neſs with him, was only to be informed which was the richeſt Ship in that Fleet; and if he directed them right, he ſhould be reſtored to his Ship without Moleſtation, otherwiſe, he muſt expect immediate Death.
Whereupon this Portugueſe Maſter pointed to one of 40 Guns, and 150 Men, a Ship of greater Force than the Rover, but this no Ways diſmayed them, they were Portugueſe
, they ſaid, and ſo immediately ſteered away for him. When they came within Hail, the Maſter whom they had Priſoner, was ordered to aſk, how Seignior Capitain did?
And to invite him on Board, for that he had a Matter of Conſequence to impart to him,
which being done, he returned for Anſwer, That he would wait upon him preſently:
But by the Buſtle that immediately followed, the Pyrates perceived, they were diſcovered, and that this was only a deceitful Anſwer to gain Time to put their Ship in a Poſture of Defence; ſo without further Delay, they poured in a Broad-Side, boarded and grapled her; the Diſpute was ſhort and warm, wherein many of the Portugueſe fell, and two only of the Pyrates. By this Time the Fleet was alarmed, Signals of Top-gallant Sheets flying, and Guns fired, to give Notice to the Men of War, who rid ſtill at an Anchor, and made but ſcurvy haſt out to their Aſſiſtance; and if what the Pyrates themſelves related, be true, the Commanders of thoſe Ships were blameable to the higheſt Degree, and unworthy the Title, or ſo much as the Name of Men: For Roberts finding the Prize to ſail heavy, and yet reſolving not to looſe her, lay by for the headmoſt of them (which much out ſailed the other) and prepared for Battle, which was ignominiouſly declined, tho’ of ſuch ſuperior Force; for not daring to venture on the Pyrate alone, he tarried ſo long for his Conſort as gave them both time leiſurely to make off.
