iding you are just to me. I thank you
for the concern you have for my bad fortune, and am sorry I cannot
embrace your proposal as to being evidence, my people have already
made use of that advantage. I have by my last signified my design of
proceeding, provided I can procure no better terms. Please to send
James Laing on board to continue till my return. I should be glad to
have the good fortune to commune with you upon that subject. I beg
that you would assist me with a boat, and be assured I do no man
harm, were it in my power, as I am now at your mercy. I cannot
surrender myself prisoner, I'd rather commit myself to the mercy of
the seas; so that if you will incline to contribute to my escape, I
shall leave my ship and cargo at your disposal.

I continue,
Honoured Sir etc.,
John Smith

Upon this letter, and especially that part wherein Gow desired to
commune with him, Mr. Fea, believing he might do some service in
persuading him to submit, went over to Calf Island and went on shore
alone, ordering his boat to lie in readiness to take him in again, but
not one man to stir out of her, and calling to Gow with a speaking
trumpet desired him to come on shore. This the other readily did, but
Mr. Fea, before he ventured, wisely foresaw that whilst he was alone
upon the Island, the pirates might unknown from him, get the ship by
different ways, and under cover of shore might get behind and surround
him. To prevent which, he set a man upon the top of his own house, which
was on the opposite shore and overlooked the whole island, and ordered
him to make signals with his flag, waving his flag once for every man
that he saw come on shore, but if four or more came on shore, then to
keep the flag waving continually, till he (Mr. Fea) should retire. This
precaution was very needful, for no sooner was Mr. Fea advanced upon the
island, expecting Gow to come on shore to meet him, but he saw a fellow
come from the ship, with a white flag, a bottle, a glass and a bundle,
then turning to his own house, he saw his man make the signals
appointed, and that the man kept the flag continually waving. Upon which
he immediately retired to his boat, and he was no sooner got into it,
but he saw five fellows running under shore, with lighted matches and
grenadoes in their hands to have intercepted him, but seeing him out of
their reach, they retired to the ship