Ward and Danseker, Two notorious pirates Ward an Englishman, and Danseker a Dutchman.  
With a true relation of all or the most Piraces by them committed unto the sixth of april. 1609.  
 
Printed at London for N. Butter and to be sold at his shop, at the sign of the pied Bull. 1609.   


Wards skiff when he was a Fisherman.  
The charity of London of M. Megs twice taken.    

afterwards first Fight going forth from plymouth in a man of war,& of his practices& proceedings in the Streights, and of his coming to Argier. Chap. 1.  
THis Ward, as base in Birth as bad in condition, in the last, year of her late majesties reign gave the first onset to his wicked intendements: his parentage was but mean, his estate low, and his hope less. His profession was a fisherman of Feuersham in Kent, though his pride at last would be confined to no limits, nor any thing would serve him but the wide Ocean to walk in. In this wicked resolution, he set forth from Feuersham in a small Catch towards plymouth.  
He stayed not long there, but he betook himself to the Streights, where lying off and on the Southward scape, called Saint Vincent, he took a small Pincke of some four score tun: with here making a continuance of his course, and setting forward his wicked purposes, to the trial of their fortunes, he took also another small vessel called a Setty: and her he brought out of the Streights into Argier even at that time when as the Turkes Gallies should haue been burnt, Howbeit the practise took not effect vpon the Turkes, but that the Turkes gave the overthrow to that assault. Insomuch as thirteen of the English were put to death for that attempt▪ that were under the command of captain Gifford an English Pirate, and some four score of Wards company at that time imprisoned also for the same fact.  
But Ward having gotten much money at Sea, and greatly enriched himself with unlawful purchase by his Setty, joins with certain I●n●saries, promises a sum of money, and so procures the peace and enlargement of his followers. This is the first of Wards proceedings in the Streights, till he came into the Turkish Dominions.   

Of Wards setting forth from Argier into the Streights, and his taking a man of war of Malta. Chap. 2  
THis Ward had a vail for every vanity: and the custom of his wicked practices, had clean taken away the feeling of his wickedness. All his felicity was placed in the prosecuting of mischief, he neither mistrusteth present death, nor feareth daungerous endurance, or menaces of torments, so the bark of his hope may but ride at anchor, that is wasted instreames of spoil and ruin: every pecrill undertaken in his unnatural actions, seems pleasant to him, every reproach honourable, every doubt delightsome, yea the very wounds that come by occasions of others harms, seem voided of smart unto him. His life is nothing but a continual battle and defiance with Christians, with whom he ought to make his best peace, His sences are as so many swords that fight against him, his words so many blows, his deeds so many wounds.  
He stayed not long in Argier but his heart was on fire, till he had made proof of the fortunes of his Setty, for he had now left the Catch he came forth in, and made the Setty( which he took) his man of war: with her he went from Argier towards the bottom of the Streights, or about Scicilli● or Malta, where understanding there was a man of war of Malta set forth on purpose to take him, he began, to bestir himself, for his desires admitted no limitation, nor could he persuade his mind to submit his neck to any servile yoke. The law of nature( quoth he) allows every man to defend himself being assailed and to withstand force by force, and in that resolution opposeth himself against the force of his enemy. Many assaults were made, and several showers of shot sent forth on both sides, yet the forces of Ward did so far disanimate the Maltan, as the edge of his courage was clean taken away and forced to submit himself to the mercy of his enemy Ward that in all his intentions aimd at nothing more then to strengthen himself with men munition and money, to gain success to his attempts, having gotten the vpper hand in this encounter, made purchase of what he found, and left it to the choice of such as were taken in her, either to be resolved to subject themselves to his service, or submit their necks to the stroke of death. Of the two they rather choose the first, as hoping after a long time of enforced servitude, to obtain an unexpected freedom and teleasement. Ward by this purchase( the ship of Malta being well manned) did ad much power to his former strength, and therefore sailing from thence he bended his course to Tunis, where he intended to victual his ship, and to provide himself to the like wicked employments.   

Ward having stayed a while at Tunis and victualled himself, sets forth again to Ciprus, and takes his first argosy of Venice. Chap. 3.  
DVring the time of his stay at Tunis, his march was stil under the mask of vanity, and folly attended upon all his actions. He never thought on the service of God, but as trajan numbered not that day amongst the date of his life wherein he had not done something worthy of memory, so he held that Neran●●●d●es wherein he did not triumph in the doing of some notable villainy. Thus as the sea might by experience relate his spoils and cruelty, so the land was an eye witness of his drunkenness and idle prodigallity.  
He made no long abode there, before he put on the habit of his former resolutions, and having vi●tualed the said Malta man of war, he set forth from Tunis to Ciprus: here he lay hovering up and down for purchase, but initium malorum haec: These are but smokes in respect of the ensuing fires, wherewith he burnt and consumed the goods of many Christians, for every day he had new inventions for effecting his villainous attempts, every day new projects to obtain purchase: and as often as fashions alter, so often doth he alter his Stratagems, and hath new plots to make prey of other mens goods and labours.  
here he met with his first argosy of Venice, which after he had subdued, being a ship of nine hundreth tun, and very rich, and that he had seized vpon her,& sworn her men to that subiection which he did them of Malta: he brought her to Tunis and made sale of all her goods having by great gifts and large promises made the great turk so much his friend, as that he had free recourse and liberty, to make merchandise of what purchase soever he got and brought into the country. And by this also the Turkes much enriching themselves, are not a little pleased with Wards continual concourse into those parts. This was the first argosy he took, and now being much stronger then he was before, having left the Catch in which he came from Feuersham to plymouth, his Pincke also, his Setty, and the Malta man of war: he makes his argosy his vessel of war, and in her he performs his other spoils and exploits.   

Wards being in Tunis with this argosy, and his travail with her towards Candy, where he took another argosy also of Venice. Chap 4.  
AT this time Ward made his continuance and abode in Tunis for 5. monthes, where he spent his time in his accustomend riotous and lascivious manner. His licentious liberty so ouer-maistered his reason, and conquered the good that should remain in the mind and inclination of a Christian, that the strength and power of all virtuous or good thoughts, were taken from him, so as he was diverted and abased to most vile actions, clothing his mind with the most ugly abiliments that either pride, Luxury, or Cruelty can produce from the blindness of unruly desires: his chief of trust in his practices, was one Bishop, whom he employed as his 'vice admiral, giuing him his full authority to go forth and bring in prizes at his pleasure: with him one John Brian of lime in the west country was master.  
under Ward▪ james proctor of Southampton, and John Fr●●h of plymouth were his chief Gunners These were his true and trusty associates in all his false and wicked proceedings: with these and with his other fellowes, making that argosy his man of war, he went again to the southermost part of Candy, betwixt which and the southermost part of Ciprus, he took his other great Argosie being likewise a vessel of Venice, and a vessel also of nine hundreth tun, or thereabouts. This Argosie came in like manner to surprise Ward▪ and to repel his forces, having another of lesser burden in her company: which he perceiving added a further desire to his aspiring mind, and set his thoughts on work vpon such other attempts as he soon gave discouragement to his adversary, and brought her to subiection.  
The lesser Argosie seeing her to be vanquished and over: come, and to rest at the command of captain Ward and his company, gave way to necessity and made a speedy and sudden flight away, which the Venetian, took in such disgratious maner, as that the master was adiudged to death for the same: no other infliction was thought a sufficient punishment for forsaking his company, and leaving them to the spoil of a merciless enemy▪ This great ●rgosie, he likewise brought to Tunis making havoc of what she had, and selling her goods, which were thought if thy had been sold to their value, to had been worth four score or an hundred thousand pounds.   

His going on his course, his lying about the gulf of Venice, where many were cast away by foul weather. Chap. 5.  
AFter the flight of these Venetians, and the sale of their goods aforesaid, and that Ward in his consultations had aduisd himself what his next course should be, it was thought best that he should go forth in course and at randon, and make pray and spoil of whom soever they met. having the last great argosy of Venice his admiral, and a fly boat of three hundred Tun, his 'vice admiral. In this resolve lying off& on,( as he did then) about the gulf of Venice, an accident befell worthy note, for example, and may be a warning in the like headstrong and irregular enterprises. There happened a great storm, and tempest, and the ship being overcharged with ordnance,& cutting away her timber to make more ports to place ordnance, he so weakened his ship, that meeting the same foul weather, the rage of wind and Sea was so great as his argosy was filled with waves, her tacklings, sails, and Anchors lost and the violent storm so dashed her bulks and bruised her bottom, as she was made altogether unfit, and unable for resistance, and so was sunk, and cast away. His master was one Master Grafton: in her there were some four score English men and three hundred Turkes, all drowned and that last their lives. Some four dayes before this tempest this Ward with his lieutenant one William Graues a trumpeter forsook the great argosy by reason that the Turks being so many in number, took vpon them to bear too great a sway, and grew too peremptory and insolent, which the haughtiness of Wards mind could not any way brook or digest, and went unto the 'vice admiral▪ and so saved his life and scaped that danger.  
This loss was so great, that it was accounted the first of adverse fortunes that happened unto him in al his proceedings and it was observed by some in his company that were a little better minded then the rest, and adiudged an efficient that breathed hope and life into them, if they would leave the pursuit of their unlawful living, and forsake their impious and detestable courses, in which they had been so graceless and general offenders, and trespassers against the Princes and subiects of most nations, as France, spain, Italy, Germany Barbary &c.  
But Ward soon changed their mindes from these good motions, for he that was so obdurate from all goodness himself, could not endure to perceive any relenting spirits in others.  
Graues,( his liefetennant) was very inward with him, and one that among the rest might do most with him, yet in their contentions, and falling out at their feastings& Bachanals, would often revile Ward, calling him boor, and Oyster-catcher, and upbraid him with the mean baseness of his beginning, and would often tel him that if it should one day be his fortune to kill him( as he thought it would) he doubted not but God would presently sand an angel from heaven to carry him immediately thither for depriving the earth of such a villainous creature.   

Sir Anthony shirley hearing of this Ward sent letters unto him to dissuade him from this detestable life. Chap. 6  
SIr Anthony shirley, in july 1607. came from Genoa to Naples, being in employment from the King of spain, and made his admiral for all the Leuant Seas, was royally feasted and entertained by the Neopolitans. From thence Sir Anthony sent his letter to Ward directed to Tunis( where Ward was then resident) to dissuade him from that wicked and villainous manner of living, and the rather( he  told him) he was persuaded to urge him to it for that he was his country man, or( which is most of all) for that he was a Christian: aleaging the incumbent pain in the world to come for every senses pleasure in this life, and promising to do the utmost of his power to effect his peace with all people if he might but prevail to call him in, or to be the happy means to entice him, rather to serve and bear arms with the Christians against the turk, then to do the turk service, or by the robbing or spailing of Christians to enrich him or his dominions: But what bootes words to deaf eats, or aleadgment of reason to such as are wilfully bent to follow mischief? what though he be able to triumph in his chains of gold, in his jewels of pearl and precious ston, or his other riches won and got by capine and Theft and the spoil of others? What though he be able yet to boast of freedom, when every thread about him is a manifest mark of his captivity like to happen? and when his sense, body and mind, is servile to his own sensuality? It is with him, as with those who on the one side, by their bravery seem great and mighty, when if you consider on the other side their slavish actions, their base and villainous filthiness, and their daily drudgery in sinful enterprises: you cannot but deem them extremely miserable that are enthralled in so heavy a bondage of conscience. well, no persuasions would take effect with Ward to seduce him from those courses, or to draw him to a lawful and regular kind of life, but that continuing his first resolutions, he made answer that he would give no credit to any faire premises, or hazard his life on the hope of words, but would rather venture himself among the Turks, then into the hands of Christians.  
Danseker at this time associated Ward, who having taken a Spanish Caruill, and understanding of Sir Anthonies letter sent to Ward, reprehending the life he lead and persuading him to succease the same, releases his caruell unto the merchant and master, and sets it free again, but vpon this condition and charge delivered unto them, by oath of the holy sacrament: that is, that they should tell Sir Anthony he meant to lie about the mouth of the streights, some 2. or 3. daies, i● he dared to come to remove him. This was the pride of his mind, this was( as he thought) a reurnge for the letter, and in maner of a challenge upon the same.  
At this time also that Danseker was Wards companion, there lived with him one Robert Roupe, Tiball Su●bridge, and one Longcastle, very resolute fellowes, and far more fit for better employments: they weer very strong, and when they met together, were able to put to flight a great fleet and to make( as they did) much spoil and havoc.   

How Ward served one Fisher of Redriffe master and owner of a ship, by whom he sent money to his wife. Chap. 7  
THere haue been diuers and various reports of wards inritching his friends, especially his wife, by sending gifts unto her: the truth whereof is not known, howbeit it may well be perceived and conjectured by the estate she bears,( which is very poor) that those reports are untrue, and that he sent nothing to his wife, or if any thing that then it failed in the carriage: as this did, which is credibly reported for truth. That Ward and Fisher meeting together in the Streights, about September last, after many conferrences, and speeches past betweens them. Amongst which Ward perceived that Fisher was bound for England, Ward delivered unto him the value of one hundreth pounds, to be given to his wife, and others likewise of the company( according to their abilities) delivered Fisher money for their wives and friends, upon his faithful promises to see the same performed.  
Fisher possessed of these several sums of money, was better fraught homeward then he made account he should haue been: howbeit he neglected that office and duty that he was put in trust to do: Ward by some means or other had notice of this false measure, which he meant he should neither carry to hell nor to heaven at their next meeting, which was not long after. For Fisher being employed in a Marchants ship, Ward hales him to him in the Streights, and at his coming, questions with him about his wife, and whether he had delivered the hundreth pounds he sent by him: Fisher affirmd that he had, but he knowing the contrary& charging him with it Fisher could not greatly deny it, ward thought to pay himself for his loss before they partend,& made more a do but entred his ship, and dispossessed him of all such goods as he was fraught with, leaving him to take what order,& to make what reckoning he could with the merchant, and giuing peaceable departure to him and his company.  
This strooke Fisher into a deep quandary, yet he knew not how to mend himself: but after the ships were clear, he began to revile and rail against Ward and to give him bad and discontented speeches, which stood not with Wards mind and resolution to brook, or put up, so as he presently fitted himself and boarded him again: this encounter was worse then the first, for it was deadly. He was no sooner possessed of him, but full of fury and impatience, he cause him to be very vildely handled, and after he had duckt him at his yard arm, he took his life also from him. The rest of Fishers company, he gave liberty to choose whether they would serve him, or follow the way their master went before them. The fellowes in this case of extremity, knew not well which part to take, for that i● them both they found doubt and danger, yet at last resolved vpon the first, and so being sworn to be true unto him, he gave them admittance and entectaïnement.   

How Ward made laws for the government of his ship, and was the first breaker of them, upon which arose a mutiny. Chap. 8  
HIs laws were, that in several places in his ships, there should be wine sold, as familiarly as there is in taverns on land: but with this law( which himself made) that if any one in his drunkenness, or otherwise falling out, should kill or stab any man in that disorder, he should presently be bound to the dead mans back and both cast into the Sea. The law-maker was here the law breaker, for in the fury of his heat, in drinking he suddenly stabbed one West a maisters mate in the ship: upon which, some threescore of his other men knowing the danger of their own estates, if they should pass that abuse, without exception, began a dangerous mutiny against him: and plainly  told him, that they would be no longer under his command, and did absolutely refuse to follow those headstrong courses and deteastable plots which he had practised, respecting nothing but to satisfy his longing hopes, and cruel condition, perfa● aut nef●s by any ways or means whatsoever. Ward was much perplexed with the contemptuous and unruly behaviour of his men in his own ship, and first used threats and menaces befiting his place and command: but the mutiny being amongst so many, he thought he did but add fuel to that fire, that raged so sore in the minds and tongues of his mutinous company, so that he was enforced at last to leave all extent of the authority of a commander, and as a common and private person with continuance unanswerable to his mind, in mildred terms to entreat thē to disist,& surcease their impatience: vowing amendment and satisfaction, for what his over sight had committed rashly: which appeased them all for that time, howbeit it was like to haue proved very daungerous to their general estate, had not good words so easily pacified it.   

How he rejected Longcastle that called him to prayers in a time of tempest. Chap. 9.  
WArd and his company being thus again incorporated, and as it were mixed together in opinion of riot and disorder, pampering and fatting themselves with the poison of their souls, began to put on another resolution of purchase, and spoil, in any cost, or by any preposterous course whatsoever. And riding to that purpose in the streights under Sarecota. there fell a great storm of lightning, and thunder, by which foul weather, he was put from al Cables and anchors but one: notwithstanding which extremity of Tempest, he was deeply drinking in his accuomed manner.  
They all perceived they were in imminent danger, and thereupon one Longcastle then follower of his,& some others likewise of his company called him to go to prayers, as necessity of the time required: but such were his distempered passions, and the frantic error of his own will, bent all to mischief, that the heat thereof inflames like burning ordor, and sets the soul on fire to pursue all things from God and goodness,& nearest unto those things that are opposite and contrary unto reason: he bad them pray that would pray, for his own part he neither feared God nor the devill. Thus was his heart hardened with sin, neither willing nor able to embrace any aduise or counsel.   

Of his strength of ships at Sea, the manner of his guard and how he came to Tunis. Chap. 10.  
HE having grown very rich by the spoil of many nations, crept into their favours by his often coming to Tunis, to make sale of such goods as he made wrongful purchase of at sea, which liberty he had by all toleration, and allowance from the great turk, so as he might go and come at his pleasure, for they had them at such prizes, as they made great profit of them, insomuch that the Viceroy of Tunis gave him a large piece of ground, that sometimes before was an old Castle, and all the ston that belonged unto it, vpon which it is reported he hath built a very stately house, far more fit for a Prince, then a pirate: By Sea he is thought to be of the strength of three or four and twenty sail of ships, he is guarded at sea in a Cabin with a double guard of 12. Turkes, always standing at his cabin door, in the name of his court a guard: His respect and regard is reported to be such with the great turk, as he is made equal in estimation with the Bashaw.  
But these honors are like letters written in the sand, which are blown away with every gust of wind, and in the end shall prove sorrows to his heart, being paind with a thousand passions, and siung with a continual gnawing of conscience, for committing so many impieties, and doing such open wrongs and injuries, to many thousands of men, women and children, whom he hath brought to unrecoverable distress, by his rapines, spoils and robberies.   

A Letter sent from the Masters of certain ships to the worshipful Owners, the Merchants of London: of what hath happened by him and bis confederates to the sixth of april. 1609.  
being by you employed( our right worshipful Masters) in your several ships, called the Charity▪ and the pearl of London, for your several adventures beyond the Streights, wherein we are bound as well to offer our bodies and lives to enlarge our own fortunes, as to increase your possessions: and having found for a reasonable season our voyage to succeed so prosperously, that it gave us encouragement to go on, even to the utmost of our Commission: wee now your more careful( although at that time your most cheerful) seruants, at Grand Malliga, had laid our Paper ready, and with our pens full of that Iuce, to haue registered Letters, at the reading of which your heart should haue tickled with ioy, so inconstant is fortune, so transitory is the state of man, so mutable are the seasons, and so lamentable are the travels of Sea faring men. That Tempora mutantur,& nos mutamur cum illis. And from lisbon we are now enforced to writ, and we must entreat you with patience to red, of nothing but of the worlds Period makers, Death& Disteny: of sorrow in stead of prosperous success: of our lamentation at Sea, oinstead of bringing profit to shore: and of directing tears to the eyes of our wives, who were ordained as Fathers for the feeding of our children.  
Yet, least I should so much discomfort you in the beginning that it should prove burdensome unto you to red the accidents of the end: we will in this, play the physicians with you, who give a mild preparative before a sour potion: wherein we promise unto you, that although our fortunes be most wretched, yet are they not in the half degree so miserable as our neighbours. For whereas of English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, nay even all the Christian nations, they haue lost all that ever they were owners of, and their bodies condemned to perpetual slavery, Yet happens it not so desperate with us, notwithstanding we were held in chase thrice, and taken twice, whereby we lost all wee might call our own, since we are by the grace and love of God to us, bringing home ourselves,& part of that we haue in charge of yours. The truth and manner how, I pray you thus understand.  
The 15. of March last past, we put out off the road of Ancona, and according to our English proverb, transported ourselves from forth a false Bay, to an infortunate Sea: so that having a faire and prosperous wind, in six daies wee cleared out of the mouth of the gulf, when presently( although it proved otherwise) we thought it happiness to meet M. Lewes of Lime▪ house, in the pearl( which was M. Pa●isons) with whom as rejoicing one at anothers company) for the safety of all, we desired to be consorted, so that both consenting with this flattering wind that never forsook us until we anchored safe as high as Carthagenia, near adjoining to scape Paul, and by the advantage of which, we had run in 15. daies almost 500 leagues with a Leuant, which is as much as to express to him that understands not the word, when the wind is north-east: and as they call it a Penent, when it blows Southeast: a thing in these Seas chancing, is by all and the best mariners accounted very rare and wonderful: which prosperous and hopeful promising passage was by all of us accounted great advantage, since that nothing could happen( although much industry desired) that might stand more available to the furtherance of our voyage to good effect.  
But it is a saying no less common, then commonly proved true, that many things happen between the cup and the lip, man purposeth and God disposeth: that who trusts himself vpon the pinnacles of fortune, is most readiest to fall under the tempest of ruin: that when good hap and hope, health and wealth are at the highest, and like the glorious morning sun, is up so early to awake us, with the promise of a delightful day, yet even then immediately, by the over charging of the clouds, the day is overcast, and our expectation frustrate, the Sun hath forsook his promise to lend us his beams, calmness is turned to tempests, and the fairness we had but hope on, is turned to fearfulness, we had proof once, even such was our hopeful estate, end so sudden was our alteration. For having gotten with this faire wind so high as scape Paul, the wind presently began to be more dull and calm, and shortly after to chop up westerly( whith was against us) when neither hands nor minds being idle, we plied it off from the scape as the wind would give us leave for our best advantage. In which pains having spent some time, and being that day the third of april, at length we descried three sail of ships, whom we after proved to be confederates of Wards, and within two hours after perceived without any amazement, as yet having no cause to mistrust them that they had us in chase, but in the effect they being clean vessels, by which it appeared they were newly come out of harbour, and which helped them to be of better speed, then our consort the pearl, they came first up to him, and in conclusion made him strike sail, but we being of better swiftness( and having seen what they had offered, it was no boot to bid us make hast) so that we gave our vessel all the sail wee could, but to a bootless purpose, for after long chase, they came up also to us, and being each within the understanding of the other, they called aloude to us, and bad us amain for the great turk their Master, to whom wee answered, that we were Englishmen and Christians, who whilst we had either power or ability to resist, would not peasantlike yield up our freedom to any Pa●an breathing: But what of all things we least doubted,( seeing they who hailed us were Turkes) it was th●● C●●●●●ians and our Countrymen, should do services amongst Infidels.  
Yet for certain it proved contrary, namely, that all the sailors and Seafaring men within these three ships, to wit of the admiral, Vizeadmirall, and Reare-Admirall, were all of them Englishmen, and all or most of them known to our Master, M. Daniel Banister, and to diuers of our Company.  
Namely one links Master of the admiral.  
One Powel of their Vize-Admirall.  
And one Foxeley an ancient man of their Reare-Admirall.  
The last of which most sternely looking up, as strernely told us, that if we would not presently strike our Topsaile, thereby to show our yielding was immediate, they would lay us directly aboard with their ships, and as readily sink vs.  
When we as resolute to repel, as our enemies were ready to offer, boldly answered them, that if they were as constant as their speech, to lay us aboard, wee willed them to come on, for we were fitted to bid them welcome. But such a hote entertainment should they find, as all the water that bare them, should hardly bring them into a cool temper again, being then indeed purposely minded( finding little comfort by resistance, and no assurance to escape,) to burn ourselves and them together.  
When they understanding our intent, by the boldness of our answer, compassed us about on every side, with preparation to fight, and at length to sink us with their ordinance, being so well enabled for such a dead purpose, as Turkish pirates( before this our calamity) haue been never heard to be so strongly furnished.  
But to our purpose, we seeing them so ready for the encounter, neglected nothing of the strength wee had to fortify us for our defence, some of us managing all things fitly beneath, whilst that others lined all things readily above: every man of us having made his soul fit for heaven,& commending his body to a watery grave. So that wee beseech you now to conceive, that wee had fitted our netting, hung out our drablers, and that you see us ready for a Sea sight, we having little but faithfulness and courage to withstand them, and they like a violent Sea ready to beate against an vnfortified shore, where the weakest must of force be overthrown.  
So that as they were ready to call vpon us in fire, and we as furnished to make answer in flamme, there were diuers Englishmen among them( whom they had taken before) imprisoned in chains like slaves, and condemned to perpetual slavery, in pitty of us belike, finding it unprofitable( it should seem) to complain for themselves, with tears in their eyes, which shewed they had sorrow in their hearts, who cried and called alcude unto us( and specially to our Master, M. Banister, by name) that as we were men, as we tendered our own safeties: If wee had a desire to see our country again: if wee had parents to mourn for their sons, wives to lament for their husbands or children to cry out for their fathers, not to shoot so much as the voice of one small shot against them: for if we did, such as was their sentence such should bee our ends, continual thraldom. For this was a decree amongst them( which they had established should stand irrevocable) that what Christian soever they met,( be he of what Country soever) if he submitted not vpon the first summons, or durst bee so hardy, as to out-dare them with the least blast of breath: ●f●e were taken he should bee a slave, if not taken, they would sink them in the sea. For our partes( quoth they) we haue had our sentence, wee feel the affliction, we can hope for no releasement, and therfore are compelled to be content.  far, quam sortem patiuntur omnes, nemo recusat. 
What all suffers no man refuseth to suffer You are our countrymen, yet we desire not your company, although it be a comfort to think:  Solamen miseris socios hab●issed doloris. 
But we admonish you as brothers& desire you to remember.  Foelix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum. 
We haue withstood them as you may do, which hath brought us into slavery, as you shall bee: Oh be advised then, before you fall, and seek to save yourselves before you perish.  
But if you think it not necessary to bee advised by our admonition▪ or your resolution be such, to prefer an honourable death before a dishonourable peace then fight it out bravely, while you haue any refuge of life▪ or that your ship hath any safety wherewithal to swim, since that death is the easiest task, the which you now haue in hand.  
With which words of theirs, even the Infidels themselves being moved to compassion, by which you may judge( seeing no other safety but destruction) that wee had reason to bee driven into consideration of our states, so that after a second summons we had parley with those our desperate enemies, for the space of an hour, the end and purpose was, Whether we would yield for our liberties, or give our bodies to the Sea: when we considering how unequally wee were matched, being encompassed round about and assaulted with three ships, the admiral carrying 30. pieces of Ordinance, and the other two wherewith they were consorted, having 28. a piece: beside six hundreth Turkes with small shot, who are held the best shot in the world, we being but 20. men, and our ship bearing but a 11. pieces of Ordinance, wee struck our sails and yielded, holding it more discretion to stand to their mercy for our liberties, whom we had no ability to confounded, then desperately and wilfully to destroy ourselves, and the estate we had of yours.  
Thus after our yielding, Sir, they presently boarded us, and commanded that our master, and eleven of our Company were carried aboard their admiral, where after consultation had amongst them,& we severally dispersed into their ships, and diuers appointed to go aboard of ours, it being almost dark, when we were taken, we were for that night guarded, and every man having his sentinel to watch him.  
The next Morning the Captaines of the men of war consulted, how to dispose of us and our ships, where, in this misfortune it fortunately fell out, that our Master having in former Voyages, much used the Trade of transporting of Passengers, from Argier, and Tunis, to Alexandria, and Constantinople, he seemed well to be remembered by many of these Pirates( who more then we expected lamenting our case) informed their captain, what service heretofore our Master had done to their Nation, as also what courtesy both themselves, and diuers of their friends had received at his hands, that our ship was not a stranger unto them, for our Master had brought in her the last Voyage, be great Bashaw of Tunis, from Constantinople to Tunis.  
Which fortunate accident, was one and the chief cause, that you shall see your vessel again, or, we our country and Families: and another, that our ship was laden with corn, which they utterly neglected, as a commodity unworthy of them. In brief, the end of their consultation was, that our ship should be restored: which understood by the souldiers( I beseech you, let it not grieve you to red, what with terror we did behold) how they presently came aboard us, fell violently to ransake: piliging our traffic, cutting down our Cabbens, and stauing our chests to pieces, leaving us nothing to call our own, but what we had on our backs, they took away all the powder we had, saving what our Ordinance was laden withall, leaving us not so much beside, as would preyne one piece. They bereft us of most of our great shot, all our muskets, all our small shot, our match, pikes, ladles, sponges, rapiers, swords, daggers of all necessary munition for defence whatsoever: leaving nothing with us( what necessity so ever should sueccéed) but the vast sea, and the unconstant winds to defend vs.  
Neither seemed this cruelty to them sufficient, but as they were about to leave us, having as it were bethought them of some new encounter, they violently came back, at whose return( building no great confidence in the promises of Turkes and pirates) we expected either slaughter or slavery: But contrary to our expectation( although bad) better was their purpose namely to tear from us part of our sails and Tacklings, to take from us our beef, Cables, all our Butter, and cheese, Rise, and oil, so that although they gave us liberty they would not leave us without languishment, although they could find in their harts to bid us farewell, yet they would do the best in them consisted, to famish us ere we could come home. Inbriefe, we were left nothing to defend us, little or nothing to feed us, misery enough to torment us, so that to your charitable considerations, we submit our lamentable cause by yourselves, but to be adiudged in what distress they left vs.  
But ere I shall proceed to drive you into wonder; by relating all our succeeding accidents: I beseech you let me with your patience to deliver at full what hath happened in this.  
First, you cannot forget( I am certain) that I related unto you, that vpon our first yielding, diuers of us were conveyed a board of their ships, and many of them( as well Turkes as English) shifted unto ours, every man of us having for the first night his sentinel appointed to guard him: where having little mind to sleep, who were in doubt every minute to haue our threats cut. Our purpose is to deliver what with waking eyes we were witnesses of in this nights imprisonment. The English men being the first that boarded us, they demmaund of us with what was her lading, to whom wee answered, the the whole for the merchant was corn, besides wee had every one some little particular venture for ourselves or our friends: The which being matters of no value, we desired& hoped they would not make prey of, to which they answered, it was no way their intents, neither was it their captain captain Wards pleasure, that any private Sea faring mans venture should be any way hintered by him or his confederates. Wherefore quoth they, lest these Turkes, whom I toubt not but you haue heard to bee cruel enough, and as the affairs with you now stand, haue as much command or more then ourselves: if you haue any thing that you would defend from their gripe, deliver it in trust to us, and as we are your countrymen, while wee continue together, wee will see it faithfully reserved, and vpon your free discharge, restored to you at full: With this pit-fall poor birds were we caught: so that partly with fear not to dare to distrust them, and partly with hope to reserve somewhat, who were certain we had lost all, every man distributed unto them what he had, namely of our needful shift of apparel, to wi●te linen and woollen, and our Master M. Banister, who was to go aboard of them, even his whole provision, to the silver whistle and chain about his neck, so that all that every man had, he might say it was on his back: Still hoping that theeues might prove to be men of their words, and that there might bee found some conscience in them, because they were our countrymen. In short this was the success of it, when we found ourselves to be discharged, every man began to inquire for him, to whom he had delivered, but non est inventus, they were stolen away in the night, and our own countrymen had made us their Cosens. So that being thus cheated of al our shift whatsoever, the occurrence of which at Sea, I know you need not be remembered off, we began to complain us of our wrong, to the Turkes, and implored their assistance, who strait made us this answer, since our own nation had served us so unchristianly, what conscience were it in them to be courteous unto us? at which could comfort Sir, every man began to shrink already, since that for want of shift he knew he should bee lousy before he got home, but Necessitas non habet legem, and when there is no remedy to be had, it is but bootles to make resistance.  
By this time our master and his company( I beseech you understand) are discharged and sent back again, and our Consorts men put into us, so that when they saw they could take no more, they heaved up their hands and bad us be gone, onely in our sight directing our Consorts ship the pearl for Tunes.  
If any man shall further ask of you what entertainment our own countrymen gave us, since you had before to understand, that the Master, Maisters mate, Bosons, nay all their Sea faring men were Englishmen, truly I must report to you they used us well, I and so well that the devill in the habit of a turk, would not haue used us worse, for having had that which they expected, they could by no means afford us good words, and with much a do allow us bread and water. Now if this were not courtesy from our own countrymen, I hope there is no man will expect further evidence.  
But by the way, I beseech you to understand, that when we had proved it for certain, that Nullus ad amissas ibit, &c. When wee saw there was no remedy, but for safety wee must submit, every one of us, so far as the occasion of time would permit, endeavoured to make the best shift as he could for himself, which was to convey in secret the particular commodities& adventures both of our own and others of our especial friends at home, and which purpose of ours( before they had boarded us) with much industry we had purchased, stowing some of them deep amongst the corn, and ordering the rest, some in one place, some in another, where we thought it might be the most guarded from their search.  
But like the devill, having broad eyes and quickesighted, they look far, and little is done that can be concealed from them, and I hope you will not deny but these are of his near acquaintance, so that bee wee as chary as ere we could( this gallimaufry of rogues I dare now call them so, being indeed more renegadoes than Turkes, for what conference wee had wee received from them in Italian) they did such remige in every corner, that they were ouerlookers of all, and what they did find which they thought not unworthy to bee contemned for the taking, they held it discourtesy to leave it aboard, it was unnecessary to bewail unto them, this is the Marchants, this is our own, or this is our friends, for whatsoever they liked and laid hands on( being all sharers) they cried one to another, this is for us, vlira posse non est esse, their will is a law, they are free men of the Sea, and their liberty must haue no resistance.  
In brief, we beseech you to conceive, that you see us partend, and whereas, it is continued as a commendable custom, for every man to be sorry for his particular losses, it is now contrary with us, for we were glad even to our souls, when wee had lost them, and our eyes had bid them hearty farewell, yet had we not the heart to shake hands together, we were not a little glad when we looked back, and saw them as far a stern as we could descry them but we were glad indeed, when we beholded for certain that we discerned them not at all, so that for that night we were out of Ken the one of the other.  
But the morning after by break of the day( although to our cold comfort) we might espy they were come up within a mile of us again, in which pensiveness wee might perceive( as they formerly had had us, so there was a Frenchman had now found they had him in chase, who first using the best wings he had for his escape, but to a fruitless purpose, and after resisting them by an honourable fight, yet to as bootless an end, for that as wee were formerly forewarned, he would not vail his topsaile, and submit at their first shot: but trusting to their own ableness, stood out till they were surprised: our eyes were made witnesses that they took the Merchant and the Master,& hanged them up at their yard arms, and as before they had sent away one of ours so they commanded away his ship to Tunis, and made slaves of all the rest of the company, being fourscore and four men in her: the pittifulnesse of which spectacle, wee being in the view of beholding, would haue compelled any but such hated villains, even with tears for to haue lamented.  
here might you haue seen the poor captives kneeling for pitty, while the conquerors triumphing over them, bound them back to back. here might you haue beholded the eyes of the one full of sorrow, entreating for compassion, whilst the other even in their faces did fléere at their calamity, this we viewed(& notwithout much pity) had happened unto them: this we knew had we not yielded, must haue befallen unto vs. Théeuing is their living, blood is their exercise, tyranny is their practise: Christians are turned Turkes, and Turks are the sons of devils, then what good can be expected from them? O what a lamentation is this, in one minute by the cruelty of villains four-score and four Fathers shall be bereft of their sons, so many wives be bereft of their husbands, and no doubt so many Children be dispoild of their parents: a calamity so exceeding, that me thinks, even but at the report thereof, all christendom should be made up into one hand for the reuenge thereof.  
But well a day, this tragedy is acted, death and slavery hath usurped vpon these Innocents, well might we pity them, but we knew we could no way prevail to their help, so they neither making to us, nor wee desirous to haue more acquaintance with them, away steard we for the shore, and joyful men we were you must think, having now nothing to loose but our lives, where we were clear of them the second time.  
But who is desirous to shun Scilla doth commonly fall vpon Caribdis, who carefully strives to avoid a dangerous rock doth often fall vpon more devouring sands: one mischance doth seldom or never come, but there succéedes an other as his inheritor, or according to our English proverb, we strive out of Gods blessing into the warm sun: even so it fared with vs. for the very next day after we had discharged ourselves of bad, we were subject to fall into the jaws of worse, being now most eagerly pursued by a bloody Frenchman of war, and a Pirate like the other, of whose cruelty we had heard of so much before, that wee accounted ourselves compassed even in the arms and gripe of death, being but come within his sight, for where the other doth use but to kill some, and make slaves of the rest, this upholds it as a custom to make murder of all that ere he takes: this is not glutted with the hanging of one, two, or three, nay of twenty, but if he happened to be at the taking of an hundred, he binds them back to back, and burses them together.  
For two daies and a night this French Pirate had us in chase and the wind beginning to grow duller and calm( although our ship was of indifferent speed) he was come within a mile of us, so that the nearer we perceived him, the nearer wee judged ourselves to our sudden destruction; it was in vain to strive to make shift for our bodies: for wee had nothing to any purpose wherewith to make shift withall. Wherefore every one having betaken himself to his prayers for the good of his soul, we were ready to offer ourselves up into the hands of him from whom it was in vain to expect any mercy.  
So that being all armed with this determination, and void of al fear, since we had no hope, whereon to anchor our trust, yet it pleased God who is the defence of his seruants, when we least thought of help, when all exepctation of rescue was frustrate, and when we had given our lives over to the ruin of their hands and our bodies to the seas, to sand in sight of us five ships under sail, when wee( although we knew not what they were) choose rather to fall into the hands of ihem, whose pursuit made no attempt against us, than to submit ourselves under the cruelty of him, who had so long held us in chase, which to effect we made all the speed we could to get up to them, and which intent of ours this Frenchman mistrusting, he on the contrary strove as much as in him lay to cut us off from our purpose: but spite of his practise, we being come within their ken, and that we gest they might discern our inward misery by our outward signs wee expressed the lively motions of distressed men, as by kneeling on our knees, and holding up our hands, which they perceiving, although not knowing what we were, they in charity made up to us, and in short time wee were come within their command which this French-man considering, and guessing it would not prove much for his ease, to make up any nearer, he sprung aloof, and left vs.  
These Ships proved to be four Englishmen,& one Fleming, But by your patience, I must give you to understand, that until we had truly tasted their courtesy, we were as jealous of them, as of the rest, making a doubtful question, whether it were possible that truth or honesty might he met at sea.  
Of these Ships English, one was Master Startop, another was Master humphrey, the other two Ships, the one was of Yarmouth, and the other of lin, at the meeting of whom, I pray you understand, there was no little ioy on both sides, in them that they had been a means to rescue their countrymen; in us, that they had preserved our lives, and what was left of yours.  
But nothing is there in this world, but is transitory like ourselves, our life is not permanent, no more is our fortunes: wee haue ioy in this minute, and sorrow in the next: wee came crying into the world, and we must go weeping out, all which is verified in us, for as I began with sorrow, so far as I can see yet, I must make my period in sadness: for scarce had our ioy felt an hour of embracement, or our comfort given a hearty salutation the one to the other, when presently wee might perceive ourselves the third time to be had in chase by a man of war, and his Pinnesse, who drawing near up to us, wee perceived it was captain Dansker of Argier, which ship of his is so potent in show, that it seemed to us any way resistlesse, for he carried 55. pieces of Ordinance, besides 400. Turkes with small shot.  
room, comes he amongst the thickest of our fleet, as if he had had power to sweep us away with his breath, but when he came near to us, he caused his followers to waft us amain with their glistering swords, threatening to sink us the one after the other, if at his command we did not immediately strike, so that we thought we were now falling à malo ad peius.  
The first Ship they came up unto was Master Startop, who seeing them so strongly furnished; so laden with Ordinance, and so powerful in shot, he forth with yielded himself unto him.  
Master humphrey and the other two Ships of Yarmouth and Lin, by this having got the wind of Dansker, they steared back again to Master Startop, indending their utmost endeavour to rescue him.  
And calling aloud to him, they bid him hoist up his sails again, vowing to him by the faith they ought to their Country& love to their Countrymen, they would never forsake him, they would fight for him, rescue him, or die with him.  
But whether it were that M. Startop misliking of their resolution, foreseing the ouerstrength of the Dansker, or whether he was conquered with the Dutch-mans oath and promise, which was that he would neither ransack nor pillage any thing from him, he refused to hoist his sails, and consented to the yielding.  
Which M. humphrey and the rest perceiving,& not willing further to danger their own ships, every man shifted for themselves& so escaped. Our ship,& the Fleming were of the Lée-ward of the whole fleet, so that when he was possessed of M. Startop, thē comes he up to us poor vanquished men, but it is a bootless mention to remember you, how easily it was for him to deal with us, who had neither powder nor other munition to offend him.  
The first word he spoken when he came up to us, was, I command you to strike sail and follow me, and wee seeing it were a bootless resistance and that there was no remedy, obeied him, onely we entreated him to be good unto us, and  told him wee had been robbed by the Tunis men of war, Confederates with Ward, not six daies before. captain Dansker demanded of Master Startop, whether the relation of our surprisal was true or no? who constantly in our behalf affirmed it to be true, when he like a proud( yet we may call him an honest) Pirate toldvs, that since the men of Tunis, had had us in hand, he scorned to rob an hospital: to afflict where was misery before, or to make pray of them who had nothingleft. Only by a Messenger commanded us, to shoot off 3 pieces of Ordinance as a thanks to him, or ransom for our liberty and depart: but we certifying him, that such was the cruelty of our enemies, that we had not so much left whereby to gratify his courtesy, and answer his command, he forthwith gave order we should be dismissed, but kept the fleming and M. Startop.  
The fleming was laden with corn, and vpon it, lay diuers trusses and bales of rich stuffs, to the value of twenty thousand pound, the which stuffs he took away from them, being the Marchants goods, but not any particular adventure that was due to any private man: so that this is the difference between these two pirates, ( Ward of Tunis, and Dansker of Argier:) Ward makes prey of all, and Dansker hath compassion of some: the one contemning to be charitable to any, the other holding it hateful to take any thing from them, who labour in continual danger to maintain their lives. And we haue heard that the like cause as this, was the falling out betwixt these two Pirates. for certain they are now at difference.  
This fleming( who before we haue spoken of) though at the first he commanded him with him, the next day he dismissed him and sent him after us: but M. Startop and his whole company he carried away directly for Argier, where what will succéed unto them is yet uncertain.  
But I must bee bold to remember you, what in this discourse I haue omitted, that before he left us, some of our confederates, men who vpon our first taking, were discharged out of their ship, into ours of the charity, seeing how uncertain was their hope, and how continual was their danger( since every ship wee saw wee must fear to bee a Pirate) they entreated of the Dansker, that he would be pleased to set them a shore: when he not only condescended to their request, but also gave them four shillings a piece, to help to carry them up into the Country of spain.  
Thus to our sorrow: having seen our good friend master Startop, and his whole company hoisted toward Argier, ourselves( consorted with the Duchman) put in at Almanika in spain, where we intended to repair us, of what necessaries we lacked, that might furnish us for our better safety home-ward. The governor of which( having at large understood what had happened unto us) commanded that we should haue all hangs that we thought needful for us, and offered us a hundred men for a safeguard every night, while wee stayed there to repair our wants, least they should come back, or any other of their crew to do us injury.  
But while we remained in this harbour, repairing our ships and furnishing our wants, there was news brought to the governor: the tenor whereof were spread thus: That the Cros●mo, who at the first was but a Ianizarie, and since advanced by his confederacy with Ward, is now the prime governor of Tunis That Ward hath a while retired him from Sea, and sends forth his Colleagues, as he did the fleet, which surprised us, not minding to put himself to hazard again vpon the main, till they can take a ship for him, shall be Owner of threescore pieces of Ordinance, in emulation that Danskers bears 55. That whatsoever his confederates bring in to him, they transport it for sail to Sophe, and Sancta Cruce, 2. Port towns, that led up to Morocco and Fesse, and that while he continues in Tunis, he is not idle, but practiseth the casting of ordinance, and in training up those Turkes which he hath purchased leave to privy( as it is reported of the Grand signor) in Military Discipline.  
Thus haue I truly delivered unto you what hath happened to us at sea, by which you may judge what difference there is betwixt our states and yours ashoare; I haue given the merchant cause to fear, and haue given him heart to strengthen himself for defence: which if he do not do,& not leave till these Pirates be depressed, they may hang up their ships and bid farewell with their traffic to the Straights.  
FINIS.   

A Catalogue of all such ships, a● haue been taken by these two rates, captain Ward, and captain Dansker, or there Confederates, to the sixth of april. 1609.  
THE york bonaventure of hull, of the burden of 180. tons, of whom Andrew Barker was master: this ship had 15. pieces of ordinance.  
The trojan of London, of burden 106. tons, Leonard johnson master, who for shooting off one shot, all the company were made slaves.  
The pearl of London, of burden 80. tons, William Lewes Master.  
The charity of London taken, the Owner M. William Megges.  
The Elizabeth of London of 70. tons, laden with oil from Tallon in France, Tho. hills, M.  
One master Long, in a ship of Bristol.  
master John Reekes, in a great ship of London, of burden 200. tons, and 17. pieces of ordnance.  
M. Bennet, of Tower wharffe in a ship of 80. tons.  
M. red of Lime▪ house in a Flieboat of 70. tons.  
The charity, the second time taken.  
M. Startop, in the Prosperous of London, of 150 tons, laden with Muscadine.  
A Fleming in his Company, in burden 150 tons, laden with corn, and other goods.  
Besides, there are many more ships haue been taken by these pirates: the names of whose Masters and the names of which ships are not yet collected to bee known: and for certain, few or no parts in our Land hath escaped free.  
As 2. from Bristole, 2. of Foy, 1. of Saltash, 2. of plymouth, one great ship of Dartmouth, one of Salern, one of dover, 3. ships of the North-countrey, and many more there are yet abroad, which before they can compass our Harbour, must if they do escape, yet not escape without great danger.