The Empire of these Pyrates had not been long thus divided before they had like to have fallen into a civil War amongst themselves, which must have ended in the Destruction of one of them. The fatal Occasion of the Difference betwixt these two Brother Adventurers, was this;--It happened that _Vane_'s Liquor was all out, who sending to his Brother Captain for a Supply, _Rackham_ accordingly spared him what he thought fit; but it falling short of _Vane_'s Expectation, as to Quantity, he went on Board of _Rackham_'s Ship to expostulate the Matter with him, so that Words arising, _Rackham_ threaten'd to shoot him thro' the Head, if he did not immediately return to his own Ship; and told him likewise, that if he did not sheer off, and part Company, he would sink him.
_Vane_ thought it best to take his Advice, for he thought the other was bold enough to be as good as his Word, for he had it in his Power to be so, his Ship being the largest and strongest of the two.
Accordingly they parted, and _Rackham_ made for the Island of _Princes_, and having great Quantities of rich Goods on Board, taken in the late Prizes, they were divided into Lots, and he and his Crew shared them by throwing Dice, the highest Cast being to choose first: When they had done, they packed up their Goods in Casks, and buried them on Shore in the Island of _Princes_, that they might have Room for fresh Booty. In the mean Time it happened that a Turtle Sloop belonging to _Jamaica_ came in there, _Rackham_ sent his Boat, and brought the Master on Board of him, and asking him several Questions, the Master informed him, that War with _Spain_ had been proclaimed in _Jamaica_; and that the Time appointed by the general Pardon for Pyrates to surrender, in order to receive the Benefit thereof, was not expired.
Upon this Intelligence _Rackham_ and his Crew suddenly changed their Minds, and were resolved to take the Benefit of the Pardon by a speedy Surrender; wherefore, instead of using the Master ill, as the poor Man expected, they made him several Presents, desiring him to sail back to _Jamaica_, and acquaint the Governor they were willing to surrender, provided he would give his Word and Honour they should have the Benefit of the Pardon; which, as extensive as it was, they apprehended they were not intitled to, because they had run away in Defiance of it at _Providence_. They desired the Master also to return with the Governor's Answer, assuring him he should be no Loser by the Voyage.