We were no sooner clear of the proas than the order was given, "Ready about!" The helm was put down, and the ship came into the wind in a minute. As we came square with the two proas, all our larboard guns were given to them, and this ended the affair. I think the nearest of the rascals got it this time, for away she went, after her consort, both running off toward the islands. We made a little show of chasing, but it was only a feint; for we were too glad to get away from them, to be in earnest. In ten minutes after we tacked the last time, we ceased firing, having thrown some eight or ten round-shot after the proas, and were close-hauled again, heading to the southwest.
THE WONDERFUL FIGHT OF THE _EXCHANGE_ OF BRISTOL WITH THE PIRATES OF ALGIERS[4]
In the yeere 1621, the first of November, there was one _Iohn Rawlins_, borne in _Rochester_, and dwelling three and twenty yeere in _Plimmoth_, imployed to the Strait of _Gibraltar_, by Master _Richard_, and _Steven Treviles_, Merchants of Plimmoth, and fraighted in a Barke, called the _Nicholas_ of _Plimmoth_, of the burden of forty Tun, which had also in her company another ship of _Plimmoth_, called the _George Benaventure_ of seventy Tun burthen, or thereabouts; which by reason of her greatnesse beyond the other, I will name the _Admirall_; and _Iohn Rawlins_ Barke shall, if you please, be the _Vice-admirall_. These two according to the time of the yeere, had a faire passage, and by the eighteenth of the same moneth came to a place at the entring of the straits, named _Trafflegar_: but the next morning, being in the sight of _Gibraltar_, at the very mouth of the straits, the watch descried five saile of ships, who as it seemed, used all the means they could to come neere us, and we as we had cause, used the same means to go as farre from them: yet did their _Admirall_ take in both his top sailes, that either we might not suspect them, or that his owne company might come up the closer together. At last perceiving us _Christians_, they fell from devices to apparent discovery of hostility, and making out against us: we againe suspecting them Pirats, tooke our course to escape from them, and made all the sailes we possibly could for _Tirriff_, or _Gibraltar_: but all we could doe, could not prevent their approach. For suddenly one of them came right over against us to wind-ward, and so fell upon our quarter: another came upon our luffe, and so threatened us there, and at last all five chased us, making great speed to surprise us.
