Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/275

 from the Owners; though the true Reaon might be, that he thought it dihonourable to treat with Robbers; and that the Ship, eparate from the Slaves, towards whom he could mitrut no Cruelty, was not worth the Sum demanded; hereupon, Roberts ends the Boat to tranport the Negroes, in order to et her on Fire; but being in hat, and finding that unhackling them cot much Time and Labour, they actually et her on Fire, with eighty of thoe poor Wretches on Board, chained two and two together, under the mierable Choice of perihing by Fire or Water: Thoe who jumped overboard from the Flames, were eized by Sharks, a voracious Fih, in Plenty in this Road, and, in their Sight, tore Limb from Limb alive. A Cruelty unparalell’d! And for which had every Individual been hanged, few I imagine would think that Jutice had been rigorous.

The Pyrates, indeed, were obliged to dipatch their Buines here in hat, becaue they had intercepted a Letter from General Phips to Mr. Baldwin, the Royal African Company’s Agent at Whydah, (giving an Account, that Roberts had been een to Windward of Cape Three Points,) that he might the better guard againt the Damages to the Company’s Ships, if he hould arrive at that Road before the Swallow Man of War, which he aured him, (at the Time of that Letter,) was puruing them to that Place. Roberts call’d up his Company, and deired they would hear Phip’s Speech, (for o he was pleaed to call the Letter,) and notwithtanding their vapouring, perwaded them of the Neceity of moving; for, ays he, "uch brave Fellows cannot be uppoed to be frightned at this News, yet that it were better to avoid dry Blows, which is the bet that can be expected, if overtaken."

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