To which the Prisoners answered, in their own Defence; That they were a great way off from friends and acquaintance, and, therefore it was impossible to have any one to give an account of them. That they were very honest pains-taking men, and came out to go a-turtling to provide for their families; accordingly going ashore at _Negril_ Point they saw a Sloop, with a white pendant, making towards them, whereupon they took up their arms, which were no other but what all people carry upon such occasions, and ran into the woods, to hide themselves among the bushes, not knowing what she might be. But when they hailed them and told them they were _Englishmen_, they ventured out, and came aboard them, as they desired, to drink a bowl of punch, they being poor men, who get their livelihood very hardily, and such a thing was very acceptable to them. But when they came on board the Sloop, to their very great surprise, they found they were Pirates; upon which they begged to be released; but _Rackham_ swore, That if they did not stay and assist them against that Sloop that was coming down against them, he would cut all their throats. So being compelled thereunto by _Rackham_ and his men, to save their Lives, they did assist him, and with no other design but to prevent their being cut in pieces, but as soon as Captain _Barnet_ came up with them, they all very readily and willingly submitted. This being all they had to say in their own Defence, the Prisoners were ordered from the Bar: The Court were divided in their Judgments; but the majority were of opinion, that they were all guilty of the Piracy and Felony they were charged with; thereupon they all received Sentence of Death, as usual in such cases, the Judge making a very pathetic Speech to them, exhorting them to bear their Sufferings patiently, assuring them, that if they were innocent, which he very much doubted, then their reward would be greater in the Other World: But everybody must own their case was very hard in this. February the 17th, _John Eaton_, _Thomas Quick_, and _Thomas Baker_, were accordingly executed at _Gallows-Point_; and the next Day, _John Cole_, _John Howard_, and _Benjamin Palmer_, underwent the same fate at _Kingston_. The other three got a Reprieve, they being against going aboard the Pirate's Sloop, and are now living. [Illustration] [Illustration] CAPTAIN SPRIGGS, AND HIS CREW