CAptain _Howel Davis_ was born at _Milford_, in _Monmouthshire_, and was from a Boy brought up to the Sea. The last Voyage he made from _England_, was in the _Cadogan_ Snow of _Bristol_, Captain _Skinner_ Commander, bound for the Coast of _Guiney_, of which Snow _Davis_ was chief Mate: They were no sooner arrived at _Sierraleon_ on the aforesaid Coast, but they were taken by the Pyrate _England_, who plunder'd them, and _Skinner_ was barbarously murdered, as has been related before in the Story of Captain _England_. After the Death of Captain _Skinner, Davis_ pretended that he was mightily sollicited by _England_ to engage with him; but that he resolutely answered, he would sooner be shot to Death than sign the Pyrates Articles. Upon which, _England_, pleased with his Bravery, sent him and the rest of the Men again on Board the Snow, appointing him Captain of her, in the Room of _Skinner_, commanding him to pursue his Voyage. He also gave him a written Paper sealed up, with Orders to open it when he should come into a certain Latitude, and at the Peril of his Life follow the Orders therein set down. This was an Air of Grandeur like what Princes practice to their Admirals and Generals.--It was punctually complied with by _Davis_, who read it to the Ship's Company; it contained no less than a generous Deed of Gift of the Ship and Cargoe, to _Davis_ and the Crew, ordering him to go to _Brasil_ and dispose of the Lading to the best Advantage, and to make a fair and equal Dividend with the rest. _Davis_ proposed to the Crew, whether they were willing to follow their Directions, but to his great Surprize, found the Majority of them altogether averse to it, wherefore in a Rage, he bad them be damn'd, and go where they would. They knew that Part of their Cargoe was consigned to certain Merchants at _Barbadoes_, wherefore they steered for that Island. When they arrived, they related to these Merchants the unfortunate Death of _Skinner_, and the Proposal which had been made to them by _Davis_; upon which _Davis_ was seized and committed to Prison, where he was kept three Months; however, as he had been in no Act of Pyracy, he was discharged without being brought to any Tryal, yet he could not expect any Employment there; wherefore knowing that the Island of _Providence_ was a kind of Rendevouz of Pyrates, he was resolved to make one amongst them, if possible, and to that Purpose, found Means of shipping himself for that Island; but he was again disappointed, for when he arrived there, the Pyrates had newly surrendered to Captain _Woods Rogers_, and accepted of the Act of Grace, which he had just brought from _England_.