Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/146

 to the Favours and Generoity in Cloathing and Liquors, they from Time to Time have received from thee Fellows, who live in all poible Friendhip, and can, any ingle Man of them, command a Guard of 2 or 300 at a Minute’s warning: This is farther the Native’s Interet, to cultivate with them, becaue the Iland being divided into petty Governments and Commands, the Pyrates, ettled here, who are now a coniderable Number, and have little Catles of their own, can preponderate where-ever they think fit to ide.

When Taylor came with the Portuguee Prize here, they found the Otender had played their Men a Trick, for they took Advantage of their Drink, rie upon them, and (as they heard afterwards) carried the Ship to Mozambique, whence the Governor ordered her for Goa.

Here the Pyrates came, cleaned the Caandra, and divided their Plunder, haring 42 mall Diamonds a Man, or in les Proportion according to their Magnitude. An ignorant, or a merry Fellow, who had only, one in this Diviion, as being judged equal, in Value to 42 mall, muttered very much at the Lot, and went and broke it in a Morter, wearing afterwards, he had a better Share than any of them, for he had beat it, he aid, into 43 Sparks.

Thoe who were not for running the Hazard of their Necks, with 42 Diamonds, beides other Treaure, in their Pockets, knocked off, and tay’d with their old Acquaintance at Madagacar, on mutual Agreements, the longer Livers to take all. The Reidue having therefore no Occaion for two Ships, the Victory being leaky, he was burnt, the Men (as many as would) coming into the Caandra, under the Command of Taylor, who we mut leave a Time, projecting either for Cochin, to dipoe of their Diamonds among their old Friends the