d in their attempts. Then they stood
away for _Porto Santa_, where they put up _British_ Colours, and sent
their Boat ashore with a compliment to the Governor, desiring leave to
Water, and buy some refreshments; which he readily agreed to, and went
with them to pay the _English_ Captain a Visit, who received him in a
very grand Manner. But the refreshments not coming as expected, he at
length told him he was his Prisoner, and must remain so till the
provisions were come on board, which was not till next day, when _Gow_
discharged him, giving him three Cerons of Bees-wax, and three Guns at
his going away.

Having now got provisions, they agreed to return to the Coasts of
_Spain_ and _Portugal_; where they had not been above two days, before
they met with the _Batchelor_, _Benjamin Cross_ Master, from
_New-England_ bound to _Cadiz_; out of which they took _Cross_ and
his Men, and gave the Ship to Captain _Wise_, as also 24 Cerons of
Bees-wax to him and his mate, and to his four men 8 Cerons. After this
they took a _French_ Ship from _Cadiz_, loaded with wine, oil, and
fruit, which was what they wanted, and manned her with their own men,
taking on board the _Revenge_ the _French_ Master, and his 12 Men, and
most Part of the cargoe, with five guns and their carriages,
ammunition, small arms, and sails, and gave the ship to _Somerville_,
Captain of the _Snow Galley_; and to Captain _Cross_ the _New-English_
Man, to who they gave half the ship and cargoe and _Somerville_ had
all his Men, but _Alexander Rob_, whom they detained, and who was
executed in 1725, for engaging along with them.

Soon after they saw a large ship to the windward bearing down upon
them, which at first they thought to have been a _Portugueze_
Man-of-War; but they found afterwards, it was a _French_ Merchant Ship
coming home from the _West-Indies_, which not fearing them, came on to
the windward. _Gow_ perceiving she was a Ship of great strength,
called all his men together, telling them they had a great many
prisoners on board, and that he could not trust many of his own men;
besides, six of his best Hands were on Board the other Ship, therefore
he advised them not to meddle with her, she being far superior in
Force. This so exasperated _Williams_, that he demanded of _Gow_ to
give his orders for fighting; but he, by the advice of the whole crew,
declined it; whereupon _Williams_ snapt his pistol at his Face; which
not going off, made him still madder.