Whereupon this _Portuguese_ Master pointed to one of 40 Guns, and 150 Men, a Ship of greater Force than the _Rover_, but this no Ways dismayed them, _they were_ Portuguese, they said, and so immediately steered away for him. When they came within Hail, the Master whom they had Prisoner, was ordered to ask, _how Seignior Capitain did_? And to invite him on Board, _for that he had a Matter of Consequence to impart to him_, which being done, he returned for Answer, _That he would wait upon him presently_: But by the Bustle that immediately followed, the Pyrates perceived, they were discovered, and that this was only a deceitful Answer to gain Time to put their Ship in a Posture of Defence; so without further Delay, they poured in a Broad-Side, boarded and grapled her; the Dispute was short and warm, wherein many of the _Portuguese_ fell, and two only of the Pyrates. By this Time the Fleet was alarmed, Signals of Top-gallant Sheets flying, and Guns fired, to give Notice to the Men of War, who rid still at an Anchor, and made but scurvy hast out to their Assistance; and if what the Pyrates themselves related, be true, the Commanders of those Ships were blameable to the highest Degree, and unworthy the Title, or so much as the Name of Men: For _Roberts_ finding the Prize to sail heavy, and yet resolving not to loose her, lay by for the headmost of them _(_which much out sailed the other) and prepared for Battle, which was ignominiously declined, tho' of such superior Force; for not daring to venture on the Pyrate alone, he tarried so long for his Consort as gave them both time leisurely to make off. They found this Ship exceeding rich, being laden chiefly with Sugar, Skins, and Tobacco, and in Gold 40000 Moidors, besides Chains and Trinckets, of considerable Value; particularly a Cross set with Diamonds, designed for the King of _Portugal_; which they afterwards presented to the Governor of _Caiana_, by whom they were obliged. Elated with this Booty, they had nothing now to think of but some safe Retreat, where they might give themselves up to all the Pleasures that Luxury and Wantonness could bestow, and for the present pitch'd upon a Place called the _Devil_'s _Islands_, in the River of _Surinam_, on the Coast of _Caiana_, where they arrived, and found the civilest Reception imaginable, not only from the Governor and Factory, but their Wives, who exchanged Wares and drove a considerable Trade with them.