Chapter XV: Part 15

When _North_ saw the Dishonesty of these People, he sent for their Prince, and told him, 'According to Agreement all the Slaves belong'd to him; nay, according to Justice he alone had a Right to them, since he despair'd of taking the Town, so far as to dissuade his besieging it; and that he not only owed to him their Success, but even the Safety of his Army, and all the Plunder they should make in the Prosecution of the War, for Reasons already given, and by himself allow'd to be good. That he thought he had allied himself with a People of Integrity, but he was sorry to say, he found himself quite mistaken in his Opinion, since they were so far from making good their Treaty; that they sent him out of the Slaves taken, instead of all, those only whom they knew not what to do with; that they must not imagine him so blind as not to perceive how disingenuously he was dealt with; or that he wanted either Strength or Resolution to resent the Usage.'

He then ask'd what was become of a Number of young and handsome Women he had seen among the Captives?

The Prince answer'd, 'That those he enquired after were his and his Countrymens Relations, and as such they could not consent to, nor could he require their being made Slaves.'

This Answer made, the Chief left him; as it was delivered in a pretty haughty Tone, it did not a little nettle both _North_ and his Comrades; the latter were for immediately doing themselves Justice, but the former begg'd they would have Patience and rely on him; they followed his Advice, and he sent an Interpreter, who privately enquired among the Women what Relation they had to the People of the River; the Prisoners answered, that some of their Forefathers had inter-married with that Nation.

I must here take Notice, that notwithstanding the Inhabitants of _Madagascar_ have but one Language which is common to the whole Island, the Difference of the Dialect in different Nations makes it very difficult for any but the Natives, or those who have been a great many Years (more than _North_ and his Companions had been) among them to understand them perfectly, which is the Reason he made use of an Interpreter, as well between him and the Chief, as between the Slaves and him.

When he had received this Answer from the Prisoners, he went to the Prince, and told him, 'It was very odd he should make War on his Relations, however, he should keep them since he declared them such, till he could prove his Right better than the Prince could his Nearness of Blood; that as he had once taken them, he would try if he could not support the Justice of his Claim, and bid him therefore be upon his Guard, for he openly declared, he was no longer the Ally, but the profess'd Enemy of faithless People.'

Saying this, he and his Blacks separated themselves from the _Mangorians_, and _North_ divided them into Companies, with his White Men at the Head of each, and order'd them to fire Ball over the Heads of their late Allies; the first Volley was a prodigious Astonishment to the _Mangorians_, several of whom ran away, but _North_ firing two more immediately, and marching up to them, brought the Prince and the Head Officers of his Army to him, crawling on all four; they (as the Custom of shewing the greatest Submission is among them) kiss'd the Feet of the Whites, and begg'd they would continue their Friendship, and dispose of every Thing as they thought proper.

_North_ told him, 'Deceit was the Sign of a mean and coward Soul; that had he, the Prince, thought too considerable, what, however, was justly his Due, because not only promised to, but taken by him, he ought to have expostulated with him, _North_, and have told him his Sentiments, which might have, it was possible, made no Division, for neither he nor his Men were greedy or unreasonable; but as the Prince had not the Courage publickly to claim the Slaves, he would have basely stolen them by false Pretences of Kindred, it was a Sign he did not think such Claim justifiable, as certainly it was not, for all his Captains could witness their Prince had agreed the Prisoners taken should be given to the Whites, and his Companions, a sufficient Title, to mention no other. That he had resolved to shew them, by a severe Chastisement, the Abhorrence those of his Colour have to Ingratitude and Deceit, and what Difference there was in fighting on the Ground of Justice, and the supporting Wrong and Injury; but as they acknowledg'd their Error, he should not only forgive but forget what was past, provided no new Treachery, in his Return, which he resolved upon, refresh'd his Memory.' He then order'd them to bring all the Slaves, and they punctually complied without Reply.

_North_ chose out the finest and ablest among them, and dividing the whole Number of Prisoners into two equal Bands, he kept that in which he had placed the chosen Slaves, and sent the other to the Prince, telling him, 'tho' neither Fraud nor Compulsion could wring a Slave from him, yet Justice, as some of his Troops had shared the Danger, and a generous Temper, had sent him that Present, which was half the Spoil; tho' he could not think of going any farther on with the War, that he ought to content himself with the taking a Town they thought impregnable, and blame his own Conduct, if he should continue in the Field, and hereafter find the Want of his Assistance.'

The Prince and his People admired the Penetration, Bravery, and Generosity of the Whites, and sent them Word, 'He was more obliged to them for the Lesson they had taught him by their Practice, than for the Slaves they had presented him, tho' he esteem'd the Present as he ought. That for the future he should have an Abhorrence from every mean Action, since he had learned from them the Beauty of a candid open Procedure. At the same Time he thank'd him for the Present, and the not suffering his Resentment to go farther than the frightning him into his Duty; for he was sensible his Balls were not fir'd over their Heads, but by Orders proceeding from the Humanity of the Whites, who, he observed, tender over the Lives of their Enemies, contrary to the Custom of his Countrymen, who give Quarter to none, the Females and Infants excepted, that there may hereafter be none to take Revenge; he begg'd, that he would suffer their Submission to get the better of his Design to depart.' This could not prevail, the Whites and their Friends, who came with them, turn'd their Faces towards home, taking their Slaves and Cattle with them; tho' the _Mangorians_ were sensibly touch'd at the Obstinacy of _North_'s Resolution, yet they parted very amicably.

As the Whites were returning home with their Company, they fell in with another Nation, the _Timouses_, whose Prince join'd _North_, with 500 Men, and swore a strict Amity with him and his Crew.

The Ceremony used among the Natives, as it is uncommon, so an Account of it may, perhaps, be agreeable to my Readers. The Parties, who swear to each other, interweave their Toes and Fingers, so that they must necessarily sit very close to each other. When they have thus knit their Hands and Feet, they reciprocally swear to do each other all friendly Offices, to be a Friend or Enemy to the Friend or Enemy of the Party to whom they swear; and if they falsify the Oath they make, they imprecate several Curses on themselves, as may they fall by the Lance, be devoured by the Alligator, or struck dead by the Hand of God; then an Assistant scarifies each of the contracting Parties on the Chest, and wiping up the Blood with a Piece of Bread, gives this bloody Bread to each of them to eat, that is, each eats the Blood of the other; and this Oath whether it be with equal Parties, or with a Prince and his Subject, where the one promises Protection, and the other Obedience (which was the Nature of that taken between _North_ and this Prince) is look'd upon inviolable, and they have few Examples of its being broken; but where any has been wicked enough to violate this solemn Oath, they say, they have been ever punish'd according to their Imprecations.

As this Prince had War with powerful Neighbours, he left his Country, taking with him all his great Men, Wives, and Relations, and with a Company of about 500 fighting Men, followed _North_, and settled by him, where he staid two Years, the Time _North_ staid; during this Space, being supplied with Arms, Powder, and several Natives by Captain _North_, he made several Inroads into his Enemies Countries, and made all he conquer'd, swear Allegiance to Capt. _North_.

At the Expiration of two Years, Captain _Halsey_ came in with a Brigantine, as is said in the Life of Captain _White_.

This Crew having made a broken Voyage were discontented with their Captain, and desired _North_ to take the Command upon him; but he declined it, saying, _Halsey_ was every Way as capable, and that they ought not to depose a Man, whom they could not tax with either Want of Courage or Conduct; and for his Part, he would never take the Command from any who did not justly merit to be turn'd out, which was not _Halsey_'s Case.

The Crew were not, however, satisfied, and they made the same Offer to _White_, but by _North_'s Industry, they were, at last, prevail'd on to continue their old Commander; and as _North_ and his Companions had expended their Money in the settling their Plantations, and wanted Cloaths, the former, therefore, accepted of the Quarter-Master's Post under _Halsey_, and the others went in the Capacity of private Gentlemen Adventurers, I mean plain foremast Men, as may be gathered in the Life of that Pyrate, to which I refer for an Account of the Expedition they made in the _Red Seas_, beginning at Page 113. Captain _Halsey_ on board a Prize left _North_ to command the Brigantine they set out in.

The two Commanders were separated by a Storm, but both made for _Madagascar_; _Halsey_ got to _Ambonavoula_, but _North_ fell in with _Maratan_, where, finding the Brigantine was very much worm eaten, and made a great Deal of Water, with one Consent they took ashore all their Goods, and laid up their Vessel.

They were all very well received; the King being then at War with his Brother, _North_ prevail'd on his Majesty's Sister to pass her solitary Hours with him; at the King's Return, having defeated his Brother, he was very much incens'd against _North_, for being so free with the Royal Family, and resolved to fine him 200 Sequins for the Affront done to his illustrious House; but _North_ having some Inkling of his Design, pacified him, by making a Present of one hundred.

The Pyrates continued here a whole Year, when being desirous to go to _Ambonavoula_, they ask'd the King's Assistance to build a Boat, and he for 1000 Dollars, set Negroes to work, under the Directions of Captain _North_, and a Vessel of 15 Tons was set up and launch'd with great Dispatch.

In this Boat they went to a River, called _Manangaro_, thirty Leagues to the Northward of _Maratan_: Here some of their Comrades came to them in a Boat belonging to the _Scotch_ Ship _Neptune_, and help'd to transport their Goods to _Ambonavoula_, where he had before settled, and had a Woman and three Children.

He had not been long return'd before his neighbouring Natives reported, that the _Timouses_, who had followed him from the Southward, had a Design to rebel against, and murder him and the other Whites, which giving too easy Credit to, he made War upon, and drove these poor People out of the Country.

Some Time after he built a Sloop, and went to _Antonguil_, where he purchas'd 90 Slaves, and took in the _Scots_ Supercargo, Mr. _George Crookshank_, with a Design to carry him to _Mascarenas_; but all his Comrades were against it, saying, when he got to _Europe_ he would prove their Destruction. _North_ answered, nothing could be more cruel, after they had taken the greater Part of what the poor Gentleman had, than to keep him from his Country, Family, and Friends; for his Part were he his Prisoner, he should not ask their Consents in doing an Act of Humanity, and the only one they were able towards making him some Reparation, since they could not return his Goods, which were parcel'd out into so many Shares.

On _North_'s saying thus much, they put the Affair in Question to the Vote, and there being many who had Obligations to _North_, and whom he influenced in Favour of the Supercargo, 48 out of 54 voted for the discharging him. _North_ having gained this Point, the Pyrates ask'd if he also designed to take with him one _J. B._ a great Favourite of his, who had been Midship Man on board the _Neptune_ (a young _Scotch_ Man, who was a good Artist, a thorough Seaman, and very capable of taking on him the Command in any Voyage) he answered there was a Necessity of taking him, since he should want his Assistance in the Voyage; as he depended on his Knowledge, his Companions said _J. B._ would certainly give him the Slip, which would be a Loss to them all, as he was an Artist, and a clean hail young Fellow, and therefore his being detained was necessary to their common Good. To this _North_ answered, his own Security would oblige his taking Care that he should not get from him, since no other on board was capable to find the Way back to _Ambonavoula_.

He went to _Mascarenas_, where the Supercargo and his Negroe were put on Shore with all the Money he had, which was about 1600 Dollars; for when the Pyrates made Prize of the _Neptune_, in the Manner already said, they took none of the Money, they themselves had before paid for Liquors, _&c._ either from the Captain, Supercargo, or any other on board; for that, they look'd upon it a base, as well as dishonest Action, but for the Ship and remaining Part of the Cargo, they had a fair Title to, _viz._ they wanted both. It is true, they made the Merchants of the _Greyhound_ refund what Money they had taken; but before the Reader taxes them with Injustice, and acting against the above Maxim, let him consider Circumstances, and call to Mind the whole Story.

They did not take that Ship, on the contrary, they sent her away well victualled, and provided with Necessaries for her Voyage; and, I hope, it will be allow'd, they had a lawful Claim to her, as she belong'd to an Enemy, and came into a Port of theirs, without a Pass: Again, they did not rob these Merchants of the Money they had before laid out with them, but took it in Payment for the Liquors they had put on board the _Greyhound_, out of the _Neptune_, which the Merchants themselves, if they had any Honesty, could not expect for nothing: But let us suppose they had taken this Money by Force, and not traded for it on the fair Foot, as its evident they did; yet, was it no more than an Act of Justice, such as might reasonably be expected from the Probity of these Gentlemen, who never suffer an ill Action to go unpunished: And no Body can justify the Proceedings of those Merchants who advised the seizing the _Scots_ Ship. But to return.

_North_ would not suffer _J. B._ to go ashore; however, to make him amends for his Confinement, he gave him four Negroes, whom he sold for 300 Dollars, and took Care that he should live plentifully and well on board. _North_'s Business, at this Island, was to get Leave to carry his Children there to be educated in the Christian Faith, which after some rich Presents made the Governor, he obtained, and return'd to _Madagascar_. In the Voyage, as _J. B._ was very greatly in his Favour, and his Confident, he told him, his Design was to leave his Children at _Mascarenas_, and place Fortunes for them in the Hands of some honest Priest, who would give them a Christian Education (for he thought it better to have them Papists, than not Christians) and would then go back to _Maratan_, and endeavour, by his Penitence, to make Attonement for his former Life, and never more go off the Island on any Account; that he would give his Sloop to _J. B._ with two hundred Dollars, that he might find some Means to return home, since he very wisely refus'd to join with the Pyrates.

When he came on the _Madagascar_ Coast, he heard a _French_ Ship had touch'd there, and left some Men behind her; upon which Account, _North_ ran to the Southward 100 Leagues out of his Way, to enquire after and assist these People: A Piece of Humanity which ought not to be pass'd by in Silence, for it may shame not a few among us who carry a Face of Religion, and act with greater Barbarity than those whom we hunt and destroy as a Nusance to the World, and a Scandal to the Name of Man. If any thinks this Reflection severe, let him examine into the Number of Thousands who are perishing in Goals, by the Cruelty of Creditors, sensible of their Inability to pay: Let him take a View of the Miseries which reign in those Tombs of the Living, let him enquire into the Number of those who are yearly starved to Death, to gratify an implacable Spirit, and then, if he can, clear the _English_ Laws, which allow a Creditor to punish an unfortunate Man, for his being so, with the most cruel of all invented Deaths, that of Famine; let him, I say, clear them from the Imputation of Barbarity. I beg Pardon for this Digression, which my Concern for the _English_ Character, for this only Reason sunk among Foreigners forced me into.

_North_ found but one Man, whom he took home with him, cloathed and maintained him. When he came back to _Ambonavoula_, he found the Country all in an Uproar, and the Rest of his Companions preparing for a War with the Natives, but his Arrival restor'd their former Quiet. After four Months Stay at home, he fitted his Sloop to go out and purchase Slaves at _Antonguil_; but finding few there to his Mind, for in two Months he bought but forty, he return'd to his Settlement. He design'd now to carry his Children to _Mascarenas_, but dissuaded on Account of the Season, by _J. B._ he went to _Methelage_ on the West Side of the Island, to trade for Samsams.

Having purchas'd a considerable Quantity of Samsams he went to _Johanna_, and thence to _Mayotta_, return'd again to _Madagascar_, but not being able to get round the North End, on Account of the Current, he put for _Mayotta_ again; on the West Side of this Island put into a Port, called _Sorez_, where, some Time before, came a Ship from _England_ to trade, commanded by one _Price_, who going ashore with his Doctor was detained (as was also his Boat's Crew) till he redeem'd himself and Surgeon, with 200 Barrels of Powder and 1000 Small Arms; but was forced to leave his Boat's Crew, not having wherewithal to ransom them, tho' the Demand was only two Small Arms for each Man. These poor Creatures were afterwards sold to the _Arabians_; in Revenge _North_ and his Crew landed, burnt a large Town, and did all the Damage they could. From _Mayotta_ he went again to _Madagascar_, where a King of his Acquaintance told him, the Whites and Natives were at War at _Ambonavoula_; he bought thirty Slaves, refreshed his Crew, and went home. On the News of his Arrival the Natives sent to conclude a Peace, but he would not listen to them; on the contrary, rais'd an Army, burnt a Number of Towns, and took a great many Prisoners.

This Success brought the Natives to sue in a very humble Manner for a Cessation of Arms, that a general Peace might follow: This he agreed to about four Months after his Arrival.

His Enemies, having now the Opportunity, corrupted some of his neighbouring Natives, and in the Night surprized and murder'd him in his Bed. His Comrades, however, being alarmed, took to their Arms, drove the treacherous Multitude before them with great Slaughter; and to revenge _North_'s Death continued the War seven Years, in which Time they became Masters of all the Country round, and drove out all who did not swear Allegiance to them.

_North_ had his Will lying by him, which directed _J. B._ to carry his Children to _Mascarenas_, in his Sloop which he left to the said _J. B._ who was at the Charge to fit her up, and laid out the greater Part of the Money _North_ bequeathed him; but the Pyrates would not suffer him to stir while the Wars lasted, fearing he would not return, having never join'd them in any Pyracies; and therefore, by one Consent, setting Fire to the Sloop, they detained him several Years, if he is not still there.

FINIS.

BOOKS printed for _Tho. Woodward_,
at the Half-moon over against St. _Dunstan_'s
Church, _Fleet-street_.

The Fourth Edition of the First Volume of _The History of the
Pyrates_, &c.

The _Roman_ History; with Notes Historical, Geographical and
Critical. Illustrated with Maps, Copper Plates, and a great
Number of authentick Medals. Done into _English_ from the
Original _French_ of the Reverend Fathers _Catrou_ and
_Rouille_, and corrected with their Approbation. To which
is prefixed, A new and connected Summary of the Work.

The History of _Japan_; giving an Account of the ancient and
present State and Government of that Empire; of its Temples,
Palaces, Castles, and other Buildings; of its Metals,
Minerals, Trees, Plants and Fishes; of the Chronology and
Succession of the Emperors, Ecclesiastical and Secular; of the
original Descent, Religion, Customs, and Manufactures of the
Natives; and of their Trade and Commerce with the _Dutch_
and _Chinese_. Together with a Description of the Kingdom of
_Siam_. Written in _High Dutch_, by _Egelbertus Kempfer_, M.
D. Physician to the _Dutch_ Embassy to the Emperor's Court;
and translated from his Original Manuscript, by _J. G.
Scheuchzer_, F. R. S. and a Member of the College of
Physicians, London; with the Life of the Author, and an
Introduction. To which is added, A Journal of a Voyage to
_Japan_, made by the _English_, in the Year 1673. Illustrated
with many Copper Plates in 2 Vols. Folio.

The History of the Conquest of _Mexico_ by the _Spaniards_;
adorned with Cuts, engraved by the best Hands. The Head of
_Cortez_ (done from a Painting of _Titian_) by Mr. _Vertue_.
Translated from the Original _Spanish_ of _Don Antonio de
Solis_, Secretary and Historiographer to his Catholick
Majesty.

A Collection of several Tracts of the Right Honourable
_Edward_ Earl of _Clarendon_, Author of the History of the
Rebellion and Civil Wars of _England_, viz. I. A Discourse by
Way of Vindication of himself, from the Charge of High
Treason brought against him by the House of Commons. II.
Reflections upon several Christian Duties, divine and moral,
by Way of Essays. 1. Humane Nature. 2. Of Life. 3. Reflections
upon the Happiness which we enjoy in and from our selves. 4.
Of impudent Delight in Wickedness. 5. Of Drunkenness. 6. Of
Envy. 7. Of Pride. 8. Of Anger. 9. Of Patience in Adversity.
10. Of Contempt of Death, and the best providing for it. 11.
Of Friendship. 12. Of Counsel and Conversation. 13. Of
Promises. 14. Of Liberty. 15. Of Industry. 16. Of Sickness.
17. Of Repentance. 18. Of Conscience. 19. Of an active, and of
a contemplative Life, and when and why the one ought to be
preferr'd to the other. 20. Of War. 21. Of Peace. 22. Of
Sacrilege. 23. A Discourse of the Reverence due to Antiquity.
24. A Discourse against multiplying Controversies by insisting
upon Particulars not necessary to the Point in Debate. 25. A
Dialogue concerning the Want of Respect due to Age. 26. A
Dialogue concerning Education, _&c._ 27. Contemplations and
Reflections upon the Psalms of _David_, with Devotions
applicable to the Trouble of the Times.

_N. B._ None of these Pieces were ever printed before, and the
Original Manuscript in his Lordship's Hand-writing may be seen
at _T. Woodward_'s.

A New System of Agriculture: Being a Compleat Body of
Husbandry and Gardening, in all the Parts of them, _viz._
Husbandry in the Field, and its Improvements. Of Forrest and
Timber Trees, great and small, with Ever Greens and
Flowering Shrubs, _&c._ Of the Fruit Garden. Of the Kitchen
Garden. Of the Flower Garden. In Five Books. Containing all
the best and latest, as well as many new Improvements;
useful to the Husbandman, Grasier, Planter, Gardiner and
Florist. Wherein are interspersed many curious Observations on
Vegetation, on the Diseases of Trees, and the general
Annoyances to Vegetables, and their probable Cures. As also, A
Particular Account of the famous Silphium of the Ancients. By
_John Lawrence_, M. A. Rector of _Bishops Weremouth_ in the
Bishoprick of _Durham_, and Prebendary of the Church of
_Sarum_.

The Life and surprizing Adventures of _Robinson Crusoe_, of
_York_, Mariner, who lived 28 Years all alone in an
uninhabited Island, on the Coast of _America_, near the Mouth
of the River _Oroonoque_, having been cast on Shore by
Shipwreck, wherein all the Men perished but Himself. With
an Account how he was, at last, as strangely delivered by
Pyrates. Written by Himself. The Seventh Edition, adorn'd with
Cuts, in 2 Vols.

The wise and ingenious Companion, _French_ and _English_;
being a Collection of the Wit of the illustrious Persons, both
ancient and modern: Containing their wise Sayings, noble
Sentiments, witty Repartees, Jests and pleasant Adventures.
The 4th Edition, with Corrections and great Improvements, for
the Use of Schools. By Mr. _Boyer_, Author of the Royal
Dictionary.

Transcriber's Notes

The original text had in four places white spaces of the size of approximately one word, left out for unknown reasons. These have been marked by "......".

On page 289, the name of Mary Stead appears instead of Anne Bonny. This has been preserved as in the original.

On page 308, George Bendal is erroneously listed twice in a list of nine men, making it ten names in total. This has remained uncorrected.

On page 337, an opening bracket is never closed.

The original spelling was mostly preserved. A few obvious typographical errors were silently corrected. Further careful corrections are listed here (before/after):

[p. viii]:
... to St. Mary's; Captain Mosson and his Crew cut off; the two ...
... to St. Mary's; Captain Misson and his Crew cut off; the two ...

[p. 122]:
... They staid here all the Mousson Time, which ...
... They staid here all the Monsoon Time, which ...

[p. 124]:
... they sail'd to St. Mary's, where Captain Mosson's ...
... they sail'd to St. Mary's, where Captain Misson's ...

[p. 140]:
... he wanting a Boom, took out the Mainmost of ...
... he wanting a Boom, took out the Mainmast of ...

[p. 140]:
... Company, to go to the Coast of Angela for ...
... Company, to go to the Coast of Angola for ...

[p. 231]:
... In the taking this Ship, the Captain and his chief ...
... In the taking of this Ship, the Captain and his chief ...

[p. 240]:
... Man saw they would take away his Ship, he told ...
... Man saw they would take away his Ship, he sold ...

[p. 254]:
... Side the Island, the Principalities are mostly reduced ...
... Side of the Island, the Principalities are mostly reduced ...

[p. 395]:
... either of their Compations, or of the Natives. ...
... either of their Companions, or of the Natives. ...