the utmoſt Conſternation, thinking that all three had been Pyrates, and that their Deſign had been upon them; ſo that all the Ships and Veſſels that were in the Road, or in the Rivers up the Bay, had Orders immediately to hale in to the Shore, for their Security, or elſe to prepare for their Defence, if they thought themſelves in a Condition to fight. Soon after two Boats, which were ſent out to get Intelligence, came crowding in, and brought an Account, that one of the Pyrates was in the Bay, being a ſmall Sloop of ſix Guns. The Governor expecting the reſt would have followed, and altogether make ſome Attempt to land, for the ſake of Plunder, beat to Arms, and collected all the Force that could be got together, to oppoſe them; he ordered all the Guns out of the Ships, to make a Platform, and, in ſhort, put the whole Colony in a warlike Poſture; but was very much ſurpriſed at laſt, to ſee all the ſuppoſed Pyrates fighting with one another.
The Truth of the Matter is, Worley gained the Bay, thinking to make ſure of his two Prizes, by keeping them from coming in; but by the hoiſting of the King’s Colours, and firing a Gun, he quickly was ſenſible of his Miſtake, and too ſoon perceived that the Tables were turned upon him; that inſtead of keeping them out, he found himſelf, by a ſuperiour Force kept in. When the Pyrates ſaw how Things went, they reſolutely prepar’d themſelves for a deſperate Defence; and tho’ three to one odds, Worley and his Crew determined to fight to the laſt Gaſp, and receive no Quarters, agreeably to what they had before ſworn; ſo that they muſt either Dye or Conquer upon the Spot.
The Carolina Men gave the Pyrate a Broadſide, and then Boarded him, one Sloop getting upon his Quarter, and the other on his Bow; Worley and the Crew, drew up upon the Deck, and foughtvery
