When He Was Once On Shore, The Command,
In The Absence Of Captain Pelsart, Devolved Of Course Upon Him,
Which
Immediately revived in his mind his old design, insomuch that
he resolved to lay hold of this opportunity to make
Himself master
of all that could be saved out of the wreck, conceiving that it
would be easy to surprise the captain on his return, and determining
to go on the account--that is to say, to turn pirate in the
captain's vessel. In order to carry this design into execution, he
thought necessary to rid themselves of such of the crew as were not
like to come into their scheme; but before he proceeded to dip his
hands in blood, he obliged all the conspirators to sign an
instrument, by which they engaged to stand by each other.
The whole ship's company were on shore in three islands, the
greatest part of them in that where Cornelis was, which island they
thought fit to call the burying-place of Batavia. One Mr. Weybhays
was sent with another body into an adjacent island to look for
water, which, after twenty days' search, he found, and made the
appointed signal by lighting three fires, which, however, were not
seen nor taken notice of by those under the command of Cornelis,
because they were busy in butchering their companions, of whom they
had murdered between thirty and forty; but some few, however, got
off upon a raft of planks tied together, and went to the island
where Mr. Weybhays was, in order to acquaint him with the dreadful
accident that had happened. Mr. Weybhays having with him forty-five
men, they all resolved to stand upon their guard, and to defend
themselves to the last man, in case these villains should attack
them. This indeed was their design, for they were apprehensive both
of this body, and of those who were on the third island, giving
notice to the captain on his return, and thereby preventing their
intention of running away with his vessel. But as this third
company was by much the weakest, they began with them first, and cut
them all off, except five women and seven children, not in the least
doubting that they should be able to do as much by Weybhays and his
company. In the meantime, having broke open the merchant's chests,
which had been saved out of the wreck, they converted them to their
own use without ceremony.
The traitor, Jerom Cornelis, was so much elevated with the success
that had hitherto attended his villainy, that he immediately began
to fancy all difficulties were over, and gave a loose to his vicious
inclinations in every respect. He ordered clothes to be made of
rich stuffs that had been saved, for himself and his troop, and
having chosen out of them a company of guards, he ordered them to
have scarlet coats, with a double lace of gold or silver. There
were two minister's daughters among the women, one of whom he took
for his own mistress, gave the second to a favourite of his, and
ordered that the other three women should be common to the whole
troop.
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