One would think these Things should induce them to reform their Lives, but so many Reprobates together, encouraged and spirited one another up in their Wickedness, to which a continual Course of drinking did not a little contribute; for in _Black-beard_'s Journal, which was taken, there were several Memorandums of the following Nature, sound writ with his own Hand.-- _Such a Day, Rum all out:--Our Company somewhat sober:--A damn'd Confusion amongst us!--Rogues a plotting;--great Talk of Separation.--So I look'd sharp for a Prize;--such a Day took one, with a great deal of Liquor on Board, so kept the Company hot, damned hot, then all Things went well again._
Thus it was these Wretches passed their Lives, with very little Pleasure or Satisfaction, in the Possession of what they violently take away from others, and sure to pay for it at last, by an ignominious Death.
The Names of the Pyrates killed in the Engagement, are as follow.
All the rest, except the two last, were wounded and afterwards hanged in _Virginia_.
_Richard Stiles, Israel Hands, _pardoned.
There were in the Pyrate Sloops, and ashore in a Tent, near where the Sloops lay, 25 Hogsheads of Sugar, 11 Teirces, and 145 Bags of Cocoa, a Barrel of Indigo, and a Bale of Cotton; which, with what was taken from the Governor and Secretary, and the Sale of the Sloop, came to 2500 _l._ besides the Rewards paid by the Governor of _Virginia_, pursuant to his Proclamation; all which was divided among the Companies of the two Ships, _Lime_ and _Pearl_, that lay in _James_ River; the brave Fellows that took them coming in for no more than their Dividend amongst the rest, and was paid it within these three Months.
CHAP. IV. OF Major _Stede Bonnet_, And his CREW.
THE Major was a Gentleman of good Reputation in the Island of _Barbadoes_, was Master of a plentiful Fortune, and had the Advantage of a liberal Education. He had the least Temptation of any Man to follow such a Course of Life, from the Condition of his Circumstances. It was very surprizing to every one, to hear of the Major's Enterprize, in the Island were he liv'd; and as he was generally esteem'd and honoured, before he broke out into open Acts of Pyracy, so he was afterwards rather pitty'd than condemned, by those that were acquainted with him, believing that this Humour of going a pyrating, proceeded from a Disorder in his Mind, which had been but too visible in him, some Time before this wicked Undertaking; and which is said to have been occasioned by some Discomforts he found in a married State; be that as it will, the Major was but ill qualify'd for the Business, as not understanding maritime Affairs.