, steer, and clap two
ends of a rope together, as well as e'er a He that ever
crossed Salt-water; but I was taken by one _George
Bradley_ (the name of the Judge) a notorious Pirate, and
a sad rogue as ever was hanged, and he forced me, an't
please your Honour.

_Judge._ Answer me, Sirrah--how will you be tried?

_Prisoner._ By God and my country.

_Judge._ The Devil you will.... Then, Gentlemen of the
Jury, we have nothing to do but to proceed to Judgment.

_Attorney-Gen._ Right, my Lord; for if the fellow should
be suffered to speak, he might clear himself; and that,
you know, is an affront to the Court.

_Prisoner._ Pray, my Lord, I hope your Lordship will
consider.

_Judge._ Consider!--How dare you talk of
considering!--Sirrah, Sirrah, I have never considered in
all my life.--I'll make it Treason to consider.

_Pris._ But I hope your Lordship will hear reason.

_Judge._ What have we to do with Reason?--I would have
you to know, Sirrah, we do not sit here to hear
Reason--we go according to Law.--Is our dinner ready?

_Attorney-General._ Yes, my Lord.

_Judge._ Then harkee you rascal at the Bar, hear me,
Sirrah, hear me.--You must be hanged for three reasons:
_First_, because it is not fit that I should sit as
Judge, and no-body to be hang'd: _Secondly_, You must be
hang'd because you have a damn'd hanging Look:
_Thirdly_, You must be hanged, because I am hungry.
There's Law for you, ye dog; take him away, Gaoler.

[Illustration]

By this we may see how these fellows can jest upon things, the
thoughts of which should make them tremble.

_August_ 1722, they made ready the Brigantine, and came out to sea,
where meeting their correspondent returning, and finding nothing done,
they all agreed to ply their old trade. So they sailed with the ship
and Brigantine to the Southward, where they ran the _Morning Star_
upon the _Grand Carmanes_, and wrecked her; the next Day _Anstis_ went
ashore to fetch the men off, who were all safe. _Anstis_ had just time
to get Captain _Fenn_, and a few others on board, before the _Hector_
and _Adventure_ came down upon him; but he got to sea, and one of the
Men-of-War after him, keeping within gun-shot several hours, when the
wind dying away, the Pirates got to their oars, and rowed for their
lives.

The _Hector_ landed her men, and took 40 of the _Morning St