, took it
out, and drawing the candle nearer fell to examining the book more
closely. It was a smallish volume but very thick, and with very many
close-written pages, its stout leathern covers battered and stained,
and an ill-looking thing I thought it; but opening it haphazard, I
forgot all save the words I read (these written in Adam's small clerkly
hand) for I came on this:

May 10.--Glory be and thanks unto that Providence hath been my
salvation and poured upon unworthy me His blessing in that I this day
have fought and killed this murderous rogue and detestable pirate,
Roger Tressady.

Here followed divers accounts of his labours, his discovery of these
caves and many cunning devices day by day until I came on this:

May 28.--To-day a storm-beat pinnace standing in for my island, and in
it Abnegation Mings and divers others of Bartlemy's rogues, survivors
(as I judge) of that cursed ship "Lady's Delight." They landed, being
fifteen in all and I in great fear and distress therefore. They
leaving their boat unwatched I stole thither and to my great joy found
therein a watch-coat and bonnet, 3 muskets, 2 swords, 5 pistols with
powder and shot, all of which did hide among the rocks adjacent (a
cunning hiding-place) where I may fetch them at my leisure, Providence
aiding.

May 29.--This day 1 hour before dawn secured arms, powder, etc., and
very grateful therefore.

May 30.--To-day set about strengthening and fortifying my door since,
though Roger Tressady is dead, there be other rogues yet to slay, their
evil minds being full of lust for Black Bartlemy's Treasure and my
blood. And these their names:

A true list of these rogues each and every known to me aforetime in
Tortuga, viz.:

My enemies. My equipment against the same.

Abnegation Mings (Mate of A determined mind.
the "Vengeance" galley) 3 Musquets with powder and shot
Benjamin Galbally a-plenty.
Jasper Vokes 2 Swords.
Juliano Bartolozzi 1 Axe.
Benjamin Denton 2 Pikes.
Pierre Durand 5 Pistols.
John Ford A chain-shirt.
James Ballantyne
Izaac Pym
Robert Ball
William Loveday
Daniel Marston
Ebenezer Phips
A boy and one woman.

June 1.--This day, waked by a shot and the sounds of lewd brawling, I
to my lookout and mighty alarmed. Upon the sands a fire and thereby a
woman and 6 or 7 of these rogues fighting for her. Sh