ispaniola, as is said. Hither flocked to them great
numbers of other pirates, French and English; the name of Captain Morgan
being now famous in all the neighbouring countries for his great
enterprises. There was then at Jamaica an English ship newly come from
New England, well mounted with thirty-six guns: this vessel, by order of
the governor of Jamaica, joined Captain Morgan to strengthen his fleet,
and give him greater courage to attempt mighty things. With this supply
Captain Morgan judged himself sufficiently strong; but there being in
the same place another great vessel of twenty-four iron guns, and twelve
brass ones, belonging to the French, Captain Morgan endeavoured also to
join this ship to his own; but the French not daring to trust the
English, denied absolutely to consent.

The French pirates belonging to this great ship had met at sea an
English vessel; and being under great want of victuals, they had taken
some provisions out of the English ship, without paying for them,
having, perhaps, no ready money aboard: only they gave them bills of
exchange for Jamaica and Tortuga, to receive money there. Captain Morgan
having notice of this, and perceiving he could not prevail with the
French captain to follow him, resolved to lay hold on this occasion, to
ruin the French, and seek his revenge. Hereupon he invited, with
dissimulation, the French commander, and several of his men, to dine
with him on board the great ship that was come to Jamaica, as is said.
Being come, he made them all prisoners, pretending the injury aforesaid
done to the English vessel.

This unjust action of Captain Morgan was soon followed by Divine
punishment, as we may conceive: the manner I shall instantly relate.
Captain Morgan, presently after he had taken these French prisoners,
called a council to deliberate what place they should first pitch upon
in this new expedition. Here it was determined to go to the isle of
Savona, to wait for the flota then expected from Spain, and take any of
the Spanish vessels straggling from the rest. This resolution being
taken, they began aboard the great ship to feast one another for joy of
their new voyage, and happy council, as they hoped: they drank many
healths, and discharged many guns, the common sign of mirth among
seamen. Most of the men being drunk, by what accident is not known, the
ship suddenly was blown up, with three hundred and fifty Englishmen,
besides the French prisoners in the hold; o