When they left the Banks of _Newfoundland_, they sailed for the _West-Indies_, and the Provisions growing short, they went for the Latitude of the Island _Deseada_, to cruise, it being esteemed the likeliest Place to meet with such Ships as (they used in their Mirth to say) were consigned to them, with Supplies. And it has been very much suspected that Ships have loaded with Provisions at the _English_ Colonies, on pretence of Trading on the Coast of _Africa_, when they have in reality been consigned to them; and tho' a shew of Violence is offered to them when they meet, yet they are pretty sure of bringing their Cargo to a good Market. However, at this Time they missed with their usual Luck, and Provisions and Necessaries becoming more scarce every Day, they retired towards St. _Christophers_, where being deny'd all Succour or Assistance from the Government, they fir'd in Revenge on the Town, and burnt two Ships in the Road, one of them commanded by Captain _Cox_, of _Bristol_; and then retreated farther to the Island of St. _Bartholomew_, where they met with much handsomer Treatment. The Governor not only supplying them with Refreshments, but he and the Chiefs carressing them in the most friendly Manner: And the Women, from so good an Example, endeavoured to outvie each other in Dress, and Behaviour, to attract the good Graces of such generous Lovers, that paid well for their Favours. Sated at length with these Pleasures, and having taken on Board a good supply of fresh Provisions, they voted unanimously for the Coast of _Guiney_, and in the Latitude of 22 N. in their Voyage thither, met with a _French_ Ship from _Martinico_, richly laden, and, which was unlucky for the Master, had a property of being fitter for their Purpose, than the Banker. _Exchange was no Robbery_ they said, and so after a little mock Complaisance to _Monsieur_, for the Favour he had done them, they shifted their Men, and took leave: This was their first _Royal Fortune._ In this Ship _Roberts_ proceeded on his designed Voyage; but before they reached _Guiney_, he proposed to touch at _Brava_, the Southermost of _Cape_ _Verd_ Islands and clean. But here again by an intolerable Stupidity and want of Judgment, they got so far to Leeward of their Port, that despairing to regain it, or any of the Windward Parts of _Africa_, they were obliged to go back again with the Trade-Wind, for the _West-Indies_; which had very near been the Destruction of them all. _Surinam_ was the Place now designed for, which was at no less than 700 Leagues Distance, and they had but one Hogshead of Water left to supply 124 Souls for that Passage; a sad Circumstance that eminently exposes the Folly and Madness among Pyrates, and he must be an inconsiderate Wretch indeed, who, if he could separate the Wickedness and Punishment from the Fact, would yet hazard his Life amidst such Dangers, as their want of Skill and Forecast made them liable to.