Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/109

 of Carolina; the Letter was to this Effect, viz. The next Morning they got under Sail, and came down the River, deigning only a running Fight. Colonel Rhet’s Sloops got likewie under Sail, and tood for him, getting upon each Quarter of the Pyrate, with Intent to board him; which he perceiving, edged in towards the Shore, and being warmly engaged, their Sloop ran a-ground: The Carolina Sloops being in the ame hoal Water, were in the ame Circumtances; the Henry, in which Colonel Rhet was, grounded within Pitol hot of the Pyrate, and on his Bow; the other Sloop grounded right a-head of him, and almot out of Gun-Shot, which made her of little Service to the Colonel, while they lay a-ground.

At this Time the Pyrate had a coniderable Advantage; for their Sloop, after he was a-ground, lited from Colonel Rhet’s, by which Means they were all covered, and the Colonel’s Sloop liting the ame Way, his Men were much expoed; notwithtanding which, they kept a brik Fire the whole Time they lay thus a-ground, which was near five Hours. The Pyrates made a Wiff in their bloody Flag, and beckoned everal Times with their Hats in Deriion to the Colonel’s Men, to come on Board, which they anwered with chearful Huzza’s, and aid, ; which accordingly happened, for the Colonel’s Sloop being firt a float, he got into deeper Water, and after mending the Sloop’s Rigging, which was much hattered in the Engagement, they tood for the Pyrate, to give the finihing Stroke, and deigned to go directly on Board him; which he prevented, by ending a Flag of Truce, and Rh