Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/234

 with him, was only to be informed which was the richet Ship in that Fleet; and if he directed them right, he hould be retored to his Ship without Moletation, otherwie, he mut expect immediate Death.

Whereupon this Portuguee Mater pointed to one of 40 Guns, and 150 Men, a Ship of greater Force than the Rover, but this no Ways dimayed them,, they aid, and o immediately teered away for him. When they came within Hail, the Mater whom they had Prioner, was ordered to ak, And to invite him on Board,  which being done, he returned for Anwer,  But by the Butle that immediately followed, the Pyrates perceived, they were dicovered, and that this was only a deceitful Anwer to gain Time to put their Ship in a Poture of Defence; o without further Delay, they poured in a Broad-Side, boarded and grapled her; the Dipute was hort and warm, wherein many of the Portuguee fell, and two only of the Pyrates. By this Time the Fleet was alarmed, Signals of Top-gallant Sheets flying, and Guns fired, to give Notice to the Men of War, who rid till at an Anchor, and made but curvy hat out to their Aitance; and if what the Pyrates themelves related, be true, the Commanders of thoe Ships were blameable to the highet Degree, and unworthy the Title, or o much as the Name of Men: For Roberts finding the Prize to ail heavy, and yet reolving not to looe her, lay by for the headmot of them (which much out ailed the other) and prepared for Battle, which was ignominiouly declined, tho’ of uch uperior Force; for not daring to venture on the Pyrate alone, he tarried o long for his Conort as gave them both time leiurely to make off. They