Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/408

 about 30 Leagues to Leeward of Jamaica, with Intention to clean there; but an unhappy Accident put an End to their Pyracies, which hitherto had proved very ucceful to them.

The Boatwain of the Pyrate being a noiy urly Fellow, the Captain had at everal Times Words with him, relating to his Behaviour, who thinking himelf ill treated, not only returned ill Language, but alo challenged the Captain to fight him on the next Shore they came to, with Pitols and Sword, as is the Cutom among thee Outlaws. When the Sloop arrived, as abovementioned, the Captain propoed the Duel; but the cowardly Boatwain refued to fight, or go ahore, tho’ it was his own Challenge. When Captain Evans aw there was nothing to be done with him, he took his Cane, and gave him a hearty drubbing; but the Boatwain not being able to bear uch an Indignity, drew out a Pitol and hot Evans thro’ the Head, o that he fell down dead; and the Boatwain immediately jumped over-board, and wam towards the Shore; but the Boat was quickly mann’d and ent after him, which took him up and brought him aboard.

The Death of the Captain in that Manner, provoked all the Crew, and they reolved the Criminal hould die by the mot exquiite Tortures; but while they were conidering of the Punihment, the Gunner, tranported with Paion, dicharged a Pitol, and hot him thro’ the Body; but not killing him outright, the Delinquent in very moving Words, deired a Week for Repentance only; but another tepping up to him, told him, and without more ado hot him dead.

I hould have oberved, that when the Lucretia and Katharine was uffered to go away, the Pyrates detained their Mate, who was now the only Man aboard, who undertood Navigation, and him they