But we had not long lain in this Circumstance, but, by what Occasion we
knew not, five of the Gentlemen Tarrs were pleas'd to be willing to go no
farther with their Companions; and thinking all safe behind them, because
they had found no Disturbance in their going out, came back the same Way,
straggling without any Guard or Regard.
I thought now was our Time to show our selves; so taking them as they came
by the Place where we lay in Ambuscade, we plac'd ourselves just in their
Way, and as they were entring a little Thicket of Trees, we appear'd; and
calling to them in _English_, told them they were our Prisoners; that if
they yielded, we would use them very well, but if they offer'd to resist,
they should have no Quarter: One of them looking behind, as if he would
show us a Pair of Heels, I call'd to him, and told him, if he attempted to
run for it, he was a dead Man, unless he could out-run a Musquet-Bullet;
and that we would soon let him see we had more Men in our Company; and so
giving the Signal appointed, our three Men, who lay at a Distance, shew'd
themselves in the Rear.
When they saw this, one of them, who appear'd as their Leader, but was only
the Purser's Clerk, ask'd, Who we were they must yield to? And if we were
Christians? I told them, jestingly, We were good honest Christian Pirates,
and belong'd to Captain _Avery_, (not at all letting them know that I was
_Avery_ himself) and if they yielded it was enough; that we assur'd them
they should have fair Quarter and good Usage upon our Honour; but that they
must resolve immediately, or else they would be surrounded with 500 Men,
and we could not answer for what they might do to them.
They yielded presently upon this News, and deliver'd their Arms; and we
carry'd them away to our Tent, which we had built near the Place where our
Boat lay. Here I enter'd into a particular serious Discourse with them
about Captain _Avery_, for 'twas this I wanted, upon several Accounts:
First, I wanted to enquire what News they had had of us in _Europe_? and
then to give them Ideas of our Numbers and Power as romantick as I could.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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