Some Time after, fancying the Pyrates to be in better Humour, they begg’d for something to eat, for they had none of them had any Nourishment that Day or the Night before; but all the Answer they received was, that such Dogs should not ask such Questions: In the mean Time, some of the Pyrates were very busy endeavouring to persuade Captain Greenway to engage with them, for they knew him to be an excellent Artist, but he was obstinate and would not; then it was proposed what should be done with him, and the Word went for marrooning, which was opposed by some, because he was a Bermudian, meaning, that he might perhaps swim away, or swim on board his Vessel again, for the Bermudians are all excellent Swimmers; but as he represented, that he could not hurt them by his Swimming, he obtain’d the Favour for himself and the other Officers, to be set ashore with Turnley, Carr, and Rich. Accordingly they were put into the same Boat without Oars, to the Number of eight, and were ordered to make the best of their Way on Shore.
The Pyrates, the next Day, having examined all their Vessels, and finding that Greenway’s Sloop was not fit for their Purpose, shifted every Thing out of it; those that were sent on Shore could see from thence what they were doing, and when they saw them row off, Greenway swam on Board the Sloop, it is likely, to see whether they had left any Thing behind them. They perceiv’d him, and fancied, he repented his refusing to join with them, and was come to do it now; wherefore some of them return’d back to the Sloop, to speak to him, but they found him of the same Opinion he was in before; however he wheedled them into so much good Humour, that they told him he might have his Sloop again, in which, indeed, they had left nothing except an old Main-Sail, and old Fore-Sail, four small Pieces of Irish Beef, in an old Beef Barrel, and about twenty Biscuits, with a broken Bucket which was used to draw Water in, telling him that he and the rest must not go on Board till they were sail’d.
Greenway swam ashore again to give Notice to his Brothers in Distress, of what had pass’d; the same Afternoon Bunch with several others went on Shore, carrying with them six Bottles of Wine and some Biscuits. Whether this was done to tempt Greenway again, or no, is hard to say; for tho’ they talk’d to him a great Deal, they drank all the Wine themselves to the last Bottle, and then they gave each of the poor Creatures a Glass a-piece, with a Bit of Biscuit, and immediately after fell a beating them, and so went on Board.
While they were on Shore, there came in a Turtle which belong’d to one Thomas Bennet of Providence, whereof one Benjamin Hutchins was Master; they soon laid hold of her, for she went excellently well; Hutchins was reputed an extraordinary good Pilot among those Islands, wherefore they tempted him to engage with them; at first he refused, but rather than be maroon’d, he afterwards consented.
It was now the ninth of October, and they were just preparing to sail, when they sent on Shore, ordering the condemn’d Malefactors to come on Board of the Lancaster, that was Greenway’s Sloop; they did so in the little Boat they went on Shore in, by the Help of the same Paddle; they found several of the Pyrates there, who told them that they gave them that Sloop to return to Providence, tho’ they let them have no more Stores, than what were named before; they bad them take the Fore-Sail, and bend it for a Gib, and furl it close down to the Boltsprit, and to furl the Main-Sail close up upon the Boom: They did as they were order’d, for they knew there was no disputing whether it was right or wrong.
Soon after, another Detachment came on Board, among which were Bunch and Dennis Macarty, who being either mad or drunk, fell upon them, beating them, and cutting the Rigging and Sails to Pieces with their Cutlashes and commanding them not to sail, till they should hear from them again, cursing and damning, if they did, they would put them all to Death, if ever they met them again; and so they went off, carrying with them the Boat, which they sent them first ashore in, and sail’d away.
They left them in this miserable Condition without Tackle to go their Voyage, and without a Boat to get on Shore, and having Nothing in View but to perish for Want; but as Self-Preservation put them upon exerting themselves, in Order to get out of this deplorable State, they began to rummage and search the Vessel thro’ every Hole and Corner, to see if nothing was left which might be of use to them; and it happen’d by Chance that they found an old Hatchet, with which they cut some Sticks sharp to serve for Marlenspikes; they also cut out several other Things, to serve instead of such Tools as are absolutely necessary on Board a Ship.
When they had proceeded thus far, every Man began to work as hard as he could; they cut a Piece of Cable, which they strung into Rope Yarns, and fell to mend their Sails with all possible Expedition; they also made a Kind of Fishing-Lines of the said Rope-Yarns, and bent some Nails crooked to serve for Hooks; but as they were destitute of a Boat, as well for the Use of Fishing as for going on Shore, they resolved to make a Bark Log, that is, to lay two or three Logs together, and tie them close, upon which two or three Men may sit very safely in smooth Water.
As soon as this was done, some Hands went on Shore, upon one of the said Logs (for they made two of them) who employ’d themselves in cutting wild Cabbage, gathering Berries, and a Fruit which the Seamen call Pricklie Pears, for Food, while some others went a Fishing upon another.—Those who went ashore also carried the old Bucket with them, so that whilst some were busy in gathering Things to serve for Provision, one Hand was constantly employ’d, in bringing fresh Water aboard in the said Bucket, which was tedious Work, considering how little could be brought at a Time, and that the Sloop lay near a Mile from the Shore.
When they had employ’d themselves thus, for about four or five Days, they brought their Sails and Tackle into such Order, having also a little Water, Cabbage, and other Things on Board, that they thought it was Time to venture to sail; accordingly they weigh’d their Anchor, and putting out all the Sail they had, got out to the Harbour’s Mouth, when to their great Terror and Surprize, they saw the Pyrates coming in again.