Black-beard had Information of the Deſign, from his Excellency of the Province; and his Secretary, Mr. Knight, wrote him a Letter, particularly concerning it, intimating, That he had ſent him four of his Men, which were all he could meet with, in or about Town, and ſo bid him be upon his Guard
. Theſe Men belonged to Black-beard, and were ſent from Bath-Town to Okerecock Inlet, where the Sloop lay, which is about 20 Leagues.
Black-beard had heard ſeveral Reports, which happened not to be true, and ſo gave the leſs Credit to this, nor was he convinced till he ſaw the Sloops: Whereupon he put his Veſſel in a Poſture of Defence; he had no more than twenty five Men on Board, tho’ he gave out to all the Veſſels he ſpoke with, that he had 40. When he had prepared for Battle, he ſet down and ſpent the Night in drinking with the Maſter of a trading Sloop, who, ’twas thought, had more Buſineſs with Teach, than he ſhould have had.
Lieutenant Maynard came to an Anchor, for the Place being ſhoal, and the Channel intricate, there was no getting in, where Teach lay, that Night; but in the Morning he weighed, and ſent his Boat a-head of the Sloops to ſound; and coming within Gun-Shot of the Pyrate, received his Fire; whereupon Maynard hoiſted the King’s Colours, and ſtood directly towards him, with the beſt Way that his Sails and Oars could made. Black-beard cut his Cable, and endeavoured to make a running Fight, keeping a continual Fire at his Enemies, with his Guns; Mr. Maynard not having any, kept a conſtant Fire with ſmall Arms, while ſome of his Men laboured at their Oars. In a little Time Teach’s Sloop ran a-ground, and Mr. Maynard’s drawing more Water than that of the Pyrate, he could not come near him; ſo he anchored within half Gun-Shot of the Enemy, and, in order to
