'd, it is my Opinion we might have escaped those cursed Dogs, by
keeping in Shore, and taken the Advantage of the Land and Sea Winds.

I have since repented that we did not go into _Goa_; but God knows
whether a Man goes too fast or too slow; for I had certainly a very
suitable Cargo for that Place; But my earnest Desire was to get to
_Bombay_, the Season of the Year being far advanc'd.

_December_ 26, being my second Mate's Morning Watch, about Five o' Clock
he came to me, and told me he saw Nine Sail of Gallivats. I got up, and
found them to be Five Top-mast Vessels, and Four Gallivats, not above
two Miles from us. I order'd all Hands to be call'd, and down with the
Cabins in the Steerage, which was done in an Instant, and every body to
their respective Quarters. They came up with us apace, having but light
Airs of Winds, and found them to be _Angria's_ Fleet. I had the Transome
in the great Cabin, and the Balcony in the Round-house cut away, for
traversing the Stern-Chase Guns. They came up with me very boldly within
Pistol-shot. Before Six, they began firing upon us, throwing their Shot
in at our Stern, raking us afore and aft. I order'd everything to be got
ready for going about, to give them my Broad-side, when my Chief-Mate
Mr. _Rogers_, and my Third Mate Mr. _Burroughs_ came to me, and begg'd
that I would not put about, for if I did, they would certainly board us.
As to my Part, being a Stranger to this Coast and _Angria_, knowing my
Chief Mate had been often this Way, and my Third Mate had sail'd in the
Gallies, I was over prevail'd upon not to tack about. As the Enemy kept
under my Stern, playing their Shot in very hot upon us, and destroying
my Rigging so fast, I soon after endeavour'd to wear the Ship upon the
Enemy; but the Wind dying away to a Calm, she would not regard her Helm,
but lay like a Log in the Water. By Eight o' Clock most of my Rigging
was destroy'd, and the Long-boat taking Fire a-stern, was forc'd to cut
her away. The Yaul being stove by their shot, we launch'd her overboard.
By Nine, the Top-chain that flung the Main-yard, was shot away, with
Geer and Geer-Blocks. The Main-yard came next down, with the Sails
almost torn to Pieces with the Shot. As fast as our People knotted and
spliced the Rigging, it was shot away in their Hands. The Water-Tubs in
the Tops were shot to pieces, and the Boatswain's Mate's Leg shot off in
the Main-top. One of the Foremast-Men's Leg was shot off in the
Fore-to