However, _Davis_ was not long out of Business, for Captain _Rogers_ having fitted out two Sloops for Trade, one called the _Buck_, the other the _Mumvil Trader; Davis_ found an Employment on Board of one of them; the Lading of these Sloops was of considerable Value, consisting of _European_ Goods, in order to be exchanged with the _French_ and _Spaniards_; and many of the Hands on Board of them, were the Pyrates lately come in upon the late Act of Grace. The first Place they touched at, was the Island of _Martinico_, belonging to the _French_, where _Davis_ having conspired with some others, rise in the Night, secured the Master and seized the Sloop; as soon as this was done, they called to the other Sloop, which lay a little Way from them, among whom they knew there were a great many Hands ripe for Rebellion, and ordered them to come on Board of them; they did so, and the greatest Part of them agreed to join with _Davis_; those who were otherwise inclined, were sent back on Board the _Mumvil_ Sloop, to go where they pleased, _Davis_ having first taken out of her, every Thing which he thought might be of Use. After this, a Counsel of War was called over a large Bowl of Punch, at which it was proposed to chuse a Commander; the Election was soon over, for it fell upon _Davis_ by a great Majority of _legal Pollers_, there was no Scrutiny demanded, for all acquiesced in the Choice: As soon as he was possess'd of his Command, he drew up Articles, which were signed and sworn to by himself and the rest, then he made a short Speech, the sum of which, was, a Declaration of War against the whole World. After this they consulted about a proper Place where they might clean their Sloop, a light Pair of Heels being of great Use either to take, or escape being taken; for this purpose they made Choice of _Coxon_'s _Hole_, at the East End of the Island of _Cuba_, a Place where they might secure themselves from Surprize, the Entrance being so narrow, that one Ship might keep out a hundred. Here they cleaned with much Difficulty, for they had no Carpenter in their Company, a Person of great Use upon such Exigencies; from hence they put to Sea, making to the North-Side of the Island of _Hispaniola_. The first Sail which fell in their Way, was a _French_ Ship of twelve Guns; it must be observed, that _Davis_ had but thirty five Hands, yet Provisions began to grow short with him; wherefore he attacked this Ship, she soon struck, and he sent twelve of his Hands on Board of her, in order to plunder: This was no sooner done, but a Sail was spied a great Way to Windward of them; they enquired of the _French_ Man what she might be, he answered, that he had spoke with a Ship, the Day before, of 24 Guns and 60 Men, and he took this to be the same.