Upon the 17th of November, 1717, Maynard left James’s river in quest of Black Beard, and on the evening of the 21st came in sight of the pirate.  This expedition was fitted out with all possible expedition and secrecy, no boat being permitted to pass that might convey any intelligence, while care was taken to discover where the pirates were lurking.  His excellency the governor of Bermuda, and his secretary, however, having obtained information of the intended expedition, the latter wrote a letter to Black Beard, intimating, that he had sent him four of his men, who were all he could meet within or about town, and so bade him be on his guard.  These men were sent from Bath-town to the place where Black Beard lay, about the distance of twenty leagues.

The hardened and infatuated pirate, having been often deceived by false intelligence, was the less attentive to this information, nor was he convinced of its accuracy until he saw the sloops sent to apprehend him.  Though he had then only twenty men on board, he prepared to give battle.  Lieutenant Maynard arrived with his sloops in the evening, and anchored, as he could not venture, under cloud of night, to go into the place where Black Beard lay.  The latter spent the night in drinking with the master of a trading-vessel, with the same indifference as if no danger had been near.  Nay, such was the desperate wickedness of this villain, that, it is reported, during the carousals of that night, one of his men asked him, “In case any thing should happen to him during the engagement with the two sloops which were waiting to attack him in the morning, whether his wife knew where he had buried his money?” when he impiously replied, “That nobody but himself and the devil knew where it was, and the longest liver should take all.”

In the morning Maynard weighed, and sent his boat to sound, which coming near the pirate, received her fire.  Maynard then hoisted royal colors, and made directly towards Black Beard with every sail and oar.  In a little time the pirate ran aground, and so also did the king’s vessels.  Maynard lightened his vessel of the ballast and water, and made towards Black Beard.  Upon this he hailed him in his own rude style, “D—­n you for villains, who are you, and from whence come you?” The lieutenant answered, “You may see from our colors we are no pirates.”  Black Beard bade him send his boat on board, that he might see who he was.  But Maynard replied, “I cannot spare my boat, but I will come on board of you as soon as I can with my sloop.”  Upon this Black Beard took a glass of liquor and drank to him, saying, “I’ll give no quarter nor take any from you.”  Maynard replied, “He expected no quarter from him, nor should he give him any.”