Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/285

 dropping a firt Rate Oath, but, at the ame Time, reolved, like a gallant Rogue, to get clear, or die.

There was one Armtrong, as I jut mention’d, a Deerter from the Swallow, whom they enquired of concerning the Trim and Sailing of that Ship; he told them he ail’d bet upon a Wind, and therefore, if they deigned to leave her, they hould go before it.

The Danger was imminent, and Time very hort, to conult of Means to extricate himelf; his Reolution in this Streight, was as follows: To pas cloe to the Swallow, with all their Sails, and receive her Broadide, before they returned a Shot; if diabled by this, or that they could not depend on ailing, then to run on Shore at the Point, (which is teep to) and every one to hift for himelf among the Negroes; or failing in thee, to board, and blow up together, for he aw that the greatet Part of his Men were drunk, paively Couragious, unfit for Service.

Roberts himelf made a gallant Figure, at the Time of the Engagement, being dreed in a rich crimon Damask Watcoat and Breeches, a red Feather in his Hat, a Gold Chain round his Neck, with a Diamond Cros hanging to it, a Sword in his Hand, and two Pair of Pitols hanging at the End of a Silk Sling, flung over his Shoulders (according to the Fahion of the Pyrates;) and is aid to have given his Orders with Boldnes, and Spirit; coming, according to what he had purpoed, cloe to the Man of War, received her Fire, and then hoited his Black Flag, and returned it, hooting away from her, with all the Sail he could pack; and had he took Armtrong’s Advice, to have gone before the Wind, he had probably ecaped; but keeping his Tacks down, either by the Winds hifting, or ill Steerage, or both, he was taken a-back with his Sails, and the Swallow