Here they condemn'd the Fly-Boat and Ketch, but found a great Difficulty in getting the _Pelican_ condemn'd, the _English_ Owners putting in their Claim; but, at length, a _Scotch_ Lawyer did their Business, upon leaving 300 l. in his Hands to bear the Charge of any future Suit. Captain _Lovering_ dying here, the Ship's Company bought the _Pelican_, broke up the _Barca Longa_, sent her Owners their Shares, and got a Commission for the Master to cruize Southward as far as the Line, and to be valid for eighteen Months certain, two Years allowing for Accidents. They fitted this Ship for a long Voyage, out of the Joint Stock of the Company; but Iron Hoops being scarce in _New England_, they were obliged to take Casks hoop'd with Wood, which I mention, because it proved the Ruin of their Voyage to the _East Indies_ for a whole Year. They being fitted for the Sea, they set Sail and steer'd for the _Cape_ of _Good Hope_, which they doubled in the Month of _June_, made the best of their Way to _Madagascar_, and went into _Augustine_ Bay, where they victualled and watered, but before this was done it was _August_, which was too late to go to the _East-Indies_; which they propos'd to do with Design, to cruize on the _Moors_, not intending to Pyrate among the _Europeans_, but honestly and quietly to rob what _Moors_ fell in their Way, and return home with clean Consciences, and clean, but full Hands, within the limited Time of their Commission. From _Augustine_ they went to _Johanna_, and the Provisions they had salted up at _Madagascar_ not being well done, it began to spoil; this and their Cloaths wanting Repair, made them desperately resolve to take the King of _Johanna_ and make him ransome himself, but the Master wou'd not take Charge of the Ship, being unacquainted with the Coast: They cruiz'd among the Islands, landed at _Comaro_, and took the Town, but found no Booty, excepting some Silver Chains, and check'd Linnen. From hence they went to _Mayotta_, where they took in a _Frenchman_ who had been morooned there, and maintain'd by the King; they consulted with him about the surprizing and taking his Town. The _Frenchman_ was averse to it, as he owed him the Obligation of being preserved; however, he was in their Hands, and must do as they would have him: They surrounded the King's House after they had been three Days in his Town, and took him and all the Inhabitants; but the King's Son made his Way thro' the thickest of them with his Cutlash, tho' he was shot afterward. The Pretence they made use of for this inhospitable Manner, was, that the King had poison'd the Crew of a Ship, which was their Consort; he denied it, as well he might, for they themselves never heard of a Ship of the Name they gave this fictitious one. The King they carried on board, the other Prisoners they put into a Sort of a Temple, with a Guard over them of 36 Men.