Upon their Arrival at _Madagascar_, they put in at a Place on the East-Side, called _Maritan_, quitted their Vessel, and settled themselves ashore in a fruitful Plain on the Side of a River. They built themselves a Fort on the River's Mouth towards the Sea, and another small one on the other Side towards the Country; the first to prevent a Surprize from Shipping, and the other as a Security from the Natives, many of whom they employed in the Building. They built also a little Town for their Habitation, which took up the Remainder of the Year 1701.
When this was done, they soon became dissatisfied with their new Situation, having a hankering Mind after their old Employment, and accordingly resolved to fit up the Brigantine they had from the _Dutch_ at _Mauritius_, which was laid in a Cove near their Settlement, but an Accident, that they improved, provided for them in a better Manner, and saved them a great deal of Trouble.
It happened that about the beginning of the Year 1702, a Ship called the _Speedy Return_, belonging to the _Scotch-African_ and _East-India_ Company, Captain _Drummond_ Commander, came into the Port of _Maritan_ in _Madagascar_, with a Brigantine that belonged to her; they had before taken in Negroes at St. _Mary_'s, a little Island adjoining to the main Island of _Madagascar_, and carried them to Don _Mascarenhas_, from whence they sailed to this Port on the same Trade.
On the Ship's Arrival, Captain _Drummond_, with _Andrew Wilky_, his Surgeon, and several others of the Crew, went on Shore; in the mean while _John Bowen_, with four others of his Consorts, goes off in a little Boat, on Pretence of buying some of their Merchandize brought from _Europe_, and finding a fair Opportunity, the chief Mate, Boatswain, and a Hand or two more only upon the Deck, and the rest at Work in the Hold, they threw off their Mask; each drew out a Pistol and Hanger, and told them, they were all dead Men if they did not retire that Moment to the Cabin. The Surprize was sudden, and they thought it necessary to obey; one of the Pyrates placed himself Centry at the Door, with his Arms in his Hands, and the rest immediately laid the Hatches, and then made a Signal to their Fellows on Shore, as agreed on; upon which, about forty or fifty came on Board, and took quiet Possession of the Ship, and afterwards the Brigantine, without Bloodshed, or striking a Stroke.