Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/278

 African Company, that were illegally detained by the Dutch at Des Minas; and while they were regretting o long a Separation, an Expres came to General Phips, from Axim, the 9th, and followed by another from Dixcove, (an Englih Factory,) with Information that three Ships had chaed and taken a Galley nigh Axim Catle, and a trading Boat belonging to the Company: No doubt was made, concerning what they were, it being taken for granted they were Pyrates, and uppoed to be the ame that had the Augut before infeted the Coat. The natural Reult therefore, from thee two Advices, was, to haten for Whydah; for it was conclued the Prizes they had taken, had informed them how nigh the Swallow was, and withal, how much better in Health than he had been for ome Months pat; o that unles they were very mad indeed, they would (after being dicovered) make the bet of their Way for Whydah, and ecure the Booty there, without which, their Time and Indutry had been entirely lot; mot of the Gold lying in that Corner.

The Swallow weighed from Cape-Coro, January the 10th, but was retarded by waiting ome Hours on the Margaret, a Company’s Ship, at Accra, again on the Portugal, and a whole Day at Apong, on a Peron they ued to tile Mis Betty: A Conduct that Mr. Phips blamed, when he heard the Pyrates were mis’d at Whydah, altho’ he had given it as his Opinion, they could not be paed by, and intimated, that to tay a few Hours would prove no Prejudice.

This, however, hinder’d the Swallow’s catching them at Whydah, for the Pyrates came into that Road, with a freh Gale of Wind, the ame Day the Swallow was at Apong, and ail’d the 13th of January from thence, that he arrived the 17th. She gained Notice of them by a French Shallop from