222 Capt. Bartho. Roberts. 



nels with him, was only to^ be informed which 

 was the richeft Ship in that Fleet ^ and if he di- 

 rected them right, he fhould be reftored to his Ship 

 without Moleftation, othervvife, he muft exped im- 

 mediate Death. 



Whereupon this Portuguefe Mafter pointed to one 

 of 40 Guns, and 150 Men, a Ship of greater Force 

 than the Rover^ but this no Ways difmayed them, 

 they were Portuguefe, they faid, and fo immediate- 

 ly fleered away for him. When they came with- 

 in Hail, the Mafter whom they had Prifbner, was 

 ordered to ask, how Seignior Cafitain did ? And to 

 invite him on Board, for that he had a Matter of 

 Confequence to imfart to himj which being done, he 

 returned for Anfwer, That he would wait npon him 

 frefently : But by the Buftle that immediately fol- 

 lowed, the Pyrates perceived, they were difcovered, 

 and that this was only a deceitful Anfwer to gain 

 Time to put their Ship in a Pofture of Defence ; 

 fo without further Delay, they poured in a Broad- 

 Side, boarded and grapled her the Difpute waSv 

 ihort and warm, wherein many of the Portuguefe 

 fell, and two only of the Pyrates. By this Time 

 the Fleet was alarm^ed. Signals of Top-gallant 

 Sheets flying, and Guns fired, to give Notice to 

 the Men of War, who rid ftill at an Anchor, and 

 made but Icurvy haft out to their Afliftance ^ and 

 if what the Pyrates themfelves related, be true, 

 the Commanders of thofe Ships were blaixieable to| 

 the higheft Degree, and unworthy the Title, or fo 

 much as the Name of Men : For Roberts finding the 

 Prize to fail heavy, and yet refolving not to loofe 

 her, lay by for the headmoft of them fwhich 

 much out failed the other) and prepared for Bat- 

 tle, which was ignominioufly declined, tho' of 

 flich fuperior Force ; for not daring to venture on | 

 the Pyrate alone, he tarried fo long for his Confort 

 as gave them both time ieifurely to make off". 



