_Spriggs_ sailed at first with _Lowe_, and came away with him from _Lowther_. Afterwards _Lowe_ took a ship of twelve guns on the Coast of _Guinea_, called the _Delight_, which _Spriggs_ went off on board with twenty men, and leaving _Lowe_ in the night, came to the _West Indies_. In their passage they made a Black Ensign, which they called the _Jolly Roger_, with a skeleton in the middle holding a dart in one hand, striking a bleeding heart; and in the other an hour-glass; and being hoisted, they fired all their guns to salute _Spriggs_, whom they chose Captain, and then went to look out for prey. In their voyage they took a _Portugueze_ barque, wherein they had rich plunder. Near _St. Lucia_, they took a Sloop belonging to _Barbadoes_, which they first plundered, and then burnt, forcing some of the men into their Service, and beating, in a barbarous manner, those that refused to join with them, and afterwards sent them away in the Boat, half dead with their wounds, the rest got to _Barbadoes_, with much ado, though some of them died soon after of their cuts and slashes. After this they took a _Martinico_ Man, which they used in like manner, save that they did not burn the ship. Then running down to the Leeward, they took one Captain _Hawkins_ coming from _Jamaica_, laden with Logwood; out of which, they took her stores, arms, and ammunition, and what they did not want they threw over-board; they cut the cables to pieces, knocked down the cabins, broke the windows, and did what mischief they could, taking _Burridge_ and _Stephens_, the two Mates, and some other Hands, by force; and then after keeping her a week, they let her go. On the 27th they took a _Rhode_ Island Sloop, compelling the Captain, and all his men, to go on board the Pirate: One of them not being willing to stay with them, they told him he should have a discharge presently, which was to receive ten lashes from every man on board. The next day _Burridge_ signed their Articles; which pleased them so much, that they fired all the Guns, and made him Master, spending that day in rejoicings and drinking healths.