The Pirates of Panama by John Esquemeling

Author:John Esquemeling [Esquemeling, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781499706253
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: CreateSpace Publishing
Published: 2014-05-29T00:00:00+00:00

Of Captain Lewis. And his Crew

Table of Contents

This worthy Gentleman was an early Pyrate; we first find him a Boy on Board the PyrateBanister, who was hang'd at the Yard Arm of a Man of War in sight of Port-Royal in Jamaica. This Lewis and another Boy were taken with him, and brought into the Island hanging by the Middle at the Mizzen-Peak. He had a great Aptitude for Languages, and spoke perfectly well that of the Mosquill Indians, the French, Spanish and English. I mention our own, because it is doubted whether he was French or English, for we cannot trace him back to his Original.

He sailed out of Jamaica till he was a lusty Lad, and was then taken by the Spaniards at the Havana, where he staid some Time; but at length he and six more ran away with a small Canoe, and surprized a Spanish Periagua, out of which two Men joined them, so that they were now nine in Company: With this Pariagua they suprized a Turtleing Sloop, and forced some of the Hands to take on with them, the others they sent away in the Periagua.

He play'd at this small Game, surprising and taking Coasters and Turtlers, till with forced Men and Voluntiers he made up a Complement of 40 Men.

With these he took a large Pink built Ship, bound from Jamaica to the Bay of Campeachy, and after her several others bound to the said Bay; and having Intelligence that there lay in the Bay a fine Bermudas built Brigantine of 10 Guns, commanded by Captain Tucker; he sent the Captain of the Pink to him with a Letter, the Purport of which was, that he wanted such a Brigantine, and if he would part with her, he would pay him honestly 10000 Pieces of Eight; if he refused this, he would take Care to lie in his Way, for he was resolved, either by fair or foul Means, to have the Vessel. Captain Tucker having read the Letter, sent for the Masters of Vessels then lying in the Bay, and told them, after he had shown the Letter, that if they would made him up 54 Men (for there were about 10 Bermudas Sloops) he would go out and fight the pyrates. They said, No, they would not hazard their Men, they depended on their Sailing, and every one must take Care of himself as well as he could.

However, they all put to Sea together, and spied a Sail under the Land, which had a Breeze while they lay becalmed; some said he was a Turtler, others, the Pyrate, and so it proved; for it was honest Captain Lewis, who putting out his Oars, got in among them. Some of the Sloops had four Guns, some two, some none. Joseph Dill had two, which he brought on one Side, and fired smartly at the Pyrate, but unfortunately one of them split, and killed him three Men. Tucker called to all the Sloops to send him Men, and he would fight Lewis, but to no Purpose; no Body came on board him.

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