dropping a firſt Rate Oath, that it was a Bite,
but, at the ſame Time, reſolved, like a gallant Rogue, to get clear, or die.
There was one Armſtrong, as I juſt mention’d, a Deſerter from the Swallow, whom they enquired of concerning the Trim and Sailing of that Ship; he told them ſhe ſail’d beſt upon a Wind, and therefore, if they deſigned to leave her, they ſhould go before it.
The Danger was imminent, and Time very ſhort, to conſult of Means to extricate himſelf; his Reſolution in this Streight, was as follows: To paſs cloſe to the Swallow, with all their Sails, and receive her Broadſide, before they returned a Shot; if diſabled by this, or that they could not depend on ſailing, then to run on Shore at the Point, (which is ſteep to) and every one to ſhift for himſelf among the Negroes; or failing in theſe, to board, and blow up together, for he ſaw that the greateſt Part of his Men were drunk, paſſively Couragious, unfit for Service.
Roberts himſelf made a gallant Figure, at the Time of the Engagement, being dreſſed in a rich crimſon Damask Waſtcoat and Breeches, a red Feather in his Hat, a Gold Chain round his Neck, with a Diamond Croſs hanging to it, a Sword in his Hand, and two Pair of Piſtols hanging at the End of a Silk Sling, flung over his Shoulders (according to the Faſhion of the Pyrates;) and is ſaid to have given his Orders with Boldneſs, and Spirit; coming, according to what he had purpoſed, cloſe to the Man of War, received her Fire, and then hoiſted his Black Flag, and returned it, ſhooting away from her, with all the Sail he could pack; and had he took Armſtrong’s Advice, to have gone before the Wind, he had probably eſcaped; but keeping his Tacks down, either by the Winds ſhifting, or ill Steerage, or both, he was taken a-back with his Sails, and the
