Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/143

 Sea Wind, and Night, favouring, they eparated, one to the Northward, the other to the Southward, thinking to encloe her between: But to their Atonihment, and contrary to Expectation, when Day broke, intead of the Chace, found themelves very near five Sail of tall Ships, who immediately making a Signal for the Pyrates to bear down, put them in the utmot Confuion, particularly Taylor’s Ship, becaue their Conort was at a Ditance from them, (at leat three Leagues to the Southward) they tood to one another, and joined, and then together made the bet of their Way from the Fleet, whom they judged to be commanded by Captain Mackra; of whoe Courage having Experience, they were glad to hun any farther Tate of.

In three Hours Chace, none of the Fleet gaining upon them, excepting one Grab, their dejected Countenances cleared up again, the more, in that a Calm ucceeded for the Remainder of that Day; and in the Night, with the Land Wind, they ran directly off Shore, and found next Day, to their great Conolation, that they had lot Sight of all the Fleet.

This Danger ecaped, they propoed to pend Chritmas (the Chritmas of 1720) in Carowzing and Forgetfulnes, and kept it for three Days in a wanton and riotous Way, not only eating, but wating their freh Proviions in o wretched and inconiderable a Manner, that when they had agreed after this to proceed to Mauritius, they were in that Paage at an Allowance of a Bottle of Water per Diem, and not above two Pounds of Beef, and a mall Quantity of Rice, for ten Men for a Day; o that had it not been for the leaky Ship, (which once they were about to have quitted, and had done, but for a Quantity of Arrack and Sugar She had on Board,) they mut mot of them have perihed.