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truſted him with the Care of her, at times, while he and the Mate went to reſt.
The 15th of November, at Night, was the Time deſigned for the Tragedy; but Francis Wiſe relented, and appear’d deſirous to divert them from their bloody Purpoſes. Roche (ſometimes called Captain) told him, That as Cullen and he had ſuſtained great Loſſes at Sea, unleſs every Iriſhman preſent would aſſiſt in repairing their Loſſes, by murthering all the French Rogues, and running away with the Ship, he ſhould ſuffer the ſame Fate with the French Men; but if all would aſſiſt, all ſhould have a Share in the Booty.
Upon this, they all reſolved alike, and Captain Roche ordered three Frenchmen and a Boy up to hand the Topſails, the Maſter and Mate being then aſleep in their Cabins, The two firſt that came down, they beat out their Brains and threw them over-board: The other two ſeeing what was done, ran up to the Topmaſt Head, but Cullen followed them, and taking the Boy by the Arm, toſt him into the Sea; then driving down the Man, thoſe below knocked him on the Head, and threw him over-board.
Thoſe who were aſleep, being awakened by the diſmal Skrieks and Groans of dying Men, ran upon Deck in Confuſion, to enquire into the Cauſe of ſuch unuſual Noiſes; but the ſame Cruelty was immediately acted towards them, e’er they could be ſenſible of the Danger that threat’ned them.
They were now (as Roche himſelf afterwards confeſs’d) all over as wet with the Blood that had been ſpilt, as if they had been dipp’d in Water, or ſtood in a Shower of Rain, nor did they regard it any more.
Roche ſaid, Captain Tartoue uſed many Words for Mercy, and asked them, if he had not uſed them with Civility and Kindneſs? If they were not of the ſame Chriſtian Religion, and owned the ſame bleſſed Jeſus, and the like? But they, not regarding what he ſaid, took Cords and bound the poor Maſter and hisMate
