Capi. Bartho. Roberts. 271 



dropping a firft Rat^ Oath, that it was a Bitfy but, at 

 the lame Time, refalved, like a gallant Rogue, to 

 get clear, or die. 



There was ouq j^mfirongy as I juft mentionM, a 

 Deferter {vom the Swallow^ whom they enquired of 

 concerning the Trim and Sailing of that ilhip; lie 

 told them fhe fail'd beft upon a Wind, and there- 

 fore, if they defigned to leave her, they Ihould go 

 before it^ 



The Danger was imminent, and Time very fhort^ 

 to confult of Means to extricate himfelf ; his Refb- 

 lution in this Streight, was as follows: To paf^ 

 clofetoth-e SwailoWy with all their Sails, and re- 

 ceive her Broadfide, before they returned a Shot ; 

 if difabled by this, or that they could not depend 

 on failing, then to run on Shore at the Point, 

 (which is fteep to) and every one to Ihift forhim^ 

 felf among the Negroes ^ or failing in thefe, to 

 board, and blow up together, for hefaw that the . 

 greateft Part of hisJVIen were drunk, paffively Cou- 

 ragious, unfit for Service. 



Rokrts himfelf made a gallant Figure, at the 

 Time of the Engagement, |>eing dreifed in a rich 

 crimfbn Damask Waflcoat and Breeches, a red Fea- 

 ther in his Hat, a Gold Chain round his Neck, with 

 a Diamond Crofs hanging to it, a Sword in his Hand, 

 and two Pair of Piflols hanging at the End of a Silk 

 Sling, flung over his Shoulders (according to the Fa* 

 flxion of the Py rates ) and is faid to have given his 

 Orders with Boldnefs, and Spirit ; Coming, accord- 

 ing to what he had purpofed, clofe to the Man of 

 War, received her Fire, and then hoifled his Black 

 Flag, and returned it, fhooting away from her, 

 with all the Sail he could pack j and had he took 

 jirmftrong^s Advice, to have gone before the Wind, 

 he had probably eicaped but keeping his Tacks 

 down, either by the Winds ihifting, or ill Steerage, 

 4)r both^ he was taken a^back with his Sails, and the 



Swal/ow 



