Pirates

the next day at Gallows-point, and the rest the day after. The three first were taken and hanged in Chains; Rackham at Plumb-point, Fetherstone at Bush-key, and Corner at Gun-key.

But what was yet more strange was the conviction of the nine guests, that knew nothing of the matter, or at least they pretended so; but the People would not believe them, because it was proved that they came on board with pistols and cutlasses: However, they were so much favoured as to have the Court adjourned to the 24th of January following, to give a better Account of themselves than at the time appeared to the Court: Beside, the Jury also then wanted sufficient evidence to prove the piratical intention of going aboard the said Sloops. The two Frenchmen taken by Rackham from the Island of Hispaniola, deposed, That John Eaton, Edward Warner, Thomas Baker*, Thomas Quick, John Cole, Benjamin Palmer, Walter Rouse, John Hanson, and *John Howard, came on board the Pirate's Sloop at Negril Point in Jamaica. Indeed they owned, That at first Sight of them, they run away from Rackham's Sloop, but that he hailing them, they returned, and Rackham sent his canoe ashore to fetch them aboard him, when they saw them all armed with guns and cutlasses, which they brought with them; and that when they were chased by Captain Barnet, they were frank and free, some drinking and walking about the deck not at all dispirited; during which time there was a great gun, and small arms, fired by the Pirate Sloop at Captain Barnet's Sloop; but that they could not say that the Prisoners were any way concerned in it: However, they were certain that when Captain Barnet's Sloop fired at Rackham's, the Prisoners at the Bar went under Deck, for cowardice, as they supposed; not so much as once peeping up during the time of the whole action: But when Captain Barnet drew nigh to them to board them, all of them came up, and helped to row the sloop, in order to escape from him: And that Rackham's Men and they seemed to agree very well together, and that they did verily believe they were all of a Party, having heard them say, when they came on board, They liked them never the worse for being Pirates, since they were all honest Boys, and loved their Bottles.

To which the Prisoners answered, in their own Defence; That they were a great way off from friends and acquaintance, and, therefore it was impossible to have any one to give an account of them. That they were very honest pains-taking men, and came out to go a-turtling to provide for their families; accordingly going ashore at Negril Point they saw a Sloop, with a white pendant, making towards them, whereupon they took up their arms, which were no other but what all people carry upon such occasions, and ran into the woods, to hide themselves among the bushes, not knowing what she might be. But when they hailed them and told them they were Englishmen, they ventured out, and came aboard them, as they desired, to drink a bowl of punch, they being poor men, who get their livelihood very hardily, and such a thing was very acceptable to them. But when they came on board the Sloop, to their very great surprise, they found they were Pirates; upon which they begged to be released; but Rackham swore, That if they did not stay and assist them against that Sloop that was coming down against them, he would cut all their throats. So being compelled thereunto by Rackham and his men, to save their Lives, they did assist him, and with no other design but to prevent their being cut in pieces, but as soon as Captain Barnet came up with them, they all very readily and willingly submitted.