While the Swallow was ſending their Boat to fetch the Priſoners, a Blaſt and Smoak was ſeen to pour out of the great Cabin, and they thought they were blowing up; but upon enquiry afterwards, found that half a dozen of the moſt Deſperate, when they ſaw all Hopes fled, had drawn themſelves round what Powder they had left in the Steerage, and fired a Piſtol into it, but it was too ſmall a Quantity to effect any Thing more, than burning them in a frightful Manner.
This Ship was commanded by one Skyrme, a Welch Man, who, tho’ he had loſt his Leg in the Action, would not ſuffer himſelf to be dreſſed, or carried off the Deck; but, like Widrington, fought upon his Stump. The reſt appeared gay and brisk, moſt of them with white Shirts, Watches, and a deal of Silk Veſts, but the Gold-Duſt belonging to them, was moſt of it left in the Little Ranger in the Bay, (this Company’s proper Ship,) with the Royal Fortune.
I cannot but take Notice of two among the Crowd, of thoſe diſfigured from the Blaſt of Powder juſt before mentioned, viz. William Main and Roger Ball. An Officer of the Ship ſeeing a Silver Call hang at the Waſt of the former, ſaid to him, I preſume you are Boatſwain of this Ship.
Then you preſume wrong,
anſwered he, for I am Boatſwain of the Royal Fortune, Captain Roberts Commander.
Then Mr. Boatſwain you will be hanged I believe,
replies the Officer. That is as your Honour pleaſes,
anſwered he again, and was for turning away: But the Officer deſired to know of him, how the Powder, which had made them in that Condition, came to take Fire.By G
ſays he, they are all mad and bewitch’d, for I have loſt a good Hat by it.
(the Hat and he being both blown out of the Cabin Gallery, into the Sea.) But what ſignifies a Hat Friend,
ſays the Officer.Not much
anſwer’d he, the Men
