Sea Wind, and Night, favouring, they ſeparated, one to the Northward, the other to the Southward, thinking to encloſe her between: But to their Aſtoniſhment, and contrary to Expectation, when Day broke, inſtead of the Chace, found themſelves very near five Sail of tall Ships, who immediately making a Signal for the Pyrates to bear down, put them in the utmoſt Confuſion, particularly Taylor’s Ship, becauſe their Conſort was at a Diſtance from them, (at leaſt three Leagues to the Southward) they ſtood to one another, and joined, and then together made the beſt of their Way from the Fleet, whom they judged to be commanded by Captain Mackra; of whoſe Courage having Experience, they were glad to ſhun any farther Taſte of.
In three Hours Chace, none of the Fleet gaining upon them, excepting one Grab, their dejected Countenances cleared up again, the more, in that a Calm ſucceeded for the Remainder of that Day; and in the Night, with the Land Wind, they ran directly off Shore, and found next Day, to their great Conſolation, that they had loſt Sight of all the Fleet.
This Danger eſcaped, they propoſed to ſpend Chriſtmas (the Chriſtmas of 1720) in Carowzing and Forgetfulneſs, and kept it for three Days in a wanton and riotous Way, not only eating, but waſting their freſh Proviſions in ſo wretched and inconſiderable a Manner, that when they had agreed after this to proceed to Mauritius, they were in that Paſſage at an Allowance of a Bottle of Water per Diem, and not above two Pounds of Beef, and a ſmall Quantity of Rice, for ten Men for a Day; ſo that had it not been for the leaky Ship, (which once they were about to have quitted, and had done, but for a Quantity of Arrack and Sugar She had on Board,) they muſt moſt of them have periſhed.
