They next sailed for the West Indies, but provisions growing short, proceeded to St. Christopher’s, where, being denied provisions by the governor, they fired on the town, and burnt two ships in the roads.  They then repaired to the island of St. Bartholomew, where the governor supplied them with every necessary, and caressed them in the kindest manner.  Satiated with indulgence, and having taken in a large stock of everything necessary, they unanimously voted to hasten to the coast of Guinea.  In their way they took a Frenchman, and as she was fitter for the pirate service than their own, they informed the captain, that, as “a fair exchange was no robbery,” they would exchange sloops with him; accordingly, having shifted their men, they set sail.  However, going by mistake out of the track of the trade winds, they were under the necessity of returning to the West Indies.

They now directed their course to Surinam but not having sufficient water for the voyage they were soon reduced to a mouthful of water in the day; their numbers daily diminished by thirst and famine and the few who survived were reduced to the greatest weakness.  They at last had not one drop of water or any other liquid, when, to their inexpressible joy, they anchored in seven fathoms of water.  This tended to revive exhausted nature and inspire them with new vigour, though as yet they had received no relief.  In the morning they discovered land, but at such a distance that their hopes were greatly dampened.  The boat was however sent off, and at night returned with plenty of that necessary element.  But this remarkable deliverance produced no reformation in the manners of these unfeeling and obdurate men.

Steering their course from that place to Barbadoes, in their way they met with a vessel which supplied them with all necessaries.  Not long after, they captured a brigantine, the mate of which joined their association.  Having from these two obtained a large supply, they changed their course and watered at Tobago.  Informed, however, that there were two vessels sent in pursuit of them, they went to return their compliments to the Governor of Martinique for this kindness.

It was the custom of the Dutch interlopers, when they approached this island to trade with the inhabitants, to hoist their jacks.  Roberts knew the signal, and did so likewise.  They, supposing that a good market was near, strove who could first reach Roberts.  Determined to do them all possible mischief he destroyed them one by one as they came into his power.  He only reserved one ship to send the men on shore, and burnt the remainder, to the number of twenty.

Roberts and his crew were so fortunate as to capture several vessels and to render their liquor so plentiful, that it was esteemed a crime against Providence not to be continually drunk.  One man, remarkable for his sobriety, along with two others, found an opportunity to set off without taking leave of their friends.  But a despatch being sent after them, they were brought back, and in a formal manner tried and sentenced, but one of them was saved by the humorous interference of one of the judges, whose speech was truly worthy of a pirate—­while the other two suffered the punishment of death.