A Voyage to Cacklogallinia | Page 8

when they were in perfect
Tranquillity, the English, who had, by a distant and difficult way,
climb'd the Mountains, and got above the Village, about Twelve at
Night, came down upon 'em, and were in the Streets before the Negroes
had any Inkling of their being so near. They enter'd the Village with
Thirty or Forty Men, and about half that Number intercepted all the
Ways. Here began a cruel Slaughter, for none they could light on were
spared, but Women and Children, who were all taken. Capt. Thomas
fought, and died like a Hero; my grateful Cuffey, join'd by about a
Dozen more, made all possible Resistance; but finding their utmost
Efforts useless, taking me with them, with Menaces, if I did not go
freely, they clamber'd over some Rocks, and skulking thro' the thick of
the Woods, reach'd a Morass on the top of the Mountain, where we lay
hid Three Days. The Fourth, press'd by Hunger, Six of 'em ventured out
to get Plantanes, but they never returned; for which Reason, the Fifth
Day we went in Search of Food. At Night we got into a Plantane Walk,
from whence, after having fill'd our Bellies, and loaded our Backs, with
the ripe Fruit, we retired to the Woods.
Next Day, Cuffey went out by himself, and, at his Return, told us, he
had observ'd a large Canoe with Sails and Paddles, at the Sea Side,
which belonged he believ'd to some Fishing Negroes. He propos'd the
siezing, loading it with Plantanes, and going to the Spanish Coast,
which he was sure he could make shift to find, having been there with
the Buccaniers. This was unanimously agreed to by the rest. I desired
to be left behind, but their Fear wou'd not let 'em consent to my Stay.
At Night we went again to the Plantane Walk, where I hop'd to make
my Escape; but one of 'em always held me by the Arm, suspecting I
would give 'em the slip. Being loaded, we follow'd Cuffey to the Canoe,
where we found a Negro asleep, whom they bound, and having taken
what Plantanes they thought fit, and found two large Runlets of Water
in the Canoe, with Fishing-nets and other Tackle, they set Sail about
Eleven o' Clock with a fine Hand Breeze, which carried us before Day
to the last End of the Island.
The next Day about Even, we saw Hispaniola, and landed at Four
o'Clock the Day following in a Creek, where we filled our Runlets with

fresh Water, and going up into the Country, we catched a Number of
Land Crabbs, which we dress'd and eat.
We lay two Days in this Creek, and in the Night of the second, coasted
along the Island unperceived; but as we cross'd the Streights between
Cape Maese and Cape Nicholas, which divides the Islands of
Hispaniola and Cuba, we were seen and chased by a Sloop, which very
soon came up with us, and proved a Free-booter, whose Crew was of
all Nations and Colours. They offer'd the Seven Negroes their Liberty,
and each Half a Share of an able Seaman, which they readily accepted.
To me they would have given a whole Share, but I refusing to join 'em,
they resolved to set me on Shore with the first Conveniency, tho' some
were for throwing me over-board.
We were Eight Days without seeing a Sail, but the Ninth, about Break
of day the Man at the Top-mast Head, descried one on our Leeward
Bow. The Pyrates immediately prepared for an Engagement; we clapp'd
our Helm a-weather, eas'd out our Main-sheet, and gave Chase. She
proved a tall Ship, and did not seem to make Sail to avoid us; which
was the Reason we brought to, and a Consultation was held, whether it
was safe or not to venture upon her? It was resolved in the Affirmative.
In Consequence of this, we bore away for her, and when we were in
less than Gun Shot, we perceived she was very deep, Spanish built, and
mounted Thirty Guns by the Number of Ports, tho' we were surprized
they were all close, and not a Man appeared on her Decks.
The Resolution was taken, to board on the Quarter, which they did; but
seeing no body appear, they feared some Stratagem. However, some of
the Crew ran into the Steerage and Great Cabbin; but seeing nobody,
they went between Decks, and, upon Examination, found her a Ship
abandon'd, and that she had Six Foot Water in the Hold. They took out
of the Great Cabbin Two Chests of Pieces of Eight, with some
Hammocks and Cloaths from between Decks, and so left her.
The next Day, we spied another Sail, which gave us Chase: We lay bye,
till we