CHAP. I.
of
Captain Avery,
And his Crew.
None of theſe bold Adventurers were ever ſo much talked of, for a while, as Avery; he made as great a Noiſe in the World as Meriveis does now, and was looked upon to be a Perſon of as great Conſequence; he was repreſented in Europe, as one that had raiſed himſelf to the Dignity of a King, and was likely to be the Founder of a new Monarchy; having, as it was ſaid, taken immenſe Riches, and married the Great Mogul’s Daughter, who was taken in an Indian Ship, which fell into his Hands; and that he had by her many Children, living in great Royalty and State; that he had built Forts, erected Magazines, and was Maſter of a ſtout Squadron of Ships, mann’d with able and deſperate Fellows of all Nations; that he gave Commiſſions out in his own Name to the Captains of his Ships, and to the Commanders of his Forts, and was acknowledged by them as their Prince. A Play was writ upon him, called, the Succeſsful Pyrate; and, theſe Accounts obtained ſuch Belief, that ſeveral Schemes were offered to the Council for fitting out a Squadron to take him; while others were for offering him and his Companions an Act of Grace, and inviting them to England, with all their Treaſure, leaſt his growing
Greatneſs