ough they had immediate occasion for
cleaning their sloop, but did not think this a proper place; and herein
they judged right, for the touching at this island had like to have been
their destruction, because they, having resolved to go away to the
Granada Islands for the aforesaid purpose, by some accident it came to
be known to the French colony, who, sending word to the governor of
Martinico, he equipped and manned two sloops to go in quest of them. The
pirates sailed directly for the Granadilloes, and hall'd into a lagoon
at Corvocoo, where they cleaned with unusual dispatch, staying but a
little above a week, by which expedition they missed of the Martinico
sloops only a few hours, Roberts sailing overnight and the French
arriving the next morning. This was a fortunate escape, especially
considering that it was not from any fears of their being discovered
that they made so much haste from the island, but, as they had the
impudence themselves to own, for the want of wine and women.

Thus narrowly escaped, they sailed for Newfoundland, and arrived upon
the banks the latter end of June, 1720. They entered the harbor of
Trepassi with their black colors flying, drums beating, and trumpets
sounding. There were two-and-twenty vessels in the harbor, which the men
all quitted upon the sight of the pirate, and fled ashore. It is
impossible particularly to recount the destruction and havoc they made
here, burning and sinking all the shipping except a Bristol galley, and
destroying the fisheries and stages of the poor planters without remorse
or compunction; for nothing is so deplorable as power in mean and
ignorant hands--it makes men wanton and giddy, unconcerned at the
misfortunes they are imposing on their fellow-creatures, and keeps them
smiling at the mischiefs that bring themselves no advantage. They are
like madmen that cast fire-brands, arrows, and death, and say, Are not
we in sport?

FOOTNOTES:

[11] A contemporary narrative. From _The Buccaneers of America_.

[12] Avery was called "The King of the Pirates." See "The Daughter of
the Great Mogul."

NARRATIVE OF THE CAPTURE OF THE SHIP _DERBY_, 1735

CAPTAIN ANSELM

I fell in with the Land of _Madagascar_, the Latitude of about 24
Degrees, 13 Minutes North: And some time before I had made it, I met
with nothing but light Airs of Winds, and Calms, and continued so long.
My People dropping down with the Scurvy, I took a small Still that I
had, and dis