ed her to prosecute
her voyage. This vessel, however, informed the governor of what had
befallen them, who sent a vessel of twenty guns and eighty men in quest
of the pirates.

That vessel was commanded by one Rogers, who, on the second day of his
cruise, discovered Roberts. Ignorant of any vessel being sent after
them, they made towards each other. Roberts gave him a gun but instead
of striking, the other returned a broadside, with three huzzas. A
severe engagement ensued, and Roberts being hard put to it, lightened
his vessel and ran off.

Roberts then sailed for the Island of Dominica, where he watered, and
was supplied by the inhabitants with provisions, for which he gave them
goods in return. Here he met with fifteen Englishmen left upon the
island by a Frenchman who had made a prize of their vessel; and they,
entering into his service, proved a seasonable addition to his strength.

Though he did not think this a proper place for cleaning, yet as it was
absolutely necessary that it should be done, he directed his course to
the Granada islands for that purpose. This, however, had well nigh
proved fatal to him; for the Governor of Martinique fitted out two
sloops to go in quest of the pirates. They, however, sailed to the
above-mentioned place, cleaned with unusual despatch, and just left that
place the night before the sloops in pursuit of them arrived.

They next sailed for Newfoundland, arriving upon the banks in June,
1720, and entered the harbor of Trepassi, with their black colors
flying, drums beating, and trumpets sounding. In that harbor there were
no less than twenty-two ships, which the men abandoned upon the sight of
the pirates. It is impossible to describe the injury which they did at
this place, by burning or sinking the ships, destroying the plantations,
and pillaging the houses. Power in the hands of mean and ignorant men
renders them wanton, insolent and cruel. They are literally like madmen,
who cast firebrands, arrows and death, and say, "Are not we in sport?"

Roberts reserved a Bristol galley from his depredations in the harbor,
which he fitted and manned for his own service. Upon the banks he met
ten sail of French ships, and destroyed them all, except one of
twenty-six guns, which he seized and carried off, and called her the
Fortune. Then giving the Bristol galley to the Frenchman, they sailed
in quest of new adventures, and soon took several prizes, and out of
them increased the number