Capt. Bartho. Roberts. 221 



Fortnight of any VeiTels arriving on their Cm& 

 with Slaves, might fettle Signals for the debar* 

 quing them at an unfrequented Part of the Coafi^, 

 bat whether any Exceptions were made to the Prica^ 

 or that the Fortugueje dread Difcovery^ and the feye- 

 reft Profecution on fo notorious a Breach of the La^^ 

 I cannot tell but it has hitherto proved abortive. 



However, Stratagems laudable, and attendad 

 with Profit, at no other Hazard (as I can perceive) 

 then lofs of Time, are worth attempting; it 

 what is every Day praO:ifed with the Spa^i^d^ fmm 

 Jamaica* 



Upon this Coaft our Rovers cruizM for about 

 nine Weeks, keeping generally out of Sight of 

 Land, but without feeing a Sail, which difcouf a§^4 

 them fo, that they determined to leave the Station^ 

 and fteer for the Weft-Indies^ and in order thejeto^ 

 ftood in to make the Land for the taking of their 

 Departure, and thereby they fell in, unexpeftedtf ^ 

 with a Fleet of 42 Sail ofPortuguefe Ships, off the 

 Bay of los todos Santos^ with all their Lading in for 

 Lisbon^ leveral of them of good Force^ who ky tm 

 vyaiting for two Men of War of 70 Guns eadi^ 

 their Convoy. However, Roberts thought it ihouid 

 go hard with him, but he would make up his Mar- 

 ket among them, and thereupon mi)^M with th^ 

 Fleet, and kept his Men hid till proper Refolutioaf 

 could be formed ^ that done, they came clofe up^tf(l 

 one of the deepeft, and ordered her to fend the Ma- 

 iler on Board quietly, threatening to give them m 

 Quarters, if any Refiftance, or Signal of Diftrafe 

 was made. The Portuguefe being furprized at thefe 

 Threats, and the fudden fiourifk of Cuttalto 

 from the Pyrates, fubmltted without a Word, and 

 the Captain came on Board Roberts fainted Mm 

 after a friendly manner, telling him, that they 

 WQTd Gentlemen of Fortune, but that their Buit* 



