ree, and unworthy the title, or so much as the name, of men.
For Roberts, finding the prize to sail heavy, and yet resolving not to
lose her, lay by for the headmost of them, which much outsailed the
other, and prepared for battle, which was ignominiously declined, though
of such superior force; for, not daring to venture on the pirate alone,
he tarried so long for his consort as gave them both time leisurely to
make off.

They found this ship exceedingly rich, being laden chiefly with sugar,
skins, and tobacco, and in gold forty thousand moidores, besides chains
and trinkets of considerable value; particularly a cross set with
diamonds designed for the king of Portugal, which they afterwards
presented to the governor of Caiana, by whom they were obliged.

Elated with this booty, they had nothing now to think of but some safe
retreat where they might give themselves up to all the pleasures that
luxury and wantonness could bestow; and for the present pitched upon a
place called the Devil's Islands in the river of Surinam, on the coast
of Caiana, where they arrived, and found the civilest reception
imaginable, not only from the governor and factory, but their wives,
who exchanged wares, and drove a considerable trade with them.

They seized in this river a sloop, and by her gained intelligence that a
brigantine had also sailed in company with her from Rhode Island, laden
with provisions for the coast--a welcome cargo! They growing short in
the sea store, and, as Sancho says, "No adventures to be made without
belly-timber." One evening, as they were rummaging their mine of
treasure, the Portuguese prize, this expected vessel was descried at the
masthead, and Roberts, imagining nobody could do the business so well as
himself, takes forty men in the sloop, and goes in pursuit of her; but a
fatal accident followed this rash, though inconsiderable adventure, for
Roberts, thinking of nothing less than bringing in the brigantine that
afternoon, never troubled his head about the sloop's provision, nor
inquired what there was on board to subsist such a number of men; but
out he sails after his expected prize, which he not only lost further
sight of, but after eight days' contending with contrary winds and
currents, found themselves thirty leagues to leeward. The current still
opposing their endeavors, and perceiving no hopes of beating up to their
ship, they came to an anchor, and inconsiderately sent away the boat to
give the r