrelenting pirates, who are a sort of wretches, that deny Providence in all its works, although they are in a more peculiar manner preferred by it: they use their fellow creatures more cruelly than if they fell into the hands of the most devouring beasts; not only treating them in the most savage manner, but making racks and tortures their sports, till they barbarously take away that life which only God can give.

For this reason, I have not only made a collection from the best authorities of the most noted pirates that have been for the last century, but also given an account of the most material circumstances that attended them in all their expositions, till they received their due reward, a halter; most of which I had from their own mouths, both in the West Indies and at home, and the rest I have gathered from Piers and letters that have been given me; which may serve as a directory to all persons that go on shipboard, and may properly be called the "Seaman's Vade Mecum," without which no failor ought to go to sea, any more than without his instruments and book: for herein he will find not only profitable, but also will be instructed how to behave himself in all dangers and difficulties he may meet with at sea; so that on the one hand, if he should ever be so unhappy as to fall into the hands of pirates, he will be informed what to do in order to avoid several of their cruelties, as also to fortify himself against joining with them in their several ways which is the certain fore-runner of death and destruction.

You have in this book a more full and just history of the life of Capt. Avery (and indeed of all the rest) than any yet published, giving an account of his birth and parentage, and of the several ways and means he made use of to settle

him.

Yale
Lewis Walpole

THE PREFACE.

iv

himself at Madagascar, and also the manner how he came to leave that country in the midft of his grandeur, and return to Biddeford in the weft of England, where he died in a poor miferable condition, and was buried in the poor's ground at the charge of the parish.

You have also an account of capt. Teach, alias Blackbeard, who in his life time was looked upon to be the terror of the seas, and died as much like a hardened rogue as ever went aboard a ship; whose very name was so terrible at North Carolina, that he made the Governor glad to come in a fharer with him in his prey. You must observe, that amongst the pirates, he who goes the greatest length in wickedness, is looked upon with a kind of envy, as being a man of more bravery than the reft: and such was Blackbeard, who never spared man in his anger, nor woman in his luft.

As also capt. John Gow, a Highlander, who was certainly a greater rogue in his nature, and a more cunning one in his actions than any of the reft. He murdered his own captain and three more, without any provocat'on or reafon, but that he might go home in his own ship to court his mifrels; which proved not only the lofs of his own life, but also of eight of his crew, amongst whom there is a notable instance of Alexander Rob, who was taken from aboard another ship againft his inclination: and indeed, his dying words to be a momento for every failor, viz. ' Brother failors, if ' it should ever be your hard fortune to be taken by the pirates suffer yourfelves to be fhot to death rather than join ' with them in their villainy, which has been the caufe of ' my ruin; for God knows, the life of a pirate, is a short, ' very fad, and miferable life.' And so it certainly is, for they are never at eafe but when they are drunk; and are more afraid of one another than of an enemy. If any quarrel arifes, it is twenty to one but the captain suffers, who, is oftener killed than any of his men, eſpecially if there is any ambitious fellow on board, who wants to be captain himſelf; as in the caſe of Williams, who fired a piftol at Gow's face, becaufe he refuſed to fight a French ſhip, four times as ftrong as himſelf.

I have been careful to give an account of the places where in they careen their ſhips, and of the ſeveral ſtations they hover about to look for prey.

And now reader, if this ſhall prove of any advantage or pleafure to thee, I ſhall think my time well ſpent: for thieves of all kinds are villainous, but none to be compared to the villainy of a pirate, who knows not what he is about till he finds himſelf going to be hanged; and then uſually dies in ſuch a defpding condition, that the laft moment of his life fours all the enjoyment of his inhuman pleafures.

AN

A B S T R A C T

O F T H E

L A W S a g a i nſ t P I R A C Y.

ALL countries and nations have ever made laws againſt pirates, looking upon them to be, Hoftes homani geners, enemies of mankind, whom no oaths can bind.

If a merchant man, having letters of Marque, take a ſhip belonging to a prince or ſtate in aliance with you, it is piracy.

If a marſter is detained by pirates for redemption, the ſhip and lading are obliged, in an equal proportion to redeem him.

Subjects at enmity with England, taken on board an English pirate, are eſteemed as pirates. But if it be done upon the British seas, are to be puniſhed by martial Laws.

The captors may, without any trial hang pirates up at the main yard, if the judges at the next port reſufe to try them, or the captor cannot ſtay to give evidence againſt them, without loſs and damage.

If a marſter delivers his goods at a port, and then retakes them, it is piracy; or, if a pirate takes a marſter on note of Redemption, it is piracy, although nothing be taken out of the ſhip.

If a pirate robs a ſhip at anchor in a port, it is not piracy. By 27 C. 2. murders and robberies committed on the sea, where the admiral pretends jurisdiction, shall be tried, where king's commiffion be directed to, by twelve lawful men, as if such offence were done at land. Provided this act shall not prejudice any perſon for taking vifuals, cables, ropes, anchors, or fails, in their neceſſities, they paying ready money for them, within four months on this lide Gibralter, and twelve months beyond.

All commiſſions ſent to any Cinque Ports, ſhall be directed

A 3

to

## 8 THE PIRATES.

Having but one child, which was the captain, they at first resolved to bring him up a scholar, that he might advance the dignity of the family; but, instead of learning his book, he was taught baudy, and could fwear to every point in the compafs, which was a very diverting scene to the boatswain and his crew, who were drinking in the kitchen, and just received 10 l. a man, short allowance money, on board the Revenge, every farthing of which they spent before they left the house: and it is hard to say whether the mother or the child gave them the most diversion, the one being as free with her tail, as the other with his tongue. But as soon as their money was spent, they had all like to have been confined by the landlady for a riot, as he called it. So they were soon glad to go off, and he thought himself happy that could get soonest aboard. And indeed it had been happy for them if they had, for the ship was unmoored and gone to sea; which put the boatswain and his crew a fearing an earneft. Not knowing what to do, they returned to their landlady, Mrs. Avery; but she shut them out of doors, calling them a parcel of beggarly rafcals, fwearing if they would not go from the door she would fend for a conftable; and notwithstanding all the tears and intreaties of her fon, who was then fix years of age she could not be prevailed on to let them in; to they were forced to flrote about the streets that night, and in the morning efpying the ship at anchor (being driven back by contrary winds) they resolved to make the beft of their way on board: but, on their way, who should they meet but young Avery, who no sooner law them, but he cried after them. Zounds, said the boatswains, let's take the young dog aboard, and the bitch his mother fhall be glad to adjust the reckoning more to our satisfaction, before he fhall have her fon. This being agreed upon, and the boy as willing as they, they stepped in to the boat and in about an hour's time reached the ship, which they had no sooner got into, than they were brought before the captain, who being in want of hands, contented himself with bidding 'em all go to their bulineſs; for the wind turned about, and there was occafion for all hands to get the ship out. All this time young Avery was at the boatswain's heels and was obſerved to fwear two oaths to the boatswain's one: and the captain hearing him, enquired who had brought that young ballard aboard. The boatswain replied, he did; but he thought the boy's mother, who was his landlady, was born to be a curfe to him; for he took him up in jeſt, but fwore, he feared he should be obliged to keep him in earſet.

When

## THE HISTORY OF 9

When the hurry was a little over, the captain ordered the boy to be brought to his cabin, with whom he had not talked long but he took a fancy to him, telling him, if he would be a good boy, he should live with him, he being a great lover of children, would often divert himself by talking to the boy, till at length he took such a fancy to him, that he ordered him a little hammock in the cabin, and none so great as the captain and his boy Avery, which had like to have proved very fatal to him; for Avery one night obſerving the captain very drunk with some paſſengers on aboard bound to Carolina, got a lighted match, and had like to have blown up the ship, had not the gunner happened accidentally to follow him into the store room; which made the captain even after thy of his new acquaintance. Avery after being well whipped, was ordered down into the hold, where he remained till they arrived at Carolina, which happened in four or five days after; and then the boy was given to a merchant, who taking a fancy to him, put him to School. But he making little progress in his learning, and committing many unlucky tricks the merchant, in about three years, fipped him off to his friends in Plymouth, on board the Nonefuch; where he was no sooner arrived, but his mother was overjoyed with the fight of her fon, his father being dead a month before his arrival.

His mother dying soon after, the boy was left to the guardianship of Mr Lightfoot, a merchant, who, having great loſſes, became a bankrupt, and young Avery was left to take care of himself. He continued there many years, pilfering and fealing, till the country was too hot to hold him, and then he betook himself to the sea again, where in time, he became as famous for robbing as Cormwell for rebellion.

He entered himself on board the Duke, capt. Gobfon commander, being one of the two ships of 24 guns and 100 men, which were fitted out by the merchants of Bristol, for the ſervice of Spain: which they had no sooner done, but they were ordered by the agents at Bristol to fail to the Groin to receives their orders. On board one of thefe ships Avery entered himself; being at that time about twenty years old. He had not been long aboard, before he obſerved the captain to be much addicted to drunkeſns. He endeavoured to ſpirt up not only his own ship's crew, but having given the word to part of the others ship's crew, the confpirators gave the ſignal, at which the Duchefs long boat appeared, which was the name of the other ship. The confpirators haleing her, were alked by the men in the boat, is your drunken boatswain aboard? which was the word agreed upon: to whom

THE PIRATES.

10

whom Avery answered, all is safe. Upon which twenty
luldy fellows came aboard and joined them; which was no
fooner done, than they secured the hatches, and went to
work, putting to sea without any disforder, although there
were feveral ships in the bay, amongst which was a frigate
of 44 guns.

The captain by this time being awakened, by the noife of
the confpirators working the ship, he rung the bell, enquir-
ing what the devil was the matter. Avery and some of the
crew replied, Nothing; damn ye, what are you mutinous in
your cups ? can't you lie down to sleep, and be quiet ! No,
fays the captain, I am sure fomething is the matter with the
ship: does she drive ? what weather is it? is it a storm?
Pox on you, faith Avery, cannot you be quit, while you are
quiet: I tell you all is well, we are at fea, with a fair wind
and good weather. At fea ! faid the captain, that can't be.
Be not frighted, anſwered Avery, and I'll tell you, you muſt
not, I am now captain of this ship; nay you muſt turn out,
for this is my cabin, and I am bound to Madagascar, to make
my own fortune, as well as my companions.

The captain being more terrified than ever, did not know
what to fay, which Avery perceiving, bid him have a good
heart: for, faid he, if you will join me and theſe brave fel-
lows my companions, in time you may get ſome poſt under
me: if not, itep into the boat, and get about your buſineſs.
The captain was glad to hear this; but yet began to ex-
poſtulate with them upon the unjuſtice of their doings.
Dann you, faid Avery, what do I care; every man for him-
felf and God for us all. Come, come, captain, if you will
go, get you gone, and the devil go with you: the long-boat
waits for you, and if their be any more cowards in the ship,
you may all go together. Theſe words ſo affrighted the
whole crew, that there was not above nine or ten of them
that durſt venture, who made the beſt of their way to shore,
and thought themſelves well off.

The captain was no sooner gone, than they called a
council, who all agreed to own Avery for their captain;
which he accepted of with all the humilitiy imaginable, ex-
culing himſelf on account of his inexperience at ſea. But
he did it ſo artfully, that it the more confirmed them in their
choice, Gentlemen, faid he, what we have done we muſt
live or die by: let us all be hearty, and of one mind, and I
don't queſtion but we shall make our fortunes in a little
time. I propoſe that we ſhould ſail firſt to Madagascar where
we may fettle a correfpondance, in order to ſecure our re-
treats, whenever we think fit to lie by. To which they all
agreed. But hold, faid Avery, it is neceſsary that we make
fome

fome

THE PIRATES.

II

Some orders among us for the better governing of the ship's
crew. These were in a few days drawn up by the ship's
crew. Avery promising them vaſt things, they all came in-
to them at laſt, altho' the denying them woman aboard went
very much againſt the grain of many of them. When they
arrived at Madagascar, they ſaw a ship lying at the N. E.
part of the island, which the men had run away with from
New England, and feeing Avery, ſuppoſed he had been ſent
after them to take them; but he ſoon undeceived them, and
promiſed them protection; and thereſore they resolved to
fail together. In the whole company there was not above
ten that pretended to any ſkill in navigation; for Avery him-
felf could neither write, nor very well read, he being choſen
captain, purely for his courage and contrivance. In the
latitude of Defcada, one of the islands, they took two other
floops, which ſupplied them with proviſons, and they agreed
to proceed for the weſt Indies: and coming to Barbadoes,
they ſell in with a ſhip for London, with 12 guns, from which
they took ſome cloaths and money, 10 barrels of powder,
and 10 caſks of beef, with five of their men, and then let her
go. From thence they went to St. Domingo, and watered:
there they met with ſix Englishmen, who willingly entered
with Avery. He ſtaid not long, before he failed to the
Granada island to clean his ſhips; which being known to
the French colony, the governor of Martinico ſent four
floops well manned after them. But they ſtaid not long
there, making the beſt of their way to Newfoundland, and
entered the harbour of Trepaffi, with black colours, drums
beating, and trumpets founding. It is impoſſible to relate
the havock they made there, burning all before them. When
they left Newfoundland, they failed for the Weſt Indies,
and from thence to the island Defcada, it being judged the
moſt convenient place at that time of the year, to met with a
rich booty.

From thence they ſleered toward the Arabian caſt, near
the river Indus, where ſpying a ſail they gave her chace: and
at their near approach the hoſted Mogul, colours, and ſem-
ed as if he would ſtand upon her defence, whilſt Avery
contented himſelf to cannonade her at a diſtance; which
made many of his men begin to mutiny, damning him for a
coward. But Avery knew better; and commanding the
floops to attack her, one on her bow, and the reſt on her
quarter, clapt her on board; upon which the ſtruck her
colours, and yielded. Aboard her was one of the Mogul's
own daughters, with ſeveral perſons of diſtinction; who
were carrying rich offerings of jewels, and other valuable
preſents to Mecca. Which booty was the more confiderable,
because

THE HISTORY OF

because those people always travel with great magnificence, having all their flaves and attendants with them, besides jewels, and great fums of money to defray their expences. But Avery, not content with this, ravished the princefs, and ufed other beafly actions to the ladies of her retinue; then taking her into his own ship, he made the beſt of his way to Madagascar, where he had a child by her, which died in its infancy, and the foon after broke her heart. Her father the Great Mogul no sooner heard of it, then he threatened all Europe with revenge; and when he found they were Englishmen, that had defiled his daughter, and robbed him, he fwore to fend a mighty army, to extirpate, with fire and
word, all the English from their fettlements on the Indian coasts. This gave no ſmall uneafineſs to the Indian company at London; and tho' they proteſſed their innocence, and that it was done contrary to the laws of England, as well as nations, yet it took up no ſmall time, as well as expence, to pacify him; which could never have been done, had they not promiſed to fit out a fleet to retake his daughter, and refund him the damage he ſuſtained.

In the mean time Avery was making the beſt of his way to Madagascar with the princeſs and his booty; intending to make that place the repository of his riches, and to build a fortification to defend himſelf againſt any thing that might happen, well knowing he ſhould bring all Europe upon his back for what he had done; and that, if he could not defend himſelf, he muſt expect no mercy.

But firſt, he considered that it was neceſſary to secure the money, which yet was aboard the floops; and therefore he ſent a meſſage to each of the captains, defiring to ſpeak with them, in order to hold a council, to confider what was to be done next for their future preſervation. They no sooner came on board, than he began to harangue them in this tarpaulin oratory with their bravery and courage, introduc-
ing them into his cabin, where he had got a barrel of flip ready made for their entertainment. After he found them a little merry, Captains and heroes, faſd he, you all know how lucky this expedition has been, which if we take due care of we have all made our fortunes, without running any more hazards at fea. Let us make the beſt of our way to Madagascar, where we have riches enough to eſtabliſh a colony, and build a fortification for our defence. You are not inſenſible what we have done againſt the Mogul's ſhip will alarm all the world, therefore, my brave boys, let us run no risks; let us ſecure what we have got, in caſe of a ſtorm or ſeparation. As for my ſhip it is of ſufficient force and power to defend itſelf againſt any ſurprize. Wherefore, if

you

THE PIRATES.

13

you ſall think fit to put all the chieſts on board my ſhip, you ſhall every one ſeel them up with your own ſeals, till we arrive at the N. E. part of Madagascar, the place agreed to rendezvous at. To this they all agreed, being, by this time, overloaded with liquor. But it happened very luckily for Avery when the chieſts were got aboard, none of the cap-
tains had got any other ſignet than a tobacco-pipe, and one of them his wife's thimble, which he took from her by miſ-
take at parting. Avery now grew weary of his gueſts, thinking with himſelf how he ſhould keep all the treaſure, in the miſt of ſo many concerned in it. But being resolved to bite the biters, he feigned himſelf ſick, and feemed to fall into a lwoon. Zounds, faſd one of the gueſts, we have kil-
ed our commodore: let us be gone left the whole ſhip's crew arife and knock us on the head. Which they all did, ſo that Avery ſoon became maſter of their all, without any poſſibility of their ever being able to call him to account for it afterwards.

Avery had now nothing to do, but to ſecure the men in his own ſhip to ſtand by him: this he eafily did, by telling them they had nothing to fear, the treaſure being now in their own hands and that if they would ſtand by him, he did not doubt but to order it ſo, as not only to cheat the floops crew of their parts, but alſo to make them ſubſervient to them in their new intended ſettlement. By this time they came in fight of Madagascar, where they eſpy'd two floops that had put in for ſرفiment, viz. George Dew, and capt. Thomas few, from Bermudas, who had both turned pirates. This happened very lucky for Avery, for having ſecured the men and floops, he ſtrengthened his alliance, and was thereby prepared againſt any thing the others could offer.

As far as they got aſhore, Avery put them to work upon his new fortification, and if any of them began to talk of a divifion of the treaſure, he told them, they had not time at prefent. So much influence he had over the common fea-
men, that when two of the mates began only to murmer, they were both hung up at the maſt to frighen others from the like attempts. He had no sooner got his fortification in ſome order, than he began to form a ſociety, and made ſeveral degrees of officers under him, as if he had been a ſovereign; always preferring thofe he judged moſt in his interſt. And for the male contents, he took care to keep them under due obedience. So that in a few years it be-
came the rendezvous of all the pirates in the world; and Avery thought himſelf not only in a condition to keep in ſubjection the petty kings that inhabited the illand, but alſo

B

to

THE HISTORY OF

14

to make alliance with foreign powers, which latters he often attempted, but could never bring it about.

He suffered no ship to go out without his passport, and when it returned, he had the tenths of all the prizes, so that he became so great, that the petty kings of the island sued for his protection, and yearly paid him contribution, which was commonly their daughters and young virgins, to be given unto his subjects,

You must understand that the natives are a fort of negroes, who have long hair, and are not of so beautiful a complexion as those of Guiney, and they have many Princes, who are continually making war upon one another. When Avery first settled among them, his protection was very much courted by every one of those kings; and whosoever paid him best he always joined with, they being sure to be victorious. So that in a little time Avery and his men became so terrible to the negroes, that if they saw but a file of white men among their enemies when they were going to engage, they would run away faster than they would from the devil.

Avery had every now and then the horrors and dread of an awakened conscience; and being fenlible of the vaft treasure he had in jewels, which he could no way difpofe of in Europe, because he could fettle no correspondence there, but in piracy, and robbery, he made several underhand offers to fome men in power in England, of very large sums, fome says to the amount of the national debt, to be permitted to come home. Yet, tho' the government at that time had very great need of money, his propofals could no way be complied with, in justice and honour to our nation, as well as equity and friendliip to the Mogul, with whom our East India company carries on a confiderable trade. Avery now became so tyrannical, that his government became troublefome to his neighbours, and uneafy to his people; he grew wanton in cruelty; cauing every day 2 or 3 of his affiliates to be put to fome cruel death or other, upon any flight pretence, or for his diverfion. But he foon found that fear of his power would not secure him against a furprize; for his men began to separate themselves amongst the negroes, and teach them the ufe of fire arms, and lend them their guns for their defence, who divided themselves, like the Jews into several tribes; each having a separate fortification and fovereignty, building a citadel for defence; by which they foon became terrible to Avery, and very often, to one another. This made Avery bethink himfelf of a retreat, judging it more honourable to run the hazard of being hanged in his native country, than to be cut to pieces by his own subjects, which he found would unavoidably happen, if he

THE PIRATES.

75

he continued much longet among them. He discovered his delign to fome intimate friends, with whom he privately fhipped himfelf in a ſmall floop, taking the treafure he had left, and his jewels, with him, to feek his fortune afresh.

In this condition he and his ſmall company embarked. They touched at ſeveral parts of America, where, in ſome unſuspected places they ventured afhore. At length they arrived at Boſton in New England, where he had ſome thoughts of fettling; but finding that place not convenient for him; because moſt of his wealth lay in diamonds; he refolved with thofe ſew companions that were left to make the beſt of his way to Ireland, Many of his compaions deſerted him in New England, contenting themselves with that little dividend he gave them, and not knowing any thing of the diamonds he had about him.

In their voyage to Ireland, they failed north about, and put into one of the northern parts of that kingdom, where they diſpoſed of their floop, and ſeparated themselves as foon as they landed. Avery going to Cork, and his companions to Dublin, where they ftraid till K. William's pardon was publifhed, which they all accepted, and pleafed too. But Avery being now left alone to the wide world, was in ſeveral doubts what he ſhould do with himſelf: ſometimes refolving to expofe them to faſe there: but believing that it would be dangerous in that country, at length he refolved to go to Briftol, where he fancied he might find ſome friend or other, if not for his ſake, yet for their own intereſt, whom he might intreufi them with. But there the fame dread feized him as in Ireland, and he was afraid of his own ſhadow: and ſo he departed from thence, and travelled into Devonshire: and as ſoon as he came to Beddiford, he ſent to an old acquaintance of his father's to come to him, to whom he commuſnicated his whole ſecret, and deſiſed his advice how he might diſpofe of his effects; who advifed him (after ſeveral ways and means propofed) and withal affured him, that he was very well acquainted with an eminent merchant in whom he might put confidence that he would not betray him, as well as that he would bring him a good return for his diamonds (if he gave him a comuſſion to ſell them,) and all for a little profit. To which Avery readily agreeing, returned him a thouſand thanks; and promifing him a large gratuity for his good will and kindneſs, deſired him to go to the merchant, and fathom him and if he thought it proper, to let him into the ſecret. This his friend conſented to; and brought the merchant along with him to Avery, at Biddiford, who gave him all the affurances imaginable of his honour and integriity. Upon which Avery delivered him his diamonds and ſome veſſel

B 2

veſſel

16 THE HISTORY OF

vestels of gold; and the merchant, in return, let him have
what money he had about him, promising him any further
supplies he should have occasion for.

Avery changed his name to that of Johnftoun, and lived
at Biddiford, and thereabouts, wthout making any figure:
yet he could not forbear discovering himself to some of his
relations who often come to see him, whom he was obliged
to treat, and to one or two of them to give huthmoney,
whereby he foon spent all he had; and hearing nothing from
his merchants, he writ several letters to them, but all no
purpose; he could have no other returns but fair promifes;
he refolved therefore to go privately to the merchants at
Bridtol, where, instead of money he met with a moft shocking
repulfe; for he defiring him to give him any account he
thought proper, the merchant foon stopped his mouth, by
threatning to discover him. This put him into a grievous
paflion, fwearing that the merchant was a greater pirate than
himself. But all this would not do; the merchant declaring
that for his impudence he would secure him, if ever he heard
from him again, gave him ten guineas, and bid him go about
his buſineſs, or he would foon wifh he had. With this
money he made his way once more to Ireland, hoping there
to bring his merchant to ſome compofition; but all to no
purpose, for though he writ letters after letters, and told
him he was reduced even to beggary, yet he could have no
anſwer, which made him resolve to return, and caſt himself
upon him, be the conference what it would; which he foon
after did, putting himself on board a veſſel bound for Ply-
mouth, agreeing to work his paſſage over; for when he had
landed, he was neceſſitated to travel on foot, and beg his way
to Beddiford; where, when he arrived he found no better
comfort than before; nothing but hard words and uſage.
Upon which he took to his bed, fell ſick, and after a ſhort
illneſs died and was buried by the parifh of Biddiford in the
church-yard. He died the tenth day of June, in the firſt
year of the reign of King George I.

I think it not improper under this head, to return to
Madagascar, and enquire what became of the pirates whom
Avery left behind him in the island, who by this time had
fettled all over the country, taking two or three wives a
piece from among the moſt beautiful of the negro women.

Their flaves they employed in fishing, hunting; and
planting of rice; and to the others they gave protection, on
account of a tribute they yearly brought them of the belt of
the produce of the country; ſo that they were become ſo
powerful that they began to divide in ſeparate parts of the
island. But they uſed their power ſo like tyrants, that the
negroes

THE PIRATES.

17

negroes confpired together to ride themſelves of their new
maſters in one night; which they had certainly done, had
not a negro woman diſcovered their delign. However this
made them more cautious of the negroes for the time to
come: and finding their power alone would not secure them
from a ſurprize, they endeavoured to fet the negroes to-
gether by the ears, whilſt they flood by, looking on as
neuters. And when this would not do, they endeavoured
to ſpirit up private quarrels among them, till they killed one
another; teaching them how to ſurprize their adverfaries,
and lent them guns to dispatch them with, being ſure the
murderers would fly to them. By these and ſuch like arts,
their bodies were greatly multiplied, ſo that they began to
divide at greater diſtances, and made choice of places over-
run with wood, and lying near waters, digging deep ditches
round their kouſes.

Thus they lived, in fear of the negroes, as much as they
were in fear of them, at the time that cap. Rogers went to
Madagascar in the Delicia, to buy flaves, in order to ſell
them to the Dutch at Batavia, where he met with the pirates,
who, at that time had been upon the island near thirty years,
having a motely generation of children and grand-children
among them, who, upon their firſt ſeeing them, ſuppoſed
him to be a man of war ſent to take them, and upon that
account they fled into their holes and caves, but when they
found his men came afhore without any acts of hoſtility, and
that their buſineſs was to trade with the negroes, they came
out attended like princes; only they had nothing to cover
them, but the ſkins of beaſts untanned, without ſhoes or
ſtockings.

However they foon changed their raiment, and for the
flaves they fold, got good cloaths and other neceſſaries;
which having put upon their backs they ventured on board
the Delicia, a ſhip of 40 guns, getting foon acquainted with
the men, where they seemed to be very curious in examining
the ſhip; which they afterwards owned was to try if it was
practicable to ſurprize her in the night. But it feems the
captain was aware of them, and kept ſo ſtrong a watch that
they found it was in vain to attempt it: and therefore they
thought to inveigle ſome of the men afhore in order to per-
ſuade them to ſeize the captain and the reſt of the men, and,
upon a ſignal from on board the ſhip, they would be ready
and come to their affiſtance; promising to them great profits
by going a pirating with them, not doubting with ſuch a ſin
they should be able to take any veſſel at Sea. But captain
Rogers prevented it, for, as ſuck would have it, obſerving
too great an intimacy between them and ſome of his men,

B 3

h

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