________________
JANUARY, 1920
EPISODES OF PIRACY IN THE EASTERN SEAS
drawing near us and seeing that if (wee) would, [wee ) could not gett from him, he far outsailing us by or large (in one direction or another), the Captain resolved to see what the rogue would doe, soe ordered to hand [furl] all our small sailes and furled our mainesaile. He seeing this, did the like, and as [he] drew near us beat a drum and sounded trumpets, and then hailed us four times before wee answered him.
At last it was thought fitt to know what he would say, soe the Boatswaine spoke to him as was ordered, which was that wee came from London. Then he enquired whether peace or war with Franoe. Our answer, there was an universall peace through Europe, att which they paused and then said, 'That's well. He further enquired if had touched at Attcheen. Woo said a boat came off to us, but [wee] came not near itt by severall leagues. Further he enquired our Captain's name and whither wee were bound. Wee answered to Mallacca. They too and (would have] had the Captain gone aboard to drink a glass of wine. Wee said that would sve one another at Mallacca. Then he called to lye by and he would come aboard us. Our answer was as before, saying it was late.78 He said, true. it was for China, and enquired whether should touch at the Water Islands (Pulo Ondan, off Malacca). Wee said should. Then said he, So shall wee. After he had asked us all these questions wee desired to know from whence he was. He said from London, their Captain name Collyford, the ship named the Resolution, bound for China. This Collyford had been Gunners. Mate at Bombay, and after run away with the Ketch.79
Thus past the 8th July. Friday the 9th do., he being some distance from us, About an hour after 10 came up with us. Then it grow calme. Wee could discerne a fellow on the Quarter Deck wearing a sword. As he drew near, this Hellish Imp cried, Strike you doggs, which (wee) perceived was not by a general consent for he was called away. Our Boatswaine in a fury run upon the poop, unknown to the Captain, and answered that woe would strike to 206 mol doggs as he, telling him the rogue Every 80 and his accomplices were all hanged. The Captain was angry that he spake without order, then ordered to haile him and askt what was his reason to dogg us. One stept forward on the forecastle, beckoned with his hand and said, Gentlemen, wee want not your ship nor men, but money. Wee told them had none for them but bid them come up alongside and take it as conld gett it. Then a parcell of bloodhound rogues clasht their cutlashes and said they would have itt or our hearts blood, saying, 'What doe you not know us to be the Moca! Our answer was Yes, Yes. Thereon they gave a great shout and so they all went out of sight and wee to our quarters. They were going to hoist colours but the ensigne halliarde broke, which our people perceiving gave a great shout, so they lett them alone.
As soon as they could bring their chase gunns to bear, fired upon us and soe kept on our quarter. Our gunns would not bear in a small space, 81 but as soon as did hap, gave them better than the pirates] did like. His second shott carried away our spritt saile yard. About an hour after or more he came up alongside and Hoe wee powered in upon him and continued, some time broadsides and sometimes three or four gunns as opportunity presented and could bring them to doe best service. He was going to lay us athwart the hawse, but
That is, they were late in making the China voyage and therefore could not afford any delay.
The Josiah keteh. * The notorious pirate Henry Every. 81 "In a small space" means "for a short space of time."
