At the first Appearance, of this Brigantine, _Cocklyn_ and his Crew were under a great Surprize; but when they understood how _Moody_ and some others had been served by them, they cheerfully joined their Brethren in Iniquity. On the same day also arrived one Captain _Davis_, who had been pirating in a Sloop, and had taken a large Ship at the _Cape de Verd_ Islands. He coming into _Sieraleon_ with her, it put the other two Pirates into some fear, believing at first it was a Man of War: But upon discovering her black Flag at the Main-top mast-head, which Pirate Ships usually hoist to terrify Merchant-Men; they were easy in their Minds, and a little time after, saluted one another with their Cannon. This _Davis_ was a generous Man, and kept his Crew, which consisted of near 150 Men, in good order; neither had he consorted or agreed to join with the others, when I was taken by _Cocklyn_; which proved a great Misfortune to me, as will appear afterwards. For I found _Cocklyn_ and his Crew, to be a set of the basest and most cruel Villains that ever were. And indeed they told me, after I was taken, “That they chose him for their Commander, on account of his Brutality and Ignorance; having resolved never to have again a Gentleman-like Commander, as, they said, _Moody_ was.” Upon mentioning this, I think it necessary to observe in this place, that the Captain of a Pirate Ship, is chiefly chosen to fight the Vessels they may meet with. Besides him, they chuse another principal Officer, whom they call _Quarter-master_, who has the general Inspection of all Affairs, and often controuls the Captain’s Orders: This Person is also to be the first Man in boarding any Ship they shall attack; or go in the Boat on any desperate Enterprize. Besides the _Captain_ and _Quarter-master_, the Pirates had all other Officers as is usual on board Men of War. I come now to give an account how I was taken by them. The day that I made the Land, when I was within three Leagues of the River’s Mouth, it became calm in the Afternoon. Seeing a Smoke on Shore, I sent for my first Mate Mr. _Simon Jones_, who had been formerly at _Sieraleon_, where I had not; “bidding him take the Pinnace, and go where the Smoke was, to enquire of the Natives, how Affairs stood up the River.” But he replied, “it would be to little purpose, for no People lived there: As to the Smoke we saw, he believed it might be made by some Travellers who were roasting of Oysters on the Shore; and would be gone before he could get a Mile from the Ship. Moreover, as Night drew on, it would be difficult for him to find the Ship again.” Thinking this answer reasonable, I did not press him further; tho’ I understood afterwards, there was a Town where the Smoke appeared. But I did not then in the least suspect Mr. _Jones_ would have proved such a Villain as he did afterwards.