ing to the Favours and Generoſity in Cloathing and Liquors, they from Time to Time have received from theſe Fellows, who live in all poſſible Friendſhip, and can, any ſingle Man of them, command a Guard of 2 or 300 at a Minute’s warning: This is farther the Native’s Intereſt, to cultivate with them, becauſe the Iſland being divided into petty Governments and Commands, the Pyrates, ſettled here, who are now a conſiderable Number, and have little Caſtles of their own, can preponderate where-ever they think fit to ſide.
When Taylor came with the Portugueſe Prize here, they found the Oſtender had played their Men a Trick, for they took Advantage of their Drink, riſe upon them, and (as they heard afterwards) carried the Ship to Mozambique, whence the Governor ordered her for Goa.
Here the Pyrates came, cleaned the Caſſandra, and divided their Plunder, ſharing 42 ſmall Diamonds a Man, or in leſs Proportion according to their Magnitude. An ignorant, or a merry Fellow, who had only, one in this Diviſion, as being judged equal, in Value to 42 ſmall, muttered very much at the Lot, and went and broke it in a Morter, ſwearing afterwards, he had a better Share than any of them, for he had beat it, he ſaid, into 43 Sparks.
Thoſe who were not for running the Hazard of their Necks, with 42 Diamonds, beſides other Treaſure, in their Pockets, knocked off, and ſtay’d with their old Acquaintance at Madagaſcar, on mutual Agreements, the longer Livers to take all. The Reſidue having therefore no Occaſion for two Ships, the Victory being leaky, ſhe was burnt, the Men (as many as would) coming into the Caſſandra, under the Command of Taylor, who we muſt leave a Time, projecting either for Cochin, to diſpoſe of their Diamonds among their old Friends
