They being fitted for the Sea, they set Sail and steer’d for the Cape of Good Hope, which they doubled in the Month of June, made the best of their Way to Madagascar, and went into Augustine Bay, where they victualled and watered, but before this was done it was August, which was too late to go to the East-Indies; which they propos’d to do with Design, to cruize on the Moors, not intending to Pyrate among the Europeans, but honestly and quietly to rob what Moors fell in their Way, and return home with clean Consciences, and clean, but full Hands, within the limited Time of their Commission.
From Augustine they went to Johanna, and the Provisions they had salted up at Madagascar not being well done, it began to spoil; this and their Cloaths wanting Repair, made them desperately resolve to take the King of Johanna and make him ransome himself, but the Master wou’d not take Charge of the Ship, being unacquainted with the Coast: They cruiz’d among the Islands, landed at Comaro, and took the Town, but found no Booty, excepting some Silver Chains, and check’d Linnen. From hence they went to Mayotta, where they took in a Frenchman who had been morooned there, and maintain’d by the King; they consulted with him about the surprizing and taking his Town. The Frenchman was averse to it, as he owed him the Obligation of being preserved; however, he was in their Hands, and must do as they would have him: They surrounded the King’s House after they had been three Days in his Town, and took him and all the Inhabitants; but the King’s Son made his Way thro’ the thickest of them with his Cutlash, tho’ he was shot afterward. The Pretence they made use of for this inhospitable Manner, was, that the King had poison’d the Crew of a Ship, which was their Consort; he denied it, as well he might, for they themselves never heard of a Ship of the Name they gave this fictitious one. The King they carried on board, the other Prisoners they put into a Sort of a Temple, with a Guard over them of 36 Men.
The Alarm being given in the Country, the Natives came down in a Body of some Thousands, and attack’d the Guard; but the Ship hearing the Fire, and seeing the Hills covered with Blacks, discharged several great Guns, loaded with Patridge, which making a very great Slaughter, obliged them to retire.
The King ransom’d himself for some Silver Chains to the Value of a thousand Dollars, and for what Provision they demanded; and at the setting him ashore, swore Allegiance to them as Masters of the Country, and took an Oath besides, never to poison any more white Men.
After this notable Expedition, they staid here a Fortnight, tho’ always on their Guard, and then went back for Augustine with about 20 Slaves, they carried away with them for Servants.
Here a Sickness coming among them, they built Huts ashore; they lost, notwithstanding all their Care and Precaution, their Captain and thirty Men, by the Distemper which they contracted; but it abating, they thought of going to Sea again, but on examining their Water Casks, they found the Hoops all worm eaten and rotten, so that there was no Proceeding, but this Defect was repaired by their Cooper, who was an ingenious Fellow; he went into the Woods with the Mayotta Slaves, and with Withies and other Stuff he gathered, fitted them up, and made them tight, in acknowledging of which Service, they chose him Captain, and North was made Quarter-Master.
At Augustine they pick’d up some Straglers, among whom was David Williams, and on a Muster, they found they had a hundred and five Men. They then made their Vessel a free Ship, that is, they agreed every Man should have an equal Share in all Prizes; and proceeded for the Mouth of the Red Seas.
In the Night, after they had reach’d their Station, they made two Ships, one was the Mocha Frigate, of 40 Guns, commanded by Culliford: she had been an East India Man, and under the Command of one Captain Stout; the other Ship was called the Soldada, a Ship of 16 Guns, the Captain’s Name Shivers; they haled one another, and on both Sides gave the same Answers, from the Seas, and upon Agreement, they all lay by that Night: In the Morning they consorted, and agreed to make an equal Division of all Prizes, which any of the three should take from that Time for two Months to come.
The Pelican spared Wood, Water, and some of her Hands to Captain Culliford, and here Williams shifted on board him. About ten Days after, these three had join’d Company a large Moor’s Ship, on which they afterwards mounted 70 Guns, hove in Sight.
They all gave Chase, but the small Ship came first up with the Moor, who exchang’d several Shot with the Soldada and Pelican; but the Soldada clapp’d her on board, and before the Pelican could enter a Man, the Moors call’d for Quarters: In boarding the Moor, she fired a Broadside upon the Soldada, but only two Shot hull’d her, and kill’d two Men, which was the only Loss they had in taking a thousand Prisoners, Passengers, and Sailors.