They were much frighten’d at the Pyrates unexpected Return, because of the Threatnings they had used to them at parting, not to sail without further Orders; wherefore they tack’d about, and ran as close into the Shore as they could, then throwing out their Bark Logs, they all put themselves upon them, and made to Land, as fast as they could work; but before they quite reach’d it, the Pyrates got so near that they fired at them, but were too far to do Execution; however, they pursued them ashore; the poor Fugitives immediately took to the Woods, and for greater Security climb’d up some Trees, whose Branches were very thick, and by that Means concealed themselves. The Pyrates not finding them, soon return’d to their Boat, and row’d on board the deserted Sloop, whose Mast and Boltsprit they cut away, and towing her into deep Water, sunk her; after which, they made again for the Shore, thinking that the Fugitives would have been come out of their lurking Holes, and that they should surprize them; but they continued still on the Tops of their Trees and saw all that pass’d, and therefore thought it safest to keep their Posts.
The Pyrates not finding them, return’d to their Vessels, and weighing their Anchors, set sail, steering Eastward: In the mean time, the poor Fugitives were in Despair, for seeing their Vessel sunk, they had scarce any Hopes left of escaping the Danger of perishing upon that uninhabited Island; there they lived eight Days, feeding upon Berries, and Shell-Fish, such as Cockles and Perriwinckles, sometimes catching a Stingrey, a Fish resembling Mead or Thornback, which coming into Shoal Water, they could wade near them, and by the Help of a Stick sharpen’d at the End, which they did by rubbing it against the Rock, (for they had not a Knife left amongst them) they stuck them as if it had been with a Spear.
It must be observed, that they had no Means of striking a Fire, and therefore their Way of dressing this Fish was, by dipping it often in Salt Water, then laying it in the Sun, till it became both hard and dry, and then they eat it.
After passing eight Days in this Manner, the Pyrates return’d, and saw the poor Fugitives ashore, who according to Custom made to the Woods; but their Hearts began to relent towards them, and sending ashore, they ordered a Man to go into the Woods single, to call out to them, and promise them upon their Honour, if they would appear, that they would give them Victuals and Drink, and not use them ill any more.
These Promises, and the Hunger which pinch’d them, tempted them to come forth, and accordingly they went on Board with them, and they were as good as their Words, for they gave them as much Beef and Biscuit as they could eat, during two or three Days they were on Board, but would not give them a Bit to carry on Shore; they also gave them three or four Blankets amongst them, to cover their Nakedness (for as we observed, they were quite naked) and let them have some Needles and Thread, to make them into some Form.
There was on Board one George Redding, an Inhabitant of Providence, who was taken out of the Turtle Sloop, and who was a forced Man, being an Acquaintance of Richard Turnley, and knowing, that he was resolved to go ashore again, rather than engage with the Pyrates, and hearing him say, that they could find Food to keep them alive, if they had but Fire to dress it, privately gave him a Tinder-Box, with Materials in it for striking Fire, which, in his Circumstances, was a greater Present than Gold or Jewels.
Soon after, the Pyrates put the Question to them, whether they would engage, or be put ashore? And they all agreed upon the latter: Upon which a Debate arose amongst the Pyrates, whether they should comply with their Request or no? And at length it was agreed, that Greenway and the other two Masters should be kept whether they would or no: And the rest, being five in Number, should be as the Pyrates express’d it, have a second Refreshment of the Varieties of the Island.
Accordingly Richard Turnley, James Carr, Thomas Rich, John Cox, and John Taylor, were a second Time marooned, and the Pyrates as soon as they landed them, sail’d off, steering Eastward, till they came to an Island call’d Pudden Point, near Long-Island in the Latitude of 24, where they cleaned their Vessels.
In the mean Time Turnley and his Companions made a much better Shift than they had done before, his Friend George Redding’s Present being of infinite Use to them, for they constantly kept a good Fire, with which they broil’d their Fish; there were Plenty of Land Crabs and Snakes in the Island, which they could eat when they were dress’d, and thus they pass’d fourteen Days: At the End of which, the Pyrates made them another Visit, and they according to Custom made for the Woods, thinking that the Reason of their Return must be, in order to force them to serve amongst them.
But here they were mistaken, for the Anger of these Fellows being over, they began to pity them, and came now with a Design to succour them; but going ashore, and not finding them, they knew they were hid for Fear: Nevertheless, they left upon the Shore, where they knew they would come, some Stores which they intended in this Fit of good Humour to present them with.