_The End of_ BOOK II. [Illustration: (decorative icon)] BOOK III. _Containing an Account of the Author’s being taken by Pirates, on the North part of the Coast of_ Guinea, _in the_ Bird Galley _of_ London, _belonging to the late_ Humphrey Morrice _Esq; who was sole Owner of the said Ship. Interspersed with several Instances of the Author’s many Deliverances, and narrow Escapes from Death, during the time he was detain’d Prisoner by the Pirates._ In the beginning of _November_, in the Year 1718, the late _Humphrey Morrice_ Esq; Merchant of _London_, appointed me Commander of the _Bird Galley_, and gave me Orders to go to _Holland_, to take on board a Cargoe for the Coast of _Africa_: Having so done, we were unfortunately detained by contrary Winds, at _Helvoet-Sluys_, till the 10th day of _December_, when a violent Storm arose, and in the night following forc’d our Ship on Shore, with several others. The Ship, by the Strength of the Wind, and height of the Tide, was carried with a great force against the Dike, or Bank that secures the Land from being overflowed on such high Tides, which frightened the Inhabitants thereabouts not a little. Moreover, the Waves made her work so much on the Ground where she was stranded, that when the Tide had left her, we found she set seven foot deep abaft in the Strand; but had the Satisfaction to find, on Examination, the Ship had received no damage in her bottom. Having unloaded, and hired many Boors or Peasants, to dig a Trench of near 300 Foot in length to the low water mark, we waited some time for a high Tide; and then getting the Ship off, carried her into _Helvoet-Sluys_ Peer. Having refitted and loaded again, we proceeded on our Voyage the latter end of _January_; but the Wind changing by the time we were off the Isle of _Wight_, and rising to a great Storm westerly, we were forced into _Spithead_; where having lain some time, we sailed again with a fair Wind, which carried us above 70 Leagues to the westward of the _Lizard_. Here a severe Storm of Wind coming up at Southwest, obliged us to lye by, under a reef’d Mainsail; and it increased to such a violent Degree, that we expected to be swallowed up every Minute, by the great Sea which ran Mountains high; but it pleased God, that after 24 Hours, it began to abate, and we received no other damage, than the loss of the _Lyon_ from the Ship’s Cut-water, which was washed away by the Sea.