Ships have loaded with Proviſions at the Engliſh Colonies, on pretence of Trading on the Coaſt of Africa, when they have in reality been conſigned to them; and tho’ a ſhew of Violence is offered to them when they meet, yet they are pretty ſure of bringing their Cargo to a good Market.
However, at this Time they miſſed with their uſual Luck, and Proviſions and Neceſſaries becoming more ſcarce every Day, they retired towards St. Chriſtophers, where being deny’d all Succour or Aſſiſtance from the Government, they fir’d in Revenge on the Town, and burnt two Ships in the Road, one of them commanded by Captain Cox, of Briſtol; and then retreated farther to the Iſland of St. Bartholomew, where they met with much handſomer Treatment. The Governor not only ſupplying them with Refreſhments, but he and the Chiefs carreſſing them in the moſt friendly Manner: And the Women, from ſo good an Example, endeavoured to outvie each other in Dreſs, and Behaviour, to attract the good Graces of ſuch generous Lovers, that paid well for their Favours.
Sated at length with theſe Pleaſures, and having taken on Board a good ſupply of freſh Proviſions, they voted unanimouſly for the Coaſt of Guiney, and in the Latitude of 22 N. in their Voyage thither, met with a French Ship from Martinico, richly laden, and, which was unlucky for the Maſter, had a property of being fitter for their Purpoſe, than the Banker. Exchange was no Robbery
they ſaid, and ſo after a little mock Complaiſance to Monſieur, for the Favour he had done them, they ſhifted their Men, and took leave: This was their firſt Royal Fortune.
In this Ship Roberts proceeded on his deſigned Voyage; but before they reached Guiney, he propoſed to touch at Brava, the Southermoſt of Cape
