In this Vessel (which I have already said in White’s Life was taken) he went round the North-End to the West-Side, and came into Methelage, where they surprized the Speaker; the Manner of which Surprize is also mentioned in the same Life; and, after the Death of Captain Booth, was chosen Captain’s Quarter-Master, by Bowen, who succeeded in the Voyage, and the Consequences of it are already set down, for he was in the Speaker till she was lost.
The next Voyage he made was in the Speedy Return (taken from Captain Drummond,) in the Capacity of Company’s Quarter-Master, with Design to cruise in the Red Seas; but touching at the Island of Mayotta, they consorted with Captain Howard, whom they met with at the Island, as is already said. From thence they went and victualled at Augustine, having promised Captain Bowen to meet him in two Months; accordingly returning thither, and missing him, they went to Mayotta to enquire after him; but hearing there that he was gone a Voyage, and as the Place of Rendezvous was off the Highlands of St. John’s, they steered their Course thither, to join him, and lie for the Moor’s Fleet from Mocoa.
In their Passage they met with a violent Storm, in which they were near foundering, it beat in their Stern, and obliged them to throw over all their Guns (two excepted, which lay in the Hold) and forced them into the Gulf of Persia, where they took several small Vessels, which they ripp’d up to mend their Ship.
Being very much in want of Water, having staved all their Casks, to save themselves in the Storm, and meeting with little in the Vessels taken, they hoisted out the Canoe to chase a Fishing Vessel, that they might be inform’d where they should find Water. This Boat made from them with all their Force, but the Ship firing, the People all leap’d into the Water, some of whom were drowned, and the rest got ashoar, except one Man, whom they came up with; but as soon as they thought to lay hold on him, he dived, and kept them in play near an Hour and a half: They would not shoot him, because it did not answer their Ends; but, at length, North, who was in the Boat, took the Sprit, and struck at him as he rose, hoping to disable him, but he broke his Jaw. They took him by this Means, brought him on board, sent him to the Surgeon, and when they despair’d of his being able to speak, he asked for a Pipe of Tobacco, which he smoak’d, and drunk a Dram; after which he seem’d very hearty. As the Pyrates had on board several black Slaves, who spoke the East-India Tongue, one of them was ordered to enquire of him where they might find Water, promising him his Liberty if he would direct them. On this Promise he carried them to a convenient landing Place, where he shewed a Well full of Dirt, out of which, after a great deal of Trouble to come at it, they drew but three Buckets of Water, which sufficed those only who went on Shoar, to the Number of 30. Enraged with this Disappointment after so much Labour, they threaten’d their Prisoner with Death, who told them, if they would have Patience till the Sun was set, they would have Plenty, for the Spring would rise, and flow all Night; which they found to be Fact, and filled twenty Tun of Water, and return’d on board, carrying the Man with them, for whom they made a gathering of some Goods, and about thirty Dollars; these they gave him, and exacted a Promise, that whenever he saw any Ship on that Coast, which made the same Signals they had made, he would go on board and render them what Service he could, assuring him he would always meet with civil Treatment, and be well rewarded.
After this they cruised on the Gulf of Persia some Days, in hopes of meeting their Consort, not doubting but she had some Share in the Storm.
The Time of their Consortship being now over, and she not appearing, they steered for the Highlands of St. John near Surat, the Place of Rendezvous. When they made the Land they spied a tall Ship, and immediately making all clear for an Engagement, they gave chase. The other Ship doing the like, they soon met, and, to the great Joy of both Parties, she proved their Consort. Upon Enquiry they found the Prosperous had been ten Days on this Station, and had not met with the Storm which had so roughly handled the Speedy Return, on giving an Account of their Misfortune, viz. their being obliged to throw over their Guns, and a Quantity of Provisions, Captain Howard spared them some fresh Provisions, and expressing great Concern for the Accident, renewed his Consortship for two Months longer; that is, they agreed whatever Prizes were taken should be equally divided between the Crews of both Ships. After they had cruised here fourteen Days, they spied seven Sail of tall Ships, which proved to be the Moors from Mocoa; they both gave Chace, but the Speedy Return being the better Sailor first came up with one of them, laid her on board, and carried her in a very little Time, with little more Damage than the Loss of her Bowsprit. The Prosperous kept on the Chace, and having Captain Whaley on board as a Pilot, took another at an Anchor, as is said (so need not be repeated) in Captain Howard’s Life.
The Speedy Return steered with her Prize for the Coast of Malabar, where, by Agreement, she was to wait ten Days for her Consort. In six Days the Prosperous joined them, but without any Prize, having rifled her, as is before said in another Life.
Here they made an equal Dividend of their Prizes, burnt the Speedy Return, sunk the Prosperous, went all on board the Moor’s Ship, put to Sea, and cruised on this Coast, where they made several Prizes. When they came over against Cachine, some black Merchants, Goldsmiths, and several Dutch Men, came on board to trade with them, bringing a great many Sequins, and other Gold Coin, to change for Spanish Dollars; as many of the Pyrates designed to knock off and return home, they gave 500 Dollars for 200 Sequins, for the Conveniency of close Stowage about them. The Goldsmiths set up their Forges on board the Ship, and were fully employed in making them Buttons, Buckles, and what else they fancied, so that they had a fair Opportunity of putting what Alloy they thought proper. They here also furnished themselves with a good Quantity of Arrack, Provisions, and Stores, and then leaving the Coast, shaped their Course for Madagascar, but, in the Way, fell in with the Island of Mauritius, and put into a Port called the North-West Harbour. Here they wooded and watered. This Port affords great abundance of a poisonous Fish called the Red-Snapper, the Nature of which was well known to Captain Bowen, who perswaded his Men not to eat of them, but they were in Port, and then are all Commanders, so that this wholesome Advice was thrown away upon them. The Captain seeing their Obstinacy, and that they could not be disswaded, eat with them, chusing rather to share the same Fate than be left alone to the Mercy of the Dutch, as he was conscious of what he merited.
They supp’d plentifully on the Fish, and drank very heartily after it. Soon after they began to swell in a frightful Manner. The next Morning some Planters came on board with Fowls, Goats, &c. and seeing the Pyrates in a miserable Condition, and some of these Fish lying on the Decks, asked if they had not eat of them? Being answer’d they had, advised their drinking plentifully of strong Liquors, which was the only way to expel the Poyson, which had dispatch’d them all in less Time, had they not done it after their unfortunate Meal. They readily followed this Advice, as the Prescription was agreeable, and by this Means, with the Care of the Surgeons, of whom they had several expert in their Business, and stock’d with good Medicines, they all recovered, four excepted, who paid their Obstinacy with their Lives.
They here heel’d their Ship, scrubb’d, tallow’d, and took in what they wanted. When they had staid three Months in this Port, the Governor sent and desired them to put to Sea, for he expected the Arrival of the Dutch East-India Men; they accordingly got every Thing ready, and went out, but left several of their Men behind them, as we have said in Bowen’s Life.