his tacks down, either by the wind’s shifting, or ill steerage, or both, he was taken aback with his sails, and the Swallow came a second time very nigh to him.  He had now, perhaps, finished the fight very desperately, if death, who took a swift passage in a grape shot, had not interposed, and struck him directly on the throat.  He settled himself on the tackles of a gun; which one Stephenson, from the helm, observing, ran to his assistance, and not perceiving him wounded, swore at him, and bade him stand up and fight like a man; but when he found his mistake, and that his captain was certainly dead, he burst into tears, and wished the next shot might be his portion.  They presently threw him overboard, with his arms and ornaments on, according to his repeated request in his life-time.

This extraordinary man and daring pirate was tall, of a dark complexion, about 40 years of age, and born in Pembrokeshire.  His parents were honest and respectable, and his natural activity, courage, and invention, were superior to his education.  At a very early period, he, in drinking, would imprecate vengeance upon “the head of him who ever lived to wear a halter.”  He went willingly into the pirate service, and served three years as a second man.  It was not for want of employment, but from a roving, wild, and boisterous turn of mind.  It was his usual declaration, that, “In an honest service, there are commonly low wages and hard labor; in this,—­plenty, satiety, pleasure and ease, liberty, and power; and who would not balance creditor on this side, when all the hazard that is run for it at worst, is only a sour look or two at choking?  No,—­a merry life and a short one, shall be my motto!” But it was one favorable trait in his character, that he never forced any man into the pirate service.

The prisoners were strictly guarded while on board, and being conveyed to Cape Coast castle, they underwent a long and solemn trial.  The generality of them remained daring and impenitent for some time, but when they found themselves confined within a castle, and their fate drawing near, they changed their course, and became serious, penitent, and fervent in their devotions.  Though the judges found no small difficulty in explaining the law, and different acts of parliament, yet the facts were so numerous and flagrant which were proved against them, that there was no difficulty in bringing in a verdict of guilty.

THE LIFE OF CHARLES GIBBS.

Containing an Account of his Atrocities committed in the West Indies.

This atrocious and cruel pirate, when very young became addicted to vices uncommon in youths of his age, and so far from the gentle reproof and friendly admonition, or the more severe chastisement of a fond parent, having its intended effect, it seemed to render him still worse, and to incline him to repay those whom he ought to have esteemed as his best friends and who had manifested so much regard for his welfare, with ingratitude and neglect.  His infamous career and ignominious death on the gallows; brought down the “grey hairs of his parents in sorrow to the grave.”  The poignant affliction which the infamous crimes of children bring upon their relatives ought to be one of the most effective persuasions for them to refrain from vice.