Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/148

 went down to Bombay, were aluted by the Fort, and came home.

The Pyrates, I mean thoe of the Caandra, now Captain Taylor, fitted the Portuguee Man of War, and reolved upon another Voyage to the Indies, notwithtanding the Riches they had heaped up; but as they were preparing to ail, they heard of the four Men of War coming after them to thoe Seas, therefore they altered their Minds, ail’d for the Main of Africa, and put in at a little Place called Delagoa, near the River de Spiritu Sancto, on the Coat of Monomotapa, in 26° South Latitude. They believed this to be a Place of Security, in regard that the Squadron could not poibly get Intelligence of them, there being no Correpondence over Land, nor any Trade carried on by Sea, between that and the Cape, where the Men of War were then uppoed to be. The Pyrates came to in the Evening, and were urprized with a few Shot from the Shore, not knowing of any Fortification or European Settlement in that Part of the World; o they anchored at a Ditance that Night, and perceiving, in the Morning, a mall Fort of ix Guns, they run up to it, and battered it down.

This Fort was built and ettled by the Dutch Eat-India Company, a few Months before, for what Purpoe, I know not, and having left 150 Men upon the Place, they were then dwindled to a third Part by Sicknes and Caualties, and never after received any Relief or Necearies; o that Sixteen of thoe that were left, upon their humble Petition, were admitted on Board the Pyrates, and all the ret would have had the ame Favour (they aid) had they been any other than Dutch. I mention this, as an Intance of their Ingratitude, who had been o much obliged to their Countrymen for Support. Here