The next Day _Davis_ went on Shore himself, as if it were out of greater Respect to bring the Governor on Board: He was received with the usual Civility, and he, and other principal Pyrates, who, by the Way, had assumed the Title of Lords, and as such took upon them to advise or councel their Captain upon any important Occasion; and likewise held certain Priviledges, which the common Pyrates were debarr'd from, as walking the Quarter-Deck, using the great Cabin, going ashore at Pleasure, and treating with foreign Powers, that is, with the Captains of Ships they made Prize of; I say, _Davis_ and some of the Lords were desired to walk up to the Governor's House, to take some Refreshment before they went on Board; they accepted it without the least Suspicion, but never returned again; for an Ambuscade was laid, a Signal being given, a whole Volley was fired upon them; they every Man dropp'd, except one, this one fled back, and escaped into the Boat, and got on Board the Ship: _Davis_ was shot through the Bowels, yet he rise again, and made a weak Effort to get away, but his Strength soon forsook him, and he dropp'd down dead; just as he fell, he perceived he was followed, and drawing out his Pistols, fired them at his Pursuers; Thus like a game Cock, giving a dying Blow, that he might not fall unrevenged. CHAP. IX. OF Captain _Bartho. Roberts_, And his CREW. B_Artholomew Roberts_ sailed in an honest Employ, from _London_ aboard of the _Princess_, Captain _Plumb_ Commander, of which Ship he was second Mate: He left _England, November_ 1719, and arrived at _Guiney_ about _February_ following, and being at _Anamaboe_, taking in Slaves for the _West-Indies_, was taken in the said Ship by Captain _Howel Davis_, as mentioned in the preceeding Chapter. In the beginning he was very averse to this sort of Life, and would certainly have escaped from them, had a fair Opportunity presented it self; yet afterwards he changed his Principles, as many besides him have done upon another Element, and perhaps for the same Reason too, _viz._ Preferment,--and what he did not like as a private Man he could reconcile to his Conscience as a Commander. _Davis_ being cut off in the manner beforementioned, the Company found themselves under a Necessity of filling up his Post, for which there appear'd two or three Candidates among the select Part of them, that were distinguish'd by the Title of Lords, such were _Sympson, Ashplant, Anstis_, &c. and on canvassing this Matter, how shatter'd and weak a Condition their Government must be without a Head, since _Davis_ had been remov'd, in the manner beforemention'd, my Lord _Dennis_ propos'd, its said, over a Bowl to this Purpose.