Jon Hagadorn

Come, says Avery.

Don't be in a fright, but put on your clothes, and I'll let you into a secret.

You must know that I am captain of the ship now, and this is my cabin.

Therefore, you must walk out.

I am bound to Madagascar with the design of making my own fortune, and that of all the brave fellows joined with me.

The captain, having a little recovered his senses, began to apprehend the meeting.

However, his fright was as great as before, which Avery, perceiving, bade him fear nothing.

"'For,' says he, "'if you have a mind to make one of us, we will receive you.

And if you turn sober and mind your business, perhaps in time I may make you one of my lieutenants.

If not, here's a boat alongside, and you shall be set ashore.'

The captain was glad to hear this, and therefore accepted of his offer, and the whole crew being called up, to know who was willing to go on shore with the captain, and who to seek their fortunes with the rest.

There were not above five or six who were willing to quit this enterprise, wherefore they were put into the boat with the captain that minute, and made their way to shore as well as they could.

They proceeded on their voyage to Madagascar, but I do not find they took any ships in their way.

When they arrived at the northeast part of that island, they found two sloops at anchor, who, upon seeing them, slipped their cables and run themselves ashore, the men all landing and running into the woods.

These were two sloops which the men had run away with from the West Indies, and seeing Avery, they supposed him to be some frigate sent to take them, and therefore not being a force to engage him, they did what they could to save themselves.

He guessed where they were, and set some of his men on shore to let them know they were friends, and to offer they might join together for their common safety.

The sloop's men were well armed, and had posted themselves in a wood, with sentinels just on the outside, to observe whether the ship landed her men to pursue them, and they observing only two or three men to come towards them without arms, did not oppose them, but having challenged them, and they answering they were friends,

they led them to their body, where they delivered their message.

At first they apprehended it was a strategy to decoy them on board, but when the ambassadors offered that the captain himself, and as many of the crews they should name, would meet them on shore without arms, they believed them to be in earnest, and they soon entered into a confidence with one another, those on board going on shore, and some of those on shore going on board.

The sloopsmen were rejoiced at the new ally, for their vessels were so small that they could not attack a ship of any force, so that hitherto they had not taken any considerable prize.