 Born in Port Patrick, Scotland, Dalzeel went to sea as a child and, by the age of 23, was captain of his own ship with six successful voyages to his credit.Earning a reputation for dishonesty, Dalzeel arrived in Madagascar in 1685 and soon enlisted into the ranks of Captain Avery.According to pirate lore, Dalzeel participated in the capture of the treasure ship "Ganj-i-Sawai", which carried The Great Mogul's daughter to her arranged marriage.