This Vessel was a small French Ship, laden with Liquors from Martinico, first commanded by one Fourgette, to trade with the Pyrates for Slaves, at Ambonawoula, on the East Side the Island, in the Lat. of 17. 30. and was by them taken after the following Manner.
The Pyrates, who were headed by George Booth, Commander of the Ship, went on board (as they had often done) to the Number of ten, and carried Money with them under Pretence of purchasing what they wanted. (This Booth had formerly been Gunner of a Pyrate Ship, called the Dolphin.) Captain Fourgette was pretty much upon his Guard, and searched every Man as he came over the Side, and a Pair of Pocket Pistols were found upon a Dutchman, who was the first enter’d; the Captain told him, he was a Rogue, and had a Design upon his Ship, and the Pyrates pretended to be so angry with this Fellow’s offering to come on board with Arms, that they threatned to knock on the Head, and tossing him roughly into the Boat, ordered him ashore, tho’ they had before taken an Oath on the Bible, either to carry the Ship or die in the Undertaking.
They were all searched, but they however contrived to get on board 4 Pistols, which were all the Arms they had for the Enterprize, tho’ Fourgette had 20 Hands on board, and his small Arms on the Arning to be in Readiness.
The Captain invited them into the Cabbin to Dinner, but Booth chose to dine with the petty Officers, tho’ one Johnson, Isaac, and another, went down.
Booth was to give the Watch Word, which was Hurrah; he pretending to make Water over the Side of the Gunnel, laid his Hand on the Arning, and being a nimble Fellow, at one Spring threw himself upon it, drew the Arms to him, fired his Pistol forward among the Men, one of whom he wounded, (who jumping over-board was lost) and gave the Signal.
Three I said were in the Cabbin, and seven upon Deck, who with Handspikes and the Arms seized, secured the Ship’s Crew. The Captain and his two Mates, who were at Dinner in the Cabbin, hearing the Pistol, fell upon Johnson, and stabb’d him in several Places with their Forks, but they being Silver, did him no great Damage. Fourgette snatch’d his Piece which he snapp’d at Isaac’s Breast several Times, but it would not go off; at last, finding his Resistance vain, he submitted, and the Pyrates set him, and those of his Men who would not join them, on Shore, allowing him to take his Books, Papers, and whatever else he claimed as belonging to himself; and besides treating him very humanly gave him several Casks of Liquor, with Arms and Powder, to purchase Provisions in the Country.
I hope this Digression, as it was in a Manner needful, will be excused; I shall now proceed.
After they had taken in the Dolphin’s Company, which were on the Island, and encreased by that Means their Crew to the Number of 80 Hands, they sail’d to St. Mary’s, where Captain Misson’s Ship lay at Anchor, between the Island and the Main: This Gentleman and his whole Ship’s Company had been cut off, at the Instigation of Ort-Vantyle, a Dutchman of New-York.
Out of her they took Water Casks and other Necessaries, which having done, they designed for the River Methelage, on the West Side Madagascar, in the Lat. of 16 or thereabouts, to salt up Provisions and to proceed to the East Indies, cruize off the Islands of St. John, and lie in Wait for the Moors Ships from Mocha.
In their Way to Methelage they fell in (as I have said) with the Pyrate, on board of which was Captain White; they join’d Company, came to an Anchor together in the above-nam’d River, where they had cleaned, salted up, taken in their Provisions, and were ready to go to Sea, when a large Ship appeared in Sight, and stood into the same River.