Observing The Governor
Go On Board One Of The Frigates, And That The Dutch Ships Were Likewise
Preparing For Sea, And Bending Their Sails, I Ordered My People To
Prepare For Action.
I called them together that I might know their
minds, plainly telling them, if they would stand by me,
That I meant to
trade at these islands, let the Hollanders do what they would; and I
promised them, if any were maimed, he should have a maintenance during
his life, which, God willing, I should see performed; and farther, if
they would fight manfully, that I would give freely among them every
thing in the ship that was mine own. So, with one consent, they all
agreed to try what strength the Hollanders might send against me. Seeing
us making all things ready for action, the Dutch aboard the pinnaces
seemed to think it might be little to their profit to guard us any
longer, and therefore bore up for their harbour. While we were warping
out, the Dutch governor, and lieutenant-governor of the castle, and
their admiral, were twice on board the pinnaces, but what they did there
I know not.
[Footnote 311: On former occasions we have conjectured that by frigates,
in these older days, very small vessels were intended; and in the
present passage frigates and pinnaces are distinctly used as synonimous
terms. - E.]
It fell calm, what wind there was being westerly, and a great current
set to the E.N.E. which drove us at a great rate.
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