I shall now relate how this Fire happened, from which our Deliverance was almost miraculous. About half an hour after eight a clock in the evening, a Negroe Man went into the Hold, to pump some Rum out of a Cask; and imprudently holding his Candle too near the Bung-hole, a Spark fell into the Hogs-head, and set the Rum on fire. This immediately fired another Cask of the same Liquor, whose Bung had been, through carelessness, left open: And both the Heads of the Hogsheads immediately flying out, with a report equal to that of a small Cannon, the fire run about the Hold. There were twenty Casks of Rum, with as many Barrels of Pitch and Tar, very near the place where the Rum lay that was fired; yet it pleased God none of these took fire, otherwise it would have been impossible for us to escape. After this was over, I was obliged to stay on board till Morning, all the Boats being run away with. In that time _Golding_, the Gunner’s Mate, told the Pirate’s Crew several things to my Advantage: “How I had handed the Blankets to him, and ordered Water to be thrown on them; which saved the Bulk-head, where the Powder lay, from being fired, and consequently the Ship from being blown up.” So now I was more than ever in their favour: For several of them desired me to come on board the _Windham_ Galley, the day Things were sold there at the Mart, and then they would be kind to me. Likewise Captain _Davis_ press’d me to come, asking me, “Whether the Gold Watch that was taken from me was a good one?” To which I answering, “It was very good, at that time.” He then said, “He would buy it for his own use at any rate.” While he and I were talking thus, one of the Mates came half drunk, on the Quarter-deck, saying to him; “I propose in behalf of the Ship’s Company, that this Man shall be obliged to go down the Coast of _Guinea_ with us; for I am told we cannot have a better Pilot.” This was a great surprize to me; but my generous Friend _Davis_ soon put me out of pain. For he told him, “They wanted no Pilot:” and the fellow still insisting on my going, Captain _Davis_ caned him off the Quarter-deck, and I heard no more of it: For soon after I went on Shore to my Friend Captain _Glynn_’s House.