the Man of War was too ſtrong to cope with; but one John Rackam, who was an Officer, that had a kind of a Check upon the Captain, roſe up in Defence of a contrary Opinion, ſaying, That tho’ ſhe had more Guns, and a greater Weight of Mettal, they might board her, and then the beſt Boys would carry the Day.
Rackam was well ſeconded, and the Majority was for boarding; but Vane urged, That it was too raſh and deſperate an Enterprize, the Man of War appearing to be twice their Force; and that their Brigantine might be ſunk by her before they could reach on board.
The Mate, one Robert Deal, was of Vane’s Opinion, as were about fifteen more, and all the reſt joined with Rackam, the Quarter-Maſter. At length the Captain made uſe of his Power to determine this Diſpute, which, in theſe Caſes, is abſolute and uncontroulable, by their own Laws, viz. in fighting, chaſing, or being chaſed; in all other Matters whatſoever, he is governed by a Majority; ſo the Brigantine having the Heels, as they term it, of the French Man, ſhe came clear off.
But the next Day, the Captain’s Behaviour was obliged to ſtand the Teſt of a Vote, and a Reſolution paſſed againſt his Honour and Dignity, branding him with the Name of Coward, depoſing him from the Command, and turning him out of the Company, with Marks of Infamy; and, with him, went all thoſe who did not Vote for boarding the French Man of War. They had with them a ſmall Sloop that had been taken by them ſome Time before, which they gave to Vane, and the diſcarded Members; and, that they might be in a Condition to provide for themſelves, by their own honeſt Endeavours, they let them have a ſufficient Quantity of Proviſions and Ammunition along with them.
