Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/101



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HE Major was a Gentleman of good Reputation in the Iland of Barbadoes, was Mater of a plentiful Fortune, and had the Advantage of a liberal Education. He had the leat Temptation of any Man to follow uch a Coure of Life, from the Condition of his Circumtances. It was very urprizing to every one, to hear of the Major’s Enterprize, in the Iland were he liv’d; and as he was generally eteem’d and honoured, before he broke out into open Acts of Pyracy, o he was afterwards rather pitty’d than condemned, by thoe that were acquainted with him, believing that this Humour of going a pyrating, proceeded from a Diorder in his Mind, which had been but too viible in him, ome Time before this wicked Undertaking; and which is aid to have been occaioned by ome Dicomforts he found in a married State; be that as it will, the Major was but ill qualify’d for the Buines, as not undertanding maritime Affairs.

However, he fitted out a Sloop with ten Guns and 70 Men, entirely at his own Expence, and in the Night-Time ailed from Barbadoes. He called his Sloop the Revenge; his firt Cruize was off the Capes of Virginia, where he took everal Ships, and plundered them of their Proviions, Cloaths, Money,