The History of the Pyrates. Vol. II.: Containing the lives of Captain Misson, Captain Bowen, Captain Kidd, Captain Tew, Captain Halsey, Captain White, Captain Condent, Captain Bellamy, Captain Fly, Captain Howard, Captain Lewis, Captain Cornelius, Captain Williams, Captain Burgess, Captain North, and their several crewsDefoe, Daniel
History
The History of the Pyrates. Vol. II.: Containing the lives of Captain Misson, Captain Bowen, Captain Kidd, Captain Tew, Captain Halsey, Captain White, Captain Condent, Captain Bellamy, Captain Fly, Captain Howard, Captain Lewis, Captain Cornelius, Captain Williams, Captain Burgess, Captain North, and their several crews
Defoe, Daniel
Pirates -- Early works to 1800
The King then call'd for one of the Fire-Arms, which had been taken in
the Boat, and commanded him to shew them how they were to be used, which
he was forced to do; and they made use of them soon after, by firing at
the Boat as has been related. He was then carried back to Prison, and
talking with the Jaylor (whom in their Language they call _Kasboo_) he
ask'd him what he thought the King intended to do with him? The Jaylor
answered, he was sure he did not intend to have him kill'd, as the white
Men had been, because he had ordered him to give him Food; this News a
little revived his drooping Spirits, accordingly he brought him some
Plantanes and Bonanas, which was the first Nourishment he had taken
since he came on Shore; and having refreshed himself therewith, and with
an _Alabo_ of Water, that is, a Vessel not unlike a Pitcher, he begg'd
for something to clean the Place, the Jaylor brought him a Parcel of
green Sticks tied together, which they call a _Tosee_, and serves for
the Use of a Broom; with this and a Thing like a Shovel, he made a Shift
to sweeten the Place pretty well; when it was done, he observed an old
Man looking thro' one of the Holes at him, with whom he fell into
Discourse, and enquired of him whether the Ship was gone, the old Man
told him no, but that there was another Boat with white Men lying off
the Land, and that there were great Numbers of People from the Town
lying in Wait for their coming on Shore. He begg'd this old Man to get
him a few Palmatu Leaves to lay on the Floor under him, which the old
Man did, so that that Night he rested very comfortably to what he had
done before.
The next Morning he was again sent for before the King, who ask'd him,
if he could kill a _Coway_ with one of those Musquets? he answered he
could, and glad he was to be so employed, thinking by these Means he
might please the King, at least gain his Favour so far, as to induce him
to spare his Life. He was led out to the River-side, the King himself
being in Company, and one of the Musquets was put into his Hand, he took
the Ball and beat it into a great Length, and then divided it into small
Bits about the Size of Swan Shot, for he would not venture to shoot with
a single Ball, not knowing but his Life might depend upon the Success of
his Shoot, by these Means he kill'd one the first Shot. The King seemed
very well pleased, and made him charge the Piece again in the same
Manner, and taking it into his own Hands discharged it at another
_Coway_ which he also kill'd.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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