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144
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
( AVQUST, 1920
Irish and Soots, together with one Thomas White, once a commander amongst the pyrates, but then a private man, interposed and saved him, in regard that he was an Irishman.
They examined the prisoners to know which was the ship came from Juffa (Juddah), for that had money on board, and having learned that it was the Essex, they gave chase, came up with her, hoisted the bloody flag at the mainmast head, fired one single gun, and she struck; though the Essex was fitted for close quarters, there were not on board the Brigantine above 20 hands, and the prize [the Rising Eagle) was astern so far that her topmast scarce appeared out of the water. In chasing this ship they passed the other two who held the fly of their ensigns in their hands ready to strike. When the ship had struck the Captain of her asked who commanded that Brigantine. He was answered, " Captain Halsey.” Asking again who was Quartermaster, he was told "Nathaniel North," to whom he called as he knew him very well. North, learning his name was Punt, said, "Captain Thomas Punt, I am sorry you are fallen into our hands." He was civilly treated and nothing belonging to himself or the English gentlemen, who were passengers, touched, though they made bold to lay hands on £40,000 in money belonging to the ship. They had about £10,000 in money out of the Rising Eagle. They discharged the Essex and with the other prize and the brigantine, steered for Madagascar, where they arrived and shared their booty.
(C. JOHNSON, History of the Pirates, II, 114-115.) 2.-Robert Adams' Account, received per Captain Thomas Punt. May it please Your Excellency, &o.
Captain Gaywood being wind bound off this Port, have just time to write to your Excellenoy a few lines, Copies of our last being at Callicut, which were under 30th past, vid Carwarr, per Pattamar, cannot send them. Came from Callicut the 7th Instant to view this place, being advised of its miserable condition, which have found beyond expectation to be laid in no less than five places leavell with the Ground by the great Raines, so that are forced to make Bamboo hedges to keep the Cattell out.
The following relation is the unhappy news received from Captain Punt, who we) found here at our arrivall in the Ship Essex.
They sailed from Mocho the beginning of August, in all 5 sail, vizt., The Bombay Merchant from Europe, the Eagle, Essex, Mary and Unity from the Bay and Coast, when fell in with a Brigantine Pyrat. They all drew up with an intention to fight. The Bombay Merchant and Eagle gave him some broad sides, but so soon as boarded Captain Chamberlaine, the Bombay Merchant bore away, which put all the rest to shift for theraselves. Captain Chamberlaine, Captain Phillips and all the Stern Quarters were killed, but one French man who cried out quarters. Mr. French, Chief Mate, who was in the Fore Castle, not knowing what was done a baft, fired briskly on the Pyrate and killed 6 and wounded 20 of them, and did not yield up, but kept his arms in his hand till they promised him good quarters. So soon as they got the Eagle, they foroed the people to tell them which was the Judda Ship, and imediatly both Brigantine and ship made after her, and went by the others and came up with her and took her, the Passengers and People being so discouraged that they would not let the Captain make any resistance least they should put them all to the Sword, they coming up to them with the Bloody Flagg. After this they detained both ships in their Company, designing for Socatora to take in Refreshments; but the Easex breaking her fore yard and springing her Foretopmast &c., not keeping them Company, Sir John Bennet and several of her people are left on board the Pyrat, and Mr. French is on board Ship, who is gone to Calliout to see if he can get into the River, if not, to goe down to Coohoon, but since hear she is in Calliout River ....
[Letter from Robert Adams &o. at Tellicherry to the President and Council at Surat, dated, 17th September, 1707 (Factory Records, Surat, Vol. 101).]
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