Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/299



Ranger, and did purue and chae the aforeaid King’s Ship, with uch Dipatch and Precipitancy, as declared ye common Robbers and Pyrates.

That about Ten of the Clock the ame Morning, drawing within Gun-hot of his Majety’s aforeaid Ship the Swallow, ye hoited a pyratical black Flag, and fired everal chace Guns, to deter, as much as ye were able, his Majety’s Servants from their Duty.

That an Hour after this, being very nigh to the aforeaid King’s Ship, ye did audaciouly continue in a hotile Defence and Aault, for about two Hours more, in open Violation of the Laws, and in Defiance to the King’s Colours and Commiion.

And latly, that in the acting, and compaing of all this, ye were all, and every one of you, in a wicked Combination, voluntarily to exert, and actually did, in your everal Stations, ue your utmost Endeavours to ditres the aid King’s Ship, and murder his Majety’s good Subjects.

Then the Court called for the Officers of the Swallow, Mr. Iaac Sun, Lieutenant, Ralph Baldrick, Boatwain, Daniel Maclauglin, Mate, deiring them to view the Prioners, whether they knew them? And to give an Account in what Manner they had attack’d and fought the King’s Ship; and they agreed as follows.

That they had viewed all the Prioners, as they tood now before the Court, and were aured they were the ame taken out of one, or other, of the Pyrate Ships, Royal Fortune, or Ranger; but verily believe them to be taken out of the Ranger.

That they did in the King’s Ship, at break of Day, on Monday, the 5th of February, 1721-2, dicover three Ships at Anchor, under Cape Lopez, on the Southern Coat of Africa; the Cape bearing then W. S. W. about three Leagues, and perceiving