In this he and his companions embarked, and landed at several places in America, where, none suspecting them, they dispersed and settled in the country.  Avery, however, had been careful to conceal the greater part of the jewels and other valuable articles, so that his riches were immense.  Arriving at Boston, he was almost resolved to settle there, but, as the greater part of his wealth consisted of diamonds, he was apprehensive that he could not dispose of them at that place, without being taken up as a pirate.  Upon reflection, therefore, he resolved to sail for Ireland, and in a short time arrived in the northern part of that kingdom, and his men dispersed into several places.  Some of them obtained the pardon of King William, and settled in that country.

The wealth of Avery, however, now proved of small service, and occasioned him great uneasiness.  He could not offer his diamonds for sale in that country without being suspected.  Considering, therefore, what was best to be done, he thought there might be some person at Bristol he could venture to trust.  Upon this he resolved, and going into Devonshire, sent to one of his friends to meet him at a town called Bideford.  When he had unbosomed himself to him and other pretended friends, they agreed that the safest plan would be to put his effects into the hands of some wealthy merchants, and no inquiry would be made how they came by them.  One of these friends told him, he was acquainted with some who were very fit for the purpose, and if he would allow them a handsome commission, they would do the business faithfully.  Avery liked the proposal, particularly as he could think of no other way of managing this matter, since he could not appear to act for himself.  Accordingly, the merchants paid Avery a visit at Bideford, where, after strong protestations of honor and integrity, he delivered them his effects, consisting of diamonds and some vessels of gold.  After giving him a little money for his present subsistence, they departed.

He changed his name, and lived quietly at Bideford, so that no notice was taken of him.  In a short time his money was all spent, and he heard nothing from his merchants though he wrote to them repeatedly; at last they sent him a small supply, but it was not sufficient to pay his debts.  In short, the remittances they sent him were so trifling, that he could with difficulty exist.  He therefore determined to go privately to Bristol, and have an interview with the merchants himself,—­where, instead of money, he met with a mortifying repulse; for, when he desired them to come to an account with him, they silenced him by threatening to disclose his character; the merchants thus proving themselves as good pirates on land as he was at sea.