Colonel _Rhet_'s speaking with this Ship, was the most unlucky Thing that could have happened, because it turned him out of the Road, which in all Probability, would have brought him into the Company of _Vane_, as well as of the Pyrate he went after; and so they might have been both destroy'd; whereas, by the Colonel's going a different Way, he not only lost the Opportunity of meeting with one, but if the other had not been infatuated, to lye six Weeks together at Cape _Fear_, he would have missed of him likewise: However, the Colonel having searched the Rivers and Inlets, as directed, for several Days, without Success, at length sailed in Prosecution of his first Design, and met with the Pyrate accordingly, whom he fought and took, as has been before spoken of, in the History of Major _Bonnet_.
Captain _Vane_ went into an Inlet to the Northward, where he met with Captain _Thatch_, or _Teach_, otherwise call'd _Black-beard_, whom he saluted (when he found who he was) with his great Guns, loaded with Shot, (as is the Custom among Pyrates when they meet) which are fired wide, or up into the Air: _Black-beard_ answered the Salute in the same Manner, and mutual Civilities passed for some Days; when about the Beginning of _October, Vane_ took Leave, and sailed further to the Northward.
On the 23d of _October_, off of _Long Island_, he took a small Brigantine, bound from _Jamaica_ to _Salem_ in _New-England, John Shattock_ Master, and a little Sloop; they rifled the Brigantine, and sent her away. From hence they resolved on a Cruize between Cape _Meise_ and Cape _Nicholas_, where they spent some Time, without seeing or speaking with any Vessel, till the latter End of _November_; then they fell upon a Ship, which 'twas expected would have struck as soon as their black Colours were hoisted; but instead of that, she discharged a Broadside upon the Pyrate, and hoisted Colours, which shewed her to be a _French_ Man of War. _Vane_ desired to have nothing further to say to her, but trimm'd his Sails, and stood away from the _French_ Man; but _Monsieur_ having a Mind to be better informed who he was, set all his Sails, and crowded after him. During this Chace, the Pyrates were divided in their Resolutions what to do: _Vane_, the Captain, was for making off as fast as he could, alledging the Man of War was too strong to cope with; but one _John Rackam_, who was an Officer, that had a kind of a Check upon the Captain, rose up in Defence of a contrary Opinion, saying, _That tho' she had more Guns, and a greater Weight of Mettal, they might board her, and then the best Boys would carry the Day. Rackam_ was well seconded, and the Majority was for boarding; but _Vane_ urged, _That it was too rash and desperate an Enterprize, the Man of War appearing to be twice their Force; and that their Brigantine might be sunk by her before they could reach on board_. The Mate, one _Robert Deal_, was of _Vane_'s Opinion, as were about fifteen more, and all the rest joined with _Rackam_, the Quarter-Master. At length the Captain made use of his Power to determine this Dispute, which, in these Cases, is absolute and uncontroulable, by their own Laws, _viz_. in _fighting, chasing_, or _being chased_; in all other Matters whatsoever, he is governed by a Majority; so the Brigantine having the Heels, as they term it, of the _French_ Man, she came clear off.