A Discourse on Pirates, by Captain Henry Mainwaring

How They Work at Sea

In their working they usually do thus: a little before day they take in all their sails, and lie a-hull, till they can make what ships are about them; and accordingly direct their course, so as they may seem to such ships as they see to be merchantmen bound upon their course. If they be a fleet, then they disperse themselves a little before day, some league or thereabouts asunder, and seeing no ships do most commonly clap close by a wind to seem as plyers.<44>

If any ships stand in after them, they heave out all the sail they can make, and hang out drags to hinder their going, that so the other that stand with them might imagine they were afraid and yet they shall fetch them up.<45>

They keep their tops continually manned, and have signs to each other when to chase, when to give over, where to meet, and how to know each other, if they see each other afar off. In chase they seldom use any ordnance, but desire as soon as they can, to come a-board-and-board;<46> by which course he shall more dishearten the merchant and spare his own men. They commonly show such colours as are most proper to their ships, which are for the most part Flemish bottoms, if they can get them, in regard that generally they go well, are roomy ships, floaty,<47> and of small charge.