Page 440
An.1687
The Author's Resolutions.
This seemed to be a very tedious way about, and as dangerous altogether for Sholes; but not for meeting with English or Dutch Ships, which was their greatest fear. I was well enough satisfied, know- ing that the farther we went, the more Knowledge and Experience I should get, which was the main thing that I regarded ; and should also have the more variety of places to attempt an Escape from them, being fully resolv'd to take the first oppor- tunity of giving them the slip.
CHAP.
Here shows Dampier was not an all-out pirate,
especially when piracy became illegal under new political situations;
a major part of this lifestyle for him,
is to be able to travel, experience, and accumulate knowledge.
At his heart he was a scientific adventurer,
being a pirate was the only realistic means for him to explore.
He basically used buccaneering ships as his ticket around the globe.
And to think a bit further: nobody else was doing it back then -
traveling around the world and doing it freely
(any needs were satisfied by looting and trading with loots) -
the pirates were actually pioneers of such globetrotting lifestyle.