Chapter XI: Captain Roberts’ Account of What Happened on Low’s Ship (2)

“This rather more exasperated _Russel_, who continu’d swearing and cursing his Majesty in the most outrageous Terms, and asserting the Pretender to be the lawful King of _England, &c._ He added, That ’twas a Sin to suffer such a false traiterous Dog as I was to live; and with that whipp’d out another Pistol from his Sash, and cock’d it, and swore he would shoot me through the Head, and was sure he should do God and his Country good Service, by ridding the World of such a traiterous Villain. But the Master of the Scooner prevented him, by striking the Pistol out of his Hand.

“Whether it was with the Fall, or his Finger being on the Trigger, I cannot tell, but the Pistol went off without doing any Damage: At which the Master, and all present, blamed _Russel_ for being so rash and hasty; and the Gunner said, I was not to blame; for that I drank the Health as it was first propos’d, and there being no Names mention’d, and King _George_ being possess’d of the Crown, and establish’d by Authority of Parliament, he did not see but his Title was the best. _But what have we to do_, continued he, _with the Rights of Kings or Princes? Our Business here, is to chuse a King for our own Commonwealth; to make such Laws as we think most conducive to the Ends we design; and to keep ourselves from being overcome, and subjected to the Penalty of those Laws which are made against us._ He then intimated to _Russel_, That he must speak his Sentiments freely, and imputed his Quarrel with me, to his being hinder’d from breaking thro’ their Articles: Urging, that he would appear no better than an Infringer of their Laws, if the Matter were narrowly look’d into: And that it was impossible ever to have any Order or Rule observ’d, if their Statutes were once broken thro’. He put him in Mind of the Penalty, which was Death, to any one who should infringe their Laws; and urg’d, That if it were once admitted that a Man, thro’ Passion, or the like, should be excused breaking in upon them, there would be an End to their Society: And concluded with telling him, that it was an extraordinary Indulgence in the Company, not to remind him of the Penalty he had incurr’d.

“_Russel_, still continuing his Passion, answer’d, That if he had transgress’d, it was not for the Sake of his own private Interest, but for the general Good of the Company; and therefore did not fear, neither in Justice could he expect, any Severity from the Company for what he had done; and for that Reason, whatever he (the Gunner) or those of his Sentiments, thought of it, he was resolv’d, whatever came of it, to pursue his present Humour.

“Then says the Gunner to the rest, _Well, Gentlemen, if you have a Mind to maintain those Laws made, establish’d, and sworn to by you all, as I think we are all obligated by the strongest Tyes of Reason and Self-Interest to do, I assure you, my Opinion is, that we ought to secure_ John Russel, _so as to prevent his breaking our Laws and Constitutions, and thereby do ourselves, and him too, good Service: Ourselves, by not suffering such an Action of Cruelty in cold Blood, as he more than once attempted to commit, as you are Eye-witnesses of, and, I believe, most on Board have been Ear-witnesses to the Pistol’s going off; and all this for no other Reason in the World, but through a proud and ambitious Humour, conceiting he is the Man that is not to be contradicted, and that his Words, though tending to our Ruin, must yet be receiv’d as an Oracle, without any Opposition_.

“At which they all said, It was a pity the Master should suffer, neither would they permit it; and speaking to _Russel_, they said, they would not allow him to be so barbarous: That they had always valued themselves upon this very Thing of being civil to their Prisoners, and not abusing their Persons: That, ’till now, he himself had been always the greatest Perswader to Clemency, and even to the forgiving Provocations, and permitting them to go from ’em with as little Loss as could be, after they had taken what they had Occasion for: _But now_, said they, _you are quite the Reverse, to this poor Man, and for no other Reason, that we know of, but, as the Gunner said just now, because we would not yield a greater Power to you alone, then you with the whole Company have when conjoin’d; that is, that you at any Time, to gratify your own Humour, shall have Liberty, not only to dispense with our Laws, but to act against the Sentiments of the whole Company_.

“_Russel_ answer’d, That he never did oppose the Company before; neither could he believe any present could charge him with any Cruelty in cold Blood, ever since he belong’d to the Company; but that he had a Reason for what he did, or would have done, if he had not been prevented. Hereupon the Master interrupting him, said, _Capt._ Russel, _we know of no Reason for your passionate Design, but what we have told you; and, as you have been told before, it reflects a Revenge against the Company; but not being able to effect that, you turn it on that poor Man the Master of the Sloop, and, as it were, in despite of the Company, because they have decreed him his Sloop again, that he may provide a Living for his Family, you would barbarously, nay brutishly, as well as to the Company contemptuously, murder that poor Man, who has given you no Occasion to induce you to such an Action that we know of; and if he has given you any sufficient Cause to be so offended at him, we promise you this Instant, to deliver him up to you, to suffer Death, or what other Punishment you think fit to inflict on him_.

“_Russel_ told them, That he had been in the Company almost from the first, and he challeng’d any one to charge him with Singularity, or Opposition to the Company, or of Cruelty to any one Prisoner before that Rascal, as he call’d me, and that therefore they might be assur’d, he should not have taken up such Resentments against me, if he had not a sufficient Reason to provoke him to it, which he did not think proper at that Time to divulge.

“_Then_, says the Gunner, _neither do we think proper that you shall take any Man’s Life away in cold Blood, ’till you think fit to acquaint the Company with the Reasons for it; and I think it was your Place to satisfy the Company, before you took the Liberty to attempt the Life of any Man under the Company’s Protection, as I think all Prisoners are: And, to say the Truth, I do verily believe, you have no other Reasons to give than those hinted by the Master and me; and therefore, I think it but Reason, to use such Methods as may prevent your passionate Design, and secure the Prisoner ’till Morning, and then send him on Board the Commodore, who, with the Advice of the Majority, may order the Matter as he thinks best_.

“This was consented to by all, and so _Russel_, having his Arms taken from him, was order’d not to offer the least Disturbance again, nor concern himself with or about me, ’till after I was on Board the Commodore, on Pain of the Crew’s Displeasure, and also of being prosecuted as a Mutineer; and the Gunner, Master, Boatswain, _&c._ bid me not be discourag’d; assuring me, that there should no Harm come to me while I was on Board of them; and that they would send me away now, but that there is, said they, an express Order among us, to receive no Boats on Board after eight at Night, or nine a-Clock at farthest; but they would put me on Board Capt. _Loe_ in the Morning, where they were sure I should be protected and secur’d from the revengeful Hand of Capt. _Russel_; for they said, they were sure that Capt. _Loe_ had a great Respect for me, and would be a Means to counter-ballance _Russel_; and they said they would sit up with me all Night for my greater Security: Which they did, smoaking and drinking and talking, every one according to his Inclination, and so we pass’d the Time away ’till Day.

“_Russel_ went to sleep about two a-Clock in the Morning in his Cabbin; however, the Master, the Gunner, and five or six more, did not go to Bed all that Night, but would have had me gone to sleep, telling me, I need not fear, for they would take Care that _Russel_ should not hurt me.

“About eight a-Clock in the Morning, I was carry’d on Board Capt. _Loe_, the Gunner and Steward going with me, who told him all that had pass’d; and acquainted him, that they still believ’d _Russel_ to be so implacable against me, that he would murder me in cold Blood before I got clear of them, if he did not interpose to protect me from his Violence. Capt. _Loe_ said, He very well knew, and he believ’d so did they all, what was the Reason that made _Russel_ so inveterate and implacable to me: He added, That _Russel_ did not do well; and that I had behav’d myself so inoffensively, that there could be no Reason to induce the most savage Monster to be such an irreconcilable Enemy to me; but that ’twas an easy Matter to dive into the Cause of it, to wit, his being thwarted by the Company in his Humour; and because they would not break thro’ the Articles which cemented them together, and which were sign’d and swore to by them all, as the standing Rule of their Duty, by which only they could decide and settle Controversies and Differences among themselves; the least Breach of which, would be a Precedent for the like Infractions, whenever _Russel_, or any other, thought fit to give Way either to Revenge or Ambition, and that then all their Counsels would be fluctuating; and Fancy, and not Reason, would be the Rule of their Conduct; and their Resolutions would be render’d more unconstant than the Weathercock. He added, That he hoped the Company would inviolably adhere to their establish’d Laws, which, he said, were very good; and were they not, yet, as they were made by the unanimous Consent of the whole Company, so they ought not to be alter’d without the same unanimous Consent; concluding, that, for his Part, he would rather chuse to be out of the Company than in it, if they did not resolve to be determin’d by their Articles. Hereupon they answer’d, That what he had said was very good, and they were resolv’d to adhere to his Advice.

“After this they drank a Dram, and then return’d with their Boat on Board the Scooner; and Capt. _Loe_ told me, he was sorry for Capt. _Russel’s_ Disgust against me, because he believ’d it would be a disadvantage to me; but, however, there was no Remedy but Patience; assuring me, That _Russel_ should neither kill me, nor abuse my Person, and I should have my Sloop again, and be discharg’d in as short a while as possible, that I might be clear of _Russel_, who, he was afraid, would always continue my Foe.

“All the Officers and Men likewise spoke very friendly to me, and bid me not be daunted; so we pass’d the Time away in several Kinds of Discourse ’till Dinner; after which, _Loe_ order’d a Bowl of Punch to be made, and said he wish’d I was well clear of them.

“About four a-Clock in the Afternoon Capt. _Russel_ came on Board, as did also _Francis Spriggs_, who commanded the other Ship, and after a little while, says _Russel_ to Capt. _Loe_, _The Mate of the Sloop is willing to enter with us as a Volunteer_.

“_Loe_ made Answer, and said, _How must we do in that Case? For then the Master of the Sloop will have no Body to help him, but one Boy; for_, says he, _the little Child is no Help at all_.

“_Russel_ said, _He could not help that. But_, said Loe, _we must not take all the Hands from the poor Man, if we design to give him his Sloop again_; adding, _That he thought in Reason there could not be less than two Boys and the Mate_.

“_Z--ds_, says _Russel, his Mate is a lusty young brisk Man, and has been upon the Account before, and told me but even now_ (_for_, said he, _I was on Board the Sloop but just before I came here, and_ Frank Spriggs _was along with me, and heard him say_), _That he was fully resolv’d to go with us, and would not go any more in the Sloop, unless forced; and when he came out of_ Barbadoes, _he said, his Design was to enter himself on Board the first Pyrate that he met with; And will you refuse such a Man, contrary to your Articles, which you all so much profess to follow; and which enjoin you by all Means, not repugnant to them, to encrease and fill your Company? Besides_, continued he, _he spoke to me the first Day, that he was resolv’d to enter with us_.

“_Loe_ reply’d, That to give the Man his Sloop, and no Hands with him to assist him, was but putting him to a lingering Death, and they had as good almost knock him on the Head, as do it.

“_Russel_ answer’d, As to that, they might do as they pleas’d; what he spoke now was for the Good of the whole Company, and agreeable to the Articles, and he would fain see or hear that Man that should oppose him in it. He said, He was Quarter-Master of the whole Company, and, by the Authority of his Place, he would enter the Mate directly, and had a Pistol ready for the Man that should oppose him in it.

“_Loe_ said, As for what was the Law and Custom among them (as what he now pleaded, was) he would neither oppose, nor argue against; but, if they thought fit to take the Man’s Mate from him, then they might let him have one of his own Men with him.

“_Russel_ said, No; for all the Sloop’s Men were already enroll’d in their Books, and therefore none of them should go in her again. _Gentlemen_, continu’d he, _you must consider I am now arguing, as well for the Good of the Company, as for the due Maintenance and Execution of the Laws and Articles; and as I am the proper Officer substituted and intrusted by this Company with Authority to execute the same, so_ (_as I told you before_) _I have a Pistol and a Brace of Balls ready for any one, who dare oppose me herein_; and turning to me, said, _Master, the Company has decreed you your Sloop, and you shall have her; you shall have your two Boys, and that is all: You shall have neither Provisions, nor any Thing else, more than as she now is. And, I hear, there are some of the Company design to make a Gathering for you; but that also I forbid, by the Authority of my Place, because we are not certain but we may have Occasion ourselves for those very Things before we get more; and for that Reason I prohibit a Gathering; and I swear by all that is Great and Good, that if I know any Thing whatsoever carry’d, or left on Board the Sloop against my Order, or without my Knowledge, that very Instant I will set her on Fire, and you in her._

“Upon which I said, that since it was their Pleasure to order it thus, I begged that they would not put me on Board the Sloop in such a Condition; but rather begg’d, if they so pleas’d, to do what they would with the Sloop, and put me, and my two Boys, ashore on one of the Islands.

“_Russel_ said, No; for they were to Leeward of all the Islands, and should hardly come near any of them this Season again.

“I said, I should rather be put ashore any where else, either on the Coast of _Guinea_, or on whatever Coast they came at first, than be put as a Victim on Board the Sloop; where I should have no Possibility of any Thing but perishing, except by an extraordinary Miracle.

“He told me, My Fate was already decreed by the Company, and he, by his Place, was to see all their Orders put in Execution; and he would accordingly see me safely put on Board the Sloop, in the exact Condition as he had but now mention’d.

“I was going to make him a Reply, but casting my Eye on Capt. _Loe_, he wink’d at me to be silent; and taking a Bumper, drank Success to their Proceedings. The Health went round, and _Loe_ order’d the great Bowl to be fill’d with Punch, and Bottles of Wine to be set on the Table in the Cabbin, to which we all resorted, and spent the remaining Part of the Evening in Discourses on different Subjects: Only _Frank Spriggs_ offer’d to perswade me to accept of what was first offer’d me, which _Russel_ swore I should not now have, I having not once, but several Times already refus’d it. Capt. _Loe_ not being then willing to have any more of that Kind of Discourse, broke it off by singing a Song, and enjoining every one present to do the same, except me, whom he said he would excuse ’till Times grew better with me: And thus they diverted themselves, and pass’d the Evening away ’till towards eight a-Clock, and then every one repair’d on Board their respective Ships; and, after they were gone, _Loe_ and I, and two or three of his Confidents, smoak’d a Pipe, and drank a Bottle or two of Wine; in which Time he told me, He was very sorry that _Jack Russel_ was so set against me. I said, So was I, and wonder’d what should be the Reason of it, having given him no Cause, unless by drinking that Health the preceding Night: I said, I had imputed to Liquor, the Fury he was then in, and was in Hopes, that after that had work’d off, his Resentments also would have cooled, and was not a little concern’d to find it otherwise. _Loe_ said, The Health was not the Cause, but rather the Effect of his Anger, and a meer Pretence to cloak his Resentment for other Disappointments: Adding, That I did right to take his Hint given me by winking, to answer no more; _For_, says he, _I knew that every Thing which you could speak to him, would be taken Edge-ways; and the more you said to excuse yourself, the more it would add Fuel to his Anger, which he turn’d against you who could not resist him, because he could not have his Will of us; but we will endeavour to draw him off by Degrees; and for that Reason will not discharge you, but I will keep you on Board with me, where he shall not hurt nor abuse you, except with his Tongue, which you must bear, ’till we see if we can alter his Temper, so as to deal with you a little more favourable than at present he designs_.

“I thank’d him, and all of them present, for their Favours and Good-will, and it being near Midnight, we parted, and every one retired to his Rest, and I to my Hammock; and being pretty much fatigued the Night before, as well as the preceding Day, soon fell asleep; and about Day-dawning, I got up, and came upon Deck, and walking upon the Quarter Deck very solitary, one of the three Men, mention’d before, pass’d by me, and ask’d me how I did, and said he was very sorry for the Unkindness already shew’d me, and like to be shew’d; but it was what they expected, as they had before hinted to me, and that still there was like to be a tough Struggle about me: That _Russel_ did design to be very barbarous to me, and that _Loe_, and a great Part of the Company, intended to oppose him in it; that there were a great many who were _Russel’s_ Gang or Clan, and design’d to stand by him in it, and had threaten’d, that if there were much Disturbance about it, they would shoot me, and so put an End to the Controversy: That there were some, on the other Hand, that threaten’d hard if they did, to revenge my Death by some of theirs; so that it was likely to be an untoward Touch, and he wish’d it might not prove to my Disadvantage in the End; but would have me still to keep a good Heart, and trust in God, and hope for the best, and by no means to speak one Word, or concern myself either Way, but patiently wait the Issue, which he hoped would be better for me than some of them intended; and so heartily wishing me well, walk’d his Way.

“Now you must believe these Accounts were not a little shocking to me; but I had no Friend that I could really rely on, but God, to whom I made my Petitions, and whose Assistance I humbly besought, to extricate me, in his own good Time, out of these Difficulties and Snares which were laid for me on every Side, and, in the mean Time, patiently so to bear them, as not to murmur and repine at his fatherly Chastisements, nor, by their Extremity, through Desperation, wound my Conscience; but that in all Things I might, through the Guidance of the holy Spirit, be directed so as to submit myself entirely to his Will, who infinitely knew what was better for me than I knew myself.

“After some Time pass’d, Capt. _Loe_ came upon Deck, who ask’d me how I had rested the preceding Night? I told him, Very well, considering my present Case; but, next under God, had grounded my Hopes upon him, to rid me of my present Fears, by dispatching me away as soon as possible he could with Conveniency. He told me, He would do every Thing in his Power to further my Desires, and hoped that what he had already done on my Account, would sufficiently convince me of his Desire to serve me; but that Things hitherto had fallen out very unluckily and cross, as I myself was able to judge by what was already pass’d.

“I told him, I had very good Reasons to return him my hearty Thanks, and own’d myself bound to him in the strictest Ties of Gratitude; and that if it ever should be in my Power to serve him, I would not content myself with bare Acknowledgments of his Favour.

“He said, His Will was at present more extensive than his Power; but that he still hoped to prevail with _Russel_, and those who were of his Side, to be more compassionate to me before I parted with them, than at present they seem’d to intend, and as soon as he had brought them to a better Temper, he then would procure my Discharge; but if _Russel_ still continu’d inexorable, which he should be very sorry for, then you must endeavour, says he, to keep up a good Heart, and patiently wait ’till Providence brings you out of your present Calamities, which I hope he will.

“I thank’d him, and told him, I would endeavour to follow his Advice, tho’, I said, ’twas with some Impatience that I waited to have my Doom determin’d in a Discharge from them. He bid me be easy, it should be shortly.

“By this Time there were several join’d with us, so we broke off that Discourse, and fell into other Talk.

“About two or three a-Clock in the Afternoon, Capt. _Russel_, Capt. _Spriggs_, and some of their Officers, came on Board, and held a Consultation, which I was not allow’d to be a Hearer of; but understood afterwards, ’twas chiefly about their own Affairs, in Relation to the further Prosecution of their intended Voyage; and by the little mention that was made of me, it appear’d, that _Russel_ continu’d still inflexible, bitterly swearing, that he would, if he had a thousand Lives, lose them all, rather than miscarry in this his fix’d Resolution.

“In this difficult Situation I stood, not daring to speak freely for fear of offending, nor be silent, lest I should be thought contemptuous; not knowing how to avoid their Resentments, and every Resentment menacing, and often bringing Death. And thus I tediously, as well as dangerously, pass’d my Time among them, until it pleas’d God to put it into their Hearts to discharge me; tho’, if seriously weigh’d, this my Discharge seem’d like sentencing me to a lingering and miserable Death; yet I must needs confess, considering the whole Matter, that I was in a Manner miraculously befriended and supported, even in spite of Malice, Rage, and Revenge, for which I shall always pay my humble Acknowledgements to the Divine Providence.

“After several Efforts made by Capt. _Loe_, and others, and abundance of Arguments used to bring _Russel_ to better Temper relating to me; and finding it all to no Purpose, and that some of his Clan had bound themselves by Oath to stand by him, even to my Destruction, if the Dispute continu’d much longer; Capt. _Loe_, and Capt. _Spriggs_, and others, who were my Friends, resolv’d on sending me away as soon as possible; and for that Purpose _Loe_, the 10th Day after I was taken, made a Signal for a general Consultation on Board of him; and as soon as the Officers and leading Men of the other two Ships, were assembled, he made a Speech to them, to let them know the Reason of his calling them to a Consultation, telling them, _That he thought it was Time to discharge me, as they had before agreed, as also to prosecute their intended Voyage, they having lain a long Time driving; and that, altogether out of their Way, by Reason they could not expect, either here, or in this Drift, to meet with any Ships_.

“To this they all agreeing, Capt. _Loe_ told them, _He thought it would be best to discharge me first, for several Reasons, among which, my being cumbersome to them, as well as unserviceable, they being forc’d to sail the Sloop themselves; besides, he said it was not proper that I should be made acquainted with the Design of their Voyage_.

“They ask’d, _Why he did not turn me away?_ Saying, _They did not know for what Reason I had been kept so long, the Company having settled that Matter so long since_.

“Capt. _Loe_ said, _Gentlemen, you all know what Arguments we have had already about this Matter, and how Capt._ Russel, _and some more, were angry with the Master of the Sloop, and, I verily believe, without any Cause by him given to any of you designedly; and therefore, I hope you have consider’d better of it since, and laid aside your Resentments against the poor Man; neither_, said he, _let us do any Thing now in Passion, for I do not design (nor would I, if I could) to inforce any of you to comply to any Thing against your Will; nor would I have you think, Gentlemen, that I shall ever shew so much Respect to any Prisoner, as, on his Account, to cause a Difference or Wrangling among our selves; but yet, Gentlemen, give me Leave to say, That tho’ we are Pirates, yet we are Men, and tho’ we are deem’d by some People dishonest, yet let us not wholly divest ourselves of Humanity, and make ourselves more Savage than Brutes. If we send this poor Man away from us, without Provisions or Hands to assist him, Pray what greater Cruelty can there be? I think the more lingering any Death is made, the more barbarous ’tis accounted by all Men; and therefore, Gentlemen, I leave it to your own Consideration._

“To this, _Russel_ made answer, _That he, in the Company’s Name, had made the Master of the Sloop very good and generous Offers, in the Hearing of all the Company; but that I had, in his Opinion, after a very slighting Manner, refus’d them: That ’twas my Choice to be sent thus on Board the Sloop, rather than the Compulsion of the Company; and that, notwithstanding he told me what I must trust to by insisting on the Sloop, and how favourable they were design’d to be to me, if I would have but a little Patience ’till they could provide for me, yet that I had refus’d their Favours, notwithstanding the Pains he took to perswade me_; adding an egregious Falshood, (but I durst not tell him so) _That I had petition’d and begg’d of the Company, rather to be put in the Sloop in the Condition he now propos’d for me, and that therefore, according to my Desire, it should be so; and he hoped it could never be reckon’d Cruelty in them to give a Person his free Choice. And, Gentlemen_, says he, _we have had a great many more Words about this Matter already, than ever we had in the like Case before; but I hope you all have so much Value and Respect for one another, and for the general Peace, as that we shall have no more Debate on this Head, but determine at once the Time when he is to be discharg’d, the Manner of it being already settled by the major Part, and I as your Quarter-master, as my Office requires, will see it executed, and, perhaps, in a more favourable Manner than at first I design’d, or he really deserves at mine or your Hands either; but let that rest there_.

“Then Capt. _Loe_ said, _Mr._ Russel _hath spoke to you, Gentlemen, his Sentiments, which, in the main, are reasonable and true, and I am glad he is reconcil’d to the Master of the Sloop before their parting; and, I cannot say, but I always believ’d_ Jack Russel _to be a Man of so much Sense, as well as Good-nature, that he would scorn to take Revenge on one whose Condition render’d him uncapable of helping himself. And I think, Gentlemen, we may discharge him as soon as you please, and this Afternoon, if you are all agreed to it._ They all said _Ay_. Upon which _Russel_ told them, it should be done that Afternoon; telling _Loe_, _That after Dinner he would take me on Board the Scooner with him, and, from thence, send me on Board the Sloop, and see what could be done for me_.

“Some of _Loe’s_ Company said, _They would look out some Things, and give me along with me when I was going away_; but _Russel_ told them, _they should not, for he would toss them all into_ Davy Jones’s Locker _if they did; for I was the Scooner’s Prize, and she had all my Cargo and Plunder on Board of her, and therefore what was given to me should be given to me out of her_: And turning to me said, _Well, Master, I will this Evening put you on Board your own Sloop, and will be a better Friend to you, perhaps, than them that pretended a great deal more; but I am above being led by Passion_, &c. They all din’d on Board of _Loe_, who, after Dinner, order’d a Bowl of Punch to be made in the great Silver Bowl, and set a Dozen of Claret on the Table, and that they said was for me to take my Leave of them, and part Sailor-like. I thank’d them; so they drank round to my good Success, and then to their own fortunate Proceedings and good Success; and _Loe_ told me, _He wish’d me very well, and hoped to meet with me again, at some Time when they had a good Prize of rich Goods, and he would not fail to make me a Retaliation with good Advantage for my present Loss_. And they all present said, _I need not fear meeting with a Friend, whenever I met with them again_.

“About duskish, they began to prepare to go on Board their Ships, and I took my Leave of Capt. _Loe_, and all his Ship’s Company, and in particular of the three Men, who, I believe, were my hearty Friends, and return’d them all Thanks for their Kindness, as well as good Humour, shew’d to me since my first coming on Board of them. I also took my Leave of Capt. _Spriggs_, and those of his Company who were present, wish’d me well, but not one of them, I believe, dar’d to give me any Lumber with me, nor durst I have accepted of it had they offer’d it, for Fear of angering my but newly and seemingly reconcil’d Enemy, who, in all Likelihood, would have taken from me whatever they would have given me: And for that Reason I believe it was, that none of them offer’d to give me a Farthing, notwithstanding all their Professions of Kindness to me; tho’ this Generosity is very usual with them, to People that they profess much less Favour for, than they did to me.

“_Russel_ being ready, I was order’d to go in his Boat, which I did; and, as soon as we were come on Board the Scooner, he order’d a Supper to be got ready, and, in the mean Time, there was a Bowl of Punch made, and some Wine set on the Table. _Russel_ invited me down into the Cabbin, as also all his Officers, and we drank and smoak’d ’till Supper was brought, and then he told me I was very welcome, and bid me eat and drink heartily; _For_, he said, _I had as tedious a Voyage to go through, as_ Elijah’s _forty Days Journey was to Mount_ Horeb, _and, as far as he knew, without a Miracle, it must only be by the Strength of what I eat now; for I should have neither Eatables nor Drinkables with me in the Sloop_.

“I told him, _I hoped not so_: He rapt out a great Oath, _That I should find it certainly true_. I told him, _That rather than be put on Board the Sloop, in that Manner, where there was no Possibility to escape perishing, without a Miracle, I would submit to tarry on Board, ’till an Opportunity offer’d to put me ashore where they pleas’d; or would yield to any Thing else they should think fit to do with me, excepting to enter into their Service_.

“He said, _It was once in my Power to have been my own Friend; but my slighting their proffer’d Favours, and my own chusing what I now must certainly accept, had render’d me uncapable of any other Choice; and that therefore all Apologies were but in vain; and he thought he shew’d himself more my Friend than I could well expect, or than I had deserv’d at his Hands, having caused him to have a great deal of Difference with the Company more than ever he had in his Life before, or ever should have again, he hoped_.

“I told him, _I was very sorry that I was so unfortunate as to be the unhappy Occasion of it; but could from my Heart aver, that it was not only undesign’d, but also sorely against my Inclinations_; and begg’d of him, and all the Gentlemen then present, _to consider me as an Object rather of their Pity, than of their Revenge_.

“He told me, _All my Arguments and Perswasions now were in vain, it being too late: I had not only refus’d their Commiseration when I was offer’d it, but ungratefully despis’d it: Therefore_, says he, _as I told you before, it’s in vain for you to plead any more: Your Lot is cast, and you have nothing now to do, but to go through with your Chance as well as you can, and fill your Belly with good Victuals and good Drink, to strengthen you to hold it as long as you can: It may be, and is very probable to be, the last Meal that ever you may eat in this World: However, perhaps, such a Conscientious Man as you would fain seem, or it may be are, may have a supernatural, or, at least, a natural Means wrought by a supernatural Power, in a miraculous Manner, to deliver you. However, I cannot say but I pity the two Boys, and have a great Mind to take them on Board, and let the miraculous Deliverance be wrought on you alone_.

“The Master and Gunner said, _They heard the Boys say, they were willing to take their Chance with their Master, let it be what it would. Nay, then_, says _Russel_, _it’s fit they should. I suppose their Master has made them as religious and as conscientious as himself. However, Master_, says _Russel_, (speaking to me) _I would have you eat and drink heartily, and talk no more about changing your allotted Chance; because, as I told you before, it is all in vain; besides, it may be a Means of Provocation to serve you worse_.

“_Gentlemen_, says I, _I have done: I will say no more; you can do no more than God is pleas’d to permit you; and I own, for that Reason, I ought to take it patiently_.

“_Well, well_, says _Russel_, _if it be done by God’s Permission, you need not fear that he will permit any Thing hurtful to befall so good a Man as you are_.

“About ten a-Clock at Night, he order’d to call the Sloop’s Boat, which was brought by some of the Pirates of his own Clan, who were station’d on Board of her, and ask’d them, _If they had done as he had order’d them_, viz. _to clear the Sloop of every Thing_? And they said _Yes_, raping out a great Oath or two, adding, _She had nothing on Board except Ballast and Water. Z--ds_, said _Russel_, _did not I bid you have all the Casks that had Water in them on Board? So we did_, said they; _but the Water that we spoke of was Salt-water, leak’d in by the Vessel, and is now above the Ballast; for we have not pump’d her we do not know when_.

“Said _Russel_, _Have you brought away the Sails I told you of?_ They said, _All but the Mainsail that was bent, for the other old Mainsail that he had order’d to be left, was good for nothing but to cut up for Parceling, and hardly for that, it was so rotten; besides, it was so torn, that it could not be brought too, and was past mending, and for that Reason they let it lie, and would not unbend the other Mainsail_.

“_Z--ds_, says _Russel_, _we must have it, for I want it to make us a Mainsail. D--n it_, said the Men, _then you must turn the Man adrift in the Sloop without a Mainsail_.

“_Pish_, said _Russel_, _the same miraculous Power that is to bring him Provisions, can also bring him a Sail_.

“_What a Devil, is he a Conjurer?_ said one of them.

“_No, no_, says _Russel_, _but he expects Miracles to be wrought for him, or he never would have chosen what he hath_.

“_Nay, nay_, said they, _if he be such a one, he will do well enough; but I doubt_, says one of them, _he will fall short of his Expectation; for if he be such a mighty Conjurer, how the Devil was it that he did not conjure himself clear of us?_

“_Pish_, said another, _it may be his conjuring Books were shut up. Ay, but_, said another, _now we have hove all his Conjuration Books over Board, I doubt he will be hard put to it to find them again_.

“_Come, come_, says the Gunner, _Gentlemen, the poor Man is like to go through Hardship enough, and very probably may perish; yet it is not impossible but he may meet with some Ship, or other timely Succour, to prevent his perishing, and I heartily wish he may; but however, you ought not to add Affliction to the Afflicted; You have sentenc’d him to a very dangerous Chance, which I think is sufficient to stop your Mouths from making a Droll and Game of him. I would have you consider_, added he, _if any of you were at_ Tyburn, _or any other Place to be executed, as many better and stouter Men than some of you, have been, and the Spectators, or_ Jack Catch _should make a Droll and May-game of you, you would think them a very hard-hearted, as well as an inconsiderate Sort of People: And pray, Gentlemen, consider the Sentence which you are now going to execute on this poor Man, will be as bad, or rather worse, than one of our Cases would be there; because, unless Providence stand his Friend in an extraordinary Manner, his Death must as certainly ensue or be the Consequence of this your Sentence, as it would there be to any of us by the Sentence of a Judge, and so much the more miserable, by how much it is more lingering_.

“_Damn it_, said _Russel_, _we have had enough, and too much of this already_.

“_Ay_, said the Gunner, _and take Care_, Russel, _you have not this to answer for one Day, when perhaps you will then, but too late, wish you had never done it. But you have got the Company’s Assent in this, I cannot tell how, and therefore I shall say no more, only that I, as I believe most of the Company, came here to get Money, but not to kill, except in Fight, and not in cold Blood, or for private Revenge. And I tell you_, John Russel, _if ever such Cases as these be any more practis’d, my Endeavour shall be to leave this Company as soon as I possibly can_.

“To which _Russel_ said nothing in Answer; but bid the Men that came on Board in the Boat, to leave the Sloop’s Boat on Board the Scooner, and take the Scooner’s Boat with them on Board the Sloop; and, as soon as they saw the Lights upon Deck on Board the Scooner, to come away from the Sloop with the Scooner’s Boat, and bring the Master of the Sloop’s biggest Boy with them; and to take their Hands out of the Sloop’s Boat, and put the Master’s Boy on Board of the Sloop’s Boat with his Master, and let them go on Board themselves with their Boat, and to be sure to bring the Sloop’s Mainsail with them, and also the Mate of the Sloop. All which they said they would do; so away they went; and then _Russel_ told me, _He would give me something with me to remember him_; which was an old Musket, and a Cartridge of Powder, but for what Reason he made me that Present, I cannot tell; and then order’d the Candles to be lighted in the Lanthorns and carry’d upon Deck, and order’d two Hands to step into the Sloop’s Boat to carry me away, and to execute his former Orders; and then shaking Hands with me, he wish’d me a good Voyage. I told him I hoped I should. The Gunner, Master, and several of the Crew, shook Hands with me also, and heartily wish’d me Success, and hoped I should meet with a speedy and safe Deliverance. I thank’d them for their good Wishes; and told them I was now forc’d into a Necessity of going through it, whether I would or not; but thank’d God I was very easy at present, not doubting in God’s Mercy to me, tho’ I was not deserving of it: And that if I was permitted to perish, I knew the worst; and doubted not but he would graciously pardon my Sins, and receive me to his Everlasting Rest; and, in this Respect, what they had intended for my Misfortune, would be the Beginning of my Happiness; and that in the mean Time, I had nothing to do but to resign myself to his blessed Will and Protection, and bear my Lot with Patience. And so bidding them farewell, I went over the Side into the Boat, which was directly put off; and about half Way between the Scooner and Sloop, we met the Scooner’s Boat, and, according to their Orders from _Russel_, they put my Boy on Board of me, and so put away again to get on Board their own Vessel.

“After their Boat put away from us, I thought I heard the Voice of my Mate, but was not certain, because he spoke so low, his Conscience checking him, I suppose, for his leaving me so basely. I call’d to him, and said Arthur, _what are you going to leave me?_ He answer’d, _Ay_. _What_, said I, _do you do it voluntary, or are you forc’d?_ He answer’d faintly, _I am forc’d, I think_. I said, _It was very well_. He call’d to me again, and said, _He would desire me to write to his Brother, and give him an Account where he was, if ever I should have an Opportunity_. I told him, _I did not know where his Brother liv’d_. He called and said, _He liv’d in_ Carlingford. I told him, _I did not know where that was_. He said, _It was in_ Ireland. _Why_, said I, _you told me in_ Barbadoes that you was a Scotchman, _and that all your Friends liv’d in_ Scotland. But he made me no further Answer; but away they row’d towards their Vessel, and I towards the Sloop, and it being a very dark, as well as a close Night, it was as much as ever I could do to see her; this being the last Time that I spoke to, or saw any of them, nor do I ever more desire to see them, except at some Place of Execution.”

FOOTNOTES

[109] _The Four Voyages of Capt. George Roberts ... written by Himself_, London, 1726.