Page:A general history of the pyrates, from their first rise and settlement in the Island of Providence, to the present time (1724).djvu/91

 Black-beard had Information of the Deign, from his Excellency of the Province; and his Secretary, Mr. Knight, wrote him a Letter, particularly concerning it, intimating,. Thee Men belonged to Black-beard, and were ent from Bath-Town to Okerecock Inlet, where the Sloop lay, which is about 20 Leagues.

Black-beard had heard everal Reports, which happened not to be true, and o gave the les Credit to this, nor was he convinced till he aw the Sloops: Whereupon he put his Veel in a Poture of Defence; he had no more than twenty five Men on Board, tho’ he gave out to all the Veels he poke with, that he had 40. When he had prepared for Battle, he et down and pent the Night in drinking with the Mater of a trading Sloop, who, ’twas thought, had more Buines with Teach, than he hould have had.

Lieutenant Maynard came to an Anchor, for the Place being hoal, and the Channel intricate, there was no getting in, where Teach lay, that Night; but in the Morning he weighed, and ent his Boat a-head of the Sloops to ound; and coming within Gun-Shot of the Pyrate, received his Fire; whereupon Maynard hoited the King’s Colours, and tood directly towards him, with the bet Way that his Sails and Oars could made. Black-beard cut his Cable, and endeavoured to make a running Fight, keeping a continual Fire at his Enemies, with his Guns; Mr. Maynard not having any, kept a contant Fire with mall Arms, while ome of his Men laboured at their Oars. In a little Time Teach’s Sloop ran a-ground, and Mr. Maynard’s drawing more Water than that of the Pyrate, he could not come near him; o he anchored within half Gun-Shot of the Enemy, and, in order to Rh