Indian Antiquary Vol 49

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 147

August, 1920)
EPISODES OF PIRACY IN THE EASTERN SEAS
143
When the King George, an East India Company's ship commanded by Captain Samuel Lewis, was at St. Mary's Madagascar, in 1719, her Log, under date 23rd July (Marine Records, India Office), tells us that two Europeans, John Guernsey and Old Nick of Dover samo to see the oaptain, who writes as follows:
"These I kept on board two nights and entertained them plentifully with liquor, in hopes to sound what might be gathered from them. They faithfully promised me provisions speedily, but I found their tempers much alike (with a downcast eye, not able to look me in the face), very cautious of what they spoke till almost drunk, then they lay themselves open and tell of their loose way of living, bragging in their villainy as bravoes. They acknowledge of their being in the brigantine [the Charles] that took [killed] Chamberlayne, and at the plundering of three Moors ships and bringing away a fourth, which lay bunk in their harbour. This they called the Fair Chance, and they wanted but one bit more and then to go home, for they were aweary of their course of life. Their number was now reduced to 17 with about 10 or 12 Mustees and free negroes, That they live separate on the other side upon the Main, some 20 or 30 miles asander, each having a town to himself and not less than five or six hundred negroes & their vassalls, ready to serve 'em upon any expedition. They do not appear to be in any wise concerned for their former ill actions, only in relation to Sir John Bennett, whom they acknowledged they had not used well in taking his goods and money from him after a fair agreement. Thus froely they would talk when warin with liquor, but always cautious whell sober. I likewise askt 'em why they did not accept of the King's pardon (1718] and go home in time. They told me that they believed it was a sham and would not trust to any unless they had the Great Seal to it. Such impudence and ignorance possest them."
1.--Captain Johnson Account. Three days after, they spied the 4 ships, which they took at first for the trees of Babel Mandeb; at night they fell in with and kept them company till morning, the trumpets sounding on both sides all the time, for the Pyrate had two on board as well as the English. When it was clear day, the four ships drew into a line, for they had haled the pyrate, who made no ceremony of owning who he was, by answering according to their manner," from the Seas."
The brigantine bore up till she had flung her garf [sic]. One of the ships perceiving this, advised Captain Jago, who led the van in & ship of 24 guns and 70 men to give chase, for the pyrate was on the run, but a mate, who was acquainted with the way of work. ing among the pyrates, answered he would find his mistake, and said he had seen many & warm day, but feared this would be the hottest. The Brigantine turned up again, and ooming astern, clapped the Rising Eagle aboard, a ship of 16 guns and the sternmost. Tho' they entered their men, the Rising Eagle held them a warm dispute for three quarters of an hour, in which Captain Chamberlain's mate and several others were killed; the Purser Was wounded, jumped overboard and drowned.
In the mean while the other ships called to Captain Jago to board the pyrate, who bearing away to clap him on board, the pyrate gave him a shot, which raked him fore and aft and determined Captain Jago to get out of danger, for he ran away with all the sail he could pack, though he was fitted out to protect the coast against pyrates. His example was followed by the rest, every one steering a different course; thus they bocamo masters of the Rising Eagle.
I can't but take notice that the second mate of the Rising Eagle, after Quarters were called for, fired from out of the Forecastle and killed two of the pyrates, one of whom was the gunner's consort, who would have revenged his death by shooting the Mate, but several Mestiços, Portuguese half-castes.
* I..., Malagasi.
. Soe infra, 2.