avoided by running forward.

"We were soon in shoal water, when I again begged of them for
God's sake not to run the vessel ashore. They ordered us to let
go the anchor.

"I then went into the cabin, where I found all my trunks,
chest, &c. on the floor, and the pirates filling bags,
handkerchiefs, &c. with my clothes. They took my chronometer
and everything I had, even robbing me of the jacket I had on,
and leaving me almost naked. They then ordered us to open the
hatches, beating every one of the crew they came across,
declaring they would kill every man on board, beginning with
me, saying they were pirates, and should not be discovered.
During the night our vessel began to strike very hard, when
they compelled us to weigh anchor and the vessel was run on
shore.

"They then commenced loading their craft with the most valuable
part of our goods, remarking that we should be put to death in
the morning to prevent discovery. They struck me down several
times, beating the mate and threatening him with instant death
if he did not discover where the most valuable goods were. They
nearly strangled the boy, bidding him tell where my money was
stowed. In the morning they had one of their cruisers loaded
with dry goods, and a number of packages in the others; when on
the 16th, at 7 A. M. a sail was discovered coming round the
Cape. They then consulted on the expediency of murdering me;
but one, more humane than the others, dissuaded them from
committing the crime. Perceiving the sail to be a vessel of
war, they took to their boats, pulled for their vessels and
immediately proceeded along shore.

"They had stove our yawl to prevent our using her, but we
patched her so that she floated, and went on board the vessel
that was approaching. She proved to be the United States Brig
Enterprise, L. Kearney, Esq. commander. I stated to him my
dreadful situation, and pointed out to him the five piratical
vessels in shore; he immediately made all sail in pursuit, but
a reef prevented his getting within gun-shot. He armed all the
boats, and with the crews of the ship Lucies, and an English
brig, which were likewise in the hands of the pirates, gave
them chase, and overhauling them fast, they rowed their vessels
on shore inside the Cape, set the l