It happened a French ship came in there to supply itself with some necessaries, which Davis took into his head to plunder, but to give the thing a colour of right, he persuaded the Portuguese, that she had been trading with the pirates, and that he found several pirates’ goods on board, which he seized for the King’s use: this story passed so well upon the Governor, that he commended Davis’ diligence.
A few days after, Davis, with about fourteen more, went privately ashore, and walk’d up the country towards a village, where the Governor and the other chief men of the island kept their wives, intending, as we may suppose, to supply their husband’s places with them; but being discovered, the women fled to a neighbouring wood, and Davis and the rest retreated to their ship, without effecting their design: the thing made some noise, but as nobody knew them, it passed over.
Having cleaned his ship, and put all things in order, his thoughts now were turned upon the main business, viz. the plunder of the island, and not knowing where the treasure lay, a stratagem came into his head, to get it (as he thought) with little trouble, he consulted his men upon it, and they liked the design: his scheme was, to make a present to the Governor, of a dozen Negroes, by way of return for the civilities received from him, and afterwards to invite him, with the chief men, and some of the friars, on board his ship, to an entertainment; the minute they came on board, they were to be secured in irons, and there kept till they should pay a ransom of 40,000 £ sterling.
But this stratagem proved fatal to him, for a Portuguese Negro swam ashore in the night, and discovered the whole plot to the Governor, and also let him know, that it was Davis who had made the attempt upon their wives. However, the Governor dissembled, received the pirates invitation civilly, and promised that he and the rest would go.
The next day Davis went onshore himself, as if it were out of greater respect to bring the Governor on board: he was received with the usual civility, and he, and other principal pirates, who, by the way, had assumed the title of lords, and as such took upon them to advise or councel their captain upon any important occasion; and likewise held certain privileges, which the common pirates were debarr’d from, as walking the quarterdeck, using the great cabin, going ashore at pleasure, and treating with foreign powers, that is, with the captains of ships they made prize of; I say, Davis and some of the lords were desired to walk up to the Governor’s house, to take some refreshment before they went on board; they accepted it without the least suspicion, but never returned again; for an ambuscade was laid, a signal being given, a whole volley was fired upon them; they every man dropp’d, except one, this one fled back, and escaped into the boat, and got on board the ship: Davis was shot through the bowels, yet he rise again, and made a weak effort to get away, but his strength soon forsook him, and he dropp’d down dead; just as he fell, he perceived he was followed, and drawing out his pistols, fired them at his pursuers; thus like a gamecock, giving a dying blow, that he might not fall unrevenged.
IX
Of Captain Bartho. Roberts, and His Crew
Bartholomew Roberts sailed in an honest employ, from London aboard of the Princess, Captain Plumb Commander, of which ship he was second mate: he left England, , and arrived at Guinea about following, and being at Anomabu, taking in slaves for the West Indies, was taken in the said ship by Captain Howel Davis, as mentioned in the preceding chapter. In the beginning he was very averse to this sort of life, and would certainly have escaped from them, had a fair opportunity presented itself; yet afterwards he changed his principles, as many besides him have done upon another element, and perhaps for the same reason too, viz. preferment—and what he did not like as a private man he could reconcile to his conscience as a commander.
Davis being cut off in the manner before mentioned, the company found themselves under a necessity of filling up his post, for which there appear’d two or three candidates among the select part of them, that were distinguish’d by the title of lords, such were Sympson, Ashplant, Anstis, etc. and on canvassing this matter, how shatter’d and weak a condition their government must be without a head, since Davis had been remov’d, in the manner beforemention’d, My Lord Dennis propos’d, it’s said, over a bowl to this purpose.
That it was not of any great signification who was dignify’d with title; for really and in truth, all good governments had (like theirs) the supreme power lodged with the community, who might doubtless depute and revoke as suited interest or humour. We are the original of this claim (says he) and should a captain be so saucy as to exceed prescription at any time, why down with him! It will be a caution after he is dead to his successors, of what fatal consequence any sort of assuming may be. However, it is my advice, that, while we are sober, we pitch upon a man of courage, and skill’d in navigation, one, who by his counsel and bravery seems best able to defend this commonwealth, and ward us from the dangers and tempests of an instable element, and the fatal consequences of anarchy; and such a one I take Roberts to be. A fellow! I think, in all respects, worthy your esteem and favour.
This speech was loudly applauded by all but Lord
