e Officers)
had hitherto appeared Modest beyond Example among privateers; yet we
thought it improper to expose them to Temptation. And I am sure, when
the Lieutenant, being superseded for somewhat Scorching of a Negro with
a stick of fire for answering him Saucily, and Captain Blokes bade me
take temporary command of the Prize and Prisoners, that I behaved myself
so well as to gain Thanks and Public Acknowledgments for my civility to
the Ladies. We had notice that more than one of these Fair Creatures had
concealed Treasure about 'em; and so in the most Delicate Manner we
ordered a Female Negro who spoke English to overhaul 'em privately, and
at the same time to tell 'em that it would pain us to the Heart to be
obliged to use Stripes or other Unhandsome Means to come to a Discovery.
Many Gold Chains, Bracelets, Ouches, and suchlike Whim-Whams the Sable
Nymph found cunningly stowed away; upon which we gave her half a pint of
Wine and a large pot of Sweets, forgiving her at the same time a
Whipping at the Capstan which had been promised her for Romping and
Gammocking among the people in the Forecastle. For I suppose there was
never a modester man than Captain Blokes.

August 10th. All Money-Matters being arranged, we disposed of our
Prisoners. We burnt down the Village for some Impertinence of the Head
Man (who was a Half-caste Indian),--but no great harm done, since 'twas
mostly Mud and Plantain thatch, and could be built up again in a
Week,--and got to Windward very slowly, there being a constant current
flowing to Leeward to the Bay of Panama. 13th we saw the Island of
Gallo; the 18th we spied a Sail bearing W.N.W. of us, when we all three
gave chase, and took her in half an hour. 70 tons. Panama to Lima. Forty
people aboard, upon examining whom they could tell us little News from
Europe, but said that there came Advices from Portobello in Spain, and
by a French ship from France, not long before they came out of Panama;
but that was all kept private; only, they heard that his Royal Highness
the Duke of Cumberland was Dead, the which Sad Intelligence we were not
willing to Believe, but drank his Health at Night, which we thought
could do him no hurt even if he really happened to be Dead. By this time
we had gotten another Surgeon out of the _Delight_, whom we daily
exercised at his Instruments in the Cockpit, and his Mate at making of
Bandages and spreading of Ointment; and Captain Blokes (who was always
giving some fre