Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/253

 Verd Ilands and clean. But here again by an intolerable Stupidity and want of Judgment, they got o far to Leeward of their Port, that depairing to regain it, or any of the Windward Parts of Africa, they were obliged to go back again with the Trade-Wind, for the Wet-Indies; which had very near been the Detruction of them all. Surinam was the Place now deigned for, which was at no les than 700 Leagues Ditance, and they had but one Hoghead of Water left to upply 124 Souls for that Paage; a ad Circumtance that eminently expoes the Folly and Madnes among Pyrates, and he mut be an inconiderate Wretch indeed, who, if he could eparate the Wickednes and Punihment from the Fact, would yet hazard his Life amidt uch Dangers, as their want of Skill and Forecat made them liable to.

Their Sins, we may preume were never o troubleome to their Memories, as now, that inevitable Detruction eem’d to threaten them, without the leat Glympe of Comfort or Alleviation to their Miery; for, with what Face could Wretches who had ravaged and made o many Neceitous, look up for Relief; they had to that Moment lived in Defiance of the Power that now alone they mut trut for their Preervation, and indeed without the miraculous Intervention of Providence, there appeared only this mierable Choice, viz. a preent Death by their own Hands, or a ling’ring one by Famine.

They continued their Coure, and came to an Allowance of one ingle Mouthful of Water for 24 Hours; many of them drank their Urine, or Sea Water, which, intead of allaying, gave them an inextinguihable Thirt, that killed them: Others pined and wated a little more Time in Fluxes and Apyrexies, o that they dropped away daily. Thoe that utain’d the Miery bet, were uch as Rh