We had not been here above two or three Days, but that, early in the Morning, the Weather thick and haizy, we heard several Guns fire at Sea; we were not at a Loss to know what they meant, and that it was certainly some European Ships coming in, and who gave the Signal to one another that they had made the Land, which they could easily see from the Sea, tho we, who were also within the Bay, could not see them from the Shore: However, in a few Hours, the Weather clearing up, wet saw plainly five large Ships, three with English Colours, and two with Dutch , standing into the Bay, and in about four or five Hours more they came to an Anchor.
A little while after they were come to an Anchor, their Boats began to come on Shore to the usual Watering-place to fill their Casks; and while they were doing that, the rest of the Men lookd about them a little, as usual, tho at first they did not stir very far from their Boats.
I had now a nice Game to play, as any Man in the World ever had: It was absolutely necessary for us to speak with these Men; and yet how to speak with them, and not have them speak with us in a Manner that we should not like, that was the main Point: It was with a great deal of Impatience that we lay still one whole Day, and saw their Boats come on Shore, and go on Board again, and we were so irresolute all the while, that we knew not what to do; at last I told my Men, it was absolutely necessary we should speak with them, and seeing we could not agree upon the Method how to do it friendly and fairly, I was resolvd to do it by Force, and that if they would take my Advice, we would place ourselves in Ambuscade upon the Land somewhere, that we might see them when they were on Shore, and the first Man that straggled from the rest we would clap in upon and seize him, and three or four of them if we could. As for our Boat, we had securd it in a Creek three or four Miles up the Country, where it was secure enough out of their Reach or Knowledge.
With this Resolution we placd ourselves in two Gangs; eleven of us in one Place, and only three of us in another, and very close we lay: The Place we chose for our Ambuscade was on the Side of a rising Ground almost a Mile from the Watering-place, but where we could see them all come towards the Shore, and see them if they did but set their Foot on Shore.
As we understood afterwards, they had the Knowledge of our being upon the Island, but knew not in what Part of it, and were therefore very cautious and wary how they went on Shore, and came all very well armd. This gave us a new Difficulty, for in the very first Excursion that any of them made from the Watering-place, there was not less than twenty of them, all well armd, and they passd by in our Sight; but as we were out of their Sight we were all very well pleasd with seeing them go by, and being not obligd to meddle with them, or show our selves.
But we had not long lain in this Circumstance, but, by what Occasion we knew not, five of the Gentlemen Tarrs were pleasd to be willing to go no farther with their Companions; and thinking all safe behind them, because they had found no Disturbance in their going out, came back the same Way, straggling without any Guard or Regard.
I thought now was our Time to show our selves; so taking them as they came by the Place where we lay in Ambuscade, we placd ourselves just in their Way, and as they were entring a little Thicket of Trees, we appeard; and calling to them in English , told them they were our Prisoners; that if they yielded, we would use them very well, but if they offerd to resist, they should have no Quarter: One of them looking behind, as if he would show us a Pair of Heels, I calld to him, and told him, if he attempted to run for it, he was a dead Man, unless he could out-run a Musquet-Bullet; and that we would soon let him see we had more Men in our Company; and so giving the Signal appointed, our three Men, who lay at a Distance, shewd themselves in the Rear.
When they saw this, one of them, who appeard as their Leader, but was only the Pursers Clerk, askd, Who we were they must yield to? And if we were Christians? I told them, jestingly, We were good honest Christian
two Ships which we have sent to the West-Indies shall come back, and shall have told the Buccaneers at the Bay of Campeachy , how we live here.
But, said I, you in England greatly wrong Captain Avery , our General, (so I calld myself, to advance our Credit) for I can assure you, that except plundering the Ship, and taking that immense Booty which he got in the great Ship where the Great Moguls Daughter was, there was not the least Injury done to the Lady, no Ravishing or Violence to her, or any of her Attendance; and this, said I, you may take of my certain Knowledge; for, said I, I was on Board the Ship with our General all the while: And if any of the Princesss Women were lain with, said I, on Board the other Ship, as I believe most of them were, yet it was done with their own Consent and good Will, and no otherwise; and they were all dismissd afterwards, without so much as being put in Fear or Apprehensions of Life or Honour.