had spent so much money at his house; saying he could never expect
that all his ill-gotten riches could prosper him, which so happened,
as you shall hear presently. For his mother, dying soon after, the boy
was left under the guardianship of one Mr. _Lightfoot_, a merchant,
who, having great losses at sea, became a bankrupt, and so young
_Avery_ was left to look out after himself; there he continued for
many years in pilfering and stealing till the country was too hot for
him, when he betook him to sea again, where in time he became as
famous for robbing as _Cromwell_ for rebellion.

He entered himself on board the _Duke_, Captain _Gibson_ Commander,
being one of the two ships of twenty-four guns and one hundred men
which were fitted out by the merchants of _Bristol_ for the service of
_Spain_, which they had no sooner done, but they were ordered by their
agents at _Bristol_ to sail for the _Groyne_ to receive their orders.

On board one of which ships _Avery_, being at this time above twenty
years old, entered himself, where he had not been long before he
observed the Captain was much addicted to drunkenness.

He endeavoured to spirit up not only his own ship's crew, but having
also given the word to part of the other ship's crew, the conspirators
gave the signal.

At which the _Duchess_, as the other ship was named, put off her
longboat; which the conspirators hailing were answered by the men in
the boat, "Is your drunken Boatswain on board?" This being the word
agreed upon, Avery answered, "All is safe;" upon which twenty lusty
fellows came aboard and joined them, which they had no sooner done but
they secured the hatches and went to work, putting to sea without any
disorder, although there were several ships in the bay, amongst whom
was a frigate of forty-four guns.

The Captain, by this time being awaked by the noise of the
conspirators working the ship, rung the bell, inquiring what was the
matter, to whom _Avery_ and some of the crew replied, "Nothing. Are
you mutinous in your cups? Can't you lie down, sleep, and be quiet?"

"No," saith the Captain. "I am sure something's the matter with the
ship. Does she drive? What weather is it? Is it a storm?"

Saith _Avery_: "Cannot you lie quiet while you are quiet? I tell you
all's well; we are at sea in a fair wind and good weather."

"At sea," saith the Captain; "that can't be."

"Be not frightened," saith Avery, "and I'll tell you. You must note, I
am now the