one of them to have a Pendant flying, and having heard their Morning-Gun before, they immediately ſuſpected them to be Roberts the Pyrate, his conſort, and a French Ship, they knew had been lately carried out of Whydah Road.
The King’s Ship was obliged to hawl off N. W. and W. N. W. to avoid a Sand, called, the French Man’s Bank, the Wind then at S. S. E. and found in half an Hour’s time, one of the three had got under Sail from the Careen, and was bending her Sails, in a Chace towards them. To encourage this Raſhneſs and Precipitancy, they kept away before the Wind, (as though afraid,) but with their Tacks on Board, their Main-Yard braced, and making, at the ſame Time, very bad Steerage.
About half an Hour after Ten, in the Morning, the Pyrate Ship came within Gun-ſhot, and fired four Chace Guns, hoiſted a black Flag at the Mizen-Peek, and got their Sprit-ſail Yard under their Bowſprit, for boarding. In half an Hour more, approaching ſtill nigher, they Starboarded their Helm, and gave her a Broadſide, the Pyrate bringing to, and returning the ſame.
After this, the Deponents ſay, their Fire grew ſlack for ſome Time, becauſe the Pyrate was ſhot ſo far a Head on the Weather-Bow, that few of their Guns could Point to her; yet in this Interval their black Flag was either Shot away, or hawled down a little Space, and hoiſted again.
At length, by their ill Steerage, and Favour of the Wind, they came near, a ſecond Time; and about Two in the Afternoon ſhot away their Main-topmaſt.
The Colours they fought under, beſides a black Flag, were a red Engliſh Enſign, a King’s Jack, and a Dutch Pendant, which they ſtruck at, or about, Three in the Afternoon, and called for Quarters;it
