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
When they had proceeded thus far, every Man began to work as hard as he
could; they cut a Piece of Cable, which they strung into Rope Yarns, and
fell to mend their Sails with all possible Expedition; they also made a
Kind of Fishing-Lines of the said Rope-Yarns, and bent some Nails
crooked to serve for Hooks; but as they were destitute of a Boat, as
well for the Use of Fishing as for going on Shore, they resolved to make
a Bark Log, that is, to lay two or three Logs together, and tie them
close, upon which two or three Men may sit very safely in smooth Water.
As soon as this was done, some Hands went on Shore, upon one of the said
Logs (for they made two of them) who employ'd themselves in cutting wild
Cabbage, gathering Berries, and a Fruit which the Seamen call Pricklie
Pears, for Food, while some others went a Fishing upon another.--Those
who went ashore also carried the old Bucket with them, so that whilst
some were busy in gathering Things to serve for Provision, one Hand was
constantly employ'd, in bringing fresh Water aboard in the said Bucket,
which was tedious Work, considering how little could be brought at a
Time, and that the Sloop lay near a Mile from the Shore.
When they had employ'd themselves thus, for about four or five Days,
they brought their Sails and Tackle into such Order, having also a
little Water, Cabbage, and other Things on Board, that they thought it
was Time to venture to sail; accordingly they weigh'd their Anchor, and
putting out all the Sail they had, got out to the Harbour's Mouth, when
to their great Terror and Surprize, they saw the Pyrates coming in
again.
They were much frighten'd at the Pyrates unexpected Return, because of
the Threatnings they had used to them at parting, not to sail without
further Orders; wherefore they tack'd about, and ran as close into the
Shore as they could, then throwing out their Bark Logs, they all put
themselves upon them, and made to Land, as fast as they could work; but
before they quite reach'd it, the Pyrates got so near that they fired at
them, but were too far to do Execution; however, they pursued them
ashore; the poor Fugitives immediately took to the Woods, and for
greater Security climb'd up some Trees, whose Branches were very thick,
and by that Means concealed themselves. The Pyrates not finding them,
soon return'd to their Boat, and row'd on board the deserted Sloop,
whose Mast and Boltsprit they cut away, and towing her into deep Water,
sunk her; after which, they made again for the Shore, thinking that the
Fugitives would have been come out of their lurking Holes, and that they
should surprize them; but they continued still on the Tops of their
Trees and saw all that pass'd, and therefore thought it safest to keep
their Posts.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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