From hence he steer'd to the _Malabar_ Coast, where he met _Bowen_ in his Prize, which mounted 56 Guns; here a Dispute arose, as shall be mention'd in the Appendix of _Bowen_'s Life, both Crews went on board _Bowen_, sunk the _Prosperous_, and burnt the _Scotch_ Ship, called the _Speedy Return_: Hence they stood along the Coast of _India_, and _Howard_, with about 20 more, landed with what they had, and retired among the Natives, where _Howard_ married a Woman of the Country, and being a morose ill natur'd Fellow, and using her ill, he was murder'd by her Relations.
This worthy Gentleman was an early Pyrate; we first find him a Boy on Board the Pyrate _Banister_, who was hang'd at the Yard Arm of a Man of War in sight of _Port-Royal_ in _Jamaica_. This _Lewis_ and another Boy were taken with him, and brought into the Island hanging by the Middle at the Mizzen-Peak. He had a great Aptitude for Languages, and spoke perfectly well that of the _Mosquill Indians_, the _French_, _Spanish_ and _English_. I mention our own, because it is doubted whether he was _French_ or _English_, for we cannot trace him back to his Original.
He sailed out of _Jamaica_ till he was a lusty Lad, and was then taken by the _Spaniards_ at the _Havana_, where he staid some Time; but at length he and six more ran away with a small Canoe, and surprized a _Spanish_ Periagua, out of which two Men joined them, so that they were now nine in Company: With this Periagua they suprized a Turtleing Sloop, and forced some of the Hands to take on with them, the others they sent away in the Periagua.
He play'd at this small Game, surprising and taking Coasters and Turtlers, till with forced Men and Voluntiers he made up a Complement of 40 Men.
With these he took a large Pink built Ship, bound from _Jamaica_ to the Bay of _Campeachy_, and after her several others bound to the said Bay; and having Intelligence that there lay in the Bay a fine _Bermudas_ built Brigantine of 10 Guns, commanded by Captain _Tucker_; he sent the Captain of the Pink to him with a Letter, the Purport of which was, that he wanted such a Brigantine, and if he would part with her, he would pay him honestly 10000 Pieces of Eight; if he refused this, he would take Care to lie in his Way, for he was resolved, either by fair or foul Means, to have the Vessel. Captain _Tucker_ having read the Letter, sent for the Masters of Vessels then lying in the Bay, and told them, after he had shewn the Letter, that if they would made him up 54 Men (for there were about 10 _Bermudas_ Sloops) he would go out and fight the Pyrates. They said, No, they would not hazard their Men, they depended on their Sailing, and every one must take Care of himself as well as he could.