A few weeks after their departure I embarked on board of a small Privateer, carrying only two swivels, and seventeen men: we sailed and cast Anchor at the Island of _Marie-Galante_, to take some provisions; and again went out for Sea. Soon after, we met with a large Merchant-Man; passing by we hoisted an English colour to deceive her, and having men on board that could speak the English Language perfectly well, we hailed her; she was come from _Martinico_ and going to _England_, and had fourteen guns: our Captain said to us, "they think that we are English, but let her sail on, and when night comes we will attack her:" so we followed her at a distance, till the time was come to perform the intrepid design; coming near all was silent, and every one of our Men were ready to jump on board at the first signal; and when near enough orders were Given, and our wishes fulfiled; for we took her with very little resistance, and conveyed her to _Curacao_, a Dutch Island. The cargo consisted of five-hundred and fifty-four hogsheads of Sugar, twelve ditto of Coffee, and eighteen bales of Cotton; which when sold gave every one a prize of fourteen hundred dollars. Being young and foolish, I soon spent a great part of my Money with my comrades, in drinking, dancing, Gambling, &c. I was sometimes intoxicated for a whole week, and every night at the ball room, along with bad company. I was two months in _Curacao_, and spent five-hundred and forty dollars; after which we proceeded with a larger Ship, which was ready for Sea, in which we sought for a better fortune. A few days after we were out, another prize fell into our hands, which we sent to the place above mentioned; and proceeded on our Voyage, and went to _Bonaires_, a dutch Island, to take some refreshment. After we quitted that place, we perceived that our Ship had a leak, for we had fourteen inches of water in the hold every hour, which forced us to enter into the Harbour of _Porto-Cabello_, a large Spanish City on the coast of the _Meridional America_: we were there two months; and proceeding further, we cast Anchor at _Cocoa-madrilla_, a Spanish Town on the same coast as before mentioned, and remained there but a few days: we went out and cruized for a long while, and having captured no Ships we went into the harbour of la _Guaires_, another Spanish City, to take some provision, for we were short of them. During our stay there the Lieutenant of the Ship and two men went to take a walk on shore, and were taken up, and put in the inquisition, because they did not bow to the HOST: for as it was related to us by them, that when they were passing through the streets they saw a great procession of Clergymen, going with a large silver Cross, to give the Extreme-Unction to a sick person; they not knowing the rules of the Country, passed by, and took no notice: when they were examined, and found under French colours, the inquisitioner could do nothing at them, but release them.