They staid here a Year and a half at the King's Expence, who gave them a plentiful Allowance of Provision, as was his Custom to all White Men, who met with any Misfortune on his Coast; his Humanity not only provided for all such, but the first _European_ Vessel that came in, he always obliged them to take in the unfortunate People, let the Vessel be what it would; for he had no Notion of any Difference between Pyrates and Merchants. At the Expiration of the above Term, a Pyrate Brigantine came in, aboard which the King obliged them to enter, or travel by Land to some other Place, which they durst not do; and of two Evils chose the least, that of going on board the Pyrate Vessel, which was commanded by one _William Read_, who received them very civilly. This Commander went along the Coast, and pick'd up what _Europeans_ he could meet with; his Crew however did not exceed forty Men, he would have been glad of taking on board some of the wreck'd _Frenchmen_, but for the Barbarity they had used towards the _English_ Prisoners; however, it was impracticable, for the _French_ pretending to lord it over the Natives, whom they began to treat inhumanly, were set upon by them, one half of their Number cut off, and the other half made Slaves. _Read_, with this Gang, and a Brigantine of 60 Tons, steer'd his Course for the Gulf of _Persia_, where they met a Grabb (a one masted Vessel) of about 200 Tons, which was made Prize. They found nothing on board but Bale Goods, most of which they threw over-board to search for Gold, and to make Room in the Vessel; but as they learned afterwards, they threw over in their Search, what they so greedily hunted after, for there was a considerable Quantity of Gold concealed in one of the Bales they toss'd into the Sea. In this Cruise Captain _Read_ fell ill and died; he was succeeded by one _James_. The Brigantine being small, crazy, and worm eaten, they shaped their Course for the Island of _Mayotta_, where they took out the Masts of the Brigantine, fitted up the Grabb, and made a Ship of her: Here they took in a Quantity of fresh Provision, which is in this Island very plentiful, and very cheap; and found a twelve oar'd Boat, which formerly belonged to the _Ruby East India_ Man, which had been lost there. They staid here all the Monsoon Time, which is about six Months; after which they resolved for _Madagascar_. As they came in with the Land, they spied a Sail coming round from the _East_ Side of the Island; they gave Chase on both Sides, so that they soon met: They haled each other, and receiving the same Answer from each Vessel, _viz._ _from the Seas_, they joined Company. This Vessel was a small _French_ Ship, laden with Liquors from _Martinico_, first commanded by one _Fourgette_, to trade with the Pyrates for Slaves, at _Ambonawoula_, on the _East_ Side the Island, in the Lat. of 17. 30. and was by them taken after the following Manner.