YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY Gift of
Cecil J. Harribine

THE HISTORY

BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA
CONTAINING DETAILED ACCODITI'S OF THOSE
BOLD AND DARING FREEBOOTERS;
CZIEPI,T ALONG THE
SPANISH MAIN, IN THE WEST INDIES,
AND IN THE GEEAT SOUTH SEA,
SUCCEEDING THE CIVIL WARS IN ENGLAND.
NEW EDITION;
-WITH SOME INTRODUCTORY NOTICES OF FIRACIES ON THE COAST OF
KEW ENGLAND, TO THE YEAR 1724.

BOSTON:
SANBORN, CARTER AND BAZIN.
PORTLAND:
SANBORN & CABTEK.
18 5 6.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by
« OLIVEE L. PERKH^S,
In the 'Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

PREFACE
,T0 THE EDITION OF 1699

It would be superfluous to say much by way of Preface to
the following work, since a great part of it has some years ago
been exposed to public view with a general applause ,• and
indeed the wondrous actions and daring adventures therein
related, are such as could not but transport the most stupid
minds into an admiration of them, though many times they
were not attended with that justice and regularity that becomes
civilized men, or men of» any pretensions to morality ,- but be
cause we have here gathered up all that ever has been written
itl any language upon the subject of buccaneering, and that in
a successive order down to the present time, [1700,] it will be
necessary to enumerate the particulars thereof for the better
information and satisfaction of the reader.
First, then, we have all the expeditions and exploits of the
buccaneers of Jamaica and Tortuga, both English and French,
set forth at large ; and more especially what was transacted
under the conduct of Sib Henby Morgan, by sacking of Puerto
Velo, burning of Panama, &c., in the West Indies, written
originally in the Dutch tongue ; whereunto there are added the
no less bold attempts and performances of men of the same
stamp under the command of Captains Shahp, Sawkins, Coxon,
and others, on the coasts of the South Se°as ; the whole being
intermixed with vast variety of adventures and discoveries,
and written by Mr. Basil Ringros'e, who kept 9. journal of the
said voyage, as o^^ng personally present at all the transactions,
and is said by Mr. Dampieb to be very exact.
But let nobody be surmised that he doth not find both these
relations printed verbatim, as in the former edition has been
done, since the matter is much improved ; for whereas the style
before was loose and uncouth in divers parts thereof, the same
is now rectified, and made more correct, throughout the whole
body of it, which cannot but add a new life and relish there
unto. And if this may be presumed upon, how much more

4 preface. '
toay be expected from the succeeding journal of a vpyage
made into the South Sea by the Amencan Freebooters, cora
mencing the year 1684, (about which time the other termi
nated,) and ending at 1689, which was written in French by
the SiEDR Raveneau de Lcssan, an ensign amongst them,
and now first put into an English dress, and so consequently
new to us ; and, indeed the particulars are all as novel as they
are stupendous and amazing, that men should run such extreme
hazards and hardships for money, and make such ill use of
it when they have got it ; and, for my own part, I must ingen
uously confess, that since my first perusal I could never yet
think of them without the greatest astonishment imaginable ;
especially seeing the whole contexture and narrative is so plain
and simple, that to me it seems to carry an evidence of truth ia
every part of it.
I will not take upon me to apologize for many of the actions
done, and here' related, since even in the most regular troops
and best disciplined armies, daily enormities are committed
which the strictest vigilance cannot prevent. However, it is
very remarkable, that in such a lawless body as these bucca
neers seem to be, in respect to all others, that yet there should be
such an economy (if I may so say) kept, and regularity prac
tised amongst themselves, so that every one seemed to have his
property as much secured to himself, as if he had been a mem^
ber of the most civilized community in the world ; thoughat the
same time, when I consider of some of their laws, such as those
iagainst drunkenness and the like immoralities, I believe J have
a great deal of reason to remain suspicious of their sincerity.
But, be these things as thil^y will, a bolder race of men, both
as to personal valor and conduct, certainly never yet appeared
on the liquid element or dryland; and I hope it will be taken
neither for any affront nor a compliment to say, the English
were always the leading and prevailing party amongst them.
What closes up the whole is an account of the adventures
of Capt. Montauban on the coast of Africa, in the last years
of the war between us and France, to whom, though the charac
ter of jjnwateer doth more properly belong than That of buccaneer
01 freebooter, yet his>actions, fight with the English guard ship,
blowing up, strange escape, subsequent wanderings and haz
ards, are of so surprising a nature, and have so much likeness
and affinity to the foregoing relations, that they could not with
out injustice to our design be omitted, and without which the
whole would appear to be lame and imperfect.

INTRODUCTION.

It is very common at this day, and probably always was so,
for even apparently thoughtful and considerate people to lament
over the degenerate times in which they live, and to assert con
fidently that " the wodd is going on from bad to worse ;" but it
is a gre&t mistake to suppose this — nothing can be farther from
the truth. The following treatise is sufficient to set every
individual who shall peruse it, right on this question. If there
be any who entertain doubts as to the propriety of making this
class of works public, we say to them, " Read the following
pages, and compare the state and transactions of the world at
the times on which it'treats with those of the present." - If,
¦vv-hen they have done this, they are not satisfied that the gen
eral character of mankind has been greatly ameliorated within
the last three centuries, nothing, it is thought, would satisfy
them of the fact.
Within the period just stated there has been a complete
revolution of the seas. Sea-kings are no longer known or
acknowledged. Their dark and dismal rei^n has passed away
forever. But we need not go back to the times of the despe
rate and bloody Vikingr of the north ; it is only necessary to
survey our own American coast within the space of two hun
dred years after its settlement by Europeans, to learn what
terrors awaited all those who attempted voyages by sea.
1*

6 intboduction.
In no very remote period, the European states were often
glad to make the best terms they could with pirates, and mer
chants were subjected to heavy tribute when permitted to pursue
their vo*yages. Pirates hovered upon every coast,_ and often
sent challenges on shore to the kings of the countries. It is
said to be no fable, that one of the dreaded sea rovers, while
sweeping up and down the coast of England, sent to the king
this bravado : — *
" Go tell the king of England, go tell him thus from me,
Though he reigns king o'er all the land, I will reign king at sea."
Those rovers went sometimes in considerable fleets, and it
was very common for one piratical fleet to attack another. Such
fights often resulted in the entire destruction of the vanquished
party. Sometimes one wiould chase another into the very.
harbor of a populous place, to the great terror of its inhab
itants, and there carry on their bloody work.
To judge of the actors of those tinies, their barbarous con
dition must be considered. They bore as fair a relation to the
civilization of their times as the rougher part of the commu
nity of later days do to theirs. For a iong period Scandina
via was the nursery of Sea-kings, in other words, pirates ; it
was, a period when the law of nations was the law of the
strongest ; an age when every male child was born for war as
surely as he arrived at an age to enable him to wield a battle-
axe ; an age when it was thought the most inglorious thing
that could happen to a man was not to die in war. War was
the great and grand business of life.
Coraing down to a later period, the sixteenth century, some
thing of that fierceness had worn away ; civilization had spread
its influence far into the north, and though pirates infested every
sea where commerce was Ipund, yet they had gradually lost
their preeminence on the ocean. Those who retaliated for their

INTRODUCTION.

losses were not considered pirates, though those who suffered
from retaliation had often no hand in the cause of such reprisal.
This relict of the ancient Tikingr disgraces the annals of our
own tinies ; the hand of friendship is to this hour extended'
to those who have made themselves rich by their robberies on
the ocean J they even fill places of honor and profit as a
reward for their crimes — crimes they are, though sanctioned
by law, as mucl> so as though they had happened in another
age, and even more.
The stories of the pirates that have infested the American
seas, since the time of Capt. William Kidd, would make a large
volume; and one of exceeding great interest. , We have space
to advert to but few of them. In the year 1689, two noted
pirates, Thomas Hawjcins and Thomas Ponnd, cruised upon
the coast of New England, and committed many depredations
with great boldness. The colony of Massachusetts Bay came
to the determination to attempt their capture, and accordingly
fitted out a sloop called the Mary, Samuel Pease com
mander, which sailed on the 4th of October of that year.
Having received information that the piratical vessel was in or
about Tarpaulin Cove, Capt. Pease made for that harbor.
When off Wood's Hole he had certain intelligence of the ob
ject of his search, and making all the sail he could, he soon
found himself within hailing distance of the outlaw. When
he was ordered to heave to, the pirate ran up a red flag, where
upon Pease. fired a shot athwart his forefoot, and ordered him
to strike his colors. As the Mary came down upon him, she
sent another shot under his forefoot, and again ordered him to
Strike ; but Ponnd, stationed upon his quarterdeck, brandished
his naked sword, bid them " Come on, you dogs, and I will
strike you!" Meantime, his men standing ready with their
guns pointed, discharged a volley upon the Mary, whose m
returned it in earnest. The fight, thus commenced, for some

8 INTRODUfcTION.
time raged fiercely, no quarter being expected on either side. At
length, laying the pirate on board, Capt. Pease compelled him
to strike, though not till himself had received many wounds,
and several of his men were wounded also ; but hofw many,
our accounts do not state, nor what damage the pirates received
before they surrendered. But the conquest was dearly bought
by the victors, as the wounds of Capt. Pease proved mortal
five days after the battle. •
For the next quarter of a century and more, the records of
our admiralty courts are full of trials of pirates, with the most
revolting accounts'of their crufelties, and their executions. The
following will probably be read with rauch interest, as it brings
to our notice the immediate ancestor of our present chief
magistrate of the United States, who, being taken by a pirate,
effected his own deliverance in the most heroic and extraordi
nary manner.
Every body has probably read of a noted' pirate of the name
of Phillips, who, for some time previous to 1724, roved where
he listed, making spoil where he could, and shedding innocent
blood as it were for sport. At the same time there was living
at Ipswich, in the colony of Massachusetts Bay, a certain
John Fillmore, aged twenty-one years, he having been born
in the year 1702. His father, also named John, had followed
the seas, but had died in the West Indies several years before
his son's majority, from the effects of cruel treatraent while a
prisoner there with the French. John Fillniore, the son, ship-
ped on a fishing voyage for the Grand Banks, in the sloop
Dolphin of Cape Ann, Mark Haskell skipper, in the spring of
1723. Having pursued their business of fishiifg tUl the au
tumn of the same year, Haskell and his company were fallen
in with by Phillips, and all made prisoners. Plunder was not
the object of their capture, but men to join the pirates in their
nefarious enterprises. It was soon apparent that they intended

INTRODUCTION. 9
to take only such of the fishermen as were stout and able-
bodied. Accordingly, Fillmore was made choice of, and his
captain was ordered to send him on board. There was no
dternative, and Fillmore was compelled to join the pirates,
though to their sad cost, as in the sequel will appear.
" When I first went on board the pirate," ' says Fillmore,
"their crew consisted of ten men, including the captain, and
the whole of them, I think, as stout, hardy-looking fellows as
ever I saw together. " The great reluctance which Fillmore dis
covered on entering the service of his new master caused Phillips
to promise kim his liberty if he would serve him faithfully
'two months. He was jarobably as sincere, when he made this
promise, as Fillmore was in his intention of serving him faith
fully. The two months soon ran away, and little or no booty
fell into the pirate's hands, which caused him to treat his men
roughly ; and when at the end of that time Fillmore reminded
him of his promise, he said upon his honor he would let him
go after three months more. As before, there was no escape,
and he submitted to his fate as well as he could. But the next
three months were as unprofitable as the preceding two, only
the pirate made an accession to his crew of several able men,
whom, 'from time to time he had, as in the case of Fillmore, forced
from other vessels into his service. At or near the expiration
of seven raonths, they took a merchant ship, Capt. Haxridon,
of Boston, returning from a voyage to the West Indies. Hai-
ridon was a young man, only about twenty-two years of age.
Meantime, when Fillmore ventured again to claim his liber
ty, the pirate captain sneered a raost fiendish grin, and among
unutterable oaths roared out, "^ei ymi at liberty! Damn ye —
youHl be set at liberty when Pm dxtmned, and not b^are ! "
Phillips*s rage was heightened against Fillmore, because the
latter had aU along refused to sign the ship's piratical articles.
The others of the forced crew who had not signed them were

10 INTRODUCTION. !
Capt., Harridon, James Gheesman, a ship carpenter, and a
Spanish Indian, who was taken with Harridon. Seeing now
that he had no chance of escape left, or not until his captain
was " damned," as he hiraself expressed it, he was not long in
raaking up his mind to have him put into that state whenever
it could be attempted with a slight prospect of success.
So tyrannical had Phillips become, that even his own regular
pirates hated him, and the more so, as they knew he had not a
shadow of honor, and they had daily evidences of his bad
faith even with them. About this time he put one of his men
on board a prize, and ordered him to keep company. This
man attempted to escape with the prize^ but being overtaken
by Phillips, he surrendered on assurances of good quarter.. But
as soon as he reached the deck of the pirate ship, Phillips run
him through w^ith his sword.
So watchful and jealous were Phillips and his companions,
that it was with rauch difficulty and extreme hazard that Fill
more and his few friends, Cheesman, Harridon and the Indian,
could forra a plan for the effecting of their design. At length,
however, after about nine raonths' captivity, a plan was laid
and successfully carried into execution. Bftt not long before
its raaturity, the authors were suspected by Phillips, and one of
their corapany was in the most barbarous manner put to death
by him by running him through the body* with his sword, as
he had his brother pirate before raentioned. This man, thus
cold-bloodedly murdered (whose name is not raentioned) be
longed to New England, and ^hat aggravates his case is the
fact, that he knew nothing of the conspiracy. Fillmore and
the others intended to enlist him in it, but had not yeft found
a suitable opportunity. He also suspected Fillmore, and
attempted his life by snapping his pistol against his breast,
which missed fire. It however went off on the second attempt,
which was immediately made ; but Fillmore at the raoment of

INTRODUCTION. 11
the discharge struck the pistol so much aside that its contents
missed him. For some unexplained or unexplainable cause
the murderer made no further attempt upon his life, but
" damned him, and bid him go about his business." '
It was not long after this that the pirates had a carousal,
some of them got beastly drunk, and all got exhausted, and
this was an opportunity not to be lost. The day before, Chees-
man, the carpenter, had been ordered to make some repairs on
deck, and he took care to leave his broadaxe and other tools
there. In the dead of night, when the carousal had ceased, ali
things were arranged. Fillmore was to split out the brains
of Capt. Phillips, Cheesman was to seize the master and throw
him headlong into the sea, the Indian was to stand ready to act
according to circumstances, while Harridon was so overcome
with fear that nothing was allotted to him to perform in the
tragedy. And although the Indian stood to the post assigned
hira, yet, as Fillmore in his narrative expresses it, he was so
terrified that " he became near as white as any of us." And,
as to himself, he says, that as he stood ready to seize the broad-
'axe, "his knees fairly smote together."
The pirate crew seems now to have consisted of ten men, and
none can wonder that trepidation should seize upon the three
that were to attack them. The three chief pirates were on deck
at about twelve o'clock in the day — that ^ay which was to
seal the destiny of one or the other party. The fatal moment
having arrived, Cheesman seized his raan, and at the same
breath Fillmore brought down the broadaxe upon the head of
the boatswain, splitting it in twain ; and before Phillips could
draw his sword, the axe fell upon his head also.
The quartermaster was in the cabin, who, hearing the bustle,
rushed out upon Cheesman and was prevented dealing a deadly
blow upon him by the Indian, who was stationed at the com-
panionway. He seized him by the arms, and in a moment

12 INTRODUCTION.
more, Fillmore, with another blow of his broadaxe, nearly sev
ered his head from his body. The rest of the crew surren
dered at discretion, and with the captured vessel the victors
arrived in Boston on the 3d of May, 1 724.
Such was the end of the piratical enterprise of the faraous
and thuch dreaded Capt. John Phillips. Three of the pirates
were tried, condemned and executed, and hung in chains on
Bird island, in Boston harbor. The other threej with the ship,
Were sent to England, with whom went Cheesraan and the
Indian also. The three pirates were soon after hung at Exe
cution Dock, and Cheesraan and the Indian were suitably
rewarded. It will be interesting, probably, to the reader to learn,- that
the John Fillmore, who Was so conspicuous in the desperate
enterprise here related, was the great-grandfather of Mil£.ari>
Fillmore, President of the United States.

THE

BUCCANEEHS OF AMERICA.

CHAPTER I.

The Introduction. — The Author * sets forth for the Western Islands, in the
Service of the West India Company of Prance. — They meet -with an English
Frigate, and arrive at the Island of Tortuga.
As the Buccaneers in the West Indies have been so formi
dable and numerous that they have interrupted the trade of
Europe into those parts, and our English merchants, in partic
ular, have suffered more by their depredations than by the
united force of France and Spain, in the late war, we do not
doubt but the world will be curious to know the origin and
progress of these desperadoes, who were the terror of the trad
ing part of the world.
But before we enter upon their particular history, it will not
be amiss, by way of introduction, to show, by some examples
drawn from history, the great mischief and danger which
threaten kingdoms and commonwealths from the increase of
these sort of robbers ; when, either by the troubles of particular
times, or the neglect of governments, they are not crushed be-
/ore they gather strength.
It has been the case heretofore, that when a single pirate has
been suffered to range the seas, as not being worth the notice
of a government, he has by degrees grown so powerful, as to
put them to the expense of a great deal of blood and treasure,
before he was suppressed. We shall not examine how it came
to pass that our Buccaneers in the West Indies have continually
increased till of late. This is an inquiry which belongs to the
legislature. I shall therefore speak of the pirates infesting the West In-
• Joseph Esqnemeling, in company with Le Grand, Lolonojs, Roche Brasi-
lino, Bat, the Portuguese, &c.
2

14 THE buccaneers OF AMERICA.
dies, where they are more numerous than in any other part of
the world, on several reasons.
First. Because there' are so ijiany uninhabited little islands
and keys, with harbors convenient and secure for cleaning
their vessels, and abounding with what they often want, provis
ion : I mean water, sea-fowl, turtle, shell and other fish ; where,
if they carry in but strong liquor, they indulge a time, and be
come ready for new expeditions, before any intelligence can
reach to hurt them.
•It may here, perhaps, be no unnecessary digression to explain
what they call keys in the West Indies. These are small
sandy islands, appearing a little above the' surface of the water,
with only a few bushes or weeds upon them, but abound (those
most at any distance from the main) with turtle, amphibious ani
mals, that always choose the quietest and most unfrequented
place for laying their eggs, which are to a vast number in the
seasons, and would seldom be seen, but for this, (except by
pirates.) Then vessels from Jamaica and the other govern
ments make voyages, called turtling, for supplying the people ;
a common and approved food with them. I am apt to think
these keys, especially those nigh islands, to have been once
contiguous with them, and separated by earthquakes (frequently
there) or inundations; because some of them that have been
within continual view, as those nigh Jamaica, are observed
within our time to be entirely wasted away and lost, and others
daily wasting. They are not only of the use above taken
notice of to pirates, but, it is commonly believed, were always,
in buccaneering, piratical times, the hiding-places for their
riches, and oftentimes a shelter for themselves, till their friends
on the main had found means to obtain indemnity for their
crimes ; for you must' understand, when acts of grace were
more frequent, and the laws less severe, these men continually
found favors and encouragers at Jamaica, and perhaps they are
not all dead yet. I have been told many of them, still living
have been of the same trade, and left it off only because they
can live as well honestly, and gain now at the hazard of others' •
necks. Second. Another reason why these seas are chose by pirates
is the great commerce thither by French, Spaniards, Dutch
and especially English ships. They are sure, in the latitude
of these trading islands, to meet with prizes, booties of provis
ion, clothing, and naval stores, and sometimes money ; there'
being great sums remitted this way to England ; (the re-
turns of the Assiento, and private slave-trade fo the Spanish
West Indies;) and, in short, by some one or other, aU the
riches of Potosi.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 15
A third reason is the inconvenience and difficulty of being
pursued by the men-of-war ; the many small inlets, lagoons^
and harbors, on lliese solitary islands and keys, are a natural
security. It is generally here that the pirates begin their enterprises,
setting out at first with a very small force ; and, by infesting
these seas, aijd those pf the continent of North America, in a
year's time, if they have good luck on their sides, they accu
mulate such strength as enables them to make foreign expedi-
.tions. The first is usually to Guinea, taking the Azores and
Cape de Verd Islands in their way, and then to Brazil and the
East Indies, where, if they meet with prosperous voyages, they
set down at Madagascar^ or the neighboring islands, and enjoy
their ill-gotten wealth, among their elder brethren, with impu
nity. But that I may not give too much encouragement to
the profession, I must inform my maritime readers that the far
greater part of these rovers are cut short in the pursuit, by a
sudden precipitation into the other world.
The rise of these rovers, since the peace of Utrecht, or, at
least, the great increase of them, may justly be imputed to the
Spanish settlements in the West Indies, the governors of
which, being often some hungry courtiers, sent thither to re
pair or make a fortune, generally countenance all proceedings
that bring in profit. They grant commissions to great num
bers of vessels of war, on pretence of preventing an interloping
trade, with orders to seize all ships or vessels whatsoever, within
five leagues of their coasts, which our English ships cannot
well avoid coming, in their voyage to Jamaica. But if the
Spanish captains chance to exceed this commission, and rob
and plundey at discretion, the sufferers are allowed to complain,
and exhibit a process in their court, and, after great expense of
suit, delay of time, and other inconveniences, obtain a decree
in their favor ; but then, when the ship and cargo come to be
claimed, with costs of suit, they find, to their sorrow, that it
has been previously condemned, and the plunder divided among
the crew. The commander that made the capture, who alone
is responsible, is found to be a poor, rascally fellow, not worth
a groat, and, no doubt, is placed in that station for the like
purposes. The frequent losses sustained by our merchants abroad, by
these pirates, was provocation enough to attempt something by
way of reprisal ; and a fair opportunity offering itself in the year
1716, the traders to the West Indies took care not to slip it
over, but made the best use of it their circumstances would
permit.

16 THB BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
It was about two years before, that the Spanish galleons, or
Plate fleet, had been cast away in the Gulf of Florida ; atid
several vessels from the Havana were at work, with diving en
gines, to fish up the silver that was on board the galleons.
The Spaniards had recovered some millions of dollars, or
pieces of eight, and had carried it all to the Havana ; but they had
~^at present about three hundred and fifty thousand pieces of eight,
then, upon the spot, and were daily taking up more. In the
mean time, two ships and three sloops, fitted out frOm Jamaica,
Barbadoes, &c., under Captain Henry Jennings, sailed to the
gulf, ahd found the Spaniards there upon the wreck ; the
money before spoken of was left on shore, deposited in a store
house, under the government of J;wo commissaries, and a guard
of about sixty soldiers.
The rovers came directly upon the place', bringing their little
fleet to an anchor, and, in a word, landing three hundred men,
they attacked the guard, who immediately ran away ; and thus
they seized the treasure, which they carried off, making the
best of their way to Jamaica.
In their way, they unhappily met with a Spanish ship,
bound from Porto Bello to the Havana, with a great' many
rich goods, viz., bales of cochineal, casks of indigo, and sixty
thousand pieces of eight more, Whicli, their hands being in,
they took, and having rifled the vessel, let her go.
They went away to Jamaica with their booty, and were fol
lowed in view of the port by the Spaniards, who, having seen
them thither, went back to the governor of the Havana, with
the account of it, who immediately sent a vessel to the gov
ernor of Jamaica, to complain of this robbery, and to reclaim
the goods.
As it was in full peace, and contrary to all justice and^ight,
that this fact was tiommitted, they were soon made sensible
that the government at Jamaica would not suffer them to go
unpunished, much less protect them. Therefore they saw a
necessity of shifting for themselves ; so, to make bad Avorse,
they went to sea again, though not without disposing of their
cargo to good advantage, and furnishing themselves with am
munition, provisions, &c. ; and being thus made desperate, they
turned pirates, robbing not the Spaniards only, but their own
countrymen, and any nation they could lay their hands on.
It happened about this time that the Spaniards, with three
or four small men-of-war, fell upon our logwood-cutters in the
Bay of Campeachy and Honduras ; and after they had made
them prizes, they gave the men belonging to them three sloops,
to carry them home : but these men, being made desperate by

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 17
their misfortunes, and raeeting with the pirates, they took on
with them, and so increased their number.
Not to detain the reader any longer with these particulars, I
shall proceed to give an account of our voyage from Havre de
Grace, in France, from whence we set sail in a ship called St.
John, May 2, 1666. Our vessel was equipped with twenty-
eight guns, twenty mariners, and two hundred *id twenty
passengers, including those whom the Company sent as free
passengers. Soon after we came to an anchor under the Cape
of Barfleur, there to join seven other ships of the same West
India Company, which were to come from Diep, under convoy
of a man-of-war, mounted with thirty-seven guns, and two
hundred and fifty men. Of these ships, two were bound for
Senegal, five for the Caribbee Islands, and ours for Tortuga.
Here gathered to us about twenty sail of other ships, bound for
Newfoundland, with some Dutch vessels going for Nantz, Ro
chelle, and St. Martin's, so that in all we made thirty sail.
Here we put ourselves in a posture of defence, having notice
that four English frigates, of sixty guns each, waited for us
near Aldernay. Our admiral, the Chevalier Sourdis, having
given necessary orders, we sailed thence with a favorable gale,
and some mists arising, totally impeded the English frigates
frora discovering our fleet. We steered our course as near as
we could to the coast of France, for ffiar of the enemy. As
we sailed along, we met a vessel of Ostend, who complained to
our admiral that a French privateer had robbed him that very
morning ; whereupon, we endeavored to pursue the said pirate ;
but our labor was in vain, not being able to overtake him.
Our fleet, as we sailed, caused no small fears and alarms to
the inhabitants, of the coasts of France, these judging us to be
English, and that we sought some convenient place for land
ing. To allay their fright, we hung out our colors ; but they
would not trust us. After this, we came to an anchor in tte
Bay ofConquet, in Brittany, near Ushent, there to take in
water. Having stored ourselves with fresh provisions here, w&
prosecuted our voyage, designing to pass by the Ras of Fon--
tenau, and. not expose ourselves to the Sorlingues, fearing the-
English that were cruising thereabouts. This River Ras is of
a current very strong and rapid, which, rolling over many
rocks, disgorges itself into the sea, on the coast of France^ in
48° 10' latitude ; so that this passage is very dangerous, all the.
rocks, as yet, being not thoroughly known.
Here I shall mention the ceremony which, at this passage,,
and some other places, is used by the mariners, and by them.
called baptism, though it may seera little to our purpose. The
2*

18 THE BUCCAIJEERS OF AMERICA.
master's mate clothed himself with a ridiculous sort of garment,
that reached to his feet, and on his head he put a suitable cap,
made very burlesque ; in his right hand he had a naked wooden
sword, and in his left a pot full of ink. His face was' horribly
blacked with soot, and his neck adorned with a collar, of many
little pieces of wood. Thus apparelled, he commanded every
one to be 3klled who had never passed through that dangerous
place before ; and theri causing them to kneel down, he made the
sign of the cross ori their foreheads with ink, and gave every one
a stroke on the shoulders'with his wooden sword, Meanwhile
the bystanders cast a bucket of water upon each man's head,
and so ended the ceremony. But that done, each of the bap
tized must give a bottle of brandy, placing it nigh the main
mast, without speaking a word — even those who have no such
liquor not being excused. If the vessel never passed that way
before,/ the captain is obliged to distribute some wine among
the mariners and passengers ; but, as for other gifts, which the
newly-baptized frequently offer, they are divided among the
old seamen, and of them they make a banquet among them
selves. The Hollanders, likewise, not only at this passage, but also
at the rocks called Berlingues, nigh the coast of Portugal, in
39° 40', (being a passage very dangerous, especially by night,
when, in the dark, the rocks are not distinguishable, the land
being very high,) they use some such ceremony, but their man
ner of baptizing is very different from that of the French ;
for he that is to be baptized is fastened, and hoisted up thrice
at the main-yard's end, as if he were a criminal. If he be
hoisted the fourth time, in the name of the Prince of Orange,
or of the captain of the vessel, his honor is more than ordi
nary. Thus every one is dipped several times in the main
ocean ; but he ttiat is dipped first has the honor of being sa
luted with a gun. Such as are not willing to fall must pay
twelve pence for ransom ; if he be an officer, two shillings ;
and if a passenger, at their own pleasure. If the ship never
passed that way before, the captain is to give a smedl runlet
of wine, which, if he denies, the mariners may cut off the
stem of the vessel. All the profit accruing by this cere
mony IS kept by the master's mate, who, after reaching
their port, usually lays it out in wine, which is drank amongst
the ancient seamen. Some say this ceremony was instituted
by the Emperor Charfces V., though it is not amongst bis laws.
But here I leave th^se sea 'customs, and return to our voyage.
Having passed the Ras, we had very good weather, till we
came to Cape Finisterre ; here a sudden tempest surprised

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 19
US, and separated our ship from the rest that were in our com
pany. This storn;i continued eight days, in which time it
would move compassion to see how miserably the passengers
were tumbled to and fro, on all sides 'of the ship; inso
much, that the mariners, in the performance of their duty,
were compelled to tread upon them. This boisterous weather
being over, we had very favorable gales again, till we came
to the tropic of Cancer, This tropic is an imaginarv cir
cle which "astronomers have invented in the heavens,^ lim
iting the progress ofthe sun towards the north pole. It is
placed in latitude 23° 30'. Here we were baptized a second
time, asbeforei The French always perform this ceremony
at the tropic of Cancer, as also under the tropic of Capricorn.
In this part of the world we had very favorable weather, at
which we were very glad, because of our great want of water ;
for that element was so scarce with us, that we were stinted to
two half pints a man, every day.
About the latitude of Barbadoes, we met an English frigate,
or privateer, who first began to gire us l:hase ; but finding her
self not to exceed us in force, presently got away. Hereupon,
we pursued her, firing several guns, eight pounders, at her ;
but at length she escaped, and we returned to our course.
Soon after, we came within sight of Martinico. We were
bent tq the coast of the Isle of St. Peter, but were frustrated
by a storm which took us hereabouts. Hence we resolved to
steer to Guadalupe, yet we could not reach this island, by
reason of the said storm ; so that We directed oqr course to the
Isle of Tortuga, being the very same land we were bcwnd to.
We passed along the coast of Punta Rica, which is extremely '
agreeable and delightful to the sight, being adorned with beauti
ftil woods, even to the tops of the mountains. Then we discov
ered Hispaniola, (of which I shall give a description,) and We
coasted about it till we came to Tortuga, our desired port.
Here we anchored July 7, in the same year, not having lost
one man in the voyage. We landed the goods that belonged
to the West India Company, and, soon after, the ship was sent
to Cal de Sac, with some passengers.

20 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

CHAPTER II.
A Description of Tortuga, and i)f the Fruits and Plants there. — How the
French first settled there, at two several Times, and forced out the bpaniaras.
— The Author twice sold in the said Island.
The Island of Tottuga is situate on the north side of His
paniola, in latitude 20° 30'. Its just extent is threescore leagues
about. The Spaniards, who gave name to this island, called
it so from the shape of the land, in some manner resembling a
great sea-tortoise, called by them Tortuga-de-mar. The coun
try is very mountainous, and full of rocks, and yet thick. of
lofty trees, that grow upon the hardest of those rocHs, without
partaking <3f a softer soil. Hence it comes that their roots, for
the greatest part, are seen naked, entangled among the rocks
like the branching of ivy against our walls. That part of this
island which stretches to the north is. totally uninhabited.
The reason.is, first, because it is incommodious and unhealthy ;
and, secondly, for the ruggedness of the coast, that gives no
access to the shore, unless among rocks almost inaccessible.
For this cause, it is peopled only on the south part, which has
only one port, indifferently good. Yet this harbor has two en
tries, or channels, which afford passage to ships of seventy
guns, the port itself being without danger, and capable of re
ceiving a great number of vessels. ' The inhabited parts, of
which the first is called the Lowlands, or Low Country ; this
is the ohief anfong the rest, because it contains the port afore-
.said. The town is called Cayona, and here live the ehiefest
and richest planters of the island. The second part is called
the Middle Plantation ; its soil is yet almost new, being only
known to be good for tobacco. The third is named Ringot,
and is situate towards the west part of the island. The
fourth, and last, is called the Mountain, in which place were
made the first plantations upon this island.
As to the wood that grows here, we have already said that
the trees are exceedingly tall, and, pleasing to the sight, whence
no man will doubt but they may be applied to several uses.
Such is the yellow saunder, which by the inhabitants is called
bois de chandel, or, in English, candle-wood, because it burns
like a candle, and serves them with light while they fish by
night. Here grows, also, , Lignum Sanctum, or Guaiacum.
Its virtues are very well known, more especially to those who
observe not the seventh commandment, and are given to im-.
pure copulations! — physicians drawing hence, in several com-

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 21
positions, the greatest antidote for venereal diseases, as also for
cold and viscous humors. The trees, likewise, which afford
gummi elemi,' grow here in great abundance, as doth radix Chi
na, or China root. Yet this is not so good as that of other parts
of the western" world. It is very white and soft, and serves for
pleasant food to the wild boars, when they can find nothing
else. This islatid, also, is not deficient in aloes, nor an infi
nite number of the other medicinal her"bs, which may. please
the curiosity of such as are given to their contemplation.
Moreover, for building of ships, or any qfher sort of architect
ure, here are found several sorts of timber. The fruits, like
wise, which grow here abundantly, are nothing inferior, in
quantity or quality, to whqt other islands produce. I shall
name only some of the most ordinaryand common. Such are
magniot, potatoes, abajou apples, yanUas, bacones, paquays, ca-
rosoles, mamayns, annananes, and divers other sorts, which I
omit to specify. Here grow, likewise, in great numbers, those
trees called palmettoes or palmites, whence is drawn a certain
juice, which serves the inhabitants instead'of wine, and whose
leaves cover their houses, instead of tiles.
In this island aboundeth, also, the wild boar. The governor
hath prohibited the hunting of them with dogs, fearing lest,
the island being but small, the whole race of them, in a short
time, should be destroyed. The reason why he thought con
venient to preserve these wild beasts, was, that, in case of any
invasion, the inhabitants might sustain themselves with their
food, especially were they once constrained to retire to the
woods and mountains. Yet this sort of game is almost impeded
by itself, by reason of the many rocks and precipices, which,
for the greatest part, are covered with little' shrubs, very green
and thick, whence the huntsmen have oftentimes fallen, and
left us the sad remembrance of many a memorable disaster.
At a certain time of the year there resort to Tortuga large
flocks of wild pigeons, and then the inhabitants feed on them
very plentifully, having more than they can consume, and
leaving totally to their repose all other sorts of fowl, both wild
and tame ; that so, in the absence of the pigeons, these may
supply their place. But as nothing in the universe, though
never so pleasant, can be found, but what hath something of
bitternes,s with *t, the very symbol of this truth we see in
the aforesaid pigeons ; for these, the season being past, can
scarce be touched with the tongue, they become so extremely
lean, and bitter, even to admiration. The reason of this bit
terness is attributed to a certain seed, which they eat about that
time, even as bitter as gall. About the sea-shores, every

*22 . THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
where, are found great multitudes of crabs, both of land and
sea, and both sorts very big. These are good; to feed servants
and slaves, whose palates they please, but are yery hurtful to
the sight ; besides, being eaten too often, they cause great gid
diness in the head, with much weakness of the brain, so that,
very frequently, they are deprived of sight for a quarter of an
hour. The French, having settled in the Isle of St. Christopher,
planted there a sort of trees, af which, at present, there pos
sibly may be greater quantities, with the timber whereof they
made longboats and® hoys, which they sent thence westward,
well manned and victualled, to discover other islands. These,
setting sail from St. Christopher, came within sight of His
paniola, where they arrived with* abundance of joy. Havhig
landed, they marched into the country, where they found large
quantities of cattle, such as cows, bulls, horses, and wild boars ;
but finding no great profit in these animals, unless they could
enclose them, and knowing, likewise, the island to be pretty
well peopled by thQ Spaniards, they thought it convenient to
enter upon and seize the Island of Tortuga. This they per
formed without any difficulty, there being upon the island no
more than ten or twelve Spaniards to guard it. These few
men let the French come in peaceably, and possess the island
for six months, without any trouble. Meanwhile, they passed
and repassed, with their canoes, to Hispaniola, from whence
they transported many people, and at last began to jjlant the
whole Island of Tortuga. The few S^paniards remaining
there, perceiving the French to increase their number daily,
began at last to repine at their prosperity, and grudge them the
possession. Hence they gave notice to others of their nation,
their neighbors, who sent several boats, well armed and manned,
to dispossess the French. This expedition succeeded accord
ing to their desires ; for the new possessors, seeing the great
number of Spaniards, fled, with all they had, to the woods,
and hence, by night, they wafted over with canoes to the Island
of Hispaniola. This they the more easily performed, havmo-
no women or children with them, nor any great substance to
carry away: Here they also retire into the woods, both to seek
for food, and from-thence, with secrecy, lo give intelligence to
others of their own faction ; judging for certain, that wirhiu a
little while they should be in a capacity to hinder the Span
iards from fortifying jn Tortuga.
Meanwhile, the Spaniards of the great island ceased not to
seek after their new guests, the French, with intent to root
thera out of the woods, if possible, or cause them to perish

THE B.UCCANEEBS OF AMEBICA. 2^
with hunger ; but this design soon failed, having found that
the French were masters both of good guns, powder, and bul
lets. Here, therefore, the fugitives waited for a certain oppor
tunity, wherein they knew the Spaniards were to come from
Tortuga, with arms and a great number of men, to join with
those of the greater island, for their destruction. When this
occasion offered, they, in the mean while deserting the woods
where they were, returned to Tortuga, and dispossessed the
small number of Spaniards that remained at home. Having
so done, they fortified themselves the best they could, thereby
to prevent the return of the Spaniards, in case they should
attempt it. Moreover, they sent immediately to the governor
of St. Christopher's, craving his aid and relief, and demanding
of him a governor, the better to be united among themselves,
and strengthened on all occasions. The governor of St.
Christopher's received their petition with much satisfaction,
and, without delay, sent Monsieur Le Passeur to them, in qual
ity of a governor, together with a ship full of men, and all
necessaries for their establishment and defence. No sooner
had they received this recruit, but the governor commanded a
fortress to be built upon the top of a high rock, from whence
he could hinder the entrance of any ships, or other vessels, to
the port. To this fort no other access could be had, than by
almost climbing through a very narrow passage, that was ca
pable only of receiving two persons at once,. and those not
without difficulty. In the middle of this rock was a great cav
ity, which now serves for a storehouse. Besides, here was
great convenience for raising a battery. The fort being fin
ished, the governor commanded two guns to be mounted,
which could not be done without great toil and labor ; as, also,
a house'to be built within the fort ; and afterwards the narrow
way, that led to the said fort, to be broken and demolished,
leaving no other ascent thereto than by a ladder. Within the
fort gushes out a plentiful fountain of pure fresh water, suffi>-
cient to refresh a garrison of a thousand men. B^jng possessed
bf these conveniences, and the security these things might
promise, the French began to people the island, and each of
them to seek their living, some by hunting,' others by planting
tobacco, and othera by cruising, and robbiiig upon the coasts
of the Spanish islands, which trade is continued by them to
this day. •
The Spaniards, notwithstanding, could not behold, but with
jealous eyes, the daily increase of the French in Tortuga, fear
ing lest, in time, they might by them be dispossessed also of
Hispaniola. Thus taking an opportunity, (when many of the

34 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
French were abroad at sea, and others employed in hunting,)
with eight hundred men, in several canoes, they landed again
in Tortuga, almost without being perceived by the French ;
but finding that the' governor had cut down many trees, for the
better discovery of any enemy, in case of an assault, as also
that nothing of consequence could be done without great guns,
they consulted about the fittest place for raising a battery.
This place was soon concluded to be the top of a mountain
which was in sight, seeing that from thence alone they could
level their guns at the fort, which now lay open to them since
the cutting down of the trees by the new possessors. Hence
they resolved to open a way for the carriage of some pieces of
ordnance to the top. This mountain is somewhat high, and
the upper part thereof plain, from whence the whole island
may be viewed. The sides thereof are very rugged, by reason
a great number of inaccessible rocks do surround it ; so that
the ascent was very difficult, and would always have been the
same, had not the Spaniards undergone the irhmense labor and
toil of making the way befoje mentioned, as I shall now re
late. ¦
The Spaniards had, with them .many slaves and Indians,
laboring men, whom they call matades, or,, in English, half-
yellow men. These they ordered with iron tools to dig a way
through the rocks. This they performed with the greatest
speed imaginable, and through this way, by the help 9? many
ropes and pullies, they at last made shift to get up two pieces
of ordnance, wherewith they made a battery next day, to play
ou the fort. Meanwhile the French, knowing these designs,
prepared for a defence, (while the Spaniards were busy about
the, battery,) sending notice every where to their companions,
for help. Thus the hunters of the island all joined together,
and with them all the pirates, who were not already too
far from home. These landed by night at Tortuga, lest
they should be seen by the Spaniards ; and under the same
obscurity of* the night, they all together, by a back way,
climbed the mountain where the Spaniards Were posted, which
they did the more easily, being acquainted with these rocks.
They came up at tlie very instant that the Spaniards, who
were above, were preparing to shoot at the fort, not knowing
in the least of their coming. Here they set upon them at their
backs, with such fury, as forced the greatest part to precipitate
themselves from the top to the bottom, and dash their bodies
in pieces. Few or none escaped ; for if any remained alive,
they were put to the sword. Some Spaniards did still keep
the bottom of the mountain ; but these, hearing the shrieks

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 25
and cries of them that were killed, and believing some tragical
revolution to be above, fled immediately towards the sea, de
spairing ever Ho regain the Island of Tortuga.
The governors of this island behaved themselves as propri
etors, and absolute lords thereof, till 1664, when the West In
dia Company of France took possession thereof, and sent
thither, for their governor, Monsieur Ogeron. These planted
the colony for themselves by their factors and servants, think
ing to drive some considerable trade from thence with the
Spaniards, even as the Hollanders do from Curasao. But this
design did not answer ; for with other nations they could drive
no trade, by reason they could not establish any secure com
merce, from the beginning, with their own : forasmuch as, at
the first instittition of this company in' France, they agreed
with the pirates, hunters, and planters, first possessors of Tor
tuga, that these should bUy all their necessaries from the said
company upon trust. And though this > agreement was put in
execution, yet the factors of the company soon after found
that they could not recover either moneys or retur.ns from those
people, that they were constrained to bring some armed men
into the island, in behalf of the company, to get in some of
their payments. , But iTfeither this endeavor, nor any other,
could prevail towards the settling a second trade with those of
the island. Hereupon the company recalled their factors, giv
ing them orders to sell all that was their own, in the said plan
tation, both the servants belonging to the company, (which
were sold, some for twenty, others for thirty pieces of eight,)
as also all other merchandises and properties. And thus all their
designs fell to the ground'.
On this occasion I was also sold, being a servant under the
said company, in who'se service I left France. But my fortune
was very bad, for I fell iiito the hands of the most cruel and
perfidious man that ever was born, who was then governor, or
rather lieutenant-general, of that island. This man treated me
with all the hard usage imaginable, yea, with that of hunger,
with which I thought I should have perished inevitably.
Withal, he was wiUing to let me buy my freedom and liberty,
but not under the rate of three hundred pieces of eight, I not
being master of one at a time in the world. At last, through
the manifold miseries I endured, as also affliction of mind, 'I
was thrown into a dangerous sitekness. This misfortune, added
to the rest,- was the cause of my happiness ; for my wicked
master, seeing my condition, began to fear lest he should lose
his moneys with my life. Hereupon he sold me a second time
to a surgeon, for seventy pieces of eight. Being with this sec-

26 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA,
oiTd master, I began soon to recover my health, through the good
usage I received, he being much more humane and civil than
my first patron. He gave me both clothes and very good food,
and after I had served, him but one year, he offered me my lib
erty, with only this condition, that I should pay him one hun
dred pieces of ^i^ht, when I was in a capacity so to do, which
kind proposal of his I could not but accept witli ^infinite joy
and gratitude.
Being now at liberty, though like Adam whpn he was first
created, that is, naked and destitute of all human necessaries,
not knowing how to get my living, I determined to enter into
the order of the pirates or robbers at sea. Into this society I
wasj'eceived with common consent, both of the superior and
vulgar sort, where I continued till 1672. Having assisted
them in all their designs and attempts, and served them in
many notable exploits, of which, hereafter, I shall give the
reader a true account, I returned to my own native country.
But before I .begin my relation, I shall say something of the
Island of Hispaniola, which lies towards the western part of
America, as also give rny reader a brief description thereof, ac
cording to ray slender ability and experience.

CHAPTER III.
A Description of Hispaniola.
The large and rich island called Hispaniola is situate from
latitude 17° to 19° ; the circumference is three hundred
leagues ; the extent from east to west, one hundred and twenty ;
its breadth almost fifty, being broader or narrower at certain
places. This island was first discovered by Christopher Co
lumbus, A. D. 1492, he being sent for this purpose by Ferdi
nand, king of Spain, from which time to this present the Span
iards have been continually possessors thereof. There are upon
this island very good and strong cities, towns, and hamlets, as
well as a great number of pleasant country-houses and planta
tions, the effebts of the care and industry of the Spaniards, its
inhabitantSi 'The chief city and metropolis hereof is Santo Domingo, being
dedicated to St. Dominiek, from whom it derives its name. It
is 'situate towards the south, and afford? a most excellent pros-

THE BUCCANEEES OF AMERICA. 27
peet, the country round about being embellished with innu
merable rich plantations, as also verdant meadows and fruitful
gardens, all which produce plenty and variety of excellent,
pleasant fruits, according to the nature of those countries.
The governor of the island resides in this city, which is, as it
were, the storehouse of all the cities, towns, and villages, which
hence export and provide themselves with all necessaries for
human life ; and yet hath it this particularity" above many
other cities, that it entertains no commerce with any nation
but its own, the Spaniards. The greatest part of the inhabit
ants are rich and substantial merchants or shopkeepers.
Another city of this island is San Jago, or St. Jan^es, being
consecrated to that apostle. This is an open place, without walls
or castle, situate in latitude 19°. The inhabitants are generally
hunters and planters, the adjaceflt territory and soil being very
proper for the said exercises. The city is surrounded with
large and delicious fields, as much pleasing, to the view as those
of Santo Domingo ; and these abound with beasts, both wild
and tame, yielding vast numbers of skins and hides, very profit
able to the owners.
In the south part of this island is another city, called Nues-
tra Sennora de Aita Gracia. This territory produces great
quantities of cocoa, whereof the inhabitants make great store
of the richest chocolate.* Here grow, also, ginger and to
bacco, and much tallow is made of the beasts which are here
abouts hunted.
The inhabitants of this beautiful Island of Hispaniola often
resort in their canoes to the Isle of Savona, not far distant,
where is their chief fishery, especially of tortoises. Hither
those, fish constantly resort in great multitudes, at certain sea
sons, there to lay their eggs, burying them in the sands of the
shoal, where, by the heat of the sun, which in those parts is
very ardent, they are hatched. This Isjand of Savona has
little or nothing that is worthy consideration, being so very
barren by reason of its sandy soil. True it is, that here grows
some small quantity of Lignum Sanctum, or guaiacum, of
whose use we say something in another place.
Westward of Santo Domingo is another great village, called
El Pueblo de Aso, or the town -of Aso. The inhabitants
thereof drive great traffic with those of another village, in the
very middle of the island, and is called San Juan de Goave,
or St. John of Goave. This is environed with a magnificent
prospect of gardens, woods, and meadows. Its territory ex
tends above twenty leagues in length, and grazes a great num
ber of wild bulls and cows. In this village scarce dwell any

28 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
other than hunters and butchers, who flay the beasts that are
killed. Thes^e afe for the most part a mongrel sort of people,
some of which are born of white European people and ne
groes, and called mulattoes ; others of Indians and white peo
ple, and termed mesticoes. But others come of negroes and
Indians, and are called alcafraces. Besides which sorts of peo
ple, there are several other species and races, both here and in
other places of the West Indies, of whom this account may be
given : that the Spaniards love better the negro women in
those western parts, or the tawny Indian females, than their
own white European race ; when as, peradventure, the negroes
and Indians have greater i;iclination& to the white women or
those that come near them, the tawny, than their own. From
the said village are exported^ yearly vast quantities of tallow
and hides, they exercising no other traffic. For as to the lands
in this place, they are not cultivated, by reason of the exces
sive dryness of the soil. These are the ehiefest places that the
Spaniards possess in this island' frora the Cape of Lobos
towards St. John de Goave, unto the Cape of Samana, nigh
the. sea, ori the north side, and from the eastern part towards
the sea, called Punta de Espada. All the rest of the island
is possessed by the French, who .are also planters and hunters.
This island hath very good ports for ships from the Cape of
Lobos to the Cape of Tiburon, on the west side thereof. In
this space there are no less than four ports, exceeding in good
ness, largeness, and security, even the very best of England.
Besides these, from the Cape of Tiburon to thfe Cape of Donna
Maria, there are two very excellent ports, and from, this cape to
the Cape oT St. Nicholas there are no less than twelve others.
Every one of these ports hath also the confluence -of two or
three good rivers, in which are great plenty of several sorts of
fish, very pleasing to the palate. The country hereabouts is
well watered with large and deep rivers and brooks, so that this
part of the land may easily be cultivated without any great
fear of droughts, because of these excellent streams. The sea
coasts and shores are also very pleasant, to which the tortoises
resort in large numbers, to lay their eggs.
This island was formerly very well peopled on the north
side, with many towns and villages ; but these, being mined
by the Hollanders, were at last, for the greatest. part, deserted
by the Spaniards.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 29
CHAPTER IV.
Of the -Fruits, Trees, and Animals, of Hispaniola.
The spacious fields of this islarJfl commonly are five or six
leagues in length, the beauty whereof is so pleasing to the eye,
that, together with the great variety of their natural produc
tions, they captivate the senses of the beholder. For here, at
once, they not only, with diversity of objects, recreate the
sight, but with many of the same do also please the smell, and
with most contribute delights to the taste ; also they flatter and
excite the appetite", especially with the multitudes of oranges
and lemons here growing, both sweet and sour, and those that
participate of both tastes, and are only pleasantly tartish. Be
sides, here abundantly grow several sorts of fruit ; such are cit
rons, toronjas, and limas, in English not improperly called
crab-lemons. True it is, that the lemons exceed not here the
bigness of a hen's egg, which smallness distinguishes them
from those of Spain, most frequently used in these our north
ern countries. The date-trees, which here cover very spacious
plains, are exceeding tall, which, notwithstanding, doth not of
fend, but delight the view. Their height- is from one hundred
and fifty to two hundred feet, being destitute of branches to the
very tops. Within it is a certain pleasant white substance,
like that of white cabbage, whence the branches and leaves
sprout, in which " the seeds or dates are contained. Every
month one of those branches falls, and at the same time another
sprouts out ; but the seed ripens not but once a year. The
dates are food extremely coveted by the hedgehogs. The
white substance at the top of the tree is used by the Spaniards
as cabbage, in Europe, they cutting it in slices, and boiling it
in their oUas,, with all sorts of meat. The leaves of this date
tree are seven or eight feet long, and three or four broad, being
very fit to cover houses, for they defend from rain equally with
the best tiles, though never so rudely huddled together. They
use them, also, to wrap up smoked flesh, and to make buckets
to, carry water in, though not durable fbr above six, seven, or
eight days. These cabbages, for so we shall call them, are
greenish on the outside, though inwardly very white, whence
may be separated a rind, very like to parchment, being fit to
write on, as we do on paper. The bodies of these trees are of
a huge thickness, which two men can hardly compass with
their arms ; and yet they cannot properly be termed woody,
3*

80 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
but only three or four inches deep in thickness, all the rest of
the internal part being very soft ; so that, paring off those
three or four inches of woody substance, the remaining part
may be sliced like new cheese. They wound them three or
four feet above the root, and, making "an incision in the body,
from thence gently distils a liquor, which, in a short time fer
menting, becomes as strong as the richest wine, and which
easily inebriates, if not used with moderation. The French
call these palm-trees Frank-palms, and they only grow here,
or elsewhere in saltish grounds.
Besides these palm-trees which we have mentioned, there
are iu Hispaniola four other species of palms, distinguished by
the names of latanier, palma espinosa, or prickle palm, palma
a chapelet, or rosary palm. The latanier palm is not so tall as
the wine palm, but algiost of tlie same shape, only the leaves
are like th6 fans our women use. They grow mostly in grav
elly and sandy ground, their circumference being of seven feet,
more or less. The body hath many prickles or thorns, half a
foot long, very sharp and pungent. It produces its seed, like
as that above mentioned, which serves for food to the wild
beasts. The prickle palm, so called because it is ' infinitely full of
prickles, from" the root to the very leaves, much more than the
precedent. With these prickles, the barbarous Indians use to
torment the prisoners they take in battle. They tie them to a
tree, theu taking these thorns, they put them into little pellets
of cotton, dipped in oil, and stick them into the sides of the
miserable prisoners, as thick as the bristles of a hedgehog,
which cause an incredible torment to the patient. Then they
set them on fire, and if the tormented prisoner sing in the
midst of his torments, he is esteemed a courageous soldier, who
neither fears his enemies nor their torments ; but if, on the
contrary, he cries out, they esteem him a coward, and un
worthy of any memory. This custom was told me by an In
dian, who said, he had used his enemies thus oftentimes. The
like cruelties to these many Christians have seen, while, they
lived among those barbarians.' But returning to the prickle
palm, I shall only tell you that this palm-tree in this only dif
fers from the latanier, that the leaves are like those of the
Frank-palm'; its seed is like that of the other palm-trees, being
only much bigger and rounder, and full of little kernfels, as
pleasing to the taste as our walnuts in Eurppe. This tree
grows for the most part in the marshes and low grounds of the
sea-coast. The wine palm is so called from (he abundance of wrihe

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 31
gathered from it. This palm grows in Jiigh and rocky moun
tains, not exceeding the height of forty or fifty feet, but yet of
an extraordinary shape or form. For from the root up half
way, it is only three or four inches thick ; but upwards, some
thing above two thirds of it? height, it is as big and as thick
as an ordinary bucket or milk-pail ; within it is full of a cer
tain matter, very much like the tender stalk of a white cab
bage, which is very juicy, of a liquor very pleasing to the pal
ate. This liquor, after fermentation and settling of the grounds,
becomes very good and clear wine, without any great i)ains ;
for, having wounded the tree with a hatchet, they make a
square incision or orifice in it, through which they bruise the
said m'atter till it may be squeezed out, or expressed with the
hands, they needing no other' instrument. With the leaves
they make vessels, not only to settle and purify the said liquor,
but also to drink it. It bears its fruit like to other palms, but
very small, being like cherries. The taste is very good, but
dangerous to the throat, causing extreme pains, which produce
malignant quinsies.
The palm a chapelet, or rosary palm, so called by the
French and Spaniards, because its seed is very fit to make ro
saries or beads to say prayers upon, they being small, hard, and
easily bored. This fourth species grows on the tops of the
highest mountains, and is of an excessive tallness, very straight,
and hath very few leaves.
Here grows, also, a certain sort of apricot-trees, whose fruit
equals in bigness that of our ordinary melons. The color is
lijce ashes, and the taste the very same with that of ours in
Europe ; the stones of this fruit being as big as a hen's egg.
On these the wild boars feed very deliciously, and fatten to
admiration. The trees called caremites are very like to our pear-trees,
whose fruits resemble our Damascene plums; or prunes of Eu
rope, being of a very pleasant and agreeable taste. This fruit
is black on the inside, and the kernels thereof sometimes only
two, sometimes three or four, as big as a lupine. This plum
affords no less, pleasant food to, the wild boars than the apricots
above mentioned, only it is not so commonly found, nor in
such quantities.
The genipa-trees are all ov^er this island, being like our
cherry-trees, though the branches are more dilated. The fruit
therAif is ash-colored, as big as two fists, which is full of many
prickles or points, involved under a thin membrane or skin,
which, if not taken away at the time of eating, causes great
obstructions and gripings of the belly. Before this fruit grows

32 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
ripe, if pressed, it affords a juice as black as ink, being fit to
write withal, but the letters disappear within nine days, the
paper remaining as white as if it never had been written on.
The wood of this tree is very strong, solid, and hard, good to
build ships, seeing it lasts many' years in the water witho.ut
putrefaction. Besides these, divers other sorts of trees are natives of this
islaijd, producing very excellent and pleasant fruits. Of these
I shall omit to name several, knowing there are learned~authors
who have described and searched them with greater attention
and curiosity ; but I shall mention some few more, in particu
lar. Such are the cedars, which this part of the world pro
duces in prodigious quantities. The French call them acajou,
and they find them useful, for building ships and canoes.
These canoes are like little wherry boats, being made of only
one tree, hollowed, and fitted for the sea. They are so swift,
that they may be well called Neptune's post-horses. The In
dians make these canoes without any iron instruments, by only
burning the trees nigh the root, and then so governing the fire,
as nothing is burnt more than what they would have. Some
have hatchets of flint, with which they gcrape or pare off what
soever is burnt too far ; and thus, by fire only, they give them
that shape which renders them capable of navigating sixty or
eighty leagues, with ordinary security.
As to medicinal productions, here is to be found the tree that
affords the gum elemi, used in our apothecary shops, likewise
guaiacum or lignum sanctum, lignum aloes, aloe wood, cassia
lignea, China roots, with several others. The tree mapou, be
sides that it is medicinal, is also used for making canoes, being
very thick ; yet it is much inferior to the acajou, or cedar,
being somewhat spongy, sucking in much water, which ren
ders it dangerous in navigation. The tree called acoma hath
its wood very hard and heavy, and of the color of palm, which
renders it very fit to make oars for the sugar mills. Here are,
also, in great quantities, brasilete, or brasil wood, and that
which the Spaniards call manchanilla.
Brasil wood is now very well known in ilolland and the
Low Countries. , It is called, also, by the Spaniards, lenna de
peje palo. It serves only, or chiefly, for the trade of dyers. It
grows abundantly along the sea-coasts, especially in two places,
called Jacmel and Jaquina. These are two commodious ports
or bays, capable of receiving ships of the greatest bulk.
The tree called manchanilla, or dwarf apple-tree, grows near
the sea-shore, being naturally so low that its branches, though
never so short,- always touch the water. It bear-s a fruit some-

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. ^3
what like a sweet-scented apple, which yet is of a very ven
omous quality ; for these apples being eaten by any person, he
instantly changes color, and such a thirst seizes him as all the
water of the Thames cannot quench, he dying, raving mad,
within a little while. But what is more strange, the fish that
eat, as it often happens, of this fruit, are also poisonous. This
tree affords a liquor, thick and white, like the fig-tree, which,
if touched by the hand, raises bhsters, and these are as red as
if it had been scalded. One day, being hugely tormented with
mosquitoes or gnats, and being as yet unacquainted with the
nature of this tree, I cut a branch, to serve me for a fan ; but
all my face was swelled the next day, and filled with blisters,
as if it were burnt, to such a degree that I was blind for
three days.
Yaco is another sort of tree, so called by the Spaniards,
growing by the river sides. This bears a fruit like our bullace,
or damson plums,, which, when ripe, is extremely coveted by
the wild boars,, with which they fatten as much as oiir hogs do
with the sweetest acorns of SpaitL These trees love a sandy
ground, yet are so low, that their branches being very large, they
take up a great circumference, almost couching on the groUnd.
The trees named abelcoses bear fruit of like color with the
yacos above mentioned, of the bigness of melons, the seeds,
or kernels, being as big as eggs. The substance of this fruit
is yellow, and of a pleasant taste, which the poorest among the
French eat instead of bread, the wild boars not caring at all for
it.. These trees grow very tall and thick, being somewhat like
our largest pear-trees.
As to the insects of this island, I shall only remark three
sorts of flies, which excessively torment all human bodies, but
especially such as were never or but little acquainted with
these countries; The first sort are as big as our common horse
flies in Europe, and these, darting themselves upon men's
bodies, there stick, and suck their blood till they can fly no
longer. Their importunity obliges to make almost continual
use of branches of trees to fan them away. The Spaniards in
those parts call them musquitoes, or gnats, but the French call
thera maranguines. The second sort is no bigger than a grain of
sanid ; these make no buzzing noise, as the preceding species do,
so are less avoidable, being able also, through their smallness, to
penetrate the finest linen, or cloth. The hunters are forced to
anoint their faces with hog's grease, to defend themselves from
their stings. By night, in their huts or cottages, they con
stantly burn the leaves of tobacco, without which sraoke they
could not rest. True it is, in the day-time they are not very

34 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. •
troublesome, in case any wind be stirring, for.this,.though never
so little, dissipates thera. The gnats of the third species ex
ceed not the bigness of a grain of mustard ; their color is red.
These sting not at all, but bite so Sharply as to create little
ulcers, whence it often happens that the face swells, and is ren
dered frightful to the view. These are chiefly troublesome by
day, e^/'en from morning till sunset, after which they take their
rest, and permit human bodies to do so. The Spaniards call
these rojadog, and the French, calarodes.
The insects wliich the Spaniards call cochinillas, and the
English, glow-worms, are also to be found here. These are
very much like those of Europe, but somewhat bigger, and
longer. They have two little specks on their heads, which by
night give so much light, that three or four of them together,
upon a tree, seem at a distance like a bright, shining fire. I had
once three of these cochinillas in my cottage, which continued
there till past midnight, shining so brightly, that, without any
other light, I could easily read in any book, of never so srnall
a print. I attempted to bring Some of them to Europe, but as
soon as they came into a colder climate, they died. They lost,
also,- their shining, upon the change of air, before their deaths.
This shining is so great that the Spaniards, with great reason,
call them moscas de fuego, that isj fire-flies.
There are, also, in Hispaniola, a great number of grillones,
or crickets. These are of an extraordinary magnitude, if com
pared to ours, and so noisy that they are ready to burst thera
selves with singing, if any person comes near them. Here .is
not a less number of reptiles, as serpents, &c., but by a partic
ular providence of the Creator, these have, no poison, neither
do they any other harm than catch fowls, but more espe
cially pullets, pigeons, and the like. Oftentimes these serpents
or snakes are useful in houses, to clear them of rats and mice ;
for with great cunning they counterfeit their shrieks, and hereby
deceive and catch them at their pleasure. Having taken them,
they only suck their blood at first; then, throwing away the
guts, they swallow almost entire the rest of the body, which
they readily digest into soft excrements. Another sort of rep
tiles of this island is called cazadorcs de moscas, or fly-catch
ers. This name was given to this reptile by the Spaniards, by
reason they never could experiment that it lived upon any other
food than flies. Hence it cannot be said that this creature
causes any harm to the inhabitants, but rather benefit, seeing it
consumes the vexatious and troublesome flies.
Here are, also, many land tortoises. ' These breed mostly in
mud, an4 fields overflowed with water. The inhabitants eat

• THE BUdCANEERS OF AMERICA. 36
them, as very good, food. But here are a sort of very hideous
spiders ; these are as big as an ordinary egg, and their feet as
long as those Ofthe biggest sea-crabs. They are very ha-iry
withal, and have four black teeth, like a rabbit's both in big
ness and shape ; but their bitings are not venomous, though
they can bite very sharp, and do very commonly. They breed
mostly in the roofs of houses. In this island, also, is the insect
called, in Latin, millepes, and in Greek, scolopendria, or many
feet, and likewise scorpions. Yet, by the providence of Nature,
neither the one nor the other are poisonous ; for though they
often bite, yet the wounds require not any medicament for their
cure ; and though their bitihgs cause some inflamihation and
swelling at first, yet these symptoms disappear of their own
accord. Thus in Hispaniola, no venomous animal is found.
After the insects, I shall say something of that terrible beast
called cayman. This is a species of the crocodile, wherewith
this island abounds. Among these caymans, some are found.
to be very large and horrible to the sight. Some have been
seen no less than seventy feet long, and twelve broad. Yet
more marvellous than their bulk is their cunning and subtilty.
Being hungry, they place themselves nigh the sides of rivers,
especially at the fords where cattle come to drink, or wade
over. Here they lie without any motion, resembling an old
tr^e fallen into the river, floating upon the waters. Yet they
go not far from the banks, but continually lurch in the same
place, till some wild boar or cow come to drink or refresh
themselves ; and then, with great activity, they seize on thern
with no less fierceness, and, dragging the prey-into the water,
stifle it. But what is more admirable, is, that three or four
days before the caymans go upon this design, they eat nothing'
at all, but, diving into the river, they swallow a hundred weight,
or two of stones ; with these they render themselves heavier
than before, and add to their natural strength, (which is very
great,) thereby to make their assault the more terrible and
secure. The prey thus stifled, they let it lie four or five days
under the water, untouched, for they cannot eat the least bit
unless it is hall rotten ; but when it is so much putrified as is
most pleasing to their palates, they devour it with great appetite
and voracity. If they can light on any hides of beasts, placed by
the inhabitants in the fields for drying, they drag them into the
water, leaving them for some days, well loaded with stones, till'
ths hair falls oft'; then they eat them with no less appetite
than they would the animals thehiselves. I have seen myself,
many times, like things to these I write ; but beside my own
experience, many writers of natural things have raade entire

36 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. »
treatises of these animals, describing their shape, magnitude,
voracity, and other qualities. A certain person, of good credit,
told me that one day he was by a river-side, washing his bar-
aca, or tent. As soon as he began hiswork, a cayman fastened
upon the tent, and dragged it under water. The man, desirous
to save his tent, pulled, on the contrary, with all his, strength,
having in his mouth a butcher's knife, (with which, as it hap
pened, he was scraping the canvas,) to defend himself, in case
of necessity. The cayman, angry at this, vaulted upon him
out of the river, and drew him with great celerity into the
water, Endeavoring with his weight to stifle him. He, finding
hiraself in -the greatest extremity, almost crushed to death by
that huge animal, with his knife he gave the cayman several
wounds in the belly, with which he suddenly expired. Being,
thus delivered from danger, he drew the cayman out of the
water, and opened the body, to satisfy his curiosity. In hisi
stomach he found near a hundred weight of stones, eaqh stone
being almost as big as his fist. *
The caymans are ordinarily busied in catching flies, which
they eagerly devour. The occasion is, because close to their
skin they have little scales, which have a sweet scent, some
what like musk. This aromatic odor the flies love, and here
they corae to repose themselves, and sting. Thus they both
persecute each other continually, with an incredible hatred and
antipathy. Their manner of procreating and hatching their
young is thus : they approach the sandy banks of some river
exposed to the south sun ; among these sands they lay their-
eggs, which afterwards they cover with their feet ; and here-
they find a young generation, hatched only by the heat of the
sun. These, as soon as they are out of the shell, by natural
instinct run to the water. Many times these eggs are destroyed
by birds, that find them as they scrape among the sands. Here
upon the female caymans, when they fear the coraing of any
flocks of birds, oftentimes, by night, swallow these their eggs,
and keep them in their stomachs till the danger is over, and
then they bury them again, and, as I have* told you, bring
them forth again out of their bellies, till the season is come of
their being hatched ; then, if the mother be nigh, they run to
her, g,nd play'with her, as little whelps do with their dams. In
this sort of sport, they will often run in and out of their
mother's belly, even as rabbits into their holes. I myself have
often spied them thus at play with their dams, over the /w^ater,
upon the contrary banks of some river, and have disturbed
their sport by throwing a stone that way, causing them on a
sudden to creep into the mother's bowels for fear. The manner

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

of procreating of these animals is al^vays such as I have re
lated, and at the same time of the year; for they meddle not
with one another but in May. They call them in this country
crocodiles, though in other places of the West Indies they go
under the name of caymans.

CHAPTER V.
Of all the Sorts of Quadrupeds and Birds of this Island : as also a Belation of
the French Buccaneers.
Beside- the fruits which this island prodtjces, whosfe .plenty,
as is said, surpasses all the islands of America, it abounds also
with all sorts of quadrupeds, as horses, bulls, cows, wild boars,
and others, very useful to mankind, not only for food, but for
cultivating the ground, and the management of commerce.
Here' are vast numbers of wild dogs ; these destroy j^early
many cattle ; for no sooner hath a cow calved, or a- mare foaled,
but these wild mastiffs devour the young, if they find not re
sistance from keepers and domestic dogs. They run up and
down the woods and fields, commonly fifty, threescore, or more,
together ; being withal so fierce that they will often assault an
entire herd of wild boars, not ceasing to worry them till they
have fetched down two or three. One day a French Buccaneer
showed me a strange action of this kind : being in the fields a
hu'nting together, we heard a great noise of dogs, which had
surrounded a wild boar. Having tame dogs with us, we left
them to the custody of our servants, being desirous to see the
sport. Hence my companion and I climbed ap two several
trees, both for security and prospect. The wild boar, all alone,
stood against a tree, defending himself with his tusks from a
great number of dogs that enclosed him ; killed with his teeth,
and wounded several of them. This bloody fight continued
about an hour, the wild boar, meanwhile, attempting many
times to escape. At last flying, one dog leaping upon his back,
fastened on his testicles, which at one pull he tore in pieces.
The rest of the dogs, perceiving the courage of their compan
ion, fastened likewise on the boar, and presently killed him.
This done, all of them, the first only excepted, laid themselves
down upon the ground about the prey, and there peaceably
continued, till he, the first and most courageous of the troop,
had eat as much as he could. When this" dog had left off, all
4

38 THE buccaneers op americ'a.
the rest fell in to take their share, till nothing was left. What
ought we to infer from this notable action, performed by wild
animals, but this : that even beasts themselves are not destitute
of knowledge, and that they give us documents how to honor
such as have deserved well ; even since these irrational animals
did reverence and respect him that exposed his life to the great
est danger against the common enemy ?
The governor of Tortuga, Monsieur Ogeron, finding that
the wild dogs killed so many of the wild boars, that the hunt
ers of that island had much ado to find any, fearing lest that
common sustenance of the island should fail, sent for a great
quantity of poison from France to destroy the wild mastiffs.
This was done A. D. 1668, by commanding horses to be kille'd
and empoisoned, and laid open at certain places where the wild
dogs used to resort. This being continued for six months,
there were killed'an incredible number; and yet all this could
not exterminate and destroy the race, or scarce diminish them;
their number appearing almost as large as before. These wild
dogs are easily tamed among men, even as tame as ordinary
house dogs. The hunters of those parts, whenever they find
a wild bitch with whelps, commonly take away the puppies,
and bring them home ; which being grown up, they hunt much
better than other dogs.
But here the curious reader may perhaps inquire how so many
wild dogs came here. The occasion was, the Spaniards having
possessed these isles, found them peopled with Indians, a barr
barous people, sensual and brutish, hating all labor, and only
inclined to killing and making war against their neighbors ;
not out of ambition, but only because they agreed' not with
themselves in some common terms of language ; and perceiving
the dominion of the Spaniards laid great restrictions upon their
lazy and brutish customs, they conceived an irreconcilable ha
tred against them ; but especially because they saw them take
possession of their kingdoms and dominions. Hereupon they
made against them all the resistance they could, opposing every
where their designs, to the utmost : and the Spaniards finding
themselves cruelly hated by the Indians, and nowhere secure
from their treacheries, resolved to extirpate and ruin them, since
they could neither tame thern by civility, nor conquer them
with the sword. But the Indians, it being their custom to
make the woods their chief places of defence, at present made
these their refuge, whenever they fled from the Spaniards.
Hereupon those first conquerors of the New World made use
of dogs to range and search the intricatest thickets of woods
and forests for those implacable and unconquerable enemies •

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 39
thus they forced them to leave their old refuge, and submit to
the sword, seeing no milder usage would do it ; hereupon they
killed some of them, and, quartering their bodies, placed them
in the highways, that others might take warning from such a
punishment ; but this severity proved of ill consequence, for
instead of frighting them and reducing them to civility, they
conceived such horror of the Spaniards, that they resolved to
detest and fly their sight forever ; hence the greatest part died
in caves and subterraneous places of the woods and mountains',
in which places I myself have often seen great numbers of
hunjan bones. The Spaniards, finding no more Indians to ap
pear about the woods, turned away a great number of dogs
they had in their houses, and they, finding no njasters to keep
them, betook themselvfes to the woods and fields to hunt' for
food to preserve their lives; thus by degrees they became un
acquainted with houses, and grew wild. This is the truest ac
count I can give of the multitudes of wild dogs in these parts.
But besides these wild mastiffs, here are also great numbers
of wild horses every where all over the island. They are but
low, of stature, short-bodied, with great heads, long necks, and
big or thick legs. In a word, they have nothing handsome in
their shape. They run up and down, commonly in troops of
two or three hundred together, one going always before to lead
the multitude. When they meet any person travelling through
the woods or fields, they stand still, suffering hira to approach
till he can almost touch them ; and then suddenly starting, they
betake themselves to flight, running away as fast as they can.
The hunters catch them only for their skins, though sometimes
they preserve their flesh likewise, which they harden with
smoke, using it for provisions when they go to sea.
Here would be also wild bulls and cows in great number, if
by continual hunting they were not much diminished; yet
considerable profit is made to this day by such as make it their
business to kill them. The wild bulls are of a vast bigness of
body, and yet they hurt not any one except they be exasper
ated. Their hides are from eleven to thirteen feet long.
The diversity of birds of this island is so great, that I should
be troublesome if I should attempt to muster tip their species ;
so that I shall content myself to mention some few of the chief.
Here is a certain species of pullets ih the woods which the
Spaniards call .pintados, which the inhabitants find to be as
good as those bred in houses. Every body knoWs that the
parrots we have in Eurppe are brought from these parts, whence
may be inferred, that seeing such a number of these talkative
birds are preserved araong us, notwithstanding the diversity of

40 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMEBICA.
climates, much greater multitudes are to be found where the
air aud temperament is natural to them. The parrots make
their nests in holes af palmetto trees, which holes are before
made by other birds ; for they are not capable of excavating
any wood, though never so soft, having their own bills too
crooked and blunt ; hence provident Nature hath supplied them
with the labor of other birds, called carpenters. These are no
bigger than sparrows, yet have such hard and, piercing bills,
that no iron instrument can be made fitter to exca-vate any tree,
though never so solid and hard ; and these holes the parrots
getting possession of, build in them their nests. There, are
pigeons of all sorts, which are very useful to the inhabitants.
Those of this island observe the same seasons we mentioned
before, speaking of Tortuga. Betwixt the pigeons of both
islands is little or no difference, only that these of Hispaniola
are something fatter and bigger. Another sort of small birds
here ai;e called cabreros, or goat-keepers ; these are very like
others called heronsetas, and chiefly feed upon crabs of the
sea. In these birds are found seven distinct bladders of gall,
and their flesh is as bitter as aloes. Crows or ravens, more
troublesome than useful, do here raake a hideous noise through
the . whole island. Their ordinary food is the flesh of wild
dogs, or the carcasses of those beasts the Buccaneers -kill and
throw away. These clamorous birds no sooner hear the report
of a fowling-piece or musket, but they' gather from all sides in
flocks, and fill the air and woods with their unpleasant notes ;
they are nothing different from those of Europe.
It is now time to speak of the French who inhabit a great
part of this island. We have already told how they came first
into these parts j we shall now only describe their manner of
living, customs, and ordinary employments. The callings or
professions they follow are generally but three, either to hunt
or plant, or else to rove the seas as pirates. It is a constant
custom among them all to seek out a comrade or companion,
whom we may call partner in their fortunes, with whom they
join the whole stock of what they possess towards a common
gain. This is done by articles agreed to and reciprocally signed.
Some constitute their surviving companion absolute heir to what
is left by the death of the first. Others, if they be married,
leave their estates to their wives and children ; others, to other
Belations. This done, every one applies himself to his calling,
which is always one of the three afore mentioned.
The hunters are again subdivided into two sorts ; for some
of these only hunt wild bulls and cows, others only wild boars.
The first of these are called Buccaneers, and not long ago were

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMEBICA. 41
about 600 on this island, but now they are reckoned about 300.
The cause has been the great decrease of wild cattle, which
has been such, that, far from getting, they, now are but poor in
their trade. When the Buccaneers go into the woods to hunt
for wild bulls and cows, they commonly remain there a twelve
month or two years without returning home. After the hunt
is over, and the spoil divided, they commonly sail to Tortuga,
to provide themselves with guns, powder, and shot, and other
necessaries for another expedition ; the rest ^of their gains they
spend prodigally, giving themselves to all manner of vices and
debauchery, particularly to drunkenness, which they practise
mostly with brandy; this they drink as liberally as the Span
iards do Vater. Sometimes they buy together a pipe of wine ;
this they stave at one end, and never cease drinking till it is
out. Thus sottishly they live till they have no money left, and
as freely gratify their lusts, for which they find more women
than they can use ; for all the tavern-keepers and strumpets
wait for these lewd Buccaneers, just as they do at Amsterdam
for the arrival of the East India fleet. The said Buccaneers
are very cruel and tyrannical to their servants, so that com
raonly they had rather be galley-slaves, or saw Brazil wood in
the rasp-houses of Holland, than serve such barbarous masters.
The second sort hunt npthing but wild boars ; the flesh of
these they salt, and sell it so to the planters. These hunters have
the same vicious customs, and are as much addicted to debauch
ery as the fornler ; but their manner of hunting is different from
that in Europe ; for these Buccaneers have certain places de
signed for hunting, where they live for three or four months,
and soraetimes a whole year. Such places are called Deza
Boujan ; and in these, with only the company of five or six
friends, they continue all the said time in mutual friendship.
The first Buccaneers many times agree with planters to furnish
them wflh meat all the year at a certain price; the payihent
hereof is often made with two or three hundred weight of to
bacco in the leaf; but the platfiters commonly into the bargain
furnish them with-a servant, whom they send to help. To the
servant they afford sufficient necessaries for the purpose, espe
cially of po der and shot to hunt withal.
The planters began to cultivate and plant the Isle of Tortu
ga A. D. 1598. The fii-st plantation was of tobacco, which
grew to admiration, being likewise very good ; but by reason
of the smallness of the island they could plant but little, there^
being many pieces of land there that were not fit to produce it.
They attempted likewise to make sugar, but by reason of the
great expenses they could not bring it to any efiect ; so that the
4*

42, THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
greatest part of the inhabitants, as we said before, betook them
selves to hunting, and the reraaining part' to piracy. At last
the hunters finding themselves unable to subsist by that pro
fession, began, to seek out lands fit for culture, and in these they
• also planted/ tobacco. The first land they chose was Cal de
Sac, towards the south part of the island. This ground tljey
divided into several quarters, which were called the great Amea,
Niep, Rochelois, the Little Grave, the Great Grave, and the
Augame. Here they increased so, that now there are above
2000 planters.. At first they endured much hardship, because
while they were busied about their husbandry, they could not
go out of the island for provisions. This hardship was in
creased by the necessity of grubbing, cutting down,- burning
and digging, to extirpate the innumerable roots of shrubs and
trees ; for when the French possessed themselves thereof,, it
was overgrown with woods very thick, and these only inhabited
by wild boars. ^ The method they took was to divide them
selves into small cqmpanies of two or three persons together,
and these companies to' separate far enough from each other,
provided with a fqw hatchets and some coarse provision. Thus
they used to go into the woods, and there to build huts only
of a few rafters and boughs of trees. They first rooted up the
shrubs and little trees, then cut down the great ones ; these they
heaped up, and then set on fire ; but they were constrained lo
grub and dig up the roots as well as they could. The first
seed they sowed was beans ; these in those countries ripen and
dry always in six weeks.
The second fruit necessary to human life, which here they
tried, w^s potatoes ; these come not to perfection in tess than
four or five months. On these they most commonly make
their breakfasts ; they dress them only by boiling them in a
kettle with fair water, then they cover them with cloth for half
an hour, whereby they become as soft as boiled chestnuts. Of
the said potatoes also they make a drink called maiz ; they cut
them into small slices, and cover them with hot water ; when
they are well imbibed, they pre^ them through a coarse cloth.
and the liquor that comes, though something thick, they keep
in vessels made for that purpose ; here, after setting two or
three days, it worfes, and having thrown off its lees, is fit for
drink. They use it with great delight,; and though the taste
is somewhat sour, yet it is very pleasant, substantial, and whole
some. The invention of this is owing to the Indians, as well
^s of many other things, which those barbarians found out for
the preservation and pleasure of life.
The third fruit the newly cultivated land afforded was raaii-

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 43
dioca, which the Indians call cazave ; this root comes not to
perfection' till after eight or nine months, or perhaps a year;
being thoroughly ripe, it may be left in the ground for eleven
or twelve months without fear of corruption; but' this time
past, they must be used one way or other, otherwise they rot.
Of these roots is made a sort of granulous flour or meal, dry
and white, which supplies the want of common bread of wheat,
whereof the fields are altogether barren. For this purpose they
have certain graters, made either of copper or tin, wherewith
they grate these roots, just as they do m,irio in Holland. By
the by, M me tell you, mirio is a root of a very biting taste,
like strong mustard, wherewith they make sauces for some ^orts
of fish. When they have grated as much cazave roots as will
serve the turn, they put the gratings into bags or sacks of coarse
linen, and press out all the moisture ; then they sieve the grat
ings, leaving them very like saw-dust. The meal, thus
prepared, they lay on planches of iron made very hot, on which
it is converted into very thin cakes ; these are placed ih the
sun, on the tops of houses, to be thoroughly dried, and, lest
they should lose any part of their meal, what did not pass the
sieve is made up in rolls, five or six inches thick ; these are
placed one upon another, and left so till they begin to corrupt.
Of this they make a liquor called veycou, which they find
very excellent, and certainly is not inferior to our English
beer. Bananas are another fruit, of which is made excellent liquor,
•which, in strength and pleasantness of taste, may be compared
to the best witjes of Spain ; but this liquor easily causes drunk
enness, and frequently inflames the throat, and produces dan
gerous diseases in that part. Guineas agudos is also another
fruit whereof they make drink, but not so strong as the prece
dent. Howbeit, one 'and the other are frequently mixed with
water to quench thirst.
After they had cultivated these plantations with all sorts of
roots and fruits necessary for human life, they began to plant
tobacco for trade, the .manner whereof is thus: they make
beds of earth twelve feet square ; these they cover with palmite
leaves, that the rays of the sun may not reach the earth ; they
water them when it doth not rain, as we do our gardens in
Europe'; being grown about the bigness of young lettuce, they
transplant it into.straight lines in spacious fields, setting. every
plant three feet distant from each other. The fittest season of
the year for these things is from January till the end of March,
these being the months wherein most rains fall. Tobacco must
be weeded very carefully, seeing -the least root of any other

44 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
herb coming near it hinders its growth. When it is grown to
the height of abqut one foot and a half, they cut off the tops,
to hinder the stalks and leaves from shooting up* too high, that
tbe whole plant may receive greater strength from the earth.
When it comes to full perfection, they prepare certain apart
ments of fifty or sixty feet long, and thirty or forty broad ;
.these they fill with poles and rafters, and on thera lay the green
fobacco to dry. When it is thoroughly dried, they strip the
Jeaf from the stalks, and cause it to be rolled up by certain
people, who are eraployed in this work and no other; to these
they afford for their labor the tenth part of what thejr make up.
This property is peculiar to tobacco, which I shall not omit, —
that if, while it is in the ground, the leaf be pulled off froni
the stalk, it sprouts again no less than four times a year. Here
I would also give an account of the manner of making sugar,
indigo, and gimbes ; but seeing these things are riot planted ia
those parts, I pass thera over.
The French planters of Hispaniola have always been subject
to the governors of Tortuga, but not without much reluctaney
and grudging. In 1644, the West India Company of France
laid the foundations of a colony in Tortuga, under which the
planters of Hispaniola were comprehended as subjects. This
decree disgusted the said planters, they taking it very ill to fee
reputed subjects to a private company of men who had no au
thority to make them so, especially being in a country which
belonged not to the king of France. Hereupon they resolved
to work no longer for the said compstny ; and this resolution
was' sufficient to compel the company to a total dissolution of
the colony. But at last the governor of Tortuga, who was
pretty well stocked with planters, conceiving he could more
easily force them than the West India Company, found an in
vention to draw them to his obedience :' he promised thera he
¦wrould put off their merchandise, and cause such returns to be
Imade from France as they should like ; withal, he dealt with
the merchants underhand, that all ships should come consigned
to him, and no persons should correspond with those planters
of Hispaniola, thinking thereby to avoid many inconveniences,
and compel them through want of all things to obey. Thus
he not only obtained the obedience he designed, .but some
merchants, who had promised to deal with them and visit them
no longer, did it.
Notwithstanding what hath l^ieen said, A. D. 1669 two ships
from Holland arrived at Hispaniola with all sorts of merchan
dise : with these, presently, the planters resolved to deal, and
with the Dutch nation for the future, thinking hereby to \yith-

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 45
draw their obedience frora the governor of Tortuga, and by
frustrating his designs, revenge themselves of what they had
endured under his government. Not long after the arrival of
the Hollanders, the governor, of Tortuga came to visit the
plantation of Hispaniola, in a vessel very well armed ; but the
planters not only forbid him to come ashore, but with their
guns forced him to retire faster than he came. Thus the Hol
landers began a trade with these people ; but such relations and
friends as the governor had in Hispaniola used all the endeav
ors they were capable of, to impede.the commerce. This being
understood by the planters, they sent them word, that in* case
they laid Tiot aside their artifices for the hinderance of the com
raerce which was begun with the Hollanders, they should every
one assuredly be torn in pieces. Moreover, to oblige further
the Hollanders, and contemn the governor and his party, they
gave greater ladings unto the two ships than they could desire,
with many gifts and presents unto the officers and mariners.
Whereby they sent them very well contented to their own
country. The Hollanders came again very puhctiially, accord
ing to their proraise, and found the planters under a greater
indignation than before against the governor, either because of
the great satisfaction they had already conceived of this com
merce with the Diutch, or that by their means they hoped to
subsist by themselves, without any further dependence from the
French natio.n. However it was, suddenly after they set up
another resolution more strange than the precedent; the tenor
whereof was, that they would go unto the Island of Tortuga,
and* cut the governor in pieces. Hereupou they gathered
together as many canoes as they could, and set sail from His
paniola, with design not only to kill the governor, but also to
possess themselves of the whole Island. This they thought
they could not but easily perform, by reason of all necessary
assistance, which they believed would at any time be sent them
from Holland ; by which means, they were ready determined,
iri their minds, to erect themselves into a new commonwealth,
independent of the crown of France. But no*sooner had they
begun this great revolution of their little state, when they re
ceived news of a war declared between the two nations in
Europe. This - wrought such a consternation in their minds,
as caused them to give over that enterprise, and retire, without
attempting any thing.
In the mean time, the governor of Tortuga sent into France
for aid towards his own security, and the reduction of those
people unto their former obedience. This was granted him,
and two men-of-war were sent unto Tortuga, with orders to be

46 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
at his command. Having received such a considerable support,
he sent them, very well equipped, to the Island of Hispaniola.
Being arrived at that place, they landed part of the forces, with
a design to force the people to fhe obedieufe of those whora
they hated in their hearts. But the planters, seeing the arrival
of these two frigates, and not being ignorant of their design^
fled into the woods, abandoning their houses and many of their
goods, which they left behind. These, were immediately
rifled and burned by the ^French, without compassion, not
sparing the least cottage. A/terwards the governor began to
relent, and let them know that, if they would return to his
obedience, he would hearken to an accommodation. Here
upon the planters, finding they could expect no relief, surren
dered to the governor, upon articles made and signed on both
sides. But these were not strictly observed, for he commanded
two of the chief of them to be hanged. The residue were
pardoned, and withal he gave them free leave to trade with
any nation for whatsoever they found necessary. With this
liberty, they began to recultivate their plantations, which
yielded a great quantity of very good tobacco, they selling
yearly to the sum of twenty or thirty thousand rolls.
The planters here have but very few slaves, for want of
which, themselves and their servants are constrained to do all
the drudgery. These servants commonly bind themselves to
their masters for three years ; but their masters, having no con
sciences, often traffic with their bodies, as with horses at a fair,
selling them to other masters as they sell negroes. Yeas," to
advance this trade, some persons go purposely into France (and
likewise to England and other countries) to pick up young
men or boys, whom they inveigle and transport ; and having
once got them into these islands, they work them like horses,
the toil imposed on them being much harder than what they
enjoin the negroes, their slaves ; for these they endeavor to
preserve, being their perpetual bondmen. Bat for their white
servants, they care not whether they live or die, seeing thfey
are to serve them no longer than three j'^ears. These miserable
kidnapped people are frequently subject to a disease, which in
these parts is called coma, being a total privation of their
senses. This distemper is judged to proceed from their hard
usage, and the change of their native climate ; and there being
often among these some of good quality, tender education, and
soft constitutions, they are more easily seized with this disease,
and others of those countries, than those of harder bodies and
laborious lives. Beside the hard usage in their diet, apparel,
and rest, many times they beat them so cruelly that they fall

THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA. 47
down dead under the hands of their cruel masters. This I
have often seen-, with great grief. Of the many instances, I
shall only give you the following history, it being very remark
able in its circumstances.
A certain planter of these countries exercised such cruelty
towards one of his servants, as caused him to run away.
Having absconded for some days, in the ,woods, at last he was
taken," and brpught back to the wicked Pharaoh. No sooner
had he got him, but he commanded him to be "tied to a tree ;
here he gave him so many lashes on his naked back, as made
his body run with an entire stream of blood ; then, to make
the smart of his wounds the greater, he anointed him with
lemon-juice, mixed with salt and pepper. In this miserable
posture he left him tied to the tree for twenty-four hours,
which being past, he began his punishraent again, lashing him,
as before, so cruelly, that the miserable wretch gave up the
ghost, with these dying words : " I beseech the Almighty God,
Creator, of heaven and earth, that he permit the wicked spirit
to raake thee feel as many torments before thy death as thou
hast caused me to feel before mine." A strange thing, and
worthy of astonishment and admiration ! Scarce three or four
days were past, after this horrible fact, when the Almighty
Judge, who had heard the cries of that tormented wretch, suf
fered the evil one suddenly to possess this barbarous and inhu
man homicide, so that those cruel hands- which had punished
to death his innocent servant were the tormenters of his own
body ; for he beat himself and tore his flesh after a miserable
raanner, till he lost the very shape of a man, not ceasing to
howl and cry, without any rest by day or night. Thus he
continued raving mad, till he died. Many other examples of
this kind I could rehearse; but these not belonging to oui
present discourse, I omit them.
The planters of the Carribee Islands are rather worse, and
more cruel to their servatits, than the former. In the Isle of
St. Christopher dwells one named Bettesa, well known to the
Dutch merchants, who has killed above a hundred of his ser
vants with blows and stripes. The English do the same with
their servants, and the mildest cruelty they exercise towards
them is, that when th,ey have served six years of their time,
(they being bound among the English for seven,) they use
them so cruelly as to force them to beg of their masters to sell
them to others, though it be to begin another servitude of seven
years, or at least three or four. And I have known many who
have thus served fifteen or twenty years, before they could ob
tain their freedom. Another law, very rigorous in that nation,

48 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
is, if any man owes another above twenty-five English shil
lings, if he cannot pay it he is liable to be sold for six or eight
months. Not to trouble the reader any longer with relations
of this kind, T shall now describe the famous actions and ex
ploits of the greatest pirates of my time, during my residence
in those parts ; these I shall relate without the least passioh or
partiality, and assure ray reader that I shall give him no stories
upon trust or hearsay, but only those enterprises to which I
was myself an eye-witness.

CHAPTER VI.
Of the original of the most famdus Pirates of the Co^ts of America. — A
famous Exploit of Pierre Le Grand.
I HAVE told you, in the preceding chapters, how I was com
pelled to adventure my Hfe among the pirates of America,
which sort of men I name so, because they are not authorized
by any sovereign prince ; for the kings of Spain, having on
several occasions sent their ambassadors to the kings of Eng
land and France, to complain of the molestations and troubles
those pirates often caused on the coasts of America, even in
the calm of peace; it hath always been answered, that such
men did not commit those acts of hostility and piracy as sub
jects to' their majesties ; and, therefore, his Catholic majesty,
raight proceed against them as -he should think fit.. The king
of France added, that he had no fortress nor castle upon His
paniola, neither did he receive a farthing of tribute from thence.
And the king 'of England rejoined, that he had never given
any commissions to those of Jamaica, to commit hostilities
against the subjects of his Catholic majesty. Nor did he only
give this bare answer, but out of his royal desire to pleasure
the court of Spain, recalled the governor "of Jamaica, placing
another in his room ; all which could not prevent these pirates
from acring as heretofore. But before I. relate their bold ac
tions, I shall say something of their. rise' and exercises, as also
of the ehiefest of them, and their manner of arming them
selves before they put to sea.
The first pirate that was known upon Tortuga was Pierre
Le Grand, or Peter the Great. He was born at Diep, in Nor
mandy. That action which rendered hJm famous, was his

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 49
taking the vice-admiral of the Spanish flota, near the Cape of
Tiburon, on the west side of Hispaniola. This he performed
with only one boat ahd twenty-eight men. Now, till that time
the Spaniards had passed and repassed, with all security,
through the (Channel of Baharaa ; so that Pierre Le Grand, set
ting out to sea by the Caycos, he took this great ship with all
the ease imaginable. The Spaniards they found aboard they
set ashore, and sent the vessel to Prance. The manner how
this undaunted spirit attempted and took this large ship, I shall*
give you out of the journal of the author, in his ow'n words :
" The boat," says he, " wherein Pierre Le Giand was with his
companions, had been at sea a long time without finding any"
prize worth his taking ; and their provisions beginning to fail,
they were in danger of starving. Being almost reduced to
despair, they spied a great ship of the Spanish flota, separated
from the rest. This vessel they resolved to take, or die in the
attempt. Hereupon they sailed towards her, to view her
.strength ; and though they judged the vessel to be superior to
theirs, yet their covetousness, arid the extremity they were re
duced to, made them venture. Being come so near that they
could not possibly escape, they made an oath to their captain,
Pierre Le Grand, to stEirid by him to the last. 'Tis true, the
pirates did believe they should find the ship unprovided to
fight, and thereby the»sooner master her. It was in the "dusk
of the evening theybegan,to attack; but before they engaged,
they ordered the sfirgeon of the boat to bore a hole in the sides
of it, that, their own vessel sinking under thera, they inight be
compelled to attack raore vigorously, and endeavor raore hastily
to board the ship. This was done accordingly, and without
any other arms than a pistol in one hand and a sword in the
other, they immediately climbed up the sides of the ship, and
ran altogether into the great cabin, where they found the cap
tain, with several of his companions, playing at cards. Here
they set a pistol to his breast, commanding hira to deliver up
the ship. The Spaniards, surprised to see the pirates aboard
their ship, cried, ' Jesus bless us ! are these devils, or what are
they ? ' Meanwhile, some of them took possession of the gun
room, and seized the arms, killing as many as made any oppo
sition ; whereupon the Spaniards presently surrendered. That
very day, the captain of the ship had been told, by some of the
seamen, that the boat which was in view, cruising, was a boat
of pirate^ ; whom the captain slightly answered, ' What then,
must I be afraid of such a pitiful a thing as ,that is ? No,
though she were a ship as big and as strong as mine is.' As
soon as Pierre Le Grand had taken this rich prfee, he detained
5

59 THE BUCCANEEBS OF ?AMERICA.
in his service as many of the common seamen as he had
need, of, setting the rest ashore, and then set sail for France,
where he continued, without ever returning to America again."
The planters and hunters of Tortuga had no sooner heard of
the rich prize those pirates had taken, but they:resolved to fol
low their exaraple. Hereupon many of them left their em-
ployraents, and endeavored to get sorae small boats, wherein to
exercise piracy ; but not being able to purchase or build them
ftt Tortuga, they resolved to set forth in their canoes, and seek
them elsewhere. With these they cruised at .first upon Cape
de Alvarez, where the Spaniards used to trade from one city to
another in small vessels, in which they carry hides, tobacco,
and other commodities, to the Havana, and to which-the Span
iards from Europe do frequently resort.
Hecg. it was that those pirates at first took a great many
boats, laden with the aforesaid coramodities. These they used
to carry to Tortuga, and sell the whole purchase to the ships
that waited for their returri, or accidentally happened to be
there. With the gains of these prizes they provided them
selves with necessaries wherewith to undertake other voyages,
some gf which were made to Carapeachy, and others towards
New Spain, in both whidh the Spaniards then drove a great
trade. Upon, those coasts they found great numbers of trading
vessels, and often ships of great burden. Two of the biggest
of these vessels, and two great ships which the Spaniards had
laden with plate in the port of Campeachy, to go to the Carac-
cas, they took in less than a month's time, and carried to Tor
tuga, where the people of the whole island, encouraged by
their success, especially seeing in two years the riches of the
country so much increased, they augmented the number of pi
rates so fast, that in a little time there were, in that small island
and port, above twenty ships of this sort of people. Hereupon
the Spaniards, not able to bear their robberies any longer,
equipped two large raen-of-war, both for the defence of their
own coasts and to cruise upon the eneraies.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMEHICA. ^
CHAPTER VII.
How the Pirates arm their Vessels, and regulate their Voyages.
Before the pirates go to sea, they give notice to all con
cerned of the day on Which they are to embark, obliging each
raan to bring, so raany pounds of powder and ball as they think
necessary. Being all come aboard, they consider where to get
provisions, especially flesh, seeing they scarce eat any thing
else, and of this the most common sort is pork. The next
food is tortoises, which they salt a little. Sometimes' they rob
such or such hog-yards; where the Spaniards often have a
thousand heads of swine together. They come to these places
in the night, and having beset the keeper's lodge, they force
hira to rise, and give them as many heads as they desire,
threatening to kill him if he refuses or makes any noiSe.
And these menaces are oftentiraes executed on the miserable
swine-keepers, or any other person that endeavors to hinder
their robberies.
Having, got flesh sufficient for their voyage, they return to
their ship. Here they allow, twice a day, everyone as much
as he can eat, without weight or measure ; nor does the stew
ard of the vessel give any more flesh, or any thing else, to the
captain, than to the meafiest mariner. The ship being well
victualled, they deliberate whither they shall go to seek their
desperate fortunes; and likewise agree upon certain articles,
which are put in writing, which every one is bound to observe ;¦
and all of them, or the ehiefest part, do set their hands to it.
Here they set down distinctly what sums of raoney each par
ticular person ought to have for that voyage, the fund of all the
payraents being what is gotten by the whole expedition ; for
otherwise it is the same law among these people as with other
pirates : no prey, no pay. First, therefore, they raention how
rauch the' captain is to have for his ship ; next, the, salary of
the carpenter, or shipwright, who careened, mended, and rigged
the vessel. This commonly amounts to one hundred or one
hundred and fifty pieees of eight, according to the agreement.
Afterwards, for provisions and victualling, they draw out of the
same common stock about two hundred pieces of eight ; also a
salary for the surgeon, arid his chest of medicaments, which
usually is rated at tWo Hundred or tWo hundred and fifty pieces
of eight. Lastly, they agree what rate each one ought to have
that is either wourtded^ or maimed in his body, su^rhig the

62 the buccaneers of America.
loss of any limb ; as, for the loss of a right arm, six hundred
pie.ces of eight, or six slaves;. for the left arm, five hundred
pieces of eight, or five slaves; for a right leg, five hundred
pieces of eight, or five slaves ; for the left leg, four hundred
pieces of eight, or four slaves ; for an eye, one hundred pieces
pf eight, or one slave ; for a finger, the same as for an eye ;
all \vhich sutas are taken out of the comraon stock of what is
gotten by their piracy, and a very exact and equal dividend is
made of the remainder. They have also regard to qualities
and places. Thus the captain, or chief, is allotted five or six
portions to what the ordinary seamen have ; the raaster's mate
only two, and other officers proportionably to their employ ;
after which, they draw equal parts, from the highest to the
lowest mariner, the boys not being omitted, who draw half a
share ; because, when they take a better vessel than their own,
it is the boys' duty to fire their former vessel, and then retire
to the prize.
They observe among themselves very good orders ; for in
the prizes which they take, it is severely, prohibited, t6~every.
one, to take any thing to themselves. Hence all they take is
equally divided, as hath been said before. Yea, they take a
solemn oath to each other, not to conceal the least thing they
find among the prizes'; and if any one is found false to the
said oath, he is immediately turned out of the society.^ They
are very civil and charitable to each btheTT-sothatif any one
wants what another has, with great, willingness they give it
one to another. As soon as these pirates have taken a prize,
they immediately set ashore the prisoners, detaining only sorae
few, for their own help and service ; whora, also, they release
after two or three years. They refresh theraselves at one
island or anqther, but especially at those on the south of Cuba.
Here they careen their vessels, while some hunt, and others
cruise in canoes for prize. Many times they take the poor tor
toise fishermen, and make them work during their pleasure.
In the several parts of America are found four distinct spe
cies of tortoises. The first are so great, that they wfeigh two
or three thousand pounds.- The scales are so soft, that they
may be cut with a knife. But these are not good to eat. The
second sort is of an indifferent bigness, and of a green color ;
their scales are harder than the .first, and of a very pleasant
taste. The third is little different in size frora the second,
only the head soraething bigger. It is called by the French,
cavana, and is not good riieat. The fourth is named caret,
being very like those of Europe. This sort keeps commonly
arnong the rocks, whence they crawl out for their food, which

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

'm

is generally sea-apples ; those other above raentioned feed on
grass, which grows in the water on the sandy banks; these
banks or shelves, for their pleasant green, resemble the delight
ful meadows of the United Provinces. Their eggs are alraost
like those of the crocodile, but without any shell, being only
covered with a thin filra ; they are found in such prodigious
quantities .along the shores, that were they not frequently de
stroyed by birds, the sea would abound with tortoises.
These creatures have certain places where they lay their eggs
every year ; the chief are the three islands called Caymanes, in
20° 15', lat., being 45 leagues north of Cuba.
It is worth considering how the tortoises find these islands ;
for the greatest part corae from the Gulf of Honduras, 150
leagues off, and many times the ships having lost their altitude,
from the darkness of the weather, steer only by the noise the
tortoises make in swimming, and reach those isles. When the
season of hatching is past, they retire to Cuba, which affords
them good food ; but while they are at the Caymanes, they eat
little or nothing. When they have been a month in the seas
of Cuba, and are grown fat,* the Spaniards fish for them, being
then to be taken in such abundance, that they furnish their
cities, towns, and. villages with them. The way they take
them is, by making with a great nail a kind of dart ; this they
fix at the end of a long pole, with which they kill the tortoises
whenever they appear above the water.
The inhabitants of New Spain and Campeachy lade their best
merchandise in ships of great bulk : the vessels from Campeachy
sail in the winter to Caraccas, Trinity Isles, and that of Marga
rita, and return back again in the summer. The pirates know
ing these seasons, (being very diligent in their inquiries,) always
cruise between the places above mentioned ; but in case they
light of no considerable booty, they commonly undertake some
raore hazardous enterprises, one reraarkable instance of which
I shall here give you.. A certain pirate called Pierre Francois,
or Peter Francis, waiting a long time at sea with his hoat and
twenty-six raen, for the'ships that were to return from Mara-
caibo to Campeachy, and not being able to find any prey, at last
he resolved to direct his course to Rancheiras, near the River
de la Plata, in 12° and a half north latitude. Here lies a rich
bank of pearl, to the fishery whereof they yearly sent from
Carthagena twelve vessels with a man-of-war for their defence.
Every vessel has at leist two negroes in it, who are very dex
terous in diving to the .depth of six fathoms, ivhere they find
good store of pearis. On this fleet, called the peari-fleet, Pierre
Francois resolved to venture, rather than to go horae erapty :
5*

54 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

Bartholomew I'ortugaos,

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 65
they then ro^e at anchor at the mouth of the River de la Harha,
the man-of-war scarce half a league distant from the small ships,
and the wind very calm. Having spied them in this posture,
he presently pulled down his sails and rowed along the coast,
feigning to be a Spanish vessel come from Maracaibo ; but no
sooner "Was he come to the pearl-bank, when suddenly he
assaulted the vice-admiral of eight guns and sixty raen, com-
raanding ^ them to surrender. The Spaniards made a good
defence for some time, but at last were forced to submit.
Having thus taken the vice-admiral, he resolved to attempt the
man-of-war, with which addition he hoped to master the rest
of the fleet : to this end he presently sunk his own boat, putting
|"orth the Spanish colors, and weighed anchor with a little wind
which then began to stir, having with threats and promises
compelled most of the Spaniards to assist him. But so soon as .
the man-of-war pei^ceived one of his fleet to sail, he did so too,
fearing lest the mariners designed to' run away with the riches
they had on board. The pirate on this immediately gave over
the enterprise, thinking themselves unable to encounter force
to force. Hereupon they endeavored to get out of the river
and gain the open seas, by raaking as rauch sail as they could*;
which the man-of-war perceiving, he presently gave them chase ;
but the pirates having laid on too much sail, and a gust of wind
suddenly rising, their mainmafet was brought by the boaj."d,
which disabled them from escaping.
This unhappy event much encouraged those in the man-of-
war, they gaining upon the pirates, every moment, and at last
bvertook thera ; but they finding they had twenty-two sound
raen, the rest being either killed or wounded, resolved to defend
themselves as long as possible ; this they performed very cour
ageously for some time, till they were forced by the man-of-
war, on condition that they should not be used as slaves to
carry stones, or be employed in other . labors for three or four
years, as they served their negroes, but that they should be set
safe ashore on free land. On these articles they yielded with
all they had taken, which, was worth, in pearls alone, above one
hundred thousand pieces of eight, besides the vessel, provisions,
goods, &c. All which would have made this a greater prize
-.than he could desire, which he had certainl'y carried dff, if his
mainmast had not been lost, as we said before.
Another bold attempt like this, nor less remarkable, I shall
also give you. A certain pirate of Portugal, thence called Bar
tholomew PortugueiS, was cruising in a boat of thirty men and
four small guns from Jamaica, upon the Cape de Corriente, in
Cuba, where he met a great ship from Maracaibo and Caftha-

56 THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA.
gena, bound for the Havana, well provided with twenty great
guns and seventy men, passengers and mariners ; this ship he
presently assaulted, which they oil board as resolutely defended.
The pirate escaping the first encounter, resolved to attack her
more vigorously than before, seeing he had yet suffered yo,
great damage : this he performed with so much resolution, that
at last, after a long and dangerous fight, he became master of it.
The Portuguese, lost only ten men, and had four wounded ; so
that he had still remaining twenty fighting men, whereas the
Spaniards had double the number. Having possessed them
selves of the ship, the wind being contrary to return to Jamai
ca, they resolved to steer to Cape St. Anthony, (which lies west
of Cuba,) there to repair and take in fresh water, of which they
were then in great want.
Being very near the cape above said, they unexpectedly met
with three great ships coming from New Spain, and bound for
the Havana; by these, not being able to escape, they were
easily, retaken, bofh ship and pirates, and all made prisoners, and
stripped of all the riches they had taken but just before. The
cargo consisted in one hundred and twenty thousand weight
of cocoa nuts, the chief ingredient of chopolale, and seventy
thousand pieces of eight. Two days after this misfortutie, '
there arose a great storm, which separated the ships from one
another. The great vessel, where the pirates were, arrived at
Campeachy, where many considerable merchants came and
saluted the captain ; these presently knew the Portuguese
pirate, being infamous for .the many insolencies, robberies, and
murders he had committed on their coasts, which they kept
fresh in their memory..
The next day after their arrival, the magistrates of the city
sent to demand the prisoners from on board the ship, in order
to punish them according to their deserts ; but fearing the cap
tain of the pirates should make his escape, (as he had formerly
done; being their prisoner once before,) they ju.dged it safer to
leave him guarded on shipboard for the present, while they
erected a gibbet to hang him on the next day, without any
other process than to lead him from the ship to his punishment ;
the rumor of which was presently brought to Bartholomew
Portugues, whereby he sought all possible means to escape that
night. With this design he took two earthen jars, wherein the
Spaniards carry wine from Spain to the West Indies, and
stopped them very well, intending to use them for swimming,
as those unskilled in that art do corks or empty bladders. -Hav
ing made this necessary preparation, he waited when all should
be asleep ; but not being-able to escape his sentinel's vigilance,

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 57
he Stabbed him with a knife he had secretly purchased, and
then threw himself into the sea with the earthern jars before
mentioned ; 'by the help of which, though he never learned
to swim, he reached the shore, and immediately took to the
woods, where he hid himself for three days, not daring to ap
pear, eating no other food than wild herbs.
Tfiose ofthe city next day made diligent search for'him in
the woods, where they concluded him to be. This strict in
quiry Portugues saw from the hollow of a tree, wherein he lay
hid ; and upon their return he made the best of his way tq Del
• Golpho Triste, forty leagues frora Carapeachy, where he arriyed
within a fortnight after his escape ; during which tirae, as also
afterwards, he endured extreme Jiunger and thirst, having no
other provision with^ him than a small cadabaca with a little
water, besides .the fears of falling again into the hands of the
Spaniards. He ate nothing but a few shell fish, which he
found among the rocks near the sea-shore ; and being obliged
to pass some rivers, not knowing well how to swim, he found
at last an old board, which the waves had driven ashore, where
in were a few great nails; these he took, and with no small
labor whetted on a stone, till he had raade them like knives,
tjiough not so well ; with these, and nothing else, he cut down
some branches of trees, which with twigs and osiers he joined
together, and made as well as he could a boat to waft him over
the rivers. , Thus arriving at the Cape of Golpho Triste, as was
said, he found a vessel of pirates, comrades of his own, lately
come from Jamaica.
.To these he related all his adversities and misfortunes, and
withal desired they would fit hira with a boat and twenty men,
with which company alone he promised to return to Campeachy,
and assault the ship that was in the river, by which he had
been taken fourteen days before. They presently granted iiis
request, and equipped him a boat accordingly. With this small
company he set out to execute his design, which he bravely
performed eight days after he left Golpho Triste ; for being
arrived at Campeachy, with an undaunted courage, and without
any noise, he assaulted the said ship. Those on board thought
it was a boat from land that came to bring contraband goods,
and so were in no posture of defence ; which opportunity the
pirates laying hold of, assaulted them so resolutely, that in a
little time they compelled the Spaniards to surrender.
Being masters of the ship, they immediately weighed anchoi
and set sail from the port, lest they should be pursued by othei
vessels. This they did with the utmost joy, seeing themselves
possessors of so ft-ave a ship ; especially Portugues, who by a

58 ,

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

Edche Brasiliano.

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA. 59
second turn of .fortune was become rich and powerful again,
who was so lately in that same vessel a prisoner, condemned
to be hanged : with this purchase he designed greater things,
which he might have done, since there remained in the vessel
so great a quantity *f rich merchandise, though the plate had
been sent to the city. But while he was making his voyage
to Jamaica, near the Isle of Pinos, on the south of Cuba, a
terrible storm arose, which drove against the Jardines Rocks,
where she was lost ; but Portugues with his companions escaped
in a cajjoe, in which he arrived at Jamaica, where it was not
long ere he went on new adventures, but was never fortunate
after. Nor less considerable are the actions of another pirate who
now lives at Jamaica, who on several occasions has performed
very surprising things. He was born at Groninghen, in the
United Provinces. His own name not being known, his com
panions gave him that (4f_Roche Brasiliari.6; "by reason of his
long residence in Brazil --hence he" was forced to fly, when the
Portuguese retook those countries from the Dutch, seyeral na
tions then inhabiting at Brazil (as English, French, Dutch,
and others) being constrained to seek new fortunes.
This person, fled to Jamaica, where being at a stand how to
get his living, he entered himself into the society of pirates,
where he served as a private mariner for some time, and behaved
himself so well, that he was beloved and respected by all.
^One day some of the mariners quarrelled with their captain, to
that degree, that they left the boat. Brasiliano following them,
was chose their leader, who having fitted out a small vessel,
they made him captain.
'Within a few days after, he took a greal; ship coming from
New Spain, which had a great quantity of plate on board, and
carried it to Jamaica. This action got him a great reputation
at home, and though in his private affairs he governed himself
very well, he would oftentimes appear brutal and foolish when
in drink, running up and down the streets, beating or wounding
those he met, no person daring to make any resistance.
To the Spaniards he was always very barbarous and cruel,
out of an inveterate hatred against th^t nation ; of these he
commanded several to be roasted alive on wooden spits, for not
showing him hog-yards, where he might steal swine. After
many of these criielties, as he was cruising on the coasts of Cam
peachy, a dismal terapest surprised him so violently, that his ship
was wrecked upon the coasts, the raarinel's only escaping with
their m-uskets, and sorae few bullets and powder, which were
the only things they could save. The ship was lost between

60 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
Campeachy and the Golpho Triste : here they got ashore in a
canoe, and marching along the coast with all the speed they
could, they directed their course towards Golpho Triste, the
common refuge of the pirates. Being upon his journey, and
all very hungry, and thirsty, as is usual in' desert places, they
were pursued by a troop of one hundred Spaniards. Brasiliano
perceiving their imminent danger, encouraged his companions,
tellirig them they were better soldiers, and ought rather to die
under their arms, fighting as. it became raen of courage, than
surrender to the Spaniards, who would take away their lives
with the utmost torments. The pirates were but thirty, yet
seeing their brave commander oppose the eneray with such
courage, resolved to do the like ; hereupon they faced the troop
of Spaniards, and discharged their muskets on thera so dexter
ously, that they killed one horseman almost with every shot.
The fight continued for an hour, till at last the Spaniards were
put to flight : they stripped the dead and took frora them what
was most for their use ;, such as were also quite dead, they
dispatched with the ends of their muskets.
Having vanquished the eneray, they mounted on horses they
found in the field, and continued their journey ; Brasiliano
having lost but two of his companions in this bioody fight, and
had two wounded. Prosecuting their way; before they came
to the port they spied a boat at anchor from Campeachy well
manned, protecting a few canoes that were lading wood ; hercr
upon they sent six of their raen to watch thera, who next
morning, by a wile, possessed themselves of the canoes'. Hav
ing given notice to their companions, they boarded them, and
also took the little man-of-war, their convoy. Being thus mas
ters of this fleet, they wanted only provisions, of which they
found little aboard those vessels ; but this defect was supplied
by the horses which they killed and salted with salt, which by
good fortune the woodcutters had brought^ with thera, with
which they supported theraselves till they could get better.
.They took also another ship going frora New Spain to Mara
caibo, laden with divers sorts of raerchaudise and pieces of eigjit,
designed to buy cocoa-nuts for their lading home ; all these they
carried, to Jamaica, where they safely arrived, and, according to
custom, wasted all in a few days in taverns and stews, giving
themselves to all manner of debauchery. Such of these pirates
will spend two or three thousand pieces of eight in a night, not
leaving themselves a good shirt to wear in the morning. I saw
one of thern gi*^e a coriimon strumpet five hundred pieces of
eight to see her naked. My own master would buy sometimes
a pipe of wine, and placing it in the street. Would force those

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 6]
that passed by to drink with him, threatening also to pfstol
them if they would not. He would do the like with barrels
of beer or ale, and very ,often he would throw these liquors
about the streets, and wet people's clothes, without regarding
whether he spoiled their apparel.
Among themselves, these pirates are very liberal. If any
one has lost all, which often happens in their manner of life,
they freely give him of what they have. In taverns and ale
houses, they have great credit ; but at Jamaica they ought
not to run very deep in debt, seeilig the inhabitants there
easily sell one another for debt. This happened to my patron,
to be sold for a debt of a tavern, wherein he had spent the
greatest part of his raoney. This man had, within three
months before, three thousand pieces of eight in ready cash, all
which he wasted in that little time, and became as poor as I
have told you.
But to return. Brasiliano, after having spent all, was forced
to go to sea again to seek his fortune. He set forth towards
the coast of Campeachy, his common rendezvous. Fifteen
days after his arrival, he put himself into a canoe, to espy the
port of thatviity, and see if he could rob any Spanish vessel ;
but his fortune was so bad, that both he and all his men were
taken and carried before the governor. Who immediately cast
them into a dungeon, intending to hang them every one ; and
doubtless he had done so, but for a stratagem of Brasiliano,
which saved their lives. He wrqte a 'letter to the governor, in
the names of other pirates that were' abroad at sea, telling him,
" He should have a care how he used those persons he had in
custody ; for if he hurt them in the least, they swore they
would never give quarter to any Spaniard that should fall into
their hands." *
These pirates having been often at Campeachy, and other
places of the West Indies in the Spanish dominions, the gov
ernor feared what mischief their companions abroad might do,
if he should punish them. Hereupon he released them, exact
ing only an oath on them, that they would leave their exercise
of piracy forever ; and withal he sent them, as common mari
ners in the galleons, to Spain. ¦ They got in this voyage, all
together, five hundred pieces of eight ; so that they tarried not
long there, after their arrival. Providing "themselves with
necessaries, they returned to Jamaica, from whence they set
forth again to sea, committing greater robberies and cruelties
than before, but especially abusing the poor Spaniards who fell
into their hands with all sorts of cruelty.
The Spaniards, finding they could gain nothing on these.

62 THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA.
people, dr diminish their number, daily resolved to lessen the
number of their trading ships. But neither was this of any
service ; for the pirates, finding few ships at sea, began to
gather into companies, and to land on their dorainions, ruining
cities, towns, and villages; pillaging, burning, and carrying
away as much as they could.
, The first pirate who began these invasions by land was
Lewis Scot, who sacked the city of Campeachy, which he
almost ruined, robbing and destroying all he could; and after
he had put it to an excessive ransom, he left it. After Scot,
came another, named Mansvelt, who invaded Granada, and
penetrated even to the South Sea, till at last, for want of pro
vision, he was forced to go back. He assaulted the Isle of
St. Catherine, which he took, with a few prisoners. These
directed him to Carthagena, a principal city in Nueva Granada.
But the bold attempts and actions of John Davis, born at Jamaica,
ought not to be forgotten, being some of the most remarkable ;
especially his rare prudence and valor showed in the fore-men
tioned kingdom of Granada. This pirate, having long cruised in
the Gulf of Pocatauro, on the ships expected to Carthagena,
bound for Nicaragua, and not meeting any of them,- resolved at
last to land in Nicaragua, leaving Jjis ship hid on the coast.
This design he soon executed ; for, taking eighty men out
of ninety which he had in all, and the rest he left to keep the
ship, he divided them equally into three canoes. His intent
was to rob the churches, and rifle the houses of the chief citi
zens of Nicaragua. Thus, in the dark night, they entered the
river leading to that city, rowing in their canoes. By day they
hid themselves and boats Under the branches of trees, on the
banks, which grow very thick along the river-sides in those
countries, and along the sea-coast. Being arrived at the city
the third night, the sentinel, who kept the post of the river,
thought thera to be fisherraen that had been fishing in the
lake; and raost of the pirates understanding Spanish, he
doubted not, as sqpn as he heard thera speak. They had in
their company an Indian, who had run away from his raaster,
who would have enslaved him unjustly. He went first ashore,
and instantly killed the sentinel ; this done, they entered the
city, and went directly to three or four houses of the chief cit
izens, here they knocked softly. These, believing them to
be friends, opened the doors, and the pirates, suddenly possess
ing themselves of the houses, stole all the money and plate
they could find. Nor did they spare the churches, and most
sacred things, all which were pillaged and profaned, without
any respect or veneration.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 63
Meanwhile, great cries and lamentations were heard of some
who had escaped them ; so that the whole eity was in an up
roar, and all the citizens rallied in order to a defence, whith
the pirates perceiving, they instantly fled, carrying away their
booty and some prisoners. These they led away, that if any
of thera should be. taken bythe Spaniards, they might use
them for ransom. Thus they got to their ship, and with all
speed put to sea, forcing the prisoners, before they let them go,
to procure thera as rauch flesh as Avas necessary for their voy
age to Jamaica. But no sooner had they weighed anchor,
when they saw a troop of about five hundred Spaniards, all
well armed, at the sea-side. Against these they let fly several
guns, wherewith they forced them to quit the sands and retire,
with no sraall regret to see these pirates carry away so much
plate of their chUrehes and houses, though distant at least
forty leagues from the sea.
These pirates got, on this occasion, above four thousand
pieces of eight in money, besides much plate and many jewels,
in all to the value of fifty thousand pieces of eight, or more.
With all this, they arrived at Jamaica soon after. But this
sort of people being never long masters of their money, they
were soon constrained to seek more by, the same means; and
Captain John Davis, presently after his return, was chosen ad
miral of seven or eight vessels, he being now esteemed an able
bonductor for such entoprises. He tegan his new command
by directing his fleet to the north xif Cuba, there to wait for
the fleet from New Spain ; but raissing his design, they deter
mined for Florida. Being arrived there, they landed their men
and sacked a small city named St. Augustine of Florida. The
castle had a garrison of two hundred men, but could not pre
vent the pillage of the city, they effecting it without the least
damage from the soldiers or townsmen. ¦
Thus we have spoken-, in the first part of this book, of the
constitution of Hispaniola and Tortuga, their properties and
inhabitants, as also of the fruits. In the second part, we shall
describe the actions of the two most faraous pirates, who com
raitted raany horrible criraes and inhumanities unon the

64

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

Francis Lolonois.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 66
CHAPTER VIII.
Of the Origin of Francis Lolonois, and the Beginning of his Rohberies.
Francis Lolonois was a native of that territory in France
which is called Les Sables d'Olone, or The Sands of Olone.
In his youth he was transported to the Caribbee Islands, in
quality of servant, or slave, according to custom, of which we
have already spoken. Being out of his time, he came to His
paniola. Here he joined for some time with the hunters, be
fore he began his robberies upon the Spaniards, which I shall
now relate, till his unfortunate death.
At first he made two or three voyages as a common mariner,
wherein he behaved hiraself so courageously, as to gain the fa
vor of the governor of Tortuga, Monsieur de La Place ; inso
much that he gave hira a ship, in which he might seek his for
tune, which was very favorable to him at first, for in a Short
time he got great riches. But his cruelties against the Span
iards were such, that the fame of them made him so well
known through the Indies, that the Spaniards in his tirae
would choose rather to die or sink fighting,' than surrender,
knowing they should have no raercy at his hands. But for
tune, being seldora constant, after some time turned her back ;
for in a huge storra he lost his ship on the coast of Carapeachy.
The raen were all saved, but, coming upon dry land, the Span
iards pursued them, and killed the greatest part, wounding also
Lolonois. Not knowing how to escape, he saved his life by a
stratagem. Mingling sand with the blood of his wounds, with
which besraearing his face, and other parts of his body, and
hiding hiraself dexterously araong the dead, he continued there
till the Spaniards quitted the field.
They being gone, he retired to the woods, and bound up his
wounds as well as he could. These being pretty well healed,
he took his way to Campeachy, having disguised himself in a
Spanish habit. Here he enticed certain slaves, to whom he
proraised liberty, if they would obey hira and trust to his con
duct. They accepted-his proraises, and,'stealing a canoe, they
went to sea with hira. Now 'the Spaniards, having made sev
eral of his companions prisoners, kept them close in a dungeon,
while Lolonois went about the town, and saw what passed.
These were often asked, " What is become of your captain ? "
to whom they constantly answered, " He is dead ;" which
rejoiced the Spaiiiards, who made bonfires, and, knowing noth-
6*

66 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
ing to the contrary, gave thanks to God for their deliverance
frora such a cruel pirate. Lolonois, having seen these rejoicings
for his death, made haste to escape, "vijith the slaves above men
tioned, and came safe to Tortuga, the common refuge of all
sorts of wiclcedness, and the seminary, as it "were, of pirates
and thieves. Though now his fortune was low, yet he got
another ship with craft and subtlety, and in it twenty-one men.
Being well, provided with arms and necessaries, he set forth for
Cuba, on the south whereof is a small village, called De los
Cayos. The inhabitants drive a great trade in tobacco, sugar,
and hides, and all in boats, not being able to use fehips, by rea
son of the little depth of that sea.
Lolonois was persuaded he should get here some considerable
prey ; but by the good fortune of sorae fishermen who saw
him, and the mercy of God, they escaped him. For the inhab
itants of the town despatched immediately a messenger over
land to the Havana, complaining that Lolonois was come to
destroy them, with two canoes. The governor could very
hardly believe this, having received letters from Campeachy
that he was dead. But, at their importunity, he sent a ship to
their relief, with ten guns, and ninety raen,^well arraed, giving
them this express command, that they shoqld not return into
his presence, without, having totally destroyed those pirates.
To this effect, he gave thera a negro to serve for a hangraan,
and orders that they should immediately hang every one of the
pirates, excepting Lolonois, their captain, whom they should
bring alive to the Havana. This ship arrived at Cayos, of
whose coming the pirates were advertised beforehand, and in
stead of flying, went to seek it, in the river Estera, where she
rode at anchor. The pirates seized some fishermen, and forced
them by night to show them the .entry of the port, hoping soon
to obtain a. greater vessel than their two canoes, and thereby to
mend their fortune. They arrived, after two in the morning,
very nigh the ship, and the watch on board the ship asking
them, " Whence they carae, and if they had seen any pirates
aboard ? " they caused one of the prisoners to answer, " They
had seen no pirates, nor ariy thing else ; " which answer raade
them believe that they were fled upon hearing of their coraing.
But they soon found the contrary, for about break of day
the pirates assaulted the vessel on both sides, with their two
canoes, with such vigor, that, though the Spaniards behaved
theraselves as they ought, and made as good defence as they
could, making some use of their great guns, yet they were
forced to surrender, being beaten by the pirates, with sword in
band, down under the hatches. From hence Lolonois com-

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. , 67
manded thera to be brought up, one by one, and in this order
caused their heads to be struck off. Among the rest came up
the negro, designed to be the pirates' executioner. This fellow
implored mercy at his heftids very dolefully, telling Lolonois he
was constituted hangman of that ship, and if he would spare
hira, he would tell hira faithfully all that he should desire.
Lolonois, raaking hira confess what he thought fit, commanded
him to be murdered with the rest. Thus he cruelly, and bar
barously put them all to death, reserving only one alive, whom
he sent back to the governor of the Havana, with this mes
sage in writing : " I shall never henceforward give quarter "to
any Spaniard whatsoever ; and I have great hopes I shall exe
cute on your own person the very same punishment I have
done upon thera you sent against rae. Thus I have retaliated
the kindness you designed to rae and my companions. The
governor, much troubled at this sad news, swore, in the pres
ence of many, that he would never grant quarter to any pirate
that should fall into his hands. But the citizens of the Ha
vana desired hira not to persist in the execution of that rash
and rigorous oath, seeing the'pirates would certainly take occa
sion frora thence to do the sarae, and they had a hundred times
more opportunity of revenge than he ; that, being necessitated
to get their livelihood by fishery, they should hereafter always
be in danger of their lives. By these reasons he was persuaded
to bridle his anger, and remit the severity of his oath.' .•
Now Lolonois had got a good ship, but very few provisions
and people in it ; to purchase both which he resolved to cruise
from one port to another. Doing thus for some time without
success,, he determined to go to the port of Maracaibo. Here
he surprised a ship laden with plate,, and other merchandises,
outward bound to buy cocoa-nuts. With this prize he returned
to Tortuga, where he was received with joy by the inhabit
ants, they congratulating his happy success, and their own pri
vate interest. He stayed not long there, but designed to equip
a fleet sufficient to transport five hundred men and necessaries.
Thus provided, he resolved to pillage both cities, towns, and
villages, and, finally, to take Maracaibo itself. For this pur
pose he knew the Island of Tortuga would afford him many
resolute and courageous men, fit for such enterprises. Besides,
he had in his service several prisoners well acquainted with the
ways and places designed upon.

68 THE BUCCANEEBS OP AMERICA.

CHAPTER IX.
Lolonois equips a Fleet to land upon the Spanish Islands of America, with
intent to rob, sack, and burn whatsoever he met with.
Of this design, Lolonois giving notice to all the pirates,
whether at home or abroad, he got together in a little while
above four hundred men, beside which, there was then in Tor-
tliga another pirate, named Michael de Basco, who, by his pi
racy, had got riches sufficient to live at ease, and go no more
abroad, having, withal, the office of major of the island. But
seeing the great preparations that Lolonoi.s made for this expe
dition, he joined hira, and offered him, that if he would make
h'im his chief captain by land, (seeing he knew the country
very well, and all its avenues,) he would share in his fortunes,
and go with him. They agreed upon articles, to the great joy
of Lolonois, knowing that Basco had done great actions in Eu
rope, and had the repute of a good soldier. Thus they all
embarked in eight vessels, that of Lolonois being the greatest,
having ten guns of indifferent carriage.
All things being ready, and the whole company on board, -
they set sail together about the end of April, being in all six
hundjed'and sixty persons. They steered for that part called
Bayala, north of Hispaniola. Here they took into their com
pany some French hiraters, who voluntarily offered themselves ;
and here they provided themselves with victuals and necessa
ries for their vpyage.
From hence they sailed again the last of July, and steered
directly to the eastern cape of the isle called Punta d'Espada.
Hereabouts espying a ship from Puerto Rico, bound for New
Spain, laden with cocoa-nuts, Lolonois commanded the rest
of the fleet to wait for him near Savona, on the east of Cape
Punta d'Espada, he alone intending to take the said vessel.
The Spaniards, though tjiey had been in sight full two hours,
and knew thera to be pirates, yet would not flee, but prepared
to fight, being well armed and' provided. The combat lasted
three hours, and theh they surrendered. This ship had sixteen
guns, and fifty fighting men aboard. They found in hfer one hun
dred and twenty thousand weight of cocoa, forty thousand pieces
of eight, and the value of ten thousand more in jewels. Lolonois
sent the vessel presently to Tortuga to be unladed, with orders
to return as soon as possible to Savona, where he would wait
for them. Meanwhile the rest of the fleet being arrived at

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 69
Savona, met another Spanish vessel coraing frora Coraan, with
military provisions to Hispaniola, and raoney to pay the garisons
there. This vessel they also took, without any resistance,
though raounted with eight guns. In it were seven thousand
Weight of powder, a great number of muskets, and like things,
with twelve thousand pieces of eight.
These successes encouraged the pirates, .they seeming very
lucky beginnings, especially finding their fleet pretty well re
cruited in a little 'time : for the first ship arriving at Tortuga,
the governor ordered it to be instantly unladen, and soon after
sent back, with fresh provisions, and other necessaries, to Lot
lonois. This ship he chose for hiraself, and gave that which
he commanded to his comrade, Anthony du Puis. Being thus
recruited with raen, in lieu of thera he had lost in taking the
prizes, and by sickness, he found hiraself in a good condition
• to set sail for Maracaibo, in the province of Nueva Venezuela,
in the latitude of 12° 10' north. This island is twenty leagues
long, and twelve broad. To this port also belong the islands
of Onega and Monges. The east side thereof is called Cape
St. Roraan, and the western side Cape of Caquibacoa. The
gulf is called, by some, the Gulf of Venezuela, but the pi
rates usually called it the Bay of Maracaibo.
At the entrance of this gulf are two islands extending from
east to west ; that towards the east is called Isla de las Vigilias,
or the Watch Isle ; because in the middle is a high hill, on
which stands a watch-house ; the other is called Isla de la Pa-
loraas, or the Isle of Pigeons. Between these two islands runs
a little sea, or rather lake of fresh water, sixty leagues long,
and thirty broad ; which disgorging itself into the ocean, dilates
itself about the said two islands. Between thera is the Jjest
I passage for ships, the channel being no broader than the flight
of a great gun, of about eight pounds. On the Isle of Pigeons
standeth a castle, to irapede the entry of vessels, all being ne
cessitated to corae, very nigh the castle, by reason of two banks
of sand on the other side, with only fourteen foot water.
Many other banks of sand there are in this lake ; as that called
El Tablazo, or the Great Table, no deeper than ten foot, forty
leagues within the lake. Others there are, that have no more
than six, seven, or eight foot in depth ; all are very dangerous,
especialljf to raariners unacquainted with thera. West hereof
is the city of Maracaibo, very pleasant to the view, its houses
being built along the shore, having delightful prospects all round :
the city may contain three or four thousand persons, slaves in
cluded, all which raake ft town of a reasonable bigness. There
are judged to be about eight hundred persons able to bear arras,

70 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
all Spaniards. Here are one parish church, well built and
adorned, four raonasteries, and one hospital. The city is gov
erned by a deputy-governor, substituted by the governor of the
Caraccas. The trade here exercised is, raostly in hides and
tobacco. The inhabitants possess great numbers of cattle, and
raany plantations which extend thirty leagues in the country,
especially to wards .the great town of Gibraltar, where are gath
ered great quantities of cocoa-niits, and all othey garden-fruits,
which serve for the regale and sustenance of the inhabitants of
Maracaibo, whose territories are much drier than those of Gib
raltar. Hither those of Maracaibo send great quantities of flesh,
they making returns in oranges, lemons, and other fruits ; for
the inhabitants of Gibraltar want flesh, their fields not being
capable of feeding cows or sheep.
Before Maracaibo is a very spacious and secure port, wherein
may be built all sorts of vessels, having great convenience of
timber, which may be transported thither at little charge.
Nigh the town lies also a small island called Borrica, where
they feed great numbers of goats, which cattle the inhabitants
use more for their skins than their flesh or milk ; they slight
ing these two, unless while they are tender and young kids.
In the fields are fed some sheep, but of a very small size. In
some islands of the lake, and in other places hereabouts, are
many savage Indians, called, by the Spaniards, bravoes, or wild :
these could never be reduced by the Spaniards, being brutish
and untamable. They dwell mostly towards the west side of
the lake, in little huts built on trees growing in the water ; So
to keep themselves from the innumerable mosquitoes, or gnats,
which infest and torment them night and day. To the east
of ^he said lake are whole towns of fishermen, who likewise
live in hatfe built on trees, as the former. Another reason of
this dwelling, is the frequent inundations : for after great rains,
th'e land is often overflown for two or three leagues, there being
no less than twenty-five great rivers that fe^d this lake. The
town of Gibraltar is also frequently drowned by these, so that
the inhabitants are constrained to retire to their plantations.
Gibraltar, situate at the side of the lake, about forty leagues
within it, receives its provisions of flesh, as has been said, from
Maracaibo. The town is inhabited by about fifteen hundred
persons, whereof four hundred may bear arms ; the greatest
part of thera keep shops, wherein they exercise one trade or
other. In the adjacent fields are numerous plantations of sugar
and cocoa, in which, are many tall and beautiful trees, of whose
timber houses may be built, and ships. Among these are many
handsome and proportionable cedars, seven or eight foot about,

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 71
of which they build boats and ships, so as to bear one only
great sail ; such vessels being called periagues. Tflfe whole
country is well furnished with rivers and brooks, very useful
in droughts, being then cut into raany little channels to wafer
their fields and plantations. They plant also much tobacco,
well esteemed in Europe, and, for its goodness, is called there
tobacco de sacerdotes, or piiests' tobacco. They enjoy nigh
twenty leagues of jurisdiction, which is bounded by very high
mountains, perpetually covered with snow. On the other side
of these mountains is situate a great city called Merida, to which
the town of Gibraltar is subject. All merchandise is carried
hence to the aforesaid city on mules, and that but at one season
of the year, by reason of the excessive cold in those high moun
tains. On the said mules returns are made in flour of meal,
which comes from towards Peru, by the way of Estaffe.
Thus far I thought good to make a short description of the
Lake of Maracaibo, that ray reader raight the better comprehend
what I shall say concerning the actions of pirates in this place,
as follows. '
Lolonois arriving at the Gulf of Venezuela, cast anchor with
his whole fleet out of sight of the Vigilia or Watch Isle ; next
day very early he set sail thence with all' his ships for the Lake
pf Maracaibo, where they cast anchor again ; then they landed
their men, with design to attack first the* fortress that com
manded the bar, therefore called De la Ba.rra. This fort con
sists only of several great baskets of earth placed on a rising
ground, planted with sixteen great guns, with several other
heaps of earth round about for covering their rnen. The pirates
having landed a league off this fort, advanced by degrees
towards it ; but the governor having espied their landing, had
placed an ambuscade to cut thera off behind, while he shouW
attack them in front. This the pirates discovered, and getting
before, they defeated it so entirely, that not a man could retreat to
the castle; This done, Lolonois, with his corapanions, advanced
iraraediately to the fort, and after a fight of almost three hours,
with the usual desperation of this sort of people, they became
masters thereof, without any other arms than swords and pistols.
While they were fighting, thosq who were the routed ambus
cade, not being able to get into the castle, retired into Maracaibo
in greali confusion and disorder. Crying, " The pirates will pres
ently be here with two thousand men and more." The city
having formerly been taken by this kind of people, and sacked
to the uttermost, had still an idea of that misery ; so that upon
these disraal news they endeavored to escape towards Gibraltar
in their boats and canoes, carrying with thera all the goods and

72 THE BUCCANEERS^ OF AMERICA.
money they could. Being corae to Gibraltar, they told how
the fortiflls was taken, and nothing had been saved, nor any
persons escaped. '
The castle thus taken by the pirates, they presently signified
to the ships their victory, that they should corae farther in with
out fear of danger : the rest of that day was spent in ruining
and deraolishing the said castle. They nailed the guns, and,
burnt as rauch as they could not carry away, burying the dead,
and sending on board the fleet the wounded. Next day, very
early, they weighed anchor, and steered all together towards
Maracaibo, about six leagues distant from the fort ; but the
wind failing that day, they could advance little, being forced
to expect the tide. Next morning they came in sight of the
town, and prepared for landing under the protection of their
own guns, fearing the Spaniards raight have laid an arabuscade
in the woods : they put their raen into canoes, brought for that
purpose, and landed where they thought raost convenient, shoot
ing still furiously with their great guns. Of those in the canoes,
half only went ashore, the other half reraained aboard ; they
fired from the ships as fast as possible towards the woody part
of the shore, but could discover nobody ; then they entered the
town, whose inhabitants, as I told you, were retired to the
wood and Gibraltar, with their wives, children, and families.
Their houses they left well provided with victuals, as flour,
bread, pork, brandy, wines, and poultry, i With these the pirates
fell to making good cheer, for in four weeks before they had
no opportunity of filling their stomachs with such plenty.
They instantly possessed themselves of fhe best houses in the
town, and placed sentinels wherever they thought convenient ;
tl^e great church served them for their main-guard. Next day
they sent out one Hundred and sixty men to find out some of the
inhabitants in the woods thereabouts ; these returned the same
night, bringing with them twenty thousand pieces of eight, sev
eral raules laden with household goods and merchandise, and
twenty prisoners, men, women, and children. Some of these were
put to the rack, to make them confess where they had hid the
rest of their goods ; but they could extort very little from them.
Lolonois, who valued not murdering, though in cold blood, ten
or twelve Spaniards, drew his cutlass, arid hacked one to pieces
before the rest, saying, "If you d6 not confess and declare where
you have hid the rest of your goods, I will do the like to all
your companions." At last, amongst these horrible cruelties and
inhuraan threats, one proraised to show the place where the
rest of the Spaniards were hid ; but those that were fled, hav
ing intelligence of it, changed place, and buried the reranant

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMEMCA. 73
of their riches under ground, so that the pirates could not find
them out, unless some of their own party should reveal them ;
besides, the Spaniards flying from one place to another every
day, and often changing woods, were jealous even of each oth
er, so as the father durst Scarce trust his own son.
After the pirates had been fifteen days in Maracaibo, they
resolved for Gibraltar ; but the inhabitants having received in
telligence thereof, and that they intended afterwards to go to
Merida, gave notice of it to the governor there, who was a
valiant soldier, and had been an officer in Flanders. His an
swer was : He would have thera take no care, for he hoped in
a little while to exterminate .the said pirates. Whereupon he
came to Gibraltar with four hundred men well armed, ordering
at the sarae time the inhabitants to put themselves in arms, so
that in all he tnade eight hundred fighting men. With the
same speed he raised a battery towards the sea, mounted with
twenty guns, covered with great baskets of earth ; another bat
tery he placed in another place, mounted with eight guns.
This done, he barricadoed a narrow passage to the town through
which 'the pirates must pass, opening at the same time another
through rauch dirt and raud into the wood, totally unknown
to the pirates. •
The pirates, ignorant of these preparations, having embarked
all their prisoners and booty, took their way towards Gibraltar.
Being come in sight of the place, they saw the royal standard
hanging forth, and that those of the town designed to defend
their houses. Lolonois, seeing this, called a council of war
what they ought to do, telling his officers and mariners, " that
the difficulty of the enterprise was very great, seeing the
Spaniards had had so much time to put themselves in a posture
of defence, and had got a good body of raen together, with much
ammunition ,» but notwithstanding," said he, " have a good
courage ; we must either defend ourselves like good soldiers, or
lose our lives with all the riches we have got. Do as I shall
do who am your captain. At other times we have fought with
fewer men than we have in our company at present, and yet
we have overcome greater numbers than there possibly can be
in this town ; the nlore they are, the more glory, and the
greater riches, we shall gain." The pirates supposed that all
the riches of the inhabitants of Maracaibo were transported to
Gibraltar, or at least the greatest part. After this speech, they
all proraised to follow and obey him. Lolonois made answer,
« 'Tis well ; but know ye, withal, that the first man who shall
show any fear, or the least apprehension thereof, I will pistol
hira with my own hands."
7

74

THB BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

With this resolution they cast anchor nigh the shore, neai
three quarters of a leagtie from the town : next day, before sun-
rising, they landed three hundred and eighty men well provided,
and arraed every one with a cutlass and one or two pistols, and
sufficient powder and bullet for thirty charges. Here they all
shook hands in testimony of good courage, and began their
march, Lolonois speaking thus :-'; Come, my brethren, follow
rae, ancjl have good courage." They followed their guide, who,
believing he led them well, brought them to the way which
the governor had barricadoed. Not being, able to pass that
way, they went to the other newly made in the wood, among
the mire, which the Spaniards could shoot into at pleasure ;
but the pirates, full of courage, cut down the branches of trees,
and threw them on the way, that they might not stick in the
dirt. Meanwhile, those of Gibraltar fired with their great guns
so furiously, they could scarce hear nor see for the noise and
smoke. Being past the wood, they carae on firm ground,
where they met with a battery of six guns, which immediately
the Spaniards discharged upon them, all loaded with small bul
lets and pieces of iron ; and the Spaniards, sallying forth, set
upon them with such fury as caused the pirates to give way, few
of them caring to ad^jance towards the fort, many of them being
already killed and wounded. This raade them go back to seek
another way ; but the Spaniards having cut down many trees
to hinder the passage, they could find none, but were forced to
return to that they had left. Here the Spaniards continued to
fire as before, nor would they sally out of their batteries to
attack them any more. Lolonois and his companions not being
able to grimp up the baskets of earth, were compelled to use an
old stratagem, wherewith at last they deceived and overcame
the Spaniards. ^
Lolonois retired suddenly with all his men, making show as
if he fled. Hereupon the Spaniards, crying out, " They flee,
they flee, let us follow them," sallied forth, with great disorder,
to the pursuit. Being drawn to sorae distance from the bat
teries, which was the pirates' only design, they turned upon
them unexpectedly, with sword in hand, and killed above two
hundred men ; and thus fighting their w»y through those who
remained, they possessed themselves of the batteries. The
Spaniards that remained abroad, giving themselves over for lost,
fled to the woods ; those in the battery of eight guns surren
dered themselves, obtaining quarter for their lives. The pirates
being now become masters of the town, pulled down the Span
ish colors and sot up their own, taking prisoners as many as-
they could find. These they carried to the great church,

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

Capture of Gibraltar.

76 THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA.
where they raise a battery of several great guns, fearing lest ,
the Spaniards that were fled should rally, and come upon them
again ; but next day, being all fortified, their fears "were over.
They gathered the dead to bury them, being above five hun
dred Spaniards, besides the wounded in the town, and those
that died of their wounds in the woods. The pirates had also
above one hundred and fifty prisoners, and nigh five hundred
slaves, many women and children.
Of their own corapanions, only forty were killed, and almost
eighty wounded, whereof the greatest part died through the
bad air, which brought fevers and other illness. They put the
slain Spaniards into two great boats, and carrying them a quar
ter of a league to sea, they sunk the boats ; this done, they
gathered all the plate, household stuff, and merchandise they
could, br thought convenient to carry away. The Spaniards
who had any thing left had hid it carefully ; but the unsatisfied
pirates, n^t contented with the riches they had got, sought for
more goods and merchandise, not sparing those who lived in
the fields, such as hunters and planters. They had scarce been
eighteen days on the place, when the greatest part of the pris
oners died for hunger; for in the town were few provis
ions, especially of flesh, though they had some, but no suffi
cient quantity of flour of meal, and this the pirates had taken
for themselves, as they also took the swine, cows, sheep, and
poultry, without allowing any share to the poor prisoners ; for
these they only provided sorae sraall quantity of mules' and
asses' flesh ; and many, who could not eat of that loathsome pro
vision, died for hunger, their stomachs not being accustoraed to
such sustenance ; only sorae women were allowed better cheer,
because they served their sensual delights, to which those rob
bers are much given. Among these, some had been forced,
others were volunteers, though alraost all rather submitted
through poverty and hunger, than, any other cause. Of the
prisoners, many also died under the torraent they sustained to
make thera discover their raoney or jewels ; and of these, some
had none, nor knew of none, and others, denying what they
knew, endured such horrible deaths.
Finally, after having been in possession of the town four en-
rire weeks, they sent four of the prisoners to the Spaniards that
were fled to the woods, demanding of them a ransom for not
burning' the town. The sum demanded was ten thousand
pieces of eight, which if not sent, they threatened to reduce it
to ashes. For bringing in this money, they allowed thera only
two days ; but the Spaniards not having. been able to gather so
punctually such a sum, the pirates fired raany places of the

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 77
town ; whereupon the inhabitants begged them to help quench
the fire, and the ransom should be readily paid. The pirates
condescended, helping as rauch as they could to stop the fire ;
but, notwithstanding all their best endeavors, one part of the
town was ruined, especially the church belonging to the monas
tery was burned down. After they had received the said sum,
they carried aboard all the riches they had got, with a great
number of slaves which had not paid the ransom ; for all the
prisoners had sums of money set upon them, and the slaves
were also comraanded to be redeemed. Hence they returned
to Maracaibo, where, being arrived, they found a general con
sternation in the whole city, to which they sent three or four
prisoners, to tell the governor and inhabitants, " they should
bring them thirty thousand pieces of eight aboard their ships,
for a ransom of their houses, otherwise they should be sacked
anew and burned."
Among these debates, a party of pirates carafe on shore, and
carried away the images, pictures, and bells of the great church,
aboard the fleet. The Spaniards who were sent to demand the
sum aforesaid, returned, with orders to make some agreeraent,
who concluded with the ^pirates to give for their ransom and
liberty twenty thg.usand pieces of eight, and five hundred cows,
provided that they should commit no further hostilities, but
depart thence presently after payment of money aud cattle.
The one and the other being delivered, the whole fleet set sail,
causing great joy to the inhabitants of Maracaibo, to see them
selves quit of them. But three days after they renewed their
fears with admiration, seeing the pirates appear again, and re
enter the port with all their ships. But these apprehensions
vanished upon Jiearing one of the pirates' errand, who came
ashore from iiolonois, " to demand a skilful pilot, to conduct
one of the greatest ships over the dangerous bank that lieth at
the very entry of the lake ; " which petition, or rather cora
raand, was instantly granted.
They had now been full two months in those towns,
wherein they coraraitted those cruel and insolent actions we
have related. Departing thence, they took their course to His
paniola, and arrived there in eight days, casting anchor in a
port called Isla de la Vacca, or Cow Island. This island is
inhabited by French Buccaneers, who raostly sell the flesh they
hunt to pirates and others who now and then put in there to
victual or trade. Here they unloaded their whole cargazon-
of riches, the usual storehouse of the pirates being commonly
under the shelter of the Buccaneers. Here they made a divi
dend of all their prizes and gains, according to the order and
7*

78 THE BUCCANEERS .OF AMERICA.
degree of every one, as has been mentioned before. Having
made an exact calculation of all their plunder, they found in
ready money two hundred and sixty thousand pieces of eight.
This being divided, every one received for his share in money,
as also in silk, linen, and other commodities, to the value of
above one hundred pieces of eight. Those who had been
wounded received their first part, after the rate mentioned be
fore, ,for the loss of their limbs. Then they weighed all the
plate uncoined, reckoning ten pieces of eight to a pound. The
jewels were prized differently, either too high or too low, by
reason of their ignorance. This done, every one was put to
his oath again, that he had not smuggled any thing from the
common stock. Hence' they proceeded to the dividend of the
shares of such as were dead in battle, or otherwise. These
shares were given to their friends, to be kept entire for them,
and to be delivered in due time to their nearest relations, or
their apparent lawful heirs.
The whole dividend being finished, they set sail for Tor
tuga. Here they arrived a month- after, to the great joy of
most of the island ; for as to the common pirates, in three
weeks they had scarce any money left, having spent it all In
things of little value, or lost it at play. Here had arrived, not
long before them, two French ships, with wine and brandy,
and such hke commodities, where"by these liquors, at the arri
val of the pirates, were indifferent cheap. But this lasted not
long, for ^oon after they were enhanced extremely, a gallon of
brandy being sold for four pieces of eight. The governor of
the island bought of the pirates the whole cargo of the shif
laden with cocoa, giving for that rich commodity scarce the
twentieth part of its worth. Thus they made shift to lose and
spend the riches they had got, in much less time than they
were purchased. The taverns and stews, according to the cus
tom of pirates, got the greatest part ; so that soon after they
were forced to seek more by the same unlawful means they had
got the former. '

CHAPTER X.

Lolonc^ makes new Preparations to take the City of St. James de Leon as also
that of Nicaragua, where he miserably perishes.
LoLONOis had got great repute at Tortuga, by this last voy
age, because he brought home such considerable profit : and

THE BUCCANEERS OF* AMERICA. 79
now he need take no great care to gather raen to serve under
him, more coraing in voluntarily than he could employ, every
one reposing such confidence in his conduct, that they judged
it very safe to expose themselves, in his company, to the great
est dangers. He resolved, therefore, a second voyage to the
parts of Nicaragua, to pillage there as many towns as he could.
Having published his new preparations, he*had all his men
together at the time^ being about seven hundred. Of these he
put three hundred aboard the ship he took at Maracaibo, and
the rest in five other vessels of lesser burthen, so that they were
in all six ships. The first port they went to was Bayaha, in
Hispaniola, to victual the fleet, and take in provisions ; which
done, they steered their course to a port called Matariiana, on
the south side of Cuba, intending to take here all the canoes
they could, these coasts being frequented by the fishers of tor
toises, who carry thera hence to the Havana. They took as
many of thera, to the great grief of those miserable people, as
they thought necessary, for they had great use for these small
bottoms, by reason the port they designed for had not depth
enough for ships of any burthen. Hence they took their
course towards the Cape Gracias a Dios, on tlie continent, in
latitude 15° north, one hundred leagues from the Island de los
Pinos. Being at sea, they wer'e taken with a sad and tedious
calm, and, by the agitation of the waves alone, were thrown
into the Gulf of Honduras. Here they labored hard in vain
to regain what they had lost, both the waters and the winds
being contrary; besides, the ship wherein Lolonois was em
barked could not follow the rest, and, what was worse, they
wanted provisions. Hereupon, they were forced to put into
the first port they could reach, to revictual. So they entered,
"with their canoes, into the River Xagua, inhabited by Indians,
whora they totally destroyed, finding great quantities of millet,
and many hogs and hens, not contented with which, they de
termined to remain there till the bad weather was over, and to
pillage all the towns and villages along the coast of the gulf.
Thus they passed from one place to another, seeking still more
provisions, with which they were not sufficiently supplied.
Having searched and rifled raany villages, where they found no
great, matteir, they came at last to Puerto Cavallo. Here the
Spaniards have two store-houses, to keep the merchandises that
are brought frora the inner parts of the country, till the arrival
of the ships. There was then in the port a Spanish ship of
twenty-four guns and sixteen pedreros, or mortar-pieces. This
ship was immediately seized by the pirates, and then drawing
nigh the shore, they landed and burned the two storehouses

80 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
with all tbe rest of the houses there. Many inhabitants, like
wise, they took prisoners, and comraitted upon thera the most
inhuman cruelties that ever heathens invented,- putting them to
the cruellest tortures they could devise. It was the custom of
Lolonois, that haviftg torraented persons not confessing, he
would instantly cut them in pieces with his hanger, and pull
out their tongues, desiring to do so, if possible, to every Span
iard in the world. It often happened, that some of these mis
erable prisoners, being forced by the rack, would promise to
discover the places where the fugitive Spaniards lay hid, which
being not able afterwards to perform, they were put to niore
cruel deaths than they who were dead before.
The prisoners being all dead but two, (whom they reserved
to show thera what they desired,) they marched hence to the
town of San Pedro, dr St. Peter, ten or twelve leagues frora
Puerto Cavallo, being three hundred men, whom Lolonois led,
leaving behind him Moses Van Vin, his lieutenant,' to govern
the rest in his absence. Being come three leagues on their
way, they met with a troop of Spaniards, who lay in ambus
cade for their coming. These they set upon with all the cour
age imaginable, and at last totally defeated. Howbeit, they
behaved themselves very manfully at first; but not being able
to resist the fury of the pirates, they were forced to give way
and save themselves by flight, leaving raany pirates dead in the
place, sorae wounded, and some of their own parley mairaed, by
the way. These Lolonois put to death without raercy, having
asked thera what questions he thought fit for his purpose.
There were still reraaining some few prisoners not wounded.
These were asked by Lolonois if any more Spaniards did lie
farther on in ambuscade ? They answered, there were. Then
being brought before him, one by one, he asked if there was
no other way to the town but that ? This he did to avoid, if
possible, those ambuscades. But they all constantly answered
him, they knew none. Having asked thera all, and finding
they could show hira no other way, Lolonois grew outrage
ously passionate, so that he drew his cutlass, and with it cut
open the breast of one of those poor Spaniards, and, pulling
out his heart, began to bite and gnaw it with his teeth, like a
ravenous wolf, saying to the rest, " I will serve you all alike,
if you show rae not another way."
Hereupon those raiserable wretches proraised to show him
another way ; but, withal, they told him it was extremely dif
ficult, and laborious. Thus, to satisfy that cruel tyrant, they
began to lead him and his array ; but finding it not for his pur
pose, as they had told hira, he was forced to return to the

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 81
forraer way, swearing, with great choler %nd indignation, Mort
Dieu, les Espagnols me le payeront. By God's death, the
Spaniards shall pay me for this.
Next day he fell in-to another ambuscade, which he assaulted
with such horrible fury, that in less than an hSur's time he
routed the Spaiiiards, and killed the greatest part of them. The
Spaniards thought by these ambuscades better to destroy the
pirates, assaulting them by degrees; arid for this.reasoil had
posted themselves in several places. At last he met with a
third ambuscade, wjiere was placed a party stronger, and more
advantageously, than the former. Yet, notwithstanding, the
pirates, by continually throwing little fire-balls in great num
bers, for some tirae, forced this party as well as the forraer to
flee, and this with so great loss of raen, that before they could
reach the town, the greatest part of the Spaniards were either
killed or wounded. There was but one path which led to the
town, very well barricadoed with good defences ; and the rest
of the town round was planted with shrubs called raqueltes,
full of thorns very sharp-pointed. This sort of fortification
seemed stronger than the triangles used in Europe, when-ari
array' is of necessity to pass by the place of an enemy ; it being
almost irapossible for the pirates to traverse those shrubs. The
Spaniards posted behind the said defences, seeing the pirates corae,
began to ply thera with their great guns; tuttljese perceivirig
thera ready to fire, used to stoop down, and when the shot was-
raade, to fall upon the defendants with fire-balls, and naked
swords, killing raany of the town. Yet, notwithstanding, not
being able to advance &ny farther, they retired for the present-
Then they, renewed the attack, with fewer raen than before,
and observing not to shoot till they were^very nigh, they gave
the Spaniards a charge so dexterously, that with every shot
they killed an eneray.
The attack continuing thus eager on both sides till night,
the Spaniards were compelled to hang forth a white flag, and
desired to corae to a parley. The only conditions they required
were, that the pirates should give the inhabitants quarter for
two hours. This little tirae they deraanded, with intent to
carry away and hide as much of their goods and riches as they
could, and to fly to some other neighboring town. Granting this
article, they entered the town, and continued there the two
hours, without comraitting the least hostility on the inhabitants ;
but no sooner was that tirae past, than Lolonois ordered that
the inhabitants should be followed, and robbed of all they had
carried away ; and not only their goods, but their persons like
wise to be made prisoners ; though the greatest part of their

82 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMEBICA.
merchandise and gaods were so hid, as the pirates could
not find theip, except a few leathern sacks, filled with anil,
or indigo.
Having staid, here a few days, and, according to their cus
tom, eorami|ted most horrid insolencies, they at 'last quitted
the place, carrying away all they possibly could, and reducing
the town to ashes. Being come to the sea-side, where they left
a party of their own, they found -these had been cruising upon
the fishermen thereabouts, or who came that way from the
River of Guatemala: in this river was also expected a ship
from Spain. Finally, they resolved to go towards the islands
on the other side of the, gulf, there to cleanse and careen their
vessels ; but they left two canoes before the coast, or rather the
mouth of the River of Guatemala, in order to take .the ship,
which, as I said,. was expected frora Spain.
But their chief intent iuvgoing hither was to seek provisions,
knowing the tortoises of those places are excellent food. Being
arrived, they divided theraselves, each party choosing a fit post
for that fishery. They undertook to knit nets with the rinds
of certain trees called m,acoa, whereof they make also ropes and
cables ; so that no vessel can be in need of such things, if they
can but find the said trees. There are also many places where
they find pitch in so great abundance, that running down the
sea-Ubasts, being melted by the sun, it congeals in the water in
great heaps, like small islands. This pitch is not like that of
Europe, but reserables, both in color and shape, that froth of
the sea called bitumen. But, in my judgraent, this matter is
nothing but wax mixed with sand, which stormy weather, and
the rolling waves of great rivers, hath cast into the sea. For in
those parts are great quantities of bees, who make their honey
in trees, to the bodies of which the honey-comb being fixed,
whe'n tempests arise, they are torn aWay, and by the fury of
the winds carried into the sea, as is said. Some naturalists say,
ithat the honey and the. wax are separated by the salt water,
whence proceeds the good amber. This opinion seems the
more probable, because the said amber tastes as wax doth.
, But to return to ray discourse. The pirates made in those
islands all the haste they possibly could to equip their vessels,
hearing that the Spanish ship was come which they expected.
They spent some time cruising on the coasts of Yucatan, where
inhabit many Indians, who seek for the said amber in those
seas. And I shall here, by the by,, make some short remarks
-on the manner of living ofthe Indians, and their religion.
They have, now been above one hundred years under the
.Spaniards, to whom they perforraed all raanner of services ; for

THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA. 83
whensoever any of them needed a slave, or servant, they sent
for these to serve them as long as they pleased. By the Span
iards they were initiated in, the principles of the Christian faith
and religion, and they sent thera every Sunday and holiday a
priest to perform divine service araong thera. Afterwards, for
reasons not known, but certainly through teraptations of the
father of idolatry, the devil, they suddenly cast off the Christian
religion, abusing the priest that was sent them. This provoked
the Spaniards to punish them, by casting raany of the chief
into prison. Every one of those barbarians had, and hath still,
a god to hiraself, whora he serves and worships. It is a matter
of admiration how they use a child newly born. As soon as it
comes into the world, they carry it to the temple; here they
make a hole, which they fill with ashes only, on which they
place the child naked, leaving it there a whole night alone, not
without great danger, no body daring to corae near it : mean-
Avhile the temple is open on all sides, that all sorts of beasts may
freely come in and out. Next day, the father and relations of
the infant return to see if the track or step of any animal ap
pears in the ashes : not finding any, they leave the child th^e
till some beast has approached the infant, and left behind him
the raarks of his feet. To this animal, whatsoever it be, they
consecrate the creature newly born, as to its god, which he is
bound to worship all his life, "esteeming the said beast his patron
dnd protector. They offer to their gods sacrifices of fire, where
in they burn a certain gum, called by them copal, whose smoke
smells very deliciously. When the infant is grown up, the
parents thereof tell him who he ought to worship, serve, and
honor as his own proper god. Then he goes to the temple,
where he makes offerings to the said beast. Afterwards, if in
the course of his life any one injure hira, or any evil happen
to hira, he complains to that beast and sacrifices to it for re
venge. Hence it often coraes, that those who have done the
injury of which he complains, are bitteq, killed, or otherwise
hurt by such animals.
After this superstitious and idolatrous manner live those
miserable and ignorant Indians that inhabit the islands of the
Gulf of Honduras ; as also many of them on the continent of
Yucatan, in the territories whereof are raost excellent ports,
where those Indians most commonly build their houses. These
people are not very faithful to one another, and use strange
ceremonies at their marriages. Whensoever any one pretends
to marry a young damsel, he first applies himself to her father
or nearest relation. ,He ejsamines him nicely about the manner
of cultivating their plantations, and other things at his pleasure.

84 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
Having satisfied the questions of his father-in-law, he gives the
young man a bow and arrowj with which he repairs to the
young maid, and presents her with a garland of green leaves
and sweet-sraelling flowers ; this she is obliged to put on her
head, and lay aside thatf which she wore before, it being the
custom for virgins to go perpetually crowned with flowers.
This garland being received and put on her head, every one of
the relations and friends go to advise with others, whether that
marriage will be like to be happy or not ; then they meet at
the house of the damsel's father, where they drink of a liquor
made of maize, or Indian wheat ; and here, before the whole
corapany, the father gives his daughter in raarriage to the bride
groom. Next day the bride coraes to her raother, and in her
presence pulls off the garland, and tears it in pieces with great
cries and laraentations. Many other things I could relate of
the manner of living aud customs of those Indians, but I shall
follow my discourse.
- Our pirates, therefore, had many canoes of the Indians in the
Isle of Sambale, five leagues from the coasts of Yucatan. Here
is'great quantity of amber, but especially when any storm arises
from towards the east; whence the waves bring many things,
and very different. Through this sea no vessels can pass, unless
very small, it being too shallow. In the lands that are sur
rounded by this sea, is found much Carapeachy wood, and other
things that serve for dyeing, much esteemed in Europe, and
would be raore, if we had the skill of the Indians, who make a
dye or tincture that never fades.
The pirates having been in that gulf three months, and re
ceiving advice that the Spanish ship was come, hastened to the
port where the ship lay at anchor unlading his merchandise,
with design to assault her as soon as possible ; but first, they
thought convenient to send away some of their boats to seek
for a sraall vessel also expected, very richly laden with plate,
indigo, and cochineal. Meanwhile, the ship's crew having
notice that the pirates designed upon them, prepared all- things
for a good defence, being mounted with forty-two guns, well
furnished with arms and other necessaries, and one hundred
and thirty fighting men. To Lolonois all this seemed but little,
for he assaulted her with great courage, his own ship carrying
but twenty-two guns, and having no more than a small saety,
or fly-boat, for help. But the Spaniards defended themselves
so well, as they forced the pirates to retire ; but the smoke of
the powder continuing thick, as a dark fog or mist, with four
canoes well manned, they boarded the ship with great agility,
and forced the Spaniards to surrender.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 85
The ship being taken, they found not in her what they
¦thought, being already alraost unladen. All they got was only
fifty bars of iron, a small parcel of" paper, some earthen jars of
wine, and other things of small importance.
Then Lolonojs called a council of war, and told thera he in
tended for Guatamala. Hereupon they divided into several
sentiments, some liking the proposal, and others, disliking it,
especially a party of thera who were but raw in those exercises,
and who imagined at their setting forth from Tortuga, that
pieces of eight were gathered as easily as pears from a tree ;
but, finding most things contrary to their expectation, they
quitted the fleet and returned ; others affirmed they had rather
starve than return home without a great deal of money.
But the major part judging the propounded voyage little to
their purpose, separated from Lolonois and the rest. Of these,
one Moses Vanclein was ringleader, captain of the ship taken
at 'Puerto Cavallo : this fellow steered for Tortuga, to cruise to
and fro in these seas. With him joined another comrade of his,
by name Pierre le Picard, who seeing the rest leave Lolonois,
thought fit to do.the same. These runaways having thus part
ed company, steered homewards, coasting a,long the continent
till they caraa to Costa Rica ; here they landed a strong party
nigh the River Veraguas, and marched in good order to the
town of the same name ; this they took and totally pillaged,
though the Spaniards made a strong resistance. They brought
away some of the inhabitants as prisoners, Avith all that they
had, which was of no great importance, by reason of the pov
erty of the place, which exerciseth no other trade than working
in the mines, where some of the inhabitants constantly attend,
while none seek for gold, but only slaves. These they compel
to dig and wash the earth in the neighboring rivers, where often
tl^ey find pieces of gold as big as peas. The pirates gaining in
this adventure but seven or eight pound weight of gold, they
returned,, giving over the design to go to the town of Nata,
situate on the coasts of the South Sea, whose inhabitants are
rich merchants, and their slaves work in the mines of Veraguas ;
being deterred by the raultitude of Spaniards gathered on all
sides to fall upon them, whereof they had tiraely advice.
Lolonois, thus left by his companions, remained alone in the
Gulf of Honduras. His ship being too great to get out at the
reflux of those seas, there he sustained, great want of provisions,
so %.s they were constrained to go ashore every day to seek
sustenance, and not finding any thing else, they were forced
to kill and eat monkeys, and other animals, such as they
could find. 8

86 THE BtJCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
At last, in the latitude of the Cape of Gracias a Dios, near a
certain little island called De las Pertas, his ship struck on a
bank of sand, where it stuck so fast, as no art could get her off
again, though they unladed all the guns, iron, and other weighty
things as much as they could. Hereupon they were forced to
break the ship in pieces, and with planks and flails build them
selves a boat to get away ; and while they are busy about it, I
shall describe the said isles and their inhabitants.
The Islands De las Pertas are inhabited by savage Indians,
not having known or conversed with civil people. They are
tall and very nimble, running almost as fast as horses ; at div
ing, also, they are very dexterous and hardy. From the bottom
of the sea I saw them take up an anchor of six hundred weight,
tying a cable to it with great dexterity, and pulling it from a
rock. Their arms are made of 'wood, without any iron ppint ;
but some instead thereof use a crocodile's tooth. They have
no bows nor arrows, as the other Indians have, but their corrt-
rrion weapon is a sort of lance, a fathom and a half long. Here
are many plantations, surrounded with woods, whence they
gather abundance of frui.ts, as potatoes, bananas, racoven, ananas,
and many others. They have no houses to dwell in, as at other
places in the Indies. Some say they eat human -flesh, which is
confirmed by What happened wheri Lolonois was there. Two
of his companioQs, one a Frenchman and the other a Spaniard,
went into the woods, where, having straggled a while, a troop
of Indians pursued them. They defended themselves as well
as they could with their swords, but at last were forced to flee.
The nimble Frenchman escaped ; but the Spaniard, being not
so swift, was taken and' heard of no more. Some days after,
twelve pirates set forth very well armed to seek their compan
ion, among whom was the Frenchman, who conducted them,
, and showed them the place where he left him ; 'here they found
that the Indians had kindled a fire, and at a small distance. they
found a man's boijes well roasted, with some pieces of flesh ill-
scraped off the bones, and one hand, which had only two firigers
remaining, whence they concluded they had roasted the poor
Spaniard. They marched on, seeking, for Indians, and found a great
number together, who endeavored to escape, but they overtook
some of them, arid brought aboard their ships five men and {bur
women ; with these they took much pains to make themselves
be understood, and to gain their affections, giving them trifles,
as knives, beads, and the hke ; they gave thera also victuals and
drink, but nothing would they\aste. It was also observable;
that while they were prisoners, they spoke not one word to

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 87
each other ; so that seeing these poor Indians were much afraid,
they presented them again With some small things and let thera
go. When they parted, they raade signs they would come
again, but they soon forgot their benefactors, and were never
heard of more ; neither could any notice afterwards be had of
these Indians, nor any others in the whole island, which made
the pirates suspect that both those that were taken and all the
rest of the islanders swam away by night to some little neigh
boring islands, especially considering they could never set eyes
on any Indian more, nor any boat or other vessel. Meanwhile
the pirates were very desirous to see their long-boat finished
out ,of the timber that struck on the sands ; yet considering
their work would be long, they began to cultivate some pieces
of ground : here they sowed French beans, which ripened in
six weeks, and many other fruits. They had good provision
of Spanish wheat, bananas, racoven, and other things ; with
the wheat they made bread, and baked it in portable ovens,
brought with them. Thus they feared not hunger in those
desert places, employing themselves thus for five or six months ;
•w^ich past, and the long-boat finished, they resolved fpr the
River of Nicaragua, to see if they could take sorge canoes, and
return to the said islands for their companions that remained
behind, by reason the boat could not hold so many men togeth
er. Hereupon, to avoid disputes, they cast lots, determining
who should go or stay.
The lot fell on one half of the people of the lost vessel, who
embarked in the long-boat and on the skiff which they had
before, the other half remaining ashore. Lolonois having set
sail, arrived in few days at the River of Nicaragua. Here that
ill fortune assailed him which of long time had been reserved
for him, as a punishment due to the multitude of horrible crimes
comraitted in his licentious and wicked life. Here he met with
both Spaniards and Indians, who jointly setting upon him and
his ccfmpanions, the greatest part of the pirates were killed on
the place. Lolonois, with those that remained alive, had much
ado to escape aboard their boats ; yet, notwithstanding this great
loss, he resolved not to returr*to those he had left at the Isle of
Pertas, without taking some boats, silch as he looked for. To
this effect he determined to go on to the coasts of Carthagena ;
but God Almighty, the time of his divine justice being now
come, had appointed the Indians of Darien to be 'the instrurnents
and executioners thereof. These Indians of Darien are esteeraed
a\ bravoes, or wild savage Indians, by the neighboring Spaniards,
who never could civilize th|em. Hither Lolonois came (brought
by his evil conscience, that cried for punishraent) thinking to

88 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
act his .cruelties; but the Indians within a few days after his
arrival took hira prisoner, and tore- hira in pieces alive, throw
ing his body' limb by limb into the fire, and his ashes into the
air, that no trace or meraory raight reraain of such an infamous,
inhuman creature. One of his corapanions gave me an exact
account of this tragedy, affirming, that hiniself had escaped the
same punishraent with the greatest difficulty ; he believed also
that many of his comrades, who were taken .in that renconter
by those Indiaris, were, as their cruel captain, torn in pieces
and burnt alive. Thus ends the history, the life, and misera
ble death of that infernal wretch Lolonois, who, full of horrid,
execrable', and enormous deeds, and debtor to so much innocent
blood, died by cruel and butcherly hands, such as his own
were in the cours? of his life.
Those that remained in the Island De las Pertas, waiting for
the return of them who got away, only to their great misfor
tune, hearing no news of their captain nor companions, at last
embarked on the ship of a certain pirate, who happened to pass
that way. This fellow came frora Jaraaica, with intent to land
at Gracias a Dios, and frora thence 'to enter the river with his
canoes, and take the city of Carthagena. These two crews of
pirates being now joined, were infinitely glad at the presence
and society of one another. . Those, because they found thera
selves delivered from the miseries, poverty, and necessities
wherein they had lived ten entire raonths; — these, because
they were now considerably strengthened, to effect with greater
satisfaction their designs. Hereupon, as soon as they were ar
rived at Gracias a Dios, they all put theraselves into canoes,
and entered the river, being five hundred men, leaving only five
or six persons in each ship to keep them. They took no pro
visions, being persuaded they should find every where sufficient ;
but these their hopes were found totally vain, not being ground
ed on Alraighty God ; for he ordained it so, that the Indians,
aWare of their coming, all fled, not leaving in their houses or
plantations, which for the most-part border on the sides of riv
ers, any necessary provisions or victuals. Hereby, in a few
days after they had quitted the ships, they were reduced to most
extreme necessity and hunger ; but their hopes of making their
fortunes very soon animating thera for the present, they con
tented themselves with a few green herbs, such as they could
gather on the banks of the river.
Yet all this courage and vigor lasted but a fortnight, when
their hearts, as well as bodies, began to fail for hunger ; insO*
rauch as they were forced to quit the river, and betake thera
selves to the woods, seeking out sorae villages where they

* THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 89
might find relief, but all in vain ; for having ranged up and
down the Voods for some days, without finding the least com
fort, they were forced to return to the river, where befng come,
they thought convenient to descend to the sea-coast where they
had left their ships, not having been able te find what they
sought for. In this laborious journey they were reduced to
such extremity, that many of thera devoured their own shoes,
the sheaths of their swords, knives, and other such things, being
almost ravenous, and eager to meet sorae Indians, intending to
sacrifice them to their teeth. At last. they arrived at the sea
coast, where they found some comfort and relief to their for
mer miseries, and also means to seek more ; yet the greatest
part perished thrcfegh faiutness and other diseases contracted by
hunger, which also caused the remaining part to disperse, till
at last, by degrees, many or most of thera fell into the same pit
that Lolonois did : of whom, and of whose companions, having
given a compendious narrative, I shall continue with 'the actions
and exploits of Capt. Henry Morgan, who may deservedly be
called the second Lolonois, not Ueing unlike or inferior to him,
either in achievements against the Spaniards, or in robberies of
raany innocent people.

CHAPTER XI
The Origin and Descent of Captain Henry Morgan ,- his Exploits, and the most
remarkable Actions of hns Life.
Capt. Henrt Morgan was born in Great Britain, in the prin
cipality of Wales ; his father was a rich yeoman, or farmer, of
good quality, even as raost who bear that name in Wales
are known to be. Morgan, wheri young, had no inclination
to the calling of his father, -^and therefore left his country,
and came towards the sea-coasts to seek some other employ
ment more suitable to his aspiring humor; where he found
several ships at anchor, bound to Barbadoes. With these he
resolved to go in the serv'i^20iiErCJKhfi7--acc-cu3IagltolBfi°pra^^^
ticej3'f~Thff§^~parT£3^I|5.-U».SS.-.s^^^ .te.cape.a.shore. He
served his time_at„Baxhad.Qea,.,and-jabtaiiiii;ighis.iilietty, betook
himself to Jamaica, 'there to seek new fortunes. Here he found
two vessels of pirates ready to go to sea ; and being destitute of
employment, he went with them, with intent to follow the
exercises of that sort o*f people. He soon learned their manner
of living, so exactly, that having performed three or four voya-
8*

90

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

Sir Heilry Mbrgan.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 91
ges with profit and success, he agreed with some of his comrades,
who had got by the same voyages a little money, to jom stocks
andjbuyji ship. The vessel being^boughtjJhex..unanimoi]sIy
chose mm captain~ahd eoRimandeii:
WIffr'this'sh"ipTie"'seF'forTlT~ffom Jamaica to cruise oji the
coasts of Campeachy, in which voyage he took several ships,
with which ~ftg~Teturned triumphant. Here he found an old
pirate, named Mansvelt,. (whom we hate already mentioned,)
busied in equipping a considerable fleet, with design to land on
the coutinent, and pillage whatever he could. Mansvelt see
ing Capt. Morgan return with so many prizes, judged him to be
a man of courage, and chose him for his vice-admiral in that
expedition. Thus having fitted out fifteen ships, great and
small, they sailed from Jamaica with 500 men, "Walloons and
French. This fleet arrived not long, after at the Isle of St.
Catherine, near the continent of Costa Rica, latitude 12°* 30',
and distant 35 leagues from the river Chagre. Here they inade
their first descent, landing most of their men, who soon forced
the garrison that kept the island to surrender all the forts and
castles thereof; which they instantly demolished, except one,
wherein they placed one hundred men of their own party, and
all the slaves they had taken frofn the Spaniards ; with the rest
of'their men they marched to another small island, so near St.
Catherine's, that, with a bridge they made in a few days, they
passed thither, taking with them all the ordnance they had
taken on the great island. Having ruined with fire and sword
both the islands, leaving necessary orders at the said castle,
they put to sea again with their Spanish prisoners ; yet these
they set ashore not long after, on the Firm Land, near Puerto
Velo. Then they cruised on Costa Rica, till they came to the
river Colla, designing to pillage all the towns in those parts,
thence to pass to the village of Nata, to do the same.
The governor of Paneima, on advice of their arrival, and of
the hostilities they committed, thought it his duty to meet
them with a body of men. His coming caused the pirates to
retire suddenly, seeing the whole country was alarmed, and
that their designs were known, and consequently defeated at
that time. Hereupon, they* returned to St. Catherine's, to visit
the hundred men they had left in garrison there. The gover
nor of these men was a Frenchman, named Le Sieur Simon,
who behaved himself very well in that charge, while Mansvelt
was absent, having put the great island in a very good posture
of defence, and the little one he had caused to be cultivated
with many fertile plantations, sufficient to revictual the whole
fleet, not only for the present, but also for a new voyage.

92 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
Mansvelt was very, much bent to keep these two islands in per
petual possession, being very commodiously situated for the
pirates ; being so near the Spanish dominions, and easily de
fended, as I shall represent in the third part of this history at
large, in a copper plate.
Hereupon, Mansvelt determined to return to Jamaica, to send
recruits to St. Catherine's, that in case of an invasion the pirates
might be provided fon a defence. As soon as he arrived, he
propounded his intentions to the governor there, who rejected
his propositions, fearing to displease his master, the l^ing of
England; besides that, giving hira the men he desired, and
necessaries, he must of necessity diminish the forces of that
island, whereof he was governor. Hereupon, Mansvelt, know
ing that of himself he could not compass his designs, went
to Tortuga ; but there, before he could put in execution what
was intended, death surprised him, and put a period to. his
wicRed life, leaving all things in suspense till the occasion I
shall hereafter relate.
Le Sieur Simon, governor of St. Catherine's, receiving no
news from Mansvelt, his admiral, was impatiently desirous to
know the cause thereof Meanwhile, Don John Perez de
Guzman, .being newly come to the government of Costa Rica,
thought it not convenient for the interest of Spain for that island
to be in^ the hands of the pirates. Hereupon, he equipped a
considerable fleet, which he sent to retake it ; but before he
used violence, he wrote a letter to Le Sieur Simon, telling hira,
that if he would surrender the island to his Catholic majesty, he
should be very well rewarded ; but in case of refusal severely
punished, when he had forced him to do it. Le Sieur Simon,
seeing no probability of being able to defend it alone, nor any
eraoluraent that by so doing could accrue either to him or his
people, after some small resistance delivered it up to its true
lord and master, under the same articles they had obtained it
from the Spaniards ; a few days after which surrender there
arrived from Jamaica an English ship, which the governor there
had sent under-hand, with a good supply of people, both men
and women. The Spaniards from the castle having espied this
ship, put forth E^nglish colors^ and 'pursuaded Le Sieur Simon
to go aboard, and conduct the ship into a port they assigned
him. ~ This he performed, and they were all made prisoners.
A certain Spanish engineer has published in print an exact
relation of the retaking of this isle by the Spaniards, which I
have thought fit to insert here.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 93
A true relation ' and particular account of the Victory obtained
by the arms of his Catholic Majesty against the English
Pirates, by the direction and valor of Don John Perez de
Guzm,an, Knight of the Order of St. James, Governor
and Captain- General of Terra Firma and the Province of
Veraguas.
The kingdom of Terra Firma, which of itself is sufficiently
strong to repel and destroy great fleets, especially the pirates of
Jamaica, had several ways notice imparted to the governor
thereof, that fourteen English vessels cruised on the coasts be
longing to his Catholic raajesty. July 14, 1665, news came
to Panama that they were arrived at Puerto de Naos, and had
forced the Spanish garrison of the Isle of St. Catherine, whose
governor was Don Esteven del Campo, and possessed them
selves of the said island, taking prisoners the inhabitants, and
destroying all that they met. About the same time, Don John
Perez de Guzman received particular information of these rob
beries from some Spaniards who escaped out ofthe island, (and
whom he ordered to be conveyed to Puerto Velo) that the said
pirates came into the island May 2, by night, without being
perceived ; and that the next day, after some skirmishes, they
took the, fortresses, and raade prisoners all the inhabitants and
soldiers that could not escape. Upon this, Don John called a
council of war, wherein he declared the great progress the said
pirates had made in the dominions of his Catholic majesty, and
propounded, " that it was absolutely necessary to send some
force to the isles of St. Catherine, sufficient to retake it from
the pirates, the honor and interest of his raajesty of Spain being
very narrowly concerned herein ; otherwise the pirates by such
conquests might easily, in course of time, possess themselves of all
the countries thereabouts." To this some raade answer, "that
the pirates, not being able to subsist in the said island, would of
necessity consume and waste themselves, arid be forced to quit it,
without any necessity of retaking it: that consequently it was not
worth the while to engage in so many expenses and troubles as
this would cost." Notwithstanding which, Don John being an
expert and valiant soldier, ordered that provisions should be con
veyed to Puerto Velo for the use of the militia, and transported
hiraself thither, with no small danger of his life. Here he arrived
July 2, with most things necessary to the expedition in hand,
where he found in the port a good ship, and well mounted, called
the St. Vincent, thaf belonged td the corapany of the negroes,
which he raanned and victualled very well, and sent,to the Isle of
St. Catherine, constituting Capt. Joseph Sanchez Ximenez, raa-

94 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
jor of Puerto Velo, commander thereof He carried with hin(i
two hundred and seventy soldiers, and thirty-seven prisoners of
the same island, beside thirty-four Spaniards of the garrison of
Puerto Velo, twenty-nine mulattoes of Panama, twelve Indians,
.very dextrous at shooting with boWs and arrows, seven ex
pert and able gunners, two lieutenants, two pilots, one surgeon,
and one religious, of the order of St. Francis, for their chaplain.
Don John soon after gave orders to all the officers how to
behave themselves, telling them that the governor of Cartha
gena would'supply thera with more men, boats, and all things
else, necessary for that eu/terprise, to which effect he had already
written to the said governor. July 24, Don John setting ,sail
with a fair, wind, he called before him all his 'people, and made
them a speech, encouraging them to fight a-gainst the enemies
of their country and religion, and, especially against those in
human pirates, who had conamitted so many horrid cruelties
upon the subjects of his Catholic majesty ; withal, promising
every one ipost liberal rewards, especially to such as should
behave themselves well in the service of their king and country.
Thus Don John bid them farewell, and- the ship set sail under
a favorable gale. The 22d they arrived at Carthagena, and
presented a letter to the governor thereof from the noble and
valiant Don John, who received it with testimonies of great
affection to the person of Don John, and his majesty's service.
,And seeing their resolution to be conformable to his desires,
he promised them his assistance, with one frigate, one galleon,
one boat, and one hundred and twenty-six menj one half, out
of his own garrison, and the other half mulattoes. Thus being
well provided with necessaries, they left the port of Carthagena
August 2, -and the 10th they arriyed'in sight of St. Catherine's,
towards the western point thereof ; and though the wind was
contrary, yet they reached the port, and anchored within it,
having lost one of their boats by foul weather, at the rock
called Q-uita Signos.
The pirates, seeing our ships come to an anchor, gave them
presently three guns with bullets, which were soon answered
in the same coin. Hereupon, Major Joseph Sanchez Ximenez
sent ashore to the pirates one of his officers, to require them, in
the name of the Catholic king his master,, to surrender the
island, seeing they had taken it in the midst of peace between
the two crowns of Spain and England ; and that if they would
be obstinate, he 'would certainly put them all to the sword.
The pirates made answer, that the island had once before be
longed unto the government and dominions of the king of
England, and that, instead of surrendering it, they preferred to
lose their lives.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 95
On Friday the 13th three negroes, from the enemy, came
swimraing aboard our adrairal ; these brought intelligence that
all the pirates upon the island were only seventy-two in number,
and that they were under a great consternation, seeing such con
siderable forces come against them. ' With this intelligence, the
Spaniards resolved to land, and advance towards tha fortresses,
which ceased not to fire as many great guns against them as
they possibly could ; which were answered in the same manner
on our side, till 'dark night. On Sunday the 15th, the day of the
assumption of our Lady, the weather being very calra and clear,
the Spaniards began to advance thus : the ship St. Vincent,
riding admiral, discharged two whole broadsides on the battery
called the Conception ; the ship St. Peter, that was vicfc-admiral,
discharged likewise her guns against the other battery named
St. James. Meanwhile, our people landed in small boats, di
recting their course towards the point of the battery last men
tioned, and thence they marched towards the gate called Cor-
tadura. Lieutenant Francis de Cazeres, being desirous to view
"the strength of the enemy, with only fifteen men, was com
pelled to retreat in haste, by reason of the great guns, which
played so furiously on the place where he stood ; they shooting,
not only pieces of iron, and small bullets, but also the organs of
the church, discharging in every shot three score pipes at a time.
- Notwithstanding this heat of the enemy. Captain Don Joseph
Ramirez de Leyva, with sixty men, made a strong attack,
wherein they fought on both sides very desperately, till at last
he overcame, and forced the pirates to surrender the fort.
On the other side. Captain John Galeno, with ninety men,
passed over the hills, to advance that way towards the castle
of St. Teresa. Meanwhile Major Don Joseph Sanchez Xira
enes, as commander-in-chief, with the rest of his raen, set forth
frora the battery of St. Jaraes, passing tbe port with four boats,
and landing in despite of the eneray. About this same tirae.
Captain John Galeno began to advance Avith the men he led to
the fore-mentioned fortress; so that our raen raade three attacks
on three several sides, at one and the same time, with great cour
age ; till the pirates seeing many of theirraen already killed,
and that they could in no manner subsist any longer, retreat
ed towards Cortadura, where they surrendered themselves, and
the whole island,'into our hands. Our people possessed them
selves of all, and set up the Spanish colors, as soon as they had
rendered thanks to God Almighty for the victory obtained on
«uch a signalized day! The number of dead were six men of
the enemy's, with many wounded, and seventy prisoners. On
our side was only one man killed, and four wounded.

96 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
There were found on the island eight hundred pounds of
powder, two hundred and fifty pounds of small bullets', with
many other military provisions. Araong the prisoners were
taken also two Spaniards, who had bore arms under the Eng
lish against his Catholic majesty. These were shot to death
the next day, by -order of the major. The 10th d.ay of Sep
tember arrived at the isle an English vessel, which being seen
at a great distance by the major, he ordered Le Sieur Siraon,
who was a Frenchman, to go and visit the said ship, and tell
them that were on board, that the island belonged still to the
English. He performed the command,, and found in the said
ship only fourteen men, one woman and her daughter, who
were all instantly made prisoners.
The' English pirates were all transported to Puerto Velo, ex
cepting three, who by order of the governor were carried to
Panama, there to work in the castle of St. Jerom. This for
tification is an excellent piece of workmanship, and very strong,
being raised in the middle of the port, of a quadrangular forra,
and of very hard stone ; its height is eighty-eight georaetri-*
cal feet, the wall being fourteen, and the curtains seventy-
five feet diameter. It was built at the expense of several pri
vate persons, the governor of the city furnishing the greatest
part of the raoney, so that it cost his raajesty nothing.

CHAPTER XII.
Of the Island of Cuba. — Captain Morgan attempts to preserve the Isle of St.
Catherine as a refuge to the nest of Pirates, but fals of his design. — He
arrives at, and takes the Village of. El Puerto del Principe.
Capt. Morgan seeing his predecessor and Adrairal Mansvelt
were dead, used all the raeans that were possible to keep in
possession the Isle of St. Catherine, seated near Cuba. His
phief intent was to make it a refuge and sanctuary to the pi
rates of those- parts, putting it in a condition of being a conve
nient receptacle of their preys and robberies. To this effect he
left no stone unmoved, writing to several merchants in Virginia
and New England, persuading them to send hira provisions and
necessaries, towards putting the said island in such a posture of
defence, as to fear no danger of invasion from any side. But
all this proved ineffectual, by the Spaniards retaking the said
island ; yet Captain Morgan retained his courage,* which put

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 97
hira on new designs. First, he equipped a ship, in order to
gather a fleet as great and as strong as he could. By degrees
he effected it, and gave orders to every raember of his fleet to
meet at a certain port of Cuba, there determined to call a coun
cil, and deliberate what was best to be done, and what place
first to fall upon. Leaving theSe preparations in this condition,
I shall give my reader some small account of the said Isle of
Cuba, in whose port this expedition was hatched, seeing I orait
ted to do it in its proper place.
Cuba lies frora east to west, in north latitude, from twenty
to twenty-three degrees ; in length, one hundred and fifty Ger
raan leagues, and about forty in breadth. It's fertility is equal
to that of Hispaniola ; besides which, it affords many things
proper for trading and commerce ; such as hides of several
beasts,, particularly those that in Europe are called bides of
Havana." On all sides it is surrounded with many small islands,
called the Cayos : these little islands the pirates u.se as ports of
refuge. Here they have their meetings, and hold their coun
cils, how best to assault the Spaniards. It is watered on all
sides with plentiful and pleasant rivers, whose entries form both
secure and spacious ports ; beside many other harbors for ships,
which along the calra shores and. coasts adorn this rich and
beautiful' island; all which contribute much to its happiness,
by facilitating trade, whereto they invited both natives and
aliens. The chief of these ports are San Jago, Byame, Santa
Maria, Espiritu Santo, Trinidad, Zagoa, Cabo de Corientes, and
others, on the south sideof the island. f)n the north side are. La
Havana, Puerto Mariano, Santa Cruz, Mata Ricos, and Barracoa.
This island hath two chief cities, to which all the towns and
villages thereof give obedience. The first is Santa Jago, or
St. James, seated on the south side, and having under its juris
diction one half of the island. The chief raagistrates hereof
are a bishop and a governor, who coraraand the villages and
towns of the said half. The chief of these are, on the south
side, Espfritu Santo, Puerto del Principe, and Bayame. On
the north it has Barracoa, and De los .Cayos. The greatest part
of the coraraerce driven here coraes frora the Canaries, whither
they transport much tobacco, sugar, and hides, which sort of
merchandise are drawn to the head city from the subordinate
towns and villages. Formerly this city of Santa Jago was mis
erably sacked by the pirates of Jamaica and Tortuga, though it
is defended by a considerable castle.
The city and port De la Havana hes between the north and
west side of the island. This is one of the strongest places of
the West Indies ; its jurisdiction extends over the other half of
9

98 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
the island ; the chief places under it being Santa Cruz on the
north side, and La Trinidad on the south. Hence is transported
-huge quantities of tobacco, which is sent to New Spain and
Costa Rica, even as far as the South Sea, besidfes many ships
laden with this comraodity that are consigned to Spain and
other parts of Europe, not only in the leaf but in rolls. This
city is defended by three castles, very great and strojig ; two of
which lie towards the port, and the other is seated on a hill that
coramands the town. It is esteemed to contain about ten thou
sand families. The merchants of this place trade iri New Spain,
Campeachy, Honduras, and Florida. All ships that come from
the parts before mentioned, as also from Caraccas, Carthagena,
and Costa Rica, are necessitated to take their provisions in at
Havana, to make their voyage for Spain ; this being the neceip-
sary and straight course they raust steer for the south of Eu
rope, and other parts. The plate-fleet of Spain, which the
Spaniards call Jiota, being homeward bound, touches here
yearly to complete their cargo with hides, tobacco, and Cam
peachy wood.
Captain Morgan had been but two months in these ports of
the south of Cuba, when he had got together a fleet of twelve
sail, between ships and great boats, with seven hundred fight
ing men, part English and part French. They called a council,
and some advised to assault the city of Havana in the night,
which they said might easily be done, if they could but take
any few of the ecclesiastics ; yea, that the city might be
sacked before the castles could put theraselves in a posture of
defence. Others propounded, according to their several opin
ions, other attempts ; but the former proposal was rejected, be
cause many of the pirates, who had been prisoners at other
times in the said city, affirmed nothing of consequence could
be done with less than fifteen hundred m^. Moreover, that
with all these people, they ought .first to go to the Island De
los Pinos, and land therii in small boats about Matamona, four
teen leagues frora the said city, whereby to accomplish their
designs. Finally, they saw no possibility of gathering so great a fleet,
and hereupon, with what they had, they concluded to attempt
some other place. Among the rest, one propounded they should
assault the town of El Puerto del Principe. This proposition
he persuaded to, by saying he knew that place very well, and
that being at a distance from sea, it never was sacked by any
pirates, whereby the inhabitants were rich, exercising, their
trade by ready money, with those of Havana, who kept here
an established commerce, chiefly in hides. This proposal was

THE BUCCANEERS. OF AMERICA. 99
presently admitted by Captaih Morgan and the chief of his
companions. Hereupon they ordered every captain to weigh
anchor and set sail, steering towards that coast nearest to El
Puerto del Principe. Here is a bay, named by the Spaniards
El Puerto de Santa Maria. Being arrived at this bay, a Span
iard, who was prisoner aboard the fleet, swam ashore by
night to the town of El Puerto del Principe, giving an account
to the inhabitants of the design of the pirates, which he over
heard in their discourse, while they thought he did not under
stand English. The Spaniards upon this advice began to hide
their riches, and, carry away their movables ; the governor ira
raediately raised all the people of the town, freemen and slaves,
and with part of them took a post by which of necessity the
pirates must-' pass, and commanded many trees to be cut down
and laid cross the ways to hinder their passage, placing several
ambuscades strengthened with some pieces of cannon to .play
upon them on their march. He gathered in all about eight
hundred men, of which detaching part into the said ambus
cades, with the rest he begirt the town, drawing them up in a
spacious field, whence they could see the coming of the pirates
at length.
Captain Morgan with his men, now on the march, found the
avenues to the town unpassable ; hereupon they took their way
through the wood, traversing it with great difficulty, whereby
they escaped divers ambuscades ; at last they came to the plain,
from its figure, called by the Spaniards La Savanna, or the
Sheet. The governor seeing them come, detached a troop of
horse to charge them in the front, thinking to disperse them,
and to pursue them with his main body ; but this design suc
ceeded not, for the pirates marched in very good order, at the
sound of their drums, and with flying colors : coming near the
horse they drew into a semicircle, and so advanced to\fards
the Spaniards, who charged them valiantly for a while; but
the pirates being very dexterous at their arms, and their gov
ernor, with many of their companions, being killed, they
retreated towards the wood, to save themselves with more ad
vantage ; but, before they could reach it, most of them were
unfortunately killed by the pirates. Thus they left the victory
to these new-come enemies, who had no considerable loss of
men in the battle, and but very few wounded. The skirmish
lasted four hours. They entered the town not without great
resistance of such as were within, who defended themselves as
long as possible, and many seeing the enemy in the town, shut
themselves up in their own houses, and thence made several
shots upon the pirates ; who thereupon threatened them, say-

100 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
ing, " If you surrender not voluntarily, you shall soon see the
town in a flame, and your wives and children torn in pieces
before your faces." Upon these menaces the Spaniards sub
mitted to the discretion of the pirates, believing they could not
continue there long.
As soon as the pirates had possessed themselves of the town,
they enclosed all the Spaniards, men, women, children, and
slaves, in several churches, and pillaged all the goods they could
find ; then they searched the country round about, bringing in
daily raany goods and prisoners, with much provision. With
this they fell to making great cheer, after their old custora,
without remembering the poor prisoners, whom they let starve
in the churches, though they tormented them daily and inhu
manly to make them confess where they had hid their goods,
money, &c., though little or nothing was left them, not sparing
the women and little children, giving them nothing to eat,
whereby the greatest part perished.
Pillage and provisions growing scarce, they thought conve
nient to depart and seek riew fortunes in other places. They told
the prisoners, " they should find money to ransom themselves,
else they should be all transported to Jaraaica ; find beside, if
they did not pay a second ransom for the town, they would
turn every house in ashes." The Sjftniards hereupon nomi
nated araong theraselves four fellow-prisoners.to.go and seek for
the above-raentioned contributions; but the pirates, to the in
tent they should return speedily with those ransoras, torraented
several cruelly in their presence, before they departed. After a
few days, the Spaniards returned, telling Captain Morgan, "We
have ran up and down, and searched all the neighboring woods
and places we most suspected, and yet have not been able to
find any of our own party, nor consequently any fruit of our
embassy ; but if you are pleased to have a little longer patience
with us, we shall certainly cause all that you deraand to be
paid within fifteen days ; " which Captain Morgan granted.
But not long after, there carae into the, town seven or eight
pirates who had been ranging in the woods and fields, and got
corisiderable booty. These brought, amongst other prisoners,
a negro whom they had taken with letters. Captain Morgan
having perused them, found they were from the governor of'
Santa Jago, being written to some of the prisoners, wherein he
told thera, " they should not make too much haste to pay any
ransom for their town or persons, or any other pretext; but, on
the contrary, they should put off the pirates as well as they
could with excuses and delays, expecting to be relieved by him
iu a short time, when he would certainly come to their aid.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 101
Upon this intelligence Captain Morgan iraraediately ordered all
their plunder to be carried aboard ; arid withal, he told the
Spaniards, that the very next day they 'should pay their ran
soras, for he would not wail a moment longer, but reduce the
whole town to ashes, if they failed of the sum he demanded.
With this intimation. Captain Morgan made no mention to
the Spaniards of the letters he had intercepted. They answered,
" that it was impossible for thera to give such a sura. of money
in so short a space of time, seeing their fellow-townsmen were
not to be found in all the country thereabouts." Captain Mor
gan knew full well their intentions, but thought it not coiive-^^
nient to stay there any longer, demanding of them only five
hundred oxen or cows, with sufficient salt to powder them,
with this condition, that they should carry them on board his
ships. Thus he departed with all his men, taking with him
only six of the principal prisoners as pledges. Next day the
Spaniards brought the cattle and salt to the ships, and required
the prisoners ; but Captain Morgan refused to deliver them, till
Hhey had helped his men to kill and salt the beeves. This was
performed in great haste, he not caring to stay there any longer,
lest he should be surprised by the forces that were gathering
against hira ; and haipig received all on board his vessels, he
set at liberty the hostages. Meanwhile there happened some
dissensions between the English and the French. The occa
sion was as follows : a Frenchraan being eraployed in killing
and salting the beeves, an English pirate took away the marrow
bones, he had taken out of the ox, which these people esteem
much ; hereupon they challenged one another: Being come
to the place of duel, the Englishman stabbed the Frenchman
in the back, whereby he fell down dead. The other Freri'ch-
men, desirous of revenge, made an insurrection against the- Eng
lish ; but Captain Morgan soon appeased them, by putting the-
criminal in chains to be carried to Jamaica, promising he would
see justice done upon hira; for though. he might challenge
his adversary, yet it was not lawful to kill him treacherously,
as he did.
All things being ready, and on bpard, and the prisoners set
at liberty, they sailed thence to a certain island, where Captain
Morgan intended to make a dividend of what they had pur
chased in that voyage ; where, being arrived, they found nigh
the value of fifty thousand pieces of eight in money and goods.
The sum being known, it caused a general grief to see such a
small purchase, not sufficient to pay their debts at Jamaica.
Hereupon Captain Morgan proposed they should think on some
other enterprise and pillage before they returned. But the
9#'

102 lyiE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
French not being able to agree with the English, left Captain
Morgan with those of his own nation, notwithstanding all the
persuasions he used to induce them to continue in his company.
Thus they parted with all external signs of friendship. Captain
Morgan reiterating his promises to them, that he would see
justice done on that criminal. This he- performed, for being
arrived at Jamaica, he caused him to be hanged, which was all
the satisfaction the French pirates coult^ expect.

CHAPTER XIII.
Captain Morgan, resolving to Attack and Plunder the City of Puerto ^Bello,
Equips a Fleet, and with little Expense and small Forces take it.
Some may think that the French, having deserted Captain
Morgan, the English alone could not have sufficient courage
to attempt such great actions as before. But Captain Morgan,
who always communicated vigor with ftis words, infused such
spirit into" his men, as put them instantly upon new designs;
they being all persuaded that the ioXe execution of his orders
would be a certain means of obtaining great riches, which so
influenced their minds, that with inimitable courage they aU
resolved to follow him, as did also a certain pirate of Campeachy,
who on this oc'casion joined with Captain Morgan, to seek new
fortunes under his conduct. Thus Captain Morgan in a few
days gathered a fleet of nine sail, either ships or great boats,
wherein he had four hundred and sixty military men. /,
All things being ready, they put forth to sea. Captain Mor-
,, gan imparting his design to nobody at present ; he only told
them on several occasions that he doubted not to make a good
fortune by that voyage, if strange occurrences happened not.
They steered towards the continent, where they arrived in a
few days near Costa Rica, all their fleet safe. No sooner had
they discovered land, but Captain Morgan declared his inten
tions to the captains, and presently after to the company. He
told them he intended to plunder Puerto Bello by night, beina
•resolved to put the whole city to the sack. And to encourage
them, he added, " this enterprise could not fail-, seeing he had
kept it secret, without revealing it to any body, whereby they
could not have notice of his coming." To this proposition
some answered, " they had not a sufficient nuraber of raen to

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 103
assault so strong and great a city." But Captain Morgan re
plied, "If our number is small, our hearts are great; and the
fewer persons we are, the more union and better shares we
shall have in the spoil." Hereupon, being stimulated with the
hope of those vast riches they promised themselves from their
success, they unanimously agreed to that design. Now, that
my reader may better comprehend the boldness of his exploits,
it may be necessary to say soraething beforehand of the city of
Puerto Bello.
This city is in the province of Costa Rica, ten degrees north
latitude, fourteen leagues frora the Gulf of Darien, and eight
westward frorif the ports called Nombre de Dios. It is judged
the strongest place the king of Spain possesses in all the
West Indies, except Havana and Carthagena. Here are two
castles almost impregnable, that defend the city, situate at the
entry of the port;, so that no ship or boat can pass without per
mission. The garrison consists of three hundred soldiers, and
the town is inhabited by about four hundred fariiilies. The
merchants dwell not here, but only reside a while, when the
galleons come from or go for Spain, by reason of the unhealth
iness of the air, occasioned by vapors from the mountains ; so
that though their chief warehouses are at Puerto Bello, their
habitations are at Panama, whence they bring the plate upon
mules, when the fair begins, and when -the ships belonging to
the company of negroes arrive to sell slaves.
Captain Morgan, who knew very well all the avenues of this
city and the neighboring coasts, arrived in the dusk .of the
evening at Puerto de Naos, ten leagues to the west of Puerto
Bello. Being come hither they sailed up the river to another
harbor called Puerto Pontin, where they anchored. Here they
put theraselves into boats and canoes, leaving in the ships only
a few men to bring them next day to the port. About mid
night they came to a place called Estera longa Lemos, where
they all went on shore, and marched by land to the first post
of the city. They had in their company an Englishman, for
merly a prisoner in those parts, who now served them for a
guide. To him and three or four more they gave commission
to take the sentinel if possible, or kill hira on the place ; but
they seized hira so cunningly, as he had no time to give warn
ing with his musket, or raake any noise, and brought him with
his hands bound to Captain Morgan, who asked him how things
went in the city, and what forces they had, with other cir
cumstances he desired to know. After every question, they
raade him a thousand menaces to kill him, if he declared not
the truth. Then they advanced to the city, carrying the said

104 THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA.
sentinel bound before thera : having marched about 9. quarter
of a league, they came to the castle near the city, which pres
ently they closely surrounded, so that no person could get either
in or out.
Being posted under the walls of the castle, Captain Morgan
comraanded the sentinel, whora they had taken prisoner, to
speak to those within, ctiarging ,them to surrender to his dis
cretion ; otherwise they should be all cut in pieees, without
quarter. But they regarding none of these threats, began in
stantly to fire, which alarmed the city ; yet notwithstanding ,
though the governor and soldiers of the said castle'made as great
resistance as could be, they were forced to surrender. Having
taken the castle, they resolved to be as good as their words,
putting the Spaniards to the sword, thereby to strike a terror into
the rest of the city. Whereupon, having shut up all the soldiers
and officers as prisoners into one room, they set fire to the
powder, (whereof they found a great quantity,) and blew up the
castle into the air, with all the Spaniards that were within.
This done, they pursued the course of their victory, falling up
on the city, which, as yet, was not ready to receive them.
Many of the inhabitants cast their precious jewels and money
into wells and cisterns, or hid thera in places under ground, to
avoid, as rauch as possible, being totally robbed. One party of
the pirates, assigned to this purpose, ran iraraediately to the clois
ters, and took as many religious raen and women as they could
find. The governor of the city, not being able to rally the cit
izens, through their great confusion, retired toone of the castles
remaining, and thence fired incessantly at the pirates ; but these
were not in the least negligent either to assault hira, qr de^nd
theraselves ; so that amidst the horror of the assault they made
very few shots in vain ; for aiming with great dexterity at the
mouths of the guns, the Spaniards were certain to lose one or
two men every time they charged each gun anew.
This continued very furious frora break of day till noon ;
yea, about this time of the day the case was very dubious which
party should conquer, or be conquered. At last, the pirates
perceiving they had lost many men, and yet advanced but little
towards the gaining either this or the other castles, made use
of fire-balls, which they threw with their hands, designing to
hurn the doors of the castle : but the Spaniards from the walls
let faU great quantities of stones, and earthen pots full of pow
der,- and other corabustible matter, 'which forced them to desist.
Captain Morgan seeing this generous defence made by the
Spaniards, began to despair of success. Hereupon, many faint
and calra raediations carae into his mind ; neither could he

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 105
deterraine which way to turn himself in that strait.. Being
thus puzzled, he was suddenly animated to continue the as
sault, by seeing English colors put forth by one of the lesser
castles, then entered by his menj of whora he presently after
spied a troop coming to meet hira, proclaiming victory with
loud shouts of joy. This instantly put hira on new resolutions
of taking the rest of the castles, especially seeing the ehiefest
citizens had fled to thera, and had conveyed thither great part
of their riches, with aU tfte plate belonging to the churches and
divine service.
To this effect, he ordered ten or twelve ladders to be made
iu all haste, so broad, that three or four men at once might as
cend them : these being finished, he commanded all the reli
gious men and womfen, whom he had taken prisoners, to fix them
against the walls of the castle. This he had before threatened
the governor to do, if he delivered not the castle ; but his
answer was, " he would never surrender himself alive." Cap
tain Morgan was persuaded the governor would not employ his
utmost force, seeing the religious women, and ecclesiastical
persons, exposed in front of the soldiers to the greatest danger.
Thusthe ladders, as I have said, were put into the hands of re
ligious persons of both sexes, and these were forced, at the head
of the companies, to raise and apply them to the walls ; but
Captain Morgan was fully deceived iu his judgment of this de
sign ; for the governor, who acted like a brave soldier in per
formance of his duty, used his utmost endeavors to destroy
whosoever came«near the walls. The religious men and women
ceased not to cry to him, and beg of him by all the saipts of
heaveji to deliver the castle, and spare both his and their own
lives ; but nothing could prevail with his obstinacy and fierce
ness. Thus many of the religious men and nuns were killed
before they could fix the ladders ; which, at last, being done,
though with great loss of the said religious people, the pirates
mounted them in great numbei-s, and with not less valor, having
fire-balls in their hands, and earthen pots full of powder; all
which things, being now at the top of the walls, they kindled
and cast in among the Spaniards.
This effort of the pirates was very great, insomuch that the
Spaniards could no longer resist nor defend the castle, which
was now entered. Hereupon,, they all threw down their arms,
and craved quarter for their hves ; only the governor of the
city would crave no mercy, but killed many of the pirates with
his own hands, and not a few of his own soldiers, because they
did not stand to their arms. And though the pirates asked him
if he would have quarter ; yet he constantly answered, " By no

106 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
means ; I had rather die as a valiant soldier, "than be hanged as
a coward." They endeavored as much as they could to take
hira prisoner, but he defended himself so obstinately, that they
were forced to kill him, notwithstanding all the cries and tears
of his own wife and daughter, who begged him on their knees
to demand quarter, and save his life. When the pirates had
possessed themselves of the castle, which was about , night,
they enclosed therein all the prisoners, placing the woraen and
raen by theraselves, with some guards^ the wounded were put
in an apartment by itself, that their own complaints raight be
the cure of their diseases, for no other was afforded them.
This done, they fell to eating and drinking, as usual ; that
is, comraitting in both all manner of debauchery and excess :
these two vices were immediately followed by many insoletit-
actions of rape and adultery, committed on raany very honest
women, as well raarried as virgins ; who, being threatened with
the sword, were constrained to submit.their bodies to the vio
lence of those lewd and wicked men. Thus they gave them
selves up to all sorts of debauchery, that fifty courageous men
might easily have retaken the city, and killed all the pirates.
Next day, having plundered. all they could find, they examined
some of the prisoners, (who had been persuaded by their com
panions to say they were the richest of the town,) charging
them severely to discover where they had hid their riches and
goods. Not being able to extort any thing from them, they
not being the right persons, it was resolved to torture thera.
This they did so cruelly, that many of them died on the rack,
or presently after. Now the president of Panama being adver
tised of the pillage and ruin of Puerto Bello, he employed all
his care and industry to raise forces to pursue and cast out the
pirates thence ; but these cared little for his preparations, hav
ing their ships at hand, and determined to fire the city, and re
treat. They had now been at Puerto Bello fifteen days, in
which time they had lost many of their men, both by the un
healthiness of the country, and their extravagant debaucheries.
Hereupon they prepared to depart, carrying on board all the
pillage they had got, having first provided the fleet with suf
ficient victuals for the voyage. While these things were doing.
Captain Morgan demanded of the prisoners a ransom for the
city, or else he would burn it-down, and blow up all the castles ;
withal he commanded them to send speedily two persoris, to pro
cure the sum, which was one hundred thousand pieces of eight.
To this effect two men were sent to the preside»t of Panama, who
gave him an account of all. -The president having now a body
of men ready, set forth towards Puerto Bello, to encounter the

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 107
pirates before their retreat ; but they hearing of his coming, in
stead of flying away, went out to raeet him at a narrow pas
sage, which he must pass : here they placed one hundred men,
very well armed, which at the first encounter put to flight a
good party of those of Panama. This obliged the president to
retire for that time, not being yet in a posture of strength to pro
ceed farther. Presently after, he sent a message to Captain
Morgan, to tell him, " that if he departed not suddenly with
all his forces from Puerto Bello, he ought to expect no quarter
for himself, nor his eompanions, when he should take them, as
he hoped soon to do." Captain Morgan, who feared not his
threats, knowing he had a secure retreat in his ships, which
were at hand, answered, " he would not deliver the castles be
fore he had received the contribution money he had demanded ;
which if it were not paid down, he would certainly burn the
whole city, and then leave it, demolishing beforehand the cas-
' ties, and killing the prisoners."
The governor of Panama perceived by this answer that no
means would serve to mollify the hearts of the pirates, nor re
duce them to reason. Hereupon, he determined to leave theim,
as also those of the city whom he came to relieve, involved in
the difficulties of making the best agreement they could. Thus
in a few days more the miserable citizens gathered the contribu
tion required, and brought one hundred thousand pieces of eight
to the pirates for a ransom of their cruel captivity : but the presi
dent of Panama was much amazed to consider that four hun
dred men could take such a great city, with so raany strong
castles, especially having '"no ordnance wherewith to raise bat
teries ; and what was more, knowing the citizens of Puerto
Bello had always great repute of being good soldiers themselves,
and who never wanted courage in their own defence. This
astonishment was so great, as made him send to Captain Mor
gan, desiring some small pattern of those arms wherewith he
had taken with such vigor s6 great a city. Captain Morgan
received this messenger very kindly and with great civility ;
and gave him a pistol, and a feV small bullets, to carry back to
the president his master ; telling hira, withal, " he desired him
to accept that slender pattern of the arms wherewith he had
taken Puerto Bello, and keep thera for a twelvemonth ; after
which time he promised to come to Panama, and fetch them
away." The governor returned the present very soon to Cap
tain Morgan, giving him -thanks for the favor of lending him
such weapons as he needed not ; and, withal, sent him a ring
of gold, with this message, " that he desired him not to give
hiniself the labor of coming to Panaraa, as he had done to Puer-

108 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
to Bello ; for he did assure him, he^ should not speed so well
here as he had done -there.
After this, Captain Morgan (having provided his fleet with all
necessaries, and taken with him the best guns of the castle,
naiHng up the rest) set sail from Puerto Bello with all his ships,
and arriving in a few days at Cuba, he sought out a place where
in he might quickly raake the dividend of their spoil. They
found in ready raoney two hundred and fifty thousand pieces
of eight, besides othei^ merchandises; as cloth, linen, 'silks, «fcc.
¦ With this rich purchase they sailed thence to their common
place of rendezvous, Jamaica. Being arrived, they passed here
some time in all sorts of vices and debaucheries, according to
their custora ; spending very prodigally what others had gained
with no sraall labor and toil.

CHAPTER XIV.
Captain Morgan takes the City of Maracaibo, on the coast of Neuva Venezuela.
— Piracies committed in those Seas. — Kuin of three Spanish Ships, sent forth
to hinder the robberies .of the Pirates. «
Not long after their arrival at Jamaica, being that short time
they needed to lavish away all the riches above mentioned,
they concluded on another enterprise to seek new fortunes. To
this effect. Captain Morgan ordered all the commanders of his
ships to meet at De la Vacca, or the Cow Isle, south of Hispan
iola, as is said. Hither flocked to them great numbers of other
ph-ates, French and English ; the name of Captain Morgan
being now famous in all the neighboring countries for his
great enterprises. There was then at Jamaica an English ship
newly come from New England, well mounted with thirty-six
guns : this vessel,, by order of the governor of Jamaica, joined
Captain Morgan to strengthen "his fleet, and give him great
courage to attempt mighty things. With this supply,' Captain
Morgan judged himself sufficiently strong ; but tliere being in
the same place another great vessel of twenty-four iron guns,
and twelve brass ones, belonging to the French, Captain Morgan
endeavored also to join this ship to his own ; but the French
not daring to trust the English, denied absolutely to consent.
" The French pirates belonging tb this great ship had met at
sea an English vessel ; and being under great want of victuals,
they had taken some provisions out of the English ship, without

THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA. 109
paying for them, having, perhaps, no ready money aboard ; only
they gave them bills of exchange, for Jamaica and Tortuga-, to re
ceive money there. Captain Morgan having notice of this, and
perceiving he could not prevail with the French captain to follow
him, resolved to lay hold on this occasion, to ruin the French
and seek his revenge. Hereupon he invited, with dissimula
tion, the French commander, and several of his men, to dine
with him on board the great ship that was come to Jamaica, as
is said. Being come, he made them all prisoners, pretending
the injury aforesaid done to the English 'vessel.
This unjust action of Captain Morgan was soon followed by
divine punishment, as we may cdnceive ; the manner I shall in
stantly relate. Captain Morgan, presently after he had taken
these French prisoners, \Called a council to deliberate what place
they should first pitch upon in this new expedition. Here it
was determined to go to the Isle of Savona, to wait for the
flota then expected from Spain, and take any of the Spanish
vessels straggling from the rest. This resolution being taken,
they began aboard the great ship to feast one another for joy
of their new voyage, and happy council, as they hoped. They
drank many healths, and discharged many guns, the common
sign of mirth among seamen. Most of the men being drunk,
by what accident is not known, the ship suddenly was blow'n
up, with three hundred and fifty Englishmen, besides the French
prisoners in the hold ; of all which, there escaped but thirty men,
who were in the great cabin, at some distance from the main
force of the powder. Many more, it is thought, might have es
caped, had they not been so much overtaken with wine.
This loss brought much consternation of mind upon the
English ; they knew not whoni to blame, but at last the accu
sation was laid on the French prisoners, whom they suspected
to have fired the powder of the ship out of revenge, though
with the loss of their own lives ; hereupon they added new ac
cusations to their former, whereby to seize the ship and all that
was in it, by saying the Freijch designed to comrait piracy on
the English. The grounds of this accusation were given by a
commission from the governor of Barracoa, found aboard the
French vessel, wherein were tliese words, " That the said
governor did permit the French to trade in all Spanish ports,
dtc, as also to cruise , on the English pirates in what place
soever they could find them, because of the raultitude of hos
tilities which they had committed against the subjects of his
Catholic majesty in time of peace betwixt the two crowns.
This commission for trade was interpreted as an express order
to exercise piracy and.w^r against them, though it was only a
10 '

no THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
bare license for coming into the Spanish ports ; the cloak of
which permission were those words, " That they should cruise
upon the English. And though the French did sufficiently
expound the true sense of it, yet they could not clear them-
themselves to 'Captain Morgan, nor his council ; but in lieu
thereof, the ship and men were seized and sent to Jamaica.
Here they also endeavored to obtain justice, and the restitution
of their ship, but "all in vain ; for instead of justice, they were
long detained in prison, and threatened with hanging.
Eight days after th^ loss of the said ship. Captain Morgan
commanded the bodies of the miserable wretches who were
blown up to be searched for, as they floated ofi.the sea ; not to
afford them Christian burial, but for their clothes and attire ;
and if any had gold rings on their fingers, these were cut off,
leaving them exposed to the voracity of the monsters of the
sea. , At last they set gail for Savona, the place of their assig
nation. There were in all fifteen vessels. Captain Morgan com
manding the biggest, of only fourteen small- guns ; his number
of men was nine hundred and sixty. Few days after they ar
rived at the Cabo de Lobos, south of Hispaniola,^between Cape
Tiburon and Cape Punta de Espada ; hence they could not
pass by reason of contrary winds for three weeks, notwith
standing all the utraost endeavors Captain Morgan used to get
forth ; then they doubled the cape, and spied an English ves
sel at a distance. Having spoken with her, they found she
came from England, and bought of her for ready money some
provisions they wanted. ,
Captain Morgan proceeded in his voyage till he came to the
port of Ocoa ; here he landed some men, sending them into the
woods to seek water and provisions, the better to spare such as
he had already on board. They killed many beasts, and among
others some hor.ses. But the Spaniards, not well satisfied at
their hunting, laid a stratagem for them, ordering three or four
hundred men to come from Santo Domingo not far distant, and
desiring them to hunt in all the parts thereabout near the sea,
that so, if the pirates should return, they might find no subsist
ence. Within few days the same pirates returned to hunt,
but finding nothing to kill, a party of about fifty straggled far
ther on into the woods. The Spaniards, who watched all their
motions, gathered a great herd of cows, and set two or three
men to keep therii. The pirates having spied thera, killed
a sufficient number ;. and though the Spaniards could see them
at a distance, yet they would not hinder them at present ; but
as soon as they attempted to carry them away, they set upon
them furiously, crying, mata, mata, i., e, kill, kill. Thus the

THE BUCCANEEES OF AMERICA. Ill
pirates were compelled to quit the prey, and retreat to theii
ships; but they did it in good order, retiring by degrees, and
when they had opportunity, discharging full voUies on the
Spaniards, killing raany of their enemies, though with some loss.
The Spaniards seeing their damage, endeavored to save them
selves by flight, and carry off their dead and wounded com
panions.. The pirates perceiving them fle^, would not content
themselves with what hurt they had already done, but pursued
thera speedily into the woods, and killed the greatest part of
those that remained. Next day Captain Morgan, extremely
offended at what had passed, went himself with two hundred
men into the woods to seek for the rest of the Spaniards, but
finding nobody, he revenged his wrath on the houses of the
poor and miserable rustics that inhabit those scattering fields
and woods, of which he burnt a great number: with this he
returned to his ships, somewhat more satisfied in his mind for
having done some considerable damage to the enemy, which
was always his most ardent desire.
The impatience wherewith Captain Morgan had waited a
long while for some of his ships not yet arrived, made him re
solve to sail away without them, and steer for Savona, the plSce
he always designed. Being arrived, and not finding any of
his ships come, he was more impatient and concerned than
before, fearing their loss, or that he must proceed without them ;
but he waited for their arrival a few days longer, and having no
great plenty of provisions, he sent a crew of one hundred and
fifty men to Hispaniola to pillage some towns near Santo Do
mingo; but the Spaniards, upon intelligence of , their coming,
were so vigilant, and in such good posture of defence, that the
pirates thought not convenient to assault them, choosing rather
to return empty handed to Captain Morgan, than to perish in
that desperate enterprise-.
At last Captain Morgan, seeing the other ships did not come,
made a review of his people, and found only about five hundred
men ; the ships wanting were seven : he had only eight in his
company, of which the greatest part were very small. Hav
ing hitherto resolved to cruise on the coasts of Caraccas, and
to plunder the towns and villages there, finding himself at pres
ent with such small forces, he changed his resolution by advice
of a French captain in his fleet. This Frenchman having , ,
served Lolonois in the like enterprises, and at the taking of Mar
acaibo, knew all the entries, passages, forces, and means how to
put in execution the same again in company of Captain Mor
gan ; to whom having made a full relation of all, he concluded
to sack it the second time, be'ing himself persuaded, with all

112 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
his men, of the facility of the Frenchmen propounded. Here
upon they weighed anchor, and .steered towards Curasao. 'Be
ing come within sight of it, they landed at another island near
it, called Ruba, about twelve leagues from Curasao, to the
west. This island, defended by a slender garrison, is inhabited
by Indians subject to Spain, and speak Spanish, by reason of
the Roman Catholjc religion, here cultivated by a few priests
sent from the neighboring oontinent.
The inhabitants exercise commerce of trade with the pirates
that go and come this way. They buy of the islanders sheep,
lan4>s, and kids, which they exchange for linen, thread, and
like things. The country is very dry and barren, the whole
substance thereof consisting in those three things, and in a little
indifferent wheat. This isle produces many venomous insects,
as vipers, spiders, and others. These last are so pernicious,
that a man bitten by them dies mad ; and the manner of recov
ering such, is to tie them very fast both hands and feet, and so
to leave them twenty-four hours, without eating or drinking
any thing. Captain Morgan, as was said, having cast anchor be
fore this island, bought of the inhabitants sheep, lambs, and
wood, for all his fleet. After two days, he sailed again, in the
night, to the intent that they might not see what course he
steered. Next day they arrived at the Sea of Maracaibo, taking great
care not to be seen from Vigilia, for which reason they anchored
out of sight of it. Night being come, they set sail again to
wards the land, and next morning, by break of day, were got
directly over against the bar of the said lake. The Spaniards
had built another fort since the action of Lolonois, whence they
now fired continually against the pirates, while they put their
men into boats' to land. The dispute continued very hot, being
managed with great -courage from morning till dark night.
This being come. Captain Morgan, in the obscurity thereof,
drew nigh the fort, which having examined, he found nobody
in it, the Spaniards having de^serted it not long,before; They
left behind them a patch lighted near a train of powder, to have
blown up the pirates and the whole fortress as soon as they
were in it. This design had taken effect, had not the pirates
discovered it in a quarter of an hour ; but Captain Morgan
^ snatching away the match, saved both his own and his cora
panions' lives. They found here much powder, whereof he
provided his fleet, and then demolished part of the walls, nail
ing sixteen pitfces of ordnance, from -twelve to twenty-four
pounders. Here they also found raany rauskets and other mili
tary provisions. '

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 113
^ Next day they commanded the ships to enter the bar, araong
which they divided the powder, rauskets, and other things
found in the fort ; then they embarked again to continue their
course towards -Maracaibo ; but the waters being very low, they
could not pass a certain bank at the entry of the lake. Here-.
upon th^y were corapelled to go into canoes and small boats,
with which they arrived- next day before Maracaibo, having no
other defence than some small pieces which.. they could "carry
in the said boats. Being landed, they ran immediately to the
fort De la Barra, which they found as the precedent, without
any person in it, for all were fled into the woods, leaving also
the town withcTut any people, unless a few miserable folks, who
had nothing to lose.
As soon as they had entered the towns, the pirates searched
every corner to see if they could find any people that were hid,
who inight offend thera unawares ; not finding any body; every
party as they carae out of their several ships chose what houses
they pleased.. The church \^as deputed for the common corps
du guard, where they lived after their military manner, very
iftsolently. Next day after they sent a troop bf one hundred
men to seek the inhabitants and their goods; these returned
next day, bringing with thera thirty persons, men, women, and
children, and fifty raules loaded with good raerchaudise. All
these miserable people were put to the rack, to make thera con
fess where the rest of the inhabitants were and their goods.
Araong other tortufeSjOn? was to stretch their lirabs with cords,
-¦and then to beat thera "vyith sticks and other instruments.
Others had burning matches placed betwixt their fingers, which
were thus burnt alive. Others had slender cords or matches
twisted about .their heads, till their eyes burst out. Thus all
inhuman cruelties were executed on those innocent people.
Those who would not confess, or who had nothing to declare,
died under the hands of those villains. These tortures and
racks continued for three wh9le weeks, in which time they
sent out daily parties to seek for more people to torraent and
rob, they never returning without booty and new riches.
Captain Morgan having now gotten into his hands about one
hundred of the chief farailies, with all their goods, at last re
solved for Gibraltar, as Lolonois had done before ; with this
design he equipped his fleet, providing it sufficiently with all
necessaries. He put likewise on board all the prisoners, and
weighing anchor, set sail with resolution to hazard a battle.
They had sent before sorae prisoners to Gibraltar, to require the
inhabitants to surrender, otherwise Captain Morgan would cer
tainly put them all to the sword, without any quarter. Arriving
10*

114 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA^
I
before Gibraltar, the inhabitants received him with continual
shooting of great cannon bull^ ; but the pirates, instead of*
fainting hereat, ceased not to encourage one another, saying,
" We must make one meal upon bitter things,, before we come
to taste the sweetness of the sugar this place affords."
Next day, very eariy, they landed all their men, and being
guided by t|ie Frenchman abovesaid, they marched towards the
town,; not by the common way, but crossing through woods,
which way the Spaniards scarce thought they would have
come ; for at the begin,ning of their march, they made as if they
intended to come the next and open way to the town, hereby
io deceive the Spaniards ; but these, remembering full well
what Lolonois had done but two years before, thought it not
safe to expect a second brunt, and hereupon all fled^ out of the
towuias fast as they could, carrying all their goods and riches.
,as also all the powder, and having nailed all the great guns, so
as the pirates found not one person in the whole city, but one
poor innocent man who was born a fool. This man they asked
whither the inhabitants were fled,'and where they had hid their
goods ; to all which questions and the like. We constantly an
swered, " I know nothing, I know nothing ; " but they presently
put him/to the rack, and tortured him with cords, which tor
ments forced him to cry out, " Do not torture me any more,
but come with me, and I will show you ray goods and my
riches." They were persuaded, it seems, he waS some rich
person disguised under those clothes so poor, and that innocent
tongue ; so they went alorig with him, and he conducted thera
to a poor miserable cottage, whereip he had a few earthen dishes
and other things of no value, and three pieces of eight, con
cealed with some other trundpery under ground. Then they
asked him his narae, and he readily answered, " My name is
Don Sebastian Sanchez, and I am brother unto the governor
.of Maracaibo." This foolish answer, it raust be conceived, these
inhuraan wretches took for truth ; for no sooner had they heard
it, but they put hira again upon the rack, lifting him up on
high with cofds, and tying huge weights to his feet and neck.
Besides which, they burnt hira alive, applying palm-leaves
burning to his face.
The same day they sent out a party to seek for the inhabit
ants, on whom they raight exercise their cruelties. These
brought back an honest peasant with two daughters of his,
whora they intended to torture as they used others, if they
showed not the places where the, inhabitants were hid. The
peasant knew sonje of those places, and seeing himself threat
ened with the rack, went with the pirates to show thet^ ; but

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 115
the Spaniards perceiving their enemies to range every where
up and down the woods, were already fled thence farther off
into the thickest of the woods, where they built themselves
huts, to preserve frora the weather those few goods they had.
The pirates judged themselves deceived by the peasant, and
hereupon, to revenge themselves, notwithstanding all his ex
cuses and supplication, they hanged him on a tree.
Then they divided into parties to search the plantations ; for
they knew the Spaniards that were absconded could not live on
what the woods -afforded, without coming now and thenfor pro
visions to their country houses. Here they found a slave, to
whom they p;"omised raountains of gold and his liberty, by trans
porting him to Jamaica, if he would show them where the inhab
itants of Gibraltar lay hid. This fellow conducted them to a
party of Spaniards, whom they instantly raade prisoners, com
manding this slave to kill some before the eyes of the rest, that
by this perpetrated crime he might never be able to leave their
wicked company. The negro, according to their orders, com
mitted raany murders^and insolences upon the Spaniards, and
followed the unfortunate traces of the pirates ; who eight days
, after returned to Gibraltar with raany prisoners, and some mules
laden with riches. They examined every prisoner by himself
(who were in all about twchundred and fifty persons) where
they had hid the, rest of their goods, and if they knew of their
' fellow-townsmen.- Such as would not confess were tormented
after a most inhuraan manner. Among the rest, there happened
to be aPqrtuguese, who by a negro was reported, though falsely,
to be very rich ; this man was commanded to produce his riches.
His answer was, he had no more than one hundred pieces of
eight in the world, and these had been stolen from him two
days before by his servant ; which words, though he sealed
with many oaths and protestations, yet they would not believe
him, but dragging him to the rack, without any regard to his
age of fifty years, they stretched him with cords, breaking both
his arms behind his shoulders.
This cruelty went not alone ; for he not being able or willing
to make any other declaration, they put him to another sort of
torment more barbarous : they tied him with small cords by
his two thumbs and great toes to four stakes fixed in the ground
at a convenient distance, the whole weight of his body hanging
on those cords. Not satisfied yet with this cruel torture, they
took a stone of above two hundred pounds, and laid it upon his
belly, as if they intended to press hira to death ; they also
kindled palm- leaves, and applied the flame to the face of this
unfortunate Portuguese, burning with thera the whole skin.

116 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
beard, and hair. At last, seeing that neither with these tor
tures, nor others, they could not get any thing out of him, they
uptied the cords and carried him half dead to tiie church, where
was their corps du guard. Here they tied him anew to one of,
the pillars thereof, leaving him in that condition without giving
him either to eat or drink, unless very sparingly, and so little
as would scarce sustain life for sorae days ; four or five being past,
he desired one of the prisoners raight come to him, by whose
means he promised he would endeavor to raise some raoney to
,satisfy their deinands. The prisoner whom h& required was
brought to him, and he ordered him to promise the pirates five
hundred pieces of eight for his ransom ; but they were deaf and
obstinate at such a small sum, and instead of accepting it,
beat him cruelly with cudgels, saying, " Old fellow, instead of
five hundred, you must say five hundred thousand pieces of
eight, otherwise you shall here end your life." Finally, after a
thousand protestations that he was but a miseraMe raan, and kept
a poor tavern for his living, he agreed with them for one thous
and pieces of eight. These he raised, and haying paid thera,
got his liberty ; though so horribly maimed, that it is scarce to
be believed he could survive many weeks.
Other tortures, besides these, were exercised upon others,
which this Portuguese endured not ; some were hanged up by
the testicles, or privy raerabers, and left till they fell to the
ground, those parts being torn from their bodtes. If with this
they minded to show mercy to those wretches, thus lacerated
in the most tender parts, their mercy was to run them through
with their swords ; otherwise they used to lie four or five days
under the agonies of death, before they died. Others were cru
cified by these tyrants, and with kindled matches burnt between
the joints of their fingers and toes ; others had their feet put
into the fire, and thus were left to be roasted alive. Having u^ed
these and other cruelties, with the white men, they began to
practise the same with the negroes, their slaves, who were
treated with no less inhumanity than their raasters.
Among these slaves was one who proraised Captain Morgan
to conduct hira to a river of the lake, where he should find- a
ship and four boats, richly laden with goods of the inhabitants
of Maracaibo ; the sarae discovered likewise where the gover
nor of Gibraltar lay hid, with the greatest part of the women
of the town ; but all this he revealed upon great menaces to
hang him, i/, he told not what he knew. Captain Morgan sent
away presently two hundred men in two settees, or great boats
to this river, to seek for what the slave had discovered ¦ but he
himself, with two hundred and fifty more, undertook to go and

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 117
take the governor. This gentleman was retired to a sraall isl
and in the raiddle of the river, where he had built a little fort,
as well as he could, for his defence ; but hearing that Captain
Morgan came'in person with great forces to seek him, he retired
to the top of a mountain not far off, to which there was no as
cent, but by a very narrow passage, so straight, that whoever
did attempt to gain the ascent, must march his raen one by one.
Captain Morgan spent two days before he arrived at this little
island, whence he designed to proceed to the raountain where
the governor w'as posted, had he not been told of the impossi
bility of ascent, not only for the narrowness of the way, but
because the governor was well provided with all sorts of ammu
nition ; besides, there was fallen a huge rain, whereby all the^
pirates' baggage and powder was wet. By this rain, also, they
lost many men at the passage over a river that was overflown ;
here perished likewise some women and children, and many
mules laden with plate and goods, which they had'tkken from
the fugitive inhabitants ; so that things were in a very bad con
dition with Captain Morgan, and his men rauch harassed, as
raay be inferred from this relation'; whereby, if the Spaniards,
in that juncture, had had but fifty men well armed, they might
have entirely destroyed the pirates. But the fears the Span
iards had at first conceived were so great, that the leaves stirring
on the trees they often fancied to be pirates. Finally, Captain
Morgan and his people, having upon this march sometimes
waded up to their middles in water for half or whole miles*
together, they at last escaped, for the greatest part ; but the
woraen and children, for the raajor part, died.
Thus twelve days after they set forth to seek the governor,
they returned to Gibraltar, with many prisoners ; two days
after, arrived also the two settees that went to the river, bring
ing with them four boats, and some prisoners ; but the great
est part of the raerchaudise in the said boats they found not,
the Spaniards having unladed and secured it, having intelligence
of their coming ; who designed also, when the merchandise was
taken out, to burn the boats ; yet the Spaniards made not so
much haste to unlade these vessels, but that they left in the
ship and boats great parcels of goods, which the pirates seized,
and brought a considerable booty to Gibraltar. Thus, after
they had been in possession of the place five entire weeks, and
committed an infinite nuraber of murders, robberies, rapes, and
such hke insolences, they concluded to depart ; but first they
ordered some prisoners to go forth into 'the woods and fields,
and collect a ransom for the town, otherwise they would cer
tainly burn it down to the ground. These poor afflicted men

118 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
went as they were sent, and having searched the adjoining
fields and woods, returned to Captain Morgan, telling him, they
had scarce been able to find any body, but that tp such as they
had found, they had proposed his demands ; to which they had
answered, that the, governor had prohibited them to give any
ranSom for the town, but they beseeched him to have a little
patience, and among themselves they would collect five thou
sand pieces of eight ; and for the rest, they would give some of
their own townsmen as hostages, whom he might carry to Mar
acaibo, till he had received full satisfaction.
Captain Morgan having now been long absent from Maracai
bo, and knowing the Spaniards had had sufficient time to for
tify themselves, and hinder his departure out of the lake, grant- 1
ed their proposition, and made as much haste as he could for
his departure : he gave liberty to all the prisoners, first putting
every one tp a ransom ; yet he detained the slaves. They de
livered hitri four persons agreed on for hostages of what money
more he was to receive, and they desired to have the slave
mentioned above, intending to punish him according to his
deserts ; but Captain Morgan would not deliver him, lest they
should burn him alive. At last they weighed anchor, and set
sail in all haste for Maracaibo. Here they arrived in four days,
and found all things as they had left them ; yet here they re
ceived news from a poor distressed old man, whom alone they
found sick in the town, that three Spanish men-of-war were
arrived at the entry of the lake, waiting the return of the pi
rates ; moreover, that the castle at the entry thereof was again
put into a good posture of defence, well provided with guns,
and men, and ali sorts of ammunition.
This relation could not choose but disturb the mind of Cap
tain Morgan, who now was careful how to get away through
the narrow entry of the lake. Hereupon, he sent his swiftest
boat to view the entry, and see if things were as they had been
related. Next day the boat came back, confirming what was
said, assuring him they had viewed the ships so nigh, that
they had been in great danger of their shot ; hereunto they
added, that the biggest ship was mounted with forty guns, the
second with thirty, and the smallest with twenty-four. These
forces being much beyond those of Captain Morgan, caused a
general consternation in the pirates, whose biggest vessel had
not above fourteen small guns. Every one judged Captain
Morgan to despond, and to be hopeless, considering the difficul
ty of passing safe with his little fleet amidst those great ships and
the fort, or he must perish. How to escape any other way, by
sea or lan3, they saw no way. Under these necessities. Cap-

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 119
tain Morgan resumed new courage, and, resolving to show him
self still undaunted, he boldly sent a Spaniard to the admiral
of those three ships, demanding of him a considerable ransom
for not piitting the city of Maracaibo to the flames. This man
(who was received by the Spaniards with great admiration of
the boldness of those pirates) returned two days after, bringing
to Captain Morgan a letter from the said admiral, as, follows : —
" The Letter of Don Alonso del Campo y Espirtosa, Admiral of
the Spanish Fleet ; to Captain Morgan, Commander of the
Pirates : —
" Having understood, by all our friends and neighbors, the,
unexpected news', that you have dared to attempt and commit
hostilities in the countries, cities, towns, and villages belonging
to the dominions of his Catholic majesty, my sovereign lord and
master, I let you understand, by these lines, that I am come to
this place, according to my obligation, near that castle which
you took out of the hands of a parcel of cowards ; where I have
put things into a very good posture of defence, and mounted
again the artillery which you had nailed and dismounted. My
intent is, to dispute with you your passage out of the lake, and
foUow and pursue you every where, to the end you may see the
performance of my duty. Notwithstanding, if you be contented
to, surrender with humility all that you have taken, together
with the slaves and all other prisoners, I will let you freely pass,
without trouble or molestation, on condition that you retire
home presently to your own country. But if you make any
resistance or opposition to what I offer you, I assure you I will
command boats to come from Caraccas, wherein I will put my
troops, and, coming 'to Maracaibo, will put you every man to
the sword. This is my last and absolute resolution. Be pru
dent, therefore, and do not abuse my bounty with ingratitude.
I have with me very good soldiers, who desire nothing more
ardently than to revenge on you and your people all the qru-
elties and base, infamous actions you have committed upon the
Spanish -nation in America. Dated on board the royal ship
named the Magdalen, lying at anchor at the entry of the Lake of
Maracaibo, this 24th of April, 1669.
" Don Alonso del Campo y Espinosa. "
As soon as Captain Morgan received this letter, he called all
his men together in the market-place of Maracaibo, and after
/eading the contents thereof, both in French and English, asked
{heir advice and resolution on the whole matter, and whether

120 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
they had rather surrender all they had got, to obtain their liber
ty, than fight for it.
They answered all, unanimously, they had rather fight to
the last drop of blood, than surrender so easily the booty they
had got with so much danger of their lives. Among* the rest,
one said to Captain Morgan, " Take you care for the rest, and
I will undertake to destroy the biggest of those ships with only
twelve meii. The manner shall be, by inaking a brulot, or
fire-ship, of th^t vessel we took in the River of Gibraltar;
which, to the intent she may not be known as a fire-ship,
we will fill ' her decks with logs of wood, standing with hats
and montera caps, to deceive their sight with the representa
tion of men. The same we will do at the port-holes that serve
for the guns, which shall be filled with counterfeit cannon.
At the stern we will hang out English colors, arid persuade the
enemy she is one of our best men-of-war going tck fight them."
This proposition was admitted and approved by, every one ;
' howbeit, their fears were' not quite dispersed.
For, notwithstanding what had been concluded there, they
^endeavored the next day to come to an accoraraodation with
Don Alonso. To this effect. Captain Morgan sent to him two
persons, with these propositions: First. That he would quit.
Maracaibo, without doing any damage to the town, or exact
ing any ransom for the firing thereof. Secondly. That he
would set at liberty one half of the slaves and all the prison
ers without ransom. Thirdly. That he would send home freely
the, four chief inhabitants of Gibraltar, which he had in his
custody as hostages for the contributions those people had
promised to pay. These propositions were instantly rejected
by Don Alonso, as dishonorable ; neither would he hear of any
other accommodcttion, but sent back this message : " That if
they surrendered not themselves voluntarily into his hands,
within two days, under the conditions which he had offered "
thera by his letter, he would immediately corae and force them
to do it."
No sooner had Captain Morgan received this message from
Don Alonso, than he put all things in order to fight, resolving
to get out of the lake by main force, without surrendering any
thing. First, he commanded all the' slaves and prisoners to be
tied, and guarded very well, and gather all the pitch, tar, and
brirastone they could find in the whole town, for the fire-ship
above raentioned; then they made several inventions of pow
der and brimstone with palm-leaves, well anointed with tar.
They cpvered very well their counterfeit cannon, laying undet,
every piece many pounds of powder ; besides, they cut dswn

, THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 121
• • •
many out-works of the ship, that the powder might exert its
strength the better ; breaking open, also, new port-holes, where,
instead of guns, they placed little drums used by the negroes.
Finally, the decks were handsomely beset with many pieces of
wood, dressed up hke men with hats, or monteras, and armed.
with swords, muskets, and bandeleers.
The fire-ship bei^ig thus fitted, they prepared to go to the
entry of the port. All the prisoners were put into one great
boat, and in another of the biggest they placed all the womeri,
plate, jewels, and other rich things ; into others they put the
bales of goods and merchandise, aud othar things of bulk ;
each of these boats had twelve raen aboard, very well armed ;
the Brulot had orders to go before the rest of the vessels, and
presently to fall foul with the great ship. All things being
ready. Captain Morgan exacted an oath of all his comrades,
protesting to defend themselves to the last drop of blood, with
out deraanding quarter ; promising withal, that whosoever Ije-
haved himself thus, should be very well rewarded.
With this courageous resolution, they set sail to seek the
Spaniards. On April 30, 1669, they found the Spanish fleet
riding at anchor in the middle of the entry of the lake. Cap
tain Morgan, it being now late, and almost dark, commanded
all his vessels to an anchor, designing to fight, even all night,
if they forced him to it. He ordered a careful watch to be
kept aboard every vessel till raorning, they being alraost with
in shot, as well as within sight of the eneray. The day dawn
ing, they weighed anchor, and sailed again, steering directly
towards the Spaniards ; who seeing thera move, did instantly
the sarae. The fire-ship sailing before the rest, fell presently
upon the great ship, and grappled her ; which the Spaniards
(too late) perceiving to be a 4re-ship, they attempted to put her
off, but in vain ; for the flame seizing her timber and tackling,
soon consumed all the stern, the fore part sinking into the sea,
where she perished. The second Spanish ship perceiving the
adrairal to burn, not by accident, but by industry of the enemy,
escaped towards the castle, where the Spaniards themselves
sunk her, choosing to lose their ship rather than to fall into the
hands of those pirates. The third, having no opportunity to
escape,' was taken by the pirates. The seamen that sunk the
second ship near the castle, perceiving the pirates come towards
theiri to take what remains they could find of their shipwreck,
(for some part was yet above water,) set fire also to this vessel,
that the pirates might enjoy nothing of that spoil. The first
ship being 'set on fire, some of the persons in her swam towards
the shore ; these the pirates would have taken up in their boats,
11

122 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
but they would not ask or take quarter, choosirig rather to lose
their lives, than receive thera frora their handS, for reasons
which I shall relate.
The pirates being extremely glad at this signal victory so
soon obtained,, and with so great an inequality of forces, con
ceived greater pride than they had before, and' all presently ran
ashore, intending to fake the castle. Tfjis they found well
provided with men, cannon, and ammuniton, they having no
other arras than muskets, and a few hand granadoes ; their
owri artillery they thought incapable, for its smallness, of mak
ing any considerable breach in the walls. Thus they spent
the rest of the day, firing at the garrison with their muskets
till the dusk of the evening ; when they attempted to advance
nearer the walls, to throw in, their fire-balls ; but the Spaniards
resolving to sell their lives as dear as they could, fired so furi
ously at them, that they having experimented the obstinacy of
the enemy, and seeing thirty of their men dead, and as many
raore woupded, they retired to their ships.
The Spaniards believing the pirates would next day renew
the attack with their own cannon, labored hard all night to put
things in order for their coming ; particularly, they dug down,
and made plain, some little hills and eminences, when possibly
the castle might be offended.
But Captain Morgan intended not to come again, busying
himself next day in taking prisoners some of the men who still
swarm alive, hoping to get part of the riches lost in the two
ships ttiat perished. Among the rest, he took a pilot, who was
a stranger, and who belonged to the lesser ship of the two, of
whom he inquired several things ; as. What number of people
those three ships had in them ? Whether they expected any
more ships to come ? From what port they set forth last, when
they.came to seek them out? He answered, in Spanish: —
" Noble sir, be pleased to pardon and spare me, that no evil
be done to me, being a stranger to this.nation I have served,
and I shall sincerely inform you of all. that passed till our arri
val at - this lake. We were sent, by orders from the supreme
council of state in Spain, being six raen of war well equipped,
into these seas, with instructions to cruise upon. the English
pirates, and root them out frora these parts, by destroying as
many of them as we could.
" These orders were given, upon the news brought to the
court of Spain of the loss and ruin of Puerto Bejlo, and other
places ; of all which damages and hostilities committed here
by the English, dismal laraentations have often been made to
the Catholic king and council, to whora belongs the care and

THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA. 123
preservation of this new world. And though the Spanish court
hath many times by their ambassadors complained hereof to the
king of England, yet it has been the constant answer of his
majesty of Great Britain, that he never gave any letters patent,
nor commissions, for acting any hostility against the subjects
of the king of Spain. Hereupon the Catholic king resolved to
revenge his subjects, and punish these proceedings ; command
ed six men of war to be equipped, which he sent under the
command of Don Augustine de Bustos, admiral of the said
fleet. He commanded the biggest ship, named N. S. de la So-
leda, of fqrty-eight great guns, and eight small ones. The
vice-admiral was Don Alonzo del Carhpo y Espinosa, who coi;n-
raanded the second ship called La Conception, of forty-four great
guns,' and eight small ones ; beside four vessels more, whereof
the first was named the Magdalen, of thirty-six great guns, and
twelve small ones, with two hundred and fifty men. The sec
ond was called SI. Lewis, with twenty-six great guns, twelve
small ones, and two hundred men. The third was called La
Marquesa,'of sixteen great guns, eight small ones, and one hun
dred and fifty men. The fourth and last, N. S. del Carmen,
with eighteen great guns, 8 small ones, and one hundred and
fifty men.
" Being arrived at Carthagenaj the two greatest ships received
orders to return to Spain, being judged too big for cruising on
these coasts. With the four ships remaining, Don Alonso del
Campo y Espinosa departed towards Campeachy to seek the
English. We arrived at the port there, where, being surprised
by a huge storm from the north, we lost one of our ships, be
ing that which I named last. Hence we sailed for Hispaniola,
in sight of which we came in a few days, and steered for Santo
Domingo : here we heard that there had passed that way a
fleet from Jaraaica, and that some nien thereof had landed at
Aita Gracia ; the inhabitants had taken one prisoner, who con
fessed their design was, to go and pillage the city of Caraccas.
On this news, Don Alonso instantly weighed anchor, and cross
ing over to the continent, we came in sight of the Caraccas ;
here we found them not, but met with a boat, which certified
us they were in the Lake of Maracaibo, and that the fleet con
sisted of seven small ships, and one boat.
" Upon this we came here, and* arriving at the entry of the
lake, we shot off a gun for a pilot from the shore. Those on land
perceiving we were Spaniards, came willingly to" us with a pilot
and told us the English had taken Maracaibo, and that they
were now at the pillage of Gibraltar. Don Alonso, on this
news, raade a handsorae speech , to his soldiers and mariners.

124 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
encouraging them to their duty, and promising to divide
among them all they should take from the English. He or
dered the guns we had taken out of (he ship that was lost to
be put into the castle, and raounted for its defence, with two
eighteen pounders more out of his own ship. The pilots con
ducted us into the port, and Don Alonso comraanded the peo
ple on shore to come before him, whora he ordered to repossess
the castle, and reijiforee it with one hundred raen raore than
it had before its being taken. Soon after, we heard of your
return from Gibraltar to Maracaibo, whither Don Alonso wrote,
you a letter, giving you an account of his arrival and design,
and exhorting you to restore what you had taken. This you
refusing, he renewed his promises to his soldiers and seamen ;
and having given a very good supper to all his people, *he or
dered them not to take or give any quarter ; which was the
occasion of so many being drowned, who dared not to crave
quarter, knowing themselves must give none. Two days be
fore you came against us, a negro came aboard Don Alonso's
ship, telling him, " Sir, be pleased to have great care of your
self, for the English have prepared a fire-ship, with design to
burn your fleet." But Don Alonso not believing' this, answered
" How can that be ? Have they, peradventure, wit enough to
build a fire-ship? Or what instruments have they to do it
withal ? "
This pilot having -related so distinctly these things to Cap
tain Morgan, was very well used by hira, and after sorae kind
proffers raade to him, remained in his service. He told "Cap
tain Morgan, that in the ship which was sunk there was a
great quantity of plate, to the value of forty thousand pieces
of eight ; which occasioned the Spaniards to be often seen in
boats about it. Hereupon, Captain Morgan ordered one of his
ships. to remain there, to find ways of getting out of it what
plate they could. Meanwhile, hiraself, with all his fleet, re
turned to Maracaibo, where he refitted the great ship he had
taken, and chose it for himself, giving his own bottorri to one
of his captains. :
Then he sent a messenger to the admiral, who was escaped
ashore, and got into the castle, demanding of him a ransom of
fire for Maracaibo ; which being denied, he threatened entirely
to consume aud destroy it. The Spaniards considering the ill
luck they had all along with those pirates, and not knowing how
to get rid of them, concluded to pay the said ransom, though
Don Alonso would not cbnsent.
'Hereupon, they sent to Captain Morgan, to know what sum
he demanded. .He answered, that on payment of thirty thou-

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 125
sand pieces of eight, and five hundred beeves, he would release
the prisoners, and do no damage to the town. At last they
agreed on twenty thousand pieces of eight, and five hundred
beeves to victual his fleet. The cattle were brought the next
day, w'ith one part of the money; and while the, pirates were
busied in salting the flesh, they made up the whole twenty
thousand pieces of'eight, as was agreed.
But Captain Morgan would not presently deliver the prison
ers, as he had promised, fearing the shot of the castle at his
going forth out of the lake. Hereupon he told them he intend
ed not to deliver them till he was out of that danger, hoping
thus to obtain a free passage. Then he set sail with his fleet
in quest of the ship he had left, to sefek for the plate of the ves
sel that was burnt. He found her on the place, with fifteen
thousand pieces of eight got out of the work, besides many
pieces of plate, as hilts of swords, and the like ; also a great
quantity of pieces of eight, melted and run together by the fprce
of th^ fire.
Captain Morgan scarce thought himself secure, nor could he
contrive how to avoid the shot of the castle ; hereupon he
wished the prisoners to agree with the gov^roor to perrait a safe
passage to his fleet, which, if he should not allow, he would
certainly hang them all up in his ships. Upon this, the prison
ers met, and appointed some of their fellow-messengfers to go
to the said governor, Don Alonso. These went to him, beseech
ing and supplicating him to have compassion on those afflic^ted
prisoners, who were, with their wives and children, in the hands
of Captain Morgan ; and that to this effect he would be pleased
to give his word to let the fleet of pirates freely pass, this being
the only way to save both the lives of them that came with
this petition, as also of those who remained in captivity ; all
being equally menaced With the sword and gallows, if he grant
ed thera not this hurable request. But Don Alonso gave thera
for answer a sharp reprehension of their cowardice, telling thera,
" If you had been as loyal to your king in hindering the entry
of- these pirates, as I shall do their going out, you had never
caused these troubles neither to yourselves, nor to our whole
nation, which hath suffered so rauch through your pusillanimity.
In a word, I shall never grant your request, but shall endeavor
to maintain that respect which is due to ray king, according to
ray duty."
Thus the Spaniards returned with rauch, consternation, and
no hopes of obtaining their request, telling Captain Morgan what
answer they had received. His reply was, " If Don Alonso will
not let fae pass, I will find means how to do it without hira."
11*

126 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. .
Hereupon he presently raade a dividend of all they had taken,
fearing he raight not have an opportunity to do it in another
place, if any tempest should rise and separate the ships, as also
being jealous that any of the commanders might run away with
the best part of the spoil, which, then lay raore in one' vessel
than another. Thus they all brought in according to their
laws, and declared what they had, first raaking oath not to cbn-
ceal the least thing. . The. accounts being cast up, they found
to the value of twenty-five thousand pieces of eight in money
and jewels, besides the huge quantity of merchandise and slaves,
all which purchase was divided to every ship or boat, according
to their share.
The dividend being made, the question still reraained how
they should pass the castle, and get out of the lake. To this
effect they made use of a stratagera, as follows. The day before
the night wherein they determined to get forth, they embarked
many of their men in canoes, and rowed towards the Shore, as
if they designed to land. Here they hid themselves Holder
branches of trees that hang over the coast a while, laying them
selves down in the boats ; then the canoes returned to the ships,
with the appearancie of only two or three men rowing them
back, the rest being unseen at the bottora of the canoes ; thus
much only could be perceived from the"' castle, and this false
landing of men, for so we may call it, was repeated that day
several times. This raade the Spaniards think the pirates in
tended at night to force the castle, by scaling it. This fear
caused them to place most of their great guns on the land side,
together with their main force, leaving the side towards the sea
almost destitute of defence.
Night being come, they weighed anchor, and by moonlight,
without setting sail, committed themselves to the ebbing tide,
which gently brought them dov/n the river, till they were near
the castle ; being almost over agajnst it, they spread their sails
with all possible haste. The Spaniards perceiving this, trans
ported with all speed their guns from the other side, and began
to fire very furiously at them ; but the^se having a very favora
ble wind, ,;were almost past danger before those ofthe castle could
hurt them ; so that they, lost few of their men, and received
no considerable damage in their ships. Being out of the reach
of the guns, Captain Morgan sent a canoe to the castle with
sorae of the prisoners, and the governor thereof gave them a
boat to return to their own homes ; but he detained the host
ages from Gibraltar, because the rest of the ransom for not firing
the place was yet unpaid. Just as he departed. Captain Morgan
ordered seven great guns with bullets to be fired against tlfe

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 127
castle, as it were to take his leaye of them, but they answered
not so rauch as with a rausket shot.
Next day after, they were surprised with a great tempest,
which forced them to cast anchor in five or six fathom water ;
but' the storm increasing, compelled them to weigh again,
and put to sea, where they were in great danger of being
lost; for if they should have been, cast on shore, either into
the hands of the Spaniards or Indian*, they would certainly
have obtained no mercy? At last, the tempest being spent, the
wind ceased, to the great joy of the whole fleet.
While Captain Morgan made his fortune by these pillagings,
his companions, who were separated from his fleet at the Cape
de Lobos, to take the ship spoken of before, endured much mis
ery, and were unfortunate in all their attempts. Being arrived
at Savona, they found not Captain Morgan there, nor any of
their companions, nor had they the fortune to find a letter
which Captain Morgan at his departure' left behind him in a
place where in all probability they would meet with it. Thus,
not knowing what course to steer, they concluded to pillage
some town or other. They were in all about four hundred
men, divided into four ships and one boat. Being ready to set
forth, they constituted an admiral ,among themselves, being one
who had behaved himself very courageously at the taking of
Puerto Bello, named Captain Hansel. This commander at
tempted the taking ofthe town of Comraana, on the continent
of Caraccas, nigh sixty leagues to the west of the Islg de la
Trinidad. Being arrived there, they landed their men, and
killed some few. Indians near the coast ; but approaching the
town, the Spaniards having in their company many Indians,
disputed the entry so briskly, that, with great loss and confu
sion, they were forced to retire to the ships. At last they ar
rived at Jmiaica, where the rest of their companions who came
with Captain Morgan mocked and jeered them for their ill
success at Commana, often telling thera, " Let us see what
raoney you brought from Commana, and if it be as good silver
as that which we bring frora Maracaibo."

128 ' THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

CHAPTER XV.
Captain Morgan goes to Hispaniola to equip a new Fleet, with Intent to piUage
again on the Coast of the "West Indies.
Capt AIN. Morgan perceived now that Fortune favored him,
by giving success to all his enterprises,^ which occasioned him,
as is usual in human affairs, to aspire to greater things, trusting
she would always be constant to him. Such Was the burning
of Panama, wherein Fortune failed not to assist him, as she had
done before, though she had led him thereto through a thousand
difficulties. The history hereof I shall now relate, being so
remarkable in all its circumstances, as peradventure nothing
more deserving memory will be read by future ages.
Captain Morgan arriving at Jamaica, found many "of his offi
cers and soldiers reduced to their former indigency, by their
vices and debaucheries ; hence, they perpetually importuned
him for new exploits, thereby to get something to expend still in
wine and strumpets, as they had already done what they got
before. Captain Morgan, willing to follow Fortuned call,
stopped the mouths of many inhabitants of Jamaica, who were
creditors to his men for large sums, with the hopes and prom
ises of greater achievements than ever, by a new expedition.
This done, he could easily levy men for any enterprise, his
name being so famous through all those islands, as that alone
would readily bring him in more men than he could well em
ploy. He undertook therefore to equip a new fleet, for which
he assigned the south side of Tortuga as a place of rendezvous,
writing letters to all the expert pirates there inhabiting, as also
to the governor, and to the planters and hunters of Hispaniola,
informing them of his intentions, and desiring their appearance,
if they intended to go with him. These people upon this
notice flocked to the place assigned, in huge numbers, with
ships, canoes, and boats, being desirous to follow hira. Many
who had not the convenience of coraing by sea, traversed the
woods of Hispaniola, and with no sraall difficulties arrived
there by land. Thus all were present at the place assigned,
and ready against October the 24th, 1670.'
Captain Morgan was not wanting to be there punctually,
coraing in his ship to port Couillon, over against the Island de
la Vaca, the place assigned. Having gathered the greatest part
of his fleet, he called a council to deliberate about finding pro
visions for so raany people. Here they conclu3ed to send four

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 129
ships, and one boat with four hundred men, to the continent, in
ordej to rifle some country towns and villages for all the corn
and maize they could gather. They set sail for the continent
towards the River de la Hacha, designing to assault the village
called La Rancheria, usually best stored with maize of all the
parts thereabouts. Meanwhile Captain Morgan sent another
party to hunt in the woods, who killed a huge number' of beasts,
and salted thera; the rest reraained in the ships, to clean, fit,
and rig them, that, at the return of their fellows, all things might
be in readiness to Weigh anchor and follow their designs.

C-HAPTER XVI.
' "What happened in the Eiver de la Hacha.
These four ships setting sail from Hispaniola, steered for the
River de^a Hacha, where they were suddenly overtaken with a
tedious calra. Being within sight of land becalmed for some
days," the Spaniards inhabiting along the coasts, who had per
ceived them to be enemies, had sufficient time to prepare them
selves, at least to hide the best of their goods, that without any
care of preserving them, they might be ready to retire, if they
proved unable to resist the pirates, by whose frequent attempts
on those coasts they had already learned what to do in such
cases. There was then in the river a good ship, come frora
Carthagena to load with maize, and now almost ready to de
part. The men of this ship endeavored to escape, but- not
being able to do it, both they and their vessel fell into their
hands. This was a fit purchase for them, being good part of
what they carae for-- Next rriorning, about break of day, they
* carae with their stips ashore, and landed their men, though the
Spaniards made good resistance from a battery they had raised
on that side, where, of necessity, they were to land ; but they
• were forced to retire to a village, whithei' the pirates followed
them. Here the Spaniards rallying, fell upon them with great
fury, and maintained a strong combat, which lasted till night ;
but then perceiving they had lost a great number of men, which
was no less on the pirates' side, they retired to secret places in
the woods. "
Next day the pirates seeing thera all fled,and the town left emp
ty of people, they pursued them as far as they could, and over-

130 the buccaneers of AMEBICA.
took a party of Spaniards, whora they raade prisoners, and exer
cised with raost cruel torments, to discover their goods : some
were forced by intolerable tortures to confess ; but others, who
would not, were used more barbarously. Thus in fifteen days
that they remained there, they took raany prisoners, much plate
and movables, with which booty they resolved to return to
Hispaniola ; yet not content with what they had got, they dis
patched some prisoners into the woods to seek for the rest of
the inhabitants, and to demand a ransom for not burning the
town. They answered, they had no money, nor plate ; but if
they would be satisfied with a quantity of raaias, they would
give as much as they could. The pirates accepted this, it be
ing then more useful to them than ready raouM^, and agreed
they should pay four thousand hanegs, or bushels of raaize.
These were brought in three days after, the Spaniards being
desirous to rid theraselves of that inhuraan sort of people.
Having laded thera on board with the rest of their purchase,
they returned to Hispaniola, to give account to their leader.
Captain Morgan, of all they had perforraed.
They had now been absent five weeks on this coraraission,
which long delay occasioned Captain Morgan almost xo despair
of their return, fearing lest they were fallen into the hands of
the Spaniards ; especially considering the place whereto they
went could easily be religved from Carthagena and Santa Ma
ria, if the inhabitants were^careful to alarra tfie country. On
the other side, he feared lest they should have raade sorae great
fortune in that voyage, and with it have escaped to some other
place : but seeing his ships return in greater numbers than they
departed, he resumed new courage, this sight causing both in
him and his companions infinite joy, especially when they
found thera full laden with raaize, which they rauch wanted,
for the raaintenance of so raany people, from whom they ex
pected great matters under such a coraraander.
Captain Morgan having divided the SElicl. raaize, as also the
flesh which the hunters- brought, araong his ships, according
to the number of men, he concluded to depart ; having viewed
beforehand every ship, and observed their being well equipped
and clean. Thus he set sail, and stood for Cape Tiburon,
•where he determined to resolve what enterprise he should take
'in hand. No sooner were they arrived, but they met some
other ships, newly come to join them, from Jamaica ; so that
now their fleet consisted of thirty-seven ships, wherein were
two thousand fighting raen, beside raariners and boyS. The
adrairal hereof was raounted with twenty-two great guns, and
six sraall ones of brass ; the re^t carried sorae twenty, some

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 131
sixteen, sorae eighteen, and the sraallest vessel at least four ;
besides which, they had great quantities of araraunition and
fire-balls, with other inventions of powder.
Captain Morgan having such a nuraber of ships, divided the
whole fleet into two squadrons," 'constituting a vice-adrairal,
and other officers of the second squadron, distinct frora the
forraer ; to these he gave letters patent, or coraraissions, to act
all raanner of hostilities against the Spanish nation, and take
of them what ships they could, either abroad at sea, or in the
harbors, as if they were open and declared eneraies (as he
termed it) of the king of England, his pretended raaster. This
done, he called all his captains and other officers together, and
caused them to sign some articles of agreement betwixt them.
and in the ^ame of all. Herein it was stipulated, that he
should have the hundredth, part of air that was gotten to him
self; that every captain. should draw the shares of eight men,
for the expenses of his Ship, besides hi^ own. To the surgeon,
besides his pay, two hundred pieces of eight, for his chest of
medicaments ; to every carpenter, above his salary, one hun
dred pieces of eight. "The rewards were settled in this vgyage
much higher than before : as for the loss of both legs, fifteen
hundred pieces of eight, or fifteen slaves, the choice left to the
party : for the loss of both hands, eighteen hundred pieces of
eight, or eighteen slaves : for one leg, whether right or left, six
hundred pieces of eight, or six slaves : for a hand, as rauch as
for a leg ; and for the loss of an 'eye, one hundred pieces gf
eight, or one slave. Lastly, to him that in any battle should
signalize hiraself, either by entering first any castle, or taking
down the Spanish colors, and setting, up the English, they al
lotted fifty pieces of eight, for a reward ; all which extraordi
nary salaries and rewards to be paid out of the first spoil they
should take, as every one should occur to be either rewarded
or paid.
This contract being signed. Captain Morgan comraanded his
vice-admirals and captains to put all things in order, to attempt
one of these three places ; either Carthagena, Pa,nama, or Vera
Cruz. But the lot fell on Panama, as the richest of all three,
though this city being situate at such a distance from the North
Sea, as they knew not well the approaches to it, they judged
it necessary to go before hand to the Isle of St. Catherine, there
to find some persons for guides in this enterprise : for in ihe
garrison there are commonly many banditti and outlaws, be
longing to Panama and .the neighboring places, who are very
expert in the knowledge of that country. But before they
proceeded, they published an act through the whole fleet, prom-

132 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
ising if they raet with any Spanish vessel, the first captain who
should take it should have for his reward the tenth part of
what should be found in her.

CHAPTER XVII.
Captain- Mbrgan leaves Hispaniola, and "goes to St. Catherine's, which he takes.
Captain Morgan arid his corapanions weighed anchor from
the Cape of Tiburon, Deceraber 16, 1670. Four days after,
they, arrived in sight of St. Catherine's, now in possession of
the Spaniards again, as was said before, to which they cora
raonly banish the riialefactors of the Spanish dorainions in the
West Indies. Here are huge quantities of pigeons, at certaitt
seasons. It is Watered by four rivulets, whereof two are always
di^ ift sumraer. Here is no trade or comraerce exercised by
the inhabitants, neither do they plant more fruits than' what are
necessary for human life, though the country would make very
good plantations of tobacco, of considerable profit, were it
cultivated. As soon as Captain Morgan came near the island, with his
fleet, he sent one of his best sailing vessels to view the entry
of the river, and see if any other ships were there, who raight
hinder hira frora landing ; as also fearing lest they should give
intelligence of his arrival to the inhabitants, and prevent his
designs. Next day, before sunrise, all the fleet anchored near the is
land, in a bay called Aguade Grande. On this bay the Span
iards had built a battery, mounted with four. pieces of cannon.
Captain Morgan landed about one thousand men in divers
squadrons, marching through the woods, though they had no
other guides than a few of his own nien, who had been there
before, under Mansvelt i the same day they came to a place
where the governor sometimes resided ; here they found a bat
tery called the Platform, but nobody in it, the Spaniards having
retired to the lesser island, which, as was said before, is so near
the great one, that a short bridge only may conjoin them.
This lesser island was so well fortified with forts and batte
ries round it, as might seera irapregnable : hereupon, as soon as
the Spaniards perceived the pirates approach, they fired on theift
so furiously, that they could advance nothing that day, but

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 133
were content to retreat, and take up their rest in the open
fields, which was not strange to these people, being sufficiently
used to such kind of repose. What most afflicted thera was
hunger, having not ate any thing that whole day. About
raidnight, it rained so hard, that they had rauch ado to bear it,
the greatest part of them having no other clothes than a pair
of seaman's trowsers, or breeches, and a shirt, without shoes
or stockings. In this great extreraity, they pulled down a few
thatched houses to make fires withal ; in a word, they we,re in
such a condition, that one hundred men, indifferently well
arraed, raight easily that night have torn thera all in pieces.
Next morning, about break of day, the raip ceased, and they
dried- their arms, and marched, on ; but soon after it rained
afresh, rather harder than before, as if the skies were melted
into waters ; which kept thera frora advancing towards the
forts, whence the Spaniards continually fired at thera.
The pirates were now reduced to great affliction and danger,
through the hardness of the weather, their own nakedness, and
great hunger ; for a small relief hereof, they found in the* fields
an old horse, lean, and ftfH of scabs and blotches, with galled
back and sides : this they instantly killed and fiayed, and
divided in sraall pieces araong theraselves, as far as it would
reach, (for raany could not get a morsel,) which they roasted
and devoured without salt or bread, more like ravenous wolves
than men. The rain not ceaging. Captain Morgan perceived
their rainds to relent, hearing many of thera say they would
return on board. Araong these fatigues of raind and body, he
thought convenient to use some sudderi reraedy : to this effect,
he comraanded a canoe to be rigged in haste, and colors of
truce to be hung out. This canoe he sent to the Spanish
governor, with this raessage : " That if within a few hours' he
delivered not himself and all his men into his hands, he did by
that messenger swear to hira, and all those that were in his
company, he would raost certainly put thera to the sword,
without granting quarter to any."
In the afternoon the canoe returned with this answer : " That
the governor desired two hours tirae to deliberate with his offi
cers about it, which being past, he would give his positive an
swer." The tirae being elapsed, the governor sent two canoes
with white colors, and two persons, to treat with Captain Mor
gan ; but before they landed, they deraanded of the pirates two
persons as hostages. These were readily granted by Captain
Morgan, who delivered therfi two of his captains for a pledge
of the security required : with this the Spaniards propounded
to Captain Morgan, that the governor, in a full asserably, had
12

134 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
resolved to deliver up the island, not being provided with suffi
cient forces to defend it agdnst such an armada : but, withal,
he desired Captain Morgan would be pleased to use a certain
stratagem of war, for the better saving of his own credit, and
the reputation of his officers both abroad and at home, which
should be as follows :' That Captain Morgan would come with
his troops by night, to the bridge that joined the lesser island
to the great one, and there attack the fort of St. Jerora : that
at the same time all his fleet would draw near the castle of
Santa Teresa, and attack it by land, landing in the mean while
more troops, near the battery of St. Matthew : that these troops
being, nearly landed, should by this means intercept the gov
ernor as he endeavored to pass to St. Jerom's fort, and' then
take him prisoner ; using the formality, as if they forced him
to deliver the castle ;'ai5d that he would lead the English into
it, under color of being his own troops. That on both sides,
there should be continual firing, but without bullets, or at least
into, the air, so that no side might be hurt. That thus having
obtained two such considerable forts,, the ehiefest of the isle,
he need not take care for the rest, which must fall, of course,
into his h^nds.
These propositions were granted by Captain Morglin,on con
dition they should see thern faithfully observed ; otherwise
they should be used with the utmost rigor : this they promised
to do, arid took their leave, to give account of their negotia
tion to the governor. Presently after. Captain Morgan com
manded the whole fleet to enter the port, and his men to be
ready to assault that night the castle of St. Jerom. Thus the
false battle began, with incessant firing frbm both the castles,
against the ships, but without bullets, as was agreed : then the
pirates landed, and assaulted by night the lesser island, which
they took, as also both the fortresses ; forcing the Spaniards,
in appearance, to fly to the church. Before this assault. Cap
tain Morgan sent word to the governor, that he should keep all
his men together in a body ; otherwise, if the pirates met any
straggling Spaniards in the streets, they should certainly shoot
them. This island being taken by this unusual stratagem, and all
things put in order, the pirates made a new war against the
poultry, cattle, and all sorts of victuals they could find, for
some days ; scarce thinking of any thing else than to kill,
roast, and eat, and make what good cheer they could. If wood
was wanting, they pulled down the houses, and made fires with
the timber, as had been done before in the field. Next day
they numbered all the prisoners they had taken upon the island.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 135
•
which were found to be in all four hundred and fifty-nine per
sons, men, women and children, viz. : one hundred and pinety
^oldiers of the garrison ; forty inhabitants, who were raarried ;
forty-three children ; thirty-four slaves, belonging to the king ;
with eight children ; eight banditti ; thirty-nine negroes, Ije-
longing to private persons ; with twenty-seven female blacks,
and thirty-four childreti. The pirates disarmed all the Span
iards, and sent them out iraraediately to the plantations to seek
for provisions, leaving the women in the church, to exercise
their devotions.
Soon after they reviewed the whole island, and all the for
tresses thereof, which they found to be nine in all, viz. : the Fort
of St. Jerom, next the bridge^ had eight great guns, of twelve,
six, and eight pounds carriage, with six pipes of muskets, ev--
ery pipe containing- ten muskets. Here they found still sixty
rauskets, with sufficient powder, and other ammunition. The
second fortress, called St. Matthew, had three guns, of eight
pounds each : the third, and ehiefest, named Santa Teresa, had
twenty great guns, of eighteen, twelve, eight, and six pounds ;
with ten pipes of muskets, like those before, and ninety raus
kets remaining, besides other ammunition. This castle was
built with stone and mortar, with very thick walls, and a large
ditch round it, twenty feet deep, which, though it was dry, yet
was very hard tb get over. Here was no entry, but through
one door, to the middle of the castle. Within it was a mount
almost inaccessible, with four pieces of cannon at the top ;
whence they could shoot directly into the port : on the sea
side it was impregnable, by reason of the rocks round it, and
the sea beating furiously upon them : to the land it was so
commodiously seated on a raountain, as there was no access to
it but by a path three or four feet broad. , The fourth fortress
was naraed St. Augustine, having three guns of eight and 'six
pounds. The fifth, naraed La Plattaforma de la Conception,
had owly two guns, of eight pounds. The sixth, by narae San
Salvador, had likewise no more than two guns. The seventh,
called Plattaforma de los Artilleros, had also two guns. The
eighth, called Santa Cruz, had three guns. The ninth, called
St. Joseph's Fort, had six guns, of twelve and eight pounds,
besides two pipes of rauskets, and sufficient araraunition.
In the storehouses were above thirty thousand pounds of
powder, with all other araraunition, which was carried by the
pirates on board : all the gUns were stopped and riailed, and
the fortresses demolished ; except that of St. Jerom, where the
pirates kept guard and resistance. Captain Morgan inquired
for any banditti from Panama or Puerto Bello, and three were

136 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
brought him, who pretended to be very expert in the avenues
of those parts. He asked them to he his guides, arid show
hira the securest ways to Panaraa, which if they perforraed, he
proraised thera equal shares in the plunder of that expedition,
and their liberty when they arrived in Jamaica. These propo
sitions the banditti readily accepted, promising to serve him
very faithfully, especially one of the three, who was the greatest
rogue, thief, and assassin among them, and who had deserved
rather to be broken alive on the wheel, than punished with
serving in a garrrison : this wicked fellow had a great ascend
ant over the other two, and domineered over them as he pleas
ed, they not dariijg to disobey his orders.
Captain Morgan commanded four ships and one boat to be
equipped, and provided with necessaries, to go and take the
Castle of Chagre, on the river of that name ; neither would he
go himself with his whole fleet, lest the Spaniards should be
jealous of his further design on Panaraa. In these vessels he
embarked four hundred men, to put in execution these his or
ders': raeanwhile, hiraself remained in St. Catherine's, with
the rest of the fleet, expecting to hear of their success.

CHAPTER XVIII.
Captain Morgan takes the Castle of Chagre, -with Four Hundred Men sent to
this Purpose from St. Catherine's.
t
^ CAPTAitf Morgan sending this little fleet to Chagre, chose for
vice-admiral thereof one Captain Brodely, who had been long
in those quarters, arid committed raany robberies on the Span
iards, when Mansvelt took the Isle of St. Catherine, as was
before related ; and therefore was ttiought a fit person for this
exploit, his actions likewise having rendered him famous among
the pirates, and their eneraies the Spaniards. Captain Brodely
being raade coraraander, in three days after his departure ar
rived in sight of the said castle of Chagre, by the Spaniards
caUed St. Lawrence. This castle is built on a high raountain,
at the entry of the river, surrounded with strong palisadoes, or
wooden walls, filled with earth, which secures thera as well as
the best wall of stone or brick. The top of this mountain is
in a raanner, divided into two parts, between which is a ditch
thirty feet deep. The castle hath but one, entry, and that hy

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 137
a draw bridge over this ditch. To the land it has four bastions,
and to the sea two more. The south part is totally inaccessi
ble,' through the cragginess of th^ mountain ; the north is sur
rounded by the river, which here is very broad. At the foot fcf
the castle, or rather, mountain, is a strong fort, with eight great
guns, commanding the entry of the river. Not much lower
are two other batteries, each of six pieces, to defend likewise
the mouth of the river. At one side of the castle are two great
storehouses of all sorts of warlike araraunition and raerchau
dise, brought thither frora the inland country : near these houses
is a high pair of stairs hewn out of the rock, to mount to the ,
top of the castle. On the west is ^ sfcall port, not above seven
or eight fathoms deep, fit for small vessels, and of very good
anchorage; besides, befoife the castle, at the' entry of the river
is a great rock, scarce to be descried but at low tides.
No sooner had the Spaniards perceived the pirates, but they
fired incessantly at them with the biggest of their guns.. They
came to an anchor in a small port, about-a league from the cas
tle. Next morning, very early, they went ashore, and raarched
through the woods to attack the castle on that side. This
raarch lasted till two of the clock in the afternoon, before they
could reach the castle, by reason of the difficulties of the way,
and its raire and dirt ; and though their guides served thera
very exactly, yet they came so nigh the castle at first, that they
lost many of their men by its shot, they being in an open place,
without eovert. This much perplexed the pifates, not know
ing what course to take ; for on that side, of necessity, they
raust raake the assault, and being uncovered from head to
foot, they eould not a'dvance one step without danger : besides
that, the castle, both for its situation and strength, inade thera
muph doubt of success. But to give it over they dared not,
lest they should be reproached by their corapanions.
At last, after many doubts and disputes, resolving to hazard
the assault and their lives desperately, they advanced towards
the castle with their swords in one hand and fire-balls in the
other. The Spaniards defended themselves very briskly, ceas
ing not to fire at them continually ; crying withal, " Come on,
ye English dogs, enemies to God and our king ; and let your
other companions that are behind come on too, ye shall not go
to Panama this bout." The pirates making some trial to chmb
the walls, were forced to retreat, resting themselves till night.
This being come, they returned to the assault, to try by the
help of their fire-balls to destroy the pales before the wall ; and
while they were about it, there happened, a very remarkable
accident, which occasioned their victory. One of the pirates
12*

138 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
being wounded, with' an arrow in his back, which pierced his
body through, he pulled it out boldly at the side of his breast,
and winding a httle cotton about it, he put it into his musket,
a«d shot it back to the castle ; but the cotton being kindled
by the powder, fired two or three houses in the castle, being
thatched with palm-leaves, which the Spaniards perceived not so
soon as was '< necessary ; for this fire raeeting with a parcel of
powder, blew it up, thereby causing great ruin, and no Jess
consternation to the Spaniards, who were not able to,^put a
stop to it, not having seen it tirae enough.
The pirates perceiving the effect of the arrow, and the rais-
fortunes of the Spaniards,'«tvere infinitely glad ; and while jthey
were busied in quenching the fire, which caused a great confu
sion, for want of water, the pirates took this opportunity, setting
fire likewise to the palisadoes. The fire thus seen at once in
several parts about the castle, gave them great advantage
against Jhe Spaniards, many breaches being raade by the fire
ariiong the pales, great heaps of earth falling into the ditch.
Then the pirates climbing up, got over into the castle, though
those Spaniards, who were not busy about the fire, cast down
many flaming pots full of combustible matter, and odious smells,
which destroyed many of the English.
The Spaniards, with all their resistance, could not hinder the
palisadoes frora being burnt down before midnight. Mean
while the pirates continued in their intention of taking the
castle ; and though the fire was very great, they would creep
on the ground, as near as they could, and shoot araidst the
flames against the Spaniards on the other side, and thus killed
many from the walls. When day was corae, they observed all
the raovable earth that lay betwixt the pales to be fallen into the
ditch ; so that now those within the castle lay equally exposed
to them without, as had been on the contrary before ;., where
upon the pirates continued shooting very furiously, and killed
many Spaniards ; for the governor had charged thera to raake
good those posts, answering to the heaps of earth fallen into the
ditch, and caused the artillery to be transported to the breaches.
The fire within the castle still continuing, the pirates frora
abroad did what they could to hinder its progress, by shooting
incessantly against* it : one party of thera was eraployed only
for this, while another watched all the raotions of ¦ the Span
iards. About noon the English gained a breach, which the
governor hiraself defended with twenty-five soldiers. Here
was raade a very courageous resistance by the Spaniards, with
rauskets, pikes, ston.es, and swords ; but through all these the
pirates fought their way till they gained the castle. The Span-,

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 139
iards, who remained alive, cast themselves down from the
castle into the sea; choosing rather to die thus (few or none
surviving the fall) than to ask quarter for their lives. The gov
ernor himself retreated to the corps de garde, before which
were placed two pieces of cannon ; here he still defended him
self, not demanding any quarter, till he was killed with a mus
ket shot in the head.
The governor being dead, and the corps de garde surren
dering, they found, remaining in it alive thirty men, whereof
scarce ten were not wounded ; these informed the pirates that
eight or nine of their soldiers had deserted, and were gone to
Panama, to carry news of their arrival and invasion. These
thirty met? alone reraained of three hundred and fourteen- where
with the castle was garrisoned, among which not one officer
was found alive. These were all made prisoners, and com
pelled to tell whatever they knew of their designs and enter
prises. Among other things, that-the governor of Panama had
notice sent hira three weeks ago frora Carthagena, that the
English were equipping a fieet at Hispaniola, with a design to
take Panama ; and besides, that this had been discovered by
a deserter frora the pirates at the River de la Hacha, where
they had victualled. (-That upon this, the governor had sent
one hundred and sixty-four raen to strengthen the garrison of
that castle, with much provision and ammunition ; ' the ordinary
garrison whereof was only one hundred and fifty men, but these
raade up two hundred and fourteen men, very well armed. Be
sides this, they declared that the governor of Panama ha(J
placed several airibuscades along the river of Chagre : and that
he waited for them in the open fields of Panaraa with three
thousand six hundred men.
The taking of this castle cost the pirates excessively dear,
in comparison to what they were wont to lose, and their toil
and labor was greater than at the conquest of the Isle df St.
Catherine ; for numbering their men, they had lost above one
hundred, besides seventy wounded. They commanded the
Spanish prisoners to cast the dead bodies of their own men
from the top of the raountain to the sea-side, and to bury them.
The wounded were carried to the church, of which they made
a hospital, and where also they shut up the women. Thus it
was likewise turned into a place of prostitution, the pirates
ceasing not to defile the bodies of those afflict'ed widows with
all manner of insolent actions and threats.
Captain Morgan remained not long behind at St. Catherine's,
after taking the castle of Chagre, of which he had notice pres
ently ; but before he departed, he embarked all the provisions

140 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
could be found, with much raaize, or Indian wheat, and cazave,
whereof also is raade bread in those parts. He transported
great store of provisions to the garrison of Chagre, whenceso-
ever they, could be got. At a certain place they cast into the
sea all the guns belqnging thereto, designing to return, and
leave that island well garrisoned to the perpetual possession of
the pirates ; but he ordered all the houses and forts to be fired,
except the castle of St. Teresa, which he judged to be the
strongest and securest wherein to fortify hunself at his return
frora Panama. He carried with him all the prisoners of the
island, and then sailed for Chagre, where he arrived in eight
days. Here the joy of the whole fleet was so great, when they.
spied Jthe English colors on the castle, that . they minded not
their way into the river, so that they lost four ships at the
entry thereof, Captain Morgan's being one ; yet they saved all
the men and goods. The ships, too, had been preserved, if a
strong northerly wind had not risen, which cast thera on the
i:ock at the entry of the river.
Captain Morgan was brought into the castle with great ac
clamations of all the pirates, both of those within and those
nevy^ly corae. Having heard the manner of the conquest, he
coraraanded all the prisoners to work,, and repair what was
necessary, especially to set up new palisadoes round the forts
of the castle. There were still in the river sorae Spanish ves
sels, called chatten, serving for transportation of raerchaudise
up and down the river, and to Puerto Bello and Nicaragua.
These comraonly carry two great guns of iron, and four small
ones of brass. 'These vessels they seized, with four little ships
they found there, and all the canoes. In the castle they left a
garrison of five hundred men, and in the ships in the jiver one
hundred and fifty more. This done. Captain Morgan departed for
Panama at the head of twelve hundred raen. He' carried httle
provisioris with hira, hoping, to provide hiraself sufficiently
araong the Spaniards, whora he knew to lie in ambuscade bv
the way.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 14 1

CHAPTER XIX.
Captain Morgan departs from Chagre, at the Head of Twelve Hundred Men, to
take the City of Panama.
Captain Morgan set forth froin the castle of Chagre, towards
Panama, 'August 18, 1670. He had with him twelve hundred
men, five boats Ifden with artillery, and thirty-twp canoes.
The first day they sailed only six leagues, and carae to a place
called De I6s Braces. Here a party of his men went ashore,
only to sleep and stretch their limbs, being almost crippled with
lying too much crowded in the boats. Having rested a tvhile,
they went abroad to seek victuals in the neighboring planta
tions ; but they could find none, the Spaniards being fled, and
carrying with theni all they had. This day, beuig the first of
their journey, they had such scarcity of victuals, as the greatest
part were forced to pass with only a pipe of tobacco, without
any other refreshment. *
¦Next day^ about evening, they carae to a place called Cruz
de Juan Gallego. Here they were compelled to leave their
boats and canoes, the river being very dry for want of rain,
and many trees having fallen into it.
The guides told them, that about two leagues farther the
country would be very good to continue the journey by land ;
hereupon they left one hundred and sixty men on board , the
boats, to defend thera, that they raight serve for a refuge in
necessity. Next raorning, being the third day, they all went ashore,, ex
cept those who were to keep the boats. To these Captain
Morgan gave order, under great penalties, that no raan, on any
pretext whatever, should dare tb leave the boats, and go ashore ;
fearing lest they should be surprised by an arabuscade of Span
iards in the neighboring woods, which appeared so thick, as to
seera alraost in*penetrable. This raorning beginning their
march, the ways proved so bad, that Captain Morgan thought
it mor^ convenient to transport some of the men in canoes
(though with great labor) to a place farther up the river, called
Cedro Bueno. Thus they reembarked, and the canoes returned
for the rest ; so that about night tKey got all together at the
said place. The pirates much desired to raeet some Spaniards
or Indians, hoping to fill their bellies with their provisions,
being reduced to extremity and hunger.
The fourth day the greatest part of the pirates marched by

142 the BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
'land, being led by one'of the guides ; the rest went by water
farther up, being conducted by another guide, who always went
before them, to discover, on both sides the river, the. ambus
cades. These had also spies, who were very dexterous to give
notice of all accidents, or of the arrival of the pirates, six hours,
at least, before they came. This day, about noon, they came
near a post, called Torna Cavallos ; here the guide of the ca
noes cried out, that he perceived an ambuscade. His voice
caused infinite joy to all the pirates, hoping to find Some pro
visions to satiate their extreme hunger. Being come to the
place, they found nobody in it, the Spaniards being fled, and
leaving nothing behind but a few leathern bags, all empty, and
a few cruras of bread, scattered on the ground, where they
had eaten. Being angry at this, they pulled down a few little
huts which the Spaniards had made, and fell to eating the
leathern bags, to allay the ferment of their stomachs, which
was now so sharp, as to gnaw their very bowels. Thus they
raade a huge banquet upon these bags of leather, divers quar
rels arising concerning the greatest shares. By the bigness of .
the place, they conjectured about five hundred Spaniards had
been there, whora, finding no victuals, they were now infinitely
desirous to meet, intending to devour sorae of thera, rather
than perish.
Having feasted, theraselves with those pieces of leather, they
raarched on, till they came about night to another post, called
Torna Munni : here they found another ambuscade, but as bar
ren as the former. They searched the neighboring woods, but
could not find any thing to eat, the Spaniards having been so
provident, as not to leave, any where, the least crura of suste
nance ; whereby, the pirates were now brought to this extrem
ity. Here, again, he was happy that had reserved since noon
any bit of leather, to make his supper of, drinking after it a
good draught of water, for his comfort. Some, who .never
were out of their mothers' kitchens, may ask, how these pirates
could eat and digest those pieces of leather, so hard and dry.
Whom I answer, that could they once experiment what hun-
.ger,or rather famine, is, they would find the way as the pirates
did. For these first sliced it in pieces, then they beat it be
tween two stones, and rubbed it, often dipping it in water, to
make it supple and tender ; lastly, they scraped off the hair,
and broiled it. Being thus-cooked, they cut it^into small mor
sels, and ate it, helping it down with frequent gulps of Water,
which, by good fortune, they had at hand.
The fifth day, about noon, they came to a place called Bar-
baco: here they found traces of another ambuscade, but the

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 143
place totally as unprovided as the forrfter. At a small distance
were several plantations, which they searched very narrowly, but
could not find any person, animal, or other thing, to relieve their
extrerae hunger. Finally, having ranged about, and searched
a long tirae, they found a grot, which seemed to be but lately
hewn out of a rock, where were two sacks of meal, whe^t, and.
like things, with two great jars of wine, and certain fruits called
platanoes. Captaift Morgan, knowing some of his men were
now almost dead with hunger, and fearing the same of the rest,
caused what was found to be distributed among them who
,were in greatest necessity. Having refreshed themselves with
these victuals, they marched ' apew with greater courage than
ever. Such as were weak were put into the canoes, and those
commanded to land that were in then! before. Thus they
prosecuted their journey till late at night ; when coming to a
plantation, they took' up their rest, but without eating any
thing ; for the Spaniards, as before, had swept away all manner
of provisions.
'The Sixth day they continued their raarch, part by land and
part by water : howbeit, they were constrained to rest very
frequently, both for the ruggedness of the way, and their ex-
trenie weakness, which they endeavored to relieve by eating
leaves of trees and green herbs, or grass ; such was their mis
erable condition. This day, at noffn, they arrived at a planta
tion, where was a barn full of maize : immecfiately they beat
down the doors, and ate it dry, as much as they could devour ;
then they disj;ributed a great quantity, giving every man a good
allowance. Thus provided, and prosecuting their journey for
about an hour,, they came to another ambuscade. This they
no sooner discovered, but they threw away their maize, with
the sudden hopes of finding all things in abundance : but they
were rauch deceived, meeting neither Indians nor victuals, nor
any thing else : but they saw, on the other side of the river,
about one hundred Indians, who all fleeing, escaped. Some
few pirates leaped into the river to cross it, and try to take any
of the Indians, but in vain ; for being much more nimble than
the pirates,, they not only baffled them, but killed two or three
with their arrows ; hooting at them, and crying, " Ha ! perros,
a la savana, a la savana." "Ha! ye dogs, go to the plain,
go to the plain."
This day they could advance no farther, being necessita.ted
to pass the river, to continue their march on the other side.
Hereupon they reposed for that .night, though their sleep was
not profound ; for great murmurings were made at Captain
Morgan, and his conduct; some being desirous to return home.

144 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
while others would rather die there than go Ijack .
their undertaking: others, who had greater courage, .. .^
and joked at their discourses.' Meanwhile, they had a. guide,
who rauch coraforted thera, saying, it would not now be long
before they met with people from whom they should reap some
considerable advantage.
The seventh day, in the raorning, they raade clean their
arms, and every one discharged 'his pistol, or musket, with
out bullet, to try their fire-locks : this done, they crossed the
river, leaving the post where they had rested, called Santa
Cruz, and at noon they arrived at a village called Cruz. Being
yet far from the place, they perceived rauch smoke from the
chimneys : the sight»hereof gave them great joy, and hopes of
finding people, and plenty of good cheer. Thus they went on
as fast as they could, encouraging one another, saying, " There
is smoke coraes out of every house ; they are raaking good
fires, to roast and boil what we hre to eat ; " and the like.
At length they arrived there, all sweating and panting, but
found no person in the town, nor any thing eatable to re
fresh themselves, except good fires, which they wanted not;
for the Spaniards, before their departure, had every one set fire
to his own house, except the king's storehouses and stables.
They had not left bel^nd them any beast, alive or dead,
which much troubled their minds, not finding any thing but a
few cats and dogs, which they iraraediately killed, and devoured.
At last, in the king's stables, they found, by good fortune,
fifteen or sixteen jars of Peru wine, and a leathern, sack, full
of bread. No sooner had they drank of this wine, when they
fell sick, alraost every raan :.this raade thera think the wine
was poisoned, which caused a new consternation in the whole
camp, judging themselves now to be irrecoverably lost. But
the true reason was, their want of sustenance, and the raanifold
sorts of trash they had eaten. Their sickness was so great, as
caused thera to reraain there till the next morning, without be
ing able to prosecute their journey in the afternoon. This vil
lage is seated in nine degrees two minutes north latitude, dis
tant frora the River Chagre twenty-six Spanish leagues, and
eight frora Panaraa. This is the last place to which boats or
canoes can come ; for which reason they built here storehouses
for all sorts of merchandise, which to and from Panaraa are
transported on the backs of raules.
Here Captain Morgan was forced to leave his canoes', and
land all his men, though never so weak ; but lest the canoes
should be surprised, or take up too raany raen for their deferice,
he sent thera all back to the place where the boats were, except

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 145
one, which he hid, that, it might serve to carry intelligence.
Many of the Spaniards and Indians of this vihage having fled
to the near plantations. Captain Morgan ordered that none
should go out of the village, except companies of one hundred
together, fearing lest the eneray should take an advantage upon
his raen. Notwithstanding one party contravened these orders,
being terapted with the desire of victuals : but they were soon
glad to fly into the tpwn again, being assaulted with great fury
by sorae Spaniards and Indians, who carried one of thera away
prisoner. Thus the vigilancy and care of Captain Morgan were
not sufficient to prevent every accident.
Th(3 eighth day in the raorning. Captain Morgan sent two
hundred men before the body of his army, to discover the way
to Panama, and any ambuscades therein; the path being so
narrow, that only ten or twelve persons could march abreast,
and often not so raany. After ten hours' march, they came to
a place called Quebrada Obscur.a ; here, all on a sudden, three
or four thousand arrows were shpt at them'", they not perceiving
whence they came, or who shot them ; though they presumed
it was from a high rocky mountain, frora one side to the other,
whereon was a grot capable of but one horse, or other beast
laded. This raultitude of arrows much alarmed the pirates,
especially because they could n(!)t discover whence they were
discharged. At last, seeing no more arrows, they marched a
little farther, and entered a wood : here they perceived some
Indians to fly as fast as they could, to take the advantage of
another post, thence to observe their raarch ; yet there reraained
one troop of Indians on the place, resolved to -fight, and de
fend theraselves, which they did with great courage, till their
captain fe^l diiwn wounded ; who, though he despaired of life,
yet his valor being greater than his strength, would ask no
quarter, but endeavoring to raise hiraself, with undaunted mind
laid hold of his azagayo, or javelin, and struck at one of the
pirates ; but before he could second the blow, he was shot to
death. This was, also, the fate of many of his companions,
who, like good soldiers, lost their lives with their captain, for
the defence of their country.
The pirates endeavored to take some of the Indians prison
ers, but they being swifter than the pirates, every one escaped,
leaving eight pirates dead, and ten wounded : yea, had the In
dians been more dexterous in militaiy eiffairs, they might have
defended that passage, and not let one man pass. A little while
after, they carae to a large champaign, open, and full of fine •
meadows : hence they could perceive at. a distance before them
sorae Indians, on the top of a mountain, near the way by which
13

146 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
they were to pass.: they sent fifty men, the nimblest they had,
to try to catch any of them, and force them to discover their
companions ; but all in vain ; for they escaped by their nira-
bleness, and presently showed theraselves in another p^ace,
hallooing to the English, and crying, " A la savana, a la sa
vana, cornuclos, perros Ingleses : " that is, " To the plain, to
the plain, ye cuckolds, ye English dogs."' Meanwhile the ten
pirates, that were wounded, were dressed and plastered up.
Here was a wood, and on each side a raountain. The In
dians possessed theraselves of one, and the pirates ofthe other.
Captain Morgan was persuaded the Spaniards had placed an
ambuscade there, it lying so conveniently : hereupon he sent
two hundred men to search it. The Spaniards and Indians,
perceiving the pirates descend the raountain, did so too, as if
they designed tb attack them; but being got into' the wood,
out of sight of the pirates, they were seen no raore, leaving the
passage open.
About night fell a great rain, which caused the pirates to
raarch the faster, and seek for houses to preserve ^ their arms
frora being wet ; but the Indians had set fire to every one, and
driven away all their cattle, that the pirates, finding neither
houses nor victuals, raight be constrained to return : but, after
a diligent search, they found a few shepherds' huts, but in them
nothing to eat. These not holding raany men, fhey placed in
them, out of every company, a small number, who kept the
arms of the rest: those who remained in the open field" en
dured much haijiship that night, the rain not ceasing till
raorning. *
Next morning, about break of day, being the ninth of this
tedious journey. Captain Morgan marched on while the fresh
air of the morning lasted ; for the clouds, hanging yet over their
heads, were niuch more favorable than the scorching rays of
the sun, the way being now more difficult than before.. After
two hours' march, they discovered, about twenty Spaniards,
who observed their motions : they endeavored to catch some
of them, but could not, they suddenly disappearing, and ab
sconding themselves in caves among the rocks, unknown tb
the pirates. At last, ascending a high raountain, they discov
ered the South Sea. This happy sight, as if it were the end
of their labors, caused infinite joy among them ; hence they
could descry, also, one ship and six boats, which were set
forth from Panama, and sailed towards the islands of Tovago
and Tovagi^la. Then they carae to a vale where they found
rauch cattle, whereof they killed good store : here, while some
killed and flayed cows, horses, bulls, and chiefly asses, of which

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 147
there were raost, others kindled fires, and got wood to roast
them : then cutting the flesh into convenient pieces, or gobbets,
they threw them into the fire, and half carbonadoed or roasted,
they devoured them, with incredible haste and appetite ; such
was their hunger, as they more resembled cannibals than Eu
ropeans, the blood many times running down from their beards
to their waists. ¦
Having satisfied their hunger, Captain Morgan ordered them
to continue the raarch. Here, again, he sent before the main
body fifty men to take some prisoners, if they could ; for he
was much concerned, that in nine days he could; not meet one
person to inforra hira of the condition and forces of the Span
iards. About evening they discovered about _two hundred
Spaniards, who hallooed to the pirates, but they" understood.
not what they said. A little while after they carae in sight of
the highest steeple of Panama ; this ihey no sooner discovered,
but they showed signs of extreme joy, casting up their hats
into the air, leaping and shouting, just as if they had already
obtained the victory, and accomplished their designs. All their
trumpets sounded, and drums beat,, in token of thjs alacrity, of
their minds. Thus they pitched their camp for that night,
with general content of the whole army, waiting with impa
tience for the morning, when they intended to attack the city.
This evening appeared fifty horse, who came out of the city,
on the noise of the. drums and trumpets, to observe, as it was
thought, their motions ; they carae almost within musket shot
of the army, with a trumpet that sounded piarvellously well.
Those on horseback hallooed aloud to the pirates, and threat
ened them, saying, "Perros ! nos veremos ; " that is, " Ye dogs !
we shall meet ye." Having made this menace, they returned
to the city, except only seven or eight horsemen, who hovered
thereabouts to watch their motions. Imrriediately after thp city
fired, and ceased* not to play their biggest guns all night long
against the camp, but with little or no har,m to the pirates,
whom they could not easily reach. Now also the two hundred
Spaniards, whom the pirates had seen in the afternoon, appeared
again, making a show of blocking up the passages, that no pi
rates might escape their hands. But the pirates, though in a
fanner besieged, instead of fearing their blockades, as soon as
they had placed sentinels about their camp, opened their satch
els, and, without any napkins or plates, fell to eating, very
heartily, the pieces of bulls' and horses' flesh which they had
reserved since uoon. This done they laid theniselves down
to sleep on the grass, with great repose and satisfaction, ex
pecting pnly, with irapatience, the dawning of the next day.

148 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
The tenth day, betimes in the raorniUg, they put all their
raen in order, and, with druras arid trumpets sounding, marched
direetly towards the city; but one of the guides desired Cap
tain Mbrgan. not to take the comraon highway, lest they should
I find in it many ambuscades. He took his advice, and chose
another way through the wood, though very irksome and diffi-
,cult. The Spaniards, perceiving the pirates had taken another
way they scarce had thought on, were compelled to leave their
stops and batteries, and corae out to meet thera. The gov
ernor of Pianaraa put his forces in order, consisting of two squad-'
rons, four regiments of foot, and a huge number of wild bulls,
which Were driven by a great nuraber of Iridians, with some
negroes; and others to help thera. •
- The pira'tes,' now upon their march, came to the top of a
little hill, whence they had a large prospect of the city and
chapipaign country underneath. Here they discovered the forces
of the people of Panama, in battle array, to be so numerous,
that they we're surprised with ^ear, much doubting the fortune
of the day.. Yea, few or n«ne there were but wished thera
selves at home, or at least free from the obligation of that
engagement, it so nearly concerning their lives. Having been
some time wavering in their rainds, they at last reflected on
the straits they had brought theraselves into, and that now they
must either fight resbhitely, or die ; for no quarter could be ex
pected from an enemy on whora they had coraraitted so raany
cruelties. Hereupon, they encouraged one another, resolving
to conquer, or spend the last drop of blood. Then they divided
themselves into three battalions, sending before two hundred
Buccaneers, who were very dexterous at their guns. Then de
scending the hill, they marched directly.towards the Spaniards,
who in a spacious field waited for their coming. As soon
as they drew nigh, the Spaniards began to shout and cry,
"Viva el rey !" "God save the king ! " and iinmediately their
horse moved against the pirates. But the fields being full of
quags, and soft under foot, they could not wheel about as they
desired. The two hundred Buccaneers, who went before, each
putting one knee to the ground, began the battle briskly with
a full volley of shot ; the Spaniards defended themselves coura
geously, doing all they could to disorder the pirates. Their
foot endeavored to second the horse, but were constrained by
the pirates to leave thera. Finding theraselves bafiled, they
atterapted to drive the bulls against thera behind, to put thera
into disorder ; but the wild cattle ran away, frighted with the
noise of the battle ; only sorae few broke through the English
corapanies, and only tore the' colors in pieces, while the Bucca
neers shot every one of them dead.

THE BUCCANEEES OF AMERICA. 149
The battle having continued two hours, the greatest part of
the Spanish horse was ruined, and alraost allkilled ; the rest
fled, which the foot seeing, and that they could not possibly
prevail, they discharged the shot they had in their rauskets,
and throwing them down, fled away, every one as he could.
The pirates could not follow them, being too rauch harassed
and wearied with their long journey. Many, not being able
to fly whither they desired, hid theraselves, for that present,
araong the shrubs of the sea-side, but very unfortunately ; for
most of them, being found by the pirates, were instantly killed,
without any quarter. Some religious men were brought pris
oners before Captain Morgan ; but he, being deaf to their cries,
comraanded thera all to be pistolled, which was done. Soon af
ter, they brought a captain to hira, whora he examined very strict
ly ; particularly, wherein consisted the forces of those of Panama.
He answered, their whole strength consisted in four hundred
horse, twenty-four companies of foot, each of one hundred men
complete ; sixty Indians, and Some negroes, who were to drive
two thousand wild bulls upon the'English, and thus, by breaking
their files, put thera into a,total disorder. Besides that, in the
city they had raade , trenches, and raised batteries in several
places, in all which they had placed raany guns ; and that at
the entry of the highway, leading to the city, they had built
a fort, raounted with ei^t great brass guns, defended by
fifty men.
Captain Morgan, having heard this, gave orders instantly to
march another way ; but first he made a review of his raen,
whereof he found both killed and wounded a considerable
nuraber, and rauch greater than had been believed. Of the
Spaniards were found six hundred dead on the place, besides
the wounded and prisoners. The pirates, nothing discouraged,
seeing their nuraber so dirainished, but rather filled with great
er pride ; perceiving what huge advantage they had obtained
against their enemies, having rested some time, prepared to
march courageously towards the city, plighting their oaths to
one ano.ther, that they would fight till not a man was left alive.
With this courage they recomraenced their march, either to
conquer or be conquered ; carrying'with thera all the prisoners.
They found rauch difficulty in their approach to the city,
for within the town the Spaniards had placed raany great guns,
at several quarters, some charged with small pieces of iron, and
others with musket bullets. With, aU these they saluted the
pirates at their approaching, and gave them full and frequent
broadsides, firing at thera incessantly ; so that unavoidably they
lost at every step great nurabers of men. But these manifest
13*

150 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
dangers of their lives, nor the sight of so many as dropped con
tinually at their sides, could de'ter them from advancing, and
gaining ground every moment on the enemy. And though
the Spaniards never ceased to fire, and act the best they could
for their, defence, yet they were forced to yield, after three
hours' conibat. And the pirates having possessed themselves,
killed and destroyed all that attempted in the least to oppose
them: The inhabitants had transported the best of their goods
to more remote and occult places ; howbeit, they found in the
city several warehouses well stocked with merchandise, as well
silks and cloths, as linen, and other things of value. As'soon
as the first fury of their entrance was over. Captain- Morgan
assembled his men, and commanded them, under great penal
ties, not to drink or taste any wine ; and the reason he gave for
it was, because he had intelligence that it was all poisoned by
the Spaniards. Howbeit, it Was thought he gave these prtt-
dent orders to prevent the debauchery of his people, which he
foresaw would be very great at the first, after so much hunger
sustained by the vvay ; fearing, withal, lest the Spaniards, see
ing them in wine, should rally, and falling on the city, use them
as inhumanly as they had used the inhabitants before.

CHAPTER XX.
Captain Morgan sends Canoes and Boats to the South Sea. — He fires the City
of Panama. — Robberies and Cruelties committed there by the Pirates, till
their Return to the Castle of Chagre.
Captain Morgan, as soon as he had placed necessary guards
at several quarters, within and without the city, commanded
twenty-five men to seize a great boat, which had stuck in the
mud of the port, for want of water at a low tide. The same
day, about ripori, he caused fire privately to be set to several
great edifices of the city, nobody knowing who were the aii-
thoi-s thereof, rauch less on what motives Captain Morgan did
it, which are unknown to this day. The fire increased so, that
before night the greatest part of the city was in a flame. "Cap
tain Morgan pretended the Spaniards had done it,- perceiving
that his own people reflected on him for that action. Many of
the Spaniards, and sbme of the pirates, did what they could,
either to quench the flame, or by blowing up houses With gun
powder, and pulling down others, to stop it, but in vain ; for

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 151
in less than, half an hour it consumed a whole street. All the
houses of this city were built with cedar, very curious and
raagnificent, and richly adorned, especially with hangings and
paintings, -w^hereof part were before reraoved, and another great
part were consumed by fire.
There were in this city (which is the see of a bishop) eight
monasteries, seven for raen, and one for women ; two stately
churches, and one hospital. The churches and monasteries
were all richly adorned with altar pieces and paintings, rauch
gold and silver, with other precious things, all which the eccle
siastics had hidden. Besides which, here were two thousand
houses of raagnificent building, the greatest part inhabited by
raerCTiants vastly rich. For the rest of less quality, and trades-
raen, this city contained five thousand raore. Here were also
raany stables for the horses and mules, that carry the plate of
the king of Spain, as well as private men, towards the North
Sea. The neighboring fields are full of fertile plantations and
pleasant gardens, affording delieious prospects to the inhabitants
all the year. .
The Genoese had in this city a stately house for their trade
of negroes. This likewise was by Captain Morgan burnt to
the very ground. Besides which building, there were consumed
two hundred warehouses, and raany slaves, who had hid them
selves therein, with innuraerable sacks of raeal ; the fire of which
continued four weeks after it had begun. The greatest part of
the pirates still encamped without the city, fearing and expect
ing the Spaniards would come and fight them anew, it being
known they much outnumbered the pirates. This made thera
keep the field, to preserve, their forces united, now much di
rainished by their losses. Their wounded, which were raany,
they put into one church which remained standing, the rest
being consumed by tl^e fire. Besides these decreases of their
raen. Captain Morgan had sent a convoy of one hundred and fifty
raen to the castle of Chagre, to carry the .news of his victory
to Panaraa. '
They saw often whole troops of Spaniards run to and fro in
the fields, which raade thera suspect their rallying, which they
never had the courage to do. In the afternoon Captain Mor
gan reentered the city with his troops, that every one might
take up their, lodgings, which now they could hardly find, few
houses having escaped the fire. Then they sought very care-
tully among the ruins and ashes for utensils of plate or gold,
that were not quite wasted by. the flames. And of such they
found no small number, especially in wells and cisterns, where
the Spaniards had hid thera.

152 THE Buccaneers of America.
Next day Captain Morgan despatched away two troops of
one hundred and fifty raen each, stout and well arraed, to seek
for the inhabitants who were escaped. These having raade
several excursions up and down the fields, woods, and raoun
tains adjacent, returned after two days, bringing above two
hundred prisoners, men, women, and slaves. The sarae day
returned also the boat which Captain Morgan had sent to the
South Sea, bringing three other boats which they had taken.
But all these prizes they could willingly have given, and great
er labor into the bargain, for one galleon, which miraculously
escaped, richly laden with aU the king's plate, jewels and other
precious goods of the best and richest merchants of Panama.
On board which were also the religious women of the nuninery,
who had embarked with all the ornaments of their church, con
sisting in much gold, plate, and other things of great value.
The strength of this galleon was inconsiderable, having only
seven guns, and ten or *twelve rauskets, and very ill provided
of victuals, necessaries, and fresh water, having no raore sails
than the upperraost of the mainraast : this account the pirates
received from some, who had spoken with seven mariners^be-
longing to the galleon, who carae ashore in the cock-boat for
fresh water. Hence they concluded they might easily, have
taken it, had they given her chase, as they should have done ;
but they were impeded frora following this vastly rich prize,
by their lascivious exercises with women, which they had Car
ried and forced on board their boat. Tb this vice, were also
joined those of gluttony and drunkenness, having plentifully
debauched themselves with several rich wines they found
ready, choosing rather to satiate their lusts and appetites, than
to lay hold on such huge advantage ; since this only prize
would have been of far greater value than all they got at Pan
ama and the places thereabout. Next day, repenting of their
negligence, being weary of their vices and debaucheries, they
set forth another boat well armed, to pursue with all speed the
said galleon, but in vain, the Spaniards who were on board,
having had intelligence of their own danger one or tAvo days
before, while the pirates were cruising so near thera ; where
upon they fled to places more remote and unknown. *
The pirates found in the ports of the Island of Tavoga and
Tavogilla several boats laden with very good merchandise ;
all which they took, and brought to Panama, where they made
an exact relation of all that had passed to Captain Morgan.
The prisoners confirmed what the pirates said, adding, that
they undoubtedly knew where the galleon might the^n be, but
that it was very probable they had been relieved before now,

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 153
from other places. This stirred up Captain Morgan, anew, to
send fbrth all the boats in the port of Panaraa, to seek the said
galleon, till they could find her. These boats, being in all
four, after eight days' cruising to and fro, and searching several
ports and creeks, lost all hopes of finding her : hereupon, they
returned to "Tavoga and Tavogilla ; here they found a reason
able good ship newly come from Payta, laden with cloth, soap,
sugar, and biscuit, with twenty .thousand pieces of eight : this
they instantly seized, without the least resistance, as also a
boat, which was not far off, on which they laded great part of
the merchandises from the ship, with some slaves. With this
purchase they returned to Panama, soraewhat better satisfied :
yet, withal, rauch discontented that they could not raeet with
the galleon.'
The convoy which Captain Morgan had- sent to the castle
of Chagre returned much about the sarae tirae, bririging with
them very good news : for while Captain Morgan was on his
journey to Panama, those he had left in the castle of Chagre
had sent forth two boats to cruise. These met with a Spanish
ship, which they chased within sight of the castle : this being
perceived by the pirates in the castle, they put forth Span
ish colors, to deceive, the sKip that fled' before the boats ; and
the poor Spaniards, thinking to take, refuge under the castle,
were caught in a snare, and raade prisoners. The cargo on
board the said vessel consisted in victuals and provisions, than
which, nothing could be raore opportune for the castle, where
they began already to want' things of this kind.
This good luck of those of Chagre caused Captain Morgan
to stay longer at Panaraa, ordering several new excursions into
the country round about ; and while the pirates at Panaraa
were upon these expeditions, those at, Chagre were busy in pi
racies on the north sea. Captairi Morgan sent forth, daily, par
ties of two hundred raen, to raake inroads .into all the country
round about ; and when one party came back, another went
forth, who soon gathered much riches, and raany prisoners.
These being brought into the city, were put to the raost exqui
site tortures, to make them confess both otner people's goods
and their own. Here it happ^ed that one poor wretch was
found in the house of a person of quality, who had put on,
amidst the confusion, a pair of taffety breeches of his master's,
with a little siXyet key hanging out ; perceiving which, they
asked hira for the cabinet of the said key. His answer
was, he knew not what was become of it, but that, finding
those breeches in his raaster's house, he had made bold to
wear thera. Not being able to get any other answer, they

154 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
put hira on the rack, and inhumanly disjointed his arras; then
they twisted a cord about his forehead, which they wrung so
hard, that his eyes appeared as big as eggs, and were ready to
fall out. But with these torraents, not obtaining any positive
answer, they hung hira up by the testicles, giving hira raany
blows and stripes, under that intolerable pain and posture of
body. Afterwards they cut off -his nose and ears, and singed
his face with burning straw, till he could not speak; nor lament
his misery any longer : then, losing all hopes of any confession,
they bade a negro run hira through, which .put an end to his
life, and to their inhuman tortures. Thus did many others of
those miserable prisoners finish their days, the common sport
and recreation of these pirates being such tragedies.
They spared, in these their cruelties, no sex, nor condition ;
for as to religious persons, and. priests, they granted thera less
quarter than others, unless they could produce a considerable
sum sufficient for a ransom. Woraen were no better used, ex
cept they submitted to their filthy lusts ; for such as would not
consent, were treated with all the rigor imaginable. Captain
Morgan gave them no good exaraple in this point ; for when
any beautiful woman was brought prisoner to his presence, he
used all means, both of rigor and riiildness, to bend them to his
lascivious pleasure. For confirmation of which, I shall give a
short history bf a lady, whose virtue and constancy ought to be
transmitted to posterity.
Among the prisonera brought by the pirates from Tavoga
and Tavogilla, was a gentlewoman of good quality, and no
less virtue and chastity, wife to one of the richest merchants
theje. She was young, and so beautiful, as perhaps few in all
Europe surpassed her, either in coraeliness or honesty. Her
husband then was frora horae, being gone as far as Peru, about
his commerce and' trade. This virtuous lady, hearing of the
pirates' coming, had fled, with other friends and relations-, to
preserve her life from the cruelties and tyrannies of those hard
hearted enemies : but no sooner did she appear before Captain
Morgan, but she w^s designed for his pleasure. Hereupon, he
lodge'd her in an apartment by herself, giving her a negro, or
black woman, to wait on her, j^nd treated her with all the re
spect due to her quality. The poor afflicted lady begged, with
many sobs and tears, to lodge araong the other prisoners ; her
relations fearing that unexpected kindness of the coraraander
raight be a design on her chastity. But Captaih Morgan would
by no raeans hearken to her, but commanded she should be
treated with more particular care than before, and have her
victuals from, his own table.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 155
This lady had forraerly heard very strange reports concern
ing the pirates, as if they were not men, but, as they said, her
etics, who did neither invoke the blessed Trinity, nor believe
in Jesus Christ. But now she began to have better thoughts
of them, upon these civilities of Captain Morgan ; especially
hearing hira raany times swear by God, and Jesus Christ, iu
whom- she thought they did not believe. Nor did she think
them to be so bad, or to have the shapes of beasts, as had been
related. As to the name of robbers, or thieves, commonly giv
en them, she wondered not much at it, seeing, among all na-
tiqns of the universe, there were* wicked men, covetous to
possess the goods of others. Like this was- the opinion of ''
another woman bf weak understanding, at Panama, who used
to say, before the pirates came thither, she had a great curiosity'
to see a pirate ; her husband having often told her they were
not like other men, but rather irrational beasts. This silly wo
raan happening to see the first of them, cried out, aloud, " Je
sus-bless me ! these thieves are like us Spaniards."
This false civility of Captain Morgan towards this lady, as is
usual to such as pretend, and cannot obtain, was soon changed
into barbarous cruelty; for after three or four days- he came to
see her, and entertained her •\Vith lascivious discourses, desiring
the accomplishment of his lust. The virtuous lady constantly
denied him, •\yith rauch civility, and raany humble and modest
expressions; but Captain Morgan still persisted in his. base re
quest, presenting to her much pearl, gold, and whatever he had
that was precious and valuable ; but the lady, not wilUng to
consent, or accept his presents, showing herself like Susannah
for constancy, he presently changed his note, and addressed
her in another tone, threatening a thou.satid cruelties and hard
usages, to all which she gave only this resolute and positive
answer : " Sir, my life is in your hands ; but as to my body,ln
relation to that which you would persuade me to, my soul shall
sooner be separated from it, through the violence of your arms,
than I shall condes1?end to your request." Captain Morgan
understanding this her heroic resolution, commanded her to be
stripped of the best of her apparel, and imp'risoned in a dark
some, stinking cellar : here she was allowed a small quantity
of meat and drink, wherewith she had much ado to sustain
her life.
Under this hardship, the virtuous lady prayed daily to God
Almighty for constancy and patience : but Captain Morgan,
now thoroughly convinced of her chaste resolutions, as also
desirous to conceal the cause of. her hard usage, since many of
his corapanions corapassionated her condition, pretended she

156 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMEBICA.
held intelligence with the Spaniards, apd corresponded with
thera, abusing his lenity and kindness. I, myself, was fen eye
witness thereof, and could never have judged such constancy
and chastity to be found in the world, if ray own eyes and
ears had not assured rae thereof But of this incomparable
lady, I shall say something more, hereafter.
Captain Morgan, having now been at Panama full three
weeks, coraraanded all things to be prepared for his departure.
He ordered every corapany of men to seek so many beasts of
carriage, as might convey the whole spoil to the river where
his canoes lay. About this time there was a great ruraor that
' a considerable nuraber of pirates intended to leave Captain
Morgan, and that, taking a ship then in the port, they deter
mined to go and rob on the South. Sea, till they had got as
much as they thought fit, and then return homewards, by way
of the East Indies. For which purpose, they had gathered
much provisions, which they had hid in private places, with
sufficient powder, bullet?, and all other ammunition : likewise,
some great guns belonging to the town, rauskets, and other
things, wherewith they designed not only to equip their vessel,
but to fortify theraselves in sorae island, which, might serve
them for a place of refuge.
This design had certainly taken effect, had not Captain Mor
gan had timely advice of it from one of their comrades. Here
upon, he commanded the mainmast of the said ship tb be cut
down and burnt, with all the other boats in the port : hereby
the intentions of all, or most of his companions, were totally
frustrated. Then'Captain Morgan sent many of the Spaniards
into the adjoining fields and country, to seek for money, to
ransom, not only themselves, but the rest of the prisoners, as
likewise the ecclesiastics. Moreover, he commanded all the
artillery of the town to be nailed and stopped up. At the same
tirae he sent out a strong company of men to seek for the gov
ernor of Panama, of whom intelligence was brought, that he
had laid several ambuscades in the way by which he- ought to
return : 6ut they returned soon after,* saying, that they had not
found any sign df any such ambuscades. For confirmation
whereof, they brought some prisoners, who declared that the
said governor had had an intention of raaking sorae opposition
by the way, but that the men. designed to effect it were unwill
ing to undertake it ; so that, for want of means, he could not
put his design in -execution.
February 24, 1671, Captain Morgan departed from Panama,
or rather, fVom the place where, the eity of Panama stood ; of
the spoils whereof he carried with him one hundred and sev-

¦THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 157
enty-five beasts of carriage, laden with silver, gold, and other
precious things, Ijeside about six hundred prisoners, men, wo
men, children, and slaves. That day they came to a river,
that passes through a delicious plain, a league from Panama.
Here Captain Morgan put all his forces into good order, so as
that the prisoners -were in the middle, surrounded on all sides
with pirates, where nothing else was to be heard but lamenta
tions, cries, shrieks, and doleful sighs of so raany women and
children, who feared Captain Morgan 'designed to transport
thera all into his own country, for slaves. Besides, all those
miserable prisoners endured extrem,e Viunger and thirst, at that
time, which misery Captain Morgan designedly caused them to
sustain, to excite them to seek for money, to ransom them
selves, according to the tax he had set upon every one. , Many
of the women begged Captain Morgan, on their knees, with
infinite sighs and tears, to let thera return to Panama, there to
live, with their dear husbands and children, in little* huts of
straw, which they would erect, seeing they had no houses till
the rebuilding of the city. But his answer was, " he c,ame not
thither to hear laraentations, and cries, but to seek raoney ;
therefore they ought first to seek out that, wherever it was
to be had, and bring it to hira ; , otherwise, he would assur
edly transport thera all to such places whither they cared not
to go."
Next day, when the march began, those lamentable cries and
shrieks were renewed, so as it would have caused compassion
in the hardest heart : but Captain Morgan, as a man little giveri
to mercy, was not raoved in the least, "j^hey raarched in the
same order as before, one party of the pirates in the van,, the
prisoners in the middle, and the rest of the pirates in the rear ;
by whom the miserable Spaniards were at every step punched
and thrust in thejr backs and sides, with the blimt ends of their
arms, to raake thera march faster. T^hat beautiful and virtu
ous lady, riientioned before for her unparalleled ccnstancy and
chastity, was led prisoner by herself between two pirates. Her
lamentations now pierced the skies, seeing herself carried away
into captivity, often crying to the pirates, and telling them,
" that she had given orders to two religious persons^ in whom
she had relied, to go to a certain place, and fetch so much
money as her ransom did araount to ; that they had promised
faithfully to do it, but having obtained the money, instead of
bringing it to her, they had eraployed it in another way, to
ransora some of their own, and particular friends." This ill
action of theirs was discovered by a slave, who brought a let
ter to the said lady. Her coraplaints, and the cause thereof,
14

158

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

-«u-=— . ... .^ J.

THE BUCCANEEES OF AMERICA. " 159
being brought to Captain Morgan, he thought fit to inquire
thereinto. Having found it to be true, especially hearing it
confirraed, by the confession of the said' religious men, though
under, sorae frivolous excuses of having diverted the money
but for a day or two, in which time they expected more sums
to repay it, he gave liberty to the said lady, whom otherwise
he designed to transport to Jamaica. But he detained the said
religious raen, as prisoners in her place, using them according
to their deserts.
Captain Mofgan arriving at .the. town called Cruz, on the
banks of the River of Chagre, he published an order among
the prisoners, that within three days every one should bring in
their ransom, under the penalty of being transported to Jamai
ca, Meanwhile he gave orders, for so much rice and maize, to
be collected therftabouts, as was necessary for victualling his
ships. Here some of the prisoners were ransomed, but many
others could not bring in their money. Hereupon he contin
ued his voyage," leaving the village on the fifth of March fol
lowing, carrying with him all the spoil he could. Hence he
likewise led away some new prisoners, inhabitant's there, with
those of Panama, who had not paid their ransoms : but the
two religious raen, who had diverted the lady's money, were
ransomed three days after by other persons, -who had more
compassion for them than they had showed for her. About
the middle of the way to Chagre, Captain Morgan commanded
them to be- mustered, and caused every one to be sworn that
they had concealed nothing, not even to the value of sixpence.
This done. Captain Morgan knowing those lewd fellows would
not stick to svvear falsely for interest, he commanded every btie
to be searched very strictly, both in their clothes .and satchels,
and elsewhere. Yea, that this order riiight not be iirtaken by
his companions, he permitted himself to be searched, even to
his very shoes. To this effect, by common consent, one was
assigned out of every company, to be searchers of the rest.
The French pirates that assisted on this expedition disliked
this new practice of searching ; but being outnumbered by the
English, they were forced to submit, as well as the rest. The
search being over, they reembarked, and arrived at the Castle
of Chagre ou the ninth, of March. Here they found all things
in good order, excepting the wounded men, whom they had
Ifeft at their departure ; for of these, the greatest number were
dead of their wounds.
From Chagre, Captain Morgan sent, presently after his arrival,
a great boat to Ruerto Bello,with all the prisoners taken at the Isle
of St. Catherine, demanding of them a considerable ransora for

160 ' THE BUCCiNEERS OF AMERICA.
the Castle of Chagre, "vvfiere he then was, threatening otherwise
to ruin it. To this those of Puerto Bello answered, they would
not give one farthing towards the ransora of the said castle, and
the English raight do with it as they pleased. Hereupon, the
dividend was raade of all the spoil raade in that voyage ; every
corapany, and every particular person therein, receiving their
proportion, or rather, what part thereof Captain Morgan pleased
to give thera. For the rest of his corapanions, even of his own
nation, raurraured at his prqceeidipgs, and told him to his face,
that he had reserved the best jewels to himself; for they judged
it impossible that no greater share should belong to thera than
two hundred pieces of eight, per capita, of so raany valuable
plunders they had raade ; which sraall sum they thought too
little for so much labor, and such dangers as they had been ex
posed to. But Captain Morgan was deaf tor all this, and many
other like complaints, having designed to cheat thera of what
he could.
At last, finding himself obnoxious to raany censures of his
people, and fearing the consequence, he thought it unsafe to
stay any longer at Chagre, but ordered the ordnance of the cas
tle to be carried on board his ship : then he caused raost of the
walls to be demolished, the edifices to be burnt, and as many
other things ruined as could be done in a short tirae. T^'his
done, he went secretly on board his own ship, without giving
any notice to his companions, and put out lo sea, being only
fdllowed by three or four vessels of the whole fleet. These
were such (as the French, pirates believed) as went shares with
Captain Morgan in the best part of the spoil, which had been
concealed from them in the dividend. The Frenchmen could
willingly have revenged theraselves on Captain Morgan and
his follbwers,'had they been able to encounter hira at sea ; but
they were destitute of necessaries, and had rauch ado to find
sufficient provisions for their voyage to Jamaica, he having left
them unprovided for all things. ,

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. t61

CHAPTER XXI.
A "Voyage made by the Author along the Coast of Costa Rica, at his Return to
wards Jamaica.— ^ "What happened most remarkatjle in the said "Voyage. —
Some Observations then made by him. "
Captain Morgan left us all in such a miserable condition, as
lively represented what reward attends wickedness in the end ;
whence we ought to have learned to regulate and amend our
actions for the future. We were so reduced, that every compa
ny which was left, whether English or French, being com
pelled to help theraselves, raost of thera separated frora each
other, and several corapanies took several courses at their return
horaewards. ¦" That party to which I did belong, steered along
the coast of Costa Rica, to get provisions, and careen our ves
sel in some secure place or other ; for our boat was grown foul,
and unfit for sailing. In a few days we arrived at a great port,
called Bocca del Tore, where are always raultitudes of good
eatable tortoises. It is about ten leagues in corapass, suritiund-
ed with little islands, under which vessels may ride secure from
violent winds.
These islands are inhabited by Indians, who never could be
subdued by the Spaniards ; and hence they call them Indios
bravos, or wild Indians. They are divided, according to the
variety of their language, into several people, whence it is that
they are in perpetual wars. Towards the east side of this port
are sorae who forraerly did trade rauch with the pirates, selling
thera the flesh of divers aniraals which they hunt, as also all
sorts of fruits ; the exchange for Avhich was iron instruraents
which "the pirates brought, beads, and toys, whereof they made
great account for wearing, more than of precious jewels, which
they neither knew nor esteemed. But this coramerce failed,
the pirates comraitting raany barbarities, killing their raen, and
taking away their woraen, to serve their lust ; which put an
end to all friendship and coraraerce between thera.
We went ashore to seek provisions, our necessity being ex
treme ; but we could find nothing but a few eggs of crocodiles,
wherewith we were forced to be content. Hereupon we left
those quarters, and steered eastward. Upon this tack we met
three boats more of our own companions, who had been left
behind by Captain Morgan. These told us, they had been able
to find no relief for their extreme hunger, and that Ca.ptain
Morgan hiraself and his people were reduced to such miseryj
as he could afford them no more than one short allowance a day.
14*

162 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
Hearing thus that little or no good was to be expected by
sailing farther eastward, we changed our course westward.
Here we found a vast many tortoises more than we needed to
victual our boats, though for a long tirae. Being provided with
this sort of victuals, the next thing we wanted was fresh water.
There was enough to be had in the neighboring islands, but
we scarce dared to land, by reason of the enraity abovesaid,
between the pirates and Indians.^ But, necessity having no
law, we were 'forced to do as we could, not as we desired.
Hereupon we went all of us together to .one of the islands.
Being' landed, one party of our men ranged the woods, while
another filled the barrels with water. Scarce an hour was
past, when suddenly the Indians came upon Us, and one of our
men cried, "Arm, arra." We presently began to fire at them,
as hot as we could. This stopped thera, and, in a short time,
put them- to flight, sheltering themselves in the woods. We
pursued thera, but not far, desiring rather to get in our water,
than any advantage on the eneray. Coraing back, we found ,
two Indians dead on the shore : the habiliments of one showed
hira to be a person of quality among them, for he had about
his body a girdle, or sash, richly woven ; and on his face he
wore a beard of massy gold, I raean a small planch of gold
hung do"(Vn at his lips, by two strings, which run through two
little holes, raade there on purpose, that covered his beard, or
served instead thereofi His arras were made of sticks of palm-
ite-trees, very curiously wrought ; at one end whereof was a
kind of hook, which seeraed to be hardened with fire. We
should have spoke with sorae of these Indians, to reconcile
thera to us, and to renew the forraer trade, and obtain provis
ions, but it was irapossible, through the savageness of their
minds. However, we filled our, barrels with water, and car
ried thera aboard.
The night following, we heard frora shore huge cries and
shrieks among the Indians. These lamentations caused us to
believe that they had called in many raore people to their aid,
and that they lameiited the death of those two men. These
Indiaris never carae upon the sea, or ever built canoes, or any
vessels for navigation, .not so much as fisher-boats, of which
art of fishery they are ignorant. At last, having nothing else
to hope for in these parts, we resolved to depart for Jamaica.
Being set forth, we raet with contrary winds, which caused us
to use our oars, and row to the river of Chagre. When we
carae near it, we perceived a ship, that began to give us chase ;
we feeired it was a ship frora Carthagena, sent to rebuild and re
take possession of the Castle of Chagre, now the pirates had left

THE BUCCANEERS O^ AMERICA. 163
it. Hereupon we set our sail, and ran.before the wAd, to raake
our escape. But the vessel being ranch swifter and cleaner
than ours, easily got the wind of ^ us, and sjopped our eourse.
'Then approaching to us, we discovered thara to be our forraer
corarades in the expedition of Panaraa, but lately sent out from
Chagre. Their design was to go to Norabre de Dios, and thence
to Carthagena, to seek sorae purchase or other. But the wind
being contrary, they concluded to go in our corapany to the
plac^ whence we came, called Boco del Toro.
This accident and encounter retarded our journey .two days
raore than we could regain in a fortnight ; this obliged us to
return to our former station for a few days. Thence we di
rected our course for a place called Boca del Dragon, to get
provisions of flesh, especially of an aniraal by the Spaniards
called manentine, by the Dutch, sea-cow,, because its head, nose,
and teeth are very like those of a cow. They are found com
monly where, under the depth of the waters, it is fuU of grass,
on which it is thought they feed. They have no ears, but in
place of them, two little holes as wide as one's little finger.
Near the neck, they have two fins, under which they have two
udders, like the breasts of a woman. The skin is very close,
resembling the skin of a Barbary or Guinea dog. This skin on,
the back is two fingers thick, which, being dried, is as hard as
whalebone, and may serve to make walking staffs. The belly
is in all things like that of a cow, as far as the reins. Their
manner of engendering is the same with that of a land cow, the
male being every way like a bull. They conceive and breed
"but once. But what time they go with calf, I could not learn.
These fishes have a very acute sense of hearing, so as in taking
thera, the fishermen make not the least noise, nor row, unless
very slightly. For this reason they use certain instruments
for rowing, by the Indians called pagaros, by the Spaniards,
canelettas, with which they row without any noise to fright the
fish. While they are fishing, they speak not one to another, only
make signs. 'They dart them with a javelin as they do tor-
tbiseS ; but the point of the javelin somewhat differs, having
two hooks at the end, and being longer. These fishes are from
twenty to twenty-four feet long. Their flesh is good to eat,
being like in color to that of a land cow ; but in taste, to pork.
It has much fat, or grease, which the pirates melt, and keep in
earthern pots tb use instead of oil.
Once, when we could not do any good at this fishery, some
of our men going to hunt, and others to catch fish, we espied
a canoe with two Indians : these no sooner discovered our
vessels, but they rowed with all speed towards land, being un-

164 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
willing to hdve any thing to do with us pirates. We followed
thera to the shore, but being naturally nimbler than us, they es
caped into the woods. And, "what was moro, they drew ashore,
and carried with thera, their canoe into the wood, as easily
as if it had been straw, though it weighed above two thousand
weight ; this we knew by the canoe itself, which we found
afterwards, and had much ado to get into the water again,
though we were in all eleven persons to pull at it.
We had then with us a pilot, who had been often in those
parts ; this raan seeing this action of the Indians, told us, that
sorae few year? before, a squadron of pirates arriving at that
place, they went in canoes to, catch sorae little birds, which
frequent the sea-coast, araong very beautiful trees. While they
were busied, certain Indians who had clirabed the trees to view
thera, seeing the canoes underneath, suddenly leaped down
into the sea, and seized sorae of the canoes and pirates that
kept thera, both which they carried nirably so far into the
woods-, that the prisoners could not be relieved by their com
panions. Hereupon the adrairal of that squadron landed with
five hundred raen to rescue his raen, but they saw such a num
ber of Indians flock together to oppose thera, as obliged them
to retreat in haste to their ships, concluding, that if such forces
as those could not do any thing towards the recovery of their
corapanions, they ought to stay no longer there. Having heard
this history, we carae away, fearing sorae raischief, and bring
ing with us the canoe, in which we found nothing but a fish
ing net, not very large, and four arrows raade of palm-trees,
seven feet long each ; these arrows, we believed to be their
arras. The canoe we brought away was of cedar, but very
roughly hewn, which raade us think that those people have uo
instruraents of iron.
Leaving that place, we arrived in twenty-four hours at an
other, called Rio de Zuera, where were sorae few houses
belonging to Carthagena, inhabited by Spaniards, whom we
resolved to visit, not being able to find any tortoises, nor any
of their eggs. The inhabitants were all fled, leaving no victuals
nor provisions, so we were forced to' be content with a certain
fruit they called platanoes ; with these platanoes we filled our
boats, and continued our voyage, coasting along ' the shore to
find out sorae creek or bay, wherein to careen our vessel, which
now was so v^ry leaky, that night and day we were constrained
to put several raen, besides our slaves, to the pump. This
voyage lasted a fortnight, all which time we were under con
tinual fear of perishing. At last we arrived at a port called the
Bay of Blevelt, so named from a pirate who used to resort thither

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 165
as we did ; here one party of our men went into the woods
to hunt, while another undertook to refit and careen our
vessel. Our companions who went abroad to hunt found hereabouts
porcupines of a monstrous bigness. But their chief exercise
was killing of monkeys and birds, called by the Spaniards
faisans, or pheasants ; the toil of shooting seeraed, at least to
me, to be sufficiently corapensated with the pleasure of killing
the raonkeys ; for at these we usually raade fifteen or sixteen
shot, before we could kill three or four, so nimbly would they
escape our hands and aim, even after being much wounded.
Besides, it was diversion to see the female monkeys carry their
little ones upon their backs, just as the negroes do their children.
When any person passes under the trees where these monkeys
are sitting, they will coraraonly squirt their excrements upon
their heads and clothes ; likewise, if, shooting at a parcel of
thera, one happen to be wounded, the rest flock abqut hira, and
lay their paws on the wound to hinder the blood frora issuing
forth ; others gather moss frora the trees, and thrust into the
wound, and thereby stop the blood. At other tiraes they gath
er such or such herbs, and, chewing thera in their mouths, apply
thera as a poultice. All which caused in rae great adrairation,
seeing such strange actions in those irrational creatures, which
testified the fidelity and love they had for one another.
On the ninth day after our arrival, our woraen slaves being
busied in ordinary eraployraents of washing of dishes, sewing,
drawing water out of wells, which we had raade on the shore,
and the like, one of thera, who had seen a , troop of Indians
towards the woods, cried out, " Indians, Indians ! " We ran
presently to our arras, and their relief, but coraing to the wood,
we found no person there, but two of our woraen slaves killed
upon the place with arrows. In their bodies we saw so raany
arrows sticking, as if they had been fixed there with particular
care, for otherwise we know that one of thera was sufficient to
kill any raan. These arrows were all of a rare shape, being
eight feet long, and as thick as a raan's thurab ; at one end was ,
a hook, of wood, tied to the body of the arrow with a string, at
the other end was a case or box, like the case of a pair of tweez
ers, in which we found little pebbles, or stones ; the color was
very red, very shining, as if they had been long locked up, all
which we believed were the arms of their leaders. These
arrows \vere all made without instruraents of iron ; for what
ever the Indians make, they harden first artificially with fire,
and then polish them with flints.
These Indians are of a very robust constitution, strong, and

166 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
nimble at their feet. We sought carefuhy up and down the
woods, but could find no track of them, nor any of their canoes
nor floats which they use in fishing ; hereupon we retired to our
vessels, where, having erabarked all our goods, we put off frora
shore, fearing" lest, finding us there, they should return and
overpower \is.

CHAPTER XXII.
The Author departs towards the Cape of Gracias k Dios. — The Commerc.? of
the Pirates with the Indians. — His Arrival at the Island de los Pinos. — And
finally, his Return to Jamaica.
The great fear we had of those Indians, by reason of the
death of our two women slaves, raade us depart thence as fast
as we could, directing our course towards the Cape Gracias a
Dios, where we placed our last hopes of provisions ; for thither
usually resort many pirates, who friendly correspond with the
Indians there. Being arrived at the said cape, we rejoiced and
gave thanks to Almighty God, for having delivered us out of
so raany dangers, and brought us to this place of refuge, where
we found people who showed us most cordial friendship, and
provided us with all necessaries.
The custom here is, that wheii any pirates arrive, every one
has liberty to buy himself an Indian woraan, at the price of a
knife, or any old axe, wood-bill, or hatchet. By this contract,
the woman is obliged to remain with the pirate all the time he
stays there. She serves him in the mean while with victuals
of all sorts that the country affords. The pirate has. liberty
also to go when he pleases to hunt or fish, or about any
other divertisement, but is not to commit any hostility or
depredation on the inhabitants, seeihg the Indians bring him in
all" that he needs or desires.
Through this frequent converse of these Indians with the
pirates, they sometinjes go to sea with thera, and reraain with
thera whole years, without returning horae ; so that many of
them can speak English and French, and some of the pirates
their Indian language. Being very dexterous at their javelins,
they are useful to the pirates in victualling their ships, by the
fishery of tortoises and raanitas, a fish so called by the Span
iards. For one of these Indians is alone able to victual a ves
sel of one hundred raen. We had in our crew two pirates who
could speak the Indian language, by whose help I inquired into

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 167
their custoras, lives, and policy, whereof I shall give a brief
account. This island is about thirty leagues in circuraference ; it is
governed as a little coramonwealth, without any king, or sov
ereign prince ; neither do they entertain any friendship or cor
respondence with other neighboring islands, much less with
the Spaniards. They are in all but a small nation, whose
nuraber exceeds not sixteen or seventeen hundred persons.
They have among them few negro slaves, who happened to
arrive there, swiraraing after shipwreck raade on that coast.
For being bound for Terra Firraa, in a ship that carried thera
to be sold there, they killed the captain and raariners, with de
sign to return to their country, but being igriorant of navigation,
they stranded their vessel hereabouts. Though, as I said, they
raake but a small nation, yet they are as it were two sorts of
people ; of which one sort cultivate the ground, and make plan
tations ; but the other are so lazy, as they have no courage to
build themselves huts, much less houses. They frequent chief
ly the sea-coast, wandering up and down, without knowing or
caring so much as to cover their bodies from the rains, (which
are very frequent,) unless with a few palra-leaves ; these they
put on their heads, and keep their backs always to the wind.
They use no oth^r clothes than an apron, tied to their raiddle,
coraing down so as to hicfe their privities. Such aprons are
raade of the rinds of trees, which are strongly beat upon stones,
till they are softened ; the sarae they use for be'd-clothes, ex
cept a few, who make them of cotton. Their usual arras are
nothing but azagayas, or spears, which they raake fit for use
with points of iron, or teeth of crocodiles.
They know, after sorae raanner, that there is a God, yet they
live without any religion, or divine worship ; and, as far as I
can learn, they believe not in, nor serve, the devil, as many
other nations of America do ; hereby they are not so rauch tor
mented by bira, as other nations are. Their ordinary food, for
the raost part, consists in several fruits; such as bananas', ra-
coves, ananas, potatoes, cazave, as also crabs, and sorae few fish,
which they kill in the sea with darts. They are pretty expert
in making certain pleasant and delicate liquors ; the coraraon
est araong thera is called achioc. This is raade of a certain seed
of palra-tree, bruised and steeped in hot Avater, till it' be settled
at the bottom ; this liquor being strained off, hath a pleasant
taste, and is very nourishing. Other sorts of liquors they pre
pare, which I shall omit for brevity, only I shall say something
of that raade of platanoes ; the,se they knead with hot water,
and then put into great calabashes full of cold water, for eight

168 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
days, during "which it ferments as well as the best wine. This
liquor they drink for pleasure, and as a great regale, so that
when they invite their friends or relations, they cannot treat
thera better than with this pleasant drink.
They are very unskilful in dressing victuals, so that they*
seldora treat one another with banquets ; but when they invite
others, they desire thera to come and drink of their liquors.
Before the invited persons come to their house, those that ex
pect thera corah their hair very welf, and anoint their faces
"W'ith oil of palm, mixed with a black tincture, which renders
them very hideous. The women also ^aub their faces with
another sort of stuff, which makes them look as red' as crimson,
and such are their greatest ornaraents and attire. Then he
that invites takes his arras, which are three or four azagayas,
and goes out of his cottage three or four hundred steps, to wait
for and receive the invited 'persons. As soon as they draw
nigh, he falls on the ground, lying flat on his face, without any
motion, as if he "^as dead. Being thus prostrate, the invited
friends take him up, and set hira on his feet, and go all togeth
er to the hut. Here the persons invited use the sarae ceremo
ny, falling down on the ground, as the inviter did before ; but
he lifts them up one by one, and giving them his hand, con
ducts them into his cottage, where he causes thera to sit. The
woraen on these occasions use few ^r no cereraonies.
Being thus brought into the house, they are presented every
one with a calabash, of about four quarts, full of achioc, alraost
as thick as water gruel, or children's pap ; these they are to
drink off, and get down at any rate. The calabashes being
eraptied, the raaster of the house, with many cereraonies, goes
about the room, and gathers his calabashes ; and this drinking
is reckoned but for one Welcome. Afterwards, they drink of the
achioc above mentioned, to which they are invited ; then fol
low many songs, dances, and a thousand caresses, to the women ;
so that soraetimes, for a testiraony of their love, they take their
darts, and with the points, pierce and wound their genital parts.
This I could not believe, though often affirraed to rae, tiU ray
own eyes were witnesses of these and the like actions ; neither
only on this occasion do they use this cereraony of piercing
their genitals ; but also when they raake love to any woman,
thereby they let thera understand the greatness of their affec
tion arid constancy.
They raarry not any young raaid without the consent of her
parents. If any one desires to take a wife, he is first examined
by the damsel's father, concerning several points of good hus
bandry. These are comraonly whether he can make azagayas,

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 169
i
darts for fishing, or spin a certain thread, whifch they use about
their arrows. Having answered to satisfaction, the examiner
calls to his daughter for, a little cdlabash full of achioc ; of this
he drinks first, then gives the cup to the young man, and he
to the bride, who drinks it up, and with this only cereraony
the raarriage is raade. When any one drinks to the health of
another, the second person is to drink up the liquor left in the
calabash. But in case oftraarriage, as was said, it is consumed
only araong thera three, the bride obtaining the greatest share.
When the woman lies in, neither she nor her husband ob
serve the tirae custoraary araong the Caribbees. But as soon
as the woraan is delivered, she goes to the next river, brook, or
fountain, arid washes the new-born creature, swathing it up in
certain rowlers, or swathbands, there called cabalas.- 'This
done, she goes about her ordinary labor. When the raan dies,
his wife buries hira with all his^azagayars, aprons, and ear jew
els ; and coraes every day to her husband's grave, bringing hira
raeat and drink for' a whole year after. Their years they
reckon by the raoons, allowing fifteen to every year, which
raake their entire circle, as our twelve raonths do ours.
Sorae writers of the Caribbee Islands affirra that this cererao
ny of carrying victuals to the dead is general araong thera,
and that the devil coraes to the sepulchres, and carries away the
raeat and drin'k. But I know the contrary, having often rayself
taken away these offerings, and eaten thera ; knowing that the
fruits used on these occasions were of the choicest, and the liquor
of the best sort. The widow having cojnpleted her year, opens
the grave, and takes out all her husband's bones ; these she
scrapes, and washes very "\Vell, and dries in the sun ; then she ties
thera all together, and puts thera into a cabalas, or satchel, and .is
obliged for anather year to carry thera upon her back by day,
and sleep upon them by night, till the year is out ; then she
hangs up the bag and bones against the post of her own door,
if she be mistress of a house ; if not, she hangs thera at the
door of "her next neighbors or relations.
The widows cannot raarry the second tirae, according to
their custoras, till after two years' end. The raen are bound to
perforra no such cereraonies for their wives ; but if any pirate
raarry an Indian woman, she is bound to do in all things as if
he were an Indian. The negroes on this island live in all re
spects according to their own customs. Now I shall continue
the account of our voyage.
After we had refreshed and provided ourselves as well as we
could at this island, we steered towards the Island de los Pinos.
Here we arrived in fifteen days, and were constrained, to refit
15

170 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
our vessel, which- now again was very leaky, and not fit for
sailing any farther. Hereupon we divided ourselves as before,
sorae to careening the ship, others to fishing. In this lastwc
were so successful, as to take, in six or seven hours, fish suffi
cient for one thousand persons. We had with us some Indians
frora the Cape of Gracias a Dios, very dexterous both in hunt
ing and fishirig ; with whose help we soon killed likewise, and
salted, a huge nuraber of wild cows, enough to satiate our hun
gry appetites, and to victual our vessel. These cbws were
forraerly brought into this island by the Spaniards, that they
raight here multiply and stock the country. We salted also a
vast number of tortoises, which are here very plentiful. These
things made us forget the miseries we had lately endured, and
we began to call one another again by the name of brothers,
which was customary amongst us, but had been disused in our
miseries. While we continued here, we feasted ourselves very plenti-^
fuUy, without fear of enemies". For as to the Spaniards on the
island, they were in friendship with us ; only we were- con-
Strained to keep watch and ward every night for fear of the
crocodiles, which swarra all over the island. For these, when
they are hungry, will assault any raan and devour hira ; as it
happened to one of our companions, who being, gone into the
wood, in company with a negro, they chanced Upon a croco
dile, which with incredible agility assaulted the pirate, and,
fastening upon his leg, cast him on the ground, the negro es
caping by flight. Yet he, being a robust and a courageous
man, drew forth a knife he had then about him, and after a
dangerous combat, stabbed the crocodile, which "done, himself,
tired with the battle, and weakened with loss of blotid, lay for
dead dn the place. Being so found by the negro, who returned
to see what was become of hira, he took him on his back, and
brought him to the sea-side, though a whole league off, where
we put him into a canoe, and conveyed him on board.
After this, none of our men dared tb enter the woods without
good company ; and ourselves, desirous to revenge the disaster
of our companion, went in troops next day to the woods, to find
out crocodiles to kill. These animals would come every night
to the sides of our ship, and offer to clirab up into the vessel.
One of these, one night, was seized with an iron hook ; but he,
instead of fiying to the bottora, began to mount the ladder of
the ship till we killed hira with other instruraents. After we
had reraained there sorae tirae, and refreshed ourselves, we set
sail for Jamaica. Here we arrived in a few days, after a pros
perous vovage, and found Captain Morgan got home before us ;

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 171
but had seen, as yet, none of his companions whom he left be
hind, we being the first that arrived there after himj
He was then very busy in persuading and levying people to
transport to the Isle of St. Catherine, which he designed to
fortify, and hold for a coraraon refuge to all pirates, especially
of his own nation, as was said ; but this design was soon hin
dered by the arrival of a man-of-waij frora England, which
brought orders from his majesty of Great Britain, to recall the
governor of Jaraaica to the court of England, to give an ac
count of his favoring the pirates in those parts, to the vast det-
riraent of the subjects of the king of Spain ; the said raan-of-
war bringing over also a new- governor of Jamaica, in place of
the precedent. This gentleman entering on the governraent
of the island, presently gave notice to all the ports, by several
boats sent forth to that intent, of the good correspondence the
king of England resolved to maintain in those parts of the
world towards his Catholic majesty, his subjects, and dorain
ions ; and that, for the future, he had received frora his sacred
raajesty and privy council strict and severe orders not to per
rait any pirate to set fqrth frora Jaraaica, comrait any hostility
or depredation on the Spanish nation or dorainions, or any other
people of those neighboring islands.
These orders being sufficiently divulged, the pirates who
were abroad at sea began to fear thera, so as they dared not
return to the said island, but kept the seas, and continued to
act what hostilities they could. The same pirates took and
ransacked a considerable town in the Isle of Cuba, called La
Villa de los Calos, which we mentioned in the description of
the said island. Here they committed again all sorts of inhu
man and barbarous cruelties ;. but the new governor of Jamaica
behaved himself so constant to his duty, and the orders he had
from England, that he apprehended several of the chief actors,
and caused them to be hanged. This severity made those re
maining abroad take warning, and retire to the Island of Tor
tuga, lest they should fall into" his hands. Here they joined
with the French pirates, inhabitants there, in whose company
they continue to this day.

172 THE RUCCANEERS' OF AMERICA.

CHAPTER XXIII.
The Relation of the Shipwreck which Monsieur Bertram Ogeron, Governor of
Tortuga, suffered nigh the Isles of GuadaniUas. — He and his Companions fall
into the Hands of the Spaniards. — By what Arts he escaped their Hands, and
preserved his Life. — The Aiterprise against Puerto RicO to deliver his People,
and its imfortunate Success.
After that expedition of Panama, the inhabitants of the
French islands in America, in 1673, (while the war was so
fierce in Europe between France and Holland,) gathered a
considerable fleet to possess theraselves of the islands belonging
to the United Provinces in the West Indies. To this effect,
their adrairal raised all the pirates and ,volunteers that he could
persuade ; and the governor of Tortuga caused to b#built a good
strong raan-of-war, which he named Ogeron, and provided very
well with ammunition, and manned with five hundred Bucca
neers, resolute raen, being the vessel he designed for hiraself.
Their first intention was to take the Isle of Curasao, belonging
to the said States of Holland ; but this design miscarried, by
reason of a' shipwreck. *
Ogeron set sail from Tortuga, as soon as things were ready,
to join the fleet, and pursue the said enterprise : being arrived
on the west of St. John de Puerto Rico, he was suddenly sur
prised with a violent storra, to that degree, as shook his new
frigate against the rocks, near the islands called GuadaniUas,
and broke it in a thousand pieces ; yet being near the land of
Puerto Rico, all his raen saved their lives in their boats.
Next day, being got on shore, 'they were discovered by the
Spaniards inhabiting the island, who, taking thera to be Frehch
pirates, that meant to take the island anew, as they had done
before, they alarraed the whole country, and, gathering their
forces together, marched against thera ; and they found them,
for want of arras, not able to make any defence, begging quar
ter for their lives, as the custom is. But the Spaniards, re
membering the horrible cruelties those pirates had raany times
comraitted, would have no compassion pn them ; but answer
ing them, " Ha ! ye thievish dogs, here 's no quarter for you ! "
they assaulted them very furiously, and killed most of thera.
At last, perceiving they made no resistance, nor had any arms
to defend themselves, they began to relent, taking prisoners as
many as remained alive.
But, being still persuaded that those unfortunate people came
with design to take again and ruinate the island, they bound them

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 173
with cords, two and two, or three and three together, and drove
thera through the woods into the open fields. Being corae
thus far with thera, they asked thera what was become of
their leader : they constantly raade answer, he was drowned
in the shipwreck, though they knew it was false. Por Ogeron,
being unknown to the Spaniards, behaved hiraself araong them
as an innocent fool, and in his actions miraicked the natural so
well, that he was not tied as the rest of his corapanions, but let
loose to serve the pleasure and laughter of the common sol
diers. These, now and then, would give hira scraps of bread
and other victuals, whereas the rest of the prisoners had never
sufficient to satisfy their hungry stomachs, their allowance
frotn the Spaniards being scarce enough to preserve thera alive.
There was araong the French pirates a surgeon, who, having
done some remarkable services to the Spaniards, was unbound
and set at liberty to go freely up and down, even as Ogeron
did. To this surgeon, Ogeron declared his resolution of at
tempting an escape frora the cruelty and hard uSage of those
enemies, which they did by fieeing to the woods, there to raake
soraething or other wherein to transport themselves elsewhere,
though they had nor could obtain no other thing in the world
that could be serviceable in building of vessels, but one only
hatcbet. Thus they began their raarch towards the woods,
nearest .the sea-coast. Having travelled all day long, they
came about evening to the sea-side, almost unexpectedly, but
without any thing to eat, or any secure place to rest their wea
ried lirabs. At last they perceived, nigh the shore, a huge
quantity of fishes, called by the Spaniards, corladados. These
frequently approach the sands of the shore, in pursuit of other
little fishes that serve them for their food. Of these they took
as many as they thought necessary, and by rubbing two sticks
- briskly together, they kindled fire, wherewith they raade coals
to roast them. Next day they began to cut down and prepare
timber, to make a kind of small boat to pass over to the Isle .of
Santa Cruz, which belongs to the French.
While they were busied about their work, they discovered,
at a great distance, a canoe steering directly towards the place
where they were. This putting them in some fear, lest they
should be found and taken again by the Spaniards, they retired
into the woods, till they could discern what people were in the
canoe. At last, perceiving them to be no more than two men,
who seemed to be fisherraen, they concluded to hazard their
lives, and, overcoraing thera, to seize the canoe. Soon after,
they perceived one of thera, who was a raulatto, to go with
calabashes hanging at his back, towards a spring not far off, to
15*

174 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. •
take in fresh water. The other, who was a Spaniard, staid be
hind him for his return. Seeing them divided, they assaulted
the mulatto first, and, by a great blow on his head with the
hatchet, they despatched him. The Spaniard, upon the noise,
made towards the canoe, thinking to escape, but he was over
taken by the two, andrkilled. Having compassed their design,
they fetched the corpse of the mulatto, and cast both into the
middle of the sea, to be consumed by the fish, by this means
to conceal this fact forever frora the Spaniards.
This done, they took in as rauch fresh water as they could,
and set sail thence to seek some place of refuge. That day they
steered along the coasts of Puerto Rico, and came to Cabo
Roxo. Hence they traversed directly to Hispaniola, where
many of their own comrades and companions were to be found.
The currents of the waters and winds were very favorable, so
as in a few days they arrived at a place called Samana, in the
said island, where they found a party of their own people.
Ogeronbeing landed at Samana, ordered the surgeon to levy
all the people he could in those parts, while he, departed to re
visit his government of Tortuga ; where being arrived, he used
all his endeavors to gather vessels and men to his assistance ;
so that in a few days he got a good nuraber of both, well
equipped and disposed to follow hira. These were to go to
St. John de Puerto Rico, and deliver his fellows, whora he had
left in the miserable condition as was said before. Having em
barked all the people, which the surgeon had levied at Sama
na, he made them a speech, telling them, " You raay all expect
great spoil and riches from this enterprise, and therefore let all
fear and cowardice be set aside ; on the contrary, fill your
hearts with courage and valor, for thus you will find yourselves
soon satisfied, bf what at present bare hopes do promise. " Every
one much relied on these proniises of Ogeron, and from his
words conceived no small joy in their minds. Thus they set
sail f(-om Tortuga, for the coasts of Puerto Rico. Being come
within sight of land, they used only their lower sails, that they
might not be discovered by the Spaniards, till they came near
the place where they intended to land.
The Spaniards, notwithstanding this caution, having had in
telligence of their coming, were prepared for a defence, having
posted many troops of horse along the coasts to watch their
descent. Ogeron, perceiving their vigilancy, ordered the ves
sels to draw near the shore, and shoot off many great guns,
which forced ''the cavalry to retire within the woods: here lay
concealed many companies of foot, prostrate on the ground.
So the pirates made their descent at leisure, and began to enter

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 175
araong the trees, scarce suspecting any harra to be where the
horsemen could do no service ; but no sooner were they fallen
into this arabuscade, than the Spaniards arose and assaulted
them so courageously, that they soon destroyed great part of
thera. Thus leaving great numbers dead on the place, the rest
very hardly escaped by flight to their ships.
Ogeron, though he escaped this danger, yet could willingly
have perished in the fight, rather than suffer the shame which
the ill success of this enterprise was like to bring Upon his rep
utation : beside that, those that he had attempted to rescue
were now cast into greater miseries. Hereupon they hastened
back to Tortuga, the same way they came, with great confu
sion in their minds, much diminished in their number, and ut
terly disappointed of those spoils, the subject of their hopes,
and of the promises of the unfortunate Ogeron. The Span
iards were very vigilant, and kept'their posts near the sea-side
till the fleet of pirates was out of sight. Meanwhile they made
an end of killing such of their eneraies, as, being desperately
wounded, could not escape by flight, and cut off several limbs
from the dead bodies, to show thera to the former prisoners, for
whose rescue these others had crossed the seas.
The fleet being gone, the Spaniards made bonfires and^reat
demonstrations of joy for their Victory ; but the French pris
oners, who were there before, endured more hardship than ever.
Of their misery and_ misusage, Jacob Binkes, governor at that
tirae, in America, for the states general of the United Prov
inces, wa's an eye-witness ; for he arriving in that juncture, at
Puerto Rico, with some men-of-war, to buy provisions and
other necessaries, he so pitied their misery, as to bring away
by stealth five or six of them, which only exasperated the
Spaniards ; for soon after they sent the rest of the prisoners to
the chief city of the island, to wprk and toil about the fortifi
cations which then were raaking, forcing them to bring and
carry stones, and all sorts of materials : these being finished,
the governor transported them to Havana, where they employed
them also in fortifying "that city. Here they made them work
by day, and at night they shut them up as close prisoners,, lest
they should enterprise upon the city ; for of such attempts the
Spaniards had had divers proofs, which gave them sufficient
cause to use them so.
Afterwards, at several times, when ships arrived from New
Spain, they transported them by degrees into Europe, and land
ed them at Cadiz ; but notwithstanding this care of the Spau-
iards to disperse them, they soon after met almost all in France,
and resolved to return to Tortuga, with the first opportunity.

176 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
To this effect they Assisted one another very lovingly, with
what necessaries they could, according to every one's condi
tion ; so that in a short while the greatest part had nested
theraselves again at Tortuga, their place of rendezvous. Here
they equipped again a new fleet to revenge their forraer mis
fortunes on tfie Spaniards, under the conduct of one Le Sieur
Main.tenon, a Frenchraan ; with this fleet, he arrived at the Isl
and de la Trinidad, between the Isle of Tabago and the coasts
of Paria. This island they sacked, and after put to the ransom
of one hundred thousand pieces of eight. Hence they departed
with design to take and pillage the city of Caraccas, over against
the Island of Curasao, belonging to the Hollanders.

CHAPTER XXIV.
Encounters at the Islands of Cayana and Tabago, between' the Count d'Es
trees, Admiral of France, in America, and "the Heer Jacob Binkes, Vice
Admiral of the United Pro'nnces.
It is already known to the greatest part of Europe, that the
prince of Courland began to establish a colony in the Island
of Tobago, and that sorae tirae after his people, for want of
tiraely recruits, abandoned the sarae, leaving it to the next oc
cupant. Thus it fell into the hands of Adrian and 'Cornelius
Lampesius, natives of Flissing, in Zealand, who, arriving there
in 1654, they fortified it by the order of the states general,
building a goodly castle, in a convenient situation, capable of
hindering the assaults of any enemies.
The strength of this castle was afterwards sufficiently tried
by Monsieur d'Estrees,. as I shall relate, after I have first told
you what happened before Cayana, in 1676. This year the
states general sent the vice-adrairal, Jacob Binkes, to the Isl
and of Cayana, then in possession of the French, to repbssess
it. With these orders he set forth frora Holland, March 16, in
the said year, with a fleet of seven men-of-war, one fire-ship,
and five other small vessels. This fleet arrived at Cayana,
May 4, next following. Upon their arrival, the Heer Binkes
landed nine hundred raen, who, approaching the castle, sum-
raoned the governor to surrender at discretion. He answered,
" he thought of nothing less than surrendering, but that he and
his people were resolved to defend theraselves to the utmost."
The Heer Binkes having received this answer, presently com-

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 177
j:aanded his troops to attack the castle on both sides at orice :
the assault was very furious, but at length the French, being
very few, and overwhelraed with the multitude of their ene
mies, surrendered both their arms and the castle". In itwere
found thirty-seven pieces of cannon. The governor, named
Monsieur Lesi, with two priests, were sent into Holland. The
Heer Binkes lost in the combat fourteen raen only, and had
seventy-two wounded.
The French king no sooner understood this, but he sent in
October following the Count d'Estrees, to retake the said island
frora the Hollanders. He' arrived there in December, with a
squadron of men-of-war, all well equipped and provided. Being
come as far as the River Apercrvaco, he raet with a small vessel
of Nantes, which had set forth frora Cayana but a fortnight
before, which gave him intelligence of the condition, wherein
he might pe certain to find the Hollanders at Cayana. They
told him there were three hundred raen in the castle, that all
about it they had fixed strong palisadoes or empalements,
and that within the castle were raounted twenty-six pieces 'of
cannon. Monsieur d'Estrees being enabled with this intelligence to
take his own raeasures, proceeded on his voyage, and arrived at
the port of the said island, three leagues from the castle : here
he landed eight hundred men, in two several parties ; one he
placed under the Count de Blinac, and the other under Mon
sieur de St. Faucher. On board the fleet he left Monsieur Ca
baret, with divers other principal troops, which he thought noj
necessary to be landed. The men being set on shore, tho fleet
weighed anchor, and sailed ^ery slowly tpwards the castle, while
the soldiers marched by land. These could not travel othCT-
wise than by nights, by reason of the excessive heats arid intoU
erable exhalations of the earth, which here is very sulphurous,
and no better than a smoky and stinking oven.
October 19," the Count d'Estrees sent Monsieur de Lesi, (who
had been governor of the island, as was said before,) demanding
of them to deliver the castle to the obedience of the king
his master, and to him in his sovereign's name. But those
within resolved not to yield, but at the expense of their lives
and blood ; which answer they sent to Monsieur d^Estrees.
Hereupon the French, the next night, stormed tbe castle jpn
seven several sides at once. The defendants having done their
duty, and fought with as rauch valor as possible, were at last
forced to surrender, having thirty-eight persons killed, besides
raany wounded. All the prisoners were trarisported into
France, where they were used with great hardship. -

178 THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA.
Monsieur d'Estrees having settled all things at the Isle of
Cayana, departed thence for Martinico, where, being arrived, he
was told that the Heer Binkes was then at the Island of "To
bago, and his fleet lay at anchor in the bay. Upon this intel
ligence. Monsieur d'Estrees raade no long stay there, but steered
directly for Tobago. No sooner was he come nigh the island,
but Vice Adrairal Binkes sent his land forces with a good num
ber of mariners on shore, to raanage and defend the artillery
there. These forces were commanded by the Captains Vander
Graaf, Van Dongen, and Ciavone, who labored very hard all
that night in raising batteries, and filling up the palisadoes of
the fortress called Sterrschans.
Two days after, the French fleet came to an anchor in the
Bay of Paimet, and iraraediately in eighteen boats they landed
all their raen. The Heer Binkes perceiving the French upon
the hills, gave orders to burn all the houses near the castle, that
the French raight have no place to shelter themselves there.
February 23, Monsieur d'Estrees sent a drum to the Hollanders
to demand the surrendry of the fort, which was absolutely de
nied. Thus things continued till the 3d of March : on this
day the French fleet came with full sail, and engaged the
Dutch fleet, and the dispute was very hot on both sides: mean
time, the land forces of the French being sheltered by the
thickness of the woods, advanced towards the caStle, and
'stormed it very briskly ; but were repulsed by the Dutch with
such vigor, as caused thera after three several attacks to retire,
with the loss of above one hundred and fifty raen, and two
hundred wounded ; these they carried off, or rather, dragged
away, with no sraall difficulty, by reason of their disorderly
retreat. All this while the two fleets continued the corabat, and
fought very desperately, till on both sides sorae ships were
consuraed between Vulcan and Neptune ; of this nuraber was
Monsieur d'Estrees's owri ship, raounted with twenty-seven
guns of prodigious bigness, besides sraaller pieces. The battle
lasted frora break of day till evening ; a little before which
time Monsieur d'Estrees quitted the bay with the rest of the
ships to the Hollanders, except two, which were stranded un
der sail, having gone too high within the port, leaving the vic
tory to the Hollanders, though with the loss of several ships
theft were burnt.
Monsieur d'Estrees finding hiraself under the sharae of this,
defeat, and that he could expect no advantage for the present,
over the Island of Tobago, set sail thence March 18, and June
21 he arrived at Brest, in France. Having given an account

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 179
of himself to the king, he was commanded to undertake again
the enterprise of Tabago. To this effect he ordered eight great
men-of-war and eight sraaller, to be equipped with all speed,
with which Monsieur d'Estrees set sail frora the said port of
Brest, October 3 following, and arrived Deceraber 1 at Barba
does. Having received some recruits from Martinico, he sent
beforehand to review Tabago, and set sail directly for the same,
where he arrived December 7, with all his fleet.
Iraraediately he landed 'five hundred raen under Monsieur De
Blinac, governor of the French islands in America. These
were followed soon after by a thousand raore. December 9,
they approached within six hundred paces of a post called Le
Cort, where they landed the artillery designed for this enter
prise. On the 10th, Monsieur d'Estrees went in person to
view the castle, and demanded of the Heer Binkes, by a mes
senger, the surrendry thereof, which was generously denied.
Next day the French advanced towards the castle, and on the
l2th the Dutch frora within fired at them without intermission.
The French began their attack by casting fire-balls into the
castle with main violence : the very third ball that was cast
in happened to fall in the pathway that led to the storehouse,
where the powder and araraunition was kept ; in this path was
much powder scattered, through the negligence of those that
carried it to and fro, for the necessary supply of the defendants, -
which by this means taking fire, it ran in a raoraent to the
storehouse, which suddenly was blown up, and with it Vice
Adrairal Binkes hiraself, and all his officers, only captain Van
Dongen remained alive. This mischance being perceived by
the French, they instantly ran with five hundred men, and
possessed themselves of the castle : here they found three hun
dred men alive, whom they took prisoners, and transported into
France. Monsieur d'Estrees, after this, comraanded the cas
tle to be deraolished, with other posts that raight serve for any
defence, as also all the houses stariding upon the island : this
done, he departed thence Deceraber 27, and arrived again in
France, after a prosperous voyage.

180 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

CHAPTER XXV.
Captains Sharp, Cojfon, Sawkins, and others, set sail for the Province of Da
rien, upon the dontinent of America. — Their Designs to Pillage and Plunder
in those Parts. — Number of their Ships, and strength of their Forces, by Sea
and Land. » •
At a place called Bocca del Toro was the general rendezvous
o£ the fleet, which lately had taken and sacked Puerto Bello
the second tirae ; that rich place having been taken once before,
under the conduct of Sir Henry Morgan. At this place were
two other vessels ; the one belonging to Captain Peter Harris,
the other to Captain Richard Sawkins, two Eriglish privateers.
Here we had the news of a peace concluded between the Span
iards and the Indians of Darien, who were commonly at war
one with the other. Also that, since the conclusion of the said
peace, they had been found very faithful to Captain Bournano,
a French coraraander, in an attempt upon a place called Chepo,
nigh the South Sea. Further, that the Indians had promised
to conduct hira. unto a great and very rich place, named Toca-
raora ; whereupon Bournano proraised thera to return';in three
months with more ships and raen. This made us agree to visit
the said place, and in order thereto dispersed ourselves into sev
eral coves, (by the Spaniards called cuevas, i. e. hollow creeks
under the coasts,) there to careen and fit our vessels for that
purpose. Here, i. e. at Bocca del Toro, we found plenty of fat
tortoises, the pleasantest meat in the world. Our vessels being
refitted, we rendezvoused at an island called by us the Water-
Key, and our strength was as foUoweth : —
Tons. Guns. Men.

Capt. Coxon, in a ship

of

80

8

97

Capt. Harris, in

another of

,150

25

107

Capt. Bournano,

90

6

86

Capt. Sawkins,

16
1
35
Capt. Sharp,
25
2
40
Capt. Cook,
35
00
43
Capt. Alleston,
18
00
24
Capt. Row,
20
00
25
Capt. Maeket,
14
00
20
We sailed from thence M^ch 23, 1679, and in our way
touched at the islands called Zamblas. These islands reach
eight leagues in length, lying fourteen leagues westward of the
THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 181
River Darien. Being here at an anchor, many of the Indians,
both men and women, carae to see us ; sorae brought plantain,
others other fruits, and venison, to exchange with us for beads,
needles, knives, or any trifling bauble whereof they stand
in need ; but they most covet axes and hatchets, for the felling
of tiraber. The men here go naked, having only a sharp and
hollow tip, raade either of gold, silver, or bark, into which they
thrust their privy inerabers,. which they fasten with a string
about their middle. They wear as an ornament, in their noses,
a gold or silver plate, in the forra of a half-raoon, which, when
they drink, they hold up with one hand, while they lift the cup
with the other. The men paiut theraselves soraetimes with
streaks of black, and the woraen with red : the women have
in their noses a pretty thick ring of gold or silver, and cover
themselves with a blanket only : they are generally well fea
tured ; araong whom, I saw Several fairer than the fairest of
Europe, with hair as white as the finest flax : 'tis reported of
them, that they see better in the dark than in the light.
These Indians misliked our design for Tocarhora, and dis
suaded us from it, asserting that it would prove too tedious a
march, the way being so mountainous and uninhabited, that it
would, be extremely difficult to get provisions for our raen.
Withal, they proffered to guide us undescried, within a few
leagues of the city of Panama, in case we were pleased to go
thither, where we knew we should raake a good voyage.
Upon these, and other reasons which they gave us, we con
cluded to desist from the. journey of Tocaraora, and to proceed
to Panaraa. These resolutions taken. Captain Bournano, and
Captain Row's vessels separated frora us, being all French, and
not willing to go to Panaraa, they declaring theraselves gener
ally against a long raarch by land ; so we left thera at the Zara-
blas. Frora thence an Indian captain, or chief coramander,
named Andraeas, conducted us to another island, called by the
English the Golden Island, situated something to the west
ward of the raouth of the great River of Darien. At this isl
and we raet, being in all seven sail, April 3, 1680.
Here the Indians gave us notice of a town called Santa Ma
ria, situate on agreat river of the sarae narae, which runs into
the South Sea, by the Gulf of San Miguel ; that in the town
was kept a garrison of four hundred soldiers ; and that from
this place much gold was carried to Pariama, which was gath
ered frora the mountain's thereabouts ; that in case we should
not find sufficient booty theft, we might frora therice proceed
by sea to Panama, where we could not easily fail of our de
signs. This motion of the Indians we liked sb well, that we
16

182 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
landed three hundred and thirty-one raen, April 5, 1680, leav
ing baptains Alleston and Maeket, with a party of searaen, to
guard our ships in our absence, with which we intended to re
turn horae.
These raen that were landed had each of thera three or four
cakes of bread (called by the English doughboys) for their
provision of victuals ; and as for drink, the rivers afforded them
enough. At our landing here. Captain Sharp was very faint
and weak, having had a great fit of sickness, of which he was
scarcely recovered. Our several corapanies that raarched were
distinguished as follows : first, Captain Bartholoraew Sharp,
with his corapany, had a red flag, with a bunch of white and
green ribbons : the second division, led by Captain Richard
Sawkins, with his raen, had a red flag, striped with yellow :
the third and fourth, which were led by Captain Peter Harris,
had two green flags, )jis' corapany raarching in two distinct di
visions. The fifth and sixth, led by Captain John Coxon, who
had some of Alleston's and Macket's raen joined unto his, made'
two divisions or corapanies, and had each of them a red flag :
the seventh was led by Captain Edmund Cook, with red colors,
striped with yellow, with a hand and sword for his device : all,
or raost of thera, were arraed with fuzee, pistol, and hanger.

CHAPTER XXVI.
They march towards the To-wn of Santa Maria, with a Design to take it. — The
Indian King of Darien meeteth them. — Difficulties of this March.
Being landed on the coast of Darien, and divided into comi
panics, as was mentioned in the preceding chapter, we te-
gan our march towards Santa Maria, the Indians serving
us for guides in that unknown country : thus we raarched at
first through a sraall skirt of a wood, and then over a bay alraost
a league in length ; after that, we went two leagues directly up
a woody valley, where we saw here and there an old planta
tion, and had a very good path to raarch iu : there we came to
the side of a river, which in most places was dry, and built us
houses, or rather, huts, to lodge in. ' •
Here another Indian, who was a chief commander, a man of
great partSi named Captain Antonio, joined us : this Indian offi
cer raightily* encouraged us to undertake the journey of Santa
Maria, and promised to be our leader, saying, that he would

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 183
have gone along with us presently, but that his child lay very
sick ; however, he was assured it would die by next day, and
then he would most certainly follow and overtake us : withal,
he desired we would not lie in the grass, for fear of monstrous
adders, which are Very frequent in those places. Breaking sorae
of the stones that le^y in the river, we found thera shine like
sparks of gold. These stones are driven down from the neigh
boring raountains in times of flood. This day four of our raen
tired", and returned back to the ships ; so we remained, in all,
three hundred and twenty-seven men, with six Indians to con
duct us : that night, some showers of rain fell.
The neyt day of our raarch we raounted a very steep hill,
apd on the other side, at the foot thereof, we rested on the bank
of the river, which Captain Andraeas told us ran into the
South S6a, being the same river on which the town of Santa
Maria was situated. Hence, we continued our march until
noon, and then ascended another mountain, , far higher than the
former. Here we were often, and in many places, in great dan
ger, the- mountain being so perpendicular, and the path so nar
row, that but one raan at a tirae could pass. We arrived in the
evening on the other side of the mountain, and lodged again
by the side of the same river, having marched that day, accord
ing to our reckoning, about eighteen railes : this night, likewise,
some rain fell.
The next morning, being April 7, we marched all along the
river afore mentioned, crossing it often, alraostf at every half
mile, soraetimes up to the knees, and at other times up to the
raiddle, in a very swift current. About noon we came to a place
where we found some Indian houses ; these were very large
and neat ; the sides were built with cabbage-trees, and the roofs
with wild canes, thatched with palmetto royal, but rauch neater
than ours at Jamaica ; they had many partitions, or distinct
ground rooms, but no ascent by stairs. At this place were four
of these houses, together, within a stone's throw of one another,
each of thera having a large plantain walk before it. Half a
raile frora this place lived the king, or chief captain of these
Indians of Darien, who came to visit us in royal robes, with his
queen and family. His crown was raade of sraall white reeds,
curiously woven, having no other top than its lining, which
was red silk. Round about the middle of it was a thin plate
of gold, about two inches broad, laced behind, in which stuck
two or three ostrich's feathers ; about this plate went also a row
of golden beads, which were feigger than ordinary peas, under
neath which, the red lining of the crown was seen. In his
nose he wore a large plate of gold, in form of a half-moon ;

184 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
and in each ear a great gold ring, nigh four inches diaraeter,
with a round, thin plate of gbld, of the sarae breadth, having a
sraall hole in the centre, by which it hung to the ring. He
was covered with a thin, white cotton robe, reaching to the
sraall of his legs, and round its bottora was a fringe of the same,
three inches deep; so that, by reason of the length of this robe,
we could see no higher than his naked ankles. In his hand
he had a long, bright lance, as sharp as any knife. With him
he had three sons, each of thera having a white, robe, and their
lances in their hands, but standing bare-headed before him, as
did eight or nine person^ raore of his retinue or guard. His
queen wore a red blanket, which was closely girt about her
waist, and another that came loosely over her head and shoul
ders, like our old-fashioned striped hangings : she had a young
child in her arms, and two daughters walked by her, both
marriageable, with their faces alraost covered with stripes or
streaks of red, and about their neck and arras alraost leaden
with sraall beads, of" several colors. These Indian women
of the Province of Darien are generally very free, airy, and
brisk ; yet withal very raodest, and cautious in their husband's
presence, of whose jealousy tliey stand in fear. With these
Indians we made an exchange, or had a truck, as it is called,
for knives, pins, needles, or any other such like trifles ; but in
our dealing with them we found them to be very cunning.
Here we rested ourselves for the space of one day ; and withal
chose Captairi Sawkins to lead the forlorn, unto whom, for
that purpose, we gave the choice of fourscore, raen. Th^
king ordered us each man to have three plantains, with suga
canes to suck, by way of a present ; but when these were con
sumed, if we would not truck, we must have starved, for the
king hiraself did not refuse to deal for his plantains : this sort
of fruit is first reduced to raash, then laid between leaves of
the sarae tree, and so used with water, after, which preparatioi
they call it miscelaw.
April 9, wo continued our raarch along the banks of the river
above raentioned, finding in our way here and there a house.
The owners of the said houses would raost coraraonly stand at
the door, and give, as we passed by, to every one of us, either
ripe plantain, or sorae sweet cazoye root. Some of them would
count us, by dropping a grain of corn for each man that passed
before thera, for they know no greater nuraber, nor can tell
farther than twenty. That night we arrived at three great In
dian houses, where we took up our lodgings, the weather being
clear and serene all night.
The next day, Captain Sharp, Captain Coxon, and Captain

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 185
Cook, with about threescore and ten of our men, erabarked
theraselves in fourteen canoes upon the river to glide down the
stream : araong this number I did also embark, and w6 had in
our corapany our Indian Captain Andraeas, of whora raention
was made above ; and two Indians more in each canoe, to pilot
or guide us down the river : but if we were tired in traveUing
by land before, certainly we were in a worse condition now in
.our canoes ; for- at the distance of alraost every stone's cast
we were constrained to quit and ge,t out of our boats, and haul
them over either sands or rocks ; at other times,' over trees that
lay cross and filled up the river, so that they hindered our nav
igation ; yea, several times over the very points of land itself.
That night we built ourselves hiits, to shelter in upon the river
side, arid rested our wearied lirabs till next morning.
The eleventh we prosecuted our journey all day long, -with
the same fatigue and toil as we had done the day before.
At night came a tiger, and looked on us for some whUe,-but
we dared not to fire at the animal, fearing we should be de
scried by the sound of our fuzees ; the Spaniards, as we were
told, not being at much distance frora that place.
But the next day, being April 12, our pain_ and labor was
rather doubled than dirainished, not only for the difficulties of
the i^ay, which were intolerable, but chiefly for the absence of
our main body of men, from whom we had parted the day be
fore : for now, hearing no news of them, we grew extremely
jealous of the Indians, and their counsels, suspecting it a design
of those people thus to divide our forces, and then betray us
to the Spaniards, our implacable enemies. That night we
rested ourselves by building of huts, as we had done, and hath
been raentioned, before.
The next day, being Tuesday, we continued our navigation
down the river, and arrived at a beachy point of land, where
another arm jqineth the same river ; here, as we understood, the
Indians of Darien did usually rendezvous, whensoever they
drew up in a body with intention to fight their ancient ene
mies, the Spaniards; Here, also, we made a halt, and staid
for the rest of our forces and company, the Indians having now
sent to seek them, being themselves not a little concerned at
our dissatisfaction and jealousies. Jn the afternoon our cora
panions carae "up with us, and were very glad to see us, they
having been in no less fear for us than we had been in for thera :
we continued and rested there that night also, with design to
fit our arras for action, which now, as we were told, was nigh
at hand.
We departed from thence eariy the next raorning, which was
16*

186 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
the last day of our raarch, being in all, now, the nuraber of
threescore and eight canoes, wherein were erabarked three
hundred and twenty-seven of us Englishraen, and fifty Indians,
who served us for guides. .To the point above raentioned, the
Indians had hitherto guided our canoes with long poles, or
sticks, but now we raade burselves oars and paddles, to row
withal, and thereby raade what speed we could : thus we rowed
with air haste, iraaginable, and on the river happened to raeet
two or three Indian canoes, that were laden with plantains.
About raidnight we arrived, and landed at the distance of half
a mile, or thereabouts, frora the town of Santa Maria, Avhither
our march was all along intended. The place where we landed
was very muddy, insorauch that we were constrained to lay
our paddles upon it, and withal, lift ourselves up by the boughs
of the trees, to support our bodies frora sinking : afterwards we
were forced to cut our way through the woods for sorae space,
where we took up our lodgings for that night, for fear of being
discovered by the eneray, whora we were so near.

CHAPTER XXVII.
They take the Town of Santa Maria, -with no loss of Men, but meet not with
so much Booty as was expected. — Description of the Place, Country, and
River adjacent. — They riesolve to go and plunder, a Second Time, the City
of Panama.
The next raorning, which was Thursday, April 15, about
break of day, we heard from the town a small arra discharged,
and after that a drum beating a reveille. With this, we roused
frora our sleep, and taking to our arras, we put ourselves in or
der, and marched towards the town. As soon as we came out
of the woods into the b pen ground, we' were descried by the
Spaniards, who had received beforehand inteUigence of our
coraing, and were prepared to receive us, having already con
veyed away all their treasure of gold, and sent it to Panaraa.
They ran immediately into a large palisado fort, having each
pale or post twelve feet high, and began to fire very briskly at
us, as we came : but our vanguard ran up to the place, and
pulling down two or three of their palisadoes, entered the fort
instantly, and made themselves raasters thereof In this action
there were not fifty of our raen that carae up, before the fort
was taken: and on our side only two were wounded, and not

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMEBICA. 187
one killed : notwithstanding, within the place were found two
hundred ahd threescore men, besides which number, two hun
dred others were said to be absent, being gone up into the
country, unto the mines, to fetch down gold, or rather, to con
vey away what was already in the town. This golden treas
ure cometh down another branch of this river unto Santa Ma
ria, from the neighboring mountains, where are thought to be
the richest mines of the Indies, or, at least, of all these parts
of the western world. Of the Spaniards were killed in the as
sault twenty-six, and wounded to the number of sixteen more:
but their governor, their priest, and all, or most, of their chief
men made their escape by flight.
Having taken the fort, we expebted to find here a considera
ble town belonging to it ; but it proved to be only some wild
houses made bf cane, the place being chiefly a garrison, de
signed to keep the Indians in subjection. Who bear a mortal
hatred, and are often apt to rebel against the Spaniards. But
as bad a place as it was, our fortune was much worse ; for we
came only three days too late, or else we had met with three
hundred weight of gold, which was carried thence to Panaraa,
in a bark, that is sent frora thence twice or thrice every year,
to fetch what gold is brought to Santa Maria from the mouur
tains. This river, called by the name of the town, is here
abouts twice as broad as the River of Tharaes is at London,
and floweth above threescore railes upwards, rising to the height
of two fathom and a half, at the town itself. As soon as we
had taken the place, the Indians who belonged to our company,
and had served us for guides, came up to the town : for while
they heard the noise of the guns, they were in a great conster
nation, and dared not approach the palisadoes, but had hid
themselves so Well in a small hollow ground, that the bullets,
while we were fighting, flew over their heads.
Here we found and redeemed the eldest daughter of the king
of Darien, of whom we made mention above : she had, as it
should seera, been forced away frora her father's house by one
of the garrison, (which rape had greatly incensed hira against
the Spaniard,) and was with child by him. After the fight,
the Indians destroyed as m^ny raore of the Spaniards as we
had done in the assault, by taking .thera into the adjoining
woods, and there stabbing thera to death with their lances : but
as soon as we understood this, their barbarous cruelty, we hin
dered them from taking any more out of the fort, where we
confined thera all prisoriers. Captain Sawkins, with a sraall
party of ten raore, put hiraself into a canoe,, and went down
the river to pursue and stop, if it were possible, those that had

188 -THE BUCCANEE.RS OF AMERICA.
escaped, who were the chief of the town and garrison. But
now our great expectations of- raaking a huge purchase of gold
at this place being totally vanished, we were unwilling to come
so far for nothing, or go back erapty handed : especially, con
sidering what vast riches were to be had at no great distance
frora thence. Hereupon we resolved to go for Panaraa, .which
place, if we could take,-we were assured we should get treasure
enough to satisfy our hungry appetite of gold and riches ; that
city being the receptacle of all the plate, jewels, and gold that
is digged out of the raines of aU Potosi and Peru. Iri order to
it, therefore, and to please the huraors of som^ of our company.
We made choice of Captain Coxon to be our general, or com
mander-in-chief Before oifr departure, we sent back what
small booty we had taken here, by some prisoners, and these
under the charge of twelve of oUr raen, to convey it to the
ships. 'Thus we prepared to go forward on that dangerous enterprise-
of Panama. But the Indiaris who had conducted us, having
gotten frora us what knives, scissors, axes, needles, and beads
they could obtain, would not stay any longer, but all, or the
greatest part of them, returned to their home. Notwithstand
ing which, the king himself. Captain Andraeas, Captain Antonio,
the king's son, called by the Spaniards Bonete d'Oro,,or King
Golden Cap, as also his kinsraan, would not be persuaded by
their falling off to leave us, but resolved to go to Panaraa, out
of the desire they had to see that place taken and sacked.
Nay, the king proraised, if there should be occasion, to joiaus
with a very great nuraber of raen. Besides which proraises,
we had also another very considerable encourageraent to under
take this journey ; for the Spaniard who had forced away the
king's daughter, as was mentioned above, fearing lest we should
leave hira to the raercy of the Indians, who would have had
but little on him, having showed theraselves so cruel unto the
rest of his companions, for the safety of his life, had promised
to lead us not only into the town, but even to the very door of
the governor of Panama's bed-chamber, and that we should
take him by the hand, and seize both him and the whole city,
before we should be discovered by, the Spaniards, either before
or after our arrival.*

THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA. 189

CHAPTER XXVIII.
*
• The Buccaneers lea'v'e the Town of Santa Maria, and proceed, by Sea, to take
Panama, — The extrerae Difficulties, -with Sundry Accidents and Dangers
of that Voyage.
Having been in possession of the town of Santa Maria only
the space of two days, we departed frora thence on Saturday,
April 17, 1680. We embarked all in thirty-five canoes and a
periagua, which we had taken here lying at* anchor before the
town. Thus we sailed, or rather, rowed, down the river, in
quest of the South Sea, upon which Panama is seated, towards
the Gulf of Belona, 'where- we were to enter that ocean. Our
prisoners, the Spaniards, begged very earnestly they might be
permitted to go with us, and not be left abandoned to the raer
cy of the Indi9,rfe, who would show them no favor, and whose
cruelty they so rauch feared. But we had rauch ado to find a
sufficient nuraber of boats for ourselves, the Indians that left
•us having taken with thena, either by consent or stealth, so
many canoes. Yet, notwithstanding, they soon after either
found bark-logs, br old canoes, and by that means shifted so
well for their lives, as to corae along with us. Before our de
parture, we burnt both the fort, the church, and the town,
which was done at the request of the king, he being extremely
incensed against it.
Among these canoes, it Avas ray misfortune to have one that
was very heavy, and consequently sluggish. By this means
we were left behind the rest a little way, our nuraber being
only four raen, besides rayself, that were erabarked therein.
As the tide fell, it left several shoals of sand naked ; and hence,
not knoAving the true channel araongst such variety of streams,
we happened to steer within a shoal above two railes, before
we perceived our error. Hereupon we were forced to lie by
till high water ; for to row in such heavy boats as those, against
tide, is a thing totally irapossible. As soon as the tide began
to turn, we rowed away in prosecution of our voyage, and,
withal, raade what haste we could; but all- our endeavors were
in vain, for we neither could find nor overtake our compan
ions. Thus about ten of the clock at night, it being low
water, we stuck up an oai- in the river, and slept, by turjis, in
our canoe ; several showers of rain falling all night long, with
which we were wet to the skin.
But the next morning, as soon as day appeared, we rowed

190 ^ THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
away down the river, as before, in pursuit of our people. Hav
ing rowed- about two leagues, we were so fortunate as to over
take thera ; for they had lain that night at an Indian hut, or
embarcadero, that is to say, landing-place, and bad been filling
of water till then* in the raorning. Being arrived at the place,
they told us that we must not omit to fill our jars there with
water, otherwise we should meet with none in the space of
six days' tirae. Hereupon we went, every one of us, the
distance pf a quarter of a raile from the embarcadero, unto a
little pond, to fill out water in calabazas, making withal what
haste we could back to our canoe. But when we returned, we
found not one of our ihen, they all being departed, and already
got out of sight. Such is the procedure of these wild men,
that they care not in the least whora they lose of their com
pany or leave behind. We were now raore troubled in our
rainds than before, fearing lest we should fall into the samq
misfortune we had so lately overcome.
Hereupon we rowed after thera as fast as we possibly could,
but all in vain. For here we found such huge numbers of isl
ands, greater and lesser, as also keys about the mouth of the
river, that it was not difficult for us, who were unacquainted'
with the river, to lose ourselves a second time amongst them.
Yet, notwithstanding, thoi^h with much trouble and toil, we
found at last that mouth of the river that is called by the
Spaniards Bocca Chica; or the Little Mouth. But as it happened,
it was now young flood, and the streara ran very violently
against us ; so that, though we were not above a stone's cast
from the said mouth, and this was not a league broad, yet we
could not by any means come near it. Hence we were forced
to put ashore, which we did accordingly, till the time of high
water. We hauled our canoe close by the bushes, and when
we got out, we fastened our rope to a tree, which the tide had
almost covered, for it flows here near four fathom deep.
As soon as tide began to turn, we rowed away from thence
to an island, distant about a league and a half from the mouth
of the river, in the Gulf of San Miguel. Here it went Very
hard with us, whensoever any wave dashed against the sides
of our canoe ; for it was almost twenty feet long, and yet not
quite one foot and a-half in breadth, where it was at the broad
est ; so that we had just roora enough to sit down iu her, and
a little water would easily have both fiUed and overwhelmed
us. At the island aforesaid, we took up our resting-place for
that night, though for the loss of our corapany, and the ^reat
dangers we were in, the sorrowfuUest night that, until then, I
ever experimented in my whole life : for it rained impetuously

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 191
alL night long, insomuch that we were wet from head to foot,
and had not one dry thread about us ; neither, through the vio
lence of the rain, were able to keep any fire, wherewith to
warm or dry us. The tide ebbeth here a good half raile frora
the raark of high water, and leaveth bare wonderful high and
sharp-pointed rocks. We passed this heavy and tedious night
without one minute of sleep, being all very sorrowful to see our
selves so reraote frora the rest of our companions, as also to
tally destitute of all human comfort : for a vast sea surrounded
us on one side, and the mighty power of our enemies, the
Spaniards, on the other ; neither could we descry at any hand
the least thing to relieve us, all that we could see being the
wide sea, high raountains, and rocks : meanwhile, ourselves
were confined to an egg-shell instead of a boat, without so much
as a few clothes to defend us from the injuries of the weather ;
for at that tiihe none of us had a shoe to ofir feet. We searched
the whole key, to see if we could find any water, but found
none.

CHAPTER XXIX.
Ship-wreck of Mr. Ringi-ose, the Author of this Narrative. — He is taken by
the Spaniards, and miraouloi:^sly by them preserved. — Several other Acci
dents and other Disasters -which befel him after the Loss of his Compan
ions, till he found them again. — Description of the Gulf of Vallona.
Dn Monday, April the 19th, at break of day, we hauled our
canoe into the w'ater again, and. departing from the island afore
mentioned, wet and cold as we were, we rowed towards the
Punta de San Lorenzo, or Point S. Lawrence. In our way
we met with several islands, which lie straggling thereabouts.
But now we were so hard put to it by the sraallness of our
vessel, and being in an, open sea, that it was becorae the
work of one raan, yea sometiraes of two, to cast out the water
which carae in on aU. sides of our canoe. After struggling for
some while with these difficulties, as we came near one of those
islands, a sea carae and overturned our boat, by which means
we were all forced to swim for our lives : but we soou got to
shore, and our canoe carae tumbling after us. Our arms were
fast lashed to the inside of the boat, and our locks as well cased
and waxed down as was possible ; so were also our cartouch
boxes and powder horns ; but all our bread and fresh water
was utterly spoiled and lost.

192 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
Our canoe being turahled on shore by the force pf the waves,
our first business was to take out and clean our arras. This
we had scarcely done, but we saw another canoe run the same
misfortune at a little distance to leward of us, araongst a great
nuraber of rocks that bounded the island. The pei'sons that
were cast away proved to be six Spaniards of the garrison of
Santa Maria, who had found an old canoe, and had followed us
to escape the cruelty of the Indians. They presently "teame to
us, and made us a fife, on which we broiled our meat, and ate
it araicably together. But we were in great want of water, or
any other drink to our victuals, not knowing in the least where
to get any. Our canoe was thrown up by the waves to the
edge of the water, and there was no great fear of its splitting,
as being fuU six inches on the sides thereof. But that in which
the Spaniards came split itself against the rock^ as being old
and slender, into a hundred pieces. Though we were thus
shipwrecked and driven ashore, as. I have related, yet at other
times this Gulf of San Miguel is a mere mill-pond for smooth
ness of water.
My company was altogether for returning, aud to proceed no
farther, but rather for living amongst the Indians, in case they
could not reach the ships we had left behind us in the Northern
Sea. But with much ado I prevailed with thera to go forward,
at least one day Ipnger, and in case we found not our people
the next day, that then I would be willing to do any thing
which they should think fit. Thus we spent two or three
hours of the' day iri consulting about our affairs, and withal
keeping a man to watch and look out on aU sides for fear of'
any Surprisal by the Indians, br other eneraies. About the.time
that we were corae to a conclusion in our debates, our watc,h-
raan, by chance, spied an Indian, who, as soon as he saw us,
ran into the woods. I sent iraraediately two of ray corapany
after hira, who overtook hira, and found hira to be one of our
friendly Indians. He carried thera to a place not far distant
frora thence, where seven raore of his corapany were, with a
great canoe which they had brought with them. They came
to the place where I was with the rest -of ray corapany, and
seemed to be glad to meet us on that island. I asked thera, By
signs, for the raain body of our corapany, and they gave me to
understand, that in case.we would go with thera in their canoe,
which was much bigger than ours, we should be up with the
party by next morning. This news, as may easily be sup
posed, not a little "rejoiced our hearts. '^
Presently after this friendly invitation, they asked who the
other six men were whom they saw in our corapany, for they

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 193
easily perceived us nof to be all of one and the sarae coat and
lingua. We told thera they were Wdnkers,wh\ch is the narae
they commonly give to the Spaniards. Their next question
was, if they should kiU thera; But I answered them, " No, by
no raeans ; I would not consent to have it done ; " with which
answer they seemed to be satisfied for that present. But a lit
tle while after, my back being turned, my company thinking
they should oblige the Indians thereby, beckoned to them to
kill the Spaniards. With this, the poor creatures, perceiving
the danger that threatened them, made a sad shriek and outcry,
and I came time enough to save all their lives: but withal, I
was forced to give my consent they should have one of them,
to make him their slave. Hereupon I gave the canoe that I
carae in to the five Spaniardsxeraaining, and bid them get aWay
and shift for their lives, lest those cruel Indians should hot keep
their word, and they run again the same danger th'ey had so
lately escaped. Having sent them away, I rested myself a
while, and took a survey of this gulf and the raouth of the river.
But now, thanks be to God, joining company with those In
dians, we were got into a very large canoe, the which, for its big
ness, was better able to carry twenty men, than our own, that we
had brought, to carry five. The Indians had also fitted a very
good sail to the said canoe ; so that, having now a fresh and strong
gale of wind, we set sail from thence, and made therewith
brave way, to the infinite joy and comfort of our hearts, seeing
ourselves so well accommodated, and so happily rid of the mise
ries we but lately had endured. We had now a smooth and easy
passage, after such tedious and laborious pains as we had sus
tained in coming so far since we left Santa Maria. Under the
point of St. Lawrence mentioned above, is a very great rippling
ofthe sea, occasioned by a strong current which runneth here
abouts, and which, oftentimes, almost filled our boat with its
dashes, as we sailed. This evening, after our departure from
the island where we were cast away, it rained vehemently for
several hours, and the night proved to be very dark. About
nine of the clock that night, we descried two fires on the shore
of the continent over against us. These fires were no sooner per
ceived by the Indians of our canoe, but they began to shout for
¦ joy, and cry out. Captain Antonio, Captain Andraeas, the names
of their Indian captains and leaders ; and to affirm, they were
assured those fires were made by their companions. Hence
they made for the shore, towards those fires, as fast as they
could drive ; but as soon as our canoe came amongst the break
ers, nigh the shore, out carae frora the woods above threescore
Spaniards, with clubs and other arms, and laying hold on our
17

194 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
canoe on both sides thereof, hauled it out of the water quite
dry ; so that by this means we were all suddenly taken and
raade their prisoners. I laid hold of my gun, thinking to make •
some defence for rayself; but all was in^vain ; for they soon
seized me between four or five of them, and hindered rae from
action. In the raean while, our Indians leaped overboard, and
got away very nirably into the woods. My companions stand
ing ariiazed at what had happened, and the manner of our '.
surprisal, I asked them,, presently, if any of thera could speak
either French or English. But they answered. No. Hereupon,
as well as I could, I discoursed to some of them who were
more intelligent than the rest, in Latin, and by degrees came to
understand their condition. These were Spaniards who had
been turned here ashore by our English party, who left them
upon this coast, lest by carrying them nearer to Panama any
of them should raake their escape, and discover our raarch to
wards the city. They had me,- presently after I was taken, into
a small hut which they had built, covered with boughs,'and
made there great shouts for joy, because they had taken us ;
designing in their minds to use us very severely for coming into
those parts, and especiaUy for taking and plundering their town
of Santa Maria. But meanwhile the captain of those Spaniards
was examining rae, in carae the poor Spaniard that was come
along with us, and reported how kind I had' been to him and
the rest of his corapanions, by saving their lives frora the cru
elty of the Indians.
The captain having heard hira, arose frora his seat iraraedi
ately and erabraced rae ; saying, that Ave Englishraen were very
( friendly eneraies, and good people, but that the Indians were
very rogues, and a treacherous nation. Withal, he desired me
to sit down by him, and to eat part of such victuals as our com
panions had left them when they were turned ashore. Then
he told me, that for the kindness I had shoAved unto his coun
tryraen, he gave us all our lives and liberties, which otherwise
he would certainly have taken from us. And -though, he could
scarcely be persuaded in his mind to spare the Indians' lives,
yet for my sake he did pardon thera all, and I should have them
with rae, in case I could find them. Thus he bid me like
wise take my canoe, and go, in God's name ; saying Avithal, he ¦•
wished us as fortunate as we were generous. Hereupon*I took
ray leave of hira. I searched out, and at last found my In
dians, who, for fear, had hid theraselves in the bushes adjoining
to the neighboring woods, where they lay concealed. Having
found them, the captain led me very civUly down to the canoe,
arid bidding ray companions and the Indians get in after me, as

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 195
they at first hauled us ashore, so now again they pushed us off
to sea, by a sudden and strange vicissitude of fortune. All that
night it rained very hard, as Avas mentioned above ; neither
durst we put any more ashore at any place, it being all along
such, as by mariners is commonly Ailed an iron coast.
The next morning being come, we sailed and paddled, or
rowed, till about ten of the clock ; at which time we espied a
canoe raaking towards Us with all speed iraaginable. Being
come up with us, and in vicAv; it proved to be one of our Eng
lish company, who mistaking our canoe for a Spanish peria
gua, was coraing in all haste to attack us. We were infinitely
glad to meet them, and they presently conducted us to the rest
of our company, who Avere at that instant coraing from a deep
bay, which lay behind a high point of rocks, where they had
lain at anchor, all that night and morning. We were all mu
tually rejoiced to see one another again, they having given
both me and ray corapanions for lost.

CHAPTER XXX.
The Buccaneers prosecute their Voyage till they come within Sight of Pan
ama. — They take several Barks and Prisoners by the Way. — Are descried
by the Spaniards, before their Arrival. ^They order the lidians to kill the
Prisoners. From the place where we rejoined our English forces, we.
all made our way towards a high hararaock of land, as it ap
peared at a distance, but was nothing else thetti an island seven
leagues distant from the bay afore mentioned. On the highest
part of this island the Spaniards keep a watch, or look out, (for
so it is termed by the seamen,) for fear of pirates, or other ene
mies. That evening we arrived at the island, and being landed,
went up a very steep place, till we came to a little hut where
the watchman lodged. We took by surprisal the old man who
watched in the place, but happened not to see us, till Ave were
got into his plantain wallc, before the lodge; He told us in his
examination, that we were not as yet descried by the Spaniards
of Panama, or any others that he knew ; which relation of the
old man much encouraged us to go forwards with our design
of surprising that rich city. This place, if I took its name
right is called Parol de Plantanos, or, in English, Plantain
Watch.

196 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
Here, a little before night, a certain bark carae to an anchor,
at the outside of the island, which was instantly descried by
us. Hereupon we speedily raanned out two canoes, who went
under the shore, and surprised the said boat. Having ex
amined the persons that Vere on board, we found she had
been absent the space of eight days from Panama, and had
landed soldiers at a poiht of land not far distant from this
island, with intention to fight and curb certain Indians and Ne
groes, who had done much hurt in the country thereabouts.
The bark being taken, raost of our men endeavored -to get
into her, but more especially those who had the lesser canoes.
Thus there 'ehibarked thereon to the number of one hundred
and thirty-seven of our company, together with that sea artist,
and valiant coraraander, Captain Bartholoraew Sharp. With
him went also on board Captain Cook, whom we mentioned at
the beginning of this history. The reraaining part of that
night we lay at the key of the said island, with intent to pros
ecute our voyage the next day.
Morning being come, I changed my canoe and embarked my
self in another, which, though it was something lesser than the
former, yet was furnished with better company. Departing
from this island, "^e rowed all day long over shoal water, at
the distance of about a league frora land, having soraetimes not
above four or five feet water, and white ground : in the af
ternoon we descried a bark at sea, and instantly gave her chase ;
but the canoe iri which was Captain Harris happened to come
up the first with her, who, after a sharp dispute, took her. Be
ing taken, we put on .board the said bark thirty men : but the
wind would not suffer the other bark in chasing to come up
with us. This pursuit of the vessel did so far hinder us in our
voyage, and divide us asunder, that night coraing on presently
after, we lost one another, and could no longer keep in a body
together ; hereupon we laid our canoe ashore, to take up our
rest for that night, at the distance of two railes, or thereabouts,
from high-water mark, and aboiit four leagues to leeward of
the Island Chepillo, to which -place our course was then
directed. i
The next raorning, as soon as the* water began to float us,
we rowed away frora the fore-raentioned Island Chepillo, where
by assignation our general rendezvous was to be : in our way
we espied a bark under saU, as we had done the day before.
Captain Coxon's canoe Avas the first that carae up with her, but
a sraall breeze freshening at that instant, she got aAvay frora
hira after the first onset, killing in the said canoe one Mr.. Bull,
and wounding two others. We presently conjectured that this

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 197
bark would get before us to Panama, and give intelligence of
our coraing to those of the town, all which happened accord- .
ingly. It Wcis two of the clock that afternoon, before all our
canoes could come together, and join one another, as was agreed
at Chepillo. We took at that island fourteen prisoners, between
negroes and mulattoes, also great stores of planitains, and good
water, together with two fat hogs ; but now, believing that ere
this Ave had been descried at Panama, by the bark afore men
tioned, we resolved among ourselves to waste no time, but to
hapten away from the Said island, to the intent we might at
least be able to surprise and take their shipping, and by that
means raake" ourselves raasters of those seas, in case we could
not get the town, which we now judged almost irapossible to
be done. At Chepillo, we took also a periagua, which .we
found at anchor before the island, aud presently we put some
raen on board her. We staid here only a few hours, so that
about four o'clock in the evening we rowed away from thence,
designing to reach Panama before the next morning, it being
only seven leagues between that city and Chepillo ; but before
we departed from Chepillo, it was judged convenient by our
commanders, 'for certain reasons which I could not dive into, to
rid their hands of the prisoners which'we had taken, and here
upon orders were given to our Indians, who they knew would
perform thera very willingly to fight, or rather to murder and
slay the said prisoners upon tbe shore, and that in the view of
the whole fleet. This they instantly went about, being glad
of this opportunity to revenge themselves upon their enemies,
though in cold blood ; but the prisoners, although they had no
arms wherewith to defend themselves, forced their way through
those barbarous Indiaris, in spite of their lances, bows, and ar
rows, and got into the woods of the island, only one man of
thera being killed. We rowed all night long, though much
rain fell.

CHAPTER XXXI.
They arrive -within sight of Panama ; are encountered by three small Men-of-"War :
they fight them with only sixty- eight Men, and utterly defeat them, taking
two ofthe said Vessels. — Description of that bloody Pight . — They take severed
Ships at the Isle of Perico, before Panama.
The next raorning, which was April 23, 1680, that day be
ing dedicated to St. George, our patron of England, we came be-
17*

198 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
fore sirtirise within view of the city of Panaraa, which raakes
a very pleasant prospect to the Seaward ; soon after we saw also
the ships belonging to the said city, AVhich lay at anchor at an
island called Perico, distant only two leagues from Panama.
On the aforesaid island are several storehouses built there, to
receive the go«ds delivered out of the ships ; at that tirae there
rid at anchor at Perico five great ships, and three pretty big
barks, called barcos de la armadilla, or little raen-of-war ; the
word armadilla signifying a little fleet. These had been sud
denly manned out, with design to fight us, and prevent any
further attempts we should make upon the city or coasts of
those seas. As soon as they espied us, they instantly weighed
anchor, and got under sail, coming directly to meet us. Our
two periaguas being heavy, could not row so fast as we that
were in the canoes, so that we were got> a pretty way befcre
them. In our five canoes (for so many we were in company) we
had only thirty-six men, and these but in a very unfit condition
to fight, as being tired with so rauch rowing, and so few in
number, in comparison of the enemy that carne against us.
They sailed towards us directly before the wind, insorauch that
we feared lest they should run us down before it ; hereupon
we rowed up into the wind's eye, as the seamen term it, and
got close to the Avindward of them. Meanwhile Ave were doing
this, oi;r lesser periagua came up Avith us, in which were thirty-
two more of our, corapany ; so that we were in all sixty-eight
raen that were engaged in the fight of that day ; the king him
self being one of our number, Avho Was in the periagua afore
mentioned. In the vessel that was adrairal of these three men-
of-war were fourscore and six biscayners, Avho have the repute
of being the .best mariners, and also the best soldiers, amongst
the Spaniards. These were all volunteers, who caqje designed
ly to show their valor, under the comraand of Don Jacinto de
Barabona, who was high admiral of those seas. In the second
were seventy-seven ' negroes, who were commar^ded by an old
and stout Spaniard, a native of Andalusia in Spain, named Don
Francisco.de Peralta. In the 'third and last were sixty-five
mestizos, or mulattoes, or tawny Moors, commanded by Don
Diego de Carabaxal; so that they were in all two hundred and
twenty-eight. The commanders had strict orders given them,
and their resolutions were to give quarters to none of the pirates
or buccaneers ; but such bloody commands seldom prosper.
Captain Sawkin's canoe, and also that wherein I was, were
, much to leeward of the rest, so that the ship of Don Diego de
Carabaxal came between us two, and fired presently on me to •
windvi'ard, and on him to leeward, wounding with these broad-

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 199
sides four raen in his canoe, and one in that I was in, but he
paid so dear for his passage between us, that he was not quick
in coming about again, and making the same way ; for we
killed, with our first volley, several of his men upon the decks ;
thus we got also to windward, as the rest were before. The
admiral ofthe armadilla, or little fleet, came up with us instantly,
scarce giving us time to charge, thinking to pass by us all with
as little damage as the first of his ships had done, but as it
happened it fell out much Avorse with him, for we were so for
tunate as to kill the man at the helm, so that his ship ran into
the wiod, and her sails lay a-back ; by "this means we had time
to come all up under her stern, and firing continually into his
vessel, we killed all that came to the helm ; besides which
slaughter, we cut asunder his main sheet and brace with our
shot. Now also th^ third vessel, in which Captain Peralta was,
was coming to the aid of their general ; heroiupon Captain Saw
kins, who had changed his canoe, and wafe gone into the peri
agua, left the admiral to us four canoes, (for his own AVas quite
disable4,) and met the said Peralta. Between him and Captain
Sawkins thf dispute was very hot, lying aboard each other,
and both giving and receiving death as fast as they could charge.
While we were thus engaged, the first ship tacked about, and
came up to relieve the admiral ; but we perceiving it, and fore
seeing hoy hard it would go with us if we should be beaten
from the admiral's stern, determined to prevent his design.
Hereupon two of our canoes, to wit, Captain Springer's and
ray own, stoofl off to raeet hira. He raade up directly towards
the adrairal, who' stood upon the 'quarter-deck, waving unto
him with a handkerchief so to do ; but we engaged him so
closely, in the raiddle of his Avay, that, had he not given us
the helm, and made away from us, we had certainly been on
board hira. We killed so raany of the raen, that the vessel had
scarce men enough left alive, or un wounded, to carry her off;
yet the wind-now blowing fresh, they made shift to gbt away
from us, and save their lives. "
The vessel which Avas to relieve the admiral beirig thus put
to flight, we came about again upon the admiral, and all to
gether gave a loud halloo, which was answered by our men in
the periagua, though at a distance frora us. At that time we
carae so close under the stern of the admiral that we wedged
up the rudder, and withal, killed both the admiral himself and
the chief pUot of his ship ; so that now. they Avere almost quite
disabled and disheartened likewise, seeing what a bloody rftas-
sacre we had raade araong thera with our shot. Hereupon,
two thirds of his men being killed, and raany others wounded,

200 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
they cried for quarter, which had several times been offered to
them, and as' stoutly denied till then. Captain Coxon boarded
the admiral, and took with him Captain Harris, who had been
shot through both his legs as he boMly adventured up along
the side of the ship. This vessel being thus taken, we put on
board her all our wounded men, and instaatly manned two of
OUT canoes to go and aid Captain Sawkins, who now had been
three times beaten from on board Peralta, such valiant defence
had he made. And, indeed, to give our enemies their due,
no men in the world did ever act more bravely than these
Spaniards. Thus coraing up close under Peralta's side, Ave gave him a
fuU volley of shot, and expected to have the like return from
him again ; but on a sudden we saw his men blown up that
were abaft the mast, some of them falling on the deck, and
others into the sea. This disaster was soon perceived hy their
valiant Captain Peralta ; but he leaped overboard, and, in spite
of all our shot, got several of them into the ship again, though
he Avas much burnt iri both his hands himself. But,as one
raisfortune seldora cometh alone, meanwhile he wSs recovering
these raen, to reinforce his ship withal, and renew the fight,
another jar of powder took fire forward, and blew up several
others upon the forecastle. Araong this smoke, and under the
opportunity thereof. Captain Sawkins laid them on board, and
took the ship. Soon after they Avere taken, I went on board
Captain Peralta, to see what condition they were in. And, in
deed, such a miserable sight I never saw in ray life ; for there
was not a man but was either killed, desperately wounded, or
horribly burnt with powder, insomuch, that their black skins
Avere turned white in several places, the powder having torn it
frora their flesh and bones. Having corapassionated their rais
ery, I went afterwards on board the adrairal, to observe like
wise the condition ofhis ship and raen. Here I saw what did
astonish rae, and wfll scarcely be believed by any but> ourselves
who saw it. There were found on board this ship but twenty-
five raen alive, whose nuraber before the fight had been four
scorq and six, as was said above ; so that three score and one,
out of so small a nuraber, were destroyed in the battle. But,
what is raore, of these twenty-five men, only eight were able
tb bgar arms, all the rest being desperately wounded, and by
their wounds totally disabled to raake any resistance or defend
themselves. Their blood ran down the decks in whole streams,
dnd scarce one place in the ship was found that was free from
blood. Having possessed ourselves of these two armadilla vessels,

THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA. 201
or little men-of-war. Captain SaAvkins asked the prisoriers how
many men there might be on board the greatest ship that we
could see from thence, lying in the harbor of the Island of
Perico, above raentioned, as also in the others that were some
thing smaller. Captairi Peralta, hearing these questions, dis
suaded him as much as he could from attempting thera, say
ing, that in the biggest alone there were three hundred and
fifty raen, and that he Avould find the rest too well provided for
defence against his small number. But one of his men, who
lay dying upon the deck, contradicted him as he was speaking,
and told Captain Sawkins there was not one man on board any
of those ships that were in view ; for they had all been taken
out of them to fight us in these three vessels called the arma
dilla, or Iktle fleet. Unto this relation we gave credit, as pro
ceeding frora a dying man ; and, steering our course to the
island, we went on "board them, and found, as he had s^id, not
one persdn there. The biggest of these ships, which was
called La Santissima Trinidad, or the Blessed Trinity, they had
set on fire, raade a hole in her, and loosened her foresail. But
we quenched the fire with all speed, and stopped the leak. This
being done, we put our AvbUnded raen on board her, and made
her for the present our hospital.
Having surveyed our own loss, we found eighteen of our
men were killed in the fight, and twenty -two wounded. These
three captains, against whom we fought, were esteemed by the
Spaniards the valiantest in all the South seas. Neither was
their reputation undeserved, as may easily be inferred from the
relation we have given of this bloody engagement. As the
third ship was running away from the^fight, she met with two
more 'coming out to their assistance; but withal, gave them so
"little encouragement, that they returned back, and dared not
engage us. We began the fight about half an hour after sun
rise, and by noon had finished the battle, and quite overcome
them. Captain Peralta, while he was our prisoner, would often
break out into admirations of our valor, and say, surely " we
Englishmen were the valiantest men in the whole world, "who
designed always to fight open, whilst all other natioris invented
all the ways iiriaginable to barricade themselves, and fight as
close as they could." And yet, notwithstanding, we killed
raore of our enemies than they of' us.
Two days after our engagement we buried Captain Peter
Harris, a brave and stout soldier, and a valiant Englishman,
born in the county of Kent, whose death we very much la
mented. He died of the wounds he received in the battle ;
and, besides him, only one man. All the rest of our wounded

202 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
men recovered. Being n5w come before Panama, I inquired
of Don Francisco de Peralta, our prisoner, raany things con
cerning the state and condition of this city, and the neighbor
ing country ; and he satisfied rae in raanner following.

CHAPTER XXXII.
Description of the State and Condition of Panama, and the Parts adjacent. —
"What Vessels they took while they blocked up the said Port. — Captain
Coxon, with seventy more, returns Home. — Sawkins is chosen in Chief.
The faraous city of Panaraa is situate in the latitude of nine
degrees, north. It stands in a deep bay in ?he South Sea. It
is round in form, excepting only that part where it runs along
the sea-side. Formerly it stood four railes raore easterly, when
it was taken by Sir Henry Morgan. But being theh burnt,
and three times raore since that accident, they rera'oved it to
the place where it now stands. Notwithstanding, there are
sorae poor people still inhabiting the old town ; and the cathe
dral church is still there, which makes a fair show at a distance,
not unlike -that of St. Paul's at London. This new eity, of
which I noAv speak, is much bigger than the old one was, and
is built for the raost part of brick, the rest being built of stone
and tUed. As for the churches belonging -thereto, they are not
as yet finished. They are eight in number ; the chief whereof
is called Santa Maria. This city is better than a mile and a
half in length, and above a mile in breadth. The houses, for
the most part, are three stories high. It hath tAi'o gates be
longing to it, and is well walled round, except only where a
creek cometh into the city, Avhich at high water letteth in barks,
to furnish the inhabitants Avith all sorts of provisions and other
necessaries. Here are always three hundred of the king's
soldiers in garrison ; besides which number, their militia of
all colors are eleven hundred. But, when we arrived there,
most of their soldiers were out of town ; insorauch, that our
coming put the rest into great consternation, they having had
but one night's notice of bur being in those seas. Hence
we were induced to beli'eve that had* we gone ashore, in
stead of fighting their ships, we had certainly rendered our
selves masters of the place, especially considering that all their
chief men Avere on board the admiral ; I mean such as were
undoubtedly the best soldiers. Round about the city, for

203
the space of seven leagues, or thereabouts, all the adjacent
country is savanna, as they call it in the Spanish language, that
is to say plain and level ground* as smooth as a sheet ; only
here and there ^s to be seen a small spot of woody land. This
level ground is full of vaccadas, or beef stations, where whole
droves of cows and. oxen are kept, which serve as so many
look-outs, or Avatch-towers, to descry if an enemy is approach
ing by land. The ground whereon the city now stands is
very damp and moist, which renders the place unhealthful.
The water is alsq full of worras, which are very prejudicial to
shipping ; and this is the cause that the king's ships lie always
at Liraa, the capital of Peru, unless when thej'^ come down "to
Panama to bring the king's plate ; which is only at such tiraes
as the fleet of galleons come from Old Spain to fetch and" con
voy it thither. Here, in one hour after our arrival, we found
worms of three quarters of an inch in length, both in our bed
clothes and other apparel.
At the islands of Perico above raentioned, we seized in all five
ships : of these, the first and biggest Avas named, as was said
before, the Trinidad, and was a great ship, of the burden of
four hundred tons : her lading consisting of wine, sugar, sweet
meats, (whereof the Spaniards in those hot countries make in
finite use,) skins, and soap. The -second ship was of4about
three hundred tons burden,, and not above half laden with bars
of iron, which is one of the richest commodities that are brought
into the South Sea. This vessel we burned with the lading
in her, because the Spaniards pretended not to want that com
raodity, and therefore Avould not redeera it. The third was
laden with sugar, being of the burden of one hundred and four
score tons, or 'thereabouts. This vessel was given to Captain
Cook. The fourth was an old ship of sixty tons, laden with
flour, or raeal. This ship we likewise burnt Avith her lading,
esteeming both bottom and cargo at that tirae to be useless to'
us. The fifth was a ship of fifty ton, which, with a periagua,
Captain Coxoft took along with hira when he left us.
Within two or three days after our arrival at Panama,- Cap
tain Coxon being rauch dissatig|ied with some reflections cast
upon him by our company, determined to leave us, and return
back to our ships in the NoBthern seas, by the same way he
came ; and persuaded several of our company ,who sided most
with him, and had had the chief hand in his election, to fall
off from us, and bear hira corapany in his journey, or raarch
over land. The main cause of those reflections was his back
wardness in the last engagement with the armadiUa ; concern
ing which point some stuck not to brand him for a coward.

204 %'HB buccaneers of America.
He drew off with hira to the nuraber of threescore and ten of
our raen, who all returned b^ck Avith him iri the ship and peri
agua, above ment-ioned, towards the raouth of l?he river of
Santa Maria. In his corapany went also back the Indian king.
Captain Antonio, and Don Andraeas, who, being old, desired to
be excused from staying any longer with us. However, the.
king desired we woiild not be less vigorous in annoying their
enemy and ours, the Spaniards, than if he were personally pres
ent Avith us. Arid to the intent we might see how faithfully
he did intend to deal with us, he at the sarae .firae recommend
ed both his son and nephew to the care of Captain Sawkins,
who was now our ncAvly-chosen general, or commander-in-
chief, in the absence of Captain Sharp. The two armadilla
ship^, which we took in the engagement, we burnt ^Iso, saving
nothing of either of them but their rigging and sails. With
them also Ave burnt a bark, that came into the port laden with
fowls and poultry.
On Sunday, April the 25th, Captain Sharp with his bark and
company came in and joined us again. His absence was occa
sioned by want of water, -which forced him to bear up to the
king's islands. Being there, he found a new bark, which he
presently took, and burnt his old one. This vessel sailed ex
cellently Avell. Within a day or two after the arrival of Cap
tain Sharp, came in likcAvise the* people of Captain Harris.
These had also taken another bark, and cut doAvn the raasts of
their old one by the board, and thus, without raasts or sails,
turned away the prisoners they had, taken in her. The next
day we took another bark,, that came frora Nata, being laden
with fowls as before this. . In this bark we turned away all
the raeanest prisoners we had on board us.
Having continued before Panaraa for the space of ten days,
being employed in the affairs before mentioned, on May the 2d,
*we weighed from the Island of Perico, and stood off to another
island, distant two leagues farther from thence, called Tavoga.
On this island stands a town which bears the s^e name, and
consists of a hundred houses, or "thereabouts. The people of
the town were all fled, seeing our vessels arrive. While Ave
were here, some of our men being drunk, ashore, happened to
set fire to one of the houses, the which consumed twelve houses
more, before any could get ashore to quench jt. To this island
came several Spanish merchants, frbm Panama, and sold us
what commodities we needed, buying also of us much of the
goods we had taken in their own vessels : they gave us,-like.
wise, two hundred pieces of eight, for each negro we could
spare them, of such as Avere our prisoners. From this island

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 205
we could easily see all the vessels that Avent out or carae into
the port of Panama ; and here we took, likewise, several barks
that were laden with fowls. •
Eight days after our arrival at Tavago, we took a ship that
Avas coming frora Truxillo, and bound for Panaraa. In this
ves^ql.we found two thousand jars of wine, iifty jars of gun
powder, and fifty-one thousand pieces of eight. This raoney
had been sent from that city, to pay the soldiers belonging to
"the garrisort of Panaraa. From the said prize we had informa
tion given us that there was another ship coming from Lima,
Avith one hundred thousand pieces of eight more ; which ship
Avas to sail ten or twelve days after them, and which they said
could not be long before she arrived at Panama. Within two
days after this intelligence, we took also another ship, laden
with flour, from Truxillo, belonging to certain Indians, inhab
itants of the same place, or thereabouts. This prize confirmed
what the first had told us of that rich ship, and said, as the
others had done before, that she wquld be there in the space of
eight or ten days.
While we lay at Tavoga, the president, or governor pf Pan
ama, sent a message by some merchants to us, to know Avhat
we came for into those parts. To this raessage Captain Saw
kins raade answer, ""That we carae to assist the king of Darien,
who was the true lord of Panaraa, and all th*^ country there
abouts : and that since we were corae so far, it Avas no reason
but that we should have some satisfaction. So that if he
pleased to send us five hundred pieces of eight for each man,
and one thousand for each commander, and not any further to
annoy the Indians, but suffer them to use their own power and
liberty, as became the true and natural lords of the country,
that then we Avould desist from further hostilities, and go away
peaceably ; otherwise that Ave should stay there, and get what
Ave could, causing thera what damage was possible. " By the
raerchants also that went and came to Panama, we understood
there lived then, as bishop of Panama, one who had fo'rraerly
been bishop of Santa Martha, and who was prisoner to Captain
Sawkins, when he took the said place, about four or five years
past. The captain having received this intelligence, sent two
loaves of sugar to the bishop, as a present. The next day the
merchant who carried thera, returning to Tavoga, brought the
captain a gold ring, for' a retaliation of his said present. And
withaj, he brought a raessage to Captain Sawkins, frora the
president above mentioned, to know further of hira, since we
were Englishraen, " from whom we had our commission, and
to whora he ought to coraplain for the daraages we had already
18

206 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
done them." To this raessage. Captain Sawkins sent back foi
an answer, " That, as yet, all his company ware not come to
gether ; but that, ^jrhen they were come up. We would come
and visit him at Panama, and bring our commissions on the
muzzles of 'our guns, at which time he should read them, as
plain as tlie flame of gunpowder could raake thera."
At this Island^f Tavoga, Captain Sawkins would fain have
staid longer to wait for the rich ship above raentioned that was
coming, frora Peru; but our raen were so importunate for fresh
victuals,, that no reason could rule thera, nor their own interest
persuade them to anything that might conduce to this purpose.
Hereupon, May the 15th, we weighed anchor, and sailed frora
thence to the Island of Otoque. Being arrived there, we lay
by it, while our boat went ashore, and fetched off fowls, hogs,
and other things necessary for sustenance. Here I finished a
draught, comprehending frora Point Garafchine to the Bay of
Panama,, &c. Of this, I may dare to affirra, that it is in gen
eral more correct and true than any the Spaniards have them
selves. For which cause I have here inserted it, for the satis
faction of those that are curious in such things.. ,
.From Otoque we sailed to the Island of Cayboa, which is a
place very famous for the fishery of pearl, thereabouts, and is
at the distance of eight leagues from another place called Pue
bla Nueba, on 'fhe Main. In our way to this island we lost
two of our barks, one whereof had fifteen men in her, and the
other seven. Being arrived, we cast anchor at the said island.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
Captain Sawkins, chief Commander of tjie Buccaneers, is killed before Puebla
Neuba. — They are repulsed from the Place. — Captain Sharp chosen to be
their Leader. — Many more of their Company leave them, and return Home,
over Land.
While we lay at anchor before Cayboa, our two chief com
manders. Captain Sa,wkins and Captain Sharp, taking AS'ith
them threescore men, or thereabouts, went in Captain Cook's
ship to the mouth of the river, where Puebla Nueba is situated.
The day of this action, as I find it quoted iii my journal, Avas
May 22, 1680. When they came to the river's mouth, -they
put theraselves into canoes, and were piloted up the river, to
wards the town, by a negro, who was one of our prisoners. I

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 207
was chosen to be concerned in this action, but happened not to
land, being commanded to remain in Captain Cook's ship, Avhile
they* Went up to assault the town. But here the inhabitants
were too well provided for the reception of our party ; for, at
the distance of a raile below the town, they had cut down
great trees, and laid thera across the river, 'with design to hin
der the coraing up of any boats. In like raanner, on shore, be
fore the toAvn itself, they had raised three strong breastworks,
and made other things for their defence. Here, therefore, Cap
tain Sawkins, running up to the breastworks, at the head of a
few raen, was killed — a man who was as valiant and courage
ous as any could be, and likewise, next to Captain Sharp, the
best beloved of all our company, or the most part thereof
Neither was this love undeserved by him ; for we ought justly
to attribute to him the greatest honor we gained in our engage-
raent before Panama, with the Spanish armadilla. Especially,
considering that, as hath been said above, Captain Sharp was,
by accident, absent at the time of that great and bloody fight.
We that reraained behind on board the ship of Captain Cook,
carried her within the mouth of the River Puebla Nueba, and
entered close by the east shore, which is croAvned with a round
hill. Within two stones cast of shore, we had four fathom
water. Within the point opens a very fine and large river,
which falls frora a sandy ^ay, at a small distance from thence ;
but as we were getting in, being strangers to the place, we dn-
wittingly ran our ship on ground, near a rock which lies on the
westward shore, for the true channel of the said river is nearer
to the east than west shore. With Captain Sawkins, in the ,
unfortunate assault of tljis place, there died two men more, and
three were wounded in the retreat, which they performed to the
canoes in pretty good order. In their way down the river. Cap
tain Sharp took a ship, whose lading consisted of indigo, otto,'
raanteco, or butter and pitch ; and likewise burnt two vessels
more, as being of no value. With this he returned on board
our ships, being much troubled in his mind, and grieved for the
loss of so bold and brave a partner in his adventures as Sawkins
had constantly showed himself to be. His death was much
lamented, and occasioned another party of our men to mutiny,
and leave us, returning, over land, as Captain Coxon and his
company had done before.
Three days dfter the death of Captain Sawkins, Captain
Sharp, who was now comnimder-in-chief, gave the ship which
he had taken in the River of Puebla Nueba, and which was of
the burthen of one hundred tons, or thereabouts, to Captain
Cook, to command and sail in ; ordering withal, that the old

208 THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA.
vessel which he had should go with those men that designed
to leave us ; their rautiny, and our distraction, being nowgrov/n
very high. Hereupon Captain Sharp copiing on board La Trini
dad, the greatest of our ships, asked our raen in full council,
who of thera were willing to go, or stay, and prosecute the
design Captain Sawkins had undertaken, Avhich was to reraain
in the South Sea, and there to make a complete voyage ; after
which he intended to go home round about America, through'
the Straits of Magellan ; he added withal, that he did not as
yet fear or doubt in the least but to raake each man who should
stay with him worth one thousand pounds, by the fruits he
hoped to reap of that voyage. All those who had remained
after the departure of Captain Coxon^ for love of Captain Saw
kins, and only to be in his company, and under his conduct,
thinking thereby to raake their fortunes, would stay no longer,
but pressed to depart. Among this number I acknowledge my
self to have been one, as being totally desirous in my mind to
quit those hazardous adventures, and return horaewards in com
pany of those who were now going to leave us. -Yet being
rauch afraid and averse to trust myself among wild Indians any
farther, I chose rather, to stay, though unwillingly, and venture
on that long and dangerous voyage ; besides which danger of
the Indians, I considered that the rains Avere now already up,
and it would be hard passing so many gullies, which of neces
sity would then be full of water, and Consequently create more
than one single peril to the undertakers of that journey. Yet
notwithstanding, sixty-three men of pur corapany were resolved
_ to encounter all these hardships, and to. leave us ; hereupon they
took their leave of us and returned horaewards, taking with them
the Indian king's son, and the rest of the Indians for their guides
over land. They had, as was said above, the ship wherein
Captain Cook sailed to carry them ; and out of our provision
as much as would serve for treble their nuraber.
On the last day of May they left us eraployed in taking in
water, and cutting down Avood, at the Island of Cayboa before
mentioned, where this mutiny happened. Here we caught very
good tortoise, and red deer; we killed also alligators of a Very
large size, some of them being above twenty foot in length.
But we could not find but that they were very fearful of a man,
and would fly from us very hastily when we hunted them.
This island lieth south-south-east frora the raouth of the river
above raentioned. On the south-last side of the island is a
shoal, or spit of sand, which stretched itself the space of a quarter
of a league into the^sea; here, therefore, just within this shoal,
we anchored in the' depth of fourteen fathbm water. The isl-

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 209
and on this side thereof maketh two great bays, in the first of
which we watered, at a certain pond not distant above the cast
of a stone up frora the bay. In this pond, as I was Avashing
myself, and standing under a manzanilla tree, a small shower
of rain happened to fall on the tree, and frora thence dropped
on ray skin : these drops caused rae to break out all over my
body into red spots, of which I was well for the space of a week
-after. Here I eat. very large oysters, the biggest that ever I
eat in ray life, insorauch that I was forced to cut thera into
four pieces, each quarter of thera being a good mouthful.
Three days after the departure of the mutineers, Captain
Sharp ordered us to burn the ship that I had hitherto sailed in,
only out of design to make use of the iron-work belonging to
the said vessel. Withal we put all the flour that was her lad
ing into the last prize taken in the River of Puebla Nueba, and
Captain Cook, as was said before, Avas ordered to command her ; ¦
but the men belonging to his corapany would not sail any
longer under his command. Hereupon he quitted his vessel, and
came on board our admiral, the great ship above mentioned,
called La Trinidad, determining to rule over such unruly com
pany no longer. In his place was put John Cox, an inhabitant
of New England, who forced kindred, as was thought, on Cap
tain Sharp, out of old acquaintance, in this'conjuncture of time,
only to advance himself; thus he Avas made, as it were, vice-
admiral to Captain Sharp. The next day three of our prison
ers, viz., an Indian, who was captain of a ship, and two mu
lattoes, ran away from us, and made their escape.
- After this it was thought convenient to send Captain Peralta
prisoner in the adrairal, on board Mr. Cox's ship ; this was done
to the intent he might not hinder the endeavors of Captain
Juan, Avho was commander of the money ship we took, men
tioned at the Island of Tavoga. For this man had promised tp
do great things for us, by piloting and conducting us to several
places of great riches, but raore especially to Guayaquil, where
he said we raight lay down our silver, and lade our vessel Avith
gold. This design was undertaken by Captain Sawkins, and
had not the headstrongness of his men brought him to the Isl
and of Cayboa, where he lost his life, he had certainly effected
it before now. That night we had such thunder and light
nings, as I npver heard before in all my hfe ; our prisoners told
us, that in these parts it very often caused great damages, both
by sea" and land ; and my opinion gave rae to believe, that. our
mainmast received some damage on this occasion. The rainy
season being noAV entered, the wind for the most part was at N.
W., though not without some calms.
18*

210 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

CHAPTER X.X XIV.
They depart frora the Island of Cayboa to the Isle of Gorgona, where they careen
their Vessels. — Description of this Isle. — They resolve to go and plunder
Arica, leaving their Design of Guayaquil.
Having got in all things necessary for sailing, we were now
in a readiness to depart on Sunday, June 6, 1680. That day
Ave had sorae rain fell, which now Avas very frequent in all those
places. About five o'clock in the evening we set sail for the
Island of Cayboa, with a small breeze, the wind being at S. S.
W. Our course Avas E. S. by E. and S. E. after sailing two
days, with little or no wind. On the third, about sunrising, we
descried duicara, which at that tirae bore N. W. , by W. from
us, at the distance of five leagues, or thereabouts.
These are two several islands, whereof the least is to the
southward of the other. The land is a low table land ; they
are above three leagues in length.
Thursday, June 10, we saw raany tortoises floating upon, the
sea ; hereupon we hoisted out our boat, and came to one of
them, who offered not to stir until she was struck, and even
then not to sink to the bottom, but rather to swim away*: the
sea hereabouts is very full of several sorts of fish, as dolphins,
bonites, albicores, mullets, and old wives, &c., which carae swinr-
raing about our ship in whole shoals. The next day, which was
Friday, our Spanish prisoners inforraed us we raust not expect
any settled wind until Ave carae within the latitude of three
degrees ; for all along the Avestern shore of these seas there is
little wind, which is the cause that those ships that go from
Acapulco to the islands called De las Philippinas, do coast along
the shore of California, until they get into the height of forty-
five degrees ; yea, sonietimes of fifty degrees latitude. As the
wind varied, so Ave tacked several tiraes, thereby to make the
best of our way that was possjile to the southward.
As our prisoners had inforraed us, so we found it by experi
ence : for sailing two days with small wind, and rauch rain,
June 17, about five in the raorning we descried land, which
appeared all along io be very Ioav, and likewise full of creeks
and bays. Our pilot not knowing 'what land it was, we called
Mr. Cox on board us, who brought Captain Peralta with him :
this gentleraan being asked, presently told us the land we saw
was the land of Barbacoa, being alraost a wild country all
over ; withal, he informed us, that to the leeward of us, at the
distance of ten leagues, or thereabouts, did lie an island called

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 211
by the name of Gorgona ; the which island, he said, the Span
iards did shun, and very seldom came near itj by reason of the
incessant and continual rains there faUing, scarce one day in
the year being dry at that place. Captain Sharp having heard
this iriformation of Captain Peralta, judged the said island
might be the fittest place for our company to careen at ; con
sidering, that if the Spaniards did not frequent it, we might in
all probability lie there undescried, and our enemies, the Span
iards, in the mean time might think we were gone but of those
seas. At this time it was that I seriously repented my staying
in the South Seas, and that I did not return homewards in
company of thera that Avent before us : for I knew and could
easily perceive that by these delays the Spaniards Avould gain
time, and be able to send advice of our coraing to every port
all along the coast, so that we should be prevented in all, or
raost of our atterapts and designs, wheresoever we carae. But
those of our company who had got money b^ the former prizes
of this voyage, overswayed the others who had lost all their
booty at gaming. Thus Ave bore away for the Island aforesaid
of. Gorgona.
On the raain land, over against this Island of Gorgona, we'
were told by our prisoners, that up a great lake is an Indian
town, "if here they have a large quantity of sand grains of gold :
moreover, that five days' sail up a river belonging to the said
lake dwell four Spanish superintendents, Avho have each of
thera the charge of overseeing fifty or sixty Indians, who are
employed in gathering that gold which slippeth frora the chief
collectors, or finders thereof : these are at least threescore and
ten, or fourscore Spaniards,. Avith a great nuraber of slaves be
longing to them, who dwell higher up than these four superin
tendents, at the distance of twenty-five or thirty days' sailing
on the said river. That once, every year, at a certain season,
there comes a vessel from Liraa, the capital city of Peru, to
fetch the gold that is gathered here ; and withal, to bring these
people such necessaries as they want. By land, it is full six
weeks' travel from thence to Lima. The main land to wind
ward of this island is very low, and full of rivers : all along the
coast it rains extremely : the island is distant from the continent
only four leagues.
Captain Sharp gave this island the name of Sharp's Isle, by
reason we careened at this place. We anchored on the south
side of it, at the mouth of a very fine river, which there dis
gorges itself into the sea. There belong to this island about
thirty rivers and rivulets, all Avhich fall from the rocks on the
several sides of the island : the whole circumference thereof is

I
212 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
about three leagues and a half, being all high and mountainous
land, excepting onlyon that side where we cast anchor. Here,
therefore, we moored our ship in the depth of eighteen or twenty
fathom Avater, and began to unrig the vessel : but we were four
or five days' space before Ave could get our sails dry, so as to
fee able to take thera frora the yards, there falling a shower of
rain alraoSt every hour, day and night. The main land to the
east of the island, and so stretching northwards, is extreme
•high and towering, and withal perpetually clouded, excepting
only at the rising of the sun, Avhen the tops of those hills are
clear. From the south side of this island where we anchored,
Ave could see the low land of the main, at least a point thereof,
which lieth nearest to the island : the appearance it maketh is,
as if it were trees growing out of the water.
Friday, July 2, as we Avere heaving down our ship, our
mainmast happened tb crack ; hereupon our car'periters were
obliged to cut out-'large fishes and fish it, as they terra it.
The-next day after the mischance of our mainraast, we killed
a snake fourteen inches thick, and eleven feet long. About
the distance of a league from' this island runs a ledge of rocks,
'over which the wateir continually breaks ; the ledge being
about two miles, or thereabouts, in length. • Had we an
chored but half a raile more northerly, we had rid in mu'ch
smoother water : for here the wind came in upon us in violent
gusts. While we were there, from June 13 to July 3, we had
dry weather, Avhich Avas esteemed as a rarity by the Spaniards,
our prisoners. Every day we saAV whales and grampuses,
who Avould often come and dive under our ship : we fired at
them several times, but our bullets rebounded frora their bod
ies. Our choice and best provisions here were Indian conies,
raonkeys, Snakes, oysters, concks, periwinkles, with some other
sorts of good fish, and a fcAV small turtle. Here we also caught
a sloth, a beast well deserving that narae, given it by the
Spaniards, by whora it is called pereza, from the Latin word
pigritia. At this island died Joseph Gabriel, a Spaniard, born in Chili,
who was to have been our pUot to Panaraa ; he was the same
man Avho had stolen and raarried the Indian king's daughter,
as was mentioned above : he had all along been very true and
faithful to us, in discovering several plots and conspiracies of
our prisoners, either to get away or destroy us.' His death
was occasioried by a calenture, or malignant fever, which killed
him after three days' sickness, having lain two days senseless.
During the time of our stay at this island, we lengthened our
top-sail yards, and got up top-gallant masts : we made two

THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA. 213
stay-sails, and refitted our ship very well ; but we wanted pro
visions extremely, as having nothing considerable of any sort,
but flour and Avater. Being almost ready to depart. Captain
Sharp, our coraraafider, gave us to .understand he had changed
his resolution, concerning the design of going to Guayaquil,
.for -he thought it would be in vain to go thither, considering,
that in all this tirae Ave raust of necessity have been descried ;
yet, notwithstanding he hiraself, before, had persuaded us to
stay. Being very doubtful among ourselves what course we
should take, a certain old raan, who had a long tirae sailed
araong the Spaniards, told us he could carry us to a place called
Arica, to which town, he said, all the plate was brought down
from Potosi, Chuquisaca, and several other places within the
land, where it was digged out of , the mountains and raines ;
and that he doubted not but we might get there at least two
thousand pound a man, by Avay of booty ; for all the plate of
the South Sea lay there as it were in store, being deposited
at the said place till such time as the ships fetched it away.
Being moved with these reasons, and having deliberated there
upon, we resolved in the end to go to trie said place. At
this Island of Gorgona afore mentioned, we likewise took
down our round-house coach, and all the high carved work
belonging to the stern of the ship : for when we took her
from the Spaniards before Panama, she was as high as any
third rate-ship in England.

CHAPTER XXXV.
The Buccaneers depart from the Isle of Gorgona, with Design to plunder
Arica. — They lose one another by the "Way. — They touch at the Isle of Plate,
or Drake's Isle, where they meet again. — Description of this Isle. — Some
Memoirs of Sir Francis Drake. — They sail as far in a Fortnight as the
Spaniards usually do in three Months.
On Sunday, July 25, in the afternoon, aU things being now
in readiness for our departure, we set sail, and stood away from
the Island of Gorgona, or 'Sharp's Isle, with a sraall breeze
which served us at N. W., but as the sun went down, our
breeze lessened by degrees into a perfect calm ; yet we could
perceive that our ship began to sail much better since the
taking down her round-house, and the other alterations which
we made in her.

214 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
The next day, about two o'clock in the morning, we had a
land breeze to help us, which lasted for the space of six hours,
and again iu the evening Ave had another. This day the Span
iards, our prisoners, told us, in common discourse, that in most'
parts of this low land coast they find threescore fathom water.
The third night, about ten o'clock. Captain Sharp ordered me
to speak to Captain Cox to go about, and stand off from the
shore, for he feared he would come too near it : bht he replied,
he knew well that he might stand in till two o'clock. The
next raorning, early, being cloudy aud quite calm, we saw him
not, and, notwithstanding at eight o'clock it cleared up, neither
then could we get sight at him : from hence Ave concluded,
and so it proved, that we had lost him in the dark, through his
obstinacy in standing in too long, and not coming about when
we spoke to him. Thus our admiral's ship was left alone, and
we had not the corapany of Captain Cox again till we arrived
at the Isle of Plate, Avhere we had the good fortune to find him
again, as shall be mentioned hereafter. The weather being
clear this morning, we could -see Gorgona, at the distance of at
least fifteen or sixteen leagues to the east-north-east.
Thursday, July 29, 1680, about four in the afternoon, we
came within sight of the Island del Gallo, which I guessed to
be nigh twenty-eight leagues distant from that of Gorgona, the
place of our departure, S. W.
The next day, being July 30, the wirid blew very fresh
and brisk, insomuch that we Avere in some fear for the heads
of' our low masts, as being very sensible that they were but
weak. About three or four in the afternoon, Ave saw another
island, six or seven leagues distant from Gallo, called Gorgo-
nUla. All the main land hereabouts lieth very low and flat, and
is in very many places overfloAvn and drowned every high
water. This day, and the night before it, Ave lost by our com
putation three leagues of our way, which I believe happened
by reason we stood out too far frora the land, as having stood
off all night long.
August the 1st, which was Sunday, we had a very fresh
wind, at W. S. W., with several sraall showers of rain. Mean-
While we got pretty well to Avindward, by raaking small trips
to and fro ; which we performed, giost coraraonly, by standing
in three glassesj arid as many out.
The next day, August the 2d, in the raorning, we carae up
to the high land of San lago, where beginneth the high land
of this coast. We kept at the distance of .ten leagues frora it,
making continual short trips, as was mentioned before.
Wednesday, August the 4th, we continued still turning jn

THE BUCCANEERS OF ASIERICA. 215
the wind's eye, as Ave had done for two days before. In the
afternoon we discovered three hills at E. N. E. of our ship,
which make the land of San Matteo. That evening, also, Ave
saw the Cape of San Francisco.
Thursday, August the 5th, we being then about the cape, it
looked very like Beachy Head, in England : it is full of white
cliffs on all sides. ' The land turneth off here to the eastward
of the south, and maketh a large and deep bay, the circumfer
ence whereof is full of pleasant hills. In the bite of the bay
are tAVO high and rocky islands, Avhich represent exactly two
ships with their sails full. We were now come out of the
rainy countries into a pleasant and fair region, where we had
for the most part a clear sky and dry weather ; only now and
then a small mist, which would soon vanish. Meanwhile a
great dew used to fall every night, which supplied the defect
of rain.
On Sunday, August the Sth, we carae close under a wild
and raountainous country, and saw Cape Passao, at the distance
of ten leagues, or thereabouts, to windward of us. Ever since
we carae on this side Mangrove Point, we observed a windward
current did run along as we sailed. Under shore, and lower
towards the pitch of the cape, the land is full bf white cliffs
and groves.
The next day we had both a fair day and a fresh Avind to
help us on our voyage. We observed that Cape Passao maketh
three points, between. Avhich are two bays ; the leeward raost
of the two is three leagues long, and the other four. Adjoin
ing to the bay is a pleasant valley. Our prisoners informed us,
that northward of these capes live certain Indians who sell
raaize, and other provisions, to any ships that happen to con^e
in there. The cape itself is a continued cliff, covered Avith
several serfs of shrubg and low bushes. Under these cliffs lies
a sandy bay, forty feet deep. The Spaniards say that the wind
is always here, between the S. S. W. and W. S.'W.
Tuesday, August the 10th. This morning the sky Avas so
thick and hazy, that we could not see the high land, though it
¦ were just before us ; but as soon as it cleared up, Ave stood in
towards the land, till we came within a mile, of the shore.
August the llth, we found ourselves N. N. W. frora Monte
de Christo, being a very high and round hill. From thence to
windward is seen a very pleasant country, with spots here and
there of woody land, which causes the country all over to look
like so many enclosures of ripe corn-fields. To leeward of the
said hill, the land is all high and hilly, with white cliffs at the
sea-side. The coast runs S. W. till it reaches a point of land.

216 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
within which is the port of Manta. This port is a settlement
of the Spaniards and Indians together, where ships that want
provisions put in, and are furnished with several necessaries.
About six or seven leagues to windward of this port is Cape St.
Lawrence, butting out into the sea, in forra of the top of a
church. As we sailed we saw multitudes of grampuses every
day, as also water-snakes of divers colors. 'Both the Spaniards
and Indians are very fearful of these snakes, as believing there
is no cure for their bitings.
This day, before night, we came within sight of Manta.
Here we saw the houses of the town belonging to the port,
which Avere not above twenty or thirty Indian houses, lying
under the Avindward and the mount. We were not willing to
be descried by the inhabitants of the place, and hereupon we
stood off to sea again.
On Thursday, August the 12th, in the morning, we saw the
Island of Plate at S. W. at the distance of five leagues or there
abouts. It appeared to us to be a plain country. Having made
this island, we resolved to go thither and refit our rigging, and
get some goats which there run Avild up and down the country.
For, as was said before, at this time we had no other provision
than flour and water. This day several great whales came up
to us, and dived under our ship. One of these whales folloAved
our ship, from two in the afternoon till dark night.
' The next morning very early, about six of the clock, we
came under the aforesaid Isle of Plate ; and here unexpectedly,
to our great joy, we found at anchor the ship of Captain Cox,
with his whole corapany, whom he had lost at sea for the space
of a Avhole fortnight before, who had arrived there four days
before us, and were just ready to sail thence. About seven Ave
came to ari anchor, and then the other vessel sent us a live tor
toise and a goat to feast upon that day ; telling us, withal, of.
great store of tortoises to be found ashore uppn the bays, and
of much fish tec be caught hereabouts. The island is very steep
on all sides ; insomuch that there is no landing, but only at the
N. E. side thereof, where is a gully, near Avhich we anchored
in twelve fathom water. Here, at the distance of a furlong, or
little more from the^ shore, is a cross still standing, erected at
the first discovery of it by the Spaniards. No trees are to be
found on the whole island, only low shrubs, bn which the goats
feed, which are here very numerous. The shore is bold and
hard, neither is there any Avater to be found upon it, save only
on the S. W. side, where it cannot be corae at, being so envi
roned by the rocks, and too great a sea hindering the approach
by boats.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 217
This island received its narae from Sir Francis Drake,
and his fitoious actions. For it is reported that he here raade
the dividend of that vast quantity of plate, which he took in
the armada of this sea, distributing it to each man of his com
pany by whole bowls full. ,The Spaniards affirm to this day,
that he took at that time twelve score tons of plate, and sixteen
bowls of coined money a man,, his number being then forty-
five men in all ; insomuch that they were forced to heave rauch
of it overboard, because his ship could not carry it all. Hence
this island was called by the Spaniards the Isle of Plate, frora
this great dividend, and by us Drake's Isle.
All along as we sailed, we found the Spanish pilots to be very
ignorant of the coasts; but they pleaded in excuse for their ig
norance, that the merchants either of Mexico, Liraa, Panama, or
other parts, who employ them, will not intrust one pennyworth
of goods on that man's vessel that corks her, for fear she should
miscarry. Here our prisoriers told us likewise, that in the time
of Oliver CromweU, or the comraonwealth of England, a certain
ship .was fitted out of Lima,- Avith seventy brass guns, having
on board her no less than thirty raillions of dollars, or pieces of
eight. All which vast sura of raoney was given by the mer
chants of Lima, and sent as a present to our gracious king (or
rather, his father) who now reigneth, to supply him in .his exile
and distress. But that this great and rich ship Avas lost by
keeping along the shore in the, bay of Manta above mentioned,
or thereabouts. The truth whereof is much to be questioned.
At this island we tobk out of Mr. Cox's ihip the old Moor
who pretended he would be our pilot to Arica. This was done
lest we should have the raisfortune of losing the corapany of
Cox's vessel, as we had done before, our ship being the biggest in
burden, and having the greatest nuraber of raen. Captain Pe
ralta oftentimes admired that we were gotten so far to the
windward in so little space of time ; whereas they had been,
he said, many times three or four months in reaching to this
distance from our departure : but their long and tedious voyages,
he added, were occasioned by their keeping at too great a distance
from the shore. Moreover, he told us, that had we gone to the
islands of Galapagos, as we were once determined to do, Ave had
met with raany calms and currents, in which many ships have
been lost, and never heard of raore. This Island of Plate is
about two leagues in length, and very full of deep and danger
ous bays, as also such as we call gullies in these parts.
We caught at this island, and salted good number, of goats
and tortoises. One man standing here on a little bay, in one
day turned seventeen tortoises; besides which number, bur
19

218 THE BUCCANEERS bF AMERICA.
musquito strikers brought us in several more. Captain Sharp,
our commander, shoAved himself very ingenious in striKing them,
he performing it as well as the tortoise strikers themselves.
For these creatures have so little sense of fear, that they offer
not to sink from the fishermen, but lie still till they are struck.
But we found that the tortoises on this side were not so large
nor so sweet to the taste as those on the north side of the isl
and. Of goats we have taken, killed, and salted above a hun
dred in a day, and that Avith ease. While we staid here we
made a' square raain-topsail yard. We cut also six foot of our
boltsprit, and three foot raore. of our head. Most of the time
we remairied here we had hazy weather ; only now and then
the sun would happen to break out, and then shine sb hot, that*
it burnt the skin off the necks of several of our men. As for
me, ray lips were burnt so that they Avere not well in a whole
week after.

CHAPTER XXXVI. '
Captain Sh^rp and his Company depart from the Island of Plate, in Prosecutioti
of their "Voyage towards Arica. — They take two Spanish Vessels by the "Way,
and get InteUigence from the Enemy. — Eight of their Company destroyed at
the Isle of Gallo. — Tediousness of this Voyage, and great Hardship they en
dured. Having taken in provisions and other necessaries we could
get at the Isle of Plate, we set sail frora thence, Tuesday the
17th of August, 1680, in prosecution of our voyage and designs
above raentioned, to take and plunder the vastly rich town of
Arica. This day we sailed so well, as we did likewise several
days after, that we were forced to lie by several tiraes, besides
pressing our topsails, to keep our other ship company, lest we
should lose her again.
Next morning, about break of day, we found ourselves at
the distance of seven or eight leagues to the westward of the
island, frora whence we departed, stariding W. by S., with a
S. by W. wind. We were several tiraes this day forced to stay
for the other vessel belonging to our company.
The day following we continued likewise a west course all
the day long. Hereabouts we observed very great ripplings of
the sea.
August the 20th, we found still that we gained very much
of fhe small ship, which did not a little both perplex and hinder
us in our course.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 219
The next day I finished two quadrants, each of which Avas
tAVO foot and a half radius. Here we had in like manner, as
hath been mentioned on other days of our sailings, very many
dolphins, and other sorts of fish swimming about our ship.
On the morning following we saw again the Island of Plate
at N. E.
The sarae day, at tbe distance of six leagues, or thereabouts,
frora the said island, we saw another island called Solango.
This isle lies close im by the main land. This day likewise
we found that our lesser ship was still a great hinderance to our
sailing, as being forced to lie by, and stay for her two or three
hours every day. We found likewise, that the further from
shore we were, the less wind Ave had all along ; and that under
the shore we were always sure of a fresh gale, though not so
favorable as we could have wished. Hitherto we .had used to
stand off forty leagues, and yet notwithstanding, in the space
of six days, Ave had not got above ten leagues on our voyage
frora the place of our departuae.
August 23d. This day, at S. by W. and about six leagues
distance from us, we descried a long and even hill. I took it
to be an island, and conjectured it might be at least eight
leagues distant frora the continent. But afterwards we found
it was a point of land adjoining to the raain, and is called
Point St. Helen, being continued by a piece of land which
lieth low, and in several places is alraost drowned from the
sight, so that it cannot be seen two leagues' distance. In this
low land the Spaniards have convenience for making pitch, tar,
salt, and some other things, for which purpose they have sev
eral houses here, and a friar, who serveth them as their chap
lain. From Solango to this place, are reckoned eleven leagues,
or thereabouts. The land is hereabouts indifferent high, and
is likewise full of bays. We had this day very little wind to
help, us in our voyage, except now arid then a blast. . These
soraetiraes would prove pretty fair to us, and allow us for some
little while a south course. But our ehiefest course was S. E.
by S.
Here we found no great current of the sea to move any way.
At the Isle of Plate before described, the sea ebbs and flows
nigh thirteen ' foot perpendicular. About four leagues to lee
ward of this Point St. Helen is a deep bay, having a key at
the mouth of it, which takes up the better part of its wideness.
In the deepest part of the bay on shore, we saw a great smoke,
which was at a village belonging to the bay, to which place
the people Avere reraoved frora the point above raentioned.
Hereabouts it is all along a very bold shore. • At three of the

220 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
clock in the afternoon, we tacked about to clear ourselves of
the point. Being now a little way Avithout the point, we spied
a sail, which we conceived to be a bark. Hereupon, we hoisted
out our canoe, and sent it in pursuit of her, which made di
rectly for the shore. But the sail ^proved to be nothing but a
pair of bark-logs, which arriving on shore, the men spread their
sails on the sand of the bay to dry. At the same time there
came down upon the shore an Indian on horseback, who hal
looed to our canoe which had followed the logs. But our men
fearing to discover who Ave were, in case they went too near
the shore, left the design, and returned back to us. In those
parts the Indians have no canoes, nor any wood fit to make
them of Had we been descried ^by these poor people, they
would in all probability have been very fearful of us : but they
offered not to stir, which gave us to understand they k^ew us not.
We could perceive from the ship a great .path leading to the
hills, so that we believed this place to be a lookout, or watch-
place, for the security of Guayaquil. Between four and five
we doubled the point, and then we descried the Point Chonday,
at the distance of six leagues S. S. E. from this point.
Tuesday, August 24, at noon, Ave took the other ship wherein
Captain Cox sailed, into a tow, she being every day a greater
hinderance than other to our voyage. Thus about three in the
afternoon we lost sight of land,"in standing over for Cape Blan
co : here we found a strong current move to the S. W., the
wind was at S. W. by S., our course being S. by E. At the
upper end of this gulf, which is framed by the two capes above
mentionedj stands the city of Guayaquil, being a very rich
place, and the embarcadero, or sea-port, to the great city of
Q,uito. To this place, likewise, many of the merchants of Li
ma usually send the money they design for Old Spain, in barks,
and by that means save the custorh, that otherwise they should
pay to the king, by carrying it on board the fleet. Hither
comes much gold from Quito ; and very good and strong broad
cloth, together \^ith images for the use of churches, and several
other things of considerable value ; but raore especially cocoa-
nut, whereof chocolate is made, which is supposed here to be
the best in the whole universe. The town of Guayaquil con
sists of about one hundred and fifty great houses, and twice as
raany little ones: this was the town to which Captain Sawkins
intended to make his voyage, as was mentioned above. When
ships of greater burthen corae into this gulf, they anchor with
out Lapina, and then put their lading into lesser vessels to carry
it to town. Towards the evening of this day, a small breeze
sprung up, varying from point to point ; -after which, about

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. * 221
nine o'clock at night, we tacked about, and stood off at sea,
W. by N.
As soon as we had tacked, we happened to -spy a sail, N. N.
E. from us ; hereupon, we instantly cast off our vessel, which
we had in a tow, and stood round about after them. We came
very near the vessel before they saw us, by reason of the dark
ness of the night ; as soon as they espied us they immediately
clapped on a wind, and sailed very well before us ; insomuch, that
it was a pretty while before we could come up with thera, and
Avithin call. We hailed thera in Spanish, by means of an In
dian prisoner, and commanded them to lower their topsails.
They answered, they would soon make us to lower our own.
Hereupon, we fired several guns at them, and they as thick at
us again Avith their harquebwsses : thus they fought for the space
of half an hour, or more, and would have done it longer, had
Ave not killed tbe man at the helm ; after whom, none of the
rest dared to be so hardy as to take his, place. With another
of our shot we cut in pieces and disabled their main-top-hal
liards ; hereupon they cried out for quarter, which we gave
them, and entered their ship. Being possessed of the vessel,
Ave found in her five and thirty raen, of which number twen
ty-four Avere natives of Old Spain : they had one and thirty
fire arms on board the ship for their defence. They had not
fought us, as they declared afterwards, but only out of a brava
do, having promised on shore so to do, in case they met us at
sea. The captain of this vessel was a person of quality, and
his brother, since the death of Don Jacinto de Barahona, killed
in the engagement before Panama, was now made admiral of
the sea armada: with him we took also, in this bark, five or
six other persons of quality. They did us in this fight, though
short, very great damage in our rigging, by cutting it in pieces.
Besides which, they wounded two of our men ; and a third
man was wounded by the negligence of one of our own men,
occasioned by a pistol, Avhich went off unadvisedly. About
eleven o'clock this night, we stood off to the west.
The next morning, about break of day, we'hoisted out our
canoe, and went aboard the bark which we had taken the
night before. We put on board our own ship more of tbe pris
oners taken in the said vessel, and began to examine them, to
get what intelligence we could from thera. -The captain of
the vessel, who was a very civil and meek gentleman, satisfied
our desires in this point very exactly, saying, " Gentlemen," I
am now your prisoner of war by the overruling providence of
fortune ; and moreover, am very weU satisfied that no money
whatsoever can procure my ransom, at least for the present, at
19*

222 ' THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
your hands : hence I am persuaded, it is not ray interest to tell
you a lie ; which if I do, I desire you to punish rae as severely '
as you shall thlhk fit. We heard of your taking and destroy
ing oUr armadilla, aud other ships at Panama, about six weeks
after that engagement, by two several barks Avhich arrived here
from thence ; but they could not inform us whether you de
signed to come any further to the southward ; but rather, de
sired we would send thera spefedily all the help by sea that we
could, ftereupon, we sent the noise and ruraor of your being
in these seas to Lima, desiring they Avould expedite what suc
cors they could send to join with ours. We had, at that tirae,
in our harbor, two or three great ships, but all of thera very-
unfit to sail; for this reason, at Lima, the viceroy of Peru
pressed three great merchant ships', into the biggest of which
he put fourteen brass guns ; into the second, ten ;.and in the
other, six ; unto these he added two barks, and put seven hun
dred and fifty soldiers on board them all ; of this number of
raen, they landed eightscore at Point St. Helen : alll the rest
being carried down to Panama, with design to fight you there;
besides these forces, two other men-of-Avar, bigger than the
afore mentioned, are still lying at Liraci, and fitting out there
with all speed to follow and pursue you. One of these raen-
of-war is equipped with thirty-six brass guns, and the other
with thirty : these ships, besides their compleraent of seamen,
have four hundred soldiers added to them by the viceroy.
Another man-of-war belonging to this number, and lesser than
the afore mentioned, is called the Patache ; this ship carries
twenty-four guns, and was sent to Arica to fetch the king's
plate from thence; but the viceroy having received intelli
gence of your exploits at Panama, sent for this ship back from
thence in such haste, that they carae away and left the money
behind them. Hence the Patache now lies at the port of Cal
lao, ready to sail on the first occasion, or news of your arrival
thereabouts ; they having for this purpose sent to all parts
very strict orders to keep a good look out on all sides, and all
places along the coast ; since this, from Manta they sent us
word that they had seen two ships at sea pass by that place :
and from the Goat Key also Ave heard, that the Indians had
seen you, and that they -were assured, that one of your vessels
was the ship called La Trinidad, which you had taken before
Panam'a, as being a ship very well known in these seas : from
hence we concluded that your design Avas to ply and raake your
voyage thereabouts. Now this bark Avherein you took us pris
oners, being bound for Panariia, the governor of Guayaquil sent
us out before her departure, if possible, to discover you ; which

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

223

if we did, we were to-run the bark on shore, and get away, or
else to fight you with these soldiers and fire-arras, that you
see. As soon as we heard of your being in these seas, we built
two forts, the one of six guns", and the other of four, for the
defence of the town : at the last rauster taken in the town of
Guayaquil, we had there eight hunred and fifty men, of all col
ors ; but when we came out, Ave left only two hundred and
fifty raen that were actually under arms." Thus ended the
relation of that worthy gentleman. About nbon that day we
unrigged the bark, which Ave had taken, and then sunk her.
Then we stood S. S. E., and afferwards S. by W.and S. S. W.
That evening we saw Point St. Helen at the north half east,
at the distance of nine leagues, or thereabouts.
The next day, being August 26_, in the raorning we stood
south. The next day we reckoned up all our pillage, and found
it araounted to three thousand two hundred and seventy-six
pieces of eight, which was accordingly divided into shares
araongst us. We also punished a friar, who was chaplain to
the bark afore mentioned, and shot him upon the deck, casting
him overbqard before he Avas dead. Such cruelties, though I
abhorred very rauch in my heart, yet here was I forced to hold
my tongue and not contradict them, as having no authority to
oversway thera. About ten o'clock this morning we saw land
again, and the pilot-said we Avere sixteen leagues to leeward of
Cabo Blanco : hereupon Ave stood off and in, close under the
shore, which appeared to be all barren land.
The morning following we had very little wind, so that we
advanced bufslowly all 'that day : to windward of us we could
perceive the continent to be all high land, being whitish clay
full of white cliffs. This morning, in comraon discourse, our
prisoners acknowledged they had destroyed one of our little
barks, which Ave lost in our way to the Island of Cayboa.
They stood away, as it appeared by their inforraation, for the
Goat Key, thinking to find us there, as having heard Captain
Sawkins say that he would go thither. On their way they
happened to fall in with the Island of Gallo, and understanding
its weakness by their Indian pilot, they ventured on shore, and
took the pla'ce, carrying away three white Avoraen in their com
pany. But after a small time of cruising, they returned again
to the afore-mentioned island, where' they staid the space of
two or three days ; after which they went to sea again. Within
three or four days they came to a little key four leagues distant
from this isle. But while they had been out and in thus, sev
eral, times, one of their prisoners made his escape to the main,
and brought off from thence fifty men Avith fire-arms. These

224

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

225

placing themselves in arabuscade, at the first volley of their
shot, killed six of the seven raen that belonged to the bark.
The other man that was left took quarter of the enemy ; and
he it was that disc(fvered our design upon the town of Guay
aquil. By an observation which was raade this day, we found
ourselves to be in the latitude of 3° 50' S. At this time, our
prisoners told us, there Avas an embargo laid on all the Span
ish ships, commanding them not to stir out of the ports, for
fear of falling into our hands. ^ «
Saturday, August 28. This morning we took out all the
water, and most part of the flour, that was in Captain Cox's
vessel : having done this, we made a hole in the vessel, and left
her to sink, with a small old canoe at her stern. To leeward
of Manta, a league from shore, in eighteen fathom Avater, there
runs a great current outwards. About eleven in the forenoon,
we weighed anchor, with wind at W. N. W., turning it out.
Our number was now one hundred and forty men, boys, and
fifty-five prisoners, all now in one and the same bottom. This
day we got six or seven leagues in the wind's eye.
All the day-following we had a very strong S. S. W. wind ;-
insomuch that we were forced to sail with two reefs in our
main-topsail, and one also in our fore-topsail. Here Captain
Peralta told us, that the first place which the Spaniards settled in
these parts, after Panama, was Tumbes, now to lecAvard of us.
That there a priest went ashore with a cross in his hand, while
ten thousand Indians gazed at him. Being landed, there came
two lions out of the woods, and after them two tigers, on the
backs of whom the priest having gently laid the cross, they
fell down and worshipped it ; which gave such a testimony
to the truth of the Christian religion, that the Indians soon
embraced the same. About four in the evening we came
abreast the cape, (Cape Blanco,) which is the highest part of
all. The land thereabouts appeareth to be barrel;^ and rocky.
Were it not for a' windward current which runs under the
shore hereabouts, it were totally injpossible for any ships to get
about this cape, there being such a great current to- the leeward
in the offing. In the last bark which we took, of Avhich we
spoke in this chapter, we raade prisoner one Nicholas Moreno,
a Spaniard by birth, and who \vas esteeraed to be a very good
pilot of the South Sea. He was continually praising the sail
ing, of our ship, which he said was especially occasioned by
the alterations we raade in her. As we Went along, we ob
served raany bays between this cape and Point Parina, of
which we shall raake raention hereafter.
In the night the wind came about to S. S. E., and we had a

226 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMEBICA.
very stiff gale ; so that, by break of day, we found ourselves
about five leagues to windward of the cape afore mentioned.
The next day likewise, being the last of August, the wind
still continued S. S. E., as it had done the whole day before.
This day we thought it convenient to stand further out to sea,
for fear of being descried at Paita, which now was not very far
distant from us. The morning proved hazy ; but about eleven
we spied a sail, which stood then just as we did, E, by S.
Coming n'earer by degrees, we found her tp be nothing but a
pair of bark-logs under sail. Our pilot advised us not to med
dle Avith, or take any notice of thera, for it was very doubtful
whether Ave should be able to come up with them or not ; and
then, by giying chase to them, we should easily be descried and
known to be English pirates, as they called us. These bark-
logs sail excellently well for the most part, and some of them
are so big as to carry two hundred and fifty packs of meal from
the valleys to Panama, without wetting any of it. This day,
by an observation made, we found ourselves in 4° 55' latitude
South : we saw Point Parina at N. E. by E., and at the distance
of six leagues, or thereabouts-.
At the same time La Sillade Paita bore from us S. E. by E.,
being distant only seven or eight leagues.
The town- of Paita is situated in a deep bay about two
leagues tb the leeward of this hill. It serves for an embarca
dero, or port town, to another great place which is distanjt from
thence about thirteen leagues higher in the country, and is
called Piura, seated in a very barren country.
On Wednesday, the first of September, our course Avas S. by
W. The midnight before there sprung up a land wind.
That'night as we sailed we saw something that appeared to
us like a light ; and the next morning we spied a sail, from
whence we judged the light had come. The vessel was six
leagues from us, in the wind's eye, and thereupon we gave her
chase. She stood to windAvard, as we did. 'This day w^ had
an observation, which gave us latitude 5° 30' S. At night we
were about four leagues to leeward of her ; bUt so-great a mist
feU, that we suddenly lost sight of her. At this time the
weather was as cold Avith us as in England in November. Every
time we went about with our ship, the other did the like.. Our
pilot told us, that this ship set forth from Guayaquil eleven
days before they were taken ; and that she was laden with
rigging, wollen, and cotton cloth, and other manufactures made
at Q,uito. Moreover, that he had heard that they had spent a
mast, and had put into Paita to refit it.
'The night followingj tljiey showed us several lights, through

THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA. 23'7
their negligence, which they ought not tq'hav-e done, for by
that means we steered directly after them. The next morning
she was above three leagues in the wind's eye from us. Had
they suspected us, it could not be doubted, but they Avould have
made toAvards the land ; but they seemed hot to fly nor stir for
our chase. . The land here all along is level, and not very high.
The Aveather was hazy, so that about eleven that morning we
lost sight of her. At this time we had been a whole ween at
an alloAvance of only two draughts of water a day, so scarce
were provisions with us. That afternoon we saw the vessel
again, and at night we were not full two leagues from her, and
not above half a league to the leeward. We made short trips
all that night.
On Saturday, September the 4th, about break of day, we
saw the ship again at the distance of a league, or thereabouts,
arid not above a mile to windward of us. They stood oiit as
soon as they espied us, £ind we stood directly after them. Hav
ing pursued them for several hours, about four in the afternoon
we came up \vithin half shot of our small arms, to windward
of them. Hereupon they, perceiving Avho Ave Avere, presentiy
lowered aU their sails at once, and we cast dice amorfg our
selves for the first entrance. The lot fell to larboard, so that
tvventy men belonging to that watch entered her. In the ves
sel were found fifty packs of cocoa-nut, such as chocolate is
' made of, many pkcks of raw silk, Indian cloth, and thread
Stockings ; these things being the principal part of her cargo.
We stood out S. W. by S. all the night following.
-^Next day we put on board our ship the chief pact of her lad
ing. In her hold we found some rigging, as Nicholas Moreno, '
our pilot, taken in the former vessel of Guayaquil, told\is ; but
the greatest part of it was full of timber. We took oilt of her
also some osenbriggs, of Avhich we made top-gallant sails, as
shall be said hereafter. It was now nineteen days,as they told
us, since they had set sail from Guayaquil ; and then they had
only heard there of our exploits before Panama, but did not So
much as think of our coming so far to the southward, Avhich
did not give them the least suspicion of us, though they had
seen us for the space of two or three days before at sea, and
always steering after them ; otherwise they had made for the
land, and endeavored to escape our hands.
Next morning, likewise, we continued to take in the re
maining part of what goods we desired out of our prize. When
we had done, we sent most of our prisoners on board the said
vessel, and left only their foremast standing, all the rest being
cut down by the board. We gave them a foresail to sail with-

228 THE BUCPANEERS OF AMERICA.
al, all their own water, and sorae of our flour to serve them for
prbvisibn; and thus we turned thera aAvay, as not caring to be
troubled or encurabered Avith their company. Notwithstanding
we detained still several of the chief of our prisoners. Such
were Don Thomas de Argandona, whb was cbraraander bf the
vessel taken before Guayaquil ; Don Christoval and Don Bal-
tazar, both gentleraen of quality taken with him ; Captain Pe
ralta, Captain Juan Moreno, the pUot, and twelve slaves, of
Avhora we intended to make good use, to do the drudgery of
our ship. At this tirae I reckoned we were about the distance
of thirty-five leagues, or thereabouts, from land. By an ob
servation made this day, we found latitude 7° 1' S, Our plun
der being over, and our prize turned away, we sold both chests,
boxes, and several other things at the mast, by the voice of
a crier. The day following we stood S. S. W. and S. W. by S. all
day long. This day one of our company died, named Robert
Montgomery, being the same man that was shot by the negli
gence of one or two of our men with a pistol through the leg,
at the taking of the vessel before Guayaquil, as was mentioned
aboVe.» We had an observation also this day, by which we
now found latitude 7° 26' S. On the same day, lik'ewise, we
raade a dividend, and shared all the booty taken in the last
prize. This being done, we hoisted into our ship the launch
which we had taken in her, as being useful to us. For several
days past it was observed that avc had every raorning a dark
cloud in the sky, which in the North Sea would certainly fore
tell a storra ; but here it always blew over.
Wednesday, Septeraber 8th, in the raorning, we drew our
dead man above raentioned into the sea, and gave hira three
French volleys for his funeral ceremony. The night before we
saw a light belonging to some vessel at sea. But we stood
away from it, as not desiring to see any raore sails to hinder us
in our voyage towards Arica, whither now we were designed.
This light was undoubtedly frora sorae ship to leeward of us ;
but next morning we saw it not. Here I judged we had made
a S. W. by S. Avay frora Paita, and by an observation foupd
8° 0' S.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 229

CHAPTER XXXVII.
A Continuation of their long and tedious Voyage to Arica, 'with a Description
of the Sailings thereunto. — Great Hardship for want of "Water and other
Provisions. — They are descried at Arica, and dare not land, the Country
being all in Arms before them. — They retire from thence, and go to Puerto
de Hilp, close by Arica. —r Here they land, take the Tovm witlr little or no
Loss oil their Side, reiresh themselves with Provisious ; but in the End are
cheated by the Spaniards, and forced shamefully to retreat from thence.
September 9th, we continued still to rnake a S. W. by S.
way, as we had done the day before. ¦ By a clear and exact
observation taken the same day, we found now latitude 8° 12'
S. All the twenty-four hours last past afforded us but little
on our voyage, and we were forced to tack about four or five
hours. ' '
Next day, by another observation taken, we found then lati
tude 9° 0'. Now the weather was much Avarmer than before ;
and with this warrath we had sraall and raisty rains that fre
quently fell. That evening a Strong breeze carae up at south
east by east.
The night following, likewise, there fell a very great dcAV,
and a fresh wind continued to blow. At this tirae we were
all hard at work to raake sraall sails of the bzenbrigs we had
taken in the, last prize, as being much more convenient for its
lightness. The next morning, being Saturday, September
llth, we lay by to mend our rigging. ' These last twenty-four
hours we had made a S. W. by W. way. And now we had
an observation that gave us latitude 10° 9' S. I supposed this
day that we were west frora Cosraey about tjie distance of
eighty-nine leagues and a half.
Septeraber 12th. This day we reckoned a S. S. W. way,
and that we had raade thirty-four leagues and three quarters or
thereabouts. Also that all our westing frora Paita was eighty-
four leagues. We supposed ourselves now to be in latitude
11° 40' S. But the weather being hazy, no observation could
be made.
September 13th. Yesterday, in the afternoon, we had a
great eclipse of the sun, which lasted frora one of the clock
till three after dinner. Frora this eclipse I then took the true^
judgment of our longitude frora the Canary Islands, and found'
rayself to be 285° 35'; latitude 11° 45' 'S. The wind was
now so fresh that we took in our topsaUs, making a great way
under our courses and spritsail.
September Mth, we had a cloudy raorning, which continued
20

230 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
so all the first part thereof About eight it cleared up, and
then we set our fore-topsail ; and, about noon, our raain-topsail
likewise. This was observable, that all this great wind prece
dent did not make any thing of a great sea. We reckoned this
day that we had run by a S. W. by W. way tAventy-six leagues
and two thirds.
The next da,y we had close weather, as we had the morning
before. "Our reckoning was twenty-four leagues and tAvo
thirds_ by a S. W. by W. Avay. But by observation made, I
found myself to be 23° south of my reckoning, as being in the
latitude of 15° 17' S.
On the 16th,, we had but small and variable winds. For
the twenty-four hours last past we reckoned twenty-four
leagues and two thirds by a S. W. by S. way. By observation
we had latitude 16° 41'. That evening we had a gale at E. S.
E., Avhich forced us to hand our topsails.
The 17th, likewise, Ave had many gusts of wind at several
times, forcing us to hand our topsails often. But in the fore
noon Ave set them, -with a fresh gale at E. S. E. My reckon
ing this da^r was thirty-one leagues by a S. S. W/ way. AU
day long we stood by our, topsails.
The 18th, we made a S. by W. Avay. We reckoned our
selves to be in latitude 19° 32' S. The weather Avas hazy, and
the wind began to cease by degrees.
Next day, being the 19th, Ave had a very small Avind. I
reckoned thirteen leagues and a half .by a S. W. by S. way ;
and our whole Avesting from Paita to be one hundred and sixty-
four leagues in latitude 20^ 6' S. All the afternoon Ave had a
calm, with drizzling rain.
Monday, September 20th., Last night we saw the Magellan
cloudsj so fairious among mariners in the South seas. The
least of these clouds was about the bigness of a man's hat.
After this sight, the morning was' very clear. We had run at
noon at E, S. E. thirteen leagues and a half And, by an ob
servation then made, we found latitude 20° 15' S. This day
the Avind began to freshen at W. by S., yet we had a very
smooth sea.
Next morning the Avind came about to S. W., yet slackened
by degrees. At four this morning it came to S. by E., and at
ten the same day to S. E. by S. We had this day a clear ob-
*servation, and, by it latitude 20° 25' S. We stood now E. by
N., with the wind at S. E. ,
September 22d. This raorning the Avind was at E. S. E.
By a clear observation, we found latitude 19° 30' S., likewise
on a N. E..by E. way, and two leagues and two thirds!

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMEBICA. 231
September 23d, we had a fresh wind, and a high sea. This
morning early, the wind was at E., and about ten at E. N. E.
From a clear observation we found our latitude to be 20° 25' S.
The way we hiade was S. by W. That morning we happened
to split our spritsail.
Next morning the wind was variable and inconstant, and the
weather but hazy. We reckoned a S. by E. way. This day
•we bent a new main-topsail, the old one serving for a fore-top
sail. In the afternoon we had but littl§ wind, whereupon Ave
lowered our main-topsails, being a very smooth sea.
The following day being likewise calm and-warm,:We setup
our shrouds both fore and aft. An observation taken this day
afforded us latitude 21° 57'. That, evening we bent a sprit
sail. September 26th. An observation gave us latitude 22° 5' S. At
noon Ave had a breeze at N. N. E., our course being E. S. E.
In the afternoon we set up a larboard topsail studden-sail. In
the evening the Avind came about at north pretty fresh.
Next day we had a smooth sea, and took in four studden-
sails. For the day before, in the afternoon, we had put out,
besides that above mentioned, another studden-sail, and tAvo
main studden-sails more. This day we had by observation 22°
45' S, haAring made, by an E. S. E. Avay, thirty-five leagues and
a half. Our whole meridian difference Avas sixty-eight leagues
and a half
September 28th, all the forenoon we had very little Avind,
and yet withal a great southern sea. By observation Ave had
latitude 22° 40' S.
September 29th. AU the night past we had mpch wind, with
three or four smart showerg of rain. This was the first that
we could call rain, ever since We left Cape Francisco above
mentioned. This day our alloAvance was shortened, and re
duced to three pints and a half of Water for a day, and one cake
of boiled bread to each man for a day. An observation this
day gave us latitude 21° 59' S. by a N. E. by E. way.
.September 30th. We had a cloudy day, and the wind very
variable, the morning being fresh. Our way was N. E. half
N, AVherein we made eighteen leagues.
October 1st. All the night past and this day, Ave had a cloudy
sky, and not much Avirid. We made a N. E. by E. Avay, and
by it seventeen leagues and two miles. This day Ave began
at two pints and a half of water for a day;
October 2d. We made an E. N. E. way, and by it tAveuty-six
leagues or thereabouts. Our observation this day gave lis latir
tude 20° 29' S. I reckoned now that we "were ten leagues and a

232 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
half to east of our raeridian, the port of Paita ; so that hence
forward our departure was eastward. The wind was this day
at S. E. by S.
October 3d, we had both a cloudy morning, a high sea, and
drizzling weather. An observation which we had this day,
gave us latitude 19° 45' S. In the afternoon the wind blew so
fresh, that we Avere forced to hand our topsails and - spritsails.
October 4th, likeAvise, we had a high sea, and cold wind.-
At break of day, we set our topsails. An observation made,
afforded us latitude 19° 45' S. Here we supposed ourselves fif
ty-nine leagues D. M.
October 5th, we had still a great sea, and sharp and cold
winds, forcing us to our low sails. By a N. E. by E. way, we
reckoned this day twenty six leagues and a half
But on the 6th, we had great gusts of wind; insomuch that
this morning our ring-bolts gate way, which held our main
stay, and had like to haye brought our mainmast by the board.
Hereupon we ran three or four glasses west before the windi
By an observation we found latitude 19° 4' S.
October 7th, the wind was something fallen. We had both
a cloudy day and variable winds.
The Sth of the said month we had again a smooth sea, and
small whiffling Avinds. This raorning we saw a huge shoal of
fish, two or three Avater-snakes, and several seals.
Next day we had likewise a very sraooth sea, and a cloudy
day. Our course was east.
October 10th, we had also a cloudy day, with sraall and vari
able winds, and, as a consequent thereof, a smooth sea. Our
way was S. by E. This day we spied floating upon the sea
several tiifts of sea-grass, which gave us good hopes that we
Avere not far from shore, fn the afternoon we had a S. E. by
E. wind that sprang up : the night was very cold and cloudy.
Octqber llth, we had a fresh wind at S. E. and E. S, E.,
together with a cloudy day, such as we had experimented for
several days before. We reckoned this day thirty-two leagues,
by a N. E. by E. way. Our pilot told us, the sky is always
hazy near the shore on these coasts.
October 12th, we had a clear day, and a north-east way.
October 13th, we had but little wind. This day we saw a
whale, which we took for an infallible token that We were not
far distant frdto land, which now Ave hoped to see in a few
days. We made an E. S. E. way, and by it we reckoned nine
teen leagues. All the evening Avas vecy calm.
Thursday, October 14th, we hadboth a calra and close day
till afternoon ; then the weather became very hot and clear.

THE BUCCANEEES OF AMERICA. 233
This day we saw several land-fowls, being but small birds ;
concerning which our pilot said, that they used to appear about
one or two days' sail from the land. Our reckoning was eleven
leagues by an E. S. E. way. In the evening we thought we
had seen land, but it proved to be nothing but a foggy bank.
October 15th. Both the night past, and this day, was very
clear. We made an observation this day, which gave us lati
tude 18° 6' south.
October 16th. Last night and this day were contrary to the
forraer, both cloudy. Our way was N. E. by E. ; whereof we
reckoned thirteen leagues.
Sunday, October 17th, the wind blew very fresh, our course
being E. N. E. About five that raorning we saw land; but the
weather was so hazy, that at first we could scarce perceive
whether it was land or not. It was distant frora us eight
leagues, and appeared as a high and round hill, being in form
like a sugar-loaf We saAV land afterwards all along to the S.
E. by E. from it. In the evening, we being then within five
leagues of the shore, the land appeared very high and steep.
October 18th. All the night last past we stood off to sea with
a fresh wind. This morning we could just see land at N! N. E.
We reckoned a S. E. by E. way ; and by observation we found
latitude 17° 17' south.
Tuesday, October 19th, we had very cloudy weather, finding
what our pilot had told us to be very true, concerning the hazi
ness of this shore. We saw all along as we went very high
land, covered with clouds, insomuch that we could not see its top.
Wednesday, October 20th, we had likewise cloudy Aveather,
and for the most part calm, which continued so -the next day.
Friday, October 22d. This morning we saw land before us.
Our pilot being asked what land that was, answered, it was the
Point of Hilo.
There is every raorning and evening a brightness bver the
point, which lasts for two or three hours, being caused by the
reflection of the sun on the barren land, as is supposed. This
day we had but little wind, and the great Avant of water we
were now under occasfoned much disturbance araong our raen.
As for my part, I must acknowledge, I could not sleep all night
long through the greatness of my drought. We could willingly
have landed here to seek for water, but the fear of being dis
covered, and making ourselves known, hindered us from so do
ing. Thus we unanimously resolved to endure our thirst a lit
tle longer. Hereabouts is a small current that runs under the
shore. This raorning we had but little. wind at south, our
course being E. S. E.
20*

234 THE, BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
Our Avind continued to blow not above six hours each day.
We reckoned the difference of our meridian to be this day one
hundred and eighty leagues. We Avere now hartl put to it for
Avant of water, having but half a pint a day to .our allowance.
October 23d. This day we Avere forced to spare one measure
of water, thereby to make it hold out the longer ; so scarce it
became with us. ,
About nine o'clock at night we had a land wind, and with it
we stood S. E. by S. But all the night after we had but
little wind.
October 24th. All the night past Ave had very cloudy and
dark weather, with mizzling rain. The morning being come,
cleared up; but all the land appeared covered with clouds.
This day Ave resolved 112 rrien should go ashore. And about
eight this evening we sent our launch and four canoes, with
89 men, to take three or four fishermen at a certain river, close
by Mora de Sama, caUed El Rio de Juan Diaz, with intent to
gain what intelligence Ave could, how affairs Stood at present
on the coast and country thereabouts.
Monday, October 25th. Last night being about the distance
of one-Jeague and a half from the shore, we sounded, and found
forty-five fathom water, with hard ground at the bottom. This
morning our people and canoes that were sent to take the fish
ermen returned, not being able to find either their houses or
the river. They reported Avithal, they had had a very fresh
wind all the night long under shore, whereas we had not one
breath of Avind all' night on board. ^
' Tuesday, October 26th. The evening before, about six
o'clock, Ave left the ship to go to take Arica, resolved to land
about the difference of a league to windward of the town. We
were about six leagues frora the town when Ave left fhe ship,
whereby we were forced to row all night, that Ave might reach
before day the place of bur landing. Towards morning, the ca
noes left the launch, which they had all night in q, tow, and
wherein I was, and made all the speed they possibly could for
the shore, with design to land before the launch could arrive.
But being come nfear the place we designed to land at, we found,
to our great disappointment, Ave were discovered ; and that, all
along- the shore, and through the country, they had certain
"news of our arrival. Notwithstanding we would have landed,
if we could by any means have found a place to do it in. But
the sea ran so high, and with such a force against the rocks,
that our boats must needs have been staved in a thousand piecesj
and Ave in great danger of Avetting our arms, if we should ven
ture ashore., The bay all around was pbssessed by several par-

THE BUCCANEEES OF AMEEICA.

235

236 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
ties of horse, and likewise the tops qf the hills ; which seemed
to be gathered there, by a general alarm, through the whole
country, and that they waited only for our landing, with a de
sign to make a strong opposition against us. They fired a gun
at us, but we made them no answer, returning to our ship, till
a fairer opportunity. The hill of Arica is very white, oc
casioned by the dung of the abundance of fowls that build their
nests in the hollow thereof To leeward of the said hill lies a
small island, at about a mile from the shore. About half a
league frora that island, we could perceive six ships at anchor ;
four of which had their yards taken down frora their raasts, but
<;he other two seeraed ready to sail. We asked our pilot con
cerning these ships, and he told us, that one of them was
mounted with six guns, and the other with only four. Being
disappointed of our expectations at Arica, we now resolved to
bear away from thence to the village of Hilo, there to take in
water and other provisions, as also to learn what intelligence
we could obtain. All that night we lay under a calm.
October 27, in the raorning, we found ourselves about a
league to windward of Mora da Sama. Notwithstanding the
weather was quite calm, and we only drove with the current
at leeward. The land between Hilo and Mora da. Sama forms
two several bays, and the coast runs along N. W. and S. E., as
may appear by the following deraonstration. Over the land
we could see frora bur ship, as we drbve, the ccming or rising
of a very high land, at a great distance far up in the country.
October 28. , The night before we sent away our four canoes
with fifty raen in them, to seize and plunder the town of Hilo.
All this day* was very calm, as the day before.
The next morning, about break of day, we had a fair breeze
spring 'up, with which we lay right in with the port. About
one in the afternoon we anchored. .
We cast anchor at the distance of two railes frora»the village :
and then Ave perceived two flags, which our raen had put out,
having taken the town, and set up our English colors. The
Spaniards w^ere retreated to the hills, and there had done the
sarae. Being corae to an anchor, our coraraander. Captain
Sharp, sent a canoe on board of us, and ordered that all the
raen our ship could spare should come ashore. Withal they
told us, that those of our party that landed the morning before,
were met by some horsemen on the shore, who only exchanged
some 'few volleys of shot with our raen, but Avere soon put to
flight. That hereupon our forces had raarched directly to the
town, where the Spaniards, expecting avc should have landed at
first, raade a breastwork thirty paces long, of clay, and banks

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 237
of sand. Here, in a sraall skirraish, we happened to kill an In
dian, who told us before he died, that they had received news
of our coraing nine days ago, frora Liraa, and but one day be
fore frora Arica. Having taken the town, we found therein
great quantity of pitch, tar, oil, wine, and flour, with several
other sorts of provisions. We endeavored to keep as good a
watch as the Spaniards did on the hills, fearing lest they should
suddenly raake any atterapt to destroy us.
Next day, being October 30, we chose out threescore of our
men who Avere fittest to raarch, and ordered theni to go up and
search the the valley belonging to the town. We found it very
pleasant, being all overset with fig-trees, olive-trees, orange,
lemon, and lirae-trees, with raany other agreeable fruits. About
four miles up the valley we came to a sugar Avork, or Ingenio
de azucar, as it is called by the Spaniards, where we found
great store of oil and molasses ; but most of the sugar the
owners had hidden frora us in the cane itself As w? marched
up the va^Uey, the Spaniards raarched along the hills, and ob
served our raotion. PVom the tops of the hills, they often tum
bled great stones upon us, but with great care we endeavored to
escape ttiose dangers, and the report of one gun would make
them all to hide their heads iraraediately. Frora this house, I
mean the sugar work above raentioned, Mr. Cox, myself, and
one Cannis, a Dutchman, (who was our interpreter,) Avent to
the Spaniards with a flag of truce. They met us very civilly,
and promised to give us fourscore beeves for the ransom of the
sugar-work, upon condition that it should not be spoiled nor
deraolished. With them we agreed, that they 'should be deliv
ered to us at the port, the next day at noon : hereupon Captain
Sljarp in the evening sent doAvn to the port twenty men, with
strict orders that our forces shoidd offer no violence, in the least,
to those that brought down the beeves.
Sunday, October 31. This day, being employed in casting
up sorae accounts belonging to our naivigation, I reckoned that,
Hifo was the eastward of Paita, one hundred and eighty-seven
leagues. This raorning the captain of the Spaniards carae to
our coraraander. Captain Sharp, with a flag of truce, and told
hira that sixteen beeves were already sent down to the port,
and that the rest should certainly be there the next morning.
Hereupon we were ordered to prepare ourselves to retreat, and
march back to the port, and there embark ourselves on board
our ship. My advice was to the contrary, that we should rather
leave twenty men behind to keep the house of the sugar-work,
and that others should possess themselves of the hills, thereby
to clear them of the Spaniards and their lookout. But my

238 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
counsel not being regarded, each raan took away what burden
of sugar he pleased, and thus we returned to our vessel. Being
come there, we found no beeves had been brought down at all,
Avhich made us suspect some trick of the enemy.
The next morning, being November 1, our Captain went
to the top of the hills before -mentioned, and spoke with the
Spaniards themselves, concerning the performance of their
agreement., The Spaniards made answer, that the cattle Avould
certainly come down this night ; but in case they did not, that
the master or owner of the sugar-work Avas now returned frbm
Potosi, and we might go up and treat with him, and raake, if
we pleased, a new bargain' for the preservation of his house and
gQods ; whose interest it was, more than theirs, to save it from
beihg demolished. With this answer our men returned, and
we concluded to wait till the next day for the delivery of the
beeves. The day following, about eight in th^ morning, there came
into us a flag of truce from the enemy, telling us, that the
Avinds were so high, that they could not drive the cattle, other
wise they had been delivered before now. But withal, that by
noon Ave should in no manner fail to have thera brought to us.
Nooi;i being corae, and no cattle appearing, we now having filled
our water,' and finished other concerns, resolved to be revenged
on the enemy, and do them what mischief we coUld ; at least,
by setting fire on the sugar-work. Hereupon, threescore men
of us marched up the valley, and burnt both the house; the
canes, and the mill, belonging tb the Ingenio. We broke like-
Avise the coppers, coggs, and multitudes of great jars of oil, that
Ave found in the house. This being done, we brought away
more sugar, and returned to the port over the hills and moun
tains, the Avhich we found very pleasant, smooth, and level,
after once Ave had ascended them. It fell out very fortunately
to us that we returned back the Avay Ave did, for otherAvise our
men at .the sea-side had inevitably been cut off, and torn in
pieces bythe enemy, they being at that time dispersed, and
stragghng up and down by two and three in a party. For from
the hiUs we spied coming from the northward of the bay above
three hundred horsemen, all riding at full speed towards our
men, who had not as yet descried them, and little thought of
any such danger from t»he enemy so nigh at hand. Being
alarraed with this sight, we threw down what sugar we had,
and ran incontinently to meet them, thereby to give our -other
men time to rally, and put themselves into a posture of de
fence. We being in good rank and order, fairly proffered them
battle upon the bay ; but as we advanced to meet thera, they

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA. ^239
retired and rode towards the mountains to surround us, and take
the rocks frora us if possibly they could. Hereupon, perceiv
ing their intentions, we returned back and possessed ourselves
of the said rocks, and also of the lower town ; as the Spaniards
theraselves did of the upper town, (at the distance of half a
raile from the lower,) the hills and the woods adjoining there
unto. The horsemen being noW in possession of tjjese quar
ters, we could perceive, as far as we could see, more and more
men resort to them, so that their forces increased hourly to
considerable nurabers. We fired one at another as long as we
could reach, and the day would permit. But in the mean
while we observed that several of them rode to the 'ivatch-hill,
and looked out often to the seaboard. This gave us occasion
to fear that they had more strength and forces coming that
way, which they expected every minute. Hereupon, lest we
should speed Avorse than we had done before, we resolved to
embark silently in the dark of the night, and go off from that
coast where the enemy was so well provided for us. We car
ried off a great chest bf sugar, whereof we shared seven pound
weight and a half each man, thirty jars of oil, and great plenty
of all sorts of garden herbs, roots, and raost excellent fruit.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
The Buccaneers depart from the Port of HUo, and sail to that of Coquimbo. —
They are descried before their Arrival; notwithstanding, they land. — ^Are
encountered by the Spaniards, and put them to Flight. — They take, plunder,
and fire the City of La Sarena. — A Description thereof. — A Stratagem of the
Spaniards in endeavoring to fire their Ship discovered and prevented. — They
are deceived again by the Spaniards, and forced to retire from Coquimbo,
without any Ransom for the City, or considerable Pillage. — They release
several of their ehiefest Prisoners.
The next morning, being Wednesday, November 3, 16S0,
about seven o'clock, we set sail from Hilo, standing directly
off to sea, with a small land wind. Upon the shore we could
not discover this morning above fifty men of our enemies' forces,
which caused us to suspect the rest were run away from their
colors,, and had deserted in the dark of the night. If this were
so, we were equally afraid of each other ; and as avc quitted
the land being jealous of their multitudes, so they abandoned
their stations for fear of our encounters. All the while Ave lay
in the ^ort of Hilo we had a fresh wind ; but being come out

240 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
thence, we found it almost stark calra. All along this coast
runs a great sea, as we experiraented at Arica, insorauch that
there is no -landing, except under the favor of sorae rock or
other. *
Noveraber 4th, in the raorning, we saw the port of Hilo at
E. N. E., at the distance of nine leagues, or thereabouts, from
land. The white sand gives a bright reflection over the land,
which we could see after Ave had lost the sight of the land
itself. The day following we had an indifferent fresh wind -at S.
S. E. "yVe reckoned a S. W. half W. way, and by it, that we
had made tAventy leagues. The day was vejy fair and sun
shiny, and the sea very smooth.
November 6th. We had a clear night the last past, and the
day proved very fair and clear, like the former ; avc reckoned
by a S. W. by W. way about twenty-one leagues. In the
afternoon it Avas almost- quite calm.
The day foUowing we had no more than the last twenty-four
hours. We were about this tirae many of us troubled with
the scurvy. It proceeded, as \ve judged, from the great hard
ship and want of provisions, which we had endured for several
months past, as having only bread arid Avater, as was raentioned
above — only at'jiilo we killed a mule, which was looked upon
by those that eat of it to be very good victuals, the Spaniards
having swept away with them all other provisions of flesh.
But we got there, as plunder, a sraall quantity of good choco
late, which the Spaniards have in, great esteera ; so now we
had each raorning a dish of pleasant liquor, containing almost
a pint. Next day, likewise, we had very little wind as before. We
made an observation this day, and found latitude 20° 5' S.
November 9th. We had still very little wind, and that vari
able. We took almost evety hour an observation, and found
ourselves to be in latitude 20° 18' S.
November 10th, we had in like raanner but little wind. We
observed an E. S. E. current, or pretty near it, run hereabouts.
This day Ave saw the homing of a very high land, whichrauch
surprised us, for at this time I conceived we could not be less
than thirty-five or forty leagues from land. We supposed it to
be Mora Tarapaca. That day we set up our shrouds.
Upon the llth, an indifferent gale of wind sprang up at S.
W. by S., by which we made twenty-five leagues and one
third. We had now a great S. S. W. sea. In the night the
wind, as we experimented, came one or two points frora the
land. This morning we saw the like homing of land, whereby

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 241
we were made sensible it was , no land Ave had seen the day
before. On the 12th, we had several mists of rain, with windy
weather. We made by a S. S. W. half S. Avay twenty-five.
leagues and one third. We had likewise a great and rolling
S. S. W. sea, as the day before.
Noveraber 13th, we had both cloudy and raisty weather. We
raade a S. S. W. and one quarter S. way, by which we ran
fifty lieagues.
But -the next day, fair and clear weather carae about again.
We had likcAvise an easy gale of wind, by Avhich we raade a
S. W. way, and advanced twenty-two leagues and a half
On the 15th pf Noveraber we had also clear weather, and an
indifferent gale of wind. Our way was S. W. by W., by
which we reckoned eighteen leagues ; likewise at our westing
frora Hilo, from Whence we set forth, Avas one hundred and
fourteen leagues and one third. Our latitude, by observation,
we- found to be 23° 25' S. I took now the declination table
used and made'by the cosmographer at Lima.
Tuesday, Noveraber 10th. In the night last past we had a
shower or two of rain. ¦ This day we raade an observation, by
which we found latitude 23° 35' S. » .
Noveraber 17th, we raade a S. W. by W. half S. way. By
observation we found latitude 23° 46' S., with very littl'e wind.
Noveraber 18th, upon a S. W.-by W. way we made twenty-
one leagues. By observation we found latitude 23° 20' S.
Friday, November 19th, 1680. This morning, about an
hour before day, we observed a comet to appear a degree north
from the bright star in Libra. The body thereof seemed dull,
and its tail extended itself eighteen or twenty degrees in length,
being of a pale color, and pointing directly N. N. W. Our
prisoners hereupon told us that the Spaniards had seen very
strange sights both at Lima, the capital city of Peru, Guaya
quil, and other places rauch about the tirae of , our coming into
the South seas. I reckon this day we had run twenty leagues
by a S. W. way.
The day following the appearance of the comet, we had
raany storms of wind at S-. S. E. and E. S. E. Our reckoning
by a S. W. way Avas twenty-twc leagues.
Sunday, November 21st, likewise raany gusts of wind, such
as the day before, with frequent showers of rain. The wind
varied to and fro, according as the clouds drew it here and
there. We reckoned a S. S. W. way, and by it twenty-one
leagues and a half In all, west frora Hilo, we judged our
selves to be one hundred and seventy-eight leagues and two
21

243 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
thirds. We had this day a great S. W. sea, and, cloudy weather.
I supposed our latitude to be 26° 53' S.
Noveraber 22d, we had in like raanner cloudy weather, and
noAV but little wind. We reckoned a south way, and fifty-one
leagues. November 23d, we had very little wind ; and all storm, after
the appearance of the comet, being now quite allayed, we
reckoned we had raade a S. E. by S. Avay, and found our lati
tude, by observation, to bear 27° 46' S.
Wednesday, Noveraber 24th. For twenty-four hours past
we had a N. W. wind. Our way was S. E. half»S., by which
we reckoned thirty-one leagues and one third.
November 25th. Last night the wind blew at W. S. W. ;
but this morning it came about again at N. W., as the day be
fore. Our reckoning this day was a S. E. and one quarter E.
way twenty-riine leagues and one third. Our latitude now,
by observation, raade this day, was 39° 57' S. Our difference
of raeridian, one hundred and thirty-five and one third.
Noveraber 26th. In the night the Avind starTfed tb S. S. W.
But this day at noon Ave had little' better than a calm. « I
reckoned an E. S. E. half E. way, and by it twenty-three
leagues. •
Saturday, November 27th. Yesterday, in the evening, the
wind came to south. I reckoned an east and something south
erly way, and by that twenty-'three leagues, as the day before.
November 28th. For twenty-four houfs past we had a fresh
wind at S. S. E., having a 'high S. W. sea. Our reckoning
was an E. by N. and half N. way, and withal twenty-four
leagqes. By observation we found latitude 30° 16' S., and
raeridian distance eighty-eight leagues. At noon the wind
carae at S. half E.
On the 29th we had a very great S. W. sea, and withal
cloudy weather. My reckoning was an E. one third S.
way twenty leagues and one third. This day we happened to
see tAVO or three great fowls fiying in the air, which our pilot
told us used to appear seventy or eighty leagues off from the
island called the Island of Juan Fernandez. The day before
this, Captain Peralta, our prisoner, was taken very frantic, his
distemper being occasioned, as we thought, through too much
hardship and melancholy. Notwithstanding, this day he was,
indifferently well again.
The following day we had likewise cloudy weather. We
made, according to our account, an E. half N. way, and by it
sixteen leagues and two thirds. Our raeridian difference fifty-
twb leagues.

THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA. 243
The 1st of December we had hazy weather, and withal an
indifferent good Avind at S., yea,~somet>iilies S. by W. Our
way was E. by S., by which we reckoned twenty-two leagues.
The night before, we sailed over Avhite water-like banks, of a
mile in length, or more. But these banks, upon examination,
we found to be Only great shoals of anchovies.
December 2d, very early in the morning, we spied land, which
appeared to be very high. About noon this day we were at six
leagues'distance from it. All the preceding night Ave had so
much wmd, that we were forced to make use of a pair of cours
es. By an observation made this day, we fbund latitude 30*
35' S. We went away largely, driving better than nine leagues
every watch. 'VJ'ith this wind we made all the sail we possibly
could, designing by this means to get to Coquimbo, upon which
coast we now were, before night. But the wind Avas so high,
that sometimes we were forced to lower all our sails, it blowing
now a mere fret of wind. Towards evening it abated by de
grees, insomuch, that at midnight it was quite calm again.
Then we hoisted out our launch and canoes, and putting into
thera one hundred raen, we rowed away frora the ship, with
design to take by surprisal a considerable city near the coast,
called by the Spaniards, La Cividad de la Serena.
Friday, December 3d, 1680. When we departed from the
ship, we had about two leagues to roAV to the shore. But as it
happened, the launch wherein I was roAved so heavy, in com
parison of the canoes, that we could not keep pace with them.
For this reason it was broad day before Ave got to a certain
storehouse situated upon the shore ; our men having passed by
it in the dark of the night without perceiving it. They being
landed, immediately raarched away from their canoes, towards
the city before mentioned of La Serena. But we had not pro
ceeded far on our raarch, when we found, to the great sorrow
and chagrin of us all, that Ave Avere tiraely discovered here also,
as we had been at the other two places before, Arica and Hilo.
For as they marched in a body together, being but thirty-five
men in all, who were all those that were landed out of the ca
noes, they were suddenly encountered and engaged by a Avhole
troop of a hundred Spanish" horse. We that were behind,
hearing the noise of the dispute, followed them at their heels,
and made all the haste we possibly could, to corae up to their
relief But before we could reach the place of the battle, they
had already routed tbe Spaniards, and forced them to fly to
wards the town.
Notwithstanding this rout, they rallied again, at the distance
of about a mile from the place, and seemed as if they waited

244 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMEEICA.
for US, and would engage us anew. But as soon as all our
forces were come together, which were in all eighty-four, the
rest being left to guard the boats, we marched toAvards them
and offered them battle. As we came near unto thera, we
found plainly they designed'no such thing ; for they instantly
retired and rode away before us, keeping; out of the reach of our
guns. We foUowed thera as they rode, being led by them de
signedly, clear out of the road that Avent to the town, that we
might not reach nor find it so soon. In this engagement Avith
the horse, our corapany had kUled three of their ehiefest men,
and Avounded four raore, killing also four of their horses, "^hen
we found that we had been led by this stratagem of the ene
ray out of the Avay of the town, we left the J)ay, and crossed
over the green fields to find it, wading oftentiraes over several
branches of water, which there serve to enclose each plat of
ground. Upon this raarch Ave carae to several houses, but found
thera all erapty, and swept clean both of inhjabitants and pro
visions.* We saw likewise several horses and other heads of
cattle in the fields, as we went along towards the city. This
place of La Serena, our pilot had reported to us to be but a
small town ; but being -arrived there, Ave found in it no fewer
than seven great churches and one chapel. Four of these
churches were monasteries or convents, and each church had
its organs for the performance of divine service. Several of the
houses had their orchards of fruit, and gardens belonging to
thera ; both houses and gardens being as well and as neatly fur
nished as those in England. In these gardens we found straw
berries as big as walnuts, and those very delicious to the taste.
In a word, every thing in- this city of I^a Serena was most ex
cellent and delicate, and far beyond what we could expect in so
remote a place. The town was inhabited by all sorts of trades
men, and besides them, had its raerchants, sorae of which were
accounted very rich.
The inhabitants bf La Serena, upon our approach, fled, car
rying with them the best of their goods and jewels ; and what
they could not carry away that was of value, they buried, hav
ing had time enough to do so, from the advice they received of
our coming frora Arica and other places. Notwithstanding, we
took in the town one friar, and two Chilenos, or Spaniards, na
tives of the kingdora of Chili, which adjoins to that of Peru, to
wards the Straits of Magellan. These prisoners told us, that the
Spaniards, when they heard of our coraing, had killed raost of
their Chilian slaves, fearing they should revolt frora them to
us. " Moreover, that we had been descried from their coasts four
days before our landing ; all which tirae they had eriiployed in

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 245
carrying awa.y their plate and goods. To this inforraation they
added, that for their defence they had received a supply of sixty
raen frora Arica. Having taken possession of the town, that
evening there came a negro to us, running away frora the Span
iards. He informed us, that when we were before Panama, we
had taken a negro, who was esteemed the best pilot in all the
South Sea; but more especially for this place, and the coasts
of Coquimbo. And further, that if the Spaniards had not sent
all the negroes belonging to this city farther up into the coun
try, out' of our reach and communication, they would all un
doubtedly have revolted tp us.
That night, about twelve, our boatswain, accompanied by
forty raen, with a Chilian for their guide, Avent out of the town
sorae railes into the country, with design to find out the places
where the Spaniards lay concealed, and had hid their goods and
plate. But before they carae, the Spaniards had got intelli
gence thereof frora sorae secret spies they had in the town,
and both the men and their women Avere all fied to places that
were more occult and reraote. ' So that, by this search, they
only found an (iid Indian woman and three children, but no
gold nor plate. This morning our ship came to an anchor
by the storehouse above mentioned, named Tortuga, at the
distance of a furlong frora shore, in the depth of seven fathom
water. Next raorning, being Saturday, December 4th, came into the
toAvn a flag of truce from the enemy. Their message was to
proffer a ransora for the town, to preserve it frora" burning ; for
now they began to fear Ave would set fire to it, as having found
no considerable booty nor pillage therein. The chief com
manders on both sides raet about this point, and agreed betwixt
thera for the sura of ninety-five thousand pieces of eight, for
the whole ransora. In the afternoon I was sent down to j^e
Bay of Coquimbo, with a pqfty of twenty toen, to carry thither
some goods we had taken in the town, as also provisions for
the ship. It is two leagues and a half from the town to the
port ; one league on the bay, the rest being a very great road,
Avhich leads frora the Way to the city. The Spaniards prora
ised that the ransom should be cbllected and paid in by the
next day. This day also there died one of our negro slaves,
on board the ship.
The day following, in the raorning, I carae back to the town,
with the men I had brought down the day before ,; only six of
them I left behind, to look after our canoes at the end of the
bay. When I came to the city; I found that the Spaniards had
broken their promise, and had not brought in the ransom they
21*

246 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
had agreed for ; but had begged time till to-morrow at eight in
the forenoon. This evening, another party of our men went
down to the ship to carry such goods as we had pillaged in the
tOAvn. That night, about nine of the clock, happened an earth
quake, the Avhich we were very sensible of, as Ave were all to
gether in the church of San Juan, Avhere our chief rendez
vous, and corps de garde was kept. In the night the Span
iards opened a sluice, and let the Avater run in streams about
the town, wi,th intent either to overflow it, and thereby force
us out of the place, or at least that they might the easier quench
the flame, in case we should fire the town.
Next morning Ave set fire to the town, perceiving it to be
overflown, and that the Spaniards had not performed, or rather,
that they never designed to perform, their promise. We fired,
as nigh as we could, every house in the Avhole town, to the end
that it might be totally reduced to ashes. Thus we left La
Serena, carrying with us what plunder Ave could find, having
sent two parties before, loaded with goods to the ship, as was
mentioned above. As Ave marched down to the bay, we beat
Up an ambuscade of two hundred and fifty horse, which lay
hid in the way, \vith an intent to fall on our men, iri case we had
sent down any other party with goods to the ship. We received
advice that the Spaniards had endeavored, by an unusual, strat
agem, to burn our ship, and thereby destroy us all. They blew
Up a horse's hide like a bladder, and upon this float a man ven-
tpred to swira from shore, and come under thp stern of our
ship. Being arrived there, he cramraed oakum and brimstone,
and other combustible matter, between the rudder and the stern-
pOst. Having done this, he fired it with a match, so that in a
small time our rudder was on fire, and all the ship in a smoke.
Our men, both alarmed and amazed Avith this smoke, ran up
amd down the ship, suspecting the prisoners to have fired the
vessel, thereby to |et their libenty and destroy us. At last
they found out. where the fire was, and had the good fortune to
quench it before its going too far. As soon as they had put it
out, they sent the boat ashore, and found both the hide before
raentioned, and the match burning at ijoth ends, whereby they
discovered the whole matter. When Ave came to the store
house on the shore side, we set at liberty the friar our prisoner,
and another gentleman, Avho was become our hostage for the
performance of the ransom. And when we came aboard,/we
likewise set at liberty Captain Peralta, Don Thomas de Argan
dona, Don Baltazar, Don Christeval, Captain Juan, the pilot's
mate, the old Moor, and several other of our chief prisoners.
To this releasement of our prisoners we were moved, partly be-

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 247
cause we knew not well what tp do with thera, and partly be
cause we feared that, by the example of Ijhis stratagem, they
might be able to effect what the other had attempted with so
rauch likelihood of success.

CHAPTER XXXIX.
The Buccaneers set sail from Coquimbo for the Isle of Juan Fernandez. — An
exact Account of this Voyage. — Misery they endure, and great Dangers
they escape there. — They mutiny among themselves, and choose Watling
to be their chief Commander. — Description of the Island  Three Span
ish Men-of- War meet with the Buccaneers at the said Island : -svith what
happened thereupon.
Being all embarked again, as was mentioned in the prece
dent chapter, ^he next morning, which was Tuesday, Decem
ber 7th, twenty of us were sent ashore to observe the motions
of the enemy. We werit to the lookout, or watch-hiU, but
could learn nothing from thencc) Hereupon, about noon we
returned on board the ship, and at two in the afternoon we
weighed anchor and set sail, directing our course for the Island
of Juan Fernandez, not far from the coast of Coquirabo. At
night, Ave were five leagues distant frora thence, at N. W. by
N. The southernmost island of those which are called De los
Paxaros, or Islands of Birds, was then N. N. W. from us. Be
fore our departure, I took a draught of the jBay of C(|^uimbo,
and of the city of La Serena.
December Sth, we had but very little wind, and a leeward
current here, which Ave could perceive heaved us to the north
ward. The afore-mentioned Island De los Paxaros, at three
in the afternoon, bore N. E. of us, at the distance of threp
leagues, or thereabouts.
It is four leagues distant frora the raain continent', and frora
the next island of the sarae name, about two. The raain is
extreraely high and raountainous hereabouts. At evening we
were west from the said island five leagues. About eight or
nine leagues to the windward of Coquimbo are certain white
cliffs, which appear from the shore to those that are off at sea.
December 9th, we had likewise but little wind, as the day
before. I supposed myself this day to be about thirteen
leagues west from the island above mentioned. The weather
was cloudy, with raizzling rain, so that no observation could be

248 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
taken. However, this day it was thought convenient to come
to an allowance of water, for we had taken in little or none at
Coquimbo. The same weather, or very like it, we had the
next day, being the 10th ; that is to say, quite calm aud
cloudy. ,
December llth, we had sorae sraall rain the fore part of the
day ; but in the afternoon it cleared up, so that the weather
was very hot. We had still but little wind.
The next day, Deceraber 12th, we had very fair Aveather,
and by a clear observation raade this day, we found latitude
30° 6' S.
December 13th. By a W. S. W. way, we made forty-two
leagues. By observation, Ave found latitude 30° 45' S. D. M.
four leagues and two thirds.
The 14th, in the morning, we had a handsome shower of
rain, which continued for sorae tirae. Then about eight
o' clock there sprung up a S. S. W. breeze. My reckoning
was by an E. S. E. way fourteen leagues ; and, by obser
vation, Ave found this day 30° 30' S. In the afternoon died
one of our men, whose name was WiUiara Cararaock. His
disease was occasioned by a surfeit, got By too rauch drinking
on shore at La Serena, which produced, a calenture, or malig
nant fever, and a hiccough. In the evening we buried him in
the sea, according to the usual custora of 'raariners, giving him
three French volleys for his funeral.
The day following we had an indifferent fresh wind on both
tacks. Our way A\'as W. S. W., and by it we reckoned thirty-
four leagues. So, likewise, by an observation, we had latitude
30° 42' S. All the afternoon blew a S. by W. Avind, very
fresh, with a short topping S. W. sea.
But the next day we had no small breezes, but rather hard
gusts of wind. These grew so high, that they forced us to
take in our topsaUs. We made a S. W. half S. way, and
f«rty-five leagues.
On the 17th, we had likewise high winds, and withal a
S. W. sea. Our way was W. by S. By an observation taken
this day, we found latitude 30° 51' S. In the afternoon we
had a S. S. E. wind, our course being S. W.
December 18th. This day we had the sarae high winds as
before, at S. S. E. We reckoned by a W. S. W. way forty-
five leagues. At noon the wind was somethirig fallen, and
then we had sorae rain.
The 19th, we had both cloudy and windy weather. My
reckoning was a S. W. by S. way, and hereupon fifty-eight
railes. Yesterday we were assUred by our pilot that we were

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 249
now in the meridian of Juan Fernandez, whither our course
was directpd for the present. That which occasioned hira to
be so positive in this assertion, was the seeing of those great
birds, of which we made mention in the foregoing chapter.
On the 20th, avc had cloudy Aveather in the morning on
both tacks. We raade a S. W. and half S. way, and by it
fifty-two leagues. By an observation, we found this day
latitude 32° 30' S. Difference of raeridian was now one hun
dred and thirty-two leagues.
The next day, likewise, we had cloudy weather ; yet, by
an observation, we found a W. way. On the 22d, by obser
vation, we found an E. way proved.
Thursday, December 23d. All the night past we had a
fresh wind ; but in the morning, from the topraast head, we
descried a hammock of land. In the evening we saw it
again. We found afterwards that what we had seen was the
westernmost island of Juan Fernandez ; which is nothing but a
mere rock, there being no riding nor scarce landing near it.
Friday, December 24th. This morning. we could descry
the island itself of Juan Fernaindez, S. by E., it being at six
teen leagues distance when we saw it the day before. At
seven this morning, the island stood E., the wind being at
N. W. by N.
Here my observation was, that I could neither fowl nor fish
near this island ; both which are usual about other islands.
Having told ray observation to our pilot, he answered me that
he had made many voyages by this island, and yet never saw
either fowl or fish. Our reckoning this day was an E. S. E.
way, and hereby thirty-six leagues. Our latitude, by obser
vation, Avas found to be 33° 30' S.
Saturday, December 25th. The 24th, at three o'clock, we
saw the other island, making two or three hamraocks of land.
This morning we Avere about eight leagues from it, the island
bearing E. S. E. frora us. At eight the same morning, we
were right abreast with it. Here, therefore, are two islands
together, the biggest whereof is three league^ and a half in
length,^ nearest N. W. and S. E. The . other, and lesser, is
almost one league in circumference. At ten o'clock, we sent
off from the ship one of our canoes to seek for the best land
ing and anchoring for our vessel. As Ave approached, both
islands seemed to us but one entire heap of rocks. That which
lies more to the north is the highest, though we could not see
the tops thereof, for the clouds covered it ; in most places it is
so steep, that it becomes alraost perpendicular.
This day, being Christraas day, we gave in the morning

250 THE buccaneers of AMERICA.
early three volleys of shot, for soleranization of that great fes
tival. I reckoned an E. by S. way. By a clear observation
- frora the middle of the island, I found here latitude 33° 45' S.,
and M. D. to be ninety-nine leagues. In the evening we
carae to an anchor at the south end of the island, in a stately
bay, but which lies open to the south, and to the south-east
winds. We anchored in the depth of eleven fathom water,
and at the distance of only one furlong from the shore. Here
we saw multitudes of seals, covering the bay every where,
insomuch that we were forced to kill them before we could
set foot on shore.
Sunday, Deceraber 26th. This day we sent a canoe to see
if we could find any riding secure frora the southerly winds,
these being the most constant winds that blow on these coasts.
The canoe being gone, our commander sent, likewise, what
men we could spare on shore, to drive goats, whereof there is
great plenty in this island. They caught and killed that day
to the number of threescore, or thereabouts. The canoe return
ing to the ship, made report that there was good riding in
another bay, situate on the north side of the island, in fourteen
fathom water, and not above one quarter o^ a mile frbm the
shore, and that there Avas much wood to be had : whereas, in
the place where we first anchored, not one stick of wood, nor
tuft of grass. Was to be found.
The next day, being the 27th, between two and four in the
raorning, we had a terapest of violent winds, and fierce show
ers of rain. The sarae day Ave got in two hundred jars of
Avater, bringing thera a full league frora the place of our riding.
Meanwhile, others were eraployed tb catch goats, as they had
done the day before.
On the 28th of the said raonth, in the raorning, I went with
ten raore of our company, and two canoes, to fetch water from '
the land. Being come thither, and. having filled our jars, we
could not get back to the ship, by reason of a southerly wind,
that blcAV from off the ocean, and hindered our return. -Thus
we we're forced, to lie still in a water hole, and wait . till the
wind was over for a safer opportunity. Whfle the violejice of
the wind increased, our ship was forced to get under sail, and
make away, not without danger of being forced ashore. Here
upon, we sailed out of the harbor, to seek another place of an
choring. At noon I ventured out, to try if I could foUoAV the
ship, but was forced in again by the wind and raging sea.
Thus we lay still for some while longer, till the evening came
on. This being corae, we ventured out again, both canoes
tbgether ; but the winds were then sb high, that we were

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMtRICA. 251
forced to throw all our jars of water overboard to lighten our
boats, otherwise Ave had inevitably pprifehed. I ought to bless
Almighty God for this deliverance ; for, in all human reason,
the least wave of that tempest might have sunk us. Notwith
standing, we came that night to-our place of harbor, where we
expected to have found our ship, (caUed False Wild Harbor,)
but found her not. Hereupon, not knowing what to do, we
went ashore, and hauled up our canoes dry. Having done this,
we went higher up into the island, along a gully, for the space
of half a mile, there to clear ourselves of the noise and com
pany of the seals, which Avere very troublesome on the shore.
Here we kindled a fire, and dried our clothes, and rested our
selves all night, though Avith extreme hungry bellies, as having
eaten very little or nothing all the day before. In the sides
of the hill, under Avhich we lay, we observed many holes like
coney-holes. These holes are the nests and roosting-places
of multitudes of- birds that breed in this island, called by the
Spaniards pardelas. One of these birds, as we lay drying and
warming ourselves, fell down into our fire.
The next morning being come, very early before sunrise we
went farther to the northward, to seek for our ship, which Ave
feared we had lost ; but we were not gone far when we espied
her at sea. Hereupon we passed a point of land, and entered
a. certain bay, which was about a mile deep, and not above
half a league over. In this bay we put, and instantly made a
fire, thereby to show the ship whereabo'uts we were. Here we
found good watering and wooding close to the shore. In this
bay we also saw another sort of amphibious animal, "which I
imagined to be the same that by some authors is called a sea
lion. These animals are six times bigger than seals. Their
heads are like that of a lion, and they have four fins not unlike
a tortoise. The hinder parts of these creatures are much like
fins, but are drawn after them, as being useless upon the shore.
They roared as if they had been lions, and were full of a short,
thick hair, of a mouse color ; but that of the young ones was
something lighter. The old ones are between twelve and four
teen feet long, and about eleven or twelve feet in thickness or
circumference. A seal is very easily killed, as we often ex
periraented ; but two of our raen with great stones could not
kill one of these animals.
That day, in the afternoon, there came a canoe, from on
board the ship, with provisions for us, they fearing lest we
should be starved ; also the launch came with men to cut wood.
They told us that the ship came to an anchor in the other
bay ; but that within half an hour" the cable broke and they

252 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
were forced to leave their anchor behind thera, and get out to
sea again. Night being come, we made our beds of fern,
whereof there is great plenty upon this island ; together with
great raultitudes of trees like English box, the which bore a
sort of green berries, smelling like pimento, or pepper. All
this day the ship was forced to ply off at sea, not being able to
get in. ¦ . '
December 30th. The raorning of this day we employed in
filling water, and cutting down wood; but in the afternoon,
eight of us eleven went aboard the ship, all in one and the
same canoe, sending her ashore again with provisions for the
men that were there. This day, in like raanner, we could not
get into the harbor ; for no sooner carae the ship within land,
but the wind, coming out of the bay, blew us clear out again.
Thus we were forced to ply out all that night, and great part
of the following day.
Next day, having overcorae all difficulties^ and many dan
gers, we came to an anchor, in the afternoon, in fifteen fathom
water, at the distance of a, cable's length from shore. Here it
was observable, that we were forced to keep raen ashore on
purpose to beat' off the seals, whiW our men filled water, at
high-water mark, because the seals covet greatly to lie in fresh
water. About this island fish is so plentiful, that, in less
than an hour's time, two men caught enough for our whole
company. Saturday, January 1st, 1680. This day we put up a new
main-top, larger than the old one ; and we caught craw-fish
that AVftfe bigger than our English lobsters.
The next day, being January 2d, died a chief man of our
corapafty, Avhose narae was John Hilliard. This raan, till our
weighing anchor frora the port of Coquirabo, had been our
master all the space _of this voyage ; but from that time we
chose John Cox for the starboard, and John Fall for the lar
board watch. He died of the dropsy. That evening we
buried our dead corapanion, and gave hira a volley for his
funeral, according to the usual custora.
January 3d, we had terrible gusts of wind frora the shore
every hour. This day our pilot told us, that raany years ago
a certain ship was cast away upon this island, and only one
man saved, Avho lived alone upon this island five years before
any ship came this way to carry him off. The island has ex
ceUent land in many vaUeys belonging thereto. This day,
likewise, we fetched our anchor which we left in the other
bay when the ship broke her cable.
Tuesday, January 4th, 1680. This day we had such terri-

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 253
ble flaws of wind that the cable of our ship broke, and we had
undoubtedly been on shore, had not the bther held us fast. At
last it came home, and Ave drove outwards. By the way it
caught hold of a rock, and held sorae tinie ; but at last we
hauled it up. And the v^ind carae with so much violence, 'that
the Avaves flew as high as our main-top, and raade all the water
of a foam.
January 5th. Notwithstanding these great, gusts of Avind
had continued all the night past, yet this day, at noon, it was
brave and calm. But in the raorning the anchor of our ship
gaye way again, and we drove to the eastward more than half
a mile, till at last we happened to fasten again in the depth
- of sixty fathom water. In this bay, where we rode at anchor,
ran a violent current, sometiraes into, and at other times out,
of the bay ; so that all was uncertain Avith us. But our great
est discomfort was, that our men were all, in rautiny against
each other, and much divided among themselves. Some of them
being for going home towards England, or our foreign planta
tions, and that round aboiU America, through the Straits of
Magellan, as Obtain Sawkins had designed to do ; others
of them being for staying longer, and searching farther into
those seas, till such time as they had got raore raoney. This
day, at noon, our anchor drove again ; whereupon, to secure us
from that dangerous place, we sailed into the west bay, and
anchored there in twenty-five fathora water, and moored our
ship a quarter of a mile from shore.
"Thursday, January 6th. Our dissensions being now grown
to a great height, the mutineers made a new election of a per
son to be our chi^f captain and coraraander, by virtue whereof
they deposed Captain Sharp, whom they protested they would
obey no longer. They chose, therefore, one- of our company,
Avhose name was John Watling, to comraand in chief, he hav
ing been an old privateer, and gained the esteera of being a
Stout seaman. The election being' made, all the rest were
forced to give -their assent to it, and Captain Sharp gave over
his coraraand ; whereupon, they iraraediately raade articles with
Watling, and signed thera.
The day following, being the 7th, we burnt and talloAved
the starboard side of our ship. In this bay we found a cross
cut in the bark of a tree, and several letters besides. Hereupon,
in another tree, up the guUy, I engraved the two first letters
of ray name, with a cross over them. This day, likewise,
William, Cook, servant to Captain Edmund Cook, confessed. that
his master had oftentimes buggered him in England, leaving
his wife and coraing to bed to him ; that he had also done the
22

254 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
same in Jamaica, and once in these seas before Panama,
Searching his Avritings, we found a paper Avith all our names in
it, which it was suspected he designed to have given to the
Spanish prisoners. Fqr these reasons, this evening our captain
thought it convenient to put hira in irons, Avhich was accord-
iifgly done.
January Sth, we finished the other side of our ship.
Sunday, January 9th. This was the first Sunday that ever
we kept by command and common consent since the loss and
death of our valiant coraraander. Captain Sawkins, who would
throw the dice overboard, if' he found them in use on that day.
January 10th, the weather was very clear and settled again.
We caught every day, in this bay, great plenty of fish ; and I
saw this day a shoal of fish a raile or raore long.
Next day, being the llth, we filled our water, and- carried
our wood on board the ship. Our two Canoes went to the other
side of the island to catch goats ; for on the barren side thereof
are found and caught the best, and by land it is irapossible to
go from one side of the island to the other.
Wednesday, January 12th. This morning* our canoes re
turned from catching of goats, firing, of guns as they came
towards us to give us warning. Being come ori board, they
told us they had espied three sail of ships, which they con
ceived to be men-of-war coming about the island. 'Withiri
half an hour after this notice given by our boats, the ships
came in si.ght to leeward of the island. Hereupon, we irarae
diately slipped our cables, and put to sea, taking all our men
on board that were ashore at that time ; only one WiUiara, a
Mosquito Indian, was then left behind upon the island, because
he could not be found at this our sudden departure. Upon the
Island of Juan Fernandez grow certain trees called bilby trees.
The tops of these trees we used as we do cabbage in England.,
Here fish abounds in such quantites, that on the surface of the
water I have taken fish with a bare hook. Abundance of fish
is.takeji here of twenty pound weight; the smallest that is
taken being almost two pound. - Very good timber for build
ing of houses, and other uses,- is likewise found upon this
island. It is distaut from the main continent the space of
ninety-five leagues, or thereabouts, being situate in 33°' 40' S.
The plats of the islands lie N. W. and S. E.
Being got out of the bay, we stood off to sea, and kept to
Avindward as close as we could. The biggest of these Spanish
men-bf-war, for such they proved to be, was of the burthen of
800 tons, and was called El Santo ^Christo, being mounted with
twelve guns ; the second, named San Francisco, carried 600

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA. 255
tons, and ten guns ; the third carried 350 tons, whose narae I
have forgot. As sobn as they saw us, they instantly put out
their bloody flags ; and we, to show them that we were not
as yet daunted, did the same with ours. We kept close. under
the wind, and Avere, to confess the truth, very unwilling to
fight them, by reason they kept all in a knot together, and we
could not single out any one of them from the rest ; especially
considering that our present commander, Watling, had showed
himself at their appearance to be faint-hearted. As for the
Spaniards themselves, they might have easily corne to us, by
reason we lay by several times ; but undoubtedly they were
cowardly given, and peradventure as unwilling to engage us as
we were to engage them.
The day following, being January 13th, in the morning, we
could see one of the afore-mentioned men-of-war, under the
leeward side of the island ; and we believed that the rest were
at anchor thereabouts.
At noon that 3ay, we stood in towards the island, making
as if we intended to be with them. But in the afternoon, our
commander propounded the question to us, whether Ave were
willing, now that the fleet was to windward, to bear away from
them. To this Ave all agreed with one consent. And here
upon, night being come, with a fresh wind at S. S. E., we
stood aAvay N. E. by N., and gave thera handsomely the slip,
after having outbraved them that day, and the day before.

CHAPTER XL.
The Butcaneera depart from the Isle of Juan Fernandez to that of Yqueque. —
They take severi Prisoners, and get Intelligence of the Posture of Affairs at,
Arica. — Cruelty to one of the Prisoners, who had rightly informed them. —
They attempt Arica a second Time, and take the To-wti, but are beaten out%f
it again without Plunder, and with a great Loss of Men, many of them being
killed, wounded, or taken Prisoners. — Captain Watling, their chief Command
er, is killed in this Attack, and Captain Sharp presently chosen again, who
leads them ofi', and through many Difficulties makes a bold Retreat to the Ship.
Having bid our eneraies adieu, as was said in the precedent
chapter, the next morning, being January 14th, Ave bore N. E.
We reckoned this day a N. N. ,E., orie 'quarter S. Avay, and by
it, thirty leagues. We were four leagues eastward frora the
Isl,e of Juan Fernandez, when I took our departure.
Saturday, January 16th, we had hazy weather. «This day

256 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
we raa4e by a N. E. by N. way, eleven leagues. The same
hazy weather continued the 16th, but about ten in the morn
ing Ave had a perfect calm. Our reckoning was a N. E. by N.
way, and thirty-six leagues.
On the 17th, we had a soft gale, arid a clear observation.
We found by it latitude 28° 47' S., easting seventy leagues.
The next day Ave had likewise a clear day, and we reckoned
by a N. E. by N. way, thirty-one leagues by observation, lat
itude 27° 29' S.
Wednesday, January 19th, we had a clear day, as before,
and reckoned a N. E. by N. Avay, and thirty-five leagues and
two thirds. By observation, we took latitude 25° 0' S. This
day we put up our top-gallant raasts and sails, Avhich Ave had
taken at the Island of Juan Fernandez, when we thought to
have gone directly frora thence for the Straits of Magellan.
But now our resolutions were changed, and our course was
bent for Arica, that rich place, the second time, to try what
good we could' do upon it by another atterapt, in order to the
making our fortunes there. In the evening we saAV land at a
great distance.
January 20tli. About midnight past Ave had a small land
wind that sprang up and reached us ; at break of day we cbuld
descry land again, at the distance of about nine or ten leagues.
This day was very hot and calm, easting ninety-two leagues.
On the 21st, we had very little wind, and all along as we
Avent Ave could descry a barren high land. We sailed N. by
E. and N. N. E. along the coast of the continent.
¦ Saturday, 22d, we had very hot weather. This day we
sailed N. and N. by E. and looked out continually for the Isl
and bf Yqueque, which our pilot told us was hereabouts. We
kept a just distance frora the land, for fear of being descried by
the enemy.
The day following, Sunday the 23d, we sailed in like man
ner N. N. E. along the coast, which seeras to be very full of
b%ys hereabouts. By observation this day, we took latitude
21o'49'S. Monday, January 24th. This day we had an. indifferent gale
of wind, and we stood N. and by E., the wind being S. S. E.
We found latitude by observation 21° 2' S. our whole easting
being ninety-two leagues and an half. In the afternoon. Cap
tain Watling, our coraraander, and twenty-five raen raore, de
parted frora the ship inf two canoes, Avith design to seek for,
and take the Island of Yqueque, and there to get intelligence
of the posture of affairs at Arica. We were at the distance ,of
twelve leqgues from shore when they went frora the ship.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AfilERlCA. , 257
The next day, by a clear observation, we found latitude 20°
40' S. At four in the afternoon returned one of our canoes,
bringing word that they could not find the island, though they
had searched for it very diligently. At night carae the other,
being brought back by a wrong sign given us by the first canoe.
This second canoe had landed upon the continent, and there
found a track, in which they followed for some space. Here
we found a dead whale, with whose bones the Spaniards had
built a hut, and set up a cross. There lay also many pieces
of broken jars. ' They observed likewise, that hereabouts, upon
the coasts, are many bays, good landing, and anchoring for
ships. That evening, about seven o'clock, a fresh gang went
from the ship to seek the same island : meanwhile we lay be-
calraed all night, driving about a league to leeward.
Wednesday, January 26th. We had extrerae hot Aveather.
. This day the Spanish pilot told us, that on the continent over
against us, a very little way Avithin the land, are very rich
mines of silver ; but that the Spaniards dared not open thera,
for fear of an invasion frora the enemy. We sailed north, at
the distance of about two leagues frora shore. At, noon, we
had an observation, and found latitude 20° 21' S. At four
o'clock we saw a sraoke raade by our men, close by a white
cliff, which proved to be the island. Hereupon, aa^ iraraediate
ly sent away another canoe with raore raen, to supply thera
in their atterapts. But in the raean while the first canoe,
which left us in the eve,ning before, came aboard, bringing
with thera four prisoners, two old white men, and two Indians.
The other canoe, which set out last, brought back molasses,
fish, and two jars of wine. To Avindward of the said island
is a sraall village of eighteen or twenty houses, having a sraall
chapel near it, built of stone, and for ornament sake, it is stuck
full of hides, or skins of seals. They foiind about fifty people
in this hamlet, but the greatest part of them made their escape
at the arrival of the canoe. To this island barks frequentiy
corae frora Arica (which is but at a little distance) to fetch clay,
of which they have already carried away a considerably quan
tity. The poor Indians, natives of this island, are forced to
bring all the fresh water they use full eleven leagues from
'thence, that is, from a river named Camarones, to leeward of
the island. The bark wherein they used to bring it was then
gone for Avater, when our raen landed upon the place. The
surface of this island is all over white, but the bowels are of
a reddish sort of earth. Frora the shore is seen a great path
leading over the mouiltains into the country. The Indians of
this island love to eat a sort of leaves that are in tdste ^uch
22* ¦ '

258 THE BVCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
like our bay leaves in England, insorauch that their teeth are
dyed of a green celor, by the continual use thereof The in
habitants go stark naked, and are a very rohust and strong peo
ple ; nothwithstanding, they live raore like beasts than men.
Thursday, January 27th. This raorning, on board the ship,
we exarained one of the old raen who were taken prisoners
upon the island the day before. But finding him in many lies,
as we thought, concerning Arica, our coraraander ordered him
to be shot to death, which was accordingly do^e. Our old
coramander, Captain Sharp, was much troubled in hiS mind, arid
dissatisfied at this cruelty and rash, proceeding ; whereupon he
opposed it as mUch as he could. But seeing he could not pre
vail, he took water and washed his hands, saying, "Gentlemen,
I ara cleaf of the blood of this old raan ; and I will warrant
you a hot day for this piece of cruelty, whenever we corae to
fight at Arica." Which fell out accordingly, as you will see
hereafter. The other old raan being under exaraination, informed us,
that the Island of YquequC before mentioned belonging to the
governor of Arica, who, was proprietor thereof; and that he al- •
lowed these raen a little wine, and other necessaries, to live
upon for their sustenance. That he hiraself had the superintend
ence of forty or fifty of the governor's slaves, who caught fish
and dried it, for the profit of the said governor; and he sold it
afterwards to the inland to\vns, and reaped a considerable bene
fit thereby. That by a letter received frora Arica, eight days
ago, they understood there was then in the harbor of Arica
three ships frora Chili, and one bark. That they had raised
there a fortification, raounted with twelve copper guhs." But
that, when Ve were there before, they had conveyed out of the
town to the neighboring stations all their plate, gold, and jew
els, burying it in the ground, and otherwise concealing it;
which whether it were now brought again or not, he could hot
teU. That there were tAvo great places, the one at ten, the
other at twenty-five leagues distance from Arica, where lay all
their strength and treasure. That the day before had passed
a post to declare our having been at Coquimbo. That the em
bargo laid on all vessels going to the northward was now taken,
off, so that a free passage was allowed thepi. That by land it
was irapossible to go frora hence to Arica in less than four or
five days, forasrauch as they must carry water for themselves
and horses for the whole jSurney. Lastly, that those arms that
were brought from Liraa to Arica, as was mentioned above,
were now carried frora thence to Buenos Ayres. All, these
things pleased us mighty well. But, however, Captain Sharp

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 259
was still much dissatisfied at our shooting the old man ; for
he had given us a very frue information, namely, that Arica
was very well fortified, and much better than before, but our
misfortune was, that we looked upon his information as a
trick only.
The leaves, of which we made mention above, are brought
down to this island in whole bales, and then distributed to the
Indians, by a short aUowance given to each man. This day
we had very hot weather, and a S. W. sea. By observation,
we found latitude 20° 13' S. Besides the things above pien-
tioned, our prisoners informed us, that at Arica the Spaniards
had built a breastwork round about the town, and one also in
every street, that in oase one end of it were taken they might
be able to defend the other. We stood off and in for the great-
. est part of the day. In the afternoon we were eight leagues
and a half from shore, with a fresh Avind. That iriorning Ave
took the bark that was at the river of Camarones, to fill water
for the island. .
Friday, January 28th. Last night, about midriight, we left
the ship and put ourselves aboard the bark before mentioned,
the launch, and four canoes, with design to take Arica by sur
prisal. We roAved and sailed all night, making in for the
shore. .
Saturday, January 29th. About break of day we got under
shore, and there hid ourselves among the rocks all day, fearing
lest we should be descried by the enemy before we came to
Arica. At this tirae we were about /five leagues to southward
of it, near Quebrada de San Vitor. Night being come, we
rowed away frora thence.
Sunday, January 30th, 1680. This day, (sacred to the
raemory of King Charles the raartyr,) in the riiorning, about
sunrise, we landed araongst some rocks, at the distance of four
miles or thereabout, to the southward frora Arica. We put on
-shore in all ninety-two raen, the rest reraaining in the boats,
to keep and defend them from being surprised by the enemy,
to the intent we might leave behind, us a safe retreat in case
of necessity. With these raen we left strict orders, that if we
raade one sraoke frora the town or adjoining fields, they should-
come after us towards the harbor of Arica with one canoe ; but
in case we raade two, that they should bring all away, leaving
only fifteen raen in the" boats. As we raarched frora our land
ing-place towards the town, we moi?nted a very steep hUl,aHd
saw from thence fto men, nor forces of the eneray, Avhich
caused us to hope we were not as yet descried, and that we
should wholly surprise thera. But when avc were come about

260 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
half way to the town, we spied three horseraen, who raounted
the lookout hill, and seeing us upon our march, they rode -
down full speed to the city, to give notice of our approach.
Our coramander, Watling, chose out forty of our nuraber to
attack the fort, and sent us away first thitherwards, the rest
being designed for the town. We that were appointed for the
fort, had ten hand grenadoes amongst us when we gave the
assault, and with them, as well as with our other arms, we
attacked the castle and exchanged several shots with our
enemies. But at last, seeing our main body in danger of being
overborne with the number of our enemies, we gave over that
attempt on the fort, and ran down in all haste to the valley, to
help and assist them in the fight. Here the battle was very
desperate, and they killed three, and wounded two more of
our raen frora their outworks, before we could gain upon them.
But our rage increasing with our wounds, Ave still advanced,
and at last beat the eneray out of all, and filled every street in
the city with dead bodies. The enemy raade- several retreats
to several places, frora one breastwork to another, and we had
not a sufficient nuraber of men wherewithal to man all places .
taken ; insorauch, that we had no sooner beat thera out of one
place, but they carae another way and raanned it again with
new forces aiyi frCsh raen. '
We took in every place where we vanquished the enemy a
great nuraber of pris9ners, raore indeed than peradventure we
pught to have done, or knew well what to do withal ; they
being too many for such a small body as ours was to manage.
These prisoners inforraed us that we had been descried no less
than three days before, frora the Island of Yqueque, whereby,
they were in expectation of our arrival every hour, knowing
we had still a design to raake a second atterapt upon that
place. That into the city were corae four hundred soldiers
from- Liraa, the which, besides their OAvn, had brought seven
hundred arras for the use of the country people, and that in '
th^ town they had six hundred armed men, and in the fort
three hundred.
Being now in possession of the city, or the greatest part
thereof, we sent to the fort, comraanding them to surrender ; but
they would not send us any answer, fiereupon we advanced
towards it, and ga"ve it a second attack, wherein we persisted
very vigorously for a long time. Being not able to carry it,
we got upon the top of atiouse that stood near it, and from
thence fired down into the fort, killing many of their men, and
wounding thera at our ease and pleasure. But whfle we were
busied iti this attack, the rest of the enemy's forces had taken
%

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

261-

again several posts of the town, and began to surround us in
great nurabers, Avith design to cut us off. Hereupon we were
constrained to desist the second tirae, as before, frora assaulting
the fort, and raake head against thera. This we had no sooner
done, but their numbers and vigor increasing every moraent,
we found ouiselves to be overpoAvered, and consequently we
thought it convenient to retreat to the place where our wounded
raen were, under thfe hands of our surgeons, that is to say, our
hospital. At this time our new commander. Captain Watling,
both our quarter-masters, and a great many raore of our raen,
were killed, besides those that wejre wounded and disabled
frora fighting. , Bo that now the eneray rallying against us,
and beating us frora place to place, we were in a very distracted
condition, and in fiiore likelihood to perish every mari, than
escape the bloodiness of that day. Now Ave found the words
of Captain Sharp true, beipg all very sensible that we had a
day too hot for us, after that cruel heat, in killing and murder
ing in cold blood the old Mestiso Indian whora we had taken
prisoner at Yqueque, as.we raentioned before.
Being surrounded witn difficulties on all sides, and in great
disorder, having nobody to give orders what was - to be done,
we were glad to have our eyes upon our good' old coraraander.
Captain Bartholoraew Sharp, and beg of hira very earnestly to
coraraiserate our condition, and carry us off. It Avas a great
while before he would take any notice of our request, so rauch
was he displeased Avith the forraer rautiny of our people against
hira, all which had been occasioned by the instigation of Mr.
Cook. But Shegrp is a man of an undaunted courage, and
excellent conduct, not fearing the least to look ari insulting
eneray in the face, and a person that knoAvs -both the theory
and practice of navigation as well as most do. Hereupon, at
our earnest request and petition, he took upon hira the cora
raand in chief again, and began to distribute his orders for our
safety. He would have brought off our surgeons, but they
having been drinking while we assaulted the fort, would not
come with uS when they were called. They killed and took
of our number twenty-eight men, besides eighteen that we
brought off, who were desperately wounded. At this time we
were all extreme faint for want of water and victuals, whereof
we had none all that day ; we were likewise alraost choked
with the dust of the town, being so much raised by the work
that their guns had raade, that we could scarce see each other.
They beat us out of the town, and then followed us into
the savannas, or open fields, still charging as fast as they
could. But when they saw that we rallied again, resolved to

262 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
i
die one by another, they ran frora us into the town, and shel
tered themselves under their breastworks. Thus we retreated
in as good order as we possibly could, observe in that confu
sion. But their horsemen followed us as Ave retired, and fired
at us all the way, though they Avouldnot corae within the
reach of our guns ; for theirs reached farther than ours, and
out-shot us above one .third. We took the sea side for our
greater security, Avhich when the enemy saw, they betook
themselves to the hills, rolling doAvn great stones and whole
rocks to destroy us. MeauAvhile those of the town examined
our surgeons, and other men whom they had raade prisoners.
These gave thera our signs that we had left to our boats that
were behind us, so that they iraraediately blew up two fires
¦jvhich were perceived'by the qanoes. TTiis was the greatest
of our dangers ; for had we not come at that instant that we
did to the sea-side, our boats had been gone, they being
already under safl, and Ave had inevitably perished every
man. Thus we put off from the shore, and got on board
about ten at night, having been invjplved in a bloody fight
with the eneray all that day.

CHAPTER XLI.
A Description of the Bay of Arica. — They sail from hence to the Port of Guasco,
where they get 'Provisions. — A Draught of the said Jort. ^- They land again
at Hilo to revenge the former Affronts, an^ took what they could find.
Our atterapt at Arica being over, January ult., we plied to
and fro in the sight of the port to see if they would send out
the, three ships we had seen in the harbor, to fight us ; for upon
them we hoped to revenge the defeat and disappointment we
had received at the town the day before. But our expectations
in this point also were frustrated, for not one of those vessels
offered to stir.
The houses of this town of Arica are not above eleven feet
high, as.being built of earth, and not of brick or timber. The
town itself is four-square ; and at one corner stands the castle,
which may easily be comraanded, even Avith sraall arras, from
the hill which lies close to it. This place is the embarcadero, or
port-town of all the raineral towns that lie hereabouts, and
hence is fetched all the plate that is carried to Lima, the head
city of Peru.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 263
On Tuesday, February 1st, we had a clear observation,, and
by it we found latitude 19° 6' S. This day we shared the old
remains of our plate, taken in some of our former booties. Our
shares amounted_only to thirty-seven pieces •of eight each man.
N. B. Here I would have my reader to take notice, that frora
this day forwards I kept no constant diary or journal, as I had
done before, at least for some- considerable space of time, as
you shall see hereafter ; my disease and sickness at sea being
the occasion of intermitting what I had never failed to do in
all the course of this voyage till now : only some few memo-
randuras, as my weakness gave leave, I now and then coraraitted
to paper, the which I shall, give you as I find them, towards a
continuance of this history. Thus : —
Monday, February 14th. This night between eleven and
twelve o'clock, William Cook died on board our ship, who was
servant to Captain Edraund Cook, of whora raention hath been
made in this journal. ,He desisted not, even at his last, to
accuse his master of buggering him, as before was related:
raoreover, that his master should say, it was no sin to steal
frora us, who thought it none to rob the Spaniards^
February 16th, 1680. Thi^ day we found ourselves in lati
tude 27° 30' S. We had a constant breeze at S. E. and S. -S. E.
till we got about two hundred leagues fr^hi land : then at the
eclipse of Jhe raoon, we had a calra for two or three days, and
then a breeze at north for two days ; after which we had a
calra again for two or three days raore.
March 1st, we found latitude by observation 34o 1' S". At.
this tirae begins the dirty weather in these seas. We lay
under a pair of courses, the wind being at S.,E. and E. S. E.,
with a very great sea at S. S. E.
March 3d, aU hands were called up, and a council held ;
wherein, considering it was now dirty weather, and late in the
year, we bore up the helm, and resolved to go to the main for
wajer, and thence to lee-ward, and so march over land towards
home, or at least tp the North Sea. But God diverted us frbm
foUowing this resolution, as you shall hear hereafter. We
being thus deterrairied that day, Ave stood N. E., with a strong
wind at S. E. and E. S. E.
March 5th, died our Coquimbo Indian. The seventh we
had a west wind, our course being E. by N. The eighth of
Ihe said month we were put to an aUowance, having only one
cake of bread a day.
March 10th, we had' a strong south wind.
March 12th, we fell ia with the main land, soraething to
leeward of Coqyimbo. Within the Island of Paxaras are doublfe

264 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
lands, in whose valleys are fires for melting of copper, with which
raetal these hUls abound. Off to sea-boftrd -is a rocky land,
and within, sandy. About the distance bf eight leagues to
leeward is a rocky* point, with several keys or rocks about it.
About half a raile, to leeward of this point turns, in the port of
Guasco ; right against the anchoring are three rocks, close
under the shore.
Being arrived here, we landed threescore men of our com
pany, with design to get provisions, or any thing we could
purchase. The people of the country ran all away as sOon as
they saw us. There was budding on the shore, in this port, .a
fire bark, of sixteen or eighteen tons burthen, with a cock-boat
belonging to it. We took one Indian prisoner, and with him
went up the space of six or seven railes into the country, to an
Indian town of three or fourscore ho^ises ; frora thence Ave
came back to the church, which is about four miles from the
sea-side, and lodged there all night. JHere are multitudes of
good sheep and goats «in the country adjoining to this port, and
it is watered "with an excellent fresh water river ; but the
getting of Avater is very difficult, the banks being very high,
or otherwise inaccessible. HoAveyer, Ave made a shift to get in
five . hundred jars of water ; furthermore, we brought away
one hundred and twenty sheep, and fourscore goats, with Avhich
stock we victualled our vessel for a while. As for oxen, they
had driven them away farther up into the country. The juris
diction of Guasco itself is governed by a teniente or deputy
governor, and a friar, and is in subjection to the city of La Serena
above mentioned, as having a dependence thereon. Here grows
both corn, pease, ^beans, and several other' sorts of grain ; and
for fruits, this place is not inferior to Coquimbo. Here we
found likcAvise a mUl to grind corn, and about two hundred
bushels thereof re^dy ground; the which we conveyed on
board our ship. Every house of any account hath branches
of water running through their yards or courts. The inhab
itants had hid their wine, and the best of their goods, as plate and
jewels, having descried us at sea before our landing ; so that
our booty here, besides provisions, was inconsiderable. How
ever, we caught sorae fcAV fowls, and eat five or six sheep, and
likewise a great hog, which tasted, very like our English pork.
The hiUs are all barren, so that the country that beareth fruit
MS only an exceUent valley, being four times as broad as that*
of Hflo above mentioned. These people of Guasco serve the
town of Coquimbo with raany sorts of provisions. We gave
the Indian whora we had taken his liberty, and I took the
port of Guasco thus.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 265
Tuesday, March 15th, .1680. This raorning We departed
from the port of Guasco, afore mentioned, with ver.y little wind,
having done nothing considerable there, except only the taking
in the few provisions above related. We were bent therefore
to seek greater matters, having met Avith ill success in raost of
our attempts hitherto. We had now very dark weather all
along the coast.
March 21st, we were west from the Bay of Mexellones. The
point of this bay, one league upwards, represents a sugar-loaf
exactly. March 22d. This day our boats and canoes went frora the
ship, being well raanned, to find the River Loa. They went
also aboiU tAvo leagues to leeward of it, to a fishing village,
but could find no place fit for landing ; whereupon they returned
without doing any thing. The next day another canoe of our
company went out upon the same exploit, but found the same
success. Notwithstanding, here Sir Francis Drake watered,
and built a church, as we were told by ou'^ilot. This church
is now standing on the sea-side by the river, whose mouth is
now dry. There are several huts to the windward of it ; and
from the said ahurch or chapel goes a great path up the hills,
Avhich lead to Pica. '
Thursday, March 24th, we found latitude by observation,
20° 10' S. This day also we saw land, at about eighteen
leagues distance. *
Sunday, March 27th, we saw Mora de Sama and pa Cumba
at some distance. The same day we had an observation, and
found it latitude 18° 17' S. That evening we parted from the
• ship with our hoats and canoes, tOAvards the coafst of Hilo, upon
which we now were : we landed and took the village of Hilo
undescried, they scarce suspecting we could have any design
upon that place a second tirae. We caught the friar who Avas
chaplain to the town and most of the inhabitants asleep, mak
ing them prisoners of war. Here we heard a flying report, as
if five thousand English had taken Panama a second time, and
were in possession of it. But this rumor proved to be a falsity,
as it then seemed. At this time the river came out, and was
overfloAvn, it being near the time of the freshets. Here the
prisoners told us, that in Arica ten of our men were still alive,
whereof three were surgeons, all the rest being dead of their
wounds. The Spaniards sent word to HUo that Ave had kUled
them seventy men, and wounded three times as many of their
forces. But here the inhabitants said, that of forty-five men
sent to the relief of Arica frora hence, there/ came home only
two alive. We filled what water we pleased here, but a small
23

266 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
boat that we brought from Guasco broke loose from us, and
was staved to pieces on the rocks. Here we took eighteen
jars of wine, and gpod store of new figs. On Tuesday
following we went up to/ the sugar-work, mentioned in our
former expedition against Hilo, and found all the fruits just
ripe and fit for eating. There we loaded seven mules down
wards with molasses and sugar. The inhabitants told us
further, that those men who came to fight us when we were
here the first time, At'ere raost of thera boys; and had only fifty
firearms amongst them ; they being comraanded by an English
gentleraan who is raarried at Arequipa. Likewise that the
owner of the sugar-works afore raentioned was now engaged
in a suit of law against the town of Hilo, pretending it was
not- the English v(ho robbed hira, and spoiled his Ingenio,
when we were there before, but the townsmen themselves.
This day in the evening we sailed for .Hilo, with dark weather
and little wind, which continued for several days afterwards.

\
CHAPTER XLII.
They depart 'from the Port of Hilo to the Gulf of Nicoya, where they take
down their Decks, and mend the Sailing of their Ship. — Forty^seven of their
Companions leave them, and go home overland. — A Description of the
Gulf of Nicoya. — They take two Barks and some Prisoners there. — Several
other Remarks belonging to this Voyage.
\ From the tirae that w^ set sail frora tne port of Hilo, till
Sunday, April. 10th, 1681, nothing happened to us that raight
be accounted remarkable ; neither did I take any notes all this
while, by reason of my indisposition afore raentioned. This
day we could hear distinctly the breaking of the seas upon the
shore, but could see no land, the weather being extreraely dark
. and hazy.' Notwithstanding, about noon it cleared up, and we
found ourselves to be in the bay called De Malabrigo. The
land in this bay ruris due east and west. By an observation
raade we found this day 6° 35' S. We saw frora hence the
leeward Island of Lobos, or Seals, beirig nothing but a rocky,
scraggy place. On the S. W. side thereof is a red hiU, much
frequented by the Indian fisherraen. It is situate in latitude
6° 15' S. This day, likewise, in the evening, we saw the point
called Aguja.
On Saturday, April 16th, we carae within a league distance

THE BUCCANEEES OF AMERICA. 267
west en(
next di'y^ being Sunday, AprU 17, 1681, our rautineers broke
out again into an open dissention, they having been much dis
satisfied all along this voyage, but raore especially since our
unfortunate- fight at Arica, aniL never entirely reconciled to us
since they chose Captain Watling, and deposed Sharp, at the
Isle of Juan Fernandez, as was related above. Nothing now
could appease' them, nor serve their turn, but a separation frora
the rest of the corapany, and leaving us. Hereupon, this day
they left the ship, to the number of forty-seven raen, all 'in
company together, with design to go overland, by the same
way they came into those seas. The rest, Avho remained be
hind, did fully resolve, and faithfully proraise to each other,
that they would stick close together. They took five slaves
in their company, to guide and do thera other service in that
journey. This day AVe had 1° 30' southern latitude. We sailed
N. N. W. before the wind..
•Next day after their departure, April lSth,Ve began to work
about' taking down one of our upper decks, thereby to cause
our ship still to mend her sailing. We noAv raade a N. W. by
N. way, and had latitude, by obsewation, 25° N., the wind
being at S. W.
April 19th, we made a N. W. by N. way. This day our ob
servation was latitude 2°- 45' N. In the afternoon we had
cloudy weather. The following day, likewise, we made
the same way, and by it seventy railes, according to ray
reckoning. April 21st. In the raorning we had sorae small showers of
rain, and but little wind. , We saw some turtle upon the sur
face, of the water, and great quantity of fish. We caught'
twenty^six sraall dolphins. By a N. W. by N. way, we reck-_
oned this day forty miles.
April 22d. This day we caught seven large dolphins, and
one bonito. We saw, likewise, whole multitudes of turtles
swimraing upon the water, and took five of^ thera. We had
an observation that gave us latitude 5^28' N. Hereabouts runs
a great, strong current. This day we lowered the quarter deck
of our ship, and raade it eVen with the upper deck.
The day following we had but small wind, and yet great
showers of rain. Hereupon every man saved water for him
self, and a great quantity was saved for the whole company.
In the raorning Ave caught eight bonitoes, and in the evening
ten more.
April 24th, Ave had both cloudy and rainy weather. By an
observation we had latitude 7° 37' N. Meridian difference was

268 .THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
ninety-two leagues. This morning Ave caught fort]| bonitoes,
and in the evening thirty more. In the afternoon We stood
north, the wind being at S. W. by S.
Monday, April 25th. All the night before we had large
gusts of wind and rain. At lj:eak of day we were close in
with land, which, upon exaraination, proved to be the Island of
Cano. To AvestAvard thereof is very high land. About noon
this day it cleared up, and we had latitude 8° 34' N. In the
evening we sent a canoe to search the island. In it they found
good water and even ground, but withal an open road. At
night AVe stood off the first watch, and the last We had a
land wind.
The day following, at daylight, we stood in, and about noon
we came to an anchor at the east side of the island afore men-
tipned, which is not above one league over. In the afternoon
we remoVed from our former anchoring place, knd anchored
again within shot . of the N. E. point of the islant^. All over
this isle grow abundance of coeoa-tifees. On the north side
thereof are raany rivulets of good Avater, to be found in sandy
bays. We saw some good hogs on shore, whereof we kiUed
one, and two pigs. Here are great numbers of turtle doves,
and huge store of fish, but withal very shy to be caught.
April 27th, we had sorae rain and wind the fore part of the
day, but the afternoon was fair. The next day, in like raan
ner, we had great quantity of rain.
On Saturday, the 30th, about seven -o'clock in the raorning,
we weighed from the aforesaid island with little wind, and
stood N. W. That day fell much rain, with great thunder and
lightning. Monday, May '2d. This day avc observed, and found latitude
9° N. The coast all along appeared to us very high and moun
tainous, and scarce six hours did pass but we had thunder,
lightning, and rainl The like continued fcr the twb days
following. May^5th, we bad an indifferent fair day, and at evening we
Avere right off the Gulf of Nicoya.
Friday, May 6th. This mdrning we saw the cape vety plain
before us. N. by E. frora it are certain keys, at eight leagues
distance, close under the raain. We steered N. N. W. towards
the biggest of thera, at AVhose E. S. E. side are two or three
small rocks. The main eastward is fine savanna, or plain and
even land, through which goes a very great road, wliich is to
be seen off at sea. At noon the port of Caldero, commonly
called Puerto Caldero, bore north frora us, at which time the
ebb forced us to sound in the middle of the gulf, where we

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 269
found fourteen fathora water. After this we anchored nearer
the eastern keys, in the depth- of nineteen fathora, where we
had oozy ground.
Saturday, May 7th. The night 'l^fore was very fair all night
long. In the morning we went in a canoe, being several in
company, to seek for a place to lay our ship in. Amongst the
islands along the shore Ave found raany brave holes, but little
or no Avater in them, and therefore not for our purpose. Ori
one of the said islands we found a hat, and raany jars of water,
by which we knew that people had lately been there. About
eight in the evening our ship weighed anchor, at young flood;
and about three in the afternoon we anchored again in five
fathora water. '
Sunday, May Sth, 1681. The night before we had much
rain, with thunder and lightning. The morning being come,
our commander. Captain Sharp, left the ship in two canoes,
Avith twenty-two men in his company, out of design' to sur
prise any vessels or people they could raeet hereabouts. Mean
while, in the evening, we drove up with the tide (there being
no wind) in the ship, two or three leagues higher, till Ave found
but three fathora high water ; here we backed astern. At this
time we saAV one of our' canoes coraing off frora the island that
Avas at head of us, (which was naraed Chira,) calling for raore
men and arms, saying there were two sail of ships higher up
the gulf. Hereupon, eight of us went with them ashore,
whereof tAVO joined the party afore mentioned, and the six re
maining were appointed to guard the prisoners they had taken:
to these we showed, ourselves very kind, as finding they were
sensible of the cruelties of the Spaniards towards them and
their whole nation. Here we found to the nuraber of eight or
nine houses, and a sraall chapel standing. These people have
been, in former times, a considerable and great nation, but are
noA^"- almost destroyed Ejpd extinguished by the Spaniards. We
ascended a league up a creek of the sea, or thereabouts, and
took by surprisal tAvo barks, which were the two sail they
had told us of before. One of these barks was the sarae we
had taken before at Panama, of which I made raention at the
beginning of this history.^
The Monday following, we Aveighed anchor with our barks,
and drove down the creek, with the tide at ebb, towards our ship.
The prisoners we had takpn here inforraed us, that when we
were to Westward in these seas before, there lay one hundred
men at the port of Santa Mari&. That our men-, who left us
at the Island Cayboa, as was raentioned above, raet the cjther
bark that we lost at sea, as we were safling thither, and so weht
23* . .

270 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
all overiand together. ¦ That in the North seas, near Puerto
Velo, they had taken a good ship, to be revenged of the Span
iards, who stop up the mouth of Santa Maria, with design to
hinder others from' passing that way. At night, our captain,
with twenty-four men, went frora the ship into another creek,
and there took several prisoners, araong whom was a shipAvright
and his men, who were judged able to do us good service in
the altering our ship, those carpenters being actuaUy building
two great ships for the Spaniards. Having taken these men,
they made a float of timber, to bring down the tools, and in
struments they were working withal ; they also put several
tools, and a considerable quantity of iron-AVork, into a dbree, to
be conveyed down the river, which sunk by the way, as being
overladen with iron; and one of our corapany, naraed John
Alexander, a Scotchman, was unfortunately drowned iri her.
Thursday following. May 12th, we sent a canoe from the
ship, and found the doree that was drowned : that evening
likewise drove down the body of our droAvned man afore men
tioned ; hereupon we took hira up, and on Friday raorning foi-.
lowing threw hira oVerboard, giving hira fhree French volleys
for his custoraary ceremony. Both this day and the day before,
we fetched water frora a point near the houses, on the Island of
Chira afore mentioned ; from the ship also we sent away a
Spanish merchant, whom we had taken, among the prisbners,
to fetch a certain number of beeves, that might serve for a ran
som of the new bark taken here. This day the weather was
fair, but on Sunday following it rained from raorning till night.
Monday, 'May 16th, we began to work all on our ship.
Tuesday, an Indian boy, naraed Peter, ran away from us ; he
belonged to Captain Sawkins, and waited upon hira as a ser
vant. Wednesday, died an Indian slave, whose narae was Sal
vador. Thursday, we heard thirty or forty guns fired on the
main, which made us think these wduld also turn to Hilo
beeves. Friday, we caught copkles, which were as large as
both our fists. At night there fell such dreadful rain, with
thunder, lightning and wind, that, for the space of two hours,
the air was as light as day ; the thunder not ceasing all the
while. *
Saturday night, Ave had more thunder, lightning, and rain.
Sunday we continued our work.
Wednesday, May 25th. This day we finished our great
piece of work, viz., the taking down the deck of our ship : be
sides which, the length of every mast was shortened, and all
our, -york finished, insomuch that it would seem incredible,
shAild I here give an account how much work we did in a fort-

THE BUCCANEEES OF AMERICA. 271
night or less. The same day, likewise, we set at liberty our
Spanish carpenters, who had been very serviceable to us all
this while, the old pilot, the old Spaniard taken at the Isle of
Yqueque, and several other of our Spanish prisoners and slaves.
To these people, but chiefly to the Spanish carpenters, as re
ward of their gobd service, we gave the new bark, which we
had taken at this place : but the old bark we thought fit to
keep and sail her in our corapany, as we did, putting into her
for this purpose six of our own raen and two slaves. The
next day, we fell down as low as Vanero, a place so called here
abouts, and Avould have sail^ away again that very evening,
but that our tackle gave way in hoisting our anchor, which
made us lie still. In the Gulf of Nicoya, we had cemraonly a
fresh breeze, and at night a land wind.
Friday, May 27th. This day likewise Ave drove down with
the tide as low as Cavallo, another plac^ in the gulf Here Ave
staid and watered that day ; and one Cannis Marcy, our inter
preter, ran away from us.
May 28th, iri the raorning, we saUed from thence, and came
within twenty-nine leagues of that rich and rock'y shore : yet,
notwithstanding we had but seven fathom water here, I saw a
Avliite porpoise. Behind this island is a town called New Cape
Blanco. At Puerto Caldero, abbve mentioned, is but one store
house. We caifte to an anchor in the depth of seVen fathom
water, at the distance of a league from shore, and caught five
turtles. May 29th. This day we saw Cape Blanco. Both this day
and the 'day following, we continued turnings It out of the
gulf eigainst a south wind.

CHAPTER XLIII. a.
They go from Nicoya to GoUb Dulce, where they careen their Vessel. —
An Account of their Sailings along the Coast. — The Spaniards force tha
Indians of Darien to a Peace, by a Stratagem, contrived in the Name of
the English..
Wednesday, June 1st, 1681. This day we had very fair
weather, yet but little wind ; hereupon the tide, or current,
drove us to the westward of Cabo Blanco. Off of this cape, and
at the distance of two miles within the sea, is situate a very
bare key. ' '

272 THE buccaneers of AMEEICA.
The coast here along runs N. W. half W., and grows lower
and lower towards Cape Guyones : this cape now mentioned
at seven leagues distance, and at N. W. by N.,-at first sight ap
peared like two islands. The latter part of this day was cloudy,
which hindered our prospect.
June 2d. This morning we saw land, which appeared like
several keys at N. W. by N., and at seven leagues distance : it
was the land of Puerto de Velas.
This evening our captain called us together, and asked our
opinions of the course we should steer : having discussed the
points by him prbposed amongsLus, we all resolved to Dear up
for Golfo Dulce, and there to careen our vessels : this being
done, we concluded to go from thence to the cape, and cruise
thereabouts under the equinoctial. , We observed^ this day
that our bark, taken at the Gulf of Nicoya, safled much better
than our ship.
Friday, June 3cl. The night before was very fair, and, Ave
had a fresh wind, our course being W. and W. by N. In the
evening we stood N. E., and descried land at the distance of
about twenty-four leagues from Cabo Blanco.
Sunday, June Sth. Last night we lay by the greatest
part thereof : this raorning we saAv the Island of Gano, above
described, which bore E. S. E. frora us. We saw raultitudes
of fish, but they would not bite ; also, watei*snakes of divers
colors. June 6th. All the night past we had rain, with little wind,
scarce enough to carry us clear off froni the island afore men
tioned. Towards raorning Ave had a fresh wind at N.. N. W.,;
so we stood out S. till raorning, and then we stood N. E. by E.
The land runs, frora Punta Mala to Golfo Dulce and Punta
•Borrica, E. S. E. half S. At nine leagues distance Ave laid the
Island of Gano.
The west end of Golfo Dulce is very high land, and a high
roclc lies close off it, besides which, tAvo other rocks lie fur
ther out, the outerraost of which is a raile distant frora the
shore. The east side. is also high, but breaks into sraall points
and b^ys, growing lower and lower to Punta Borrica. We
carae about a mile' within the mouth of the gulf ; then we an
chored in eight fathom and a half Avater. The mouth of the
gulf is alraost three leagues ovei^
The next day, being June 7th, Ave weighed anchbr again at
young flood, and got about tAvo leagues higher. At evening,
we carae again to an anchor, in the depth of seven fathom and
a half water. It rained so hard this day, till eight o'clock, that
the drops could not be distinguished one from another.

THE BUCCANEEES OF AMERICA. 27^3
Wednesday, June Sth." At daybreak we weighed anchor
again, with a fresh sea breeze ; the higher up we went, the
deeper we found the gulf, and at last no ground, even with
thirty fathora line. This day we sent our canoe away to seek
water, and a good place to lay our ship in. Having landed,
we found one Indian and two boys, all which we made prison
ers, and brought aboard. We used thera very kindly, giving
thera victuals and clothes, for they had nothing bpt the bark
of a tree to cover their nakedness withal : being exarained,
they inforraed us that a Spanish priest had been araorigst thera,
and had raade peace with their»nation, ordering thera strictlynot
to come near any ship or vessel that had red colors ; for they
were Englishraen, and would certainly kill thera. Being asked
where the priest was, they answered he was gone to a great
Spanish town, four sleeps up in .ihe country. After this, the
Indian left the two boys, his chfldren, with us, and went to
fetch more Indians to us, frora a plantain -wall or grove, situate
by a river about a league off. We carae to an anchor in a bay
close by one of the Indian keys, where two fresh rivers were
within a stone's throw of each other, in twenty-seven fathora
and a half water, and at a cable's length frora the raark of low
water. The Indians, whora our pr^oner went to seek, ca!rae
to us several tiraes, selling us honey, plantains, and other ne
cessaries, that w# usually bought of thera, or trucked for with
other things. We also raade use of their bark logs in tallow
ing our ship, in which case they did us good service. Their
darts are headed with iron as sharp as any razor.
Here one of the prisoners which we took at the Gulf of Ni
coya informed us by what means, or rather stratagera, of war,
the Spaniards had forced a peace upon the Indians of the Prbv-
ince of Darien, since our departure frora thence. The raanner
was as follows: A certain Frenchman, who ran frora us, at
the Island of Taboga, to the Spaniards, Was sent by thera in a
ship to the river's mouth, which emptieth itself frora that prov
ince into the South Sea. Being arrived there, he went ashA-e
by hiraself in a canoe, and told the Indians, that fhe Eriglish,
who had passed that way, were corae back frora their adven
tures in the South Sea. Withal, he asked thera, if they would
not be so kind and friendly to the Englishraen, as to corae
aboard and conduct thera on shore. The poor deceived In
dians were very joyful to understand this good news ; and thus
forty of the ehiefest of them went on board the Spanish ves
sel, and were immediately carried prisoners of war to Panaraa.
Here they were forced to conclude a peace, though upon terras
very disadvantageous to thera, before they could obtain their
liberty.

274 THE Bt;CCANEERS OF AMERICA.
These poor and raiserable Indiaris of Golfo Dulce would
corae. every day in our corapany, and eat and drink very famil- .
iariy with us, all the time we were there. We laid our ship
on ground, but the water did not ebb low enough to see her
keel. While we were careening our ves^l, we built a house
upon the shore, both to lodge £md eat in ; and every day we
caught plenty of good fish,
Sunday, June 12th. The work of careening our ship, going
on in due order, we carae tb cleanse our hold ; and here on a
sudden both rayself and several others were struck quite blind
with the filth and nastiness of it^; yet soon after we recovered
our sight again, without any other help than the benefit of the
fresh air.
June 14th, we had a great and fierce tornado, with which
our cable broke, and had it not then happened to be high water
at that instant, we had been lost inevitably; however, we had
the good fortune to shore her up again, and by that raeans se-
cUre ourselves frora further danger.
June 21st, we weighed anchor again, and went a league
higher than the forraer place. Here we watered, and in the
mean whfle left men below, to cut wood.
Thursday, June 23d. ^This day ran away from us two ne
groes : the name of one of thera was Hernando, who Avas taken
with Don Thoraas de Argandona, upon the" coast of Guay
aquil, as was raentioned above; the other was named Silvester,
taken at the toAvn of. Hilo ; following the exaraple of those:
afore raentioned.
Monday, June 27th, that is, four days after, two more of our
prisonei;s endeavored to make their escape, both of thera slaves :
one of these was naraed Francisco, who was a negro, and had
been ta,ken in the cocoa ship mentioned before ; the name of
the other was also Francisco, an Indian born, taken at Pariama.
Their attempts to escape succeeded not, for we caught them,
, both again, before they, got on shore.
/Tuesday following, I went and safled up and down the gulf,
in a little bark belonging to our ship, and viewed all the parts
of Golfo Dulce. Our captain gave this gulf the narae of King
.Charies!s Harbor.

THE BUCCANEERS QF AMERICA. 275

CHAPTER X-LIV.
They depart fromXtolfo Dulce, to go and cruise under the Equinoctial. —
Here they take a rich Spanish Vessel, with thirty-seven thousand Pieces.
of Eight, besides Plate ahd other G6ods. — They take also a Packet Boat
bound from Panama to Lima. — An Account of their Sailings, and the
.Coasts along.
OuRjVessel being now careened, and all things in a readi
ness for our departure, Tuesday, June the 28th, in the after
noon, we weighed anchor to go'to sea again, turning out to
wards the mouth of Golfo Dulce. Our design was to cruise,
under the equinoctial, as had been concluded upon before,
thereby to get what purchase we could by sea, seeing the great
est part of our attempts upon land had proved hitherto Very
unsuccessful to us.
Wednesday, June 29th. Both the night last past and -this
day we had rainy weather. About three in the afternppn a
fresh gale sprung up at S. W. and S. S W., our course ..being
S. E. and S. E. by S. At five this evening the gulf bore N.
W. by W., being seven leagues distant, and Punta, Borrica three
leagues and a half distant.
Thursday, June 30th. All night past we enjoyed a fresh
gale at S.,S. W. We safled in the bark where I was better
than the man-of-war — for so we called the Trinity vessel — not
withstanding she was newly cleansed and taUowed. This day
we had hazy weather, and I reckoned myself from Punta Bor
rica S. S. E. eighteen leagues and a half.
July 1st, 1681.. Last night we had two or three torna
does. I reckoned this day a S. S. E. way, and, by a clear ob
servation, found latitude 6° 10' N. We saw great quantities of
fish, as we sailed this day.'*
July 2d, we raade a S. E. way, and our reckoning, was 64
niiles by it : by observation, I found latitude 5° 20' N. At
noon the same day, we had a fresh gale at S. W., with some rain.
July 3d, we had hazy Aveather. We made a S. S. E. by S.
way, 37 mfles.
Monday, July 4:th. The night past was windy, with rain,
which forced us to hand our topsails. Our reckoning this day
was a S. E. way, and a hundred mfles.
July 5th. We had a clea,r night the last past, and withal,- a
fresh gale; by this we. made a S. El. way.^ Our latitude this
day^ave us 2° 20' N. This morning we saw land southward
of lis, lying in low ^amraocks : it was the P.oint of Manglares.

276 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
Wednesday, July 6th, Ave turned up along shore, and by
observation took this day latitude 2° 2' N. Hereabouts every
new raoon is a windward current. In the evening avc were
close in with low land ; we had windy weather, and a great sea.
Thursday, July 7th. This day, by observation taken, we
found latitude 1° 48' N. In the evening we lost sight of the
said ship.
July the Sth, we saw the ship again, for loss Avhereof we be
gan to be in sorae doubt. This day we made very high land
all along as we went, and th'e port, or rather bay, of San Mat
teo, or St. Matthews, appeared like several islands.
• Saturday, July 9th. This morning avc stood fair in with
the port of Tucames. Off of the highest part of the land there
seeras to be a key.
This day at noon Ave had a clear observation, which gave us
latitude 1° 22' N.
Sunday, July 10th. Last night we stood off to sea,
thereby to keep clear of the shore. This day's observation
showed us latitude 1° 31' N. About noon the sarae day, we
happened to espy a safl, which, we iraraediately gave chase te.
We bore Up to the point of the corapass, thereby to hinder her
lasking away ; notwithstanding, in the evening ^e lost sight
of her. However, our great ship got up with her, and about
eight of the clock at night, raade her a prize. She proved to
be the ship naraed Sdri Pedro, which we had taken the last
year, being then bound frora 'Truxillo to Panariia, and laden
with wine, gunpowder, and pieces of eight, whereof raention
was raade before. We tobk her twice, in less than fourteen
raonths. She had on board her now twenty-one thousand
pieces of eight, in eight chests, and in bags sixteen thousand
raore, besides plate.
Monday and Tuesday, the llth and 12th of July, we raade
in for the shore. Our prize Avas so hard laden, that she seemed
quite buried in the water. She had forty raen on boar,d her,
besides sorae raerchants and friars. Oti '^Tuesday, an observa
tion gave us latitude 1° 20' N.
Wednesday, July 13th. This day *we dared not adven
ture into the Bay of San Matteo, because we saw sorae Indians
who had raade a great fire on shore, which, as we judged, was
designedly done to give inteUigence of our arrival. Hereupon
we bore away for the River of San lago, about six leagues
north-east from the bay before mentioned. Thursday, Friday,
and Saturday following, we spent in taking out of our prize
what parcels of cocoa-nuts we thought fit ; she being chiefly
laden with that eottimodity. This being done, we cut down

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 277
the raainmast by the board, and gave thera only their raainsafl,
and thus turning the ship loose, setit away in her all our old
slaves for the good service they had done us, taking new ones
from the prize, in their roora. One only we still detained, who
was Francisco the negro, that attempted to run away by swim
ming ashore.
Sunday, July 17th. This day we went frora the ship,
and found the River of San lago, before mentioned. At the
mouth of this river we staid Monday and Tuesday following, to
take in water, which we now much wanted. On the sides of
the river we found good store of plantains. Our fresh water
ive fetched four mfles up the river. We saw several (Indians,
but could not speak with thera, they were so shy of us, being
forewarned by the Spaniards not to corae near us.
Wednesday, July 20th, we shared our plunder, or rather,
raade part of tl^e dividend of what we had taken, the rest be
ing reserved to another day. Our prisoners being examined,
informed us that the Spaniards had taken up our anchors and
cables, which we left behind us at the Isle of Juan Fer
nandez. Also, that they had surprised 'the Musquito Indian,
that we left behind us there on shore, by the lig'ht of a fire
which he raade in the night upon the isle.
Tuesday, July 21st. All the four and twenty hours last past,,
we stood off and in.| The next day we shared the rest of oUr
things taken in the prize, as also the raoney that was in the
bags ; the rest Ave laid up to divide upon another occasion,
especially when Ave Avere got through the Straits of Magellan.
Our dividend araounted to the sum of two hundred and thirty-
four pieces of eight a man. Our prisoners informed us this
day that a new viceroy of Peru was arrived at Panaraa, and
that he dared not adventure up to Liraa in a ship of twenty-
five guns, that was at Panaraa, for fear of raeeting with us at
sea, but had chosen rather to stay till the armada carae down
from Lima to conduct him thither. ' "
July 23d, we had a fresh breeze at S. W., and the next day
a clear observation, which gave us only latitude 14' N. This
day we saw pape St. Francisco, N. E.
Monday, July 25th. This day we observed latitude 1° 20'
S., and we had a S. W. wind.
July 26th. This morning we had a very great dew fallen
in the night last past. The weather in like manner was very
close. On Wednesday, July 27th, Ave were at S. S. W. of Cape
Passao, and at six leagues distance.
The same raorning, about seven of the clock, we spied a sail
24

2ftS THJE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
E. S. S. from us, under shore. We presently gave her close
Chase, and about noon came up with her. But several of her
crew got on shore and made their escape, viz., a friar, who
AVas either a passenger or chaplain to the vessel, and flve
negroes. She proved .to fte a'^arco de aviso, or packet boat,
that was going with letters from Panaraa to Liraa. In this bark
we took, among other prisoners, two white Avomen, Avho were
passengers to the same place. These and the rest of the pris.>
oners told us they had heard at Panaraa that we had all gone
out of these seas homewards overland, and that made them
adventure now up towards Lima; otherAvise they had not come.
This day and Thursday following we spent in rumraaging the
packet boat, in which we could find nothing of value, they
having scarce brought any thing Avith thera but the packet.
They told us moreover, that the new viceroy of Peru, of Avhom
we made mention above, was setting forth from Panama, under
the conduct of three sail of ships — one of sixteen, another of
eight, and a third of six guns ; that a general peace Avas all
over Europe, except only that the English had wars with the
Algerines Ijy sea, and the Spariiards by land. Having got
what we could out of the prisoners and the vessel, we gave
thera their liberty and sent thera <away in the same bark, as
beirig desirous not to encUraber ourselves Avith raore than we
could well manage. That night we stoofl out to sea all night
long, most of our men being fuddled. ,

CHAPTER XLV
They take another Spanish Ship, richly laden, under the Equinoctial. — They
make several Di-vidends of their Booty among themselves. — They arrive at
the Isle of Plate, where they a.re in Danger of being all massacred by their
Slaves and Prisoners. — Their Departure from thence for the Port of Paita,
Vith Design to plunder the said Place.
Next raorriing, after we had turned away the packet boat
before raentioned, the weather being very close, we spied
another s&,fl creeping close under our lee. This vessel looked'
mighty big, so that we thought she had been one of their
ehiefest men-of-war, who was sent to surprise or destroy us.
Notwithstanding, our brave commander. Captain Sharp, resolved
to fight, and either take her, though never so big, or she us.
In order thereto, coming nearer her, we easily perceived she

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 279
• was a merchant ship of great bulk, as most Spanish vessels
are, and Avithal very deeply laden. Being up with thera, they
fired three or four guns at us first, thinking to make their party
good against us ; but Ave answered them briskly Avith a continual
volley of small arms, so that they soon ran down into the hold
and surrendered, crying aloud for quarter. We killed in that
volley their captain and one searaan, and also wounded their
boatswain. The loss of their coramander so daunted them, he
being a man of good repute in those seas, that they surrendered
iraraediately. Captain Sharp, wjth twelve raore of our com
pany, entered her first. In this vessel I saw the beautifulle'st
woraan that ever I saw in the South Sea. The name of the
captain of the vessel was Don Diego Lopez, and the ship was
called El Santo Rosario, or the Holy Rosary. The men we
found on board her were about forty.
Having examined our prisoners, they informed us that the
day before they set sail frora El Callao (frora Avhich port they
were going towards Panama) our men, whom they had taken
prisoners at Arica, were brought into that place ; and that they
had been very civilly entertained there by all sorts of people,
but more especially by the woraen. That one of our surgeons,
whora we suspected to be Mr, Bullock, was left behind; and
reraained still at Arica.
We lay at anchor frora Friday, July 29th, which was the
day we took this prize, till Wednesday following, under Cape
Passao, the place we anchored at before. Here we sunk the;
bark we had taken at the Gulf of Nicoya, being willing to raake
use of what rigging she had, and also to contract our number
of men. Iri the mean while we took a great deal of plate out
of the prize, and sorae money ready coined, besides six hundred
and twenty jars of wine arid brandy, and other things. Thus,
leaving only the foremast standing in the vessel, we turned' her
away, as we had done the others before, .together with all the
prisoriers in her, giving thera their liberty, not being willing
to be encumbered with thera ; and withal, being desirous to
spare our provisions as rauch as we could. We detained only
one man, named Francisco, who was a Biscanier, because he
told us himself he was the best pflot in those seas. This being
dorie, we shared all. the plate and linen taken in her, and
"weighed from thence, standing S. S. E., Avith a fresh wind.
Friday, August 4th. This day we shared the 'ready money
taken in the Rosario, our last prize; Our dividend came to
ninety-four pieees of eight a raan. We -were now at N. E. of
Cape Passao, Under Avhich all these prizes were taken.
The land runs S. E., and is, for five leagues together, to
windward of this cape, all mountainous and high laud.

280 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
Next day, being August 5th, we completed our dividends*
sharing this day all our odd raoney ready coined, and plate,
and sorae other things.-
Saturday, August 6th. This day, perusing some letters
taken in the last. prize, I understood by them that the Span
iards had taken prisoner one of the last party of our men that
left us ;.. also, that they AVere forced to fight all their way over
land as they went, both against the Spaniards and Indians ;
these having raade peace with the Spaniards since our departure,
as was mentioned above ; that our Englishraen had killed,
araongst other Spaniards, the brother of Captain Assientos,: and
Captain Alonso, an officer so naraed. Moreover, that ten sail
of privateers were coraing out of the North Sea, with intent to
raarch over land into the South Sea, as we had dorie before,
but that they were prevented, being forced back by the great
rains that fell near the islands called Zerablas.
August 7th. We had very fair weather, and notAvithstanding,
sometimes , strong winds from shore, and a strong current to
leeward. This ran so fierce against us the next day, August
Sth, that in four and twenty hours we lost three leagues.
'Tuesday, August 9th. We saw the port and town of Manta ;
being only sixteen or seventeen straggling houses, with a large
and high brick church belonging to it. What we got in the
day by the help of the wind, we lost in the night by the
current. The same fortune we had the "next day, for we still '
gained ho Avay all this while.
Thursday, August 1 1th. All the night past we had but little
wind. This day we had a violent current to windward, as
before, with some gusts of wind. However, by the help of
these, we raade shift to get to windward of the Isle of Plate.
August 12th, in the raorning, we carae to anchor at the
aforesaid isle. We sent our boat ashore with raen, as we had
done forraerly, to kill goats, but we found thera extreraely shy
to what they were the last year. Here it was that our quarter
master, Jaraes Chappel, and myself, fought a duel on shore. In
the evening, our slaves agreed araong theraselves, and plotted
to cut us all in pieces, when we were asleep, not giving quarter
to any. They conceived this night afforded thera the fittest
opportunity, by reason we were all in drink. But they were
discovered to our coraraander, by one of their own corapanions ;
and one of thera, named San lago, whora we brought from
Yqueque, leaped overboard ; who, notwithstanding, Avas shot in
the water by our captain, and thus punished for his treason.
The rest laid the fault on that slave, and so it passed, we being
not wiUing to inquire any farther into the matter, having

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 281
terrified them with the death of their companion. We lay at
this isle till Tuesday following, and in the interim gave our
vessel a pair of bbots and tops, being very riierry all the while
with the wine and brandy we had taken in the prize.
Tuesday, August 16th. In the afternoon, we weighed frora
thence with a S. W. wind.
Wednesday, August 17th. We got east of the island this
raorning, two leagues and a half distance.
All the day till next raorning we had a leeward current, but
then I could not perceive any.
Thursday, August ISth. This evening we were to wind
ward of the Island of Solango. In the night before, we had a
continual raisty rain. At noon, the aforesaid island bore N. by
E. of us, at three leagues distance.
About three leagues frora Solango are two rocks, called Los
Abercados. They appear both high and black. Besides this,
N. N. E. from point St. Helena, is a high rock, which to wind
ward thereof runs shoaling for the space of half a mile under
Ava^ter. It is distant about eight leagues from the said point,
and is caUed Chanduy. At this place, and upon this rock, was
lost the ship afore raentioned, that was ordered from these seas
to the aid of Charles I., king of England. This ship had on
board, as the Spaniards relate, many millions of pieces of
eight ; being sent as a present to him, he being then in his
troubles, by the raerchants of Liraa. The rock afore raentioned
lies about two leagues distant frora the raain.
August 29th. This day our pflot told us, that since we
were to windward, a certain ship that was coraing frora Liraa,
bound for Guayaquil, ran ashore on Santa Clara, losing there in
money to the value of one hundred thousand pieces of eight ;
which otherwise, peradventure, we might very fortunately have
met withal. Moreover, that the viceroy of Peru had beheaded
their great admiral. Ponce, for not coraing to fight arid destroy
us, while we were at Gorgona. This evening we saw the Point
Santa Helena ten leagues to S. S. E. frora us.
August 20th. This day we had both misty and cold weather.
In the afternoon, Ave saw La Punta de Santa Helena, at N. E.
by N., and at about seven leagues distance.
On Sunday, August 21st, we had a fair and clear day. I
reckoned myself to be about twenty-five leagues to the south
ward of Santa Helena.
August 22d. This raorning, about two o'clock, we carae
close in with the shore. We found ourselves to be leeward of
a certain point called Punta de Mero, which is only a barren,
rocky point. Here runs an eddy current under the shore.
24*

282 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
Tuesday, August 23d. This day, in the raorning, we had
but little wind. At noon it blew fresh again. We raade afl
day b,ut short trips,' and reefed topsails.
Wednesday, AugUst 24th. This morning a great dew fell.
At noon we were west from Cape Blanco. We found by ob
servation latitude 4° 13' S. We resolved now to bear up to
Paita, and taking it by surprisal, if possible, thereby to provide
ourselves with many necessaries we wanted.

CHAPTER XLVI.
They arrive at Paita, where they are disappointed of their Expectations, as not
daring to land, seeing all the Country alarmed before them. — They bear away
for the Straits of Magellan. — An Account of their SaiUngs towards Jhe Straits
afore mentioned.
Thursday, August 25th. Wedriesday night we stood off
to sea for fear of the shore, lest we should be descried from the
CbaSt of Paita, which We A^'^ere now pretty nigh. About noon
this day Ave began to stand in again, and saw the homing of
land, though with hazy weather. ' 'The next day, being Au
gust 26th, we had cold winds, great dews, and dry weather.
Saturday, August 27th. All this day, especiaUy in the
morning, we had a great fog. In the afternoon, we saw La Sflla
de Paita at W. S. W., being about five leagues frora it.
Sunday, August 28th. Last night, about ten, we were close
in with land, at about half a league to leeward of the Island of
Lobos. We continued our course all that Uighl, and about break
of day foUtid ourselves close under Pena fioradada, which is a
high and steep rock. Frora this place we sailed with a land
wind, and sent from the ship two canoes, well manned and
armed, hoping we should take the town of Paita undescried.
But it seems they had already got news of our coming, or be
ing upon that coast ; and supplies of forces were, sent them
from Pitura, twelve leagues up the country. These supplies
consisted chiefly of three companies of horse and foot, all of
thera arraed with fire-arras. Besides this, they had made, for
the defence of the town, a breastwork along the sea-side, and
the great church which lies at the outermost part of the town.
Frora these places, as also frora a hill that covers the toAVn,
they fired at our raen, who were innocently rowling towards
shore with their canoes. This uUtimely firing was the preser-

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 283
vation of bur peeple. Fer had the Spaniards permitted om
men to come ashore, they had assuredly destroyed them every
man ; but fear always hindereth that nation of victory in most
of our 'attempts. ^
Our raen perceiving themselves discovered, and the eneuiv
prepared for their reception, retreated, and carae aboard the ship
again, without attempting to land, or do any thing else in rela
tion to the taking of the place. We judged there could be no
less than one hundred and fifty fire-arras, and four tiraes as
many lances upon the shore, all in a readiness to hinder our
people from landing.'^ Within the town, our pflot told us, there
might be about one hundred and fifty families.
Being disappointed by our expectations at Paita, we stood
doAvn the bay towards Colan, three times as big 'as Paita. It
is chiefly inhabited by fishermen, who send fish to most inland
towns of Peru, and also serve Paita with water from the river
Colan, not far from the toAvn. It is about two leagues from
the town of Paita, before mentioned, to Colan, and from thence
to the river one league, although the houses of Colan reach
almost to th? river. The town of Colan is only inhabited by
Indjans, who are all rich, because they will be paid in ready
money for every thing they do for the Spaniards. But the
town of Paita is chiefly inhabited by Spaniards, though there
be also some Indians; but the Spaniards do not Suffer the In
dians to be any great gainers, or grow rich under them.
About ten o'clock a small breeze sprung up, and Avith that
we stood away west, and W. by S. In a little time it blew so
fresh, that we were forced to reef our topsails, the weather
being very dark and hazy.
Monday, August 29th. All our hopes of doing any further
good upon the coast of the South seas being now frustrated,
seeing we were descried before our arrival wherever Ave came,
Ave resolved unanimously to quit all other attempts, and bear
away for the Straits of Magellan, in order to our return home
wards, either for England, or some of our plantations in the
West Indies. This day we had a great dew, and I reckoned
ifayself W. S. W. frora Paita thirteen leagues and a half, with
very little wind ; so we stood east.
The next day, Aug'ust 30th, we had misty weather. We
made a W. S. W. way, arid by it. five leagues and dne third.
In the afternoon, the Avind freshened again, having been but
little before, and We stood E. S. E.
The last day of August we had very fair weather. I be
lieve now that the wind was settled S. E. and S. S. E. We
made a S. S. W. way, and twenty-one leagues and t\vo thirds.
\

284 THE BtrCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
September Ist. The night past was very cloudy, but withal
we had a fresh gale. Our reckoning was a S. W. way, and
that we had made sixteen leagues and two thirds.
Septeraber 2d. We reckoned a S. W. way, -and by it
twenty-six leagues and two thirds. This day we had an ob
servation, and found latitude 7° 40' S.
Septeraber 3d brought us both cloudy and raisty weather.
We made a W. S. W. way, and fourteen leagues.
September 4th. This day the wind was at E. S. E. and
soraetimes E., coming in many flaws. We had a S. W. by S.
way, and reckoned twenty-three leagues and two thirds. We
had a great sea from the south. *
Monday, Septeraber 5th. We had great winds, and a higt
and short sea. Our way was S. S. W. and half W., by which
we reckoned twenty-eight leagues and two thirds of a league. '
. Septeraber 6th. We had a very fresh wind at S. E. by E.,
with an indifferent sraooth sea. By observation we found this
day latitude 12° 0' S. We made a S. W. by S. way, and
twenty leagues and one third.
Wednesday, September 7th. We had a very fresh wind.
We reckoned a S. W. by S. way, and thirty-six leagues. We
observed latitude 13° 24' S. We make now each mess a plum-
pudding of salt water and wine lees.
Septeraber Sth. We had a fresh gale of wind, but hazy
weather. Our reckoning was a S. W. by S. way, and hereby
twenty-five leagues, and one third of a league.
September 9th. We raade a S. W. by S. way, and twenty-
one leagues and a third. In the afternoon, the wind carae about
soraething raore southerly, allowing us a S. W. course.
Saturday, Septeraber 10th. All the night past and this
raorning the wind was very fresh at east. Our way was S. S.
¦VV. and by our reckoning thirty-five leagues and one third.
The weather Avas now warra. An observation this day gave
latitude 16° 40' S.
September llth. We had whiffling winds, a S. W. half S.
way, and thereby twelve leagues and two thirds. By an ob
servation we made, we found 17° 10' S. Now we had a very
great sea, so that we took in our spritsail.
September 12th. All the night before we were under a,
pair of courses : yet this morning we heaved out our main top-
•sail. We raade a W. S. W. way, and seventeen leagues and
one third. By observation we found latitude 17° 30' S.
September 13th. The night past we had great and huge
storms of wind. In the morning our goose-head gave way, so that
about noon we Avere forced to lie by till four in the aftemoon,

. THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 285
to mend it. Our course was S. W. half W., and our reckoning
twenty-nine leagues and two thirds of a league. Latitude by
observation 18° 12' S.
Wednesday, September 14th. This day we had very hazy
weather. We raade a S. S. W. Avay, and twenty leagues.
Septeraber 15th. This day likewise we had a S. S. W.
way, and reckoned twenty-three leagues and one half Our
observation, taken this day, gave us latitude 20° 9' S.
Septeraber 16th. We had a clear day, a S. W. half S. way,
and raade sixteen leagues and two thirds. We found, by ob
servation, latitude 20° 48' S.
September 17th, last night was very calra, also this day,
being a full moon. We reckoned a S. W. way, and only (by
reason of the calmness of the weather) nine leagues and one
third of ajeague. We had an observation," which afforded us
21° 8' S. latitude.
Sunday, September 18th. Last night a wind sprung up at
S. S. E., which this raorning freshened at S. E. We raade a
W. S. W. way, and by it eighteen leagues. This day likewise
we had a clear observation, that showed us latitude 21° 30' S.
September 19th. All the night past, we had a very fresh
wind ; but this morning it carae about to E. by S. and E. S. E.,
Avith hazy Aveather. I reckoned a S. W. by S. way, and^twen-
ty-tAvo leagues.
September 20th. This day gave us a fresh wind, hazy
Aveather, and a S. by W. way, and hereupon twenty-three leagues
and one third.
September 21st. This day also the fresh gale continued,
Avith cloudy, and soraetimes misty, weather. Our reckoning
showed us a S. by W. way, as the day before, and by it twen
ty-eight leagues and one third. By observation made, we found
latitude 25° 15' S. ;
Thursday, September 22d. This day we had a very fresh
wind : we reckoned a S. half W. way, and by that twenty-
nine leagues and two thirds. An observation taken, gave us
latitude 26° 42' S. We observed this day a north-east sea,
which was very strange to us.
The next day we had , several showers of small rain. My
reckoning was a S. by W. way, and thereupon twenty-six
leagues. We found, by observation, latitude 27° 57' S.
Septeraber 24th, we had hazy weather, and the wind not so
fresh, at E. S. E., with a smooth sea. We raade a S. S. W. way
half westeriy, and twenty-three leagues and two thirds. This.
day also an observation gave us latitude 28° 57' S. I reckoned
now that we were distant from Paita three hundred and two
leagues and two thirds.

286 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
Sunday, September 25th. This day we had not rauch wind,
and withal hazy weather. At noon the Avind came E., then
E. N. E., and then again N. E. by E. We reckoned a S. by
E. way half easterly, and fifty-five leagues.
Monday, 26th, we had hazy weather, and a fresh Avind at
N. E, We reckofied a S. E; half S. Avay, and twenty-four
leagues. In the afternoon we experiraented a N. N. E. sea,
and then a N. N. E. Avind : after this a N. wind, and, that- but
a little. September 27th. All the night, before this day, we had a
fresh Avind at N. N. E. About eight this raorifing, it carae about
again to N. N. W. We raade a S. E. by S. way, and thirty-
eight leagues. By observation, I fou-nd latitude 32° 30' S. Now
Ave enjoyed a very smooth sea, and fair Aveather. ,
Wednesday, September 28th. The night past we had a' very
fresh Avind at N. N. W. and N. W. At break of day we had a
wind at  , heaving us aback at once. At noon again, the
Avind Avas at S, W., our course being S. E. This morning we
took down our topgallant-masts. We made a S. E. by E.
way, and on this road twenty-seven leagues and. two thirds.
We found by an observation giade, latitude 33° 16' S. ; a S.
W. sea.
September 29th-, we had very windy and hazy weather, with
some rain now and then. All last night we handed our main
topsail. We made a S. E. by E. way, and thirty-two leagues
and two thirds. We had a S. W. sea and wind.
Friday, September 30th. This day we had fresh winds be
tween S. W. and W. We reckoned a S. E. half south way,
and thereupon forty-four leagues. By observation, we found
latitude 35° 54' S.
October 1st. The wind this day was not very fresh, but
varying. My reckoning was a S. E. half S. way, and twen
ty-four leagues. An observation gave us latitude 36° 50' S.
'This day I finished another quadrant, being the third I finished
in this voyage. We had a S. W. sea, Avith showers of rain
and gusts of wind.
Sunday, October 2d. The Avind this day was hanging be-.
tween W. N. W. and N. W. by N. We made a S. E. by S.
way, and thirty-three leagues and two thirds. By observation
we found 38° 14' S. About noon we had a fresh wind at N.
W. and S. W. '
October 3d. The last night in the fore part thereof was
clear, but the latter Avas rainy ; the Avind very fresh at N. W.-
by N. But this day we had little Avind, and cloudy weather,.
a S. W. J3y W. wind, a,nd a S. E. by S. way, by which we
reckoned thirty-three leagues and one third of a league.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

287

October 4th. We had a clear night, and a very fresh wind.
We reckoned by a S., E. by E. way, and thereby forty-three
leagues. An observation taken, showed us that we were in
latitude 41° 34' S. This day also fell several showers of rain.
October 5th. We had a windy night the last past, and a
clear day. We reckoned a S. S. E. half E. way, and forty-four
leagues and two thirds. By an observation raade, we found
latitude 43° 26' S. The weather now was very windy, caus
ing a huge tempestuous sea. The wind at N. W. and N. W.
by N., blowing very, high.
October 6th. This day the wind Avas still at N. W., and yet
not so fresh as it was yesterday ; the weather very foggy and
misty : as for the wind, it came in gusts, so that we were forced
to hand our topsafls and spritsafl. We reckoned a S. E. half
S. way, and thereby forty-three leagues and one third of a
league. The seas now were npt so high as for some days
past; In the evening we scudded away under our fore course.
Friday, October 7th. Last night was very cloudy, and this
day both dark and foggy weather, Avith small rain. We made
a S. E. way, and thirty leagues and two thirds : a fresh Avind
at N. N. W. and N. W. We kept still under a fore course, not
so rauch for the freshness of the Avind, as the closeness of the
weather. October Sth. We had a clear night the night past, and withal
a strong gale, insomuch that this day we Avere forced to take
in our foresafl. and loosen our raizzen, which was soon blown
to pieces. Our eldest seamen said, that they were never in the
like storm of Avind before ; the sea was all in a foam : in the
evening it dulled a little. We made a S. E. half E. Avay, and
eighteen leagues, with very dark weather.
Sunday, October 9th. All the night past' we had a furious
W. N. W. wind. We set our sail a-drough, and so drove to
the southAvard very rauch, and alraost incredibly, if an obser
vation had not happened, which gave us latitude 48° 15' S.
We had a very stiff gale at W. N. W., Avith a great sea from
W., which met with a S. S- W. sea as great as it. Now the
Aveather was very cold, and-we had one or two frosty mornings.
Yesterday, in the afternoon, we had a very great storm of hafl.
At noon we bent another raizzen.
Monday, October 10th. This day brought us a fresh wind
at N. N. W. We raade a S. E. half E. way, and by it forty-
four leagues. By observation, Ave found latitude 49° 41' S. I
reckoned rayself now to be east of Paita, sixty-nine leagues
and a half
Tuesday, October llth. Last night we had a small time

288

THE BUCCANEERS DF AMERICA.

calra. This day was both cloudy and rainy weather. Tho
wind at S. W. and S. S. W., so furious, that at ten this morn
ing we scudded under a mainsail. At noon we lowered our
fore-yard, whfle Ave sailed. We made a S. E. by E. way, and
thirty leagues.

CHAPTER XLVII.*
The Buccaneers arrive at a PJace unknown to them, which they new-name the
Duke of York's Islands. — A Description of the said Islands, and of the Gulf
or Lagoon wherein they lie, so far as it was searched. — They remain there
many Days by distress of "Weather, not without great Danger of being lost. —
An Account of some other Things remarkable; that happened there.
Wednesday, October 12th. All last night we had raany
high Avinds. • I reckoned an E. S. E. way^ and twenty leagues ;
for our vessel drove at a great rate. Moreover, that avc were
in latitude 50° 50' S ; so that our easting frora Paita by ray
account ought to be one hundred and one leagues or there
abouts. ,
This morning, about two hours before day, we happened by
great accident to espy land. It was the great raercy of God,
which had always attended us in this voyage, that saved us frora
perishing at this tirae ; for Ave were close ashore before we saw
it, and our fore-yard, which we most heeded on this occasion,
was taken down. The land we had seen was very high and
towering, and there appeared to be raany islands scattered up
and down. We steered in Avith what caution we could, be-
tAveen thera and the raain, and at last arrived at a place, or
rather bdy, where Ave perceived ourselves to be land-locked,
and, as we thought, pretty safe frora the danger of those tera-
pestuous seas. From hence we sent away our canoe to sound
and search the fittest place for anchoring. At this time one
of our men, named Henry Shergall, as he was going into our
spritsail top, happened to fall into the water, and Avas drowned
before he could have any help, though we endeavored it as
much as we could. This accident several of our corapany did
interpret as a bad oraen of the place ; which proved not so,
through the providence of the Alraighty, though Ave were not
clear of dangers neither, as I shall relate.
We carae to an anchor in about forty fathom water, at a
stone's cast only from shore. The water where Ave anchored
"was very smooth, and the high lands round about all covered

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

289

25

290 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
with snow. Having considered the tirae of the year, and all
other circumstances, we resolved that, in case we could find a
suficient stock of provisions here, we would stay the longer,
that is, tfll the beginning of summer, or soraething longer,
before we prosecuted our intended voyage horaewards through
the Straits of 'Magellan, which now we began to be careful
how to find. That day we anchored in this bay we shot six
or eight brave geese, besides some sraall fowl. Here we found
many hundreds of muscle banks, all Avhich were very plenti
fully stocked with that kind of fish. We buried our de^ man
on the shore, giving hira several volleys for bis funeral rites,
according to custora. >At night our anchor carae horae, so that
Ave were forced to, let go a grappling to secure ourselves. But
still every flaw of wind drove us. Hereupon, we set our sprit
sail, and ran above a mile into another bay, where we anchored
again. The first anchor, which was the biggest in our ship,
we lost by this accident, the cable being cut by the rocks.
These islands afbre mentibried our captain new-naraed his
royal highness the Duke of York's Islands.
Thursday, October 13th. This day we began to raoor our
ship, she driving, as we easfly could perceive, with every flaw
of wind that blew. The tide flows here full seven feet up
and down. We rabbred our vessel in a rocky point, being a
key, whereof there be raany in the circuraference of this bay.
The ground of the bottora of the bay we found was hard and
sandy, being here and there rocky. This evening we brought
onboard great store of laraperts, of Which we raade a kettle of
broth, raore than all our cbrapany could eat. ,
Friday, October 14th, we killed several geese, as also many
fowls like an eagle, but having, a bigger beak, with their nos-
trfls rising frora the top of the raiddle of their beak by a hand
trunk : this fowl liveth on fish. Yestejday, in the evening,
fell a great fleet of snow on the hills around about the bay, but
none where we were at anchor. This dayin the evening we
caught laraperts in. great quantities, three times as many as we
could eat. Our men, in ranging the key for game, found grass
plaited above a fathom long, and a knot tied to the end thereof
On the other keys they found rauscles and larapert shefls.
Hence Ave concluded these countries were inhabited, and that
some Ipdians or others Avere to be found hereupon.
Saturday, October 15th. The night past Ave had rauch rain,
with large hailstones. About raidnight the wind came to
north with such great fury, that the tree to which our cable
was fastened, on shore gave way, and come up by the roots.
AU those gusts of wind were mixed with violent storms of rain

THE BUCCANEEES OF, AMERICA. 291
aud hail., We fastened again to other trees ; but here it hap
pened that our ship coming up to the shore, our rudder touched,
and- broke our goose-neck. Great was now our danger, and
greater it would have been, if it had not pleased God to send
us better weatlier. Scarce a minute now passed without flaws
of wind and rain.
Sunday, October 16th. All night past was rainy, as before.
About nine o'clock our biggest hawser gave way and broke.
All this day likewise we had rain, with several showers of hail,
and but httle Avind at N. W.
Monday, October 17th. Last night, tfll five this morning,
it ceased not to rain ; then tfll ten it snowed ; on the hills it
snowed all the night long. This day we hunted on the shore
many tracks of people, but could find none, they having fled
and concealed themselves fbr fear of us, as we supposed.
October ISth. The night past we had much rain and hail ;
but the day' was very .clear and pretty warra. Hereupon we
made an observation, Avhich gave us latitude 50° 40' S.
October 19th. The night past was clear and frosty. This
day was hazy, and something windy from the north quarter.
Every day we had plenty of laraperts and rauscles, of a very
large size.
October 20th. The night past was rainy, and this day great
gusts of wind at N. N. W. till the afternoon. Then we had
wind at N. W., being very fresh, and in gusts.
October 21st. All the night past was terapestuous, with
great gusts of wind and showers of hafl. Yesterday in the
evening we carried a cable ashore,, and fastened it to a tree ;
this being done, at raidnight our biggest cable broke in the
middle. Towards raorning we had rauch snow; in the day,
great gusts of Avind, with large hailstoues. We caught great
plenty of laraperts.
October 22d. Last night we had strong gusts of wind frora
N. W., together with much hafl and rain. This day we killed
a penguin, and began to carry Avater on board.
October 23d. For twenty-four hours past we had much*
rain ; the wind Avas but little at W. and W. S. W.
October 24th. All this tiriie till noon, nothing but rain.
At that time it held up for half an hour, or thereabouts, and
then it rained again all the rest of the day. -
October 25th. All this while we had not one minute fau,
Towards evening it held up,, but the weather was cloudy, and
withal much warmer than when we came hither at first.
Wednesday, October 26th. AU night past, and this forenoon,

292 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
Ave had fair weather, but after noon it rained again. We found
cockles like those Ave have in England.
Thursday, October 27th. Last night we had rauch rain,
with very great gusts of wind all night. Notwithstanding, this
day proved to be the fairest that Ave had had ''since we came ,
into this place. In the evening, our canoe, which Avas gone
to search the adjacent places for Indians, or what else they
could find, returned to the shipAvith a doree at her stern. They
had gone, as it should seem, beyond the old bay where we
first anchored, and thereabouts happened to meet with this
doree. In it were three Indians, Avho perceiving themselves
nigh being taken, leaped overboard to make their escape. Our
men in pursuing thera did una'dvisedly shoot one of them dead;
a second, being a woman, escaped their hands ; but a third,
Avho Avas a lusty boy about eighteen years of age, was taken,
whom they brought on board the ship. He was covered ^only
with a seal's skin, having no other clothing about hira. His
eyes were squinted, and his hair pretty short. In the raiddle
of the doree they had a fire burning, either for dressing of
victuals, or sorae other use. The doree itself was built sharp
at both ends, and flat-bottoraed. They had a net to catch
penguins, and a club like our bandies, called by them a tom-
ahunks. His language we could not understand, but Avithal
he pointed up the lagoon, giving us to understand that there
were more people thereabbuts. This was confirmed by our
men, Avho also said they had' seen more. They had darts to
throw against an enemy, pointed with wood.
The next day, being October 2Sth, in the evening our canoe
went from the ship again to " seek for more Indians. They '
went into several lagoons, and searched thera narrowly ; but
they could find nothing but two br three huts, all the natives
being fled before our arrival. In the evening they returned to
the ship, bringing with thera very large laraperts, and muscles
which were six inches and a half long. Our Indian prisoner
Cbuld open these muscles Avith his fingers, which our men
Vjould not so readily do with their knives. Both the night past
and this day we had very fair weather.
October 29th, we had in like manner a very fair day, and also
a very smooth wind at S. S. E. Our Indian this day pointed
to us, that there were raen in this country, or riot far from
hence, with great beards. He appeared to us by his actions to
be very innocent and foolish; but by his carriage I was also
persuaded that he was a man-eater. This day likewise we
caught laraperts enough to suffice us for the morroAv.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 293
Sunday, October 3Qth. This day was fair, and there blew
a sraall S. S. E. wind. In the raorning we sent a'canoe over
to the eastward shore, to seek either for provisions or Indians.
I rayself could not go, as I desired, being, with two or three
raore, at that time very much torraented with the gripes. I am
persuaded this place is not so large an island as described by
some hydrographers, but rather a collection of sraaller islands.
We saw this day many penguins, but they were so shy, that
we could not come near them : they pad bn the water with
their wings very fast, but their bodies are so heavy that they
cannot fly. The sun had now raade the weather very warra,
insomuch that the snow melted apace.
October 31st. Both last night and this day were very fair.
At noon our canoe returned from the eastern shore, bringing
word they had found several good , bays and harbors,, that were
deep, even close to the shore; only, there were several cocks
sunk in them, which we had also where we were : but these
rocks are not dangerous to shipping, by reason they have
weeds which lie two fathoms in circuraference about thera.
This raorning blew a sraall wind at N. N. E.
Noveraber 1st. This day was also fair, and we had a sraall
wind as hefore, at N. N. E. ' ,
Noveraber 2d. Last night I took the polar distance of the
south star of the cbck's foot, and found it to be 28° 25'.* I ob
served also the two Magellan clouds, of Avhich I raade mention
in this journal tefore, and found thera to be as foUoweth, viz. :
the lesser 14° 5', and the greater 14°x25'. In the raorning we
hoisted on end our topmast, and brought too a main-topsail,
and foresail, and finished our filling all the water avc needed.
At the same time the wind hung easterly, and I was still
troubled with the gripes as before.'
November 3d, This morning we hanged our rudder, the
greatest piece of work we had to do, after those violent storms
above raentioned. In the afternoon we hauled in our two big
gest hawsers, and also our biggest cable frora the shore. For
three days last past, we had a very great and dark fog between
us and the eastward shore. We had now very little wind in
the cove Avhere we were, but abroad at sea there blew at the
sarae time a stiff gale at S. S. E. We could perceive now,
the storray weather being blown over, inuch sraall fry of fish
about the ship, Avhereof we could see none before. This eve
ning was very clear and calra.
Noveraber 4th. Both last night apd this day we had very
calra weather ; only a sraall breeze in the morning sprung up
at N. and N. N. E., which afterwards wheeled about to S. and
25*

294 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
S. S. E. This morning we hoisted oiir main and fore yards,
and likewise fetched Off from the shore our other hawser and
cable, into the depth of eleven fathora Avater, Our resolutions
were now changed for a departure, in order to seek the mouth
of the Straits bf Magellan, seeing we could not winter here,
for Avant of provisions, which we could not find either on the
continent, or about these islands afore mentioned. The weather
now was very warm, or rather, hot, and the birds sung as
sweetly as those in England. We saw here both thrushes and
blackbirds, and raany other sorts of those that are usually seen
in our oavu country.
Saturday, Noveraber 5th. This raorning brought us a wind
at N. N. E. , Hereupon we warped to a rocky point, thereby
to get out of the cove Avhere we lay : for our anchor came
home to us, as we were carrying our warp out. At this time
a second breeze came up very fresh in our stern, so that we
took the opportunity thereof, and Avent away before it. By
noon Ave hoisted in our canoes, and turned loose our Indian
doree ; as for the Indian boy whom Ave had taken in the said
doree, we kept hira prisoner, and called him Orson. When we
were come out into the channel, the weather grew quite calm ;
only now and then we had a small breeze, sometimes from one
quarter, and then frora another. By this slackness of Avind we
observed, that the current hoisted us to the southward. On the
east side of this*lagoon, we perceived the Indians to raake a
great sraoke, at our departure.
We had a very fair day till six in the evening ; Avhen we got
Without the raoUth of the gulf, it blew so hard, that in an hour
it forced us to hand our topsafls. Having now a fit gale at N.
W. and N. N. W., we stood S. W. by W., to clear ourselves of
sorae breaks, which lie four leagues frora the gulfs raouth, at
S. and S. S. E. Hereabouts we saw many reefs and rocks,
which occasioned us to stand close hauled.

TBE BUCCANEER^; OF AMERICA. 295

CHAPTER XLVIII.
They depart from the English Gulf in Quest of the Straits of Magellan, which
they cannot find. — They return Home, by au unknown "Way.
Sunday, November 6thi This morning we lost sight of land,
so that we could see it no raore. AU the night past, and this
day, we were under our two courses and spritsail ; the weather
this day was hazy. My reckoning was a S. W. half S. way,
and by it twenty-one leagues. We had noAV an indifferent
high sea, and a fresh wind at N. N. W.
November 7th. Last night Avas both rainy and _ foggy, but
in the morning it cleared up. The Avind for th'e raost part was
at W. and W. N. W., but at noon it carae. about at W. S. W.
Our reckoning was a S. W. by S. way, and by it twenty leagues.
We found, by observation, latitude 52° 3'. We now steered
away S. S. E., the wind being at that time at W. S. W. In
*the evening I found a variation of the needle to N. E., to the
number of 15°, or better. _ I was stfll troubled with the gripes,
as I had been before.
November Sth. We had a fair night the last past. About
midnight the wind came to N. N. W. This day eariy, at break
of day, we all were persuaded that Ave had see;i land ; , but at
noon we found our raistake, it being only a cloud. The wind'
was now at N. My reckoning Avas at S. E. half B. way,
and thirty-two leagues aud one third of a league. We had an
observation that gaVe us 53° 27' S. The whole day was very
fine and warm, and we saw great numbers of fowls and seals.
November 9th. Yesterday in the evening, the weather was
cloudy ; hereupon we lay by under a main course. Aftpr mid
night we sailed E. and E. by N., Avith a fresh wind at W. N.' W.,
and not any great sea. The day itself was cloudy, and towards
noon we had some rain ; so at two in the afternoon, we lay by
under a main course, the wind being fresh at N. W. I reck
oned an E. N. E. way, and thereby tAventy-eight leagues.
Thursday, November 10th. AU night past we lay under a
main course, with a, mere fret of wind at N. W. and N. N. W.
Day being come, the wind rather increased, insomuch that
about noon our safl blew to pieces : hereupon avc were forced
to lower the yard and unbend the sail, lying for a little while
under a raizzen ; but that also soon gave Avay, so that all the
rest of this day we lay a hulk in very dark weather, foggy and
windy, with a great sea, which sometimes rolled over us. In

296

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

the afternoon it seeraed to abate for some space of time, but
soon after it blew worse than before, which compelled us to
lower our fore yard. , . >
Noveraber llth. All the night past we had furious, windy
and terapestuous •weather, frora the points of N. W. and N. N.
W., together with seas higher and higher. In the evening Ave
set our raizzen, at which tirae the sun appeared very Avaterish ;
but the wind now abated by degrees, and the seas also.
Noveraber 12th. This raorning little wind was stirring, only
sorae rain fell. About ten it cleared up, and by an observation
then made, we found latitude 55° 25'. The sea was now much
fallen, and a fresh wind was sprung up at W. and W. S.W. We
experimented also a very great current to the S. W. In the
afternoon we set our sails again, and resolved, unanimously, to
raake for the Straits of St. Vincent, otherwise called the Straits
of Ferpando de Magellan. We had a fresh wind at W. N. W.,
our course being S. S. E., under our spritsail, foresail, and fore-
topsail. This day we saw many fishes, or rather fowls, who
had heads like Muscovy ducks, as also two feet like them..
They had two fins, like the fore fins of turtles, white breasts
and bellies, their beaks and eyes being red. They are full of
feairhers on their bodies, and the hinder parts are like those of
a seal, Avherewith they cut the water. The Spaniards call
these foAvls paxaros ninos. They weigh raost comraonly
about six or seven pounds, being about a foot long. Our cora
raander. Captain Sharp, Avas so dexterous as to strike two of
thera. In the everiing Ave set our raainsafl, the wind now com
ing to W. and by S.
Sunday, Noveraber 13th. All the night past, we had a fresh
wind betAveen S. W. and W. N. W., with sometiraes mists of
small rain. In the eA'ening Ave had a fine leading gale at W.
N..W., together with clear and wholesorae weather. We made
a S. E. way, and by it forty-two leagues and two thirds. This
day an observation gave us latitude 56° 55' S. We still found
a great S. W. current. In the afternoon we steered E. S.vE.,
and in the evening had Avhiffiing winds.
Noveraber 14th. Both last night and this raorning, we had
clotidy weather. About eight it cleared up. My reckoning
was a S. E. by E. way, and by it thirty-two leagues. Our
observation gave us latitude 57° 50' S. This day we could
perceive land, and at noon were due .west of it. In the evening
we stood E. by S.
November 15th. All the night past was very cloudy. We
judged now that we should be close in with the land we had
seen the day before ; but the morning beirig come, we could

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

297

see none. In the night much snow fell, and in the day Ave had
great fleets thereof, the weather being very cold and cloudy.
I reckoned an E. S. E. way, and hereby twenty-nine leagues
and two thirds ; moreover, that our latitude Avas 58° 25' S. The
wind Avas now so fresh at N. that we were forced to lie under
our two courses and spritsafl.
November 16th. Most of this time Ave had still rain and
snow, but now no night at all, though the weather was dark.
The Avind wa§ various, but frora raidnight before it was at S.
E. and S. S. E. We now lay E. N. E. I reckoned a N. E. by
E. way, and "twenty-three leagues. About four in the afternobn
twb of our fore-shroud bolts broke, but Avithal, were presently
mended. This afternoon also Ave saw a very large whale. In
the evening we handed in pur fore-topsail, and lay under our
pair of courses and spritsail, the everiing being very cleap.
November 17th. In the night there was a very hard frost.
At four this morning we saw two or three islands of ice, the dis
tance of two or three leagues southAvard of us. Soon after this
we saw several others, the biggest of them being at least two
leagues round. By an observation made this day, Ave found
58° 23' S. We had noAv a veheraent current to the southward.
At noon I saw many others of ^these islands of ice afore men
tioned, of which some were so long, that we could scarce see
the end of thera, and were extended about ten or twelve fathora
above water. 'The weather in the raean while was very clear,
and the wind cold. I found variation of the needle, 18° to the
N. E.
November 18th. All the night past, was very fair; (I must
call it night, for otherwise it was not dark at all.) "The sea
was very smooth, and the wind at N. and N. N. W. I reckoned
a N. E. by N. way, and by the same twenty-two leagues. At
ten it fell quite calm, which held all the afternoon. But at
night we had, a wind again at N. and N. by E
November 19t,h. This day was cloudy) with snow, and a
frosty night preceding it. The wind now was so fresh at north,
that we were forced to take in our topsails, and lie all day un
der our courses and spritsail. We made, by an E. S. E.* way,
eighteen leagues and two thirds.
November 20th. We had a cloudy night the last past, to
gether with mizzling rain and snow. This raorning fell so
great a fog, that we could scarce see from stem to stern of our
ship. From ten o'clock last night we had also a calm, and very
cold weather; but what Avas worse than all this, we were kept
to a very short allowance of our sorry victuals, our provisions
growing very scanty with us. About ten this morning we had

298 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
a very small breeze at N. Several of our riien were not able
to endure the cold, it Avas so piercing ; whereby they were
forced to lie and keep themselves as close as they could. We
raade an E. way, and by the same sixteen leagues. This day,
at noon, I reckoned rayself to be east from the gulf, from
whence we last parted, two hundred and five leagues, and two
thirds of a league.
Monday, November 21st., Last night we' caught a smafl
land-fowl, and saw two or three raore. This sight gave us
good hopes we were not far from some coast or other ; yet we
could see none all this long and tedious voyage. *In the night
past we had a calm, and all this raorning a great fog, with
rauch snow and rain. We reckoned an E. by N. way, and ten
leagues. At one in the afternoon, we had a fresh gale that
sprang up at E. and at E. by N.
Noveraber 22d. Most part of this day was calm. Mean
while we observed our ship drive east. My reckoning was an
E. N. E. way, and thereby thirteen leagues and one third. At
one in the afternoon we had a sraall gale at W. S. W., our course
being N. N. E. and N. E. by N.
November 23d. This day we had a gale at N. W., freshening
by .degrees, so that we were forced to take in our topsails and
spritsail. The wind Avas not a settled gale, but often varied
from point to poirit. At noon it came at N. E., and our course-
was then N. N. W. By a north way, we reckoned sixteen
leagues. November 24th. Both the night past and this raorning was
foggy weather, with some calms between whiles ; but at eight
in the morning the suri broke out, yet it was not a clear day.
By a N. N. E. way, we reckoned fifteen leagues. This morn
ing the wind came about to E., and at noon it was again at
N. E. We had a clear evening, and a fresh gale.
' Noveraber 25th. All the night past we had a fresh wind at
E. and E. N. E., insorauch that at eight in the morning we
took in our topsails. But at noon the wind was not so fresh
as before. I reckoned a N. N. W. half W. way, and by the
sarae twenty leagues.
November 26th. Last night the wind was not altogether so
fresh as before, but this morning it was again very high. The
Aveather was dark and cloudy, with soraetimes rain and suoav.
We raade a N. N. E. way, and hereby thirty leagues ; the wind
all along B. by S. and E. S. E. hi the evening we had fair
weather again. We found for the ten days last past a great
western sea, and saAV in the sarae tirae several seals.
Sunday, November 27th. All the night past we enjoyed a

THE BUCCANEERS OF, AMERICA.

299

fresh gale,-and clear weather. I reckoned thirty-six leagues by
a N. E. by N. Avay. By an observation raade, we now found
latitude 52° 48' S. And I judged myself to be east from the
gulf, two hundred and eighty-five leagues. In the evening we
had a very exact sight of the sun, and found above 30° varia
tion of the needle. Frora whence ought to be concluded, tha't
it is very difficult to direct a course of navigation in these parts ;
for in the space of 6nly twenty-five leagues sailing, we have
found 8 or 9° difference of variation, by a good Dutch azirauth
compass. November 28th. All last night, we had a fresh wind at B.
S. E. Towards morning we had but little wind, all the day
being hazy weather. This day we saw a Whole flight of such
land-fowls as we killed one of before. This sight gave us fur
ther hopes we were not far from land, yet we found none in all
this voyage. We made by a N. N. E. way, thirty-three leagues.
Yesterday in- the evening we set a new spritsail, and about
three this morning Ave also set our mainsail. At one in the
afternoon, the Avind came about at N. E. and N. N. E: which
in the evening blew very fresh, with cloudy weather.
November 29th. . The night proved very cloudy, and the
wind blew very fresh at E. N. E. and N. E. by E. 'This morn
ing it was E., both with snow and hafl. Towards noon the
weather cleared up, and we found, by an observation taken, lati
tude 49° 45' S. Our reckoning was a N. way, and thirty
leagues. This day We had a short eastern sea, and withal a
v^ery cold evening. I took the sun, and hereby I found varia
tion 26° 30' to the N. .E. This night the wind came about
W. and W. N. W., continuing so all the night.
November 30th. This day the wind was N. and N. N. E.,
Avith some clouds hovering in the sky. At this time we had
already almost four hours of night. The morning of this day
was very fair and clear. Hereupon, to give myself satisfaction
in the point, as fearing the truth of Spanish books, I worked
the true amplitude of the sun, and found his variation to be 26°
25' to the N. B., being very conformable to Avhat I had read and
experienced before. Hereabouts also Ave found a current to
the northward. This day also we saw rauch rockweed, which
renewed our hopes once raore of seeing land. We reckoned a
N. E. way, and by the sarae twenty-two leagues. By an ob
servation raade, we found latitude 48° 53' S. " This day also
we saw several of these fowl-fish afore described, caWed paxaros
ninos and these of a larger size than any we had seen before.
In the afternoon the wind carae about at N. N. E., A\rhereby we
stood N. W. by W. with a fresh gale, and sraooth water. The

300 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
weather now began to grow warraer than hitherto, and the
evening was clear.
Tuesday, December 1st. The latter part of the night past
was very cloudy, and sometimes rainy. About midnight we
had a violent tornado, forcing us in a moraent to hand in our
topsafls.. At five in the raorning we set thera again, -and at
eleven we had another tornado, forcing us to hand our topsails
a second time. We raade a N. N. E. two thirds east way, and
thereby thirteen leagues, and two thirds of a league. The af
ternoon of this stormy day proved very fair, and the wind came
to W. S. W., our course being N. E. by N. In the evening the
wind freshened, with cloudy weather.
December 2d. Last night we had a very furious whirlwind,
which, notwithstanding, it pleased God, passed about the length
of our ship to westAvard of us. However, we handed in our
topsails, and hauled up our lowsail in the brails. After the
whirlwind came a fresh storm of large hailstones, in the night,
and several tornadoes ; but, God be thanked, they all came
large of our ship. We noAV made a great way under a fore
course and spritsafl. At four this raorning our foresail split,
whereby we were forced to lower our fore yard. At half an
hour after ten we hoisted it again, with a furious S. W. wind.
We raade a N. E. by E. way, and by the same forty-seven
leagues and a half. By observation, we now had latitude 46"
54' S. We reefed our topsail, with respect to the violence of
the wind. But in the evening this rather increased, and We
had a very great sea. Our standing rigging, through the fury
of this gale, gave way in several places, but was soon mended
again. December 3d. The wind all the night past was very fresh,
with severe flaws, both of Avind and ram, at S. W. and S W.
by S. We enjoyed noAV very warra weather. This moming
we set our fore-topsail. Our reckoning gave us a N. E. half
E. Avay, and forty-five leagues. We found latitude by obser
vation 45° 28' S. This day, at noon, a large shoal of young
porpoises carae about our ship, and played up and down.
Deceraber 4th. All the night past We had a fresh gale at
W. S. W. The night was clear, only that now and then we
had a small cloud affording some rain. In the morning, from
four till eight, it rained; but then it cleared. up again, with a
S. W. wind, and a very smooth sea. We made a N. E. one
quarter N. way, thirty-nine leagues. By observation we found
latitude 44" 1' S. At noon the Avind came to S. S. W., our
course then being N. N. B. This day we agreed among our
selves, having the consent of our coramander, to share the eight

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 301
chests of money which as yet reraained unshared. Yesterday,
in the evening, we let out the reef of our foresail, and hoisted
up our foreyard. This evening I found variation 17° N. Ei
Monday, Deceraber 5th. All nig^t past, a clear night, and
this a fair day, with a fresh Avind at S. S. W. We reckoned
a N. E. 5° N. Avay, and by the sarae forty-two leagues. An
observation gave us latitude 42° 29' S. This afternoon we'
• shared of the^chests above raentioned, three hundred pieces of
eight to each man. I now reckoned myself to be B. frora
ray departure four hundred and seventy-one leagues, and one
third of a league. At night again we shared twenty-two pieces
of eight raore to each.
December 6th. We had a clear starlight night the last, and
a fair raorning this day, with a fresh gale at S. W. At noon
we took in our fore-topsafl. We reckoned a N^ E. half N.
way, and hereby fifty leagues and two thirds. An observation
taken afforded us 43° 31' S. This evening was cloudy.
December 7th. The night was both windy and cloudy.
At one in the raorning we took in our topsails, and at three,
handed our spritsail, and so we spudded away bef«re the wind,
which now was very fresh at W.* This raorning a gust of
wind carae and tore our raainsafl into an hundred pieces, which
made us put away before the wind, tfll we could provide for.
that accident. My reckoning, was a N. E. three quarters B.
way, and by the sarae thirty- three leagues. By observation
we found latitude 39° 37' S. We had now a great sea, and a
fresh wind. At three in the afternoon we set another foresail,
the first being bloAvn to pieces. At the same time we furled
our spritsafl. At five the wind came at "W. S. W., with very
bad weather. This day our worthy commander. Captain Sharp,
had very certain inteUigence given him, that on Christmas day,
which was now at hand, the company, or at least a great part
thereof, had a design to shoot hira ; he having appointed that
day sorae tirae since to be raerry. Hereupon he raade us share
the wine araongst us, as being persuaded they "would scarce
atterapt any such thing in their sobriety. The wine Ave shared-
fell out ^0 three jars to each mess. That night the wind
increased. Deceraber Sth. The night past was both cloudy and windy ;
the wind very often varying between the N. 'W. and S. W.
points. This raorning it varied between W. and N. W. by W.
About noon this day we brought a new raainsafl to the yard, but
did not set it then, by reason there blowed too much wind. I
reckoned a N. E. half N. Avay, and by the same thirty leagues.
By observation made^. we found latitude 38° 29' S. In the
afternoon we had one or two squalls of wind and rain ; but the
26

302 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
violence of both fell at stern of us. In the evening it blew
again very hard. I observed this day the rising and setting of
the sun, and found the exact variation to be 12° 15' N. E.
Deceraber 9th. The night was stariight, but withal very
windy. About break of day, the wind carae to N. W., and at
seven Ave set our fore-topsail, and stood N. N. E., with not
'much wind. We made, since our last reckoning, a N. E. quarter
E. way, and twenty-nine leagues. We found, ]^ observation, »
latitude 37° 30' S. The sea was much fallen, but our ship
began to coraplain of several leaks, through our tedious and
long voyage. This afternoon we hoisted up our niain yard,
and set up back-stays and main-swifter, whose ring-bolt gave
way, but Avas mended. In the, evening of this .day Ave had but
little wind.
December 10th. The night was very clear, but tfll ten
o'clock this forenoon, Ave had no wind. Then a small breeze
sprang up at N. by B. We made an E. N. E. one third N.
way, and hereby tAventy-one leagues. An observation gave
us latitude 37"^ 1' S. In the afternoon our chief surgeon cut
off the foot of a negro boy, which was perished with cold.
NoAv it was hke to be bad weather again. Hereupon we furled
our topsails, and lay under a pair of courses. But in the even
ing we lay under a foresail and raizzen, with misty weather.
Sunday Decemb.er llth. All the night past we had a fresh
Avind at N., and soraetimes at N. N. W. The weather was very
cloudy, with drizzling rain. We made an B. way, and thereby
twenty-five leagues. This day brought a great sea. About
ten in the morning one of our raain shrouds gave Avay. -In the
evening fell sorae sraall rain.
Deceraber 12th. All the night past we had raisty rain, and
but little wind ; yea, in the raorning a perfect calra. At noon
came up a small gale at B. S. E. and S. B., bringing with it
cloudy weather. We reckoned a N. E. by B. way, and by
the same eighteen leagues. Yesterday died the negro boy,
whose foot was cut off by our surgeon, as was mentioned the
day before. This afternoon also died another negro, something
bigger than the former, named Chepillo. The bpy's name Avas
Beasero. All this evening but small wind.
Deceraber 13th. AU night the wind was at E. S. E., our
course being N. N. E. At three in the morning it came about
at S. S. W., and at nine at E. by N. I reckoned a N. E. by N.
way, and fifteen leagues. The weather was hazy. In the
afternoon the wind Avas at N. E., our course being N. N. W.
We had now a very smooth sea, and saw multitudes of grampus
es, whales, and porpoises every day, as we sailed along.
December 14th. The evening past was cloudy, as also the

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 303
»
night foggy ; hereupon Ave took in our topsafls. At half an
hour after three this morning we stood N. E., the wind being
then at N. N. W. At five Ave put out our topsails again. At
seven we saw a turtle floating upon the sea. We reckoned a
N. N. E. way. This day's observation afforded us 34° 32' S.
At this time we had very hot weather, and great dews in the
night. My whole easting I reckoned to be now six hundred
and seventy-seven leagues and one third of a league.
December 15th. We had a fine night the last past, and a
great dew. The wind in the interim was betAveen N. and N.
W. I reckoned a N. E. half B. way, and by the same thirty-
one leagues. We had an observation that gave us latitude 33°
46' S." At noon the wind came about at N. N. W., our course
being N. E. We had this day a very clear evening, arid at
the sarae tirae a fresh wind.
December 16th. We had a fair night and wind at N. N. W.
and N. W. by N. This morning I took the sun at its rising,
and found N. E. variation 20° 30' S. My reckoning was a N.
N. E. way, and thirty-six leagues and one third of another. By
observation, I found latitude 32° 9' S. At noon this day the
wind came about to N. W.
December 17th, Most part of the last night, the Avind was
at N. W. as before ; but toAvards morning a fine and easy gale
sprang up at W. N. W. This morning we saw several dolphins
playing upon the sea, which raade us hope they would at last
befriend us, and suddenly show us sorae land or other. We
reckoned a N. E. by N. one third N. way, and by the same
twenty-five leagues. An observation gave Us now latitude 31°
4' S. A fair evening.
-December ISth. We had a clear night past, together with
a smooth gale at N. W., which this morning was at W. by S.
We had now a smooth sea for several days past. Our reckoning
was twenty-five leagues, by a N. B. by N. way. By observa
tion we perceived latitude 29° 48' S.
Deceraber 19th. A clear night the last past, and a fresh
breeze at S. S. W. and S. W. by S., lasting until nine in the
morning. Then sprung up a wind at S. E. by E. I reckoned
this day a N. N. E. half E. way, and upon the same thirty
leagues. By observation made, we took latitude 28° 29' S.
The day was very fair, arid a sraooth sea, with Aveather that
was very hot. My whole easting I reckoned now tfl be seven
hundred and sixty leagues. This evening I found variation
2° 60' N. E.

304 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

CHAPTER XLIX.
The Buccaneers continue their Navigation, -without seeing any Land, till they
arrive at the Caribbee Islands, in the "West Indies.— 'fiiey give away their
, Ship to some of their Companions that were poor, and disperse for several
Countries. — The Author of thiB Journal arriveth in England. •
December 20th, 1681. The night before was something
cloudy, but the weather Avas fair, and the wind but little. At
noon the wind came about N. by E., our course being W; N.
W. We' made a N. N. W. way, and thereby, as I reckoned,
twenty-tAvo leagues. By observation made, Ave took latitude
27° 25' S. The evening was cloudy, and now and then thefe
fell a shower of rain.
December 21sJ. At eight o'clock last night, the wind came
N. W. by N., but withal with dark A\'eather, that We were forced
to take in our topsails'. The night was something rainy, and
the weather this morning calm and rainy. About ten we had a
sraall breeze at N- W. We reckoned a N. by E. Avay, and by
the same sixteen league^. The afternoon was calm and still.
, December 22d. We had a fair clear night the last past,
Avhich produced this day a smooth sea, and extreme hot weath
er, and very little wind near the sun, so that no observation
was made.
December 23d. The night Avas very fair. At raidnight, or
thereabouts, a fresh gale sprung up at S. B. and E. S. B., which
sometimes Avas E. ; this freshened by degrees. We had in the
day very hot and clear weather. By a N. Way, I reckoned fif
teen leagues.
December 24th. Last night we had both a fresh gale, and
a clear night. The Avind was at E. by S. We reckoned a
N. E. by E. way, and by it thirty-one leagues.
Sunday, December 25th. This day beiug Christraas day,
for celebration of that great festival, Ave killed yesterday, in the
evening, a soav. This sow we had brought from the Gulf of
Nicoya, being then a suckling pig, of about three Aveeks old,
but now weighed about fourscore and ten pounds. With this
hog's flesh Ave made our Christraas dinner, being the only flesh
we had eaten since we turned away our prizes under the equi
noctial, aftd left the Island of Plata. We had this day several
flaws of win,d, and some rain, but the weather otherwise was
pretty clear. I reckoned a N. by E. way, and thirty-three
leagues by the same. It was noAv also extremely hot weather,
as was signified before.

THE buccaneers OF AMERICA. ' 305
December 26th. We had this day several gusts of wind,
Avhich forced us tp stand by our topsails ; yet they were but
very short, and all the rest of the whfle we enjoyed an indif
ferent fresh gale at E. and E. by S. We reckoned a N. by E.
way, and twenty-eight leagues.
'December 27th. We had fair Aveather and a fresh Avind at
E. and B. by S. I reckoned a N. by B. way, and upon the
sarae thirty-two leagues. The evening of this day Avas cloudy.
December 28th. Last night Avas cloudy, Avith a fresh wind.
We reckoned a N. E. way, and by the same forty-six leagues.
We found, by an observation made, latitude 15° 30' S. My
whble easting I reckoned this day to be eight hundred and
tAventy-five leagues. Now we saAV much flying-fish, with some
dolphins, bonitoes, and albicores ; but they Avould not take
the hook.
December 29t-h. All last night was cloudy, with a fresh
Avind between E. and B. S. E. The weather all the afternoon
was hazy. I reckoned a N. by E. way, and hereupon forty
leagues and one third. In the afternoon we had'a S. E. by E.
wind, which blew very fresh. The evening was clear.' At
sunset I found variation to N. W. 4° 19'.
December 30th. The night past was cloudy. ToAvards
morning the wind carae about at E. At six it came E. S. E.,
and at ten to S. E. by S. We made a N. by E. Avay, and for
ty-three leagues. By an observation, we found latitude 11° 3'
S. The evening of this day was clear.
Deceraber 31st. We had a cloudy night the last past, but
the raorning was hazy. We carae now ^to a strict allowance
of only three good pints of Avater each day. We raade a N. by
E. way, and found latitude, by observation, 8'^ 55' S. In the
afternoon we had an E. S. E. and S. E. by E. wind. My
whole easting I reckoned now to be eight hundred and eighty-
four leagues and one third. At;' noon we stood aAvay N. W.
Sunday, January 1st, 1681. All the night past was cloudy,
as this day also, with" sorae shoAvers of rain. We made a N. W.
one eighth N. way, and forty leagues. In the afternoon came
about a fresh Avind at S. E. and E. S. E.
January 2d. The weather this day was both dull and
cloudy. We reckoned a N. W. one quarter N. way, and by
the same thirty-tAvo leagues. By observation, we found that our
latitude now was 6° 6' S. The wind came pretty fresh at S. E.
January 3d. We had several squalls of wind, and some rain ;
but withal a fresh Avind at S. E. and B. S. E. Our reckoning
was a N. W. one quarter N. Avay, and thirty-four leagues. The
afternoon Avas clear, but the evening cloudy.
26*

306 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
January 4th. All the night past Avas very cloudy ; but this
forenoon it cleared up. Yesterday we put aboard our main-
topsafl studden-sails, but took them in at night. At four this
morning, Ave set our larboard studden-sail, and before noon fit
ted up topgallant masts and yard. We made a N. W way, and
by it forty leagues and two thirds. By observation, we had
noAv latitude 3° 9' S. This afternoon also we set up our top-
gallant-safl, being forced to make out all its running rigging.
The wind was pretty fresh at S. E. and S. E. by E.
January 5th. Most part of the night past Avas clear, and star
light, though with some rain towards morning. This being
come, we put out our topgallant-safl, and both our topsafl stud
den-sails. At noon, likewise, we put up oUr fore topgallant
masts and yard. -. We caught an albicore this day, weighing
about one hundred and twenty pounds weight. The wind was
at S. E. by S. and S. S. E. We made a N. W.way, and reck
oned thereby thirty-five leagues. By observation, we found
latitude 2° 3' S. 'W'e had noVv mighty hot weather.
January 6th. Yesterday, iu the evening, we caught another
albicore, Avhich weighed only eight or nine pounds. We raade
a N. W* way, and reckoned thirty-five leagues, as before. Noav,
by an observation raade, Ave,could perceive only latitude 49' S.
The evening of this day was very clear.
January 7th. The wind was variable between S. S. E. and
S. S. W., though not altogether so fresh as before. Our reek-
boning was a N. W one quarter N. way, and thirty-six leagues
hy the same. This day, an observation gave us 32' N. of
the equinoctial, whicli now we had passed again. In the after
noon Ave caught another albicore, which weighed more than
the fijjst ; that is, betAveen one hundred and thirty-five and one
' hundred and forty pounds. But little wind stirring this after
noon. January Sth. The evening past we had almost a calm. At
'nine this morning, we had a fresh wind at S. S. E., with dark
weather, so that we thought it convenient to take in our main-
topsail. But .at noon we set it again, and also, our larboard
top studden-sail, with both topgallant-sails. We made a N. W.
way, and by it thirty-four leagues. By an. observation made,
we found latitude 1° 55^ N. "VVe had now extrerae hot weath-
,er, and a very sraaU allowance of water,
January 9th. Last night we took in our topsails all night,
the wind then whiffling between S. and W. points. We had
notAvithstanding, for the most "part, very little wind. The
morning Avas rainy, so that we providentially saved a bompkin
.of water. There was noAV a great rippling sea rising very high.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

307

It is reported, there is an enchanted island hereabouts, which
some positively say they have sailed over. I reckoned a N. W.
by N. one quarter N. way, and twenty-five leagues. This af
ternoon we had very dark and calra Aveather, looking as though
we should have much rain. Nowreckoning up my meridian,
I found myself E. frora my departure, seven hundred and two
leagues. In the evening we had very rainy weather, and a
cockling sea.
January 10th. All the night past Avas cloudy. About mid
night sprang up a small breeze varying all around the compass.
At five this morning we had a breeze at S. B., anda very clear
sky, which afterwards continued to freshen, Avith the same clear
ness as before. We made a N. W. by N. one quarter N. way,
and by the same two leagues and two thirds. By a clear ob
servation, we had now latitude 3° 16' N. At four this evening,
the wind Avas at B. S. E., the weather being violently hot, inso
much that our allowance of water being short, it Was very te
dious. At the sarae time Ave had an indifferent smooth sea
frora the E. . ^
January llth. AU the night past we had little or no wind ;
but about two in the raorning, the Avind freshened again at E.
N. E., and brought both a clear and hot day. We made twen-
ty'-three leagues, by a N. W. one quarter W. way This day's
observation gave us latitude 4° 6' N. In the afternoon'we had
a shower of rain, and after a'fresh wind at E. N. E. But the
evening grew dull.
January 12th. .In the night past Ave had two or three squalls
of Avind, and some showers of rain. In the raean Avhile the
wind blew fresh at N. E. and N. E. by E., as it also continued
to do in the day. I reckoned a N. W. Avay, and forty-four
leagues and one third. Our observation this day gaVe us 5° 49'
N. Yesterday and to-day we set our main-topsail. Noav I
cbuld not find much variation of the needle.
January 13th. We had a fresh gale all the last night, but
more northerly than before; for now it was N. B. by N. We
reckoned & W. N. W. way, and thereupon — leagues and two
thirds. An observation taken showed us latitude 6° 41' N. We
had a N. N. E. sea, and very clear Aveather.-
January 14;h. We had a (dear night the last, and a fresh
wind at E. N. E. We made a' N. W. one fifth W. way, and
thirtyrcight leagues. By an observation, we found latitude 7°
46' N. We had a smooth sea, and now we Avere come to only
three horns of Avater a day, which were in all but a quart
allowance for each man. The evening was clear, and Ave had
a fresh wind. '

308 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
Sunday, January 15th. The night past Avas clear, and the
wind fresh at E. N. E., and again at N. E by E., very fresh.
About eleven at night died one of our corapanions, named Wil
liam Stephens. It was commonly believed that he poisoned
himself with manzanflla in Golfo Dulce, for he never had been
in health since that tirae.^ This forenoon was cloudy. We
reckoned forty-four leagues, and a N. W. way. An observation
gave us this day 9° 18' N. All the night we kept out our top
gallant-sails. We saw hereabouts mariy large flying-fish. This
raorning, also, Ave threw overboard our dead raan, and gave him
two French volleys, and orie Eriglish one. I found now again
very sraall variation.
January 16th. We had a clear night, and a very fresh
wind at N. E. and E. N. E., Avith a long homing sea. My
reckoning was a N. W. one seventh W. Avay, and thereby forty-
eight leagues and one third. The observation made this day
gave us latitude 10° 48' N. I reckoned myself now east from
ray departure five hundred and fifty-three leagues. We had a
clbudy evening.
January 17th. All the night past Ave enjoyed a fresh wind,
and so this day, also, at N. E. by N. We raade a N. W. half
W. way, and thereupon forty-seven leagues and one third of a
league. By observation we found latitude 12° 19' N. We had
now a long north sea. At noon this day Ave steered away N.
N. W. The day was very hot, but the night both cool
and dewy.
January 18th. All the night past Avas both cloudy and
windy. At six this morning our spritsail-topmast broke, I
reckoned a W- N. W. way, and forty-eight leagues by the
same. We found, by observation, latitude 13° 12' N. Atnoon
we steered away west, the wind being at N. E. fresh, with a
clear evening. ~
January 19th. We had a clear night the last, and fresh wind
at E. N. E., Avhich sometiraes came in pushes. Our reckoning
was a W. half southerly way, and by the same forty-six leagues.
We found, by observation, latitude 13° V N. Yesterday, in the
evening, we put up a new spritsail-topraast, Avith a fine, smooth
gale at N. E. by E.
January 20th. The night past was clear, and not very fresh,
but at daybreak it- freshened again. Last night we saw a great
shoal of fish^ whereof Ave caught none, by reason the porpoises
frightened thera frora us, as they oftentiraes had done before.
Yesterday, in the evening, we saw a man-of-war fowl, and that
gave us good hopes-we should ere long see land. These
hopes, and the great desire we had to' end our voyage, gave us

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309

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:^.:

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310 THE BUCCANEEES OF AMERICA.
occasion this day to put in, or stake down, each raan of our
corapany, a piece of eight for a reward to him that should first
discover land. We reckoned a W. orie sixth northerly way,
and by it thirty-eight leagues. An observation gave us this
day latitude 13° 11' N. The wind Avas at N. E. and E. N. E.
This day Ave passed over raany ripplings, and saw abundance
of fish, but we could take none for the porpoises.
Ori January 21st, Ave raade a W. Avay, and reckoned forty-
seven leagues. By observation, we found latitude 13° 7' N.
The wind Avas at E.'N. E., and from thence came a long sea.
The evening was very clear.
January 22d, we had a fair and a clear day, the Avind being
at E. We reckoned a W. by N. one third W. Avay, and forty-
leagues. An observation showed us latitude 13° 17' N. We
had a clear evening, arid a, fresh wind at E. ,N, E.
January 23d. This day was both clear and hot, with a fresh
wind at E. N. E. My reckoning was a W. way, and forty-six
leagues. Our observation, raade this day, afforded us latitude
13° 15' N. In the evening Ave had sorae rain.
January 24th. This day brought us likewise clear weather,
such as the day before. I reckoned a W. way, and forty
leagues and one third. By observation, Ave found latitude 13"
12' N. The afternoon Avas clogdy, and we had sorae rain,
the wind freshening at B. N. B. and E. by N. I reckoned now
that I was E. frora my departure three huridred and eleven
leagues. We had a cloudy evening.
January 25th. Both last night and this raorning the weather
was cloudy. This, morning we saw several tropic birds of
diverse sorts. Our reckoning was a W. three quarters N. Avay,
and forty-three leagues. We found,«by observation, latitude 13°
29' N. This afternoon we saw a booby flying close aboard the
horizon. The weather was hazy. And iioav we began to
look out sharp on all sides for land, expecting to see it every
rainute. I reckoned myself to be eastward of my departure
two hundred and sixty-eight leagues.
January 26th. The night past was indifferently clear ; yet
notwithstanding this raorning Ave had a smart shower of rain
and wind. Hereupon we furled the spritsafl, the weather being
very hazy to the westward. We reckoned a W. way, and
thereby forty-six leagues and one third. By observation taken,
we found latitude 13° 17' N. At noon this day we had a very
fierce tornado, and rainy together, but withal a clear afternoon.
We had a high E. N. E. sea, and saw multitudes of flying-
fish ; also several fowls, and araongst these two or three boo
bies. The evening was hazy.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

311

January 27th. All night past we had a fresh wind and clear
weather. This morning our fore-topmast-backstay gave way,
and at daybreak the starboard sheet of our fore-topsail broke.
We had several tornadoes this day, and dark weather. Our
reckoning was a W. way, and forty-eight leagues bythe same.
We had a clear evening, and a dark night. This day, also, a
certain bird, called a nf)ddy, came on board us, which Ave
took for a certain token that avc Avere not now very far
from land.
Saturday, January 2Sth. We had a very clear night the last
past. About an hour before day one of our company happened
to descry land, which proved, to be the Island of Barbadoes, at
S. S. W;from us, and at about two leagues and a half dis
tance from Chalky Mount, standing S. W. by S. As we sailed,
Ave saw several ships at anchor in Spike's Road. Soon after a
shallop passed by, between us and the shore, but Avould not
corae within call of us. Hereupon Ave stood in within a mile
of the shore, and made a whift' to a pinnace Avhich Ave saw
coming out of the road before mentioned. She came close
aboard, and Avas the barge belonging to his Majesty's frigate,
the Richmond, then lying at the Bridgetown at anchor. They
told us of a peace at home, but would not come on board us,
though often invited thereunto. Neither dared we be so bold
as to put in at Barbadoes ; for hearing of a frigate lying there,
we feared lest the said frigate should seize us- for privateers,
5ind for having acted in all our voyage without commission. So
we stood away from thence fqr the Island of Antego^
Here I cannot easily express the infinite joy we were pos
sessed with all this day to see our own countryraen again.
They told us, that a ship, which we saw in the offing to lee
ward of the island, Avas a Bristol man, and an interloper ; but
we feared that same vessel to be the frigate before raentioned.
I reckoned a way of twenty-five leagues, so that I was now,
by ray account, to eastAvard of my departure one hundred and
fifty-one leagues. Now 'we stood N. by W., and, by -observa
tion, found latitudo 13° 17' N., we being then N. W. from the
body of the Island of Barbadoes between seven and eight
leagues. This afternoon we freed the negro, who was our
shoemaker by his trade, giving him, his liberty for the good
service he had done us in all the course of this voyage. We
gave, also, to our good, commander. Captain Sharp, a mulatto
boy to wait on him, as a free gift of the whole company, in»'
token of our respects to him for conducting- us safe through so
many dangerous adventures. This being done, we shared
sorae parcels of money that had not as yet been touched of our

313 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
former prizeSj and this dividend amounted to twenty-four pieces
of eight a man. . '
At one of the clock this day, frbm our fore yard we ^escried
the Island of Santa Lucia, being one of the Avestern islands,
not far distant frora that of Barbadoes. I had omitted to tell a
passage which happened in our ship on Thursday last, which
was 26th day of this raonth, and just fawo days before we made
the island before raentioned of Barbadoes. A little Spanish
shock-dog, which we had found in our late wine prize, taken
under the equinoctial, and had kept alive till now, was sold
at the mast by public cry, for forty pieces of eight, his owner
saying that all he could get for hira should be spent upon the
company at a public merriment. Our coraraander. Captain
Sharp, bought the dog, Avith intention to eat hira, in case \ve
did not see land quickly. This raoney, therefore, Avith one
hundred pieces of eight more, which our boatswain, carpenter,
and quarter-ma.§ter had refused to take at this last dividend, for
some quarrel they had against the sharers thereof, was all laid
up in store tiU Ave came to land^ in order to be spent on shore,
at a common feast, or drinking bout. At sunset the Island of
Santa Lucia bore W. S. W. from us, arid was at ten leagues
distance. Also tbe Island of Martinica bore N. W. by W. of
us, at twelve or thirteen leagues distance. We had this day a
very clear evening.
Sunday, January 29th, Ave had a clear night, and a fresh
wind at E. by N. and at E. N. B. Our reckoning was at N.
N. W. half W. Avay, and- hereby forty-six leagues. By obser
vation, Ave took latitude 15° 45' N. At noon this day we saw
the island named La Desseada, or the Desired Island, which
then bore N. W. from us, and seemed to be at about eight
leagues distance. At six in the evening, we saw Marigalante,
another of the Caribbee Islands, at S. W. by W. from us, and
that of Guadalupe, streaking itself in several hamraocks of land,
both westward and northward ; as also La Desseada above
mentioned at S. E., which frora thence shows like table-land,
and at each end hath a low point running out. At six this even
ing itAvas W. S. W., and at five or six leagues distance from us.
At the same time we saw the Island of Monserrat, at a great
distance, and raaking three round hamraocks close together.
This evening we caught an albicore of twenty pound weight.
Monday, January 30th. We had a fair night all the last past,
and a fresh Avind. Hereupon all night we hauled up our raain
safl in brafls, standing at the same N. by W., with the wind at
E. N. E. At midnight we stood N. W. At three in the
morning we lay by till five. Then we stood away W. N. W. till

THE BUCCANEEES OF AMERICA. 313
six ; and then stood W. At eight of the clock we saw the
Island of La Antigua, called by, us Antego, to the southward
of us, making three round hamraocks of land, and a long high
hfll to northward. Hereupon, we stood W. S. W. for it. At
noon we found latitude 17° N, the island being then just W.
frora us.
We came about to the South of the island, and sent a canoe
ashore to get tobacco, and such other necessaries as we Avanted,
as also to ask leave of the governor to come into port. The
gentry of the place, and coraraon people, were very willing and
desirous to receive us. But on "Wednesday, February 1st, the
governor flatly denied us entry ; at Avhich all the gentry were
much troubled, showing theraselves very kind to us. Hereupon
we agreed among ourselves to give the slip to those of our
company Avho had no money left them of all thek purchase in
this voyage, having lost it at play ; and then put ourselves on
board two ships bound for England. So I myself, and thirteen
more of our company, went on board Captain Robert Porteen's
ship, called the Lisbon Merchant, and set sail from La Antigua
February llth, and landed at Dartmouth, in England, March
26th, A. D. 1682. 27

314

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

CHAPTER L.
A Journal of a Voyage made by the Freebooters into the South Sea, 1684, and
in the following Years.*
It is no very uncoraraon thing for a child, that is a native of
Paris, to go and seek his fortune abroad, and to entertain a fixed
desigri of becoraing- a raan engaged in hazardous adventures.
This city, within which raost of the wonders of the world are
contained, and which is perhaps the greatest that can be met
with, ought, in ray opinion, to have the preference of any other
upon the face of the earth. But who is he that can penetrate
into the secrets of Nature, and give a reason for sorae sbrt of
inclinations ^e works in the minds bf mortals ? "As for my
self, I cbnfess I am not able to give an account of the depth of
my desires ; and all that I c^n say is, that I have always had a
most passionate disposition for travel. Scarce was I seven
years old, Avhen, through some innate notions, whereof I had
not the raastery, I began to steal out of my father's house. It
is true, n^y first rambles were not far, because my age and
strength would not allow thera to be so; but they Avere so
* A Certyicaie given by the Governor of St. Domingo to the Avthor of this Journal,
concerning the Service.
The Sieur de Cussy, his Majesty's Governor of the Tortoise Island and the Coast of
St. Domingo.
We do certify. That the Sieur Bavenau de Lussan hath served in a company of
fourscore and four men with the Sieur Lawrence de Graff, in the quaUty of an ensign
against the Spaniards, his Majesty's enemies ; and that, haying gone into the South
Sea, he fell into the company of other freebooters, from whence not being able to
return, but by the force of their arms, he has given upon those occasions signal proofs
both of his zeal and courage. In testimony whereof we have given him this certifi
cate, to which we have affixed our seal, and ordered our secretary to countersign
the same. Given at the Fort of Port Paix, May 17, 1688. De Cdsst.
By the Governor's command, BpYER.
t ,
A Copy of a Letter written by Monsieur De Cussy, his Majesty's Governor of the
Tortoise Island and Coast- of St. Domingo, to Monsieur de Lubert, Treasurer
General of the Marine, upon the Sidiject Matter of this Author's Journal.
Sir ; — I have taken notice from those letters you have done me the honor to
write unto me the preceding years, that you interest yourself in the affairs of the
Sieur Eavenau de Lussan ; wherefore, sir, I have thought it my duty to inform you
of his return from the South Se^, with two hundred and sixty of his comrades, who
got clear out of that country by the performing of wonderful actions, the particulars
whereof I shall not enter upon, since he will have the honor to give you an exact and
faithful account of them himself, being the only person of all the company that has
kept a journal. , ,
I was in liopes to have got him erabarked in the king's ship called the Marine, which
was to be gone in two days, and Monsieur De Beaugeau, the commander, promised
me to give him his table upon your account; but the said Sieur De Lussan, thinking

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 315
much the more frequent, and I have often given my parents
the trouble to look after me in the suburbs, and that place we
call La Vilette. However, as I grew up, ray excursions were
the larger, and by degrees I accustoraed rayself to lose a sight
of Paris. ..
This rambling sort of humor Avas accorapanied with another,
which I dare not dignify with the name of a martial one, but
Avas' such as wrought in me an ardent desire to see some siege
or battle. I could not hear the noise of the drum in the streets
Avithout those transports of mind, the remerabrance whereof
does still operate a kind of a vigorous heat and joy in rae. It
so fell out at length, that I met. with an officer, with whom I
had but a slender acquaintance ; but my warlike genius quickly
inclined me to make him my friend. I looked upon him as a
person Avho could be very serviceable to me in my designs ; and
it was Avilh this prospect I applied myself to manage him. The
siege of Conde being happily commenced at this time, and he
being obliged to serve there with his company, I made 'him
the offer of a sword that had hitherto done neither good nor
harm to any man, but which I Avas passionately desirous to
make use of Here it was that he gave me the first instances
of his friendship, for he, took me freely along with him, and
the frigate fo be gone, staid with me at Port Paix, to wait an opportunity of meeting
with another ship that should be bound directly for Dieppe. 1 heartily wish, sir, I
could meet witti an opportunity of serving you in these parts. I should do it with
exceeding pleasure, as being, with all deference and respect imaginable, sir.
Your most humble and obedient servant, De Cuss'Y.
At the Cape, May 7, 1688.
A Copy of another Letter written by the said Monsieur De Cussy to the Pother
of the Author of this Journal.
Sm : — I cannot let your son be gone, without testifying to you how much con
cerned I am in the satisfaction and joy you will have to see him return from so long
and toilsome a voyage, as I am confident of your being soriy at present that I had not
sent him home to you at the time you desired, which yet I should not have failed to
do, had he not been absent ; and at whose return I delivered him one of your letters,
which I always preserved safe with those of Monsieur De Lubert. He has no occasion
to make use of me, though I have raade hira an offer of my utmost service. I may
say, without vanity, that he has made the greatest and finest voyage in our age, ana
that he has seen countries which a great many people in the world content themselves
to view in maps, without desiring any other sight of them, though they had all the
riches thereof bestowed upon tliem for their pains. Besides the pleasure you will
have to see your son again, you will have also that of hearing him discourse, perti
nently enough, of his voyage and adventures ; there being no other besides himself
of all the company that can give an exact account thereof, as having all along applied
himself to keep a very punctual journal of all transactions, which I am confident will
be pleasing to my Lord Marquis De Signelay. I have myself the honor to write to
him concerning it, that so I might engage your son to go and present it to him, which
perhaps other-wise he would not have adventured to do, out of the little esteem him
self has of his own work. This is what ofl'ers itself at present for me to write to you,
assuring you, I should take a deal of pleasure to find myself in any condition to serve
"nim, and that I am, sir.
Your most humble, and most obedient servant, Db Cussy.
,4t the Foet pp Pokt Paix, May 18, 1688.

316 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
kept me all the campaign ; at the breaking up whereof I re
turned Avith him, no Avays discouraged, or Aveary of Avar, as the
greatest part of them are, Avho have had but just a taste of it.
And this I tell you Avas ray first adventure.
The second was not quite so good' in regard to the success
that attended it, though it Avas alike agreeable to ray palate, and
according to ray heart's desire. I happened to become .a cadet
in the raarine regiraent, but I fell into the hands of a captain
who was Avondrous skilful to drain children of good families of
their money ; ko that this campaign, Avherein I hoped to haVe
done the king some service, Avas Avorn aWay in expenses. My
father gave more than he shofild, or I deserved, to get ray dis
charge, and to set rae once at full liberty to take Avhat I liked
best; it was not perhaps his inclination I should do so, but it
was mine, and I was not long to seek.
God, who, it seems. Was not wflling to make rae oitt of con
ceit with the trade, Avas so much the better guide unto me at
this time, as I Avasso ill guided before, for Monsieur the Count
d*Avegean, whose personal merit has sufficiently distinguished
him in the body of the French guards, took me along Avith him
to the siege of St. Guislain, where I failed not to meet with
new pleasures in the use of arms, though it Avere never so hot.
There were a great many men's lives lost at this siege, Avhich
yet did not cool the desire I had to hazard my oavu. And
though ray parents, Avho could not .well brook this my gadding
huraor, Avere in hopes the fatigues of Avar Avould cure rae of it,
they Avere raistaken in the matter, for I Avas no sooner got upon
the stones of Paris, but I grew weary of being there. I had
nothing but voyages in my head, and those that Avere longest,
and most accompanied Avith dangers, appeared to me to be the
best. For a person never to get out of his native country, and
to be ignorant how the rest of the earth stands, appeared to me
a matter that should be appropriated to a Avoman only. Where
as it was ray judgraent, that a raan should never be confined
to one place, and that nothing could suit hira better than to
make himself acquainted Avith all those of Jiisi OAvn species.
To travel by land, I thought both long and difficult, and there
fore I concluded I could sooner and more safely accomplish my
designs by betaking rayself to the sea; and noAv you find me
ready to go on board.
There Avas nothing omitted on the part of parents, that Avere
full of lender affections for an extravagant child, to divert me
from my 'resolution. But as to young men, such as I Avas, it
raay be said, as is usually done of Avoraankind, that what they
will, God wills; and to say the truth, I Avas overruled Iby tay

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

317

inclination herein ; Avherefore Avhen they perceived that abso
lutely to oppose niy huraor Avould make me but the more opin-
iative, they proposed I should take a voyage for St. Domingo,
Avhere I, should find friends and protectipn in case of need ;
and as this exactly suited both with my desires and designs,
and that provided I could get to sea, I did not care whither
bound, I very readily obeyed.
Dieppe Avas the place where I embarked, and from whence
I parted, on the 5th of March, 1679, w'ith greater satisfaction
df mind than I am well able to express. That element, Avhich
to the generality of meri seeras very frightful, appeared to me
the most amiable and delightful of any in the world. • The
winds, if I may say so, wrought in me some delight, for I found
that almost every little, blast brought tis happily onwards on
our Avay. And I Avas so overjoyed to find myself in so desira
ble an island, that I thought no raore ofthe hazards my voyage
made rae liable to. Let no man therefore be amazed thereat,
if he finds nope of thera contained in my journal. And seeing
there are other persons who have been particular enough in
their relations given of this passage, I have this only to say,
that I safely arrived, through the mercy of God," at St. Domingo,
and if any one has the curiosity to follow rae in ray remaining
expedition, he raust begin frora thence.
I continued there, however, for above three years, not only
to see the country, but through such conjunctures as would
not adrait me to go oiit of it. I found myself chained there to
a Frenchman, that was so far from deserving the name of one,
that his hardened, malice much better became a Turk. But
what raisery soever I have undergone Avith him, I freely forgive
bira, being resolved to forget his name, Avhich I shall not men
tion in this place, because the laws of Christianity require it at
my hands ; though as to raatter of charity he is not to expect
much of that in me, since he on his part has been every way
defective in the exercise thereof upon my account. But ray
patience was at last quite worn out, being weary of those cruel
ties, whereof I saw no end. I raade ray coraplaints to Monsieur
de Franquesnay, the king's lieutenant, who acted as governor
since the other's disease, and whose generosity proved to be a
sanctuary to me. He readily consented to take me to his own
house, where I staid six whole months.
I had borrowed money in the mean time, and I thought it
was the part of an honest man to repay it. My parents would
have been perhaps very wflUng to have paid my debts, but they
could hear nothing from rae, nor I from them ; and the letters
they sent me passed through such officious hands, that they
27*

318 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
spared us the charge of postage. I was therefore necessitated
to seek oiit some other Avay to free myself; and this I found in
meeting with that Avhich satisfied the natural inclination I had
for travelling. I bethought myself of making one of the free
booters' gang, to go a voyage Avith them, and to borrow, for the
payment of my debts, as rauch raoney as I could from the
Spaniards. Now these sorts of borro'wings have this advantage
attending them, that Jhere is no obligation of repayment, as in
our country, they being esteemed the product of a just war.;
and seeing the place of action is beyond the line, there is no
talk there of making any restitution ; besides which we may
also observe in this place, that there was then a rupture between
the two crowns, and that we had a formal coraraission from
rny lord admiral to infest the Spaniards.
There was no question to be made^ but I could find a captain
that Avould receive me ; and I was not long in making the
choice, since there were not raany of thera at that tirae to pitch
upon. Laurence de Graff was the man I most fancied, who
Avould make a special corsair ; and though he had not been
long arrived, all that he Avanted was to be gone as well as I.
We were in a feAv hours' time satisfied Avith each other, and
became such friends as those are wont to be who are about to
run the same ^risk of fortune, and apparently to die together.
This last indeed we should have reckoned upon with the most
appearance of reason, but it was what wejeast thought of My
departure took up all my thoughts. I furnished rayself with
arms and other small necessaries, at the charge of Monsieur De
Franquesnay, Avho Avas very ready to advance me some money,
which I have paid him since, ahd whose kindness I shall never
forget. At last the day came, and I must freely say, it was,
in my opinion, one of the best in the course of ray life.
On the 22d of November, in tbe year 1684, we departed from
Petit Gaves, on the coast of St. Domingo, to .the number of
one hundred and tAventy men, on board a prize taken, some
time before, by Captain LaAvrence de Graff, from the Spaniards,
which they sent as an advice boat from Carthageria, on the
terra firma of America, to Spain.
Our design was to go and join ourselves'with a fleet of free
booters, Avhich Ave Avere in hopes to meet with before the
Havana, a great city in the Isle of Cuba to the N., and about
fourteen leagues distant from St. Domingo.
We anchored on the 4th of December, at the Tortoise Island',
to take in water, and on the 6th sailed away, in order to return
to the coast of St. Domingo, Avhich is but three leagues off,
Avhere we arrived the 12th, and casting anchor at Cape Francis,

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

319

we took in our full store of Avater and wood. We left this
place on the 17th, and were taken with a N. Avind tAvo leagues
from the road in such a manner, that we lost our shaUop,
which was too big to be put upon our gibbet. ToAvards
evening we safled back to a place of safety, whereby Ave Avere
obliged to stay tAvo days waiting for a canoe we had sent to
buy at the cape, from' Avhence Ave came, such things as we
wanted for raaking up the loss of our shallop.
On the 20th, we raade ready to endeavor to rejoin the "Vic
torious, a ship that came Avith us from the cape, belonging to
Nantes, and bound to the Isles of the Wind, Avhich had on
board the commander of St. LaAvrence', lieutenant gteneral of
the French islands and the coasts of the terra firma of America,
and Monsieur Begon, intendent of justice, policy, and the
finances of that country, to Avhom Ave served as convoy, lest they
should have been attacked by the Spanish, periaugues that cruise
thereabouts. And indeed Ave had a great deal of reason to be
concerned for the safety of those gentleraen, who were in much
esteera Avith all the colonies of these islands, because of the
good orders they kept, the exact justice they administered, and
the tranquillity the people enjoyed under them ; but Ave could
hot possibly set sight on this ship, as not knowing what course
she steered.
On the 23d, we steered our own course, and in the evening
discovered a ship to leeward of us, 'to Avhom we gave chase;
but she braced to, to Avait for us; and A^'hen we Avere come up
with her, Ave found it Avas Captain Le Sieur, of Dieppe, Avho
comraanded a flute called the Aramantha, Avhom we quickly
left, keeping our OAvn ccfurse. But on the 25th, Which Avas
Christmas day, avc had a great calm till next day, when the wind,
proving contrary, obliged us to put back to the port of Plata,
on the coast of St. Dorriingo, Avhere we staid to the end ofthe
month. •
On the 1st of January, in the new year 1685, we doubled Cape
St. Francis, and next day, by ten in the morning, did the sarae
by Cape Cabron, as we doubled that of Savona toAvards noon,
they being all situated on the sarae coast ; and that day one of
our raen died.
On the 4th, we sailed in sight of La Mena; next day, coasted
the Isle of Porto Rico, and La Savona, and then steered S. E.
and by S., till the eleventh, when Ave discovered the Isles of
Ave, toAvards Avhich Ave bore till the evening, and doubled
thera on the twelfth about eleven in the morning, keeping stfll
the same course tfll we came' to the Isle De la Roca; AA-here
there Avas alsb another rendezvous of our men-of-Avar to be,
which we were going to seek out.

320 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMEIUCA.
On the 13th, at seven in the morning, we discovered the
main land of America, and were becalraed next day, which
continued, to the 15th, at noon, when we had a fresh gale, and
steered N. N. E. till the 17th, when about raoon-setting we
descried two ships and four boats to windward of us, about a
cannon's shot distance, that had the cape of us, Avhich brought
us upon deck to make all ready.
One of those boats, on the 18th, by break of day, being
a tartane, commanded by Captain John Rose, as not knowing
us, presently came up and hailed us ; and as our captain had a
commission from the lord high admiral of France, the count
of Tholouse, we made answer, from Paris, and put out our
flag ; but Rose, Avho would not know us so, believing we had
no other intention, in feigning ourselves to be a king's ship,
than to get clear of him, gave us two guns to make us strike 7
insomuch that taking him really for a Spaniard, we knocked
out the heads of two barrels of powder, in order to burn our
selves, and blow up the ship, rather than""fa,ll into the hands of
tnose people, Avho never gave us quarter, but Avere Avont to
make us suffer all imaginable torraents, they beginning usually
with the captain, Avhora they hang with his commission about his
neck. But one of the tAVo ships came up Avith us in a moment,
and knoAving what we were, gave us a signal, which Avas so
much the mpre satisfaction to us, that instead of enemies^
which Ave took'them to be, they proved to be not only friends,
but those very ships avc were in quest of, which obliged us to
put in at the cape, and spend that day to visit one another.
One of these two ships belonged to Captain Michael Lan-
dresson, and Avas called the Mutinous, but forraerly the Peace ;
and the other to Captain. Lawrence de Graff, Avhose name Avas
the Neptune, but once the St. Francis, and which he had
quitted, when he Avent in his prize to St. Domingo to get a
new commission of the governor, his own that he had being
then expired. The first of these ships carried fifty pieces of
cannon, and the other forty-four, and had both of them been
two Spanish armadillas, who, the year before, coming out of
Carthagena, to take the ships commanded as well by •the
Captains Lawrence and Michael, as those of Captains John
duet and Le Sage, were theraselves taken by those Avhom
they were about to become masters of And as for the four
boats, they were comraanded by other captains, Avhose names
were Rose Vigneron, La Garde, and an English traitor from
Jaraaica ; by them we were informed that they Avere Avatching
in that place /or the Patach, of Marguerita, and a squadron of
Spanish ships, Avhich they expected would sail that Avay, in
order to take thera.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 321
Ou the 19th, we resolved to quit that post, and did all
we could to get up with the Isle of Currasso, a great part
whereof belpq|gs to the Hollanders. We sailed in sight of
those of Bonnara and Roube ; and about two in the afternoon
of the sAme day, we chased a Flemish boat that came from
the port of Guaira, on the continent, and was returning to the
town of Curassp, two leagues to leeward of which we anchored
that evening in the port of Sancta Barba.
On the 20th, we sent away a boat under the command of
La Garde, to the town, to ask the governor leave to buy us
masts for Captain Lawrence's ship, that had lost thera in a
hurricane near the Isle of St. Thoraas ; but this he absolutely
refused, and shut up the gates against us. Upon the boat's
return, and relation given us of |.he governor's refusal, I carried
hira a copy of our coraraission, hoping to engage him by that
means to grant us our request-; but he still persisted to deny
us, while a part of our crew scrupled not in the mean time
to go ashore, and enter the tbwn, after having left their swords
behind them at the gate. •
On the 23d, our ships weighed anchor, in order to sail for
Sant§ Cruz, which stands seven leagues to leeward of this
town ; and in our passage by the fort we saluted it, and they
returned us gun for gun ; but the governor, finding Ave were
two hundred men of us in the town, informed us, on the
24th, by beat of drum, that it was his pleasure we should be
gone, and return forthwith on board our ships, and that he
would give us shallops to carry us thither, provided we paid
him two pieces of eight a raan. . I presently discerned it was
his wfll we should not go back by land, because Ave must for
that purpose cross a lake that stands at the fbbt of the fort, ^
which he had forbidden us to pass ; and this made me go and
tell hira, we, gave hira thanks for his shallop, that if we were
minded to go by sea to rejoin our ships, we had periaugues to
carry us thither ; and that we had no other design to get to
them by land, but f6r a walk's sake. To which he answered,
that the inhabitants there scrupled to let us see their island ;
but for all that, he would not let us pass over the lake, and so
we were two days before we could reach Santa Cruz, where
our ships Avere waiting for us.
We came afterwards to know the reason of the governor's
displeasure against us, which was, that Captain Lawrence and
Captain Michael's ships had taken tAVo Dutch ships before the
Havana, that were freighted for the Spaniards, having tAvo
hundred thousand pieces of eight that belonged to their company,
which the freebooters meddled not with, being at peace with that

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
¦nation ; and they easfly persuaded their principals that all had
been taken from them, and so we were punished for the knav
ery these Dutchmen practised towards their owp people.
Though this Island of Curraso be well enough known in
Prance, I cannot but take notice, as I go along, that the tem
perature of its air is the sarae with that of St. Domingo, and
produces the same sort of fruits ; and the land, is almost level
throughout, and the country very naked, hecause of the little
wood that grows there) being almost barren in several places,
aud produces little to the owners besides maize and small mfllet;
yet it is watered with several springs and rivers. The town
that stands upon it is small, but very neat, being encompassed
with a high though very thin wall. There is a good and safe
port belongs to it, and the fori that commands it, as well as
the town, is very regularly fortified. The inhabitants are. of
several sorts of religions, the • exercise thereof bSng free ; the
chief of Avhich is that of the Dutch, of the Jews, as Avell as of
others ; each of whom have their respective places of worship
in the towri. The chief of their trade consists in sugar, that
grows there, and bf wool, which, comes frora the sheep which
breed upon the place in great uurabers, besides the skins of
those animals, as also of a great raany oxen and cows which
they keep in the lowest and best watered grounds of this
island, Avhere ¦ it abounds in pasture. They are altogether
affected to the Spanish nation, with whom they have the main
of their trade.
On the 27thj we made ready and steered our course for Cape
La Vella, which is on the continent of America, where we
designed to fix ourselves in order to wait for the Patach, of
Marguerita, Avhereof I have already spoken. The same day
Captain Vigneron's boat left us to return to the coast of St.
Domingo, because they had not men enough to raake any
thirig of the enterprise, there being no raore than tAventy on
board her.
Being .eome to the cape by the 30th, we anchored there ;
arid our nex.t care was to set some sentinels, to the nuraber of
fifteen upon the top of it, to give us notice when they discov
ered the Pataeh,; but next day we thought it more advisable
tb pursue this foUowing method to get intelligence. We sent;
on the 1st of February, Captain Rose's boat to themouth of the
River La Hacjiei, on the continent, inhabited by the Spaniards,
and about twenty leagues distant frora the cape wHere we then
were, under pretence of trading with thera, but in reality with
a design to make sorae prisoners, that so we raight be informed
whether the Pataeh was passed by that Avay or no ; for it

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.

323

was usual for her to take in part of her lading ifl that
river. ' ^ ^
While we waited for the return of this boat^ I and some
others went ashore to view and observe the country about the
cape. I understood it was inhabited by a most cruel, barbarous,
and savage Indian nation, who are neither friends to, nor have
any society with, any other people whatsoever, no, not even
with the Spaniards theraselves, who liye round about them.
They eat Avithout any distinction whatever they can catch,
and are afraid of nothing but s,words and the hke weapons;
but as for fire arms they raatter thera not at all. We were
satisfied to have a sight of thera as we returned, without having
the curibsity to raake a trial of their teeth, by going farther up
into the country where there was nothing to be got.
I ara not able to forbear in this place to give a strange exam
ple of what I ara sneaking, and of what this people can do,
whora I take I to be the oldest freebooters of America. The
marquis of Maintenon, governor of the Isle of Maragalant, who
had the command of one of the king's frigates called the Witch,
having taken a prize of fourteen guns, which he went on board,
and finding hiraself one day separated ^ from his own ship, was
constrained, in order to take in water, to cast anchor at Boca
del Drago, on the terra firma of America, which was inhabited
by the same Indian people as live at Cape La , Vella. He
brought his ship as near the shore as he could, and bringing all
his cannon to bear on one side, he sent under the eovert qf
them his shallop, with tAv^o and tAventy armed men, to fill their
casks with water. Noav those savages lying in ambush upon
the sea-side, did pot give the shallop time to land, but throwing
themselves headlqng into the water, and rushing, upon them, in
spite of the continual fire made upon them from the cannon of
the man-of-war, they carried her, with the two and twenty
men, for above fifty paces to land, where, after they had kflled
them, every one took his man upon his back, and raoved them
off ; then they returned, and swimraing to cut the cables of the
ship to make her drive ashore, they hoped also to serve those
on board the sarae sauce ; but as good luck would have it, they
had time to loose their safls, and to malce ready to put farther
off frora the shore.
On the 2d, we pflt our ships into a careening posture, and
on the Sth, Rose's boat returned to us, and gave an account,
that as soon as they had anchored at the raouth of La Hacbe,
tbey sent a sraall canoe, with six Englishmen in it, ashore-,
they being of our creAV, and at peace then with the Spaniards,
who agreed with, thera, that next raorning, about sunrising, they

324 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
would' fire a gun, to give the other notice to come on board to
traffic with them ; — that in the night they had put thirty men
ashore to surprise those of the Spaniards that should pass to
and fro, but that the Spaniards, having discerned the snare that
was laid for thera, fired all night, which gave all the inhabit
ants the alarra ; — that next raorning our people fired their can
non of signal, according to the agreeraent, and put out English
colors ; but it was to no purpose, for the Spaniards, according
to all appearance, had no inclination for those goods they sup
posed we would trade with them in ; so that our men finding
their design had miscarried, weighed anchor, and sailed away
to join us.
As Ave were of opinion, at last, that' there was no hope the
Patach would pass that Avay, Ave held\a council on board our
ship about forraing another design ;/but not being able to agree
with Captain Lawrence, (who was owne\jjpf two thirds of the
Neptune,) because he would have iraposed upon us, there were
fourscore and seven that quitted the ship and went on board
the prize in wWch we carae from St. Domingo, and so left him
on the 13th. He weighed and steered his course thither
ward. Captain Michael and Captain John Rose weighed also,
arid sailed for Carthagena ; and we, who were irresolute what
way to take, followed the latter. *
On the 25th, Ave had a hard easterly breeze, which car
ried us beyond a river that runs on the terra firma, and is
by the Spaniards called Rio Grande, where we should have
taken in water, which continues sweet within the sea for three
or four leagues frora the raouth of it, for all it rains so little, and
provided you take that which runs on the superfices. About
three of, the sarae day, in the afternoon, Ave saw Our Lady De
La Poupa, which is also on 'the continent, and the 26th an-
ehored at the Isles of St. Bernard, frora whence we parted in
the evening with three periaugues only, in order to get to wind-^
ward of Carthagena, to endeavor to seek us sorae provision,
which they continually carry to that place ; and our design had
in effect the desired success.
We returned on the 18th, with seven periaugues laden with
raaize, which we raade good prize. By the Spaniards that Avere
in thera, we understood that there were two galleons at Car
thagena, and that the Spanish flota was at Porto BeUo, and that
two ships, one carrying twenty and the other tAventy-four guns,
would quickly ^et out from thence ; but we did not think fit to
Avait for thera, because they could not assign to us any deter
minate tirae when they should sail.
On the 22d, at noon, we weighed, and towards evening

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 325
discovered Point Picaron, on the continerit, and the Isles of
Palraas. About two hours within the night, we doubled
the greatest point of these islands. The next raorning, which
was the 23d, we found ourselves separated from Captain
Michael and Captain Rose ; and then it was Ave took a resolu
tion of attempting to cross over the continent, to the end we
might get into the South Sea : in order to which, we sailed to
the Bay of the Isle d'Or, which is inhabited by the Indians of
Sambes, that so we raight know of thera (who Avere our friends)
what success the other freebobters raet with, who, we had been
told, were gone thither sorae raonths before.
Frora the 23d at night to the 24th, we kept to the cape,
being afraid of entering into the Gulf of Arian ; and that morn
ing, by break of day, we made nearer the shore, to discover
Where Ave were, and upon trial we found it to be a point of the
wind in that gulf, Avhich the currents made us to double.
Between this gulf and Cape Matance, happeried a very re
markable adventure. We had on board our ship a soldier l^e-
longing to the Spanish galleons, Avhora we had taken to wind
ward of Carthagena, in one of the periaugues, whereof we
found the raaize before spoken of, Avho out of despair to find
hiraself raade a prisoner, though he was very kindly used, took
- a resolution, as appeared by what followed, to throw hiraself
into the sea, to which end he went five or six tiraes upon deck
without being khle to put his design ih execution, and that in
all likelihood out of a secret resistance he found within him
self to do it ; but at last, after several attempts, he effected the
same, which exciting my curiosity to inquire into the circum
stances thereof, I found that, contrary to what usually happens
in such cases, the body which fell down with full force into
the Avater, floated a long time upon the back, by the ship's Side,
though to our apprehension he did all he could to drown him
self ; but Avhen out of compassion; to save his life, we threw
out some of our tackle for hira to catch hold on, he not orily
refused to make use of thera, but turned hiraself upon his face,
and plunged to the bottora.
On the 25th, at eleven in the morning, we arrived and
anchored at the Isle d'Or, or Golden Islarid, and at the, same
time fired a gun tb give the Indians notice of our coming.
Then Ave went ashore, to know what that flag was we discov
ered at a distance frora us, Avhere we found three raen belong
ing to Captain Grognier and Captain Lescuier's crews, who told
us that they tarried there because they would not go with the
other freebooters, who were on their journey to the South Sea,
under the conduct of thosle two captains ; and that as soon as
28

3^ The buccaIieers of America.
eVer they SaAV us, they had set up that flag, as a signal for us to
come Up to them.
On the 26th came sorae Indians, AVith letters; on board
uS, which were directed to the first freebooters that should
attchor in that rbad, to give them notice that they were
gone, to the number of a hundred and seventy men, to that
sea, and some sriiall time before them, a hundred and fifteen
English ; besides which, they also sent us sorae ihstruetions
how to demean ourselves towards the Indians through whose
territories we must paSs, AvhereWith we'werb fully corifirmedin
the project Ave had already formed of undertaking this expedi
tion. And though We were but fourscore and seven men, yet
"we made ourselVes ready fo be g.bne. In the mean tirae, some
other Indians came also on board us, by whom we were in
formed that Captain Grognier and Captain Lescuier were still
in their territories, and not yet gone to the South Sea, which
iijade us write to them by one of those two Indians, to let them
know that we' were coming to thera.
' On the 27th, at noon, we saw Captain Michael, and
Captain Rose, turn into the sarae port. Which made us go
presently on boaid, to know what'made thbra corae in and an
chor in that road. They told us they had been in chase of a
Spanish ship named the Hardy, come frora St. Jago, on the
coast of Cuba, and bojind for Carthagena ; but not being able
to corrie up with her, they Avere come into this port, as beipg
the nighest, tb take in water. Then we showed them the let
ters Ave had received, which wrought a desire in many of them
to come and increase bUr number, insomuch that a hundred
and eighteen men quitted Michael's ship, and the Whole crew
bf Captain Rose, being sixty-four rrien, who burnt their vessel,
when they had paid the oAvners the price of it. We AVere not
then for delaying, but, on the 29th, quitted our ships and
and werit ashore, where we encamped to the riumber of two
hundred and sixty-four persons. But as to the ship belonging
to our particular crew, we left her in the hands of Captain
Michael, rather than burn her.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMEBICA. 327
CHAPTER LI.
Our Passage across the Continent of America, to go to the South Sea.
Sunday, the 1st of March, in the year 1685, after we had
recommended ourselves to the Almighty's protection, we set
out under the command of Captain Rose, Captain Picard, and
Captain Desmarais, Avith two Indian guides, and about forty
raore of that nation. Whom we took along with us for the ease
of those who were raost burdened among us. We could not
travel above three leagues that day, and encamped by a river
side, after we had passed through a country that presently dis
covered a terrible aspect to us, and then proved very difficult to
travel in, because of the mountains, precipices, and' irapenetra-
• ble forests, whereof it is fuU. And the difficulty of the jour
ney Was still the more increas,ed by the great rains that fell all
the next day.. To say nothing that in our ascending the raoun
tains, which are of prodigious height, we were clogged AVith the
¦weight of our ammunition, arms, and other iron tools Ave car
ried Avith us. Upon our coming down upon these mountains,
we got into a plain, which, though it was without any tracts,
or ways, yet appeared ¦ \jery easy to us ; but that we Avere
obliged no less than four and forty times, in the space of but
two, leagues, to crbss the same river, which, because it ran be
tween very slippery recks, gave us a great deal of trouble to
get over it, being always in danger of falling.
On the 4th we lay in an Indian carbet, which is a spacious
Sbrt of a Ibdging, but almost like a barn, wherein the peopile
are wont to meet together ; there Ave staid next day to go a
hunting, where we found great numbers of deer, and all sorts
of birds. Araongst others Ave sa'\jr^ kind of animal which the
Indians ball manipouryes, and we trefoil, because as they .go
along, each of their feet leaves the print of this simple in the
ground. This animal is as big as a small bullock, but his hair
is not so long, and more sleek; His legs are short, he has the
head of an ass,- but a sharper nose, and walks in the bottora
ofthe water, as well as on dry land. They have here also a
sort of hogs, which they call vents, because of an opening place
they have in the forra of a navel upon their hacks. We raay
further take notice of those beasts they call agoutils and ovis-
titils, which both the one and the other of thera are very like
those Ave call Indian pigs in France, but much bigger. The
monkeys of this coimtry are alraost as big as sh|ep, li"ve in

328 the buccaneers of America.
forests, and seldora corae doAfrn from the trees, where they
always find their food. They are so hardy, that though you
shoot thera with a fusfl in the head, or through both -shoulders,
they shall not fall to the ground ; and many tinges for all what
you can do, they have so rauch cunning in their fall, as to twist
their tails, which are very long, about the branch of a tree, Avhere
they hang and waste away, without any possibflity of coming
at them, because they generally make choice of the tallest trees
for the places of their retreat.
I cannot Avithout smiling call to mind what I have done to
one of these animals, which, after I had raade several shots at
hira with my fusfl, that carried off part of his belly, insomuch
that his guts came out, held himself, by one of his paAvs, or
hands, (if you will,) by the branch of a tree, while he put his
entrails with the other into tliat part of his belly that still re
mained whole.
'There was another of thera Avhora I shot with a. small bullet
across his nose, and- who, finding himself blinded with the blood
that gushed t)ut, had so much industry as to wipe it off with
the leaves of the tree whereon he stood. Here also we found
harats, Avhich are a sort of birds as big again as parrots, to whom
they are very like, even to the note they have ; but their feath
ers are infinitely more fine, for their wings and tafl, which is
very long, are of so lively and bright 'flaming^ color, that you
cannot for some time fix your eye upon thera without being
dazzled. Here we saw those fowls called oecos, which, are
pretty like unto our Indian turkey-hens, but with this differ
ence, that they have a sraall fiift of feathers upon their heads,
that resembles a cock's comb, and a round of yelloAV about their
eyes. They differ from one another in color, the male's feath
ers beirig inclinable to red, whereas the female's are blackish,
but are never found asunder. Their partridges are larger than
our Europeans, and their flesh is whiter, but not so good, and
their note is different frora ours. As to their pheasants, they
are sraaller than those in Europe, and their flesh nothing near
so palatable, but their note is much the sarae. Besides these,
there are in this country a raultitude of other birds, with whose
naraes I think it needless to swell this journal, because, as the
islands of Araerica are full of thera, there, is already an exact
account given of thera in those relations that. have been made
of these countries, and it is enough that I give a description of
such as are net to be found in these islands, or of another kind.
Yet I shall say this further, that lizards breed here , in abun
dance, and there are different sizes of them. ' They are animals
that reseraUe pretty nearly those Avhora we call cayeraents, of

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 329
whom I shall have occasion to speak hereafter. Their flesh is
good to eat, and their eggs, which are as big as pigeons' eggs,
have an excellent taste, and are rauch better than our hens'
eggs. This hunting bout was a great relief to us, against that
hunger we had endured, because it was the first repast we had
met with since our journey ; but this I reckoned nothing in
comparison of the raiseries which we were to suffer in a vast
nuraber of other adventures.
At last, after six days' painful and wearisome travelling, even
beyond all that can well be imagined, we got tb the river which
the Indians and Spaniards call Bocca del Chica, that discharges
itself into the South Sea.
On the 7th, the Indians of that place carried us to ^e
trees that were proper to make our canoes of, in order to get'
down that river into the South Sea. We presently fell to work
upon them Avith our -utensils and iron tools, which we had
brought along. Avith us, after Ave had agreed with the captains
of these Indians for furnishing us in the raean time with vic
tuals, which consisted in maize, potatoes, bananoes, and mag
niot roots, till we had done our work, upon condition that Ave
gave them cloth, knives, thread, needles, pins, scissors, hatchets,
bflls, combs, and such like small wares, which are in great es
teem with them ; though the savages are not ignorant of the
advantage that doth arise to them frora these things.
It was partly with these toys that we lived, and kept a good
correspondence Avith them during- our passage through their
country ; but Avhat made the conjuncture stfll more favorable
unto us, was the resentment they had at that time of the fll
usage they had received at the hands of the Spaniards, against
whora they were so incensed, that they begged our assistance
to be revenged on them. And had it not been for this, it would
have been a very difficult task for us, if not impossible, tb cross
the'country against their will, not only because of their num
bers, which made thera infallibly much stronger than we, but
also by reason of the many forests and difficult passages their
country ds encumbered with, which we could not have gone
through without-Ave had some of theraselves for our guides.
But for all this, we did not think ourselves so safe amongst
these raen, but that Ave kept continually upon our guard, i)e-
cause we Avere Avell assured they were such Avretches, as were
at the service ahvays of those that gave them most ; and that
though they appeared orie minute to be our friends, they might
become the next the Spaniards', who are nearer neighbors to
them. Their treacherous dealings have proved fatal to some
freebooters, who have put too much confidence in thefa. When
28*

330 * THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
a small number of them Avere passing through their country,
these people gave notice thereof to the Spaniards, and that they
might give an exact account of their nuraber, they took them in
a defile, and as they raarched along, they put a corn of maize
into a calabash for every man that passed by, and when they
had done, carried the calabash to the enemy, who thereupon
took their measures accordingly.
There is no sign of religion or of the knowledge of God
amongst them, they holding that they have communion with
the devfl ; and in short, when they would know any thing,
they spend the night in the woods in order to consult him ;
and they sometimes foretold us some things, that have been
true in the event in every particular circumstance of the rela
tion they had given us. They lead a wandering and vagabond
life, and fix their abode in no certain place. . They generally
erect their ajaupas or barracks upon a river side, Avhere thej
coptinue till they have spent what sustenance they find there
abouts, and when this is done, they go and do the same things
upon another river, and in this manner spend the terra of their
raiserable lives,. They go naked, except it be that they cover
a part of their privities Avith a bit of silver or gold that is raade
like a candle extinguisher ; and Avere I but satisfied that they
had ever seen such .a thing, I should think they took their
model from it.
When they fea.st, or hold other soleran raeetings, they put on
a cotton robe, all of one piece, and it is usual Avith thera, in a
Vaunting raanner, to have a bit of gold or caracolay of an oval
form hanging at their nose, which is bored through, and with
this they think themselves as fine as any in the world. As
for th& women kind, they cover themselves from the waist
downwards with an herb or cotton cloth, which they raake
themselves ; and that they may appear finer, they color their
faces with roccou, Avhich is a small grain that dyes a
brown red.
On the 22d, as we had finished the building of our canoes,
we had ucavs brought us by an Indian, Avho was returned from
conducting' the one huridred and fifteen English before spoken
of to the South Sea, whither they were gone before us, that
they had taken, under' the command of Townsley, their captain,
two ships; laden with provision, coraing frora Lima. He brought
along with him a raan of Captain Grognier's crew, Avho was
lost in the woods a hunting, while his corarades were making
their canoes in the sarae river where we were building ours.
On the 28tli, avc received news ^ain by an Indian captain,
who had* conducted Captain Grognier, and Captain LescUier

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

331

into the South Sea, in a letter which they sent us, that they
would stay for us at King's Islands, and desired us to lose no
time, but to come and have our share in taking of the fleet of
Peru, which they waited for. But for all the expedition we
could use, OUT canoes could not be finished before the- last of
March, when we drew them into the river.
April .1st, we parted with fourteen canoes, carrying about
twenty oars apiecey guided by twenty Indians, who made use
of this opportunity in order to participate of the booty which
they thought we were about to take from the Spaniards, as
soon as ever Ave got agaiu into the South Sea.
We rested on the 4th, to tarry for our raen, who were
behind, and to merid our canoes that were damnified by the
rocks and flats we met with all along that river. It cannot be
believed what pairis we had to bring them to the great water,
(as I may call it,) for we met with places where they rested
dry, so that we were in a manner forced to carry them. This
day died one of our men of the bloody flux, which Avas very
rife amongst us, because we were forced to fast so long, and
by reason of the hard feeding we had, and our continual dab
bling in the water.
On the Sth, we put on, and about evening found the river
deeper, but so full of, and encumbered with, trees, which the
fibods had carried thither, that our canoes were in danger every
minute to be lost ; and this day died tWo of our men.
On the 6th, we got to the great water, where the river is
wider and deeper ; and that day we spent on the banks of it
to dry our sacks, which were wet through with the great rains
that felFtheday before. Another of our men died this day.
From hence to the llth, we did all we could to get quickly
to the mouth of the river, where we were informed by an
Indian that Avas come in a small vessel to meet us, that the
English and French freebooters had sent ashore, in a little bay
called Bocca del Chica, (that stands at the mouth of that river,)
some corn for *ur refreshment, when we should get down
thither ; for they could gather very well by themselves, who
had been so straitened there for- provisions, whereabouts Ave
must be ; and indeed we had so little, that we were reduced
to a handful of raw raaize for each man a day.
The same day we received further ncAvs, and by other In
dians, who gave our guides notice to tell us, that a thousand
Spaniards being informed of our descent, mounted up along
this river by land, with a design to lay an ambuscade for us.
Hereupon we resolved not to stir, but in the nighttime, and
that without noise, that so we raight shun thera ; and this

332 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
succeeded accordingly. But we fell into another encumbrance,
and that was, we being strangers in this country, and knoAving
no raore than our guides how high the tide flowed in this
river, we were surprised with the coming in of it, and it drove
us and our canoes very far, so that one of them was overset
with a great tree that had fallen into the river, and upon which
the swiftness of the current threw it, but it luckily fell out that
no one was drowned ; they quitted it for the arms and ammu
nition that were lost; which could not but work some trouble
in us, to see our men disarmed in a country where Ave could
not go, but raust have much use for them ; bnt to deliver us
of this inquietude, God was pleased to dispose of some of us,
who left their arms to those that had lost their own.
When we got clear of theSe dangers, our guides' advised us
to row gently, for fear the Indian Spaniards, who were our
enemies, should hear us, and who lay in wait to attack us,
sorae leagues this side the raouth of the river, in a place called ,
Lestoeada. We took their council, and when we were got over
against the said place, where the river is ver-y broad, Ave disposed
of our canoes in. such a manner, that by the favor of the night
they appeared to be much less than they really were. Now
these Indian Spaniards having some glimpse of us, asked who
was there ; and our guides having ansAvered, that what they
,saAv was, nought but a few boats belonging to them, with which
they Avere going to fetch salt into the South Sea ; by this wile
we were spared the labor of engaging with those rascals.
On the 12th,. in the morning, we cast anchor, because the
tide came in, and was against us, and about ten raade ready,
but towards noon the heavens were overcast to that degree,
that you could scarce see a raan frora'one end to the other ;
and this was followed with such excessive rains, that we were
afraid every minute of being sunk, though we employed two
men in each canoe continually to throw out the Avater ; and
during that time one of our raen died.
The same day at midnight we got to the m<3uth of the river,
and entered into the South Sea, frbra whence we raade directly
for the Bay of Bocca del Chica, to see for the provision which
we Avere told Avas there, and which we found accordingly ; but
before this, we raet with a canoe bf, Captain Grognier that waited
for us, and two barks at anchor. "They had been purposely
sent by the English, both to tow our canoes to the place where
the freebooters Avere, and to bring us raore provision.
On the 13th, in the morning, we carried our sick on board
the two barks for their better accommodation, and then weighed
anchor, in order to safl' all togetl0 to an island four leagues

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

333

distant from the raouth of that riverj Where we refreshed' our
selves two days with the provision the English had sent us,
which was a raighty comfort to us;
On the 16th, we went off in order to find out the English
and French fleet, whose rendezvous Avas to cruise either before
Panaraa, or at the King's Islands, Avhich are not far frora this
river. We arrived at those islands on the ISth, which stand thirty
leagues to the east of Panama, where we found the largest of
them to look more like the continent than an island, so spacious
and mountainous is it. The same is inhabited by those negroes
whom they call marons, or fugitives .from the Spaniards, who,
upon making their escapes frora their raasters at Panama, and
the adjacent places, have made this a place of refuge. This
day one of our men died.
We entered into this sea at a very bad tirae, for about this
height, there are some years wherein it rains every day for
the space of six months, and we happened to corae thither
exactly at such a season.
I should think it Avould have been proper in this place, before
I proceeded to give a relation of our adventures, to give a large
and exact description ofthe South Sea, and this fourth 'part of
the world, with which it is washed, and to set forth the longi
tude and latitude of the places; But as it is my design to write
of nothing but what was transacted by us there, and that this
country is well enough discovered by the geographical charts
that have been made of it, let the reader, when he has occasion
to be inforraed herein, have recourse to them. I shall content
myself with taking riotice only, that all the continent that
respects the South' Sea, stands E. and W.j and most of the
islands N. and S. of it ; and that it runs from B. and S. E. to
S. and S. W. ; and frora the W. to W. N. W. and to the N. W.
The Spaniards are the only foreigners that possess these
countries, since the unjust usurpation they have made of them
from the aborigines, over whom" they made themselves raasters
by such tyrannical and cruel raethods as have been heard of
throughout the world. They have good towns upon the sea
side, which reach frora the height of the Islands of Don Fer
nandez, that are situated at the raouth of the Gulf of Magellan,
or rather frora Chili, to the raiddle of a strait that is between
the terra firma and the Isles of California, Avhich the Spaniards
call MarBerraejo, through which it is believed a communication
may be had between the Northern and Southern seas, without
going about by the Strait of Anion. The chief of these towns
begin frora the south, and are Arica, Sagna, Nasca, Pachacama,

334 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
Lima, Cidade de los Reys, the port of Callao, (which is the
place of embarking for this last, and where tbe king of Spain's
ships anchor, that is, the fleet of Peru,) Truxillo, Paita, duea-
qufllaj La Barbacoa, (which is an open mine, from.Avhence the
Spaniards get a great deal of gold,) Panama, Realeguo, "Tecoan-
tepequa, AcapUlco, and several others, that are as AveU maritime
as inland places.
It is about ten years since the Spaniards, who dAvell on all
this continent, have not known what Avar was. Here they
lived in a profound tranquillity, and fire-arms was hardly iu any
use amongst them. But since the time that we found out a
way to go and visit them, they brought the Englishraen from
Jaraaica amongst them. But though they have a pretty many
bf thera^at present there, yet the sequel ef this, discourse will
show they are not much more warlike than they were before.
But the white Indians that inhabit a part of Chfli have been
always their enemies ; and these are a people of prodigious
bulk and tallness, who almost infest thera with continual Avar,
and Avhen they happen to take any of thera, they take off the
plate of their breasts, as we do by a tortoise, and cut out their
hearts. On the 22d, which was Easter day, their fleet, who Avere
gone before us into these seas, arrived at the King's Isles,
where we were. They consisted of eight sail, which, to
gether with the two barks they had sent to wait for our
arrival, made up in all ten vessels ; of Avhich take the following
account : —
The first served as adrairal, and Avas a frigate carrying thirty-
six guns, commande.(i by one Captain David.
The next Avas instead of vice adrairal, had sixteen guns, and
¦was under the command of one whose nahie was Sammes.
The third and fourth were two ships commanded by Captain
ToAvnsley. Tbe fifjth was a ship that could have carried thirty guns, but
had none, and was comraanded 'by Captain Grognier.
The sixth was a small ship commanded by Brandy.
The eighth was a long bark comraanded, by a quarter-master,
with a detachraent of men drawn out of the fleet.
And the ninth and tenth Avere the two barks that came to
raeet us, whereof the one was commanded by Peter Henry,
and the other by a quarter-master.
Of all these commanders. Captain Grognier 'was the only
Frenchman,_all the rest being Englishmftn, except David, who
was a Fleming. , As to the whole number of our men, they
were computed at about eleven hundred, when they divided

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 335
into two fleets. It remains therefore now that I should say,
according to the inforraation I have received frora all that Avere
engaged in this enterprise, how all these ships fell into their
hands, by Avhat raeans, and at what time, they came into this sea.
In pursuance therefore to the order before observed, I am to
declare that the English were the owners of our admiral, Avbo
in the year 1682, on the coast of St. Domingo, surprised a long
bark belonging to a French captain, whose name Avas Tristan,
who was then, with some of his ship'g crew, ashore, waiting for
a fair wind to sail together, to make Avar upon the Spaniards,
by commission from Monsieur Povansay, who Avas then governor
of that island. The English, who, were superior in strength,
dj:ove the French out of the bark, with which they sailed to
the Isle de la Tortille, whither a great many ships go every
year to take in Salt. The next thing tbey did was to lake a
Dutch ship, on which they went all on board, and sailed after
wards' to the coast of Guinea, whefe they took several , prizes
more ; but they reserved none of thera save the Dutch ship,
which served as admiral, and wherein they sailed, Ayhen we
left the South Sea, and was supposed to have been a ship be
longing to Hamburg.
These Eriglish became pirates under the conduct of a cap
tain bf their own, and grew so- notoriously Avicked by a great
many odious actions, performed not only towards strangers, but
even those of their own nation, Avhen they met with any of
thera, that, to avoid being chased, which they Avould infallibly
have been,"they' passed frora the North* to the South Sea, by the
Straits of Magellan.
They kept company for about eight months Avith a little
frigate of eighteen guns, which they met with there in a short
time after their arrival, and whose crew consisted of English,
French, and Flemings. But their good correspondence with
the corsair was of no long duration, for happening to have some
difference with hira, as he was one morning giving the other
the good'morrow, according to the English raode, he saw all his
crew corae upon deck ; whereupon. the little frigate, Avho sailed
much better than the pirate, came up with him, and having
brought all his guns to bear, gave him a broadside, accompa
nied with a volley of small shot, and then bore away, having
slain the captain and twenty of his men, in whose stead, the
rest of the crcAV chose David, before mentioned. That little
frigate of sixteen guns got into the South Sea some time after
the other, as also by th'e same Straits of Magellan. I Avas told
by one of the engineers on board her, that- she belonged to his
royal highness the duke of York ; and that, under pretence

336 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
of coming to treat with the Spaniards, she was sent upon no
other account than to take a plan of those parts, the situation
of the cities and seaports. Now Captain David raeeting with
her, made Captain Samraes corae on board bira, and threatened
to take him, unless he would go and make war with him ; so
that, finding himself too weak to resist, he chose rather to com
ply with the pirate than be taken : and these two together took
a great raany prizes, Ayhich, after they had taken out what was
for their turn, they burnt..
About a year after. Captain Townsley came over land with
a hundred and fifteen English, into those seas, and, at the King's
Islands, took two ships laden with provision and other refresh
ments, whereof I have already spoken, coming from Peru.
About a month after, the captains Grognier, and Lescuier,
went also thither overland with two hundred and seventy men ;
and Avho, being inforraed that the English fleet was before
Panaraa, put ashore one night at Tavoga, an island two leagues
off, frora whence they discerned a ship on fire, and by break
of day they saw the English under safl.
They went on board thera, and carae to urtderstand that
Captain David had taken a ship called the St. Rose, laden with
corn and wine, bound frora Truxillo for Panaraa ; the president
of which last place-had sent hira to buy her, and in order .there
unto, gave hira a meeting at the Isles of Pericos, that are a
league distant frora the port. But instead of sending him the .
money they had agreed upon for the ship, -he sent a fire-ship to
burn him ; but the same, through the coAvardice and ignorance
of the coraraander, spent herself without doing the other any
hurt ; and this made Captain David give the St. Rose to
Grognier and Lescuier's ships' crew, who had aheady iost their
captain. As for the other five ships, coraraanded by Brandy, Saramesj
Peter Henry, and two quarter-masters, they had also been taken
from the Spaniards in these seas by the two first frigates, who
reserved them for those who carae thither over land. ' But of
all our ships, there were none but the first two that had guns ;
the other eight had none, they having been raerchant ships,
that had niade use of n,one in the South Sea, Avhere nobody
but themselves had safled a long time. And now having told
you Avhat passed before this fleet came together, Ave shall now
proceed»to give an account of our adventures since our junction.
On the 25th of Aprfl, we took an advice boat,,going to the
fleet of Peru, which was then at anchor in the port of Callao,
that was carrying some packets from Madrid to Panama, and
letters from the viceroy of Lima, wherein there was an account

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. . 337^
•
given, how raany raen-of-war, fire-ships, sind merchantmen, the
fleet consisted of, and about what tirae the same might arrive
at Panama. Next day we examined the corarnander of the
advice boat, but we could get no particulars out of him, saving,
that when he saw hiraself like to be taken, he had thrown the
king of Spain's packets, and a casket df jevtrels, overboard.
On the 27th, we put the sarae questions to the pilot, whb,
according to the exaraple of his coramander, would make nb
discbvery, because they had taken an oath together, rather to
Ibse their lives than to divulge any secret, or to let the said packet
fall into the hands of the freebooters. On the 28th, two of our
men died.
On the everiing of the sarae day, we departed with two and
tAventy canoes, manned Avith five hundred men, in order to go
and take La Seppa, ¦which is a small town seven leagues tp
Avindward of Panama ; and bn the 29th, abbuf teri in the morn
ing, we disCbvered two ships bearing Upi to Us, which, when
they came near, we foUnd tb be two periaugues, manned with
Greeks, which are a pebple coraposed of divers natioris, tb
whom the Spariiards gaVe this narae, and Avho serve them ii»
their wars. These they brbught sbmetime before, frorii the
North Sea, to this coast, to defend thein against us, because
they look upon them to be better soldiers than themselves.
We presently sent out two of our best sailing canoes, raanned
Avith twenty raen each, td attack thera. •
These Greeks, A<?hO quickly tObk us to be really what we
Tvere, i. e. freebooters, made no delay tb save themselves upbn
one of those islands that stahd on the Bay of Panaraa ; but <
upon their going ashore, they lost one of their periaugues, that
split in pieces, and left us the other ; then they got UpbU a
rising grbund, with their arras, and as rauch araraunition as
they could save, and fought stiffly against us urider a flag of de
fiance. And as the plaice where we landed was exposed to
their fire from the ground where they had posted themselves,
and that the ascent bil that'side Avhere we stood was very diffi
cult, we were forbed to take a great round to come at therii
another way, where we found bur passage ranch easier. At
last, after we had fought at least fot the space of an hour, we
constrained thera to flee for shelter in the woods, took tAvo bf
them prisoners, besides their colors, ahd found between five and
thirty slain upon the spbt.
• We Avere informed by the twd prisoners, that those Avhb had
escaped could not be aboVe an hundred raen at most ; that we
raight easily master them if we pleased, there being many
wounded amongst them. They also told usj that they had an
29

338 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. t
account at Panama of a reenforcement that was corae from the
North Sea to the fleet of freebooters. That the president of
the town had, thereupon sent an advice boat to Lima, to engage
the viceroy tb detain the raerchant ships in port tfll further
order, and Avith all speed to send a fleet of men-of-war to fight
ours, and drive us out of those seas. But the jelation given by
these two prisoners we could not rely upon, since their party
had put up a flag of defiance, they being three tinies the num
ber of us. ,
After this advantage, and our rejoicing, with the rest of our
canoes, we continued to prosecute our design upon La Seppa ;
but as we were obliged before Ave could corae at it to go about
two leagues up a very fine and large river of the same name,
and on whose banks they have vigies sentinels ahvays set, we
coifld not choose but be di§covered, and find the town alarmed,
and ready to defend itself Yet for all that we fell furiously
on, and took it, with the loss only of x)ne man ; but findijUg no
great matter of booty there, because they had saved , most of
their effects, we returned to our canoes again.
As I shall have frequent occasion to make mention of the
word vigie, it will not be improper, in this place, to take no
tice, that by vigier is no other thing meant than to set .a senti
nel upon land or sea, and those persons who are thus set they
call vigies. .The Spaniards maintain a great number of them ; '
for all their cities, towns, and Villages, and even single houses,
have pefSons on purpose, whom they send to all the rising
ground round about, and river sides, where they have their
horses ready night and day, so that, as soon as they discover
an enemy, they hasten to give the Spaniards notice of it, who
forthwith prepare thehiselves, not to fight, but to save their
effects. Ori the 1st of May we rejoined our ships, who waited for
us at a very pretty island, called Sippilla, about a league dis
tant from the mouth of the Ri^fer La Seppa, which raakes up a
kind of canal that forras the Bay of 'Panama, and do, as itwere,
raake a bar all alon^, that divides the channel into two parts,
•one to the east and the other to the west. . Those pleasures we
met with in these parts jystly deserve a remembrance, whereof
I shall give a little description in this place.
- All these islands are so curious and delightful, that they are
usually called the Gardens of Panama, and with very good rea
son, seeing all people of note in that city have each of them
one of these islands for themselves, and their houses of pleasure
there, also, wilh curious orchards," watered with a great many
springs of running waters, adorned and erabellished with a

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 339
wonderful variety of flowers and arbors of jessarnine up and
down, and full alraost of an infim<e nuraber of all sorts of the
fruits of the country, araong whom I have taken particular
notice of four of thera, which are called sappota, sappotilla,
avocata, and las cayemites.
The first is a ^uit almost like unto our pears, of, a different
size, whose rind is greenish, and contains, in the midst thereof,
t,wo kernels of an oval forra, appearing pretty polished and
sleek, and are each of them, in the largest of these fruits. Some
what bigger than an ordinary nut. When, this fruit is ripe, it
is very soft, and when the»paring is taken off, the pulp is of a
pure red color, very sweet,' and of an adrairable taste.
The second is of the sarae forra as thcother, but no bigger
then a russet pear. It has an admirable taste, and under the
jrind is of a whitish color.
The third is of the sarae forra as our quinces, saving that the
rind is greener. This fruit must be fully tipe, and very soft,
before it becomes good food, and then if is that you find the
pulp of it as .¦white as snow. The Spaniards eat it with
spoons, as we do cream, and indeed the taste thereof is mostly
the sarae.
'* ,The fourth is like a large darason, and very savory. •
Besides these, and a great raany raore wherewith this coun
try is peculiarly blessed, it produces also a great many of those
fruits that are common to Europe, as apricots, pomegranates,
goyaves, juniper, cocoa, bananas, figs of Provence, French and
Spanish melons, all sorts of oranges, citrons, and lemons, of
which I shall give no description, no more than of the trees
that, bear thera; but those who would satisfy their curiosity
herein, may do it in reading the History of, the Antifles, writ
ten by Monsieur De Rochefort, in the year 1668, Avho was
skilled therein, and gives a very good account of them. All
these rtch presents of fruits and pure water, of which Nature
made us an offer in these islands, Avere a wonderful relief to us,
after these fatigues Ave had undergone in our passage over the
continent, to say nothing of the plentiful harvest we had of
maize and rice, whereAvith we found these islands covered, and
which the Spaniards, I believe, did not sow with an intention
we should enjoy them. But these sarae islands, that afforded
us so many delights, wrought also afterwards some sorroAv; in
us, of which by and by.
On the Sth of May, in the morning, we safled aAvay, and
passed by the old and new city of Panama. The old one Avas that
taken by General Morgan, in the year 1670, Whose churches and
houses seeraed to us to he finely built, as far as we cbuld judge

340 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
of thera at sUch a distance, ^here is none but the new town
that is fortified, being defenfled with a gbod wall and several
other works, but that is only to the seaAvard. This city is
attended with an inconveniency, that as it is situated at the
bottom of a bay, and that the sea ebbs very rauch in this coun
try, great ships are left (Jry there, if they anchor nearer than a
league to4he place. We got as nigh it as we cbuld with our
colors and strearaers loose, and from thence werit to anchor at
Tavoga, which appeared to us as if it were a little enchanted
island, so agreeable and delightftil are those houses and gar
dens that are upon it.
On the 9th, we caulked all our ships, and next day sent our
long bark tb cruise, in order to give us notice when the Spanish
fleet appeared in sight of us ; and on the Kth, we made choice
of those ships that Should engage it. Captain David and Cap
tain Grognier Avere to board the Spanish admiral, Captain Suam
and Captain Townsley the vice admiral. Captain Peter Henry
and one of Townsley's prizes the Patach ; our fire-ship was to
keep herself under the quarter of our admiral. Our other ships
were to attack the rest of their fleet according to their strength,
and our armed periaugues were to keep off the enemies' fire-ships.
We heard this daya great raany cannon fired at Panama, the
cause whereof we could not guess at ; and on the 14th, we put
ashore, upon the Island of Tavoga, forty prisoners, Avho were
very curabersome to us, and then Aveighed, to go wait for the
fleet at Cape Pin. But this was rauch out of season, since the
fleet who was willing to spare us this trouble, as well as that of
attacking her, was already, without our knowledge of it, ar
rived at Panama, having got in under the covert of one of those
pleasant islands, through one of the two channels, which I said
was forraed by thera, and which hid them frora us while we
ctuised in the other channel, through which we thought they
would have sailed.
As Ave knew nothing hitherto of this raatter, and that, upon
the return of our long bark, she told us she had discovered no
ships pass, we went and anchored at Kings Islands, where the
whole fleet took the usual oath, that yre would not wrong one
another to the Value of a piece of eight, in case God were
pleased to give us the victory over the Spaniards. On the 17th,
one of our raen died. •
On the 19th, we weighed and anchcred between the great
island, and these in the east channel, through which we thought
the fleet avc expected would pass. On thp 2Sth, another of our
men died. Next day we made ready, and sailed for Cape Pin.
On tbe 31st, we gave chase to two ships, whom we lost in the

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 341
night, and which brought us back, in the pursuit of them, to
the little Islands of Panama, where we anchored on the 1st of
June; and the same day we surprised two Greeks, upon the
island, where we had beaten them, when we went to take La
Seppa. On the 4th, we sept two canoes to the Isle of Sipilla, to en
deavor to take some prisoners, that Ave raight learn sorae news
frora them. There they took a ship laden with boards, which
the Spaniar4s were carrying to Panama to build two periaugues
instead of those we had taken. The raen told us, th^t their
fleet was got into Panama on the 12th of May ; that on the
-^13th, they fired off a great many guns for joy ; and that as soon
as they were refreshed, careened, and manned, they would put
out to fight us, and would be ready in a short time. ,
On the 7th, at noon. Captain Grognier, who had arichored
farther from the island than we, gave us a signal, that he des
cried the Spanish fleet, consistiug of seven sail; and this he
did by lowering and raising his flag seven times. We also on
our part made ready, and in doubling the point of the island
where we had anchored, we discovered seven great ships com
ing up toAvards us, with a bloody flag i^the stern, and a royal
one on her masts. Now it was that the hopes which our crew
had lost, when they understood the fleet was got ipto Panama,
revived again, and the desire they had to enrich themselves, at
the others' cost, aniraated them to that degree, that most of
them threw their hats into the sea, as thinking they had the
Spaniards already in hold. We put our ships in order, and then
disputed the wind with them, which was at that time got to
the west. About three iri the aftemoon, Ave all, except Captain
Grognier, got the weather-gage ,of thera, and he failed, because
he waited for the coraing up of his canoe from the shore, and
cast about twice. Our admiral, finding himself to Avindward
of the Spanish vice-admiral, who was separated from his own
adrairal, gave us the signal to follow hira for to board him, in
order to which, we lengthened our spritsail; but our vice-ad
miral took in his flag, as a token he would defer the engage
ment till next raorning, hoping that Grognier would get the
weather-gage in the night. ToAvards sunsetting, the Spanish
vice-adrairal, who was to leeward of us, saluted us with seven
guns without ball, which was answered by our admiral with a
whole broadside with baU. But night coriiing on, the Span-
iards cast anchor, being better acquainted than Ave with the cur
rents that run between these islands, and they sent a small ves
sel, that carried the lantern, to anchor two league^ to leeward
of us, in order to amuse and cause us to take false raeasures ;
29*

342 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
and indeed we lay by all night, that Ve mighV next morning
be tb windward of the lantern, which we took to be the whole
fleetl ¦
Ori the Sth, early in the morning, we discovered our error,
and were all of us strangely amazed to find ourselves to lee
ward of the enemies fleet, except Captain Grognier's ship, and
that of Captain Townsley, and his prize, which were to wind
ward. But it unhappily so fell out, that they'were ships with
out cannon. The Spanish fieet having cast anchor agaiu an,
hour afler sunrising, we did all we could to get the Aveather-
gage, but their vice-admiral, who had his anchor a-peak, and
his sails but very slightly furled, quickly plied tb the wind,
which proving favorable to him, he bore immediately upon our
adrniral. Our vice-admiral -did all he could to come to his as
sistance, for the Spanish guns had already incommoded him
very much ; but his coniing up obliged the enemies' ships to
bear off to windward, which we endeavored to gain all that day,
though to no purpose ; while the Spaniards, in the mean while,
under whose cannon we found ourselves, mauled us terribly;
and this made bur adniiral and vice-admiral to keep close ' to
gether, and to resolve'to die valiantly fighting, rather than -Suf-!
fer any one ship of the fleet to be taken, though they coiild
both of them have saved themselves if they pleaSed, they being
much better sailors than the Spaniards,
Captain Townsley, tOAvards the afterrioon, being to the wind..
ward, of the eneriiies fleet, sent his periaugue on board our ad
niiral, to receive- his orders, while he that comraanded it had
both his legs shot off by a cannon ball. Aboiit two, the Span
iards sent out a ship of eight and twenty guns to hinder Captain
Grognier to join us, as understanding, by sorae Spaniards AVho
had been our prisoners, that he Avas the strongest in small arms
of any in our fleet, and that they Avere so rauch the raore fear
ful of him, when they came to knoW his crew consisted of
Frenchriien. At last, finding ourselves towards everiing much
battered Avith their cannon, (for the Spaniards would not come
to boarding, ) we veered, by the favor of a gale of wind, to go
and board the Spanish vice-admiral, that was the best sailor,
and did Us most harm. But we Avere no sooner gnraoored,^ than
the wind carae about, which did us rauch daraage ; for we
were just corae upon the eneraies' ship, who not observing the
wind, by which we Sailed, bore still upon us, so far, that Avhen
we returned the second time, she Avas so near us, that she was
constrained to furl the end of her raainsafl, for fear of bringing
her foreraast upon our counter ; and this made us put out our
canoes, Avhich Avere upon the tow,, that we might go bet-

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA. 343
ter, and in this gianner we defended ourselves fiU night ap
proached. Peter Henry's ship, wherein I was, having received above
a hundred and twenty cannon shots, was forced to make the
best of her way, which our admiral and vice-adrairal perceiving,
they put their periaugues under sail, which they had all along
braced to windward during the fight, in order to at.tend us, be
cause they saw we were in an ill condition. The enemy, ob
serving our Avorking, sent one of their small ships iri pursuit of
us, but as we bore back upon her, she gave us eighteen guns,
and rejoined their own fleet.
Our long bark, having, during the action, been sorely
handled', her crew was forced to leave her, and not having time
to sink her, threw some guns, which our admiral had put on
board her, into the sea, and then saved theraselves on board of
one of our other ships. Noav the Spanish prisoners, Avhom we
left behind, finding they were now at liberty, plied to put them
selves into the. hands bf the Spanish admiral, but he, taking
this bark for our fire-ship, sunk her Avith his cannon before
she came near hira, not thinking their own people were on
board her.
On the 9th, Ave could see neither our OAvn nor the Spanish
fleet, which raade us steer for the Isle St. John de Cueblo, four
and twenty leagues to the Avest of Panaraa, where, by the
favor of an easterly breeze, we arrived on the 14th : we ran
ourselves presently ashore, and it was high time, for we had
all along, frora the time of the fight, five foot of water in the
hold. We lost no tirae to put' ourselves in a condition to get
up again before Panaraa, that Ave might know what became of
our fleet, about which we were in great pain, Avhich Ave were
put out of on the 26th, Avhen we saw thera coraing to an an
chor in the sarae place where we were, who told us they did
not fight any more after our departure frora them. That the
Spanish fleet, upon the 9th, in the evening, had anchored within
cannon shot of ours, and that, both the one and the other hav
ing made ready on the 10th, the Spaniards sailed away' for the
port of Panama. That Captain David had been hard plied by
the Spanish cannon, especially with-two shots that carried off
half his rudder, but that he had no raore than six of his ship's
crew Woundec?, and only one killed ; that Captain Sammes was
no less put to it ; that alraost all his poop was swept off, that
he had received several shots between wind and Avater ; that his
mate had his head shot off with a cannon ball, and that he had
no more than three raen wounded. And that, in short, the
other lesser vessels had not lost a raan, and had but very few

344 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
wounded. Here I raay truly say, and witjiout exasperating
the raatter, that it v/as a strange thing, and next to a miracle,
that we, Avho were so fcAv in number, and had such pitiful ships
of our own, should be able fo bear the fire of, withstand, and
fight, so considerable a fleet, in comparison of our own, consist
ing of such good ships, and inanned so Avell as that of the Span
iards' were, whose adrairal was a vessel of seventy guns, though
she had but fifty-six raounted, because she was tob old. Their
vice-admiral had forty, though she was bored to carry sixty
guns : she was a very fine ship, and an excellent sailor, but also
old. The Patach was a vessel of forty guns, though she had
no raore than eight and twenty mounted. The Conserve had
eighteen guns, but was built, as well as the Patach, to carry
forty. The other three Avere almost as big! besides they had
the advantage of fire-ships, on hoard of which they had planted
cannon, to the end that we might not take thera to be reafly
¦what they Avere, and that so they raight come near, and the
more easily surprise Us, than if we were aAvare pf them. •
If we had raet with this fleet, as we were in hopes we should,
before they got an addition of strength in Panama, or that we
had had but only the wind of thera, when we attacked them,
I do not question but things would have appeared with another
face than now they did, and that we should have possessed
ourselves of their ships to bring us back through the straits,
Avith wealth enough to live at ease, which Avouldhave freed us
all at once, after a continued succession of fatigues and trou
bles, Avhich we were forced to go through for three years longer,
as well in those places as in out return over land to the Nbrtlj
Sea, but divine Prbvidence had btherwise ordered it.
On the 29th, we.parted frora the Isle of St. John, to the num
ber of three hundred men, in five canoes^ in order to go and
surprise the town of Pueblo Nuevo, that was six leagues off,
thinking we should get some provision there, whereof now we
began to be in need. Being landed on the 31 st, Ave took a sen
tinel, but another escaped, which was the occasion of our being
discovered. We were obliged, in order to get at this town, to
go up a very fine river two leagues, and to make use of the
flowing of the tide for that purpose. Before we came at it, we
found a retrenchment made for its security, but ill guarded,
The toAvn is none of the best situated, though it stands uppn
the river side, being surrounded every way with marshes. We
found neither people nor victuals there, and so we left it on the
3d of July ; and next day, as we returned with our canoes te
rejoin our fleet, we gave chase to a bark, which we topk, and
on the 5th, we got tb our ships.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

345

The English and we had a difference in the descent we made
upon this town, for they, being more numerous than we, would
take the advantage of us, and, be raasters of the whole, and that
so far, that Captain Townsley would have taken Captain Grog
nier's ship away, Avhich Captain David had given him, and give
him his own for her ; but as he found he had to do with men,
who, though inferior in nuraber, would not tamely be. thus piit
upon, he was forced to give over his pretensions ; yet we find
ing stfll that they continued to pretend to the sarae dominion
over MS, we separated ourselves frora them to the number of
a hundred and thirty Frenchmen, without reckoning Captain
Grbgnier's crew, who were two hundred more, and, after hav
ing banded ourselves apart, we landed upon the island.
One of the chief reasons that made us disagree, was their
irapiety against our religion ; for they raade no scruple Avhen
they got into a church to. cut down the arms of a crucifix with
their sabres, or to shoot them down with their fusils arid pistols,
bruising and maiming the injages of the saints with the same
weapons, in derision to the adoration we Frenchraen paid unto
theni. And it was chiefly frora these horrid disorders that the
Spaniards equally hated us' all, as we come to understand by
divers of their letters that fell into our hands, which I have got
rendered into French, as raay be seen by and by.
On the 9th, the English weighed, and carae to anchor about
flve or six leagues to leeward of the place where we were build
ing our canoes, to fit up Others for themselves in lieu of those
they had lost as well as we, during the fight with the Spanish
fleet. We laid out for trees fit for our purpose, and to that end
went into a Avood, which in these parts grows near to the sea,
of which we chose the largest, which coraraonly are those trees
called mapou, and acajou, and are withal very tender and easy
tp be wrought ; among thera we found. some so large, that the
single trunk, after being hewn and made hollow, could carry
fourscore men.
While we Avere building our canoes, a sentinel, whom we
Ijad set on a very high tree, groAving on the sea-side, in our
island, as well for discbvering lest the English, who knew we
were employed about our canoes, should come to take away our
ship, as to observe if any Spanish ship should sail between the
main land and the island whereon we Avere, came to tell us, on
the ](5th, that he saAV a ship oUt at sea, steering S. W. and by W.,
which put us presently upon making ready to come up with
her. 'W'e found her to be a sraaU,vessel, commanded by Cap
tain Willnet, an Englishman, whose crew consisted of forty
English and eleven Frenchraen, of whora we had never heard

346  -'

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

any thing till now. But they told us, they had a lorig'^time
ago passed over land into these seas, and that lately they had
taken a ship laden with corn, out of the port of Sansbnnat,
which is on the continent, and the place of embarking from
Guatimala, thirty leagues to the east of the Isle of St. John ; and
that going frora thence towards the south coast, they understood
that the viceroy of Liraa had sent a Spanish fleet, on purpose
to chase and beat the freebooters, which gave them to under
stand there Avere others besides them in these seas ; and that
upon the good news they Avere corae in quest of us, in oPder to
have a share in taking of that fleet, which they believed infal
lible, but that they understood, Avhen they came before Pana
raa, where they wgre in hopes to raeet with us, that the fight
was already over, and that we were gone to the Isle of St. John.
The other English, Avho, as I have already said, were gone to
anchor about five or six leagues to windward of us, had also
sent out a canoe to know what this bark was, which came up
with her as soon as Ave, and this made us very uneasy ; for,
this bark being laden with provision, those English influenced
these new comers so far, that they, took them to anchor in the
sarae place where they were, except the eleven Frenbhmen,
who left them and staid with us.
This Island of St. John Cueblo is about twelve leagues in
sircumference, standing east and west, and north. and south,
five leagues distant from the raain land, and separated by a
narrow channel, (which is, indeed, no other than an arra of the
sea running in between two lands.) It is not inhabited,
very raountainous, full of wood, and watered with very fine
rivers. It stands in no stead to the Spaniards, besides supply
ing thera with masts for their shipping, Avhich they have here
in" great abundance. When we stopped upon that island, we
were in hopes to' have fared Avell, so well stocked it was with
deer, monkeys, ' agoutills, lizards, and banks full of tortoises;
but we were deprived of these advantages by two inconveni
ences Ave labored under ; the first whereof was, that the Eng
lish, in less than fifteen days, had made such a destruction o§
these tortoises, that but Very few of thera landed ; the other
respected our hunting, Avhich, after AVe had followed for a few
days at first, we were bound to decline ; for, having staid.' in
this place longer than we designed, we were under a necessity
of preserving our powder, for fear, should we have spent it, the
Spaniards would have been quickly upon us, so that Ave staid
a Avhole month upon this island, to the number of three hun
dred and thirty men of us, with eating no more thantwo tor
toises, in eight and forty hours, and in seeking sorae fruits in

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.

347

the woods wherewith to subsist, and with the eating of which
sorae of us died, as not knowing the nature of thera.
There are a sort of serpents upon this island, whose stinging
is so dangerous, that if any one has not a certain fruit by him,
which he is to chew, and presently to apply to the wound, there
is no escaping present death for him, as we found by experi
ence, by "some of our men whom we lost in this manner, and
Avho, in their dying, endured terrible pains, through the activ
ity and violence of that fire which this poison kindled in their
bodies: The tree, on which this fruit grows, is to be found
upon the same placOj as well as in the other parts of this country,
being, as to its leaves and height, very like unto our almond-
trees ; but its fruit resembles sea-chestnuts, though it is of a
grayish color, and of a somewhat bitter taste, enclosing a whit
ish almond iu the midst thereof It is chewed altogether before
the application is made, and is known by no other name than
the serpent's seed.
Here, also, about two or three leagues up the country, you
have a great many cayemans, which are a kind of crocodiles,
that live both in the sea, rivers, and on dry land, and are of
that ravenous, nature, that sorae of our men have been devoured
by thera. •
On the 27th, the-. English, avSo had left us, sent a quarter
master to us, to know Avhether we would join ourselves with
thera, as supposing they were too Aveak, to go- and take the
town of Leon, on which they had formed a design. And here
we raust ackriowledge, that extreme raisery is so terrible a
thing, that it is almost- impossible, when an opportunity presents
itself of being delivered, that, it should be let slip, notwithstand
ing all the repugnancy of our reason to the contrary. We had
left the English by reason of their impieties, which we could
not endure, and now we were ready to comply with the pro
posals they had made us of rejoining them again. The provis
ion Avas on their side, and this Avas a charming bait for people
that were ready to perish with hunger. We presently asked
them for some victuals ; and as we had but one ship, that could
not hold us all, that they should give us another, because Ave
were not willing to'be-dispersedpn board their ships, as before;
but this they would not agree to. In the mean whfle, as we
were resolved not to recede herefrom, famine forced thirty of
our men to join themselves with the English, as being unable
to bear with the fasts we were fbrced to keep. And on the 4th
of August, four of our men died.
On the 9th, when "we knew the English were gone, we era
barked, to the nuraber of a hundred aud twenty men, on board

346 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
five canoes, coraraanded by Captain Grognier, and left two
hundred on board our ship, and upon the island, whom we or
dered to build more canoes, and afterwards to cross over to the
continent. Having made a descent there on the 13th, we came to a hat-
to, which is a kind of a farra, where the Spaniards breed their
cattle. It was in the neighborhood of a town called St. Jago,
which is twenty leagues distant from St. John's Island. The
people we found in this hatto we raade our prisoners, aniong
whora was the master, who showed and conducted us to take
a sugar plantation, in the ^iver of St. Jago, where we were
discovered. We sounded our prisoners, one after another, in
order to know whether they understood any thing pf our sep
aration frora the English, by telling thera we carae from the
North Sea, and that they should show us Avhere the freeboot
ers were, Avhich they said Avere come into these seas. They
answered, they were gone to St. John's Island, to repair the
damage the fleet of Peru had done thera, together with other
circurastances, which we knew better than they, without tell
ing us one word of what had happened between the English
and us. Hence we conjectured they knew nothing of the
raatter, and Ave could have been very Avell content that all the
Spaniards knew'as little as they, for fear our disjunction might
fender thera raore forward to attack us.
After this intelligence, Ave despatched away a canoe, which
we had taken in this river, to carry our raen some victuals,
which we had found in this hatto, and to acquaint them that
we were going towards Panaraa, to see whether we raight raeet
with an opportunity of seizing sorae barks, that so we raight
get out of St. John's Island ; because, as I have already said,
our ship was not big enough to hold us, and that, as soon as
the canoes were ready, they were to go and take Pueblo
Nuevo, in order to get sorae provisibn, whereAvith to subsist tfll
our return.
On the 15th, we went ashore forty leagues to leeward of
Panama, and, though we had no guide, we got, by cock-crow
ing, to a very pretty" estantia, as they call it, which Avas a lone
house, and where we took fifty prisoners, of both sexes. Among
these, there was a young man and woman of quality, who prora
ised we should haVe a ransora for thera, and whora we carried
to the Island Ignuana, a league's distance frora the great one,
and where there is no other but rain water to be had, which
stands in the cavities of the rocks.
We staid for the fore-mentioned ransom tfll the 2Sth, when
it was duly paid us, and then went off, being first inforraed that,

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

349

about eight leagues to windward, there Avas a river, wherein
were two barks laden with raaize, whicli on the 29th, in the
morning, we boarded and took. From thence we resumed our
course to go and rejoin our men in St. John's Island, where we
arrived on the 3d of September. Here they told us, that a
hundred of thera, whereof ninety-eight were come bacl^had
gone on the 25th of the preceding month to Pueblo Nuevo, as
we. had ordered them, Avhere they arrived on the 27th ; and,
though they were discovered by the sentinels of the town, they
made themselves masters of it, and staid there two days, for
all the continual and various attacks made upon thera by the
Spaniards.' That the coraraander of the place came Avith a
trumpet to speak Avith them, and asked why they carried white
colors, seeing they were English, (so he took them to be,) but
Avithout satisfying his^ curiosity in the point, they constrained
him to be gone from whence he came. That, eight of theni
being gone some distance from the place of arms, there were
two of the number massacred by a hundred and fifty Spaniards,
who, seeing so sraall a company together, bravely fell upon
them ; but, with all the advantage they had, they could not
hinder the other six .to recover their main guard, who fought
retreating with extraordinary vigor.
Oft the 4th, we put but with six canoes, and a hundred and
forty raen oh board, whereof we detached two to go to the
hatto we had taken on the llth of August, to look after the
ransora of the raaster, whora we kept prisoner, and with the
other four returned to that sugar plantation in St. Jago, in order
to get some sugar cauldrons, Avherebf we had occasion. There
we Avere inforraed that the governor of St Jago came thither,
after our departure, the first time We took it, Avith eight hun
dred raen. We staid in this place tfll the . 9th, expecting the
answer of a prisoner whora we sent to the governor, and by
Avhom we sent him word, that, if he were minded to advance
with his eight hundred raen, avc were ready ; but, hearing no
news of l^ira, we departed thence, after our two canoes had re
joined us ; and on the llth, arrived on board our ship and the
two barks, at the Island of St. John.
On the 5th, we careened our ships, and took in water and
wood ; we would have left this island, had it not been for the
continual rains that fell and lasted eighteen days, and such bad
weather, that it was impossible for us to appear upon deck,
having never seen the sun all this tirae : and for this reason it
is, that the Spaniards call the distance between the Bay of
Gurgona and the Island of St. John the droppings of the South
Sea. You have but four months of good weather here through-
30

360 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
out the year, and they are December, January, February, and
March ; the other eight raonths are incommoded with gijeat
rains, which fall almost Avithout any intermission, and which,
besides the bloody flux it brings, is so pernicious, that if a man
has been wet with it two or three times, if he do not presently
shifli himself, it breeds large worms between his skin and his
flesh, in forra soraewhat like unto a quill, and about half a fin
ger long.
The weather clearing up on the 4th. of October, we mended
our sails, which were almost rotten, and raade ready to be
gone. And the same daj^ Ave had one of our men Stung in
the leg by a serpent, Avho died of it presently, as not having
taken care to provide himself with the reraedy we have
spoken of
On the Sth, we raade ready and sailed for Realeguo, which
is both a port and town a hundred and fourscore leagues to the
west and by north-west of the Isle of St. John, and two hun
dred and sixty Avest of Panama. We had a small south-east
wind till the llth, and on the 12th and 13th we steered west-
north-west, and that evening descried land. On the 14th, we
had a boisterous south wind, Avhich made us take in all our
sails, till midnight, and then came a calm tiU the 17th, when
towards noon we were surprised Avith a south-west blast, at
tended with great rains, which separated us frora our tAvo barks.
It blew so very hard, that the sea appeared presently very
frightful, and put us so to it, that we began to be very appre
hensive we should be all cast away. But the weather (as God
would have it) proving fair again, we s'pent the 19th to set our
vessel in order, as Avell as to mend our safls with our shirts and
drawers, wherewith we were already but very indifferently pro
vided. Towards evening, we discovered land, and knew it to
be the Bay of Caldaira, whereof I shaU give an account by and
by. On the 20th, we sailed in sight of that of Colebra. From
thence Ave had moderate Aveather, and a south-east wind ; and
on the 21st, we got to the height of the Morns, which the
Spaniards call Papegayas.
On the 22d, we found ourselves over against Realeguo, a
place very remarkable for the high raountains that surround it ;
apd espe,cially for a high sulphurous hiU that burns continually,,
and whose smoke reaches a great vvay ; but the tides next night
put us twenty leagues to AvindAvard of it^ On the 24th, we
put out four canoes, with a hundred raen in them, in order to
take sorae prisoners, that Ave might receive some information
concerning this coast, where we never were before..
On the 25th, we put to the shore and landed, and after a

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

351

march of three hours, came to a hatto, where avc surprised the
people, who gave us to understand that the English had taken
the town of Leon, and burnt -that of Realeguo. That the in
habitants of Legoria, Granada, Sansonnat, St. Michell, St. Sal
vador, and Vflla Nueva, which are neighboring towns to tbe
two fore-mentionpd ones, had sent a considerable reenforcetaent
of raen to those of the town of Leon, who yet durst not attack
the Euglish, who staid there three whole days ; during which
time, they had sent several messages to these reenforcemeuts to
require them to fight in the race savanna, which the other stiU
refused, saying, they were iftjt yet all come together ; that is,
they were hitherto no more than six to one, and that they staid
till they were doubly increased.
On the 26th, one of our quarter-masters, who Avas a Catalo-
nian by birth, fled to the Spaniards, Avhich hindered us at this
tirae frora going to take the town of Granada, of which I .shall
speak in its due place, for we did not doubt but that he had
given them an account of the design we had formed upon
that place.
On the 27th, we went on board our canoes again, and made
for the port of Realeguo, where the rendezvous of our ships
was to be. We could land nowhere all along the coast, be
cause the sea breaks with so much violence there, when it is a
southerly wind, that it is impossible to come near it. How
ever, six ol our men swam with a design to fill sorae casks with
Avater, which we were in want of, but they could not do it, fbr
the Spaniards followed us by land all along the bank, and so it
fell out that one of our raen was unfortunately drowned.
On the 1st of Noveraber, we arrived at tbe port of Realeguo,
where Ave found our ship at anchor. There are two passages
to this port, whereof that to windward is best. It is very- nar
row, and, besides this, has tAVO morrtes, or little raountains, that
forra the two points- thereof, upon one of which the Spaniards
had a design tq build a fort. There is a very fine river runs
into this haven, that bears the same name with the toAvn. It is
safe from any winds, and contains within it five islands that are
very good to careen ships in ; there are but three' leagues from
thence up the river, before you come at the town. But, before
we got there Avith our canoes, we met three very strong in-
trenchments, that had been made for its security, upon the river's
side, about a quartef of a league distant one from another,
and which the English had half burnt. About a musket shot
from the tOAvn, the Spaniards had very fine docks, where they
bufld their ships. It is washed with this river, and stands in a
very fine country, watered with several other rivulets ; and

352 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
both its churches and houses, though then half hurried, appeared
to us to have been beautiful enough. We are also further to
take notice, that that river we have spoken of has eight arms,
by Avhich.you raay conveniently convey any thing to the vil
lages, sugar plantations, and hattoes, whereof this country is
full," and which belongs to the burghers, as well of this town
as of the neighboring ones, of which Leon, that is not aboVe
four leagues off, is situated in a very curious plain. On the
2d, we went to take two of those hattoes, from whence A*'e
carried some victuals on board for those who were Careening
our ships. *
On the 6th, we departed, to the number of a huridred arid
fifty men, to go and seize the sentinels bf the town of Leon,
and having surprised thera on the 8th, they inforraed us there
were two thousand raen in the place, who, yet not trusting tb
their numbers, had taken all their movables, and carried them
to a place of safety. We returned on board on the 9th, and
next da;^ set out to go to a great sugar plantation, two leagues
distant from this city, Avhere we arrived at midnight, but found
no soul living there, the people being gone for their security to
the town, upon the report that was spread abroad that we had
takei^ some sentinels. But as we were upon our return from
this sugar plantation to go on board again, our Vanguard raet
Avith a detachment of horse, upon whom they fired, and made
them flyj but the captain was made a prisoner, who, upon oxtt
questioning of him, told us that he had heard of us a long time
since, but not knowing Avhat language we spoke, we had been
taken for a company of two hundred and fourscore mulattoes,
Avho were looking out to fight us, knowing we were ashore,
and who would be at that sugar plantation that evening. We
asked the captain Avhat they were he had headed, and he an
swered they were a troop of horse, who guarded the embarking
place belonging to that sugar plantation, and that the governor
of the town, coming to know we were corae to the port of
Realeguo, had given thera orders te retire in such a manner, as
gave us to understand that our enemies kept a very good guard,
when they had riothing to be afraid of, and that they would
draw off as soon as ever they saw us near; and, in effect, we
found them to be exactly the very same as represented to us :
foXj surely, if they had had but any thing of resolution and
courage, being as numerous as they were tn respect to us, they
could have easily cut us off, as often as we made any descent
upon them ; and thus many times we found our safety to pro
ceed from their cowardice, as much.as frora our own courage.
On the 13th, the same company of a hundred and fifty frieh

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

353

left our vessels to go to take a borough town, three leagues
above the city of Realeguo, whose name Avas Pueblo Viego.
We passed thrbugh this place, Avhich we fbund to be quite de
serted by its inhabitants, because of the excoraraunication they
had thundered out against themselves.
Sorae, perhapS) will be surprised to hear of this extravagant
huraor ', but there is nothing truer, than that, when the free
booters have several times taken the same place frora thera,
their prelates, after excoraraunicating and cursing the sarae,
' quit it entirely, and will not bury even their dead, whora we
kflled, as supposing thera, f&r the aforesaid reason,. unworthy
of Christian burial.
On the 14th, in the raorning, Ave arrived at Pueblo Yiego,
frora whence their sentinels hsid discovered us since the 13th,
in 'the evening, so that we found the eneray intrenched in the
great church, and about a hundred and fifty horse upon the
place of arms. We presently fell to work, and, after sorae dis
charges, we put thera to flight ; but those that were within the
church held it about half an hour longer, arid then made their
escape through a door that was behind the vestry, which Ave
had not secured. We staid a day and a half in this place, and
carried away all the provisions we could lay hands on,iipon
the horses which we had, and our own backs, and on the 16th
arrived on bocu:d our ship. On the ISth, we returned to take
an estancia, which was a league and a half frora the said townf
and the raaster, whora we took prisoner, told us, that, the day
we went away, six hundred men lay in arabush for us, on the
way by which we were to pass ; but that, without knowing it,
we had returned by a different road. On the 21st, we Avent on
board with our prisoner, who promised us some provision for
his ransora ; and next day we put another prisoner ashore to
endeavor to procure it for us with all expedition.
On the 24th, carae a Spanish officer, who brought us a letter
from the vicar general of the province, (and in all appearance,)
by order of the general of Costa Rica, who sent us word there
was a peace made between the crowns of France and Spain,
for tAventy years ; that they were joined together to make Avar
upon the infidels ; that therefore we ought to commit no
further hostilities ; and that, if we had a mind to return to the
North Sea, we raight corae safely unto them, and have our pas
sage into Europe, in his Catholic majesty's galleons. We gave
them an answer suitable to their proposal, being well enough
acquainted with the evil disposition of the Spaniards towards
us, who, by this false pretence, thoiight to have seduced us to
come the more readily araong thera, who understood the ex-
30*

354

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

treme raisery we had endured by one of our people, of whom
we made mention before, and who ran away tb them to be
freed frora the long fasts he Avas forced to Avith us.
On the 24th, -we careened, our ships, and the next day put
thirty prisoners ashore, part of whora Ave gave their liberty to,
and on the 28th we raade ready to return and go iri quest of
our two barks, whom we had appointed to rendezvous at the
Isle of St. John de Cueblo, in case we Avere separated from one
another. As Ave were goirig out of the port, the Spaniards
gave notice, by the fires they made all along the coast, what
course we steered. On the ^d of Deceraber, we found ourselves
got above a hundred leagues out at sea, Avhither a north-east
breeze had driven us ; we bore again towards land, and on the
5th Avent ashore. We sent out three canoes furnished "With
seventy men, to cross the Bay of Colebra, and to endeavor
to get some provision along the coast, ^as also to discharge
our ships of «o many mouths, there being but too little victuals
left for those who remained behind, and who went to the Isle
of St. John. For as to the provision we were able to get to
gether, Avhile we Avere ashore in the port of Realeguo, there
Avas no great quantity of it, for the Spaniards, knoAving of our
coming, had carried it up far into the country, whither we durst
not go and fetch it with so few men as we had with us, as not
being yet sufficiently acquainted with their cowardice.
From Realeguo to Panama there are a great many little ports
Avhich you must be well acquainted with before you can find
thera, for the raouth of them is very obscure, and if you once
do miss them, it is absolutely impossible to get ashore along the
coast, the sea being there always boisterous, and very high upon
the blowing of the least south-east and south-west winds upon it.
I have observed this difference betwixt this sea and that of
the north, that let the wind be ever so violent, as soon as
it ceases, this sea proves as calm as if it had never blown ;
whereas in the other, for all the wind is allayed, it continues ^
several days in the same violent agitation as when it blew
hard. I have also taken notice, that the windy storms, that are
formed to leeward, are much raore dangerous in the former
than those that corae from the windward ; but in the other, it
is contrary, Avhere a ship generally esteems not herself to be in
danger, but frora those that arise to windward of her, at least
wise, if the wind he not subject to a very great variation ; to
which AVC' raay add one difference raore, that the South Sea is
pacific enough upon the main, and very turbulent upon the
coast ; and that of the North is oftentimes very irapetuous far
out, and alraost always calm near the shore.

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.

355

358 THE B.UCCANEEBS OP AMERICA.
The, South Sea breeds, in divers parts of it, a very great
nuraber of serpent:^, in color Hke spotted marble, and are gen
erally about two feet lorig ; their sting is of so venomous and
kflling a nature, that Avhen a man is once stung by them, there
is no human reraedy that can secure hira frora a sudden death ;
and that whicli is indeed very surprising, in regard to these
creatures, is, that when the sea by the boisterousness of its waves
throws thera upon sorae bank or other, though they do not go
out of the water, yet they no sooner touch the sand, but they
presently die.
On' the 9th, having stiU kept our course along the coast,
we put fifty men in three canoes ashore, to go and take the
town of Esparso, which is three leagues from Caldaira, and is
the place that serves for a port to it ; we took the sentinels
about the third part of our waj'-, who told us, that, besides the
inhabitants of the town, there were five hundred raen, whom
they had sejjt for, to corae; to their assistance, from Carthage,
upon the alarm giveri thera by our two barks that had anchored
in this bay, frora which, they were but just gone. Upon this in
telligence, we bethought ourselves, considering the sraallness of
our nuraber, to put off this expedition to another tirae, and so
returned ¦with all speed, but in such Av^ant of provision, that Ave
were foj eed to kill and eat the sentinels' horses, after four days'
strict abstinence ;, and this sort of fasting, which was not the
first that we had used, did not prove lo be the last.
Caldaira is a bay that bears the name of six magazines that
stand about three leagues to the east of the mouth of it, and
upon the bank of the place of embarking, belonging to Esparso.
This bay, which by some geographers is called Nicoya, is one
of the finest ports in the world, though the mouth of it be large,
yet, in lieu of that, it is at least twelve leagues within land,
and comprehends a great raany islands of different sizes within
it. There is none but an easterly wind that can hurt it. The
bottora of the bay is open, by raeans of very fine rivers that run
into it, and by- which you raay ascend to several villages,
hattoes, and sugar plantations, whereof this country is full.
You raay chose your place of anchorage, according to the length
of the cable, that is, frora six fathora, increasing to a hundred,
and the bottora is very good. I forgot to observe, that the six
magazines of Caldaira, whereof I have spoken, were partly built
by the inhabitants of Carthage, who raake use of that for their
port, for facflitating the traffic they drive with those living on
the coast of Peru, before we carae to terrify thera.
Having, on the 10th, gone on board our canoes, we went to
a great bananery that stood in the sarae bay ; it is a set of

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA. 357
fruit-trees which they call bananiers, and the fruit thereof ba
nanas, w^ith which we loaded our canoes for our subsistence.
As we went ashore, we took the sentinel of the little town of
Nicoya, from Avhich, finding ourselves at sorae distance, we did
not then think fit to go up to it, and so we directed our course
for Point Borica, where Ave arrived on the 14th. That is a
very pleasant and delightful place, and araong other things, Ave
could hot but adraire a walk consisting of five roAvs of cocoa-
trees that run along the bank for above fifteen leagues in length,
and that in so orderly a raanner, that though the same be no
more than the bare work of nature, without any additional help
from art, they seem as if they had been all planted on a line.
This fruit, which upon several occasions Avere so delightful
to us, groAvs upon the stock of a tree, that is a kind of palra,
twenty or five and twenty foot high. It is like a nut, but with
out raaking any coraparison of the bigness of it, for there are
sorae of these fruits that weigh twelve or fifteen pounds. The
shell is very hard, and thick enough ; it is wrapped up in a kind
of thick covering, raade up all of filaraents, with which the
Spaniards used to caulker their ships, it being rauch better than
tow, which rots in the water in less than a year's tirae, where
as the other is fed by it, and waxeth green. If you bore a hole
in this nut, there runs out a quantity of greenish liquor, which
somewhat reserables the color of whey, but of a sharpish taste,
and pleasant enough ; and when the shell is broken, we find
under it a kernel, or Avhat is equivalent thereto, of the thickness
of a raan's finger, very white and nourishing, which sticks very
close to the inside. We left this place on the 20th, keeping
our course still all along the continent.
On the 22d,. having no victuals to eat, Ave put sixty raen in our
three canoes ashore, to go seek sorae for us ; and after travelling
the space of a league, we took a very curious hatto with two
prisoners, who told us we were within a league and a half of
the little town of Chiriquita, and that there were six hundred
raen in it, Avhich raade us seize with all expedition upon as
much victuals as we could, to carry it to the place where we
had left our canoes ; but in our return thither, we found four
hundred horse in the way, whom Ave fought with all along, re
treating, till we carae to the .sea-side. They challenged us
again and again, and defied us in threatening language to go to
their town, which we did not fail to do sorae days after. In
the raean tirae, we bore awE^y for the Isle of St. John, where,
arriving on the 1st of January, 1686, Ave found our ship and
two barks at anchor.

358 THB BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
CHAPTER LII.
The Freebooters' Voyage to the South Sea, in 1686.
On the Sth of January, in the new year, we parted to the
number of tAVO hundred and thirty men in eight canoes, to go
and face the townsmen of Chiriquita, and to give them the
visit they had defied, us to do. And so it was, that this Island
of St. John being about twenty leagues frora thera, Ave went
ashore on the 6th, about ten or eleven o'clock at night, without
being discovered ; but as we had no guide with us, we marched
on tfll daylight without seeing any body. We hid ourselves
on the 7th, all the day, in a wood ; but as soon as night ap
proached we came out and put on, Avithout discovering any
body, till the Sth, in the morning, when we concealed ourselves
again in another sraall wood, and spent' all the day in^that place,
during which tirae avc came to know that we had'mistaken our
measures, by going ashore on that side of the river, whereas
we should have gone on the other. This was cold corafort to
people so fatigued as we Avere ; however, as soon as it was night,
we raade no raore ado than to return to our canoes, wherein
we passed that river. When Ave were got on the other side,
Ave took the town watch, by whom we were informed that the
Spaniards had conveyed away all their effects, upon our being
at their hattoes.
On the 9th, we got to Chiriquita two hours before day : we
surprised all the inhabitants, who were for two days at variance
with one another, about going the rounds, and after Ave had
secured our prisoners, we told them that belonged to us, and
that Ave Avere come to spare them the labor. We surprised also
their court of guard, where they were at play, and as soon as
they saw us amonsst them, they flew to their arms to defend
theraselves, but as it was a little too late, we eased them of that
trouble also. Of them we learned that there was a small frig-'
ate up the river, which, having touched in going out upon a
bank of sand that lay at the mouth thereof, was forced to go
ba^k, and so put the provision, which was her lading, ashore.
About two in the afternoon, we perceived some Spaniards in
a house at some distance frora the town, which made us send
five of our number to fetch them out ; but when we drew near
those whora we had seen, having shoAved themselves for no
other purpose than to draAV us out, disappeared, and presently
about a hundred and twenty more came out of a little nook,

.THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA. 359
where they had concealed themselves, and beset us in such a
manner, that, finding no likelihood of escaping, we resolved
never to be taken alive, but to sell our lives as dear as we could ;
to Avhich end we immediately stood back to back, that we
raight face the enemy every way, and in this posture we fought
them above an hour and a half, at the expiration whereof there
being no raore than two of us i^ a condition to fight, God Avas
pleased that sorae-of our nien who were upon the guard should
come to our relief, being driven thither "by the firings, for they
thought, "before they heard these cries, that we were exercising
ourselves at shooting at a mark. When the enemy saw this
reenforcement corae, they made such haste to go away, that it
was impossible to overtake thera. This succor, coming in so
seasonably, d'ld infallibly save our lives, for the enemy having
already killed us two men, and disabled another, it Avas impos
sible Ave should hold out against such a shower of bullets as
were poured in upon us frora all sides. And so I raay truly
say I escaped a scouring, and that without receiving as rauch
as one wound, but by a visible hand of protection frora heaven.
The Spaniards left thirty raen dead upon the spot, and thus we
defended ourselves as desperate raen, and, to say all in a word,
like freebooters.
We burnt all the houses in the toAvn this day, lest under the
covert of thera our sentinels raight be surprised, and that the
enemy might corae to insult us in the night. When we had
so done, we retired into the great church, where they durst not
come to attack us, but contented themselves to give us sorae
rausket shot from time to time, and that frora a great distance.
Chiriquita is a small town that stands in a plain of savannas,
frora whence the sight is bounded almost every way Avith no
other than small, but very pleasant thickets. There are several
rivulets that traverse it in divers places, and afterward gently
glide into these savanna's to Avater thera. It is surrounded with
a great raany hattoes, and they drive no other trade but in tal
low and leather. The port or embarking place belonging to it
is on a pretty large river, from whence you raust ascend about
a league to corae at it. There is but one way to corae in at
its mouth, and the Spaniards themselves, without a buoy, will
not venture to enter it ; there are three leagues by land from
this embarking place to the toAvn, and that through so pleasant
a way, that "none but such as we Avere could be weary of it,
who had no other thoughts than to get victuals to satisfy our
hunger, which bore hard upon us, Avhen we were going to take
this town, having eaten nothing from the Sth, when we l^ft
our vessels, tfll the 9th,, that Ave took it.

360 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
On the 10th, we left the place, taking our prisoners along
with us, to wait for the ransoraing of thera upon an island that
is within the sarae river, raaking choice rather of these places
for that purpose than of the continent, and where, being ob
liged for a long tirae to stay for the raoney, we should give the
Spaniards thereby an opportunity to gather all their forces to
gether, and to pay us all at once, by overpowering us with
nurabers ; whereas, these islands to Avhich they could not come
any ©ther way than in shallops, and that openly, put us out of
care to reerabark, according to the raeasures they took by land.
When therefore we returned to our canoes, which waited for
us at the port of Chiriquita, Ave found the inhabitants of that
town had laid an ambuscade for us ; but we beat them off, and
after the^enei'ny had quite retired, they sent us a person to de
mand their prisoners, whora they said they would recover, or
perish in the atterapt. We told the raessenger we were very
ready to give them up, if they would come and raeet us in the
race savanna, to take thera ; and that, if they fired one single bul
let at us, they, should have no quarter, which so humbled their
pride, that we saw no more of thera.
As soon as we were got to the fore-raentioned island, we sent
part of our canoes to look after the cargo of the small frigate
which the Spaniards of Chiriquita gave us information of,
where they found above a hundred men intrenched ; but they
could not hinder our men frora possessing theraselves of what
they went in search for." Araong the baggage, they found some
letters, that, among other things, gave us to understand th§t
the adrairal of the Peru fleet, who Avas returned to Liraa, had
been burnt, with aU her crew, which was at that time four
hundred men, by a thunderbolt ; and this was so ihuch the
more surprising and adrairable, that no raan living could re
meraber to have heard any thunder in that country, no raore
than to have seen it rain.
On the 16th, the ransora for our prisoners carae, and after we
had set them at liberty, Ave returned aboard our ship, which rode
then at anchor at St. John's Island. On the 20th, we conduded
araong ourselves it was necessary we should build large peri'-
augues*, seeing avc could make no further use of our ship, for
want, of safls, and Ave had nothing left to make them with, and
still were less able to take ships from the Spaniards, on this
western coast, where they had put an entire stop to their navi
gation since Ave were corae thither. On the 22d, we raade
choice of tall trees to make our canoes and periaugues of, upon
the banks of a curious river, which we kncAv to be in the island.
On the 27th, we descried seven sail of ships out at sea.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 361
which made us fit out five canoes to go and see what they
were, and as we doubled one of the points of the island, we
discerned twelve periaugues, and three long barks, who coasted
it aU along. We took them presently to be the fleet of Peru
that was coriie in quest of us ; we gave our raen notice of it
without delay, and at the sarae tirae resblved to put aU we had
on board our ship into our bark, and to go into that river Avhere
our docks were, there to wait the coraing of our eneray, where
they could not corae to attack us, without losing a great raany
men. This project we put forthwith in execution, and after avc
had abandoned our ship, which could not be brought into that
river, we ran her ashore, lest the Spaniards should have any
benefit of it, and put her into a sailing condition, being very
well assured of ourselves, that they did not want sails, as we
did, for that purpose.
On the 28th, our sentinels came to give us notice, that six
periaugues plied along the shore^ which made us at the same
time put ahundred and fifty men to lie in arabush on both sides
the river, and then we set out, with two of our* canoes, frora
whence, after we had seen thera, we feigned to go away, by
going back, to engage them to give us chase ; but they, sus
pecting a stratagera iu, the case, bore directly upon our ship,
that was run aground, upon which they fired very furiously,
though there was none left within it but only a poor cat, Avhich
they perceiving, they bravely boarded and burnt her, for the
sake of the iron work that belonged to her, which is a cora-
m^dity as rare as it is dear in sorae parts of Peru. On the 1st
of February, the Spanish fleet safled away, and left us at ease
to finish our work, upon which we spent the reraainder of the
month. We understood, afterwards, that the adrairal of this fleet had
orders to put sorae field-pieces ashore, to deraolish those fortifi
cations which they thought we had raade upon the island, be
ing induced to believe it was so by the report the prisoners,
Avhich we sent thera, raade of our intentions ; and we, to impose
upon thera, having asked whether there were any masons among
them that could do our work, and soraetimes obliged them to
give us brick for their ransora, though we had no need of thera.
There were no less than fourteen of our raen died in the month
of February.
On the 14th of March, we departed frora the Isle of St. John,
with our tAVO barks, a half galley of forty oars, ten great peri
augues, and ten sraall canoes, all built of raapou timber, except
our two barks. We gained the windward point of the island, to
take a review of our raen, and found ourselves weaker by no
31

362 THE BUCCANEERS. OP AMERICA.
less thaii thirty persons, since our separation from the English.
But we formed a design anew at the same time, which had been
put by for abbve four months, which was to go and take
the town of Granada, distant uoav from us about tAvo hundred
leagues. To effect this work, it was necessary Ave should be
furnished with provision wherewith to subsist us during the
voyage : and we having none, this made us send away our half
gafley and four canoes, to seek for some at Pueblo Neuvo, while
the rest of the company went to tarry for us at the Isle of St.
Peter, which is two leagues to windward of the River Chiri
quita, and to finish soraewhat that was still wanting to the' com
plete equipment of our canoes.
On the 6th of April, about three hours before daylight, we
got near to the River of Pueblo Nuevo, and by a clear light of
the raoon, we discerned a sraall frigate at its raouth, as also a
long bark, and a periaugue. We came within pistol-shot of them,
as supposing them to be our English freebooters, frora whora
we had separated. But we found ourselves quickly raistaken,
for, after we bad hailed them, they ansAvered us with an entire
volley of great and small shot, which raade us now conjecture
that they were, and it was too true, a detachraent left by the
Spanish fleet in that place, Avhen they left us at St. John's Isl
and, as a guard to two small ships, which we knew they were
lading Avith provisions, at the port of this town, in order to
transport the same to Panama. Our raistake was the reason
that we had twenty raen disabled to fight, by this first discharge
of tbe enemy, before we kncAv well where Ave were. But aftgc
we were a little recovered of the surprise this adventure put
us to, we fought them stiffly for the space of two hours, though
Ave had the use of no other arras than bur fusees, and not one
cannon to discharge upon thera ; and they, on their part, de
fended theraselves so rauch the raore vigorously, in that they
beheved we, after such a surprise as we had been exposed to,
Avould quickly slacken our courage, and give way. They did
all they cquld to raake ready during the fight ; but we hindered
thera, and no raan could appear in the shrouds, but we brought
thera doAvn, as well as their grenadiers from their round tops.
But finding the light of the raoon now gone, we put off out
of the reach of their cannon, as well to take care of our wounded
raen, which araounted to thirty-three, besides four who were
killed outright, as to wait for daylight, in order to terminate
this affair, which we were not Avilling to leave undecided. But
the enemy did in the raean tirae retire under the covert of an
intrenchment, which I have said already they had upon the
banks of this river, where the country people, who had heard

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 363
the'noise of the fight in the night, were also corae, Avhich made
us conclude, that if we went to attack them in that place, we
could not have that advantage there Ave had resolved to take
of them ; so upon approach of day Ave steered our course to go
and rejoin our canoes at the Isle of St. Peter, where we Arrived
on the Sth.
On the 9th, we found ourselves in great want of victuals,
having now nothing at all to eat ; and this put us bard to it,
more especially our wounded men, whom we sent by our half,
galley (for their better conveniency) on board our two barks,
whom we had appointed to rendezvous in the Bay of Boca del
Toro. ¦ When this was done, we Avent ashore to a town ten
leagues to Jeeward of Chiriquita, where finding none, we left
it, and on the llth, in our return to our canoes, we found, in
order to strengthen us under the languishraent which hunger
had reduced us to, a regale of an ambuscade of five hundred
men laid for us, against whom, fqr all our weakness, we raade
so good a defence, that we obliged thera to leave us free pas
sage ; but yet not Without the loss of tAvo of our raen. We
Avent on board in the evening, to go join our barks in the Bay
of Boca del Toro, where we arrived the 13th, and went ashore,
spending our time to the 16th in hunting, more especially for
the subsistence of our wounded raen ; and here Ave found the
same sort of deer and birds, as I have taken notice of in our
passage over the continent, in great plenty. '
On the same day, Ave departed for the Bay of Caldaira, after
having renewed our enterprise upon the little toAvnof Lesparso,
of which I have already spoken. On the 19th,- being arrived
in the bay, we Avent ashpre two hours before daylight, and
reached the town. About eleven in the morning, we found the
place was in a manner entirely abandoned from the time we had
taken the sentinels, who, as I have already observed, diverted
us frora going thither, by the account they gave of the reen-
forceraent that was come to them from Carthage. However,
we took some prisoners, who told us all the people were retired
to this last town, which is twenty-four leagues off'; so that,
finding our endeavors all frustrated, Ave returned, on the 20th,
to the sea-side, to rejoin our canoes.
Lesparso is reckoned to be three leagues distant from the
sea-side, and the way thither very bad ; you cannot travel fhe
length of a gunshot in even ground, but the same is every where
rugged, and fuU of Httle mountains and hiUs, though beyond
them the country appears to be very good and delightful. The
town is built upon an eminence, from Avhence one may easily
see aU that comes in and goes out of the bay. This town is

364 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
in a manner encompassed with a rivulet that runs round it.
Between it and Carthage are very curious plains, with royal
ways made through them, and that as Avell as any in Europe.
On the 21st, we victualled ourselves with the fruit of a ba
nanery in this bay, wherein our two barks carae to join us ; and
next day we summoned our people ashore upon this island, as
well to consult how we should attack the town of Granada,
which we had a design upon, as to take an account of what
powder they had, as fearing raany of thera raight use it in hunt
ing. Here Ave enacted orders, whereby those were condemned
to lose their share of the booty got in the place that should be
found guilty of cowardice, violence, drunkenness, disobedience,
theft, and straggling from the main body without orders. When
this was over, we left the bay the sarae evening, and a strong
easterly wind, surprising us in the night, separated our vessels
frora one another. At break of day we told thirteen sail, where
with Ave Avere amazed, knowing we had no more than a dozen,
and this raade us give our canoes the signal to chase, as well as
we, that vessel that did not belong to us : but when we had
continued the chase for about an hour's time, we perceived five
more ; and having corae up with the foremost, we understood
it was Captain Townsley, come from the coast of Acapulco.
He had left his ship at the cape, over against the mouth of the
bay, where we had been, and went with his five canoes to find
out some bananas, having very little provision on board. He
told us that Captain David, with his fleet, Avas on the southern
coast, and that Captain Suams, with his ship, was gone to the
East Indies.
We, finding ourselves now to be the stronger party ,'called to
mind their former imperious dealings with us, and, to Show our
resentment of it, we made hira and his men, who were in the
other four canoes, prisoners. We boarded his vessel immedi
ately, of which having made ourselves raasters, we made a sham
of taking it away ; but, our design being only to frighten them,
we left them for some time under the apprehensions of the
danger they were in. Then we let the captain know Ave were
honester men than he, and that, though we had the upper hand,
yet we would not take the advantage of revenging the 'injuries
they had done us, and that we would put him and his men in
possession of what we had taken frora them four or five hours
before. This moderation Avhich we exercised towards thera,
together with their being informed by sorae of our crew of a
design we had upon the toAvn of Granada, engaged them to
desire Ave Avould take them in to be our associates in the enter
prise ; and, they being a hundred and fifteen in nuraber, we

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 365
readily consented to such a reenforcement, as raust needs be
useful to' us. •' ,
, On the 2Sth, we departed all together, French and English, in
our periaugues and canoes, leaving their ship and our two barks
under the covert of Cape Blanck, which is twenty leagues to
Avindward of the place where we were to go ashore, and gave
orders to those that were appointed to guard thera, to sail away
six days after, and to coast it till they carae to an anchor, at
the place where we should leave our canoes.
On the 7th of Aprfl, we went ashore on a flat coEist, to the
number of three hundred and forty-five raen, under the conduct
of a very good guide, who led us across a wood that we raight
not be discovered. We marched on night and day tfll the 9th,
but, notwithstanding all the precautions we took, w'e could not
hinder our being discovered by the inhabitants of the town of
Granada, who were fishing in a river about fifteen leagues off;
and, though they raade all the haste they coifld to advertise
the Spaniards of our raarch, they could not have been there
time enough to have given the people notjce to remove all their
effects, considering the expedition we used to follow them, had
not they had (unhappily upon our account) no'tice given thera
of us three Aveeks before by the inhabitants of Lesparso, who
having seen the great nuraber of canoes we had, as we passed
by there, grew suspicious of our design.
The fatigue we had undergone during our raarch, together
with the sharp hunger that pressed us, obliged us to halt and
rest the 9th, in the evening, in a great sugar plantation, that is
about four leagues distant frora ' Granada, and was in our way
thither. It belonged to a knight of St. Jaraes's, Avhom, upon
our arrival, we failed to take prisoner,' our legs being at that
tirae much raore disposed to reat than to run after hira. On
the 10th Ave set out, and upon our approach near the toAvn, we
observed an erainence above it about a league off, and two ships
upon the lake of Nicaragua, that carried, as we were since
informed, all the wealth of the town, into an island two leeigues
off. We took a prisoner in a village that Avas in our way, who
told us the inhabitants of the town had intrenched themselves
upon the place of arms, and compassed it with a strong wall,
since our quarterraastes, who had run away to thera, had given
information that we designed to corae araongst thera. He told
us further, that the place was guarded with fourteen pieces of
cannon, and six patereroes ; and lastly, that they had detached
six troops of horse to attack our rear, while our front should
be engaged with the Spaniards, if so be we should come up
to them. 31*

366

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

This, information, which doubtless would have terrified any
other but freebooters, did not retard our design one rainute, nor
hinder us. About two in the afternoon of the same, day, Ave
came up to the tOAvn, where, at oRe entrance into the suburbs,
Ave met with a strong party lying in arabush for us, whom, after
an hour's engagement, we fell with that fury on, that we made
our way over all their bellies, with the loss only of one man
on our own side, and frora thence entered the town, where we
made a halt to wait for the answer of several of our company,
Avhom we had detached fo go round, and take observation qf a
fort which we saw in a direct line frora the street, by which
we entered. Preseritly after carae a party to inforra us, that it
was a square fort, and that, beside the street we were in, they
had also observed three more, that looked out to the other three
sides of that fort, by which the eneray could discover whatever
came towards them through those avenues, which were, more
over, all commanded by their cannon and sraall arras.
- We were not long iri debate what we should do ; we could
easily see we Avere too few to make our attacks by those different
Avays all at a time. Wherefore, after we had got together all
those whom we* had sent out to scout, who for some time had
been detained by some light skirmishes, Ave made ourselves
ready to fall on, through that street alone where we then were ;
and it was well we did so, for, if we had dispersed ourselves
through the others, the horse, which were in the rear of us, and
observed our motion, would not have failed to hem us in, which
they durst not do while we kept all together.
After we had exhorted one another to fall on bravely, we
advanced at a round pace toAvards the said fortification. As
soon as the defendants saw us within a good cannon-shot of
thera, they fired furiously upon us ; but observing that, at every
discharge of their great guns, Ave saluted them down to the
ground, in order to let their shot fly over us, they bethought
themselves of false priming them, to the -end Ave raight raise
our bodies after the sham was over, and so be really surprised
with their true firing. As soon as we discovered this stratagem,
we ranged ourselves along the houses, and having got upon a
little ascent, which was a garden plat, we fired upon them from
thence so openly for an hour and a half, that they were obliged
to quit the ground, to which our hardy boys, who were got to
the foot of their Avails, contributed yet even more than the
other, by pouring in hand grenadoes incessantly upon them, so
that at last they betook themselves to the great church, or
tower ; but they wounded us some raen. As soon as our peo
ple, who had got upon the sarae erainence, perceived that the

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 367
enemy fled, they called to us to jump over the walls, which we
had no sooner done, but they followed us. And thus it Avas,
that we raade ourselves raasters of their place of arras, and' con
sequently of the town, from' whence they fled, after having lost
a great raany raen. We had on our side but four raen killed,
and eight wounded, which in truth, was very cheap. When
we got into the fort, we found it to be a place capable of con
taining six thousand fighting raen. It was encortipassed with a
wafl, the same as our prisoners gave us an account of - It was
pierced with many holes, to do execution upon the assailants,
and'was well stored Avith arms. That part of jt which looked
towards the street, through Avhich we attacked it, was defended
by two pieces of cannop, and four patereroes, to say nothing
of several other places made to open in the wall, through which
they thrust instruraents raade on purpose, to break the legs of
those that should be so adventurous as to come near it p but
these, by the help of our grenadiers, we rendered useless to
thera. After we had sung Te Deum in the great church, and
set four sentinels in the tower, Ave fixed our court of guard in
the strong built houses, that are also enclosed within the place
of arms, and there gathered all the ammunition avc could get.
Then we went to visit the houses, wherein we found nothing
but a few goods, and sorae provision, which we carried into
our court of guard.
Next day in the evening, we detached a party, a hundred and
fifty raen, to go and find out sorae women, that av» might put
them to ransom, and some booty which we were told they had
in the sugar plantation, a league off of the city. But they
were gone by the time Ave got thither, as not believing them
selves safe in that place, so that our party came back re infecta.
The same day we sent a prisoner to the Spaniards, to require
thera to ransora the town, or else we would burn it ; where
upon they sent a monk to treat with us, who said the officers
and inhabitants were in consultation about it, but that one of
our raen whom they had taken as he lagged behind, through
weariness upon the road, without the officer, that brought up
our rear, having taken notice of it, assured thera we Avould not
burn it, because our design was to pass sorae raonth after to the
North Sea, by the lake there, and to furnish ourselves in this
toAvn with necessaries for our journey, which we should not
meet with if we fired the place : so that, the said man having
given them such assurance, they would no longer trouble them
selves about giving an answer to the proposal we bad made for
their ransoming the town, which at last constrained some of
us to set fire to the houses, out of raere spite and revenge.

368 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
The opportunity, which now offered itself unto us of passing
through the lake to the North Sea, Avas not at this time over
favorable, and we should not have failed to make use of it, if
we had had canoes ready in this place to go and take two ships,
and the Avealth of the town, which the inhabitants had carried,
for the better securing of them, into the island, which I have
already said' was in the said lake ; which would have put a full
end unto the trouble we had been in frora the tirae we failed
of seizing the flota before Panaraa. But the term of our dan
gers and raiseries, which our destiny had still in store for lis,
being nof yet corae, we could not take the advantage of so
favorable an opportunity' to get out of those parts of the Avorld,
which, though very charraing" and agreeable to those Vhb are
settled there, yet did not appear to be so to a handful of men,
as we were, without shipping, the raost part of our tirae with
out victuals, and wandering araidst a multitude of enemies,
against whom we were obliged to be continually upon our
guard, and who did all that in thera lay to deprive us of
subsistence. Granada is a large and spacious town, situated in a bottom,
inclining to. the coast of the ^outh Sea, whose churches are
very stately, and houses Avell enough buflt. They have several
religious houses there, both of raen and woraeri : the great
church stands at one of the ends of the place of arras. The
country thereabouts is very destitute of water, they having no
other there than only the Lake of Nicaragua, upon the side .
whereof the city is built, and round about which you raay see
a great raany fine sugar plantations, which are raore like unto
so raany villages than single houses, and, araong the rest, is
that belonging to the knight of St. J[ames's, Avbere we lay in
our march to the town, where there is a very pretty and rich
church. *
On the 10th, we left the city, and took along with us one
piece of cannon, with four patereroes, as nbt questioning but
we should meet with opposition in our way, before we came
to the sea-side, from which we were near twenty leagites dis
tant ; and therein we were not deceived, seeing the Spaniards
waited for, us, to the nuraber of two thousand five hundred
raen, within a quarter of a league of the town, and presently
charged us : but, not dreaming that we had brought any artil
lery along with us, they were so terrified when we had fired
tAVO cannon shot upon their first ambuscade, thait they left us a
free passage in this place only ; for, though they saw a great
many of their men sprawling upon the ground, they ceased not
all the way, at certain distances, to lay new ambushes foi us,

.THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 369
where they had no raore success than at first. We took one
of thera prisoners, who told us there was a rafllion and a half
of pieces of eight, long since ordered for the ransoraing of their
town, in ease the sarab should be taken, and that the sarae was
buried in the wall, so as that it could not be seen. But we had
no inclination to go back in search of this raoney, seeing we
found difficulty enough to rid ourselves out of the hands of so
considerable a nuraber of eneraies as we had already to deal with.
We were forced that' evening to leave our cannon behind us,
after we had &st nailed thera up, for the oxen that drcAV them
were dead for want of water, having traveUed several leagues
through very grgat heats, without one drop of water, and through
such a dust as choked both raan and beast. But we reserved
qur patereroes, which were carried by raules, AVho could better
bear this inconveniency. At last, we lay in a very jHretty vil
lage, called Massaya, that stands upon the side of the lake ; but
from hence to the water there is so great a descent, that a man
of fuUi growth appears to be no bigger than a child. We were
received by the Indians in this place wiHh open arms ; but the
Spaniards that had retired thither, knowing the extreme thirst
wherewith we were afflicted, had spofled all the watfer that was
in the village, hoping thereby to reduce us to such necessity,
that we raight go by night to drink to the lake, that so they
might lay some atobushfor us. But these Indians, that carae
to raeet and pray us notto burn t.heir village, reraedied this evil,
in assuring us they would supply us Avith whatever we' had
occasion for, as long as we staid there, and particularly with
water. Taken with this their submission, we granted them
their request, so much the mote willingly, seeing they gave us
to understand, upon several occasions, that they were raore ojir
friends than they were the Spaniards.
All these Indians are a raiserable peojde, whora the Spaniards
endeavor to reduce and bring under their subjection by little
and little, with a feigned gentleness practised towards them, to
make them forgetful of those cruelties and tyrannies they had
heretofore exercised in those parts, and which they are not
wanting still to keep in reraerabrance. They have at present
apretty nuraber bf them there, whera they have enticed down
frora those raountains wherethey had taken refuge, and brought
them to submit in this raanner. They have given thera places
to build boroughs and villages upon, but all their labor redounds
to the advantage of the Spaniards ; sothat, being usfed as slaAres
by them, they are so weary of their dominion, and the barbarity
showed them, by being made use of as palisadoes bythe Span
iards, when they fight us, that if we had been people fit to

370 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
receive thera, as often as they raade an offer to take our parts,
we should have formed a very considerable army ; and it is
certain, that if they had but arms and protection, they would
have infallibly shaken off the yoke of their pitiful raasterS,
being three tiraes more in number than they.
We rested only one day in this place, to refresh our wounded
raen, where two died of the crarap, which contracted all their
nerves : this is so raalignant a disteraper in this country, that,
when it seizes upon a stranrger that is wounded, it Avill certainly
kill hira. This sarae .day carae a father to us frora the Span
iards, to re-deraand another father frora us, who Avas one of our
prisoners, Avho had taken up arras against us, and had his pockets
full of poisoned bullets. We required iri exchange for him one
of our raen whora they had taken, which they would by no
raeans agree to ; so that we carried the latter along with us, as
far as the sea-side.
On the 17th, we left this borough, and lay in another place
three leagues beyond it, frora whence we passed next day, and
as Ave carae out of a"i forest to enter into a plain, we discovered
five hundred raen upon an ascent, waiting for our coming,
commanded by the above-mentioned Catalonian quartermaster,
that had deserted us. They had put up bloody colors, td sig
nify they would give no quarter, which obliged us to lay by
our white colors, and display our red as well as they.,..^ We
marched directly to the place where they were, without stop
ping, though they fired very thick upon us ; and when we carae
within rausket-shot, we detached our vanguard to beat them
off their ground, which they did with wonderful bravery : here
Ave took about fifty horses. The eneray, in their flight, cow
ardly left part of their arras behind them, besides ' their dead
and wounded men, by which last, we understood that these
people were the reenforcement which the inhabitants of the
town of Leon had sent to the assistance of Granada against us,
and who were returned home.
After we had rested about an hour, we continued our raarch,
and lay at a little town, which the inhabitants had forsaken. On
the 19th, we lay in a hatto, and the next day in an estancia,
where we rested sorae days to refresh ourselves, and to salt our
provisions to carry on board our ships, where we knew very
well there could be no victuals left. I always went before,
with an advanced party of fifty raen, to go and inforra those
who looked after our vessels Avith our return. On the 26th,
the rest of our men carae to the sea-side, Avhere we reerabarked
all together, and understood that four of our raen, wounded in
the fight at Pueblo Viego, were dead, but more for Avant of
sustenance than their wounds.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 371
On the 27th, we safled for Realeguo, and on the 28th an
chored in that port, where, upon our going ashore, the sentinel's
of Pueblo Viego discovjered us, but that did not hinder us to
proceed and arrive at the place about noon. The Spaniards,
who had heard pf our coraing, fled every where ; but the heats
are so excessive in these parts, that you cannot travel there this
time of day ; and this raade us go and see rather for sorae shade
or tufts of grass whereof to set our feet, than to run after the
eneray ; however, we took sorae prisoners. We tarried there
but two days, and after we had gathered as rauch provision as
we could find in the houses, we sent out a party tb seek for
sorae horses, whereof they brought us a hundred ; we departed
on the 1st of May, and carried our provision to the river side,
at Realeguo, where our canoes were, who carried the sarae after
wards on board our ships, whfle we went out to seek for raore,
that so we raight get together a good quantity, and npt be
obliged to consurae it as we brought it in.
On the 2d, we went to a sugar plantation,, to fetch off six
caldrons, which we brought away next day, and on the 4th,
set out for a borough two leagues frora Realeguo, which they
call Ginandego, which sorae ,of the inhabitaints a few days be
fore prayed us by way of raillery to go and visit, as thinking
themselves sufficiently secured by an intrenchment cast up at
the avenue leading to it, and that was defended by two hun
dred raen. -We got thither on the Sth, by break of day ; but,
beingdiscovered by the sentinel, he carried the Spaniards notice
thereof, Avho gave us no occasion to desire thera to quit it, after
they had given us a few rausket-shot ; so that, to punish their
rhodomontad^, we burnt the place down to the ground. We
took one of their people prisoner, by Avhora'we understood that
the corregidor of Leon, who was very desirous tq drive us away
frora that coast, had ordered all the tements, as soon as we got
to any place, to burn all the provision they, had, Avhich to our
sorrow was but too well executed, not only here, but every
where else, and was the cause alsb of that hunger and extraor
dinary toil which we were forced to endure in these seas, as
long as we staid there.
The sarae day about noon, carae about eight hundred meri
into a savana, from Leon, to fight us; the sentiaels, which we
had placed on the top of the steeple, rung the alarum-bell, to
give us notice to get together, and corae out of the houses
where we were dispersed : whereupon we raarched in a body
of a hundred and fifty men* with red colors, to fight them ;
but as they could not endure to let us come within rausket-ahot
of thera, for they fled without any raore ado, avc were obliged

372 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
to retire, and, on the 6th, went away to go bn bbard bur ships,
which we careened next day, as Ave also cleaned our canoes.
On the 9th, Ave had a censultation together, about what way
we should take, and here we found orirselves of tAvo opinions;
one party wsis for going up before Panama, being in hopes they
had begun their navigatibn again, as knowing we were far enough
frbm thera ; but the rest represented that raany times they had
such years en that ccast, whereof that might be one of them,
that eight raonths thereof was sad weather, in respect to exces
sive raihs and southerly winds Avhich reign there, and that
therefore it would be raore advisable to go lower westward,
and winter upon sorae island or other, arid there to wait fbr fair
weather. i
Now these different sentiraents were pursued by us, and,
every raan having made choice of his side, next day bur chirur-
geens had orders to give in an account of these .arabng- the
wounded, Avho were crippled, to the end we raight raake them
satisfaction before we divided. They told us we had four men
crippled, and six hurt, to ;which we gave six hundred pieces of
eight a raan, and a thousand to those that were crippled, as it
Avas our constant custora in those seas ; and it was exactly all
the money we had got together that was applied to that use.
We made a division of the barks and canoes on the 12th, and
found ourselves to be a hundred and forty-eight Frenchmen,
ready to go up towards Panama (without comprehending the
English under. Captain TownSley) and the same number of
French safled also to the westward. Next day our provision
was shared amongst us, and noAV it was that we divided into
tAVO parts ; those whp were fqr the westward put theraselves
under the conduct of Captain Grognier, and we, that were
bound for Panaraa, Avere coraraanded by Captiain Tbwnsley,
and then we went tb anchor at an island, half a league distant
frora that we left, to take in water and wood. On the sixteenth.
Captain Grognier sent us his quarter-raaster to desire us to put
none of our prisoners ashore, foi^fear they should give the
Spaniards notice of our separation, for, as he had a design to
make a descent upon them, he was apprehensive that such
a discovery would make thera more resolute and hardy to
oppose hira. •
On the l9th, we made ready, and sailed for Panama Avith
Captain Townsley's ship and one bark. We steered E. S. E.
to S. S. E. and to S. S. W..tiU hiidnight, when we were over
takea Avith a storm, which raade us lie by tfll the 20th at noon ;
when the weather proved fair,. then we steered E. S. E.
to the 23d, when we anchored in the Bay of Colebra, to take

THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA. 373
in water. We spent that day there to take tortoises, Avhich
are tq be found in great nuinbers in that little bay. They are
of different sizes, and we found one sort of thera so large, that
one was enough for fifty persons to feed upon in a day. On
the 24ih, we put a hundred and fifty raen ashore, in order to
find out sorae toAvn or borough, we having no guide with us that
knew this country ; and, after we had walked ^ league or there-
£^bputs, we stlighted iipon three hattoes very near one another,
where, finding edibles enough, we staid tfll the 26th, when we
returned on board ; then Captain Townsley proposed avc should
go and take the town of Villia, which is 30 leagues tq the lee,-
ward of Panaraa, to which 'all of us agreed, and that evening
we Aveighed, haying a wipd blowing frora the land, ,which
served us till the 27th at noon, when it blew very hard frora
the S. E., accorapanied with rain till the 2Sth in. the evening,
when it began to allay; Ave were favored all the 29th with a
Avesterly wind, and that evening were btought' in sight of Cape
Blanco. On the 3pth, the weather was fair enough ; but on
the 31stj tAVO hours before daylight, it grew very boisterous, so
that we were forced to put in for that cape ; we had a thun
derbolt fell upon the end of our great sail-yard, whjch did no
more than crack it. Having moderate Aveather on the first of
June, we. steered E. S. E., and, next d^y about noon, had a
sight of land; but it 'was so hazy, that we could not tell where
we Avere ; however Ave steered E. by S. E., to corae near. The
weather being no\v soraewhat cleared up, we found we
were between the Bay of Boca del Toro, and the point called
Barica, when we sailed S. and by S. E., to put out to sea, and
then bore to the N. E., that we raight reach the Isle of St.
Jphn de Cueblo.
On the 7th, we put in at the Isle of Montosa, six leagues to
southward of that of St. John ; we set out three canoes, with
AVhich we coasted round about this last, and bur ships anchored
at anqther little island, Avhich is ha.lf a league to the east.
While we were going round St. John's Island, with our canoes,
we found nothing there but one of our prisoners, -who having
made his escape froni us when we were there, and, being not
able to get to the continent, returned to us. On the 10th, we
Ayent back to qur Ships, and next day took in our store of
water and wood, and cleaned our ships, 'There arose the suc
ceeding night a north wind that tore bur cables, and made us
think we should be thrqwri ashore ; but, as good luck would
have it, it carae about, and gave us an opportunity to make
ready, and to cast anchor farther from the shore. By the favor
pf the lightning we discovered our canoes, and found their
32

374 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERIC.t.
ropes also brbken, and that the waves were throwing them
ashpre also, unless Ave had saved them, though Ave could not
hinder one of them frora being staved to pieces.
On the 13th, we made ready, and safled for La Villia, with a
W. S. W. wind, made land on the 15th, and knew it to be the
cape called Morne a Peurcos ; then we bore off to sea with a
hard wind tfll the evening, Avhen the weather grew so very bad,
that we did nothing till the 18th, but let our ships drive with
a south-Avest Avind, having a terrible rain all the w.hile tiU noon,
when the weather grcAV better ; and; being cleared up, we dis-:
cerned three rocks, which are called the Three Brothers, stand
ing three leagues to leeward of the Bay of Vfllia, whither we
were going. On the 19th, we saw the Point Mala, which is
lecAvard of that bay. We sailed all night northward, to get
to the shore ;' and next raorning at break of day we found ouf-
selves within five, or six leagues of it, when we furled all our sails
except our sprit-sail. Next evening we went on board pur
canoes, and, put on all night, after we had given our ships orders
to lie by and wait for us at the raouth of the bay Avhere we
were. On the 21st in the raorning, we discovered thg place where
we -were tb go ashore, and cast anchor till night carae, as we
also took doAvn our raasts, for fear they should be discovered
from the shore, and then raade ourselves ready to land, which
Ave did on the 22d,"an hour before day. But experience telling
us Ave had not time enough before us to get to the place'before
day-light appeared, we put three leagues off where we anchored,
having no Avhere. in this bay above fifteen fathoms water.
That evening we made for the shore again, which we could
not recover before raidnight, because- the currents were against
us. After Ave had got footing, Ave raarched to the number of a
hundred and sixty raen directly to the town, and took one of twb
Spaniards, Avhora Ave found on the way, who told us that he
Avas sent by the alcaide major to watch on the sea-side, because
he had seen a ship and a bark aloof off, which yet they were
so little alarraed with, that they had increased their guard with
no raore than twenty raen. We continued our march, and, for
all the expedition we were able to use, it was an hour after
sun-rising before we could get to the town, where we found
no resistance, half of the people being then at raass. Of men and
women we took three hundred prisoners, by whom we under
stood there were three barks in the river, on which the town
Avas situated. We sertt presently "out a party to take them;
but the Spaniards, having lost no tirae, sunk one of thera, hid
the safls and rudder of the other two, and cut down their masts

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 375
by the raiddle ; so that the party, going on further, gave notice to
those ef us whora we had left to take care of our canoes, which
they found at ^chor at the river's mouth, that Ave had taken
Villia. We gathered together that day the merchandise which
the fleet had left in this town, computed by the Spaniards to be
worth a million ahd a half, and to the value of fifteen thousand
pieces of (eight in good silver, which was an inconsiderable
prize to what we should have found there, if the Spaniards in
all these countries, who are ahvays apprehensive of the visits
of the freebooters, had not hid their treasures out of our sight,
many of whom chose rather to be killed than to discover the
places where tbey had buried thera.
On the 24th, we sent a party of fourscore raen to conduct a
like number of horses laden with bales of goods to the river
side, where we knew there were two canoes belonging to the
Spaniards, on board of which, after they had put thera, they
Avere to bring thera to the river's raouth where ours were ; but
one of our raen, sent upon this occasion,- Avas taken bythe
eneray. The same day we sent a letter to the alcaide raajor,
(as they called hira,) in order to know whether he would
ransora the town, and buy the effects we had seized. He sent us
answer, that all the ransora, that he took upon hira to give us, was
powder and ball, whereof he had a great deal at our service ;
that, as to the prisoners we had taken, he coraraitted "thera to
the hands of God ; and raoreover, that his people were getting
together as fast as they could to get the honor to see us. Upon
the receiving this answer, which angered all our raen, we fired
the town, and went our ways to lie in a place Avhere our booty
was kept by our fourscore men, which was about a quarter of
a league off. We Avere alarmed several times that night, and
on the 25th, put the best and: finest effects on bbard the two
Spanish cances, because we could not carry off alL For our
own canoes, as we have said, Avere at the mouth of the river,
on board of which avc could have laden the rest ; but they
durst not corae up thither, because of the arabuscades of the
Spaiiiards who had already kflled thera a raan, as they were
endeavoring to corae up to us,'pursuant to the orders we had
before left with thera. Wherefore, having laden the two Spanish
canoes, we put nine raen on board thera, and the rest guarded
them by land, aU along the river side, while six hundred Span
iards did the same on the other side, without being discovered
by us, because of a great many trees, bushes, and thickets, that
grew along the banks thereof When we had marched on
about a league, we carae to a place so full of these trees and
thickets, that we could not pass it, so that we were obliged to

376 TH^ BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
take a turn abojit, which brought us bff from the river side
about two hundred paces, which wais the occasion, as yoh will
hear, of the loss of all our booty, and the death of some of
our men.
As we quitted the place where we lay, we ordered those who
had the charge of our canoes to stop in this river, at a place
where there Avere thriee Spanish barks, to the end we might
endeavor to bring thera away; but, when they carae there,
they were suddenly surprised with an arabuscade, of which
the Spaniards were never niggard to us, and, as they defended
theraselves against thera, the current of the river drove them
beyond the three barks, and consequently far frora us ; which
was exactly Avhat they would have, for, as soon as they saw
thera in a place Avhere we could not relieve them, they dis
charged sixty rausket-shot at them, with which they killed four,
and wounded one. The rest made their escape to the other
side of the river, and abandoned their canoes, which a dozen
Indians, who SAvam -the river, carried to the Spaniards, who cut
off the head of one of our raen, who was only wounded, and
set it on the top of a pole, that we might see it as we carae
down the river. '
After we had finished the tour we had taken, we drew near
the river again ; and being to come to the place where the three
barks Were, and not finding our canoes, we thought they were
stfll behind ; but, about an hour after, we saw three of those
who had the charge of thera coraing through the thickets
toward us, who gave us a relation of the disaster that befel
thera, and said, that, as they passed the A^roods, they found the
rudders and sails of those three barks, in two of which we
embarked ourselves all together, and sent out constantly fifty
raen^iy land before us, to seek out those sails and rudders, giv
ing thera a signal, that we would fire off three guns, and that
they should answer us with as many, to show where they should
find us, to the end they might join us there. But, at the same
time that we fired our three pieces, we heard the report of above
five hundred, which made us iraraediately conclude our men
were attacked, wherefore we delayed not to go ashore, in order
to relieve thera ; bnt, by the tirae we came up, the engagement
was over, and, had not the river been between them and us,
the raatter had not been ended so. We found one of our peo
ple in this place, who had escaped out of our vessels, after we
had brought away the ship-tackle that were hid in the woods.
After we were erabarked, we asked the captaih of horse of
Villia, that was our prisoner, where it was the Spaniards could
lay other arabuscades for us ; he answered it might be about

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA. 377"
the river's mouth, and not only so, but that we should mistrust
all those places, Avhich seemed to give them any advantage over
us; and then we came to an anchor, because of the coming in
of the tid^
• On the 26th, we went ashore at a place where they had kflled
our raen the day before ; we found the tAvo canoes dashed to
pieces, and the bodies of our raen whom they had wounded in
several places after they were dead. One of them they had
thrown into the fire, and put the other's head upoU a pole, as
we have said already. These objects so enraged our raen, that
they cut bff, at the sarae tirae, four of their prisoners* heads,
whom they set up also Upon poles in the sarae place. Then
Ave took the bodies of ours to bury them on the sea-side, and,
before we got thither, we were forced three times to go ashore
to break through the ambuscades laid for us all along the river,
at the mouth whereof we found also that we were warned of
by the captain of horse aforesaid; but we happfly freed our
selves frora it, though Avith the loss of three rnen, and one
wounded. At last we rejoined our canoes, where one of our
wounded men died sooniafter*
The River of Villia is very large, and at low water it breaks
at the mouth of it as on a flat shore. About a league to
Avindward, stands a great rock, which night and day, and at all
seasons, is covered with a vast nuraber of birds called fregates,
maubies, and great goziers, that live altogether by fishing.
Great ships cannot enter into this river, they being obliged to
anchor within cannon-shot in the sea ; but, for barks of about
40 tons, they can go up a league and a half within it. The
port, or place of erabarking belonging to Villia, is still a league
and a half higher, and the town a quarter of a league distant
frora it ; it is very well situated, but its churches are alraost
fallen to ruin, though they are very rich on the inside. Its
slareets are very straight, and the private houses pretty Avell built ;
on the outside bf it are a great many hattoes, accompanied with
very fine savanas. The town of Nata, which is the nighest,
stands seven leagues distant from it.
On the 27th, came a person on board us to rederaand our
prisoners, with whora we agreed for ten thousand pieces of
eight ransora, and threatened to cut off all their, heads, if they
did not send us the raoaey by the 29th. But, instead of that,
he returned to tell us, that the alcaide major had seized upon
those of their people who were our prisoners, whom we had
sent ashore to get Avherewithal to ransom their wives ; in re
venge whereof we presently cutoff the heads of two prisoners,
and gave them the messenger to carry to the alcaide, telling
32*

378 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
hira, if he sent us no other answer, we would cvU off the heads
of the rest, and, after having put the women upon an island,
we would go to take himself. The same person in the evening
returned to tell us that all the ransoms would corae, and that,
besides thera, they would bestow'upon us ten beeves, tAventy
sheep, and two packs of raeal, the least whereof usually
weighed a hundred, pound, every day as long as we staid.
On the 30th, they brought us back the man whora they had
taken, in exchange for^the captain of horse that was our pris
oner ; and, as they show theraselves very fond of having French
arras, they pretended to .have lost thera that belonged to our
man, for which we made thera pay four hundred pieces of
eight. They proposed to buy them one of the barks we had
taken frbm them, and agreed with us for six hundred pieces of
eight, and one hundred pounds of nails, of which we stood in
great need ; whereupon we delivered her up, after we had first
taken out her tackle and anchors. They also required a pass
port frora us, that we would not retake the bark, in case we
raet with her out at sea, but only the goods wherewith she
should be laden, which we also gave thera.
Next day in the evening, they brought us the ten thousand
pieces of eight, as had been agreed upon ; then we weighed,
in order to go anchor at a place that served as a little port to
a hatto, where they were to give us a hundred and twenty
salted beeves. We departed frora thence on the fourth of
July, and anchored at the Isle of Iguana, to see and get us some
water, not daring to go and get us any on the continent that was
guarded with four thousand men : but after we had cruised in
some places, and fbund that the water was brackish, we resolved,
rather than we would die for thirst, to raake a descent With
tAVO hundred raen on the terra firma, in order to procure us
sorae in spite of the Spaniards, whora we found about a hun
dred paces frora the sea-side lying upon the grass, and, after a
short fight, put thera to flight, seeing we were a people who
would hazard all for a sraall matter. This being over, we pres
ently filled sorae casks with water, and reerabarked again.
On the 7th, we weighed anchor, and safled for the King's
Isles, and on the 9th anchored at Morne a Puercos, fourteen
leagues to leeward of the Island Iguana, to take in more
Avater, there being nobody there to oppose us : we departed on
the 10th with a favorable west Avind, and that day one of our
wounded raen died. Ori the 13th, we discovered an island
called Galera, Avhich is to leeward of all the King's Islands ;
and on the 14th we began to perceive the currents that
reign all the year round between those islands, which made us

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 379
put farther off to sea. On the 15th we had a north-west wind,
a fresh gale which brought us near land, and three 'days after,
Avhich Avas the 18th, we discovered Cape Pin, and kept all day
at the cape, for fear of being discovered by the inhabitants of
those many islands that were round about us. •
On the 21stj in the evening, we went on board our canoes,
and landed at midnight ; but, for all the precaution Ave had taken,
we were discovered by the people, that were fishing for oyster
pearls, which are to be found in great numbers sticking to the
bottom of the rocks that are round about these islands. On
the 22d, in the evening, we discovered, from one of these islands
Avhere we had raade a descent, a ship under sail, to whora we
gave chase, and came up with her two hours before daylight,
whom, >Vithout any raore ado, we boarded, and raade ourselves
raasters of her. The raen on board told us the inhabitants of
Panama did not think we were so near, and that, as we had
corae froni the taking of Villia, they believed we had chose
rather to have gone and wintered at St. John's Island, where
they thought stfll we had built a fort, grounding their persua
sions upon those sharas, I have before observed, we had for
merly made, and still did as we found occasion. They told us
also that six and thirty EngHsh and French were come frora
Peru in a bark, with an intention tb pass by the way of the
River Bocha del Chica to the North Sea ; but that the Spaniards,
having intelligence thereof frora the Indians, with whora they
had made peace, since they had granted us passage through
their country by that sarae river into the South Sea, went out
to raeet thera in great numbers, had defeated the greatest party,
and brought one prisoner to Panaraa. Moreover, that two Eng
lish parties consisting of forty raen each, having an intention
to pass frora the North to the South Sea, had been all of thera
massacred but four, who were still prisoners at Panaraa ; and,
lastly, that there .was a bark in the River of Bocha del Chica,
that tarried for eight hundred pounds in gold, dug up in the
neighboring raines, in order to carry it to Panaraa.
On the sarae day we returned on board our ships, and found
them at anchor by the greatest of the King's Islands, and or
dered our carpenters to make a half galley of the bark we had
taken on the 26th. We put some questions afresh to the cap
tain of the said bark, Avho told us they were in dafly expecta
tion at Panama of the arrival of two ships laden with meal,
which were to carry also the pay of their soldiers from Lima ;
upon which information we sent out our half galley, which Avas
now finished, to scout without the islands. On the 30th, we
departed with our canoes, and went ashore upon orie of these

380 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
islands, where we surprised a person that was come from Panama,
Avhbse master Avas captain of those Greek periaugues;, whereof
we have forraerly spoken, who carae on purpose thither to be
taken, tb the end he might endeavor by artificial ways to lead
us into a snare, of which I am ready to give an account. This
man immediately pretended a great deal of sincerity, in telling
us several things, which he knew we were not ignorant of, and
some others, which we could not quickly and easily come to
knpw ; and among the rest, that there were in the river of
Seppa two merchant barks, and a periaugue with sixty Indians
on board, whdm the Spaniards had arraed since they raade a
peace with them,; that besides, the governor of Villia had ac
quainted the president of Panaraa, that one of our raen, whom
they had taken, had assured him that thirty more of us, who
had not been informed of the peace and good understanding
there was between the Indians and the Spaniards, were about
to pass from this sea to that of the north, by the same way we
aU of us had corae into the South Sea ; and that, upon this
inforraation, the president had sent a hundred raen into the
River of Bocha.del Chica, to wait for them. But to corapass
his design, which was to draw us under the forts of Panaraa,
he told us in the last place, that they had a little frigate which
carae laden into that port, and a galley that Avas sent out every
evening upon the scout, 'We resolved to take the advantage of
this information, which we Jook to be candid and real, and
not to neglect this opportunity of getting sorae vessels for our
selves, whereof avc stood in great need.
On the 1st of August, we sent our galley for this purpose
into the River of Seppa, in order to take one of the barks our
captain spoke of, and at the sarae tirae we departed also with
four canoes t» go and seize those shipsun the port of Panaraa,
being accorapanied by our Greek intelligencer, who intended
to be our guide upon this occasion. He, brought us two hours
before daylight before the town, and as tl\e raoon shone very
.bright, we staid for sorae cloud to obscure it, to facflitate our
approach undiscovered to the ships, in the port, whereof Ave saw
one already, which,. to our thinking,, had her sails loose. And
here Avas the lure and snare to which the captain led us ; but
by the effect of raere chance, or, rather, our oavu good fortune,
Ave turned away to a ship Avhich we unexpectedly saAv going
out of the port, and gave her chase, believing the same to be the
galley that usually went out to scout, as we had been told. We
took her without a gun-shot, and upon examination of the cap
tain Avho commanded her,, he discovered, unto us that the presi
dent of Pariama had sent us a Greek, whp was to suffer himself

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 381
¦to be taken by us, and to whora he had proraised a very great
reward, if he succeeded in the project he had forrned of de
stroying us ; that the raeans that had been agreed upon to effect
it, were to bring lis under the forts of that toAvn, allured with
the hopes of taking those ships there, AVherewith he had araused
us, and whereof that which seeraed tb us tb have her sails loose
Avas but a shara ship, a pistol-Shbt from the port, which was
buflt upon fi»m land, of sorry planks fll set together, in which
they had set up'niasts, and adorned her with some sails : and
as this was the most apparent object, and the first that offered
itself in sight, it Was not tb be questioned but that we, who
must believe "the same to have been on the water, being de
ceived with the darkness of the night, would not have failed
" (being so gVeedy as we were to take her) to row up to her,
where orir cafioes raust infallibly run far ashore, and that, in the
time that must necessarUy have been spent in getting them off,
the Spaniards would have leisure to fall upon us, where they
did not doubt but so great a nuraber of raen as they had in so
considerable a town as that Was, Wcnild quickly overpower ahd
destrby us.
This inforraation, which carae so seasonably, that it saved
us from the certain danger we were going to throw ourselves
into, Avas not so advantageous to our Greek captajn, Avho being
known by the captairi of the bark for the same person of Avhose
treachery he had now advertised us, we paid him for his trouble,
by sending him to the other world, where he designed to have
sent us : after which we went to take the Island of Tavoga,
•which had been reinhabited since we had left the coast of
Panaraa. From the 2d at night to the third, we left this island, and
went to take that of Ottoqua, which is tAvo leagues north and
south from it, and which we found peopled again. We raade
ready on the 4th tb go and join our galley, "whora we had ap
pointed to rendezvous at the Isle of Sipflla ; but we foUnd her,
in our passage, Avith a prize she had taken, being one of the
barks that "were in the River of Seppa,' frora whence, in coming
out, she had met with an ambuscade that had kflled two of her
men, and broke the arm of another.
On the Sth, we saw five sail between Tavoga and Panaraa ;
we presently bore up to thera^ and found they were our own
ships, that had given chase to a bark corae from Nata, laden
with provision. The master thereof finding he could hot de
fend it, threw himself into the water and swam ashbre, after he
had made some discharges with his sraall arms upon thera. On
the 6th, Ave went with our prizes to anchor at Tavoga, and

382

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

from thence wrote to the president of Panama, that if he
Avould not give up the five English and French prisoners he
had in that'place, we would cut off the heads of fifty Spaniards
we had in our hands. But, hearing no news of him, on the
7th Ave weighed, and safled for the King's Islands. We an
chored on the 9th, to stop the leaks of our ships, and whfle
that Avas doing, we departed with our galley.and four canoes,
for the River Boca del Chica, as well to be inforraed whether
it was true that the Indians of Sarabe had raade peace with
the Spaniards, as we had been assured, as to go and burn all
that was built of the town called Terrible, upon this fine river,
that it might be a defence, to a gold mine they had near. We
went also to fight the hundred men, which the Greek told us
lay in wait for thirty of our freebooters that were to pass into
the North Sea.
On the llth, we arrived at the mouth of the River Boca del
Chica: we lay at anchor there tfll midnight, when we weighed,
and,' as the sea swelled, we suffered ourselves to be carried up
the river at the pleasure of the current. , About two in the morn
ing our guide, still believing we were far frora the place Avhither
he Avas conducting us, made us put on apace, which did us great
harra, for instead, of going to surprise others, we were surprised
ourselves ; for abmit a quarter of an hour after, we saw fire,
but there Avas no going back now,, for the river made a bow,
from Avhence the rapidness of the tide coming in threw us, in
spite of our teeth, upon these fires, which we carae quickly to
know were, kindled by those hundred raen we were in quest
of, for they presently asked us frora whence our canoes were
bound, and being answered by our guide, pursuant to our order,
fj:ora Panama, they asked again who was the commander';
and we being long in pitching upon a Spanish narae, they gave
us a full volley. But two paterero-shot, which Ave raade at
thera, having forced thera to quit their ground, we passed on
and anchored out of the reach of their arras, to Avait for the
ebb of tide, that we raight get out again ; for, as we could find
no place to go ashore above them, for the country Xvas full of
marshes, except at the place where they were, Ave resolved to
take thera lower doAVn ; and so an hour before daylight, we
went back before their intrenchraent, and after we had put all
our raen under deck, and fired four paterero-shots, Avherewith
we saluted thera so opportunely, that we wounded thera a great
many raen, and they raade no great firing upon us.
On the 12th, Ave took a small vessel upon this river, wherein
were three Indians ; then we went ashore, with an intention to
attack the Spaniards, from behind their intrenchments, which

THE BUCCANEERS OF. AMERICA. 383
commanded the river onlyr; but they presently sent out their
periaugue to take ours which made us expeditiously return on
board our vessels to defend thera, and to alter the raanner of bur
attack, by resolving to go to thera before their court of guard,
at the foot whereof we went ashore in spite of all the fire they
made upon us, which lasted not long ; for our paterero and
mu?ket-shot killed thera a great many men, which raade thera
quickly fly, and leave us their intrenchraent, where Ave found
a great raany dead and wounded raen, and took some prisoners,
araong whom there was one named Alfier. He was an Indian,
who, out of a blind zeal he had for the interests of the Span
iards, took us for them as we were going on board our canoes,
and reproached us highly ; but we quickly disabused ray gen
tleraan, letting the traitor know to whom we had before been
so kind in our passage by the same river, that we were become
his enemies, since he was becorae oqrs, and then put hira out
of a condition ever to serve the Spaniards or to injure us.
Those whora we took prisoners inforraed us that we Avere
discovered at the noAV town La Terrible, and confirraed the
account we had before of the raassacre of the three partie's
already raentioned, as well those Avho would have gone to
the South seas, as the other who were rainded to return by
the way of that river to the north. Within this intrenchraent
we found a letter written by the president of Panaraa,- to a
carap-raaster, that coraraanded in the town La Terrible, which
was as follows : —
" When the eneray took La Villia, one of their raen was
taken, who gave us inforraation that thirty raen were to set
forth by way of the River Boca del Chica, to return to the
North Sea, as believing there was stifl a good understanding
between thera and the Indians. I have sent you three hundred
men to defeat those eneraies of God and goodness ; be sure to
keep upon your guard, be afraid of being surprised, and your
men wifl infallibly be gainers in defeating of them."
Here it may be said, that the prisoners whora we took were
highly useful to us, as well by giving us raeans to subsist in
these parts as to deliver us frora a great many ambushes and
dangers, Avhereinto, had it not been for them, we raust have
fallen. Witness this sarae, where the Spaniards would have
spared our thirty men the pains of going to the North Sea. At
last, when we had burnt their court of guard, Ave took their
periaugue, with some pounds of gold dust we found there, and
then went doAvn the river. As for those three Indians whom
we took in the boat, we sent thera to tell their comrades that
Ave had kflled him who was with the Spaniards, but that we

384 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
had givep thera quarter, because they were not amongst them ;
and this we did to endeavor to raake thera kind to us, and so
disunite and separate thera'frora the Spaniards.
Being got down on the 13th, at noon, to the raouth of the
river, we met with one of our barks, whora Ave had ordered to'
corae and attend us thither. Those within her told us, that,
whfle they Availed there, two Indian periaugues being deceived
with the sight of three or four Spanish prisoners, whom they
had put upon the deck for that purpose, came of their own
accord, and delivered theraselves up into their hands, with some
pounds of gold they had found there ; and that one of those
Indians, who bore great sway, amongst his own 'nation, had a
coraraission frora. the president of Panaraa to arra several peri-
, augues, and to make Avar upon us. We weighed that evening
to go and join our ships that were cruising between Cape Pin
and King's Islands, and there we Availed for those of the Span
iards, who, we Avere told, were to corae from Lima.
We got on board our ships on the 17th, in the morning, and
that evening, in our passage by the King's Isla(nds, anchored to
leave our bark there to be careened. Our people, during our
absence, had put, forty prisoners ashore upon one of those islands,
who accidentally happening to raeet with some canoeS, which
the Spaniards had hid thereabouts, they made use of thera 'to
get off, and to go to Panaraa, to inforra the governor of the course
we were to take, and that the ^ships we had left there Avere but
weakly raanned ; Avhich induced the president to send some
force to attack thera : but God was pleased so to order it, that
we were returned with thera to the rest of our compahy.
On the 20th, Ave made ready to go to cruise about Tavoga,
and that evening anchored before the port of Panama, in order
to learn some news. We saw two ships in the road, whither
the town canoes went and carae all along, without intermis
sion ; but, not dreaming they arraed them against us, we an
chored on the 21st, at Tavoga.
On the 21st,. by break of day, we descried three sail just
upon us, which we could not discover before, because of one
of the points of the island, which kept thera out of' our sight,
insomuch that one of our ships, that had not time to weigh an
chor, slipped her cable. As soon as they saw us makeready,
they gave us some guns, and as they had the weather-gage,
they did not spare to make use of the advantage they had Over
us. 'We made five tacks to get to windward of them, and they
could not hinder us; but they lost the wind for want of reso
lution, not daring to pass between the Island TaVaguilla and a
rock, Avhere there Avas indeed passage for no raore than one ship,

THE BUCCANEERS OF ^MERICA.

385

but we ventured it, and at last got the weather-gage. We
fought them till noon, and knew not on .which side the advan
tage lay ; and, though they plied our decks very close, we still
persisted to keep them clear of them, which was the occasion
that they lost a grand opportunity of mending their tackling.
We threw a great raany grenades into, their biggest ship, one
of which had so good an effect as to set fire to some loose
powder they had, which burnt a great many raen, and this
brought the fight to end sooner than otherwise could have been
expected : for we carae. up at the sarae tirae with the said ship
now all on fire, and boldly boarded her, where, notwithstand
ing the vigorous resistance they raade frora the stern, whither
they had all retired, we at last forced fhem to beg for quarter,
and raade ourselves raasters of the ship. At the same time one
bf our barks boarded one of theirs, and took il. The third,
that was a kind of a galley, who staid to the last, before she
begaa to raake her escape, as trusting tp her good sailing, see-
ing_ herself noAV pursued by our galley and two periaugues,
ran herself ashore, where she presently staved to pieces, and
but very foAV of her crew were saved.
They had in their little frigate fourscore raen kflled and
wojundedj out of a hundred and twenty that were on board.
As' for the bark, there Avere no raore out of seventy, than eigh
teen unhurt ; neither could we see above ten or a dozen in all that
swam ashore from the other vessel that was staved. All their
officers Avere either killed or wounded, and araong others, the
captain, Avho received five rausket-shot. He was the same
person that fought so stoutly at Pueblo Nuevo, where he had
received five raore, and that \had also laid an arabuscade for us
at La Villia : but this last engagement rid us of him, fbr he
died sorae tirae after.
While we were busy in raending the rigging of those ships
we had taken, and throwing the dead overboard, we discovered
two sail raore corae frora Panaraa, which bore up towards us,
whereupon Ave interrogated our prisoners, irt order to know
what they should be. They said they did not question but
this was the relief they sent thera. At the sarae tirae Ave be
thought ourselves of a stratagera, to arause and make thera
believe we Avere taken, which was by puttirig up Spanish colors
in our own ships, and in the prizes, with English and French
ones under thera. As soon as these two ships approached, they
came up to our ship, who received them quite after another
manner than they expected. Being thus surprised, they fired
upon us with precipitation, and raade off towards the little
ftigale, which they supposed stfll' to be theirs, who caUing to
33

386 THE BUpCANEEBS OF AMERICA.
them to lie by, and the others not doing it, they threw some
grenades into one of their barks, which sent her to the bottom,
while one of our periaugues boarded the other, wherein they
found four packs of cords, but all of the same length, which
they had made ready to tie us up with : but they reckoned
their chickens before they were' well hatched, and these ropes
was the occasion that no quarter was given to those in the
bark where they were found. We afterwards read the com
mission of the captain of the little frigate, which imported he
should chase us as far as St. John's Island, and that, when they
boarded us, they should spare none they found upon deck, but
only our surgeons, \vhom they were wflling to save ; and that
troops of horse should faiarch along the shore, to take care that
none of us raade our escape to land, in any canoe.
On the 23d, as we sailed away to go to anchor at Tavoga,
we discovered another sail going back to Panaraa, whora we
chased and took ; she was a shallop, whora the president had
sent to fetch off our anchor, which we had not tirae to haul up
.'the day before, which he came to know by the means of a ca
noe, who, passing that way, saw the buoy. But, for all the
fatigues we had undergone in these adventures, we could not
but scoff and laugh at the president, who had sent us ropes to
hang his men, and also sent aAvay to take this anchor where
Avith to anchor our ship in his port, which he believed his men
. would bring in. We anchored this evening at Tavoga.
"We had but one raan killed in all the fight ; but there were
tAventy of us wounded, araong whora was Captain Townsley,
who died raost of them of their wounds. On the 24th, one of
our raen died, and the sarae evening we sent one of our pris
oners to the president of Panama to carry hira a letter, Avherein
we required his giving up the five freebooters who were his
prisoners, and to send us some medicines for, as, we said; the
use of his own people, though, in truth, it was for pur bwn ;
we also complained heavily of the little quarter they had given
to the three parties whereof I have spoken, whom they had
inhuraanly raassacred. He sent to us that night the commander
of Seppa,who spoke a little French, Avith the following letter : —
The President of Panama's Letter.
"Gentlemen: — I wonder that you, Avho should understand
how to raake war, should require those raen of m% that are in
our custody. Your rashness hath soraething contrary iri it to
the civility wherewith you ought to treat those people that
were in your power. If you do not use them wqU, God will

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 387
perhaps be on our side on another occasion. And as for the
little quarter you coraplain we have given, you see the contrary
by those that have been in our hands for some time pasit. If
you please to put our meri you have in your power ashore, we
wfll take care to have thera cured of their wounds."
We ordered the said officer to carry hira our answer by word
of mouth, that, if they would not send us our prisoners, we
would send thera the heads of all the Spaniards in^ur posses
sion. On the 25th we weighed anchor, and sailea away for
fear they should, for an answer, send a fire-ship, as they had
done by the English two years before, and burn us. On the
26th in the raorning, we anchored at the Isles of Pericos, that
are not above a league distant frora Panama. Towards noon
we discovered a ship under sail, and sent out our galley to knbw
what she Avas : it was our own long bark' that Avas come from
careening, wherein were sixty men that were not present in the
fight. "This day Iavo of our Avounded men died, though all of
them were but slightly wounded, which is no matter of wonder,
for all the Spaniards' bullets were poisoned. •
On the 27th in' fhe raorning, carae one to us frora the bishop,
(who concerned himself much in this business, for he had
stirred up the president to fit out ships against us,) who brought
us a letter, which in substance was the same that folloAvs : —
The Bishop of Panama^ s Letter. '
"Gentlemen: — Though the president of Panaraa hath writ
ten to you very inconsiderately, I earnestly desire you to shed no
more of the innocent blood of those that are in your power, all
of thera having been engaged by constraint to raake war against
you. The president obeys the king's orders, who foibids him
to restore any prisoners of war : I'll do my endeavor to get the
men released; take my word, and rest satisfied."
" I am to acquaint you that all the English are Roraan Cath
olics, that there is noAV a church at Jaraaica, and that those four
that are with us, having changed their religion, are Avilling to
live araongst us."
This we saw Avas only a pretence to detain our men, and
this sly refusal, together Avith the trouble we were in, for the
loss of those who died continually of their wounds, through
the violence of the poison that had got into thera, forced us,
though with reluctancy, to resolve to send twenty of his peo
ple's heads to the president, in a eanoe, and ordered him to be

388 THE BUCCANEflRS OP AMERICA.
told, that, if by the 28th he did not send us all our raen, we
would send hira the heads of all the rest of the jirisoners. I
confers this was a violent way of proceeding, but we had no
other raethod left us to bring the Spaniards to reason ; and we
knew them to be a people Avho, without we had showed this
resolution, would despise, and be so rauch the more bent to
ruin us in a short time, by how much the more indifferent we
showed ourselves ; for they are usually no otherwise courageous,
than when they believe their eneraies are of a dastardly nature.
On the aSth betimes in the morning, came a person on board,
who brought us our five men, whereof four were EngHsh, "and
the other a Frenchman, together Avith some refreshments for
the wounded raen, and a letter to this purpose : — *
The President of Panama^ s Letter.
" I SEND you all the prisoners I had in ray power, and, if
there had been raore, you should have had thera delivered ; but,
as for those that are in your custody, I'll leave that to be raan
aged according to your own honesty and the practice of war."
Hereupon we sent hira a dozen of the rapst wounded araongst
their raen, and wrote to him the folloA^ing letter : —
A Letter for the President of Panama.
" Had you used us in this manner when we sent to you for
the releasement of our five' men whom you sent us, you would
have saved the Hves of those wretches whose heads we have
sent you, and whose death you have been the occasion of
We give you a dozen men by way of exchange, and require
twenty thousand pieces of eight for the ransom of those that
are still behind. But, in default thereof, we shall put them out
of condition to send us poisoned bullets again, which is so
manifest a contravention of the laws and maxiras of a just war,
that if Ave- were minded to punish according to the rigor of
tho^e rules prescribed thereby, we should not have given one
man of thera quarter."
, Our five raen, whom the Spaniards gave up to ps, further
confirmed us in the account Ave had of the massacring of the
.three fore-mentioned parties in the River of Boca del Chica,
whereof they theraselves Avere eye-witnesses. About twelve
o'clock of the s?ime day, which was the 28th, we weighed,
and anchored again at Tavoga to take in water. And whflst

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 389
matters Avere concluded 'on between the Spaniards and us, in
respect to the ransoraing of their people, we required they
should corae to a treaty with us, which they consented to, and
sent us daily divers canoes full of raerchaudise and other
refreshments ; all which we had dog-cheap of them, except raeal,
biscuit, raeat, and other provisions which they kept titek, the
reason Whereof raight be easily guessed at.
On the 29th their raessenger returned, who gave us an
account that he had been about the city to get the ransom, and
that they 'had not got above six thousand pieces of eight
together ; but as we were eager to be gone, we told them they
must send us ten thousand pieces of eight, or else we would
go into the city to fetch thera. The effect of this blustering
was that, on the 1st of Noveraber, came a canoe to tell us that
a bark would bring us next day the sum we deraanded ; and
on the 2d, two of our men died.
As we saw nothing coraing frora Panaraa, we raade ready
and entered into the port, and, when Ave had hung out our
main flag, we fired a gun ; they answered our signal by putting
up a white flag upon one of the bastions of the fort, to give us
notice that the money was not yet ready, which made us put
out again, and lie all night at the cape before the mouth of the
port. Next day carae to us a knight of Malta in a bark, where
in he brought us ten thousand pieces of eight, and received the
prisoners frora us. On the Sth we anchored at Ottoqua, in
order to victual our ships ; on the 7th, two of our raen died.
On the Sth, the Indians who had been our guides in our
passage frora the North to the South Sea, and who kept close
Avith us ever since, were taken or raurdered by the Spaniards
upon this Island of Ottoqua, in revenge for the service they
had done us. On the Sth in the raorning, we put fifty raen
ashore, to seewif they could find the place whereunto the Span
iards had Avithdrawn theraselves, whora we could not find in
their habitations, that we raight knoAV what they had done with
those Indians ; but we could find nothing, save their money
and baggage, Avhich they had hid in a vault.
The same day, at noon. Captain Townsley died of his
wounds. We threw Jiis body into the sea, according to his
desire, wilh such ceremonies as are usual upon these occasions.
On the 10th we weighed, and carae to an anchor at King's
Islands, and, two days after, died one of our wounded raen.
On the 17th we put out with the little frigate and long bark, to
sail to the port of Panaraa, to see whether they had any ships
there that might come to insult us, while our vessels were
careening. , We had a north-west wind, so that Ave could not
33*

390

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

reach the Isles of Pericos before the tenth, when we found
ourselves under the forts of that town.. We furled our low
sails, and, as the Spaniards saw us bring to, they gave us three
guns, afler they put up the tfurgundian colors upon the wind-
Avard h|stion. But when we understood there was no ship in
that place Avhereof we might be afraid, Ave went out cruising
between Tavoga and Sippilla, we being resolved to watch those
tAVO ships that Avere to corae frora Lima, and in the mean time
we sent one of our periaugues to bid our'raen careen the vesspls
with all expedition, and that they need fear no danger from
Panaraa. We had very bad weather in this channel ; it blew
round all the points of the compass with such violent whirl
winds, that the sea grew very boisterous. But, on the 28lh,
the weather proving raore moderate, we discovered a ship sail
ing all along the coast of the main land, after which we sent
two periaugues in chase. She would have entered into the
port of Panama, but they firing upon her frora the fort, as
believing she was one of our ships, she passed by, and our
periaugues took her. She canie from Nato, and Avas laden
Avith provisions and sugars, which she was carrying to our
enemies,, Avho had the charity to put her back to us.
On the llth, being not able to see any thing^f what we
Availed for, we safled for the King's Islands, and, as the moon
shone bright, Ave found the currents very strong there also,
Avhich obliged us to anchor in the channel, with all the tides
contrary to us, from twenty to forty fathoms of Avater. We
arrived on the 16lh, at the island where our ships were careen
ing, and found them already done.
'The sea round about these King's Islands, whereof I have
spoken so ranch, is full of a great many very large .Avhales, who
are infested by a fish they call espadon, that assaults thera con
tinually with a kind of fish-bone, like unto a sabre, fastened to
their heads ; and this raakes those monstrous animals to give
such leaps and rebbunds, that they raise themselves continually
above the water. But to return from a great fish to a small
one, I shall say, that, besides pearl oysters, which are to be
found in those parts in great nurabers ; there are also others that
are exceeding good, and so large that they are forced to cut
them into four parts to eat thera, and they are, Avhen roasted,
exceeding Avbite.
We departed on the 18th, and sailed for those islands that
are in the raain, where we carae to an anchor on the 19lh in
the raorning, and on the 20th put out with our galley and two
periaugues to go tb a sugar plantatibu, which stands two leagues
to leeward of Panama, giving orders at the sarae tirae to our

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.

391

392 THP BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
ships to come and anchor there three days after us. We pos
sessed ourselves of the said plantation, and seized afl the peo
ple belonging thereto, Avho told us there was a courier come
from Chiriquita. to Panama, who reported he had seen two ships,
and as many barks, belonging to the freebooters, anchor at the
port of that town, who carae for provision^ there ; Avherewith
we were soraewhat surprised, and could hardly believe those
freebooters Avould have left so good a coast as that of Peru was,
(whither we knew they were gone,) to corae^ thither, which is
much worse ; which' difference arises from no other than the
abundance and quality of the provisions that the former pro-
duceth, whereof I shall give you an account hereafter. We
were also inforraed by these prisoners, as it was very true, that
a galley, Avhich avc knew weU enough was in buflding at Pan
ama, was finished ; that she carried fifty-two oars, five pieces
of cannon, and forty patereroes ; that there were, what with
those come from Carthagena and Porto Bello, five hundred men
corae to go on .board her and two periaugues, and that they
Avatched the oppoflunity of our passing before their port, as we
had used to do, to the end they raight put out in the night,
and surprise us during the absence of our other ships, AVhora
they supposed to be still careening. On the 24th we anchored
at Ottoqua, tb gather mace ahd rice that was still standing on
the gibund; and «iext day being apprehensive, according to
the report of our prisoners; that there raight be freebooters at
Chiriquita, Ave sent a bark thither to give thera notice, if she
foUnd it to \}e really so, that Ave would corae up to them as
soon as we had taken in some provision along the coast. , We
put nineteen prisoners, on the 29th, ashore, and made ready to
depart with an easterly wind. We were got, on th'e 30th in
the, morning, over against the Bay of La Villia ; we straight
ened our round top, being afraid to corae by it. We erabarked
in the evening on our canoes, and on the 31st at raidnight went
ashore. We Avere quickly discovered by a party that went the
rounds, which raade us use all the diligence iraaginable in
order to get into the town, before they had tirae to make them
selves ready. But our guide having led us out of the way,
another party making the round passed by, who no sooner saw
us, but they raade all the haste they could to get away, yet we
fired upon thera presently, Avhich disraounted three of them,
and one Ave took prisoner, Avho told us Ave were still three
leagues distant frora La, Villia, and that we were gone out pf
our way ; that all the people there were at their arras, and
that they had had a reenforceraent of six hundred riien sent
them frora Panama. Upon this inforraation we stopped short,

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

393

and were forced to return back again, because we kncAV very
well that we were discovered, and that so we lost all our labor.
Before we went on board, we went to eat to an estancia that was
half a league off frora the seaside, frora whence the Spaniards
brought us back, by charging our rear frora tirae to tirae, till
that we had rejoined our canoes, whereon when we had reera
barked, we found ourselves so weary and fatigued, that we
deferred till next day to go and join our ship, and this being
perceived by the Spaniards, thfey fired so furiously upon us,
that we were constrained to lie at anchor farther frora the shore.
On the 2d of November we rejoined our ships that Avere
cruising in that bay. In the evening we anchored between the
Island of Iguana and the continent over against some hattoes
we saw there, wilh a design to go and see for some provisibn ;
tb which end we Avent ashbre on the 3d at noOn, Avhere we
found the Spaniards got tbgether, wilh whom we fought for half
an hour ; they killed us one man, and wounded another. But
they could not hinder us to go to the next hatto, where we
found no sort of cattle, for the Spaniards had carried away and
drove them before theiu ; here we lay this night, but the
Spaniards being unwilling to let us have any rest, we A\'ere
forced at midnight to raarch out against them, and made thera
quit the field to us.
On the 4th Ave returned on board our vessels, having' brought
only sorae little refre^hinents along with us to our -Cvounded
raen, and that evening "sailed away with a west wind, keepirig
out to sea to the Sth at noon, when we returned to land ; at
midnight we steered S. S. E., as near the wind as Ave could
tiU the 6lh, that Ave were brought back to the shore ; about the
middle of the following night we discovered a vessel under sail,
and joined her. It was the bark that we had sent to Chiriquita,
who, raeeting with very bad weather, was constrained to put
back under the Morne or Cape of Puercos. On the 7th, being
not able to doub}e the Morne, because of the contrary west
winds, we sent our galley to Chiriquita, instead of our bark •,
we could not double the Morne before the 12th ; and we had
a blast of wind on the night, that, in itself, was favorable
enough for our course, but the currents carried us so to leeward,
that we were still *on the 13th six leagues to leeward of the
Morne. We steered W. N. W., bearing upbn the Isle of Tigers,
tHi which stands six leagues north and south from the conti
nent, between the River of St. James and this Morne or Cape
of Puercos. On the 14th at night, we were apprehensive, lest
we should be driven too near the shore.
On the 16th we arrived at St. John's Island, where we raet

394 THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA.
with our galley returned frora Chiriquita, having found nothing
of what she sought for in that place ; Avhich still increased the
suspicion we had already entertjiined, that the president of
Panaraa had caused a false report to be spread abroad, that some
freebooters had been there, that so he raight get us to quit his
port, and raake way, by our absence, for those ships that were
expected frora Peru to enter into Panaraa ; and this so much
the raore heightened our courage, in that we carae to under
stand, one day after another, itik cowardice and dastardly nature
of this proud nation, who, with her three-decked ships, raounted
each of them with eighteen pieces of cannon, and having four
hundred men on board, were afraid of pitiful barks who had
but four guns and sorae patereroes in all, with which, however,
we waited for thera.
On the 18th, we brought our galleys and canoes ashore, in
order to clean thera : two days after, we departed with an inten
tion to take sorae prisoners, frbra whora we might obtain cer-
taiSi intelligence pf the truth or falsehood of any freebooters
having been at Chiriquita, for they might have been gone before
we had sent thither ; and upon our departure, we appointed our
ships to rendezvous at the Isle of -St. Peter, there >to tarry till
we returned. On the raorning of the 24th, Ave went ashore
two leagues to the leeward of the River Pueblo Neuvo, where,
after we had travelled till about four in the afternoon, to dis
cover some houses, we saw tAvo horsemen, one of Avhom we
disraounted, but he raade his escape, and took the other, of
whora we asked where we were ; and being inforraed that there
Avas, about half a league frora thence, a borough called St. Lo
renzo, we went that way, and arrived there in the twilight.
Here we took a great many prisoners, who told us they had
heard of no freebooters frora the tirae we had taken Chiriquita,
which now fully confirmed us in a belief of the amusement
the president of Panama had entertained us with. On thei 26lh,
we returned to the seaside with our prisoners, and discovered
our ships that were safling to the place of rendezvous, to whom
Ave sent a canoe, to give them notice to come and anchor at an
island which is over against, and three quarters of a. league
distant from, the port of St. Lorenzo,
This borough stands a league and a half within land, and is
in my ojAnion no more than a village ; it is inhabited partly
with Spaniards, and partly with Indians, who, as I have alreaSy
said, have been reduced by degrees, and submitted theraselves
to the Spaniards. It is a very open country, and a man is so
far frora being sure of what place he is in, that he would believe
hiraSelf to be at Chiriquita when here, so like is the one to the

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 395
other, as well in respect to the borough and places adjacent,
as for the course and disposition of the rivers, wherewith it
is Avatered. On the 26th, in the evening, we went on board our ships
with our prisoners, and agreed with them upon what quantit;y
of provision they were to give us for their ransom : on the 27th
we sent the father or curate of the place ashorCj to despatch the
sending of it. On the 2Sth, the English, who made part of
our fleet, desired us to corae together, in order to raake a divis
ion of the ships and artillery Ave had taken, as being desirous
to'be in a ship by themselves ; which was presently done. On
the 1st of December we sent a canoe to the continent, and the
men that Avere in her told us they had seen a troop of horse,
who threatened them at a distance with their cutlasses, which
made us at night, to the number of a hundred raen, go ashore
to see thera. On the 2d, we waited for thera in their town of
St. Lorenzb, but nobody appearing, we burnt it. As soon as
Ae Spaniards saw the fire, the commander of the place came
to offer us a sum of money for the ransom of the prisoners,
which Ave refused, because we had much more rieed of provis
ion. We Idd them, if they did nol send us the same, pursuant
to the agreCTtient Ave had already made with their people, they
should have no more to do than to send for their heads away
from the island. In the said commander's house Ave found the
following letter, written by the Tenient of Chiriquita. —
A Letter from the Tenient of Chiriquita to the Commander
of the Town of St. Lorenzo.
" Sir: — I haVe Serit you, by way of reenforcement, all the
men which I could get together. Use your endeavors to take
one or other of the eneray, to the end Ave may know what they
design lo do, about which our generals are mightfly concerned.
Order the cattle to be drove away frora the seaside, and put
thera into a place fit lo lay an arabuscade, to the end that the
eneray, severing frora ohe another, according to their usual
manner,»in order to kfll thera, it may be so much the more easy
for you to secure sorae one of .thera. But if you cannot do
that, lay an arabuscade at a place where you think the'y will
put our prisoners ashore, and let thera show you those persons
whora they have observed to be raost respected on shipboard ;
so that if God gives us the advantage over them, do not you
cut thera off, bul send thera to rae. Especially interrogate the
ti'omen, that you raay know whether they have met with sorae
v^-eak fellow that hath raade any discovery unto thera."

396 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
This letter raade us keep raore upon our guard than other
wise we would have done, and we returned on board our ship
that evening. On the 3d, we went in a canoe ashore, to see
whether they had brought the provision agreed upon for the
ransom of their people ; but instead of that, Ave saAV them busy
in raising an intrenchment near the place where they expected
we should make our descent, At'hich gave us to understand they
pursued the orders prescribed to them by the aforesaid letter.
On the 4lh, we put those prisoners ashore upon the island where
we had anchored, and left them there, without any further
expecting bf their ransom, so that we might secure ourselves
against that ambuscade whereinto we must have fallen, had Ave
sent them to the same place where we took thera.
In the evening we weighed and sailed for the Bay of Boca
del Toro, wilh an easterly breeze that put us forward. On the
Sth, we doubled the point of Porica, which is ten leagues to
leeward of that bay ; at the height whereof, we were becalraed
till the 10th ; when, towards evening, a sraall wind blowing
frora the sea arose, which brought us to the raouth of the haf.
But the same was followed by so terrible a tdrapest, that our
ship lay for'an hour in such a raanner, that she wasunder Avater
as far as her great scuttle ; and what araazed us was, that our
ropes, sheets, and clewings were cut so cleverly, as.if the sarae
had been done with a hatchet. However, this tearing of our
rigging served us in good stead, for had it not been for that,
we had quickly gone to be raeat for fishes ; for our sails, being
held by no other than the wind and arms alone, the sail-yards
yet stretched themselves out along the raasts, and our ship by
little and little happily recovered herself 'The Avind was al
layed in the dusk of the evening by a great deal of rain that
fell, wherewith we were becalraed ; and on the llth, we had
a southerly wind, which brought us loan anchor in the bottom
of the bay.
The raouth of this Bay of Boca del Toro is about four or
five leagues in extent frora one point to another, and eight in
depth. If .you would enter it with safety, you must keep the
whip of your rudder to starboard, because it is dangerous to
keep to the east si4e. Here is good anchorage every where',
and also a covert ; one may anchor in the bottora of the bay,
¦yvithin pistol-shot of land.
There are four islands contained in it, that stand very near
unto the main land to the east and north-east ; but il is not
safe to lie near them, because of the many rocks that are there.
Several fine rivers discharge theraselves into it, and lead us up
thera to divers Indian carbets, who have neither, peace, nor are

THE BUCCANEEBS OP AMERICA. 397
in araity with any people Avhatsoever, no more than those whom
I have menlioned'Avhen I spoke of Cape La Vella and Boca del
Drago, which yet does not hinder the Spaniards from passing
their caravans through the midst of their country, when they
come from Costa Rica to Panama : but then they raust be very
well guarded, and the great road, through which they pass, is
not above six leagues frora the sea-side.
On the 12th, we went to find out trees fit both to make ca
noes of for carrying our water, and canoes of war. On the
25th, being Christmas day, after we .had, according to custora,
said our prayers in the night, one of our quarter-raasters, being
gone ashore, in order to take care about .our eating some vict
uals, (for our ships being a careening, all our provisions were
then put out,) one of our prisoners, Avho served us as cook, stab
bed him with a knife, in six several places ; whercAvith crying
out, he Avas presently relieved, and the assassin punished with
death.

CHAPTER LIV.
The Freebooters' Voyage to the South Seas in 1687.
On the 1st of January, 1687, our canoes being ready, we left
this bay and sailed for that bf Caldaira, that we raight victual
there, and raake an end of careening our ships. We left them
there on the 2d, afler we had given orders to those who had
the charge of thera, to corae and join us in the bay, and we
embarked Iavo hundred men in our canoes, to cross over to La
Cagna, which is a small island very inconvenient to draw near to,
and stands about a league north and south from the raain land,
between Boca del Toro and Caldaira. We Avere six days in
oi;ir passage before we could get thither, having only put for
ward in the night, for fear of being discovered. Being corae
on the 6th at night into the bay, our guide made us put in
under a covert, and told us that, to prevent our being discov
ered, we should go . ashore in that place ; which we had no
sooner done, but we were conducted into a marish, in the
soundest places whiBreof we sunk in the mud to the very mid
dle, insorauch that five of our raen, of whom we could see no
more than their heads, did not give us a small trouble to pull
them out with cords we raade fast to mangles, which are trees
of that narae growing in this marish. So that, not knowing
34

398 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
how we should be able to free ourselves frorathis wretched place,
we lifted up our guide to the topof a tree, to endeavor, by the help
pf raoonlight, to discover how far we raight be from sound land.
But he, finding hiraself now al liberty, skipped like a monkey
from tree to tree, and' railed all the while at us, who could nei
ther see him, nor do any more than threaten him, which I
believe he little mattered. We spent the rest of the night in
snaking about a hundred steps in this sweet place, where we
exactly went the rounds, and from whence we could nol come
out tfll, break of day, and not then neither, Avithout being be
daubed all over frora top to toe, and having our arms laden with
mud. When we were in a condition to reflect a little upon
ourselves, and that we saw Iavo hundred men in the same habit,
• and so curiously equipped, there was not one of us who forgot
not his toil, to laugh at the posture he found hoth hiraself and the
rest in. At length, after having inveighed against our guide
who had so cunningly saved hiraself Avhen he saw us stuck
fast in the mire, we went into our canoes again, where we"
cleaned o'urselves as well as we could, as we did also our arnte,
and, after having left our covert, we raet Avilh avery pretty river,
whereinto we entered, and went up it about two leagues, where
we landed at an intrenchraent. 'There avc found the remains
of the two ships which the Spanish had burnt, when an Eng
lish freebooter, whose name was Betsharp, came to careen in
this bay, which made us suppose, according to the relation that
had been given us concerning it, that it was the embarking place
belonging to Nicoya. We foUowed the road we found there,
and marching about two leagues, at the end of them we entered,
by the help of the barking of the dogs, into a borough called
Sancta Catalina, where we took aU the inhabitants prisoners.
Now as we were inforraed by theni there, that there was no
more than three leagues to Nicoya, we raounted sixty men on
horseback, in order to go thither ; but we raet half way Avith
horseraen, whom Ave could nol reach, and who, returning hack
with full speed, gave the inhabitants notice of our march to
wards them, insomuch that, by the time w'e got thither, they
had already hid all their effects, and were expectirfg our coniing
upon tlie place of arras, frora whence we drove them, after Ave
had sustained their first discharge, with which they neither
killed nor wounded one of our raen. Whfle we Avere gather
ing what provision we could together, we sent out small parties
into tlje neighboring places, who brought us some money, and,
among other things, the governor's plate, and all his movables.
On the Sth we left the town, and went to rejoin our people
at; Saneta Catalina, where we staid the reraainder of that day

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA. 399
At night came two of the enemy's sentinels thither, one of
whora we killed ; for they, not knowing we were in the town,
were corae to give the Spaniards notice that they saAV three
sail of ships enter into the bay, and that they Avere eneraies.
But this inteUigence carae too late. On the 9th we left this
place to go and join our canoes again, on which being em
barked, we left one of our prisoners ashore to go and raise the
ransora of those we carried along with us; and, on the 10th,
we got on board our ships that lay at anchor in the bay. We
had found araong the governor of Nicoya's papers three letters,
which are thejp that follow : —
The Governor or General of the Province of Costa Rica, his
Letter to the President of Panama, dated May 2, 1686.
" Sir : — This letter is to let you knoAV of the taking of our
dear town of Granada by pirates^ on the 10th of the last month.
They came ashore at a place where we had no sentinels, we
supposing there was no occasion for it, becau.se the soa is so
high there ; they passed on across a wood like so many wild
beasts. We had the good fortune to have notice of it by our
fishermen, though avc were already upon our guard ever since
the news we had concerning thera frora Lesparso and Nicoya.
They lay on the 9th at the fine house of Don Diego Ravalo,
knight of St. James ; we were very well prepared to receive
them, but the way of fighting practised by these men did so
much astonish ours, that we could not raake that resistance we
had proraised ourselves we should do. They fell on briskly,
singing and dancing,' as if they had been going to a feast ; at
length, after Ave had been fought bravely by thera, they won
the place of arras, with the loss of thirty of their men, accord
ing to the estimate of Don Antonio de Fortuna, a person of
gobd experience in war, who carae to us sorae raonths before.
We are also of opinion that they have lost their general, fpr we
saw a man, that (Jistinguished himself frora the rest by his
habit, fall.
After they had staid for the space of four days in our fort,
they sent to require us to ransora the toAvn and prisoners
they had taken ; but, we being not very forward to return an
answer to their proposal, they burnt it, and went their ways.
Seignior Don John de Castilla, serjeant-raajor, went out to
observe them with his riien ; but not knowing they took away
our artillery, he attacked these enemies of God and goodness
.about a niile from the town ; but they, being resolved to niake
their 'way ,ihrough, or to die upon the spot, sIcav so great a

400 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
number of his men, that the rest fled, and left their com
mander alone.
We have taken one of their men. Who told us they came to
our province upon no other design than to know the strength
of it; though it is not to be doubted, if they had found our
vessels at anchor, but they would- have raade use of thera to
pass by the way of our lake to the North Sea, and have aban
doned their corarades, who looked after their ships, and their
way would have been infalHbly by Carthage. Monsieur, the
governor, takes his raeasures thereupon, and continues to fortify
his entrenchment. I shaU give you a raore ample account of
this business by the first caravan."
The President of Panama's Letter to the Governor of
Costa Rica.
" Sir : — This is to give you notice of the advjces I have
received from Carthagena, by the way of Puerto Bello. ^The
king of France, supposing he had received some affront frora
our nation, sent eighty sail of all sorts before Calix, lo demand
contribution ; Jind, seeing there was sb vast an inequality ef
force upon this occasion, we agreed to give him half a raillion
to withdraw his ships, and return to their ports.^
" You know that ray lord bishop, on the 22d of August,
forced me to send out three ships to fight the pirates, that stfll
continued before our port and took all the barks and canoes
that were coming on. Our ships surprised thera at break of
day, Avhich raade one of the pirates slip his cable ; and this
Avas done, not for to fly away, but through the skfll of the
coraraander. I saw the fight frora ray ramparts, the honor
whereof I thought infallibly to have appertained unto us.
Having seen them draw near the shore, I sent a shallop to bring
away the anchor of that vessel that had slipped her cable, in
order to fasten her in our port. As soon as eyer I saw them
ungrappled, I despatched aAvay two long barks or galleys, to go
and learn the neAvs, and to Tbring those of the eneray that sur
vived before rae, though ray orders were, that no quarter should
be given to any that were fourid upon deck, to the end Ave
raight rid the Avorld of these eneraies of God and his saints,
who profane his churches, and destroy his servants. In the
evening they sent one of our raen to require rae to give np
five meri of theirs, that I had prisoqers in ray town, and, as my
prince forbade rae to do so, I refused it ; but these ncAV Turks
sent me twenty heads, and I. bethought rayself, that, for the
preventing of the' slaughter of so raany Christiansjf I ought to

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 401
send them their meri, wilh ten thousand pieces of eight, for the
ransom of ninety of our people, that were alraost all wounded,
which they sent us out of three hundred and thirty they had
taken with thera. Thus you see how God is pleased to afflict
us on all sides — let us take all for the sake of his sufferings
for us."
The Tenient of SansonaVs^ Letter to the President of Panama^
" Captain Fraricis Grognier is separated frora his fleet at Re
aleguo, and gone' ashore with a hundred and fifty raen upon
the Isles of ^apaUa. We took three of their men, who told
us, that those of them, that were gone up towards Panamia,
had a design to return to the North Sea. The peace we have
made with the Indians will do us raore hurt than good : we
were concerned, at leasts to observe their raotion, and stop up
that passage.'* Those people, seeing no place whereunto to
retire, becarae as so raany enraged dogs. We bad no need of
that, for wherever these irreligious wretches set their feet on
land,, they always' win the victory. If you please, let thera
have free passage, that we may be at rest. They came ten ot
a dozen tiraes ashore, without knowing what they wanted.
Send us a raan Avho understands the way of sea fighting, for I
ara of opinion they will never be able to gef off frora these
islands, and so it will be convenient to go and take thera there-."
On the 12lh, as Ave saw no ransora corae, we set out to go
ourselves to Nicoya, to fetch it, where we arrived next day ;
we sent out several, parties also in search of some victuals,
which the people had hid, and sent one to treat wflh thera
about the ransoming of their toAvn. The tenient told us the
governor was gone for relief to Costa Rica, and that he had no
orders to pay any ransom, further than what had been agreed
on for the prisoners, which was all ready, and that lie would
not have us be impatient, if we received not the same as soon
as we desired it, because they having no canoes, whereby to
send the raoney to us by sea, Avhich 'raight have been done in
half a day's lime, (the passage was so short that way,) had been
obliged to have it carried on mules' backs by land, which was
four days' journey. When Ave had received this answer, we sent
again to tell him that our interition was to have been gone next
day, bul that however, seeing he waited in expectation of suc
cors,, we would wait also'; but at length, growing impatient that
things Avere so long retarded, we went our ways on the 17th.
Two days afteV, being the 19th, they came to. the sea-side,
34*

402 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
over against the place where our vessels lay at anchor, and
brought us the ransom they had proraised for the prisoners,
whora we sent ashore at the sarae time. We gave, them a let
ter, which we wrote to the governor, wherein we sent him
word, if he would let us know when his reenforcement came,
we should nol fail to attend hira ; and that in the mean time,
if he did not send us so many horse-load of biscuit and mace,
as we required of him for the ransom of the town, he raight
assure himself we should go and burn it.
On the 20th, we weighed anchor, and went to one of the
islands in this bay to careen our vessels. On the ^2d,we went
off in our .canoes, leaving no raore raen with our ships than
were necessary to careen them, and sought out some hattoes,
where we might get necessary subsistence", to the end we might
lay by, and keep in store those provisions we had got together
on board, and Avhereof we should have occasion in the execu
tion of an enterprise we had formed upon the tOAvn of Q,uea-
quilla. On the 22d, al night, we went ashore at Caldaira, where
we were discovered by the sentinels, who, as they made their
escapes, set fire unto the savannas, in order to stop our passage ;
however, this did not hinder us to reach the little town of Les
parso, which had been alraost entirely abandoned since the
time of our being there before.
On the 23d, v^e had the curiosity, or rather humor, to pursue
the first road that -offered itself to our view at our departure ;
and after we had marched about a league on, we discovered
about two hundred horse upon our flank, and in our rear. A
Spaniard, who Avas advanced before the rest, made a thousand
mouths at us, and reviled us as much, which gave us an occa
sion to hide five oif our raen that were behind the rest, in the
'grass, that was exceeding high upon both sides of the Avay, and
leave our raain body to raarch on ; so that when our Spaniard,
who still followed qur people, went to pass forwards, he was
quickly dismounted, and Ave raade hira raake a grimace in good
earnest. We questioned hira according to our usual ceremony,
that is to say, by putting hira on the rack, about the place
where we were. He told us we were on the highway of Car
thage, and that all places were quite forsaken frora thence to
this town, which was no less than tAventy-seven leagues, out
of an apprehension, his country had, lest we should go and force'
them to grant us passage to the North Sea, as their chief offi
cers had, caused it to be reported araong thera. He also gave
us information, that they had four hundred men making their
rounds, Avhereof the two hundred we saw were of that number,
being detached to observe the time of our landing, that so they

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 403
might, retire to a strong entrenchment they had six leagues on
this side the lown, for to beat us back, in case Ave raade that
¦way. Being thus pre-adraonished, we thought it not conven
ient to go any further, our design being no other than to
know the country, and to get us sorae victuals ; so we returned
to Lesparso, and on the 24th, rejoined our canoes.
On the 26th, we went ashore under the guidance of our new
prisoner, who brought us to a sugar plafitation, where Ave di
vided into two corapanies to go to tAvo hattoes, and took all the
people we could raeet with there, who informed us, that several
other hattoes and sugar plantations in the neighborhood had
all together sent out two hundred arraed raen, who were gone
in the evening to beat back the crew of three of the enemy's
canoes, that had landed at Colebra, where they had killed and
wounded divers Spaniards. We presently imagined it raust
have been Captain Grognier, that was come up that coast, and
therein we were not mistaken ; we iraraediately returned, back
to the sea-side, lo go with our canoes to raeet hira, and in our
way heard the noise of several cannon-shot and small arms,
towards the place where wq had left our ship careening, which
made us double our pace, and reerabark in our canoes.
As soon as Ave were got on board our ships, we found Cap
tain Grognier, with three canoes there, who with his crew, had
been conducted to the said place by one of our canoes, whora
they had fortunately met in crossing this bay ; and the firing
we had heard, Avas raade by the one and the other, for joy of
their raeeting together. ,
Grognier told us, that he came up this coast Avith an inten
tion, to find out an uninhabited place, to the end he might land
without opposition, and to fetch a corapass across the couritryj
to get to the North Sea. We laid the danger whereunto he
raust necessarily expose so sraall a nuraber of raen before him,
(they being no more than sixty in all,) that if he were resolved
to undertake so dangerous an enterprise, it were better he would
stay with us untfl we found a favorable opportunity to repass
together lo that sea, as being belter able conjointly to surraount
those difficulties which Ave raight be exposed to thereby.
Being overcorae with our reasons, he staid with us ; and after
we had given hira an account of the adventures we had had
since our separation frora him, he also, in his turn, entertained
us with a recital of his, and told, us, he had made several
descents in the Bay of Napalla, Avith various success, and that
among other things, in ohe of those descents, the Spaniards
had taken three of his men-, Avho had been exchanged sorae
time after for other prisoners ; but that the- Spaniatds had so

404 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
far corrupted those three raen with the fine' proraises they made
thera, whfle they were in their custody, that upon their return,
they insinuated into their corarades, in order to betray thera, a'
design of going to a very considerable gold raine, which was
fourteen leagues off frora the sea-side, and as many from Tinsi-
gal, and that being prepossessed of making their fortunes there,
they had left the island where they were, tq the number of a
hundred and lAvelve men, and went ashore upon the continent,
with an intention to go to that raine, under the guidance of the
prisoners, who knew the way, and towards which they jour
neyed onlyrin the night tirae, for fear of being discovered ;
that those three raen who had been exchanged, and sold their
friends to the Spaniards, pretended they were weary, and had
occasion to rest, that so they taight not go with the rest ; that
for all this, they departed two hours after, bringing to the Span
iards, who waited in a convenient place for thera, all the pris
oners that were ashore in the said bay, and, after some tirae,
carried off the arras and araraunition of all the rest of our cora
pany that staid behind upon the island,, who had no raistrust of
them, whereof they laded a canoe ; but that the treachery, in
the raean tirae, had not had all the projected effect, and that he
and his raen got to the raine without opposition, because the
Spaniards, who had raade all things ready for raassacring of
thera, when going ashore, got thither later than they should
have done, and that through the fault of our renegadoes, who
had too rauch precipitated the departure of their corarades,
whora they thus saved by pressing thera on to their ruin. That
they had got no great purchase at the raines, because Iherb had
beeri orders given before for saving their treasure ; though, after
all, it was not above an hour's space that they had got away
four hundred and fifty pounds of gold, that Avas already pre
pared. That yet they found sorae pounds still left, and took
some prisoners, Avho were surprised by them, as not expecting
their company so soon, and that they also did believe they
had been defeated by the Avay, as the design had been formed
against thera.
That when they had staid two days at this raine, and being
intetit upon returning with his raen to the sea-side, he met with
a body of Spaniards on the way, waiting his coming, and mak
ing a raean, as if they woifld, now upon his return, raake
amends for the fault they had coraraitted, in not preventing his
descent. Their coramander sent a trurapet to Captain Grog
nier, to know if he were rainded to fight ; who being answered
that he desired nothing more, the Spaniards sent a second
time to tell him, that, if he would give up his prisoners, they

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA. 405
would grant hira free passage ; but he boldly answered, that, if
they desired to have thera, they raust corae and fetch thera by
the help of their arras ; and, as for the passage, he would open
his way through in spite of thera. That, having raade them
selves ready, the Spaniards had not the courage to slay for
thera, Qontenting theraselves only Avilh firing a few rauskets at
a distance, and so fairly took to their heels, while he pursued
his raarch towards his canoes, which had, as good luck would
have it, been left in a place Avhere the renegadoes could not
show them to the enemy.
He told u? moreover, that, sorae time after , his return frora
that mine, they had been at Pueblo Viego, by the way bf a
river that runs not above four leagues, and discharges herself
into the Bay of Napalla ; that they had surprised the town,
and that, after having rested there for some days, as they were
coming back to rejoin their canoes, they had met Avith an am
buscade, laid for thera under the covert of an entrenchraent,
guarded by six hundred raen out of the garrison of Realeguo,
which began to be inhabited again, Avith whora they had fought
a long tirae. But, finding the Spaniards stood to it more tightly
than ordinary, they threw themselves into their entrenchment,
where, kflling all about thera that raade any resistance, they
wrought a great slaughter araongst thera ; that one part of theni
continued prisoners, while the other fled Avithout any more ado,
and forsook their entrenchments as well as the three colors that
they had sel up there. That the freebooters had lost no more
than three men, but that^the Spaniards in the heat of the action
killed several prisoners of the one and the other sex, which Ihe
other had brought away from the town, Avho after this Avent on
board their vessels. That sorae raonths after, not concurring
with a design which fourscore and five of his raen had taken,
of going down towards the Isles of California, he had resolved
with the sixty that remained with hira to go up towards Pana
raa, where happening, as I have told you, to raeet us, we gave
'both hira and his raen roora in our ships, Avhere we learned this
whole relation from them.
On the 30lh Ave' quitted our ships, and went in our canoes
into several rivers which discharge theraselves into this Bay of
Caldaira ; and, araongst the rest, into a very fine one, whereon
we went up ten leagues, in all which space Ave ahvays found
her of the sarae depth and breadth. Several Spaniards told us,
that, a raatter of forty or fifty leagues higher, there was a moun
tain, frora whence arises the spring of this river ; and, on the
other side of the sarae raountain, arises also a spring, frora
which runs the River St. John, that discharges itself into the
North ^ea at the White Point.

406 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
We took a large canoe, laden with tallow, in this river, which
sorae time after was of great use to us, by way of food, as we went
to dueaquiUa. We also found sorae hattoes on this river's side,
Avhere Ave refreshed ourselves till the 6th of February, when
we returned on board our ships. On the 12th we departed, in
order to go the third tirae and visit Nicoya ; we arrived there
next day in the evening, and presently detached several parties
to get us intelligence concerning the Spaniards, who never ap
peared since they had threatened us with their succors, instead
of the ransom we required of them for saVing their town, which
they still refusing to satisfy us for, Ave burnt il this third time,
and, on the 17th, went our Avays.
Bill though we were forced to chastise the Spaniards in this
manner, we showed ourselves very exact in the preservation of
the churches, into which avc carried the pictures and images of
the saints which we found in particular houses, that they might
not be exposed to the rage and burning of the English, who
were not much pleased with these sorts of precautions ; they
being men Avho took more satisfaction and pleasure to see one
church burnt, than all the houses of America put together.
But, 'as it was our turn now to be the stronger party, they durst
do nothing that derogated from that respect we bore to all
those things.
Nicoya was a small town, pleasant enough taken altogether ;
its churches are very fine, and the houses as ill built ; they have
a pretty river there, that runs about one half of the town
round ; bul, when one is within, you cannot know which way
it is you have . entered, nor how to go out, because of the
height of the raountains wherewith it is surrounded every way.
We were no sooner gone from this town, bul the Spaniards
sent to sel firS to the roads through which we were to pass,
which yet we happily escaped, because they had but just begun
to do il. We took one of their men who Avas hemmed in be
tween us and the fire, and ^ho conducted us to several estaii-
cias, from which Ave did not return before the 20lh. And, on
the 22d, we put forty prisoners ashore,who Avere too chargeable
to be kept on board with us.
Some raen, perhaps, raay be amazed at Avhat I have said con
cerning the burning of the roads, but they would be much '
more so, had they seen it as we have done. There were two
sorts of places where this burning was wont to be practised,'
to wit, in the savannas and Avoods ; when the former were set
on fire, whose grass Was almost as high as our heads, and also
as dry, in a raanner, as powder, we found ourselves so besieged
on the right and left side of the readAvith the flame, that it made

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 407
us feel it to some purpose, though the same were of no long
duration. But when these roads lead through covert and woody
countries, as in the present occasion whereof I am speaking,
and that once fire be set thereunto, one may see, according to
the course of the wind, the country for several leagues burnt
in a little time, to which the dryness of things doth very rauch
contribute, the sun being exceeding hot at that season.
On the 23d we sent our quarter-raaster 'on board the English,
to raake an agreeraent with thera. We proposed to go in con
junction with thera to take €lueaquilla, (where the Spaniards
drove a great trade by sea,) upon condition that, if we took
two ships, we should cast lots who should choose, and that, in
case there were but one taken, that then we would put fifty
men of each nation on board her, till such time as we could
take another, which they would not agree to, as inflicting upon
the first choice. So that, seeing we could not bring them to
comply, we parted as well from thera as frora, Captain Grognier,
and fifty of our mep who staid on board him ; so that they
had a" hundred and forty-two raen in their ship, and we a
hundred and sixty-two in our frigate and long bark.'
On the 24th we weighed, and set sail for QueaquiUa, which
is the first raaritime town on the south coast, as you go thither
frora Panaraa ; we raade all the sail we could lo get thither
before the English, who had forraed the same design as we
had-done. We lay by till the 25th, to get out of the bay, and,
in passing from the White Cape, we steered S. S. W., S. and
by S. W., and directly south tq the 2Sth in the evening, that
we had on our starboard side a W. N. W. wind, bearing us to
the south, which ,lasted till the 29th, when we Avere becalraed
in the night. On the 1st of March towards noon, arose a
pretty fresh gale from the north, which raade us bear S. S. W.
and S. S. B., till the 4th in the raorning, when an easterly
breeze took us, and raade us bear south ; on the Sth arose a
north-west wind ; and on the Sth at noon we passed the equi
noctial line, leaving the Isles of Galapa, which are below to
the west, a dozen leagues to leeward.
These are eight islands that stand "north and south of the
White Cape, and east and west frora Q,ueaquilla ; they are full
of sea tortoises, that land there every hour of the day, and you
cannot find a place to tread on or walk along in the woods, for
the great nuraber of land tortoises, lizards, and agoutils, that
retire thither. The sea thereabouts is also so fruitful in the pro
duction of fish, that they corae to the very sands to die there ;
but these advantages, on the other hand, are encountered with
the want of water, whereof these islands are entirely destitute.

408 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
The wind, towards evening, carae to N. N. E., and made us
bear E. and by S. E., to keep to the continent ; the weather, on
the ] 0th in the raorning, grew very dark, andj we having a
southerly blast, bore K and E. by S. E., tiU the llth, when
we Avere becalraed. On the 13th arose an east Avind, and Ave
bore to the S. S. E., upon a lack, and N. N. B., and then lay
by for sorae time, because Ave did not know the currents. On
the 14th, having a north-east wind, we bore E. S. B., and ac
cordingly, as it blew fresh, Ave steered B. and by S. E.,and E.
On the ISth, two hours before day-light, .we had a storra, and
then a south wind ; Ave steered east all that day, but we had
such bad weather the following night, that Ave could nol
carry our sails ; next day about noon the weather grew better,
and an easterly breeze presented ; we lay by till the 18th al
noon, when we discovered a ship to the windward of us, to
whom we gave chase till the evening ; she proved to be the
English ship that had parted from us when we came out of
the Bay of Caldaira, who, knowing who we were, put into the
capp. We came to leeward of her, but she spread out her sails.
and got to' leeward of us. After we had given one another this
salutation, we put out for two hours to see which safled best ;
but knowing al last they were the better saflers, and fear
ing they might reach Q,ueaquilla before us, we desired them to
join with us in our design, to. which when they agreed, we set
sail together. We found ourselves much perplexed to knoAV
what latitude we might be in, since we had not seen the sun
for ten days together. Bul it happily fell out, that it appeared
on the 19th ; our pilots coraputed we raight be about twenty-
five leagues to windward of Q,ueaquilla, and sixty leagues from
land ; but the winds varied to that degree, that we could riiake
no way, and raany times went contrary.
On the 20lh we had a Avest wind, and steered E. and by
S.B. till the 21st, when Ave were becalmed. On the 24th arose
a south wind, and on the 26th an easterly breeze ; at last, the
wind persisting to be contrary, we were reduced to great want
of victuals, for we had already been upon our passage longer
than our provision would allow us ; to which we may add, that
fish had, till now, been so scarce, and hard to catch, that we
,had but little support from them. So that, having on the 2Sth
taken an account of the remairider of our victualling, we were
forced to retrench ourselves so far, as to eat but once in forty- _
eight hours." We also wanted Avater, and, had it not been for
the help of rain, we had certainly died of thirst ; but what
made us amends for one part of our wants was, that we found
ourselves, all of a sudden, in a kingdora of large fishes, such

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

409

as emperors, tunnies, germons,'galdenies, negroes, bonitoes, and
several others, to whom we gave no quarter, no raore than to
the sea-Avolves, Avho, for all their fll smell, could not escape us.
During that tirae we bore to the north-east, the wind not
allowing us to keep on our designed course, that, if the worst
came to the worst, we raight, by this course, reach the Isle of
St. John, pursuant to the design Ave had formed, upon meeting
wilh this contrary wind, of putting in there, in case the sarae
continued all the way. On the 29lh, afler we had taken the
latitude, our pilots coraputed us to be apposite to the Isle of
Platta, thirty leagues to leeward of Q,ueaquilla. On the 30th,
being Easter day, we were but one degree north latitude ; in the
twilight the wind began to blow fresh, and bore us E. N. B.
Next day the wind carae S. S. W., Ave steering E., E. and by
S. E., and E. S. E. On the 3d of April we were becalmed;
and, as we had for the space of two days, by the coraputalion
of our pilots, sailed towards land, they were of opinion that
the currents deceived thera, of which we made ourselves satis
fied by the following raanner: On the 4th, the weather being
very calra, Ave furled our safls, and put out one of our peri
augues, about whose forecastle we spun sixty fathoras of our
smallest rope, made fast unto a grappling iron, and, frora that
coast she raade from, the tide ran along her side wilh as much
swiftness as the current of a, river, and bore tp the north-east.
On the Sth we caulked our ships, ; towards midnight a south
west Avind presented itself, and we bore south-east.
On the 6th in the morning, we discovered land both to wind
ward and lecAvard of us ; we veered to, lest we should be
brought too near, and steered south. On the Slh, we were
about four or five leagues off, and our coasting, pilots knew the
place to be "Cape Pastao, which is under the line, thirty leagues
to leeward of the Isle.of Platta ; we had all hands aloft, and
steered south. On the 9lh, we bore to the S. S. E. tiU the
evening, and lo the S. W. tiU ten at night, when we steered to
the S. S. B. ; and, on the llth, we were got to the height of
the Isle of Platta, eighteen leagues out at sea.
On the 12lh at noon, we saw the point of Sancta Helena,
which is fifteen leagues to leeward of Q,ueaquilla, and forras
the beginning of the bay that bears the name of that town.
On the 12lh at night, we saw fire to windward of us«; we»lay
by tfll break of day, when we discovered a ship three leagues
to windward of us, and, as we were becalmed, we sent three
periaugues 'to know what she Avas ; they found her lo be a
prize, laden with wine and corn, which Captain David had
taken as she came out of Nasca, and which was separated frora
35

410 THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA.
him'; he had put eight Englishmen on board to conduct her,
who Aver6 lo have their rendezvous, in case of separation, at
the Isle of Platta. These men told us, that, after they had
ie/t Sl. John's Island, they made several descents, and in sev
eral parts of that country, among others, at Sagua, Arica, and
Pisca ; that, in the last of these places, a relation of the vice
roy of Lima came at the head of eight hundred raen, to attack
thera with SAVord in hand, but that they were vigorously re
pulsed ; that they had also taken a great many ships, which,
when they had pillaged, they let go again ; so that, finding they
had got to the value of five thousand pieces of eight a man,
they had resolved to return to the North Sea, and that, as they
sailed away for the Straits of Magellan, they fell to gaming,
whereat many lost all they had got ; that they had anchored
in the road that leads to the Isles of^ Don Fernandez, that stand
upon the brink of the strait; to which place came Captain Will-
net^ an Englishman, 'who had left them long before, and Avas
corae thither upon the same design with themselves, of repass
ing into the North Seas by the sarae straits ; but that Cap
tain David had. altered his resolution, for that those of his crew
who had lost their raoney, were not willing tb leave those seas,
nor the ship, till they had taken another. That, as for those
who had won, they went on board ''Captain Willnet, out of
which ship went also, dt the sarae time, such of his crew as
were Avithout money, in order to go and get some with Captain
David, and that so they were corae back into the South Sea,
to the number of sixty English and twenty French, as Willnet
was gone through the strait for the North Sea ; that Captain
Peter Henry was gone for the East Indies, presently after
Captain Suams ; aud lastly, they told us (though we had been
informed thereof before) that the Spanish fleet was a careening
at Piierto Callao," which, as I have already said, is the place of
embarking that belongs^to Liraa. *
As these eight Englishraen did not think that Captain
David's frigate would rejoin them so quickly at the place of
rendezvous, they proposed going with us to Q,ueaquflla ; which
we so much the more willingly agreed to, in that they gave us
a share of their victuals and dripk, and a little revived amongst
us that usual merriraent, that had now for sorae tirae been
exited frora us,, by the abstinences we were forced to undergo,
wherewith we were extreraely weakened ; then we sailed all
night in their company, steering S. E. and by E.
On the 14th, we furled aU our safls for fear of being discov
ered frora land, near unto which we were. About two, arose a
fog, by favor whereef we made use of bur main sail of all, as

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

411

well to corae ready rigged into the bay, which is thirty leagues
in length, as to get to windward of the River Queaquilla, and
to spare ourselves also the labor of roAving so rauch, for, being
so extraordinarily weak, we had not strength to do it.
We steered all night S. E., and,Von the ISth, discovered the
White Gape, which is the windward cape -of this hay ; about
ten in the raorning, we embarked to the nuraber of two hun
dred and sixty raen on board our candes, after having given our
ships orders to lay by in the bay, till they heard news frora us.
We steered all day long for the Island of Sancta Clara, with
which we carae up at sunsetting. This little island is in reality
npthing else bul a rock, standing east and west, six leagues dis
tant frora the continent ; we Avere obliged to cast anchor with
all the tides contrary to us, it being irapossible to, put into this
bay against the currents, Avhere Ave found six fathoms of water;
and, on the 16th, we found ourselves between Sancta Clara
and La Puna, about five leagues from the shore.
La Puna is a very pretty island, and may be discovered at a
great distance at sea^ because of the form of it, resembling a
cardinal's cap ; it is twenty leagues in circumference, and stands
east and west, two leagues frora the continent, and over against
the raouth of the River Q-ueaquilla. There is a large borough
buflt upon it, Avhere, in forraer tiraes, were kept the king of
Spain's magazines. Great ships, that is, such as are two or three
decked ones, that cannot corae into- the river, anchor between
it and the island. We hid ourselves in this island all day, and
that with the good luck of not being discovered by the senti
nels, who were there to the number of forty pf them, though
we knew nothing of it ; we departed in the evening, and got
more southerly, that we might not be discovered frora the
oq|ltinent. On the 17th, Ave hid ourselves again in a covert place upon
the sarae island ; where, after we had got an exact account
from our prisoners of the state, situation, and disposition of the
town of Queaquilla, which we were about to go and take, we
disposed of our forces in the following order : There were fifty
men making the forlorn hope, led byCaplain Picard, Avho com
manded our frigate, to attack the gre^t fort ; fourscore gren
adiers, cqmniarided by the captain of our bark, were to be in the
nature of reserves, and to serve any Avhere, as there should be
occasion for them ; Captain Grognier with the raain body was
to make hiraself raaster of the town and port ; and Captain
George Hewit, who Avas coraraander of the English ship, with
fifty of his raen, was to attack the little fort, and a thousand
pieces of eight was promised to any one of the ensigns, whereof

412 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
I Avas one, that sho&ld pitch the first colors upon the great fort
Things being thus regulated, we left our covert iri the evening,
believing we might be able to enter into the River of duea-
quilla that night, before day-light appeared ; bul, for all that,
all Ave could do was to gain one of the points of the island,
Avhich is over against the river, for we could hav^ the advan
tage bf the tide's coming in but for three hours ; which was the
reason that on the 18lh, as we'put off again, that we might the
more readily get under the covert of the island, day overtook
us, and so discovered us to a sentinel, who set a cottage on fire
as a signal to the other sentinels, that were posted at conven
ient distances on both sides of the river, that he saw us, that
so these same raight advertise the town of it. As soon as we
got ashore, we raarched across a wood to get to the said fire,
where we found sorae of those that had kindled it ; wherbbf
two were killed, as they fled to save themselves, and a third
Avas taken, but avc could get no intelligence from him, for he
Avas but a little boy.
This day we discovered a ship entering into the river ; Ave
let her pass, being unwiyirig to come out from under our covert
to fall upon her, for fear of being discovered by those on the
main land, who, we supposed, knew nothing of us, because the
inhabitants of Q.ueaquilla had not answered the fire signal
which the seritinel of La Puna had given them. Upon the
approach of night, we made ready, and entered into the River
of Queaquilla by one of the two raouths we found there, and
by which goes in and out with the tide so rapid a current, that
it is enough to carry a canoe two leagues in an hour, so that we
made four in the space of two hours.
There arq two very fine islands in the two largest parts of
this river, (Avhich maybe about a half a league over,)'under
the covert whereof we hid ourselves on the 19lh, all day long.
We raade ready in the evening, and had the pleasure lo be
carried up by the current, Avithout the use of our oars, for fear
lest the sentinels, who are always placed on this river's sides,
should hear the noise of our rowing. The design of our guide
was to pass by and land beyond the lown, because he knew it
was weaker, and Avorse guarded on that side than on the other ;
but his project failed hira, for the tide, now going out, was as
injurious to us, as it before had been'favorable, and forced Us to
go ashore, two hours before day, within cannon-shoton this
side of the town, from whence we discovered a great many
lights, which they usually keep in their houses all night long.
This place, where avc landed, is a country full of Avaler and
shrubs, across which Ave were forced to cut our way with our

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 413
sabres; but we did not' know we were unhappily landed over
against a sentinel, nor th^t, half an hour after that, one of our
men, Avho was left behind to look after our canoes, stmck fire
tb light his pipe whh, which he rashly did, contrary to the
express prohibition we had given hira ; which being perceived
by that sentinel, he raade no doubt but there raust be eneraies
near, because tfie Spaniards, upon pain of death, forbid their
people to strike fire in the night ; insorauch that he presently
discharged a small paterero, to give the fort notice of it, who
readily ansAvered the same with a whole discharge of their
cannon. Being overtaken at that instant of tirae with a storm
of rain, we were obliged to put in for shelter into a great house
Ave found before us, lo light the grenadiers' matches, and Avait
tfll day appeared : during which space the enemy fired contin
ually from the town, to frighten and let us understand they
were ready to receive us.
On the 20th at break of day, we marched out in order tow
ards the town, with our drums beating and colors flying ; and
upon our approach, found ourselves stopped by seven hundred
men, who attacked us from under the covert of a wall four feet
and a half high, and of a ditch, wherewith the sarae Avas encora
passed towards the river's side, which raade us presently suppose
it to be their fort, having had no good inteUigence of the situa
tion of the place. They did all they could to repulse us, and
presently killed sorae of our raen. Being encouraged with this
little advantage, they had the boldness to sally out upon us
wilh sword in hand ; bul, seeing we gave thera a raost vigor
ous reception, they fled without any more ado, and contented
themselves with breakirig doAvn the bridges, to hinder us frora
advancing ; but this could not prevent our crossing the ditch,
and getting to the foot of the wall, whereof we rendered our
selves raasters, in spite of all the resistance raade by thera, who
were not proof against our grenadoes, that drove thera into the
very houses, Avhich are all of them built on purpose for places
. of defence, in case they be attacked, and from whence in a
short tirae we alsb drbve them. They fled to the place of
arms, and entrenched themselves in a strong caze,„which we call
a redoubt, and which, when they had defended for an hour's
time, they were all forced to abandon, insomuch that we pur
sued thera frora fort to fort, till we carae to a third, which is
the greatest and most considerable of thera all. Here they,
defended theraselves a long tirae ; for they fired continually
upon us, by favor of the sraoke of their cannon, which hin
dered us frora seeing thera. When we were got to the foot of
the palisadoes, they sallied out again with sword in hand^ and,
35*

414

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

haAring wounded sorae of -^our raen, they took one of them
prisoner ; but we quickly made thera leave him, and lo run
back into their fort, afler they had lost a great many men. At
last, being weary with about eleven hours' fight, and our pow
der being now almost spe,^nt, we redoubled our efforts in such a
manner, that Ave broke in upon them, and raade ourselves mas-
ters of this last fort, bul not without loss on our side, since we
had nine men killed, and a dozen wounded. We sent out sev
eral parlies at the same time to pursue those that fled, who
were still in sight of us, whfle the other Roraan Catholics went
to sing Te tieum in the great church, after Ave had first put a
garrison into the fort.
The town of Queaquflla is alraost built round about a little
mountain, whereon stand those three forts, two \vhereof are
commanded by the third, which is the largest, and all of them
command the town. The greatest, Avhich is that against which
we had raost to do, is nowhere strong, but to the river-
ward, and the two lesser ones are upon the descent of a hill,
which also looks toAvards the river, and are each of thera sur
rounded with a thin but very high wall on the outside ; we
found none but patereroes to defend it. There is a corarauni
cation between these last two, and the other by a covert-way,
on each side Avhereof are two rows of paUsadoes filled Avith
earth, and defended also Avith patereroes. In the great fort,
which is also beset with palisadoes, we found seven pieces of
cannon, carrying frora twelve to eighteen pound ball ; but they
could not, becau.se of the , elevation of the place, bring their
guns to bear low enough to incoraraode those that were in the
town, unless, by thundering against the houses, they should be
buried in the ruins of them. The magazines of powder stand
in the middle of the fort, and are slightly enough buflt. The
town, as I have observed, is to the . river-Avard, encorapassed
with a wall, four feet and a half high, and three feet thick.
The streets are very straight. The parish churches, as well as
the convents, are very curiously buflt ; the houses are almost
all buflt with boards, and founded upon piles, for that in the
rainy tirae of the year, Avhich continues frora the beginning
of January to the end of Aprfl, they are so incommoded, as to
be forced to make bridges, and raise banks of earth in all the
streets, to keep off the water and mud. Their chief com
modity is cocoa, of which they make chocolate. We took seven
hundred prispners of both sexes in this place, and among the
rest was the governor and his famfly. He was wounded; as
were several officers and raen of quality, who fought more
bravely than five thousand other men that defended the place.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMEftlCA. 415
We found in the place several sorts of raerchandise, a great
many pearls and precious stones, a prodigious quantity of silver
plate, and seventy thousand pieces of eight at least ; thoUgh
there were three raiUions among them Avhen we came thither.
But, as Ave were all wholly taken up to make ourselves masters of
the forts, they laid hold of that opportunity to make their escape
along the river, with the greatest part of their raost valuable
movables. When our canoes were corae to anchor under the
town, we were not backward to send four of thera away, in pur
suit of the shallops that carried the said riches ofthe town away ;
but then it was too late. They only took twenty-two thousand
pieces of eight, and a verrailion eagle gflt, that had served for
a tabernacle to sorae church, weighing sixty-eight pounds, and
was exceeding rare, as well for the workraanship as two great
tocks of eraeralds, whereAvith the eyes of it were made.
There Avere fourteen barks in the port, Af ith the galleys against
whom we fought at Pueblo Nuevo, and two of the king of
Spain's ships upon the stocks, almost finished. We agreed with
the governor in the evening about the price of the ransom of his
faraily, the toAvn, fort, cannon, and the ships, they being to give
us a raillion of pieces of eight in gold, and four hundred sacks
of corn ; and, in order to forward the payment of the said ran
som, which was to be brought frora the town of Q,uita, eighty
leagues off, he desired us to release their vicar general, Avho
was a raan of great authority and credit araongst them.
We found this governor's house so richly furnished and filled
with such precious movables, that nothing in Europe could
be raore magnificent. The Avomen of this town are Very
pretty ; but raost of the fathers or raonks live here at great
ease, and in such familiarity with the fair sex, that is far frora
being a good pattern and exaraple unto others. The fathers
hated us to that degree, that they persuaded the women, who
had never seen any freebooters, we were altogether unlike them,
that we were not even of human form, and that we would both
eat them and their chfldren ; which made thera conceive so mueh
horror and aversion for us, th^t they could not be dispossessed
thereof, till they came lo know us better. But then, I can
boldly say, they entertained quite different sentiments of our
persons, and have given us frequent instances of so violent a
passion as proceeded sometiraes even to a degree of folly.
It is not frora a chance story that I carae to' know the ira-
.pressions wrought in these women, that Ave were men that
would eat them ; for, the next day after the taking of the town,
a young gentlewoman that waited upon the governess of the
place, happening to fall into my hands, as I Avas carrying hit

416 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA:
away to the place where the rest of the prisoners were kept,
and to that end ipade her walk before rae, she turned back,
and with tears in her eyes, told rae, in her oavu language, Senior
pur VAmor de Dios no mi comb ; that is. Pray, sir, for the love
of God, do not eat rae. Whereupon I asked who had told her
that we Avere wont to eat people ; she answered, the fathers,
who had also assured thera, that we had not human shape, but
that Ave resembled monkeys.
On the 21st, sorae of our raen,' who had made a fire in the
day-time, in one of the houses of the town, came to the court
of guard in the evening, without extinguishing of it, so that
at night it set the lown on fire ; but the fear we were in, lest
the same shpuld reach our court of guard, wherein was lodged
all the powder in the place, and part of the raerchandise and
riches of the town, we were obliged tb get all carried on board
the barks that were irvthe port, and to bring all our prisoners
into the fort ; and, Avhen that was done, we endeavored to put
a stop to the fire, Avhich yet burnt down one third of the town,
notwithstanding all the pains we took to put it out.
We returned on the 22d in the raorning to our court of guardj
and fearing lest the Spaniards raight refuse to pay the ransom
agreed on for the town, because of this accident, we having
promised by our treaty with them not to burn it, we took upon
us to believe they were the cause of it, and sent them a letter,
wherein we gave thera to understand we were much surprised
at their manner of procedure ; that they should, after our
agreeraent Avith thera, come with a mischievous intention to
burn the merchandise and corn that were of so much use to us,
.and that we repented we had not left all the town to be burnt;
that, if they did not pay us what we had suffered by the fire,
we should send thera fifty of the prisoners' heads. They there
upon excused the matter to us, saying they must be sorae ras
cally spiteful people that had done this, and they would take
care to satisfy us.
.On the 23d, the governor furnished us Avith a coasting pilot,
whom we sent in one of our canoes to see for our ships, (to
whbra we had given erders they should lie by in the bay,) to
bring them to anchor at the Isle of Puna, whither we were to goat
our departure from Glueaquflla, lo wait for the promised ransoms.
On the 24tn, finding one of our men was sick wilh the stench
which the dead carcasses, to the number of above nine hundred,
lying up and down the lown, occasioned, aa^c went our ways,
after we had first dismounted and nailed up the cannon in the
fort, and carried five hundred prisoners, being the best of the in
habitants, along with us, into our barks ; wherein we arrived

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 417
with thera on the 25th at Puna, where we found our ships ready
tq cast anchor.
On the 2d of May, Captain Grognier died of the wound he
had received that day we took the town, when the seven hun
dred Spaniards opposed our entering the fort, and the same day
died four of our men also. On the 4th we sent our galley to
the Isle of Platta, to see if Captain David's frigate was corae
to rendezvous there.
The tirae allowed for the paynlent of the ransora of Cluea-
¦ quflla being expired on the 9th, we granted them four days
Ibnger ; but then we began to be Aveary of this delay, Avhen a
Spanish bark, that Avas wont to carry us provision, brought an
officer in her, who desired us not to be impatient, for the ran
som wo\ild be quickly paid. Now this dilatoriness made us begin
to suspect very much that there was. some treachery in the case,
i,nd that they entertained us with hopes for no other end than
to amusfe us, tfll such time as the enemy Avere reenforced.
' And our guess was right enough, as will appear hereafter, inso
rauch that we were constrained to use such severity to
wards our prisoners, as we knew would strike a terror into our
eneraies. We raade them throw dice for their lives, and, the
lot falling upon the heads of four, we cut thera off presently,
and sent them to Clueaquilla in the sarae vessel that had brought
the said officer unto us, by whora we let the tenient understand
that, if the ransom did not coriie within four days, Ave Avouldl
send them the heads of all the rest of the people that Avere m
our poAver.
Our galley on the 14th returned from the Isle of Platta, and
related that she had been chased about the Point of Sancta
Helena by Iavo ships, but she could not 'discover what they
were ; and this raade us that evening send out one of our canoes
that safled well, to see what those ships raight be. On the 16lh,
she found they carae to join us, they being Captain David's
frigate and a prize he had taken after the other had been sep
arated from them, which Ave raet before we went to Qjueaquilla :
they carae with full resolution to raake a descent at Paita, in
order to get some refreshments for their men, who had been
wounded in a fight they had had Avith a Spanish ship called
Catalina, which they met fifty leagues to leeward of Lima,
and Avas one of those that we had for so long a time waited for
before that town.
This ship Catalina was separated from two more with whom
she was returning to the port of Callao, when, unfortunately
for her, she met with Captain David's frigate, that safled much
better than she, and Cbuld have taken her, withbut raaking, as

418 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
he did, two days' fight of it, had it not been that the greatest
part of his crew, being continually drunk, failed twenty times
to corae up close to board her, and suffered theraselves to fall
to lecAvard, because of their fll rigging, as often as they found
theraselves to windward of her; Avhich being observed by the
Spaniards, they thought, by putting up a bloody flag, they
Avould be quickly brought to strike ; but therein they were mis
taken, and the quite contrary fell out. For David's people
groAving sober on the third day, and putting their tackle and
rigging into belter order than before, the Spaniards were so ter
rified thereat, that they ran ashore, where their ship did nol
keep whole Iavo hours. David's men, in a canoe, went to save
lAvo Spaniards, who were about swimming to l^nd, and now,
having escaped the danger of drowning, told thera that their
captain, having had his thigh shot off with a cannon-ball, had
desired his lieutenant, before his death, to lose no tirae, bul to
go Avithout tarrying, to acquaint the viceroy of Liraa of the
dangerous estate the frigate was reduced lo, that he raight send
without delay to her assistance. ,
Our canoe, which on the 22d carae to rejoin us, and gave
the aforesaid inforraation, brought also along with her Captain
David's prize, which he had sent to desire us to get a raain-
raasl to be brought hira Yrora Q,ueaquiUa, as soraewhat of our
ransora, his having been very rauch daranified in the last en
gagement; and that, tfll it came, he Avould cruise without the
bay to prevent our being surprised by the Spaniards.
I forgot to take notice that this ship's crew had, at Paita, sur
prised a courier that was going ffora Q,ueaquiUa to Lima the
third time, to carry the following letter unto the viceroy ;
which clearly made out unto us the suspicions we had enter-
tairred before, that the Spaniards deferred to pay us the prom
ised ransora, that they might have time to prepare theraselves
to corae and pay us in a sort of coin we had no occasion for,
and which we did not require at their hands.
A Letter of the Tenient of Queaquilla to the l^iceroy of Lima.
" Sir: — I ara to inforra your excellency, the second time,
that the English and French are still at Puna ; it is several days
since the term they had allowed us for the redemption bf our
prisoners is expired ; I have done it on purpose that your excel
lency raight gain tirae. They have sent rae four of our peo
ple's heads. I wfll arause thera with sorae thousands of pieces
of eight frora time to tirae, (though they have no reason to be
weary,) while your excellency raay please to corae ; and,

THE BUCCANEERS QF AMERICA. 419
though they should yet send rae fifty heads raore, I shall
esteera that loss to be much less prejudicial to us, than lo
suffer such evil-disposed people lo live. Now, sir, we have a
brave opportunity to get rid of them, provided your excellency
lose no tirae to do it."
We could not have received a raore certain testiraony of the
thbughls and designs bf bur eneraies than those discovered by
this letter unto us ; so we took our raeasures accordingly.

CHAPTER LV. » ,
The remaining Actions of the Freebooters in the South Sea, during 1687.
The best winter quarters which we had raet wilh in these
seas, and that of longest duration, was that of the time of our
sojourning upon this Island of La Puna, where, for the space
of thirty odd days that we staid here, we lived mighty well ;
for, besides the victuals which the Spaniards brought us daily
frora Q,ueaquilla, we had brought thither ourselves a great
many refreshraents. Neither did we want charras for our ears in
this place, for Ave had all the music of the town among our
prisoners, which consisted of lutes, theorvoes, harps, guitars, and
other instruraents, I never saw any where else, wherewith they
made a very fine concert.
Sorae of our raen grew very farafliar wilh our wonien pris
oners, who, without offering them any violence, Avere not spar
ing of their favors, and made appear, as I have already remarked,
that, after they carae once to know us, they did not retain all
the averlion for us that had been inculcated into thera, when
we Avere strangers unto thera. All our people Avere so charraed
Avlth this way of living, that they forgot their past raiseries,
and thought of no raore danger frora the Spaniards than if
they had been in the raiddle of Paris.
Araongst the rest, myself had one pretty adventure. Among
the other prisoners we had a younggentlewoman latejy become
a Avidow of the treasurer of the town, who Avas slain when it
Avas taken. Now this woman appeared so far comforted for her
loss, out of a hard-heartedness they have in this country one for
another, that she proposed to hide me and herself in some corner
ofthe island tfll our people were gone, and then she would bring
me to Q,ueaquilla to raarry her ; that she would procure rae her

420

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.^

L/

/ . / ' '' ' / hr^

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 421
husband's office, and vest rae in his estate, which was very
great. When I had returned her thanks for such obliging
offers, I gave her to understand that I was afraid her inter
est had not the mastery bver the Spaniards' resentments ; and
that the Avounds they had received frora us were yet too fresh
and green for thera easfly to forget thera. She went about to
cure me of ray suspicion, by procuring secretly frora the gov
ernor and chief officers under their hands, how kindly I should
be used by thera. I confess I Avas not a little perplexed here
with ; and such pressing testimonies of good will and friend
ship towards me, brought me, after a little consultation Avith
myself, into such a quandary, that I did not know which side
to close wilh ; nay, I found myself at length rauch inclined to
close Avith the offers made me. And I had two poAverful rea
sons lo induce me thereunto, one of which was the miserable and
languishing life Ave led in those places, where we were in per
petual hazard to lose it, which I should be freed frora by an
advantageous offer of a pretty woman and a considerable settle
ment ; the bther proceeded from the despair I was in of ever be
ing able to return into ray own country, for Avant of ships fit for
that purpose. But when I began to reflect upon these things
wilh a little raore leisure and consideration, and that I revolved
wilh rayself, how little trust was to be givSn to the promises
and faith of so perfidious as -vvell as vindictive a nation as the
Sp9.niar,ds, and more especially towards raen in our circum
stances, by whom they had been so ill used ; this second reflec
tion carried it against the first, and even all the advantages
offered rae by this lady. .But, however the raatter was, I was
resolved, in spite of the grief and tears of this pretty woman,
to prefer the continuance of my troubles(with a ray of hope I
had of seeing France again) before the perpetual suspicion I
should have' had of sorae treachery designed against me. Thus
I rejected her proposals ; but so, as to assure her I should retain,
even as long as I Hved, a lively resentraent of her affections
and good inclinations towards rae.
On the 23d, we sent one of our canoes to Q,ueaquilla, lo
carry one of the fathers thither, they being a people as rauch
obeyed and respected by that nation, as the viceroys themselves.
The governor gave this man a full power to act as he pleased,
even in opposition to the obstructions which the tenient made^
against the payraent of the ransora afore-raentioned. After his
departure carae a bark which brought us four and twenty sacks
of meal, and to the value of twenty thousand pieces of eight
in gold. They desired us, moreover, to grant thera three days
time for the payment of the rest ; which we allowed them, but
36

422 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
withal threatened, upon their failure therein, we should seize
upon their fort and burn their toAvn and ships.
Our canoe returned on the 25lh, who gave us an account
they would pay no raore than two arid twenty thousand pieces
of eight for the rest of the ransora, and thatthe tenient woifld
pursue his prince's orders, who forbade the payraent of any^
that he had five thousand raen at hand, with which he wailed
to see if Ave would put our threats in execution. Upon this
fierce and> bold answer, Ave had a consultation together whether
we should cut off- the heads of all the prisoners. The plu
rality of voices, together with raine, was, that it were better
we should go and look after the two and twenty thousand
pieces bf eight, than shed any more blood ; seeing also, that,
our design being lo leave these seas, we had no further occasion
for these executions to make us be feared ; and that, after ajl, we
were but too well assured, by the tenient's letter, thatthe Span
iards were setting all things in order, to come and act their
utmost efforts against us, which, perhaps, would administer
matter of repentance unto us, if we still persisted in our resolu
tion. That therefore we ought to accept the offer, and to giv-e
up unto them no other than the meanest of the prisoners, with
out divesting ourselves" of those of quality, who would be a
security unto us for the rest. That, while we waited for them,
it Avas our best way to take them along Avith us, and put off
from the shore, steering toAvards the point of St. Helena, where
Ave should be out of danger of the surprises of our eneraies,
whose raotions we could every way discover at a distance.
Things being thus concluded on, we sent our canoe to Q,uea-
quilla, Avho returned again on the 25th, and told us, that next
day the Spaniards would, Avithout fail, bring us the two and
twenty thousand pieces of eight to the Isle of Puna, where we
then Avere.
We put, the sarae day, fifty of our best prisoners on board
our ships ; and, at the same time, weighed anchor, and quitted
our good Avinter quarters, where Ave left the rest of our prison
ers, with two canoes to guard thera, and to wait for the raoney
promised us ; giving our men orders to tell those who brought
it, that they should send us the reraainder of what Avas agreed
on, to the point of St.Helena ; and, upon default thereof, that
they should see the people no raore. Our canoes, on the 26th
in the evening, came to join us, as Ave lay by to get out of this
bay, and brought us the two and twenty thousand pieces of
eight. ^
Next night the English frigate's prize, who thought we still
lay at anchor at La Puna (from whence she raet us about eight

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 423
leagues) came to give us notice, that two Spanish arraadfllas
waited our coraing out of the bay, and that David's frigate lay
by, as they did, to stay for us. On the 27th by breakof day,
Ave discovered thera belAveen the Isle of Sl. Clara and the point
of St. Helena, to the Avindward of ua. Captain David's frig
ate, upon sight of us, raade up presently to us, and, having
got all together, we consulted what Ave were best to do. We
put fourscore of our raen on board of hira, because he had not
number enough of his own to raanage his guns ; and, as we
had not men enough to manage our prizes, we reserved only
bul two ships and a long bark, and sent the rest Avith our peri
augues upon the flats, Avhere the Spanish ships could not come,
as drawing raore water than they did. We lay by till noon,
to get the weather-gage, which yet we could not do, because
at this time of the year the winds blow from the sea, and are
very 'fixed, and that besides, as we came out of the bottom of
the bay, we could not well hope to gain it, the Spaniards being
at the raouth thereof
About noon our enemies came upon us, and so we fought
tfll the evening with our cannon, which the, Spaniards call
gallant fightiiig, without much hurling of one another. We
cast' anchor upon the approach of night, as thef did also about
a league to the Avindward of iis.\ We fired a gun for our prizes
to come up, which they did, and cast anchor near us, for their
greater security.
We sent thera back about an hour before day-light to their
forraer station, and, as soon as ever light appeared,' we raade
ready, and the Spaniards did the same ; but no sooner were we
got under sail, but we were becalmed. Unhappily it fell out
that we, were without our* periaugues to row us to the Avind
ward, because we had sent them back with our prices, to avoid
the trouble they might have caused us, and therefore all we
could do, now, was to make use of our little canoes, which we
had still with Us ; the Spaniards also rowed lo the windAvard
to dispute- the matter with us ; however, Avith rauch ado, we
got a cannon-shot to the Avindward of thera ; but, as they kncAV
better how to bear close up to the. wind in these seas than we,
in half an hour's time they recovered the weather-gage of us.
We lay by tfll two in the afternoon, and seeing we could do
no good wilh them, avc put in to the cape, to Wait for Iavo of
our ships that were behind. In the raean tirae these arraadfl
las bore up to us, and, when they had got AVithin a good can
non-shot, we fought till it Avas dark night ; they very rauch
shattered us, yet wounded but one raan ; we anchored in the
everiing, as we had done the day before, and they did the same
also to the windward of us.

424 THE buccaneers of AMERICA.
We reraained at ahchor on the 29th, as well as they, tfll three
in the afternoon, when they weighed to, go apd attack the big
gest of our prizes, , because she had anchored only on the side
of the shallows, and we raade ready to defend her. -We came
to such a close fight with them, that all our sraall arras, as well
as great guns, came into play on both sides ; yet we lost not one
man, though they on their side had a great many killed, which
Ave kneAv bythe blood that ran out of their scupper-holes; and
at our parting they crie.d, "A la manana la partida," that is,
To-morrow to it again.
On the 30th, both they and we prepared to put out of the
bay, and the Spaniards, who were stfll to windward, did all
they could to hinder us to get -the weather-gage. We came
to an anchor towards noon, to disarm one of our prizes that
sailed very badly, and lo fit up another in the room of her;
Avhich Captain David gave us, as Avell as the twenty French
men that made part of his crew, and were minded tq leave
him. We wrought all night to unrig her, and when we had sp
done, we sent her into the bottora. We put ourselves under
sail on the 31st, and about two in the afternoon came to an an
chor, because of the tide's being against us. Presently after,"
the two armadillas came up with us. Which made us Aveigh,
and then to put in to the cape, to wait for one of our prizes
that was far from us, which not being able to join us as soon
as the qnemy, her crew left her, and went into her periaugue,
Avherein they carae to throw themselves on board one of our
men-of-war. They had left four Spaniards in that same prize,
Avho, by the favor of a good wind, put back into the River of
Q.ueaquilla, where they made their escape, and what was Avorst
of all, took along with thera alraost' all our provisions that were
in her. .
When we were got within half cannon-shot of our eneraies'
ships, we fired upon one another, and that without intermission,
till an hour within night. We received several cannon-shot in
our sides, during thjs engagement, had almost all our tackle
spoiled, and our sails sifted, because the Spaniards did all that
ever they could to bring our masts by the board ; and indeed,
the foremast of the frigate received five cannon-shot, and the
mainraast three ; but they came only slanting, and as good luck
would have it, we had not one raan killed nor wounded.
We saw the eneray on the 1st of June, by break of day, a
league's distance frora us ; we Avere not slow to do all we could
to put out. About ten they lengthened their boltspring safls,
and returned upon us ; but as we saw thera bear up towards ppr
frigate, we thought they intended to board her, and this raade

' THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 425
US presently put into herthe crew of our long bark, by way of
reenforcement. As soon as ever the Spaniards were come up,
they put out their Burgundian colors, living till then , put out
none. When jive were corae pretty near, they gave us a volley
of musket-shot, together Avith a discharge of their cannori,
laden with cartouches ; but Ave got clear of thera, so that they
could not corae to grapple with us.-
Afler we had left thera to make all the fire they could, we
gave them a discharge of all our cannon, and a full volley wilh
our small arras in our turn, and then we were ready. to board
them ; but they, finding themselves much damaged, very readily
got aloof to hinder us.
They took up an hour's time to refit, then bore up to Us ¦
again, renewing the fight, which lasted till night ; but they
had been so well banged, that they had no raind to feel us this
time so near ; and that day we had three men wounded.
On the 2d, by break of day, they were stfll to the windward
of us, fft about two leagues distance, and bore up to us. ; we
having a freSh gale, put into the cape, and when they wer.e
corae within a good cannon-shot of us, they plied us very
tightly Avith their great guns, and theh approached within a
muske.t-shot of us, as believing we were now out of condition
to raake any long resistance : but as we had a belter advantage
of using our fusils, we made so great a fire upon them, that
they were forced tb close up their port-holes, and bear up to the
wind. We received sixty cannon-shot this day in our sides,
whereof two thirds were betAveen wind and water ; besides
which, all our rigging was torn, and we had two men wounded,
whereof rayself Avas one.
About two hours within night, they raade a show of coming
to board us, but, finding we Avere as well prepared to receive
thera by night as by day, they bore upon the wind. We spent
sorae part of this night at anchor, to stop up our cannons'
mouths, Avhich otherAvise raight have sent us into the deep.
We were astonished next raorning at break of day, that we
could not set sight on the two armadillas, with whom we had
made ourselves ready to renew the fight ; and in all appearance,
they grcAV weary of it before us, though they had so great an
advantage as that of the wind, which yet, as we heard since,
could riot secure thera from losing a great many men, and hav
ing their ships at^ least as rauch -shattered as ours. So that
supposing well wilh ourselves, that they had steered their course
tb Port Callao, we steered ours for the Isle of Platta, Avhere Ave
anchored in the evening, and continued there two" days to
caulk our ships. 36*

426

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.

We had, during these several engagements, brought up upon
our decks the governor of Q,ueaquilla, and the other chief offi
cers that were our prisoners, that they might be Avitnesses of
the vigor with Avhich our raen fought, and the cowardice of
their own people, who durst not enter our ships, though they
came board and board Avilh us twice.
We weighed on the 6th, and sailed along the coast, that Ave
raight find a convenient place to take in water. This coast is
very level, safe, and very good to land upon, Avhich is the rea
son that the sarae is throughout, as far as Barbacoa, inhabited
by the Spaniards. We anchored between Cape Pastoa and- that
of St. Francisco. On the 10th, Ave put our prisoners ashore,
.and gave theni their liberty, being not able lo go'to the point
of St. Helena, to see whether their ransora was come, Avhich I
suppose would have been to little purpose, fqr those two arma-
diUas had^been sent to pay us withcannoH-baU.
On the llth, we went about dividing the gold, precious
stones, and pearls we had found in Q.ueaquilla ; bul as these
things coifld not be divided, nor easily valued, the gold not
being coined, and the stones of different value, we put up all
by way of auction, that those who had silver raight bid for
them, and so e.very man have his part according as he bade ;
and as there were s.everal araong us who, having got consider
able suras of money at play, Avere sure, and if it pleased God,
they should once get safe out of these seas, their way raUst be
no other than over land, where the Aveight of their silver -must
hinder or retard their going ; they bid for those jeA^'cls that
kept but little roora, and weighed not rauch, so excessive a
price, that the gold alone that was coined was worth eighty
and a hundred pieces of eight an ounce, and each pistole fifteen
of the said pieces. But though these things were sold so dear,
we made no more a division of the booty of that town than
Avhat carae to four hundred pieces of eight a man ; the whole
might amount to about five hundred thousand pieces of eight, or
fifteen hundred thousand livres ; which raoney, as we were out
of hopes to carry along Avith us, served us to play for on board
our ships for our diversion : so that in the descents we made,
we sought now for nothing but gold and precious stones, which
we did not find so plentifully as silver ; of which, I must be
plain, Ave made so little account, that A^ie thought it not Avorth
our Avhile to take along Avith us a great quantity of plate, and
other things, whereof the town of Q.ueaquilla was full. We
also n,eglected to send a canoe afler the hundred caons of coined
silver, each consisting of eleven thousand pieces of eight,
which the Spaniards had sent, away to the other side of the

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 427
river, "when we were engaged with them, and which were yet
in sight of us when the fight was over. There is such a vast
quantity of that rich metal in this country, that raost of those
things we raake in France out of steel, copper and iron, are
made by thera in silver. This indifference in us gave sorae
of their people raany tiraes occasion to interraix with us, to
pillage frora their own fellow-citizens what we neglected, and
of which they Avere not so squearaish as we, or rather so put
to it for the carriage of them, they being in their own country,
and we far from ours.
Oft the 12th, Captain David's frigate left us, he designing to
go and careen at the Isles of Galapas, and then to sail away for
the Strait of Magellan, in order to return to the North Sea ; but
as for -us, our vessels were so small, and withal so bad, that it
was impossible we should get up higher than the coast of Peru ;
neither could they also contain such a quantity of Avater as Ave
had occasion for, which is very hard to come by on that coast,
where you must go two or three leagues up the country before
you can raeet with any. These difficulties made us ;resolve to
return to the western coast, that so we might endeavor to find
out a way also to return to the North Sea, but that raust be
other than over land.
• Before I leave this coast, I cannot but take notice that Peru
is one of the richest countries in the world, not only in respect
to the great quantity of gold and silver Avhich the Spaniards
dig out of the mines they possess there, but also upon account
of the great fertility of the earth, that produceth to the tillers
of il three crops every year, as well of corn as wine ; and that
besides those fruits that are peculiar to all Araerica, you have
also manjr of those here which grow in France, insomuch that
this great diversity of spfecies is the occasion that -you have
continual supplies of fresh fruits in all the seasons of the year.
The inhabitants of this country reckon but two seasons,
which divide the whole year into a summer of nine months,
and a winter of three ; during which it freezes oftentimes very
hard on the mountains, though the same is hardly discernible in
the plains. Amongst their other cattle, they breed sheep, that
Weigh lAvo hundred and fifty, or three hundred pounds. weight.
These animals are of great use to them, having the very 'same
instinct as camels. They raake thera carry jars of Avater, ofl,
or wine, Avhich are a sort of earthen ware raade like sugar-pans,
two of which hold about five and thirty quarts, and when emp
ty, weigh as much as the liquor that fills them. When they
are minded to fiU thera, these sheep will kneel down, and as
soon as they are fuU, get up very gently ; when they are corae

428 THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA.
to the place whither they are to carry them, they lay thera'down
in the samq raanner, and continue till they are discharged of
their burden.
We weighed on the 13th, and On the ISlh anchored twenty
leagues to the windward of Point Mangla ; we put ashore in a
canoe, ^where we sU;:prised a watch of fifteen Spanish soldiers,
Avho were set upon the side of a curious river. The entertain
ment we gave them forced thera to own unto us, that they
were to guard the river, which they called Eraeralda, because
of the many rocks, or great pieces of eraeralds, which their
countryraen take up there ; and that we might, in the spadfe of
eight hours, go very easily from the mouth of it in our canoes,
to surprise the town of Q.uito, but not so by land, because
then we must fetch a compass of fourscore leagues, through a
country full of inhabitants, who Avould not fail to oppose us ;
and for these reasons it was, that they endeavored all they
could to keep from strangers the knowledge of these advan
tages. This town pf Q,uito is well peopled, and was formerly
the capital of the kingdom that bears its name, but now it de
pends upon the government of the viceroy of Lima.
On the 17th, Ave got ready and sailed away for the Isle del
Gallo, which stands at. the mouth of the little Bay of Barbacoa,
a hundred leagues to the leeward of Queaquilla. On the 19th,'
we discovered, by break of day, a ship whom we chased, and
towards ten in the forenoon, took her : she was a bark come
frora Panaraa to go and buy negroes, which the English in Ja
raaica send thera by the way of Puerto Bello, and which they
were going to trade with at Paitas ; they get very considerable
by these blacks, for the English sell thera to the Spaniards for
four arid five bundled pieces of eight a raan, and are Avorth
three and four hundred with them. We anchored on the 20th
at the Isle of Gallapo, where we examined the prisoners we
had taken in the said bark, who told us, that the galley of Pan
araa was gone into the Bay of Mapalla, in quest of the French-
,men that were gone ashore upon those islands, which, I have
already said, are there ; and that, in her return, she was to carry
the president of Guatemala and his wife to Panama.
On the 25th, we Aveighed and sailed for the Isle Cocas, Avhich
stands north and south of Realeguo, a hundred leagues dis
tance. We had a S. W. wind, and sailed W. N. W. On the
30th Ave discovered land ; we pinched upon the Avind, that we
might know what place it Avas : avc found towards evening, it
was the Isle of Mapalla, that stands forty leagues southwards
of that of St. John's, and from thence Ave sailed to the Bay of
Mapalla, instead of going to the Isle of Cocas, frbm whence
the Avind blcAV, and cdnsequently was contrary to us. .

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 429
From this day forward to the llth of July, we had the sarae
south-Avest Avind, which allayed not, but when it .blew from
the east and south. On the 13th we took our latitude, and
found we Avere thirty leagues out at sea from Realeguo, and
steered north to get to land. On the 16th, at noon, avc" discov
ered the raountains, and put into the cape for fear of being
discovered. On. the 17th, we sent two of our canoes to en
deavor to take sorae one prisoner, that so Ave raight know how
things were before we brought our ships into the bay.
In the evening our canoes having discovered what coast it
Avas, returned, aud told it was St. Michael's Bay^ Avhither the
currents had driven us in making the cape, and which we took
for that of Mapalla, whither we would have gone, and which
stands fourteen leagues to Avindward of the former, which might
the more easily have been mistaken frora the sea, in that the
raountains of these two bays are very like one another. We
la'y by to windward of it in the night ; and on the 18th, put
out our canoes, and continuing at the cape till the 20th, we
made use of thera to go and join our friends at one of the
islands. As we entered in on the 23d, we were taken Avith a
breeze of wind that separated us frora one another ; and of five
sail, whereof our fleet consisted, we had no raore than two of
the least and weakest of our ships left together : but we did
not lose sight of the other three, though they were got very
far to leeward, and overtaken with a calra. In the raean tirae,
we anchored at the Isle of Tigers, which is the nearest to the
mouth of it.
On the 24th, about eight in the raorning, we discovered three
sail of ships, that doubled the point of Harina, Avhich is to the
windward of that bay, and ten leagues to the leeward of Real
eguo ; we presently fired a paterero, to call in our canoes, Who
were ashore to take in water. As soon as they were corae on
board; we made ready and ' bore up to vthqse ships Avith a full
wind, though we had then but very little of it.
Those three vessels, which were a galley and two peri
augues, bore also towards us, though they saw us not ; but,
as soon as we were got out and discovered -by them, they
doubled the cape upon us with their safls and oars, and the two
periaugues, that safled better than the galley, got behind us,
and fired fifteen cannon-shot upon us ; but as our arms could
reach thera, these periaugues were forced to fall astern, and tb
wait fbr their gaUey. When she had joined them, they held a
councfl, and then put out to attack us ; our ships not being able
to give us any relief, put tb the cape to wait for us. We fought
them all along till we had rejoined our vessels, which we did

430 THE BUCCANEEBS OP AMEBICA.
about tAVO in the afternoon, Avhen the Spaniards left us to go
bury their dead upon the island where we had been to take in
Avater, Avhen we first discovered them. -They did us some
damage in our mainraast arid rigging, and wounded few of our
men. Towards evening a Avind arose* from the sea, and we
sailed in quest of them, but they kept to the shore.
On the 2Sth, we passed round the island in search for our
canoes, which the enemy's galley sought for ako, rightly
imagining they were ashore, as nbt having seen them Avith us
during the action. About two in the afternoon, they discov
ered us, and coming out frora under their covert, gave us the
signal, which we on our part answered : they had hid them
selves there for four hours, expecting our coming, and had a
full sight of the engagement, but could nol possibly, any more
than the rest of our ships, come in to our assistance. The
Spaniards, Avho saw us lake thera with us, durst not hinder it,
though they were al anchor very near them ; then we attempted
wilh one of our ships to board the enemy's galley, but she
saved herself upon the flats, where our ships could not come
near her. On the 26th, we anchored at an island in the" bay,
where we put two of our vessels to careen, while the other
three guarded them. On the 28th, we saw a canoe under white
colors, crossing from the main land to the islands, where one
of ours met and took her. It was a S^nish captain, who be
lieving us to be his own people, came to congratulate the cora
mander upon the victory, which he, from the shore, thought
they had got over us. We pul hira upon the rack, to know
whether he came not by some wile or other to draw us into a-
snare laid for us by the galley, as the Greek captain had for
merly done ; but he solemnly protested it was no't so, and in
formed us, that there was a periaugue Avith thirty raen, in the
same bay where we were, who were gone ashore soraetime
since, and had fought in the race of savannas against six hun
dred Spaniards, whose captain, called Don Albarado, who was
accounted the bravest and raost valiant man in the province,
they had kflled ; and that, Avhen we had met with their galley
and two periaugues, there had eight hundred armed men come,
not Avith a design to look after us, but to fight those thirty
Frenchmen, Avho could- not be conquered by his six hundred
countrymen ; an adrairable instance of the valor of the Span
iards in those parts ! .
The Bay of Mapalla is a very curious place, and full of
divers great islands, not ijiferior in beauty to those of Panama.
They Avere forraerly inhabited, and there are stfll three boroughs
there which the people have forsaken, by reason of the descents

THE BUCCANEEES OF AMERICA. 431
of the freebooters. As for anchorage, it is very good here, but
no good shelter to be found in this place frora any corner of the
wind, great blasts Avhereof come over thoge great mountains
that are at the bottora of it, so that there are very few cables
that are proof against thera.
On the 6th of August, one of our raen, Avho was hunting
upon the island where we were careening, found two raen who
had been there for the spacg of eight days to observe our mo
tions, and who, taking us tQ|be Spaniards, durst not come near
us. They were two Frenchraen belonging to the periaugue,
of which the fore-mentioned officer spoke to us, and who had
defended theraselves so valiantly against the six hundred Span
iards ; we found thera to be of the nuraber of fourscore and
five, who had separated theraselves under Captain Grognier, to
go to California; they presently gave notice lo the other eight
and twenty, who came and joined us, and of whom we learned
that they had saved theraselves upon this island, after they had
been chased a whole night by the Spanish galley, that did not
sail so well as their periaugue. They told us also, that they
had gone down a raatter of forty leagues to the windward of
Acapulco, without being able any raore than once to go ashore ;
and that then they ran a great risk, so boisterous is the sea in
those parts, wherewith they were so discouraged, that they had
forsaken fifty-five of their corapanions, in order to come and
find us out, and left them to continue their course to Califorriia.
Having "made, an end of our careening on the 10th, we made
every thing ready for our departure, after Ave had given those
thirty raen roora in our ships. We sailed frora the coast of
Acapulco, with a design to find out the other fifty-five men
spoken of, who Avere to make a descent there, and to rid them
from a miserable state, whereunto, in all appearance, they had
gone to plunge theraselves, without any hopes of retrieve ; be
ing too sraall a corapany to find out provisions (whereof they
stood in great need,) in the best peopled country upon the con
tinent, Avhere also it could not be believed they could arrive,
having but a little sorry bark under thera, that could nol carry
thera far without splitting in two.
We had, at our departure, an easterly breeze, whereAvith Ave
were favored liU we came to the height of Sansonal ; frora the
15th to the 21st, we were becalmed all along in the day-time, and
the winds were so high in the nights, that we could not carry
our sails ; on the 22d Ave had a pretty good gale from the south
east ; and, on the 27th, we drew near land, to know Avhere
we were. We found ourselves to the windAvard ofthe Bay of
Tecoantepequa, and put out our canoes to go in thither, while.

432 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
at the same tinie, we appointed our ships to rendezvous in the
port of Vatulco, which is twenty leagues to the, leeward. We
carae very near laiid in the evening, but the sea runs so high
along that qoast, that-it was irapossible to go ashore.
On the 29th we found an embarking place, where there was
a very strong entrenchment, guarded by a considerable number
of Spaniards, and, supposing it Ayould cost us dear to go ashore,
in that place, avc sailed Iavo leagues to the leeward, where the
sea was somewhat more pacific, ][iut found here also about three
hundred men upon an .eminence waiting for -us. We detached
fifty of ours 'to go and raeet thera ; but the Spaniards, after hav
ing raade a foolish discharge,- fled. However, we took two of'
their number, and asked thera whither that way led, upon
which we were ; they told us it Avould bring us to the town of
Tecoantepequa, according to Avhose narae that bay was called,
and. that we had but four leagues to it. We lay next night
upon the road, under the canopy of heaven, according to our
usual euston} ; next day, Avhich Avas the 30th, Ave resolved to
go to the said town, and directed our course that way, in snch
a manner, that, about two in the afternoon, we had a sight of
the place from an ascent, which Avas about half a league off.
As it is. encompassed and beset every way Avith eight suburbs,
it seemed to be so large, that we were a long time deliberating
with ourselves Avhether so small a number as Ave Avere ought to
go thither, as being no more than a hundred and fourscore men,
whereas there were three thousand of the enemy in the place.
In the mean time the extreme necessity we Avere reduced to,
for want of provisions, pressed us to advance, and would not
let us deliberate long upon the danger that lay before us, so that,
all our apprehensions being reduced to the fear we had of starv
ing to death, we pursued our march to go and confront our
enemies. When we had marched about half an hour, we found our
selves near the town, and upon the brink of a great and very
r&pid river, which separates it from four of the suburbs that
adjoin to it ; this river Ave crossed over, being up in the water
to the middle, in spite of the Spaniards, who were entrenched
on the other side, to dispute the passage with us, Avhich they
were forced to leave open for us, after a good hour's sharp dis
pute. As soon as we Avere masters of the efttrenchraent, we
entered the town, where, after we had fought hand in hand
with the eneray, like raen enraged with hunger, Ave became
masters of the place of arms about four in the afternoon. But
our work was not yet done, for the eneray, having again en
trenched theraselves in a very fine abbey, built in the raanue'

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 433
of a platform that coraraanded the town, we went, to the nura
ber of fourscore raen, to dislodge thera, which was so readfly
executed, that, having chased them thence, we made our court
: of guard .of it, and then every one endeavored to satisfy that
hunger Avherewith we were qxtremely {Hnched.
When we were got into this town, we found it yet rauch
more spacious and larger than it appeared to be unto us, frora
the fore-raentioned ascent ; its houses are Avell built, the
streets very straight, and the churches exceedingly stately and
ornamental. The abbey of St. Francis, frora whence we drove
the enemy, appeared raore like unto a fort than a religious cqn-
vent, and it Avas built to serve for that use in case of need.
On the 31st we sent to require thera to ransom their town,
or else we would burn it. We had no answer returned, which
made us conjecture they had a mind to come and attack us;
for which they had so much the more advantage, in that the
river, which began, from the tjnae we had passed it, to overflow,
was about to hem us in ; wherefore we decamped, and lay in
one of, the suburbs that stands on the other side, •where Ave
continued to the 3d of September ; when Ave departed to return
to our carioes, without reaping any advantage by the taking of
this town. We reerabarked on the Sth, and went to join our
ships in the port of Vatulco, where Ave arrived the 9lh. On
the 15th we werit off again in our canoes without a guide, and,
having landed, marched ten qr a dozen leagues up the country,
Avhere Ave took divers villages, and in one of them the old gov
ernor of Marida with his family, who Avas retired to this place,
arfd Avho promised us a quantity of provisions for his ransora ;
in expectation whereof we carried hira on shipboard, where
we arrived on the 25th. The same day, about ten in the morn
ing, we discovered a ship^ and put out with our canoes to know
what she was ; she bare to the cape, and put up Spanish col
ors ; but as the sea ran very high, and that our canoe could
not well weather it, we returned again into port. Now this
ship beHeved it was her colors that hindered us to come ora
board her, wherefore she took the same down, and put up a
white flag in the room of them ; we at the same time fitted up
our gaUey to go and hail her, but she could never get out of
fhe port ; whereupon she safled aAvay, and, as our ships Avere
much out of order, we could not follow her. She was undoubt
edly *a frigate built in the North Sea, but jt was impossible for
us to know what nation she belonged to.
The sea being calra on the 26th, Ave went with our galley
about tAventy leagues to the windward of Acapulco, to see if the
above-mentioned ship were not put into port, we judging by her
37

434 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
rigging she wanted to put in somewhere to land ; but we re
turned without any news of her. We waited till the 4th'of
November for the ransora of the governor, which Ave did not
overrauch press fqr, as finding in this port, and parts adjacent,
plenty of victuals, particularly of tortoises, which we had there
in great nurabers, and hattoes, that are to be raet with up and
down frequently here, furnished us with all other necessaries ;
beside that, we had here a place of security frora the insult of
the Spaniards.
It is impossible to gq ashore from Sansonat to Acapulco, un
less it be in the ports or bays ; and though that Avhich they call
the salt-pits be difficult of access, because of the sraallness of
it, and that the sea there runs very high, yet they esteera it a
bay for all that. It is the next you raeet with after Sansonat,
and stands twenty leagues to the windward of that of Tecoante
pequa, which the Spaniards set down also for a bay in their
charts, though it be so far frora being deep, that it cari scarce
be distinguished frora the rest of the coast. There is a lake
at the botflDra of this last place bearing the same name, with
which it had formerly a coraraunication, but whose mouth al
present is stopped up by a bank of sand which the Avaves have
drove thi th'er. This lake hems in three islands that are nbt far
dista'nt frora one another, and all of thera very near the mouth
thereof. Some years since the hourqua of AcapUlco, that went
to the East Indies, in its return entered into this lake through
tho bay, and we understood that sorae Spaniards had entered
by the other end of it into the river "of Vastaqua, that dis
charges itself into a bay of New Spain, and consequently to
the North Sea.
When the hourqua returns frora the Philippine Islands, where
tbe Spaniards drive a great traffic, it is one of the richest ves
sels that safls upon the ocean ; it is of a prodigious bigness, and
built so strong, that she is afraid of nothing but land and fire.
She is provided Avith forty pieces of cannon, wherfeof one half
are of no use to her, for her lading makes her sink so deep in the
water, that her battery between the two decks is rendered use
less. She goes out yearly from the port of Acapulco, convoy
ed with a patach of twenty-eight guns, and laden with several
sorts of merchandise that she carries to the inhabitEints of those
islands, who, by way of barter for the same, give a great ,deal
of those curious China and Japan Avare Ave see in Europe, and,
what is yet more valuable, pearls, gold dust, and precious stones.
This ship had great advantage in raaking this voyage, that
is, that, in raaking choice of a proper season, she goes and re
turns in a twelve months' tirae, coraprehending the Avhile they

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 435
stay-in that country, Avithout being put to the trouble of veer
ing about, and shifting the safls ; and il is beyond dispirte, that
she carinot be met with by any that wait for her before the
port of Acapulco, at a certain season of the year, which I shall
take uo notice of here, for reasons I have spoken of in the be
ginning of this journal.
'l shaU nol forget also to remark in this place, that il Avill be
so much the raore easy to take her, in that when she returns
from those parts with the patach, all her crew are in so sickly
and dying a condition, that of four hundred raen that raake
up the coraplement, there are not one fourth of them in a con
dition to defend it ; and this distemper, which they call scorbu
tus, never fails thera in their return from the Philippines, inso
much that a ship, which goes from the North Sea Avith a design
to look after this hourqua, might, in less than eighteen months'
time, abating the perils and accidents which she raight be liable
to at sea, return with iraraense riches.
About tAverity leagues to leeward of the bay of Tecoantepe
qua stands the port of Vatulco, so srnall, that it cannot contain
abbve ten or a dozen ships ; but yet they raust have an anchor
fore and aft, for, if they- had no more than an anchor out at the
forecastle, they would fall 'foul upon another, in endeavoring
to avoid it upon the change of wind or tide.
At the entrance into tbe port, which is very narrow, there is
a whirlpcTbl to. the leeward, which the' Spaniards call bosadera,
whereinto the water enters in so violent a manner that it makes
a noise that raay be heard above four leagues off.
Four leagues lower there is another port, where you cannot
anchor with safely, because of the rocks, whereof the bottora of
it is full. In the passage to it stands a great rock, called the
fourillon, which is all over as well as continually so covered
with those sorts of birds which Ave had before seen in the
River of Villia, that there reraains nothing of the surface of it
to be seen ;* and a little further is an island called Sacrifice.
About eight leagues loAver there are three small ports of a
league's distance one from another, whereof that called the
Angels is the best ; it is no difficult matter to find the passage
to it, provided you sail along the shore, but it is impossible to
perceive it fromthe main. There is a rock stands at the raouth
of il that has a hole therein resembling a large gate. From
this port to Acapulco, which is sixty leagues off, Ave have no
harbor. -The country, which extends itself from the Bay of Salt Pits
as far as Acapulco, is that upon the South Sea that is best peo
pled, and where there are moreover several faraous and very

436 THE BUCCANEEES OF AMERICA.
rich towns ; raore gold raines are also found there than in Peru,
though, the raetal is not so fine; and those of Tinsigal alone
are more valued by the Spaniards than the raines of Potosi ;
and therefore it is not without reason that this western coast is
called by the narae of Costa Rica, though, in our geographical
maps, they bestOAV this name only upon a small part of this
vast tract of land.
On the 7th we went to raake a descept upon a little town
Cjalled Muemeluna, whjch is eight leagues to the windward of
Vatulco, and six up the country, about four leagues from the
sea-side, and two frora the toAvn. We found a very strong en
trenchment m^de upon a rock that stands upon the river ; but
the Spaniards therein raade no great resistance, no raore than in,
the town where we corapleted our victuaUing. The prisoners
we took told us, that, about a raonth before they had seen a
frigate pass by, that sent a sraall canoe with seven or eight raen
in it to their erabarking place, where they fourid some Span
iards, who made thera erabark again with so rauch precipita
tion, that one of their raen was drowned, arid whom indeed we ,
found dead upon the shore, whither the sea had thrown hira,
with, his fusil lying sorae paces frora hira, which would not
have lain so long there, no raore th&n the dead carcass, if the
Spaniards had espied it. For they believe theraselves revenged
when they cut into pieces or burn the dead body of an eneray ;
and we were assured that, when Ave buried any of our raen in
their country, they dug them up when we were gone, if they
knew the place, for to exercise their cruelty upon those carcasses,
which, when alive, they could not raake us feel.
We returned on the 16th aboard our ships, and on the 20th,
not being able, all along the coast^ to hear any news; qf thei
. five and fifty raen we Avere in quest of, Ave weighed anchor,
and directed our pourse for the Bay of Mapalla, where we were
minded to agree upon the. place by Avhich Ave were to repass to
the North Sea. On the>21&t we had a north wind that carried
us to a certain latitude where the west winds reign ; and this
continued to the 23d, when Ave were becalmed. On the 1st
of December at night, Ave had a storm which separated us one
from another, and thus we continued, alone, and without any
water, for all our casks were run opt, whereby Ave were reduced
to the greatest extreraity, though we were but Iavo leagues frora
the shore. But it was irapossible for us to gq ashore, for it is
a bank of sand that reaches from the bar of St. Ma.rk as for as
Sansonat, for the space of about fourscore leagiies, where the
sea breaks with great violence. Believing ourselves^n the 6th
to be to the windward of this bank, we arraed our periaugue to

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 437
go near the shore, and look out for a place where the sea was
calraer. Next day one of our men, being more impatient than
the rest, and urged on with drought, that had torraented hira four
days, swara to land ; but thinking to return in the sarae man-
"ner, he was droAvned, without our being able to succor him,
notwithstanding all the cry he made unto us to save him. On
the 9th, in the beginning of the night, we thought to have seen
a, little bay, before which we anchored, that we might know
in the morning what it was, during which time we heard the
firing of about six hundred rauskets on the land. As soon as
day-light appeared on the 10th, we saw that what We took for
a bay was a kind of a covert that stands fifteen leagues to the
leeWard of Sansonat, where we could see no likelihood of en
tering in. In the raeau tirae we saw a very pretty ship upon
the stocks in that place, which raade us conclude there raust of
necessity be a passage for her to come out. We anchored»pretty
near the rock, to wait for a tide, during which time a wind blcAV
frora the sea, and we adventured with the help of our sails and
oars to get in, where we were saluted with three Avaves that
had fiUed our periaugue in the very sight of the Spaniards,
who watched our entering in.
We put up to one side of the said covert, and fired for the
space of half an hour upon their raagazines, built by the side
thereof, without their returning us one single shot ; but at last,
we being torraented with violent drought, which we were de
sirous to allay, whatever it cost us, we hoisted up our sail, and
run up our periaugue before thera, who, believing we were
going lo their toAvn, that was but half a league off, they Avent
off. But as Ave were no raore than two and twenty men,
mstead of running after them, we improved their flight in fill
ing our casks with water, and to furnish ourselves with what
provisions we found in the magazines, and some of that ship's
rigging, which Avere more necessary fqr ours ; but not daring
all at once to laden our periaugue with them, for fear of sink
ing in her passage out, Ave spent the night on the other side of
those raagazines, that we raight be under covert frora the sur
prises of our eneraies, for we coraputed very well, by the six
hundred rausket-shot we had heard, that there were a great
many armed men in that place.
On the llth we departed from under the covert, to go and
join our ship, which we found on the 12th in the morning,
lying at anchor eight leagues to the windward of Sansonat,
where she had found the sea soraewhat more favorable. We
spent that day to take in water, and sent twenty men to. take
a vfllage that Avas about half a league from the sea-side, frora
37*

438 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
whence Ave relumed, the same day with sorae refreshments, thai
put life into our ship's crew, now rauch weakened with the
thirst they endured, as well as we Avho were in the periaugue,
as also with hunger, which faded not to waste us away, thopgh
we had victuals to satisfy the same ; but we durst not eat for
fear bf being made dry. We weighed anchor in the evening,
with a west wind, and on the fifteenth arrived in. the Bay of
Mapalla, Avhere tve found the rest of our vessels at anchor near
one of those islands that lie Avithin it.
I am to observe, that as long as we Avere going up this coast,
Continually in the night time there blew Avinds frora the land,
which were very favorable to sailors, provided they were not
far out at sea, for ten leagues off there could be but very little
of it felt ; and there are certain reasons when it blows so vio
lently that they are obliged lo lower their sails, and even to
furl. • On the 17th, Ave had a consultation together, about what
passage, according to the prisoners' relations, was less dangerous
for us to return to the North Sea, over land : it was thought our
best Avay Avas by Segovia, seeing we had n& more than sixty
leagues to go before we came to the head of a river, upon Avhich
they told us we might go down to the North Sea, whereunto it
discharged itself ; and that, in the way we were to take by land,
we could have no more than five or six thousand men to deal
?with, and that the way A\^as very good to carry our Avounded and
sick men along with us. But Ave were not fully convinced of
tbe sincerity of this advice ; we sent two of our canoes to
shore, to take sorae other prisoners, that so we might see Avhether
they should confirra or contradict this inforraation, and thereby
be the more fully instructed concerning those things that might
be an obstruction to our passage, and others that might facili
tate the sarae.
We went ashore on the ISth, to the number of seventy men,
and marched all day long without meeting one soul, as Ave did
also the next day till noon, without any raore discovery than
in the preceding one, whereAvith we were so fatigued, that we
resolved to return back again ; and here we raay add, that the
greatest part of our men were nol over content, to repass by
land to the North Sea, because of the five or six thousand men
wherewith we Avere threatened ; wherefore we left those that
were rainded to return to their canoes, and eighteen of us, who
found ourselves less weary than the rest, staid behind. We fol
lowed a great road which we met with soon after they.had
left us, and had not walked above an hour, when we took
three horsemen, who, when we had asked Avhere we were,
told us, that about a quarter of a league off there was a little

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 439
«
town called Chiloteca, wherein there were four hundred white
raen, besides negroes, raulattoes, and Indians, and assured us Ave
had not yet been discovered. We had a mind to run after our
men to acquaint them with this account, and engage them to
go back with us te the town ; but the apprehensions we Avere
under of being discovered, and thereby giving the inhabitants
time lo put theraselves into a posture of defence, hindered us
to do' so, and made us undertake, perhaps, the boldest, most
resolute, and if you will, the rashest action, that could be
thought of; Avhich was, that, being no more of us than eight
een men, as I have said before, Ave should adventurously enter
that lown, where we surprised and frightened the Spaniards to
that degree, that Ave took the lenient and other officers, to the
number in all of fifty persons, including the women, prisoners.
They Avere seized with such a panic fear, supposing us to be
far more numerous than we were, that all the rest Avould doubt
less have been taken and bound by us, had it not been for their
horses, which are ahvays at hand, Avhich they mounted to ride
away upon. And so it was, as Ave would have it, for if they
had had courage to stay behind, they might have cut out work
for us, whereof we had already but too much, which was, to
watch our prisoners.
We asked the lenient where the galley of Panama was, who
raade answer, she lay at anchor in the erabarking place of Car
thage, which is Caldaira, where she waited for us, as hoping
we AASDuld .pass that way lo go tq the North Sea, and that the
king of Spain's ship, the St. Lorenzo, was in the port of Real
eguo, raounted Avith thirty .pieces of cannon and four hundred
raen on board, to hinder us to corae near that place, which they
began to settle in again. As Ave had a desire to lie in this little
town where we now were, we further asked hira what number
of raen we should have occasion for to guard us, if Ave should
stay there ; he told us, there Avould be six hundred raen next
day there, but that they had no raore fire-arras than for two
hundred. The Spaniards, who, during this tirae, were a lillie
recovered of their astonishraent, being got together, entered
into the town again ; and after we had several tiraes conflicted
with them, we entrenched ourselves in the church where' we
had put our prisoners, who, seeing us go in wilh precipitation,
believed their people pursued us close, and were just upon fall- .
ing'on us ; which made them so bold as lo run to the swords
and other arras we had got together, AvhereAvith they wounded
us one raan. We presently got to the doors, and from thence
fired upon thera so long, tiU there were no raore than four raen
and their wives, left alive of them. At the same time we

440

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

mounted the horses .which we had taken, and with our four
prisoners, of each sex, went away with as little noise as we
could, which the other Spaniards observing, they serit one to
treat with us ; but Ave refused, and fired upon hira, for fear if
he came too near us, he should come to know how few we were.
Next day, which was the 20th, we rejoined our other • people,
who had rested theraselves at a hatto they had met with 'in
their return, and who gave us assistance against six hundred
of those Spaniards who folloAved in the rear of us ; then we
gave the women prisoners their liberty. On the 21st we went
on board our canoes, and next day reached our ships, where we
interrogated our four new prisoners concerning the passage we
had projected ; but they laid so raany difficulties before us, that
we grew alraost out of conceit with it. But yet, when we
considered we must either raake our way through, or end our
days miserably in a horrible want of all convenient necessaries,
and in an enemy's country, Avhere we grew weaker every day
by the loss of our men, Ave resolved to hazard aU to get out of
it : insomuch that being no longer daunted at the dangers we
were in, in this passage, and being persuaded it would be better
for us to die with our swords in our hands than to pine away
Avith hunger, we mkde all things ready for this journey ; and
to the end we raight cut off frora the raost timorous any desires
they might have to return to their ships, if their minds should
alter, in reference to their going aloug wilh us, we ran our ves
sels ashore, except our galley and periaugues, which we reeerved
to carry us off the island Avhere we Avere to the continent.
On the ;25th, we formed four companies, consisting of sev
enty men each, making all together two hundr'ed and fourscore ;
and as for the forlorn hope, Ave agreed for to draw out ten men
out of each, and to relieve thera every, raorning. We also
inade a contract araong ourselves, that those who should be
lamed in the encounters we raight have with the enemy in our
way, should have the sarae recorapense as forraerly, that is, a
thousand pieces of eight a raan ; that the horses we should
take should be divided between the corapanies for the ease of
all our men, and for those that were incoraraoded abbve any
of the rest ; hat those that straggled and should be lamed,
should have no recompense made thera ; and that-violence,
coAvardice and drunkenness should also be punished as formerly.
Before I leave these seas, I wfll spare the reader the trouble
of asking how we came to endure so much hunger, miseries,
and fatigues in these parts, since I have said upon several oc
casions, that • the- country is so good and pleasant, as well as
fruitful in the production of aU things necessary for the support

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA. 441
and corafort of huraan life ; as to this, there needs rio raore
than observing, that since our separation frora the English at
the Isle of St. John, Ave were all along so ill accoraraodated
AVilh shipping, that we were forced to keep continually to the
coast ; and by consequence, in sight of the Spaniards, who dis
covering even the least raotions we raade, had almost always
time to remove all their effects out ofthe Avay, before we made
our descent, and left us nothing but what they could not carry
away, which was raany tiraes very inconsiderable ;• whereas,
had we had but one good ship to put out far to sea, they could
not have discovered us, and we should have surprised thera
continually in our descents, where Ave could have wanted noth
ing, not only that was necessary, but also pleasurable, besides
the wealth we must' have carried away in a short tirae.
This want of shipping under which we labored. Was so ad
vantageous to our enemies, and the consequence thereof they
knew so well, that . the people of Peru sent no more ships to
the western coast where we were, for fear some of them might
fall into our hands, and traded with one another no otherwise
than by land.
The same reason also hindered us to go up to the coast of
Peru, where we could not have failed of having ships, seeing
they safled up and dawn there every day, and drove a great
trade with one another, as knowing we were not so near unto
their country ; so that il is easy, frora what 'I have reraarked,
to conjecture that for want of these helps, which were of sb
rauch iraportance to us in these seas, we raust also very often
stand in need of all those things which we could not but with
the greatest difficulty have without theni ; wherefore, to raake
any thing of it in these ciiraates, and to raise a considerable for
tune without much danger and sufferings, there needs no more
than to be provided Avilh a good ship, and for the better con
veniency victualled for sorae time, that so there may be no
necessity of going ashore to seek it.
On the 27th, we discovered a ship passing along between the
islands, which made us send our galley arid periaugue to see
what she. was. She put up a while flag, but, as soon as we
carae within rausket-shot of her, she took down the Avhile flag,
and put out Spanish colors, and withal gave us ten or a dozen
guns ; we returned to the shore to give our people notice of it,
not doubting, but if that ship carae to an anchor in the same
place, she would destroy our periaugues. JVe sent them with
our baggage and prisoners up to the flats that are behind the
island, where we were.

442 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
This vessel, about noon, carae in with the tide, and anchored
within half a cannon-shot of ours that were run ashore, under the
" covert of which we fought against them wilh two pieces of
cannon, tfll it was night ; bul as the enemy had no other aim
than to ruin our ships, they put them this first day out of a
condition lo safl, which was what ourselves had a raind to, and
then pul farther off frora the shore.
On the 28th, in the morning,4hey drew nearer again, and
began to- fight us, Avhich raade us shelter ourselves behind the
points of the rocks that run out into the sea, frora Avhence our
arras carried aboard thera ; upon this, they were forced to send
their shallop under the favor of their cannon, to take away an
anchor that was nearer to shore than their ship ; but being pre
vented therein, they cut off the cable that held it, and put off
again. -At last, concluding with ourselves that this ship would
not leave us so hastily, we sent a hundred raen in the evening
to the continent before us,, that they raight endeavor to take
sorae horses, on Avhich we raight 1^ our disabled raen, Avith
orders afterwards to return and wait for us upon the sea-side, in
the same place where they went ashore, (which Avas a kind of
a port we had assigned them,) in case«they had returned before
our arrival there. And for fear the Spanish ship should suspect,
frora the running of ours aground, the design we had to go to
the Nbrth Sea, and that the men on board her'would send to the
continent to givcthe people notice lo put theraselves in a read-
» iness to 'hinder us, we counterfeited all night long the caulking
of our ships, that so we might fully possess them with a belief
that we were careening thera, which wrought so effectually upon
thera, that in the raorning they failed not to come up, to destroy
with their cannon the work they fancied Ave had been doing
during the night.
On the 29lh their ship took fire, Avhich made thera put far
ther ok, where they extinguished it. On tbe 30th, we made
use of a new stratagem to amuse our enemies, and take away
all raanner of suspieion from them that we designed to be
gone, which was to charge our guns, grenades, and four pieces
of cannon, whereunto we tied lighted matches of difi'erent
lengths, that so, having their effect in our absence, one after
another, the Spanish ship's crew raight stiU believe we were
upon the island, from whence we parted in the twilight, as
secretly as ever we could, with all our prisoners, whom we re
served for no other use than to carry our surgeon's medicines,
carpenter's tools, and the wounded raen we raight have in this
passage. ^

TUe BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 443
On the 1st of January, in the year 1688, we arrived on the
continent; and on fhe evening of the sarae day, the party
Avhich we had sent before to look for horses, came thither Hke-
Avise. They had taken sixty-eight, with several prisoners, who,
without any violence offered them, told us, they did not think
it advisable we should travel through Segovia, because the
Spaniards had intelligence we had made choice of that province
to pass through ; but as Ave had already resolved upon the mat
ter, and that our ships could be of no longer use unto us, all
that they could say to the contrary did not hinder us to perse
vere therein. All our people, at the same time, packed up every
man his charge, and put their silver into bags, which they
thought they could carry with their araraunition. Those who
had too much of the former, gave it to those who had lost
theirs at play, for lo carry, conditioning with them, that they
should return the one half back to the OAvner, in case it should
please God to bring them safe lo the North Sea.
As for rayself, I rfiust say I was none of the worst provided,
arid though ray charge was lighter than others, yet it was not,
for all that, less considerable for the value, seeing I had con
verted thirty thousand pieces of eight, into gold, pearls, and
pr'ecibus stones. But, as the best part of this was the product
of luck I had at play, some of those who had been losers, as
well in playing against rae as others, being rauch discontented
al their losses, plotted together, to the number of seventeen or
eighteen, to raurder those that were the richest amongst us. I
was so happy as to be tiraely advertised of it by sorae friends,
Avhich did not a little disquiet my mind, for it was a very diffi
cult task for a man, during so long a journey, to be able to se
cure hiraself frora being surprised by those who Avere continue
ally in the same company, and with Avhora Ave raust eat, drink,
and sleep, and who could cut off wljora they pleased of thera,
in the conflicts they raight have wilh the Spaniards, by shoot
ing us during the hurry, which yet they executed iri another
manner, as raay be seen in due place. The apprehensions I
had of this conspiracy did not hinder me to retain so much
judgment and presence of mind, as to fall presently upon such
methods as I thought raost rational and secure for the preser- _
vation of my life, and which effectually saved il ; which was
to deposit some of what I possessed in the hands of divers per
sons, and that, in the presence qf all the rest, upon condition
they should restore unto me such a proportion as I agreed with
thera for, when we were corae upon the coast of Doraingo.
By this means, I rid rayself of the care I should continually

444 THE BUCCANEERS OF XMERICA.
have had of keeping upon my gUard, without exposing them
mueh neither, AVho carried my effects, the which being divided
diversely and to different persons, they had to do wilh too many
people to compass their ends. It is true, I paid dear for this
precaution ; but what will not a raari do to save his life ?

CHAPTER LVI.
The Return of the Freebooters from the South to the North Sea, over the
Continent, by another , "Way than that by 'which they got thither.
On the 2d day of January» in the morning, after we had said
our prayers, and sunk our periaugues, lest the Spaniards should
have any benefit of thera, we set out, and lay that night hy the
sea-side ; we stopped next day abopt noon, at a hatto, to bait.
On the 4th, Ave lay upon a platform that extends, itself upon
the tops of several high mountains, where the Spaniards, not
withstanding all the precautions we had taken, were advertised
of our departure, and failed not to let us have their company,
keeping themselves always in our flanks and rear. '
On the Sth, Ave lay at another hatto, belonging to the tenient
of Chiloteca, about which place the enemy began lo barricade
the ways. We rested on the 6th for an hour and better, at an
estantia to bait ; and upon a bed, in a hall there, we found the
following letter, directed unto us, in these words : —
" We are very glad that you have raade choice of our prov
ince for your passage through, horaewards ; but Ave are sorry
you are no better laden Avith silver ; however, if you have oc
casion for raules to carry your baggage, Ave will send thera to
you. We hope to have the French General Grognier very
quickly in our power, and we wfll leave you to consider Avhat,
is like to becoijne, of the soldiers. "
We saw clearly by this letter that they knew nothing of the
death of Grognier, since they believed he was still our com
mander ; and that they had no knoAvledge of hira, but by the
account that had been given them by the three men that had
run aAvay frora him to thera, when they failed of getting the
gold of the mines of Tinsigal.
On the 7th, we met Avith an ambuscade of the enemy, whom

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA. 445
our vanguard forced to retire, and lay in the evening at a hatto.
The Spaniards, who .left no means" uriattempted to" destroy us,
burnt aU the provision that was in our way, and also when we
entered into any savannas where the grass was very dry, they
went to the windward of us to sel it on fire, whereby we were
very raucH incommoded, and our horses were even stifled with
the smoke. As we were soraetiraes obliged to stay tiU the fire
had burnt up all, to go forwards, this very rauch retarded our
march ; and this Avas the chief thing the Spaniards airaed at,
that the men might have leisure to finish an entrenchraent,
Avhereof I shall quickly have occasion to speak, which they
erected unknown lb us, at some distance off frora our roadj to
which also the Avork they cut out for us to reraove the barri
cades of trees, Avherewith they had encurabered the way, con
tributed very rauch ; insomuch that, not being able to penetrate
into their designs, we persuaded ourselves that they did all this
" Avith no other intent than to chagrin us only, as being not able
to do worse unto us, or I should have rather said, having not
the courage for it.
On the Sth we passed on to a very fine sugar plantation, and,
as Ave Avere very desirous to take some prisoners who might
inforra us of what was done, all our corapany filed off, and
twenty of us staid behind in a house, after they had set it on
fiqe, to oblige the Spaniards to come and put it out, when they
saw our men at a distance frora thera, and this they failed not
to do. But our impatience being the raeans of discovering us
too soon, they thereupon fled ; yet we, firing upon thera,
wounded one, and took hira, by whdm we understood that all
their reenforcemenls were coraing together to dispute our pas
sage, and that we were going to raeet thera that carae from
Tinsigal, Avho consisted of three hundred raen.
When we had done with this wounded raan, we rejoined our
main body, who had halted to Avait for us, and then jogged on
till we carae to a great borough, where we found those three
hundred men, who afterwards were our continual guard, for
they gave us, morning and evening, the diversion of their
trumpets ; but it was like the music of the enchanted palace
of Psyche, who heard it without seeing the musicians ; for ours
marched qn each side of us, in places so covered Avith pine-
trees that it was irapossible to perceive them.
We lay this evening about a quarter of a league from the
said borough, upon an ascent, according to our usual raanner,
who never encamped but upon high ground, or in the race of
savannas, for fear of being hemmed in. We decamped on the
9th in the morning, after we had reenforced our advanced guards
38

446 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
with forty men more, who were appointed to fire their muskets
at the entries or avenues pf the Avoods, that we might have a
sight of the Spaniards, in case they laid any ambuscades for
us. In the mean time, about ten in the morning we passed on
to a place that was so thin set with Avood, that we might see a
considera|)le distance from us, and, seeing no enemy appear, we
did not fire at all. But we did not dreara that we Avere seek
ing for that far before us, which we had at the sides of us, for
the Spaniards, who were ranged to the right and left of our
way, lying on their bellies, raade their discharges with so rauch
precipitation, that there was no more than one half of our
advanced guard who had tirae to answer their firing,' ^They
kflled us two men presently, who were turned out of the wdy
to pass undiscovered of the enemy ; afler which we went to
refresh ourselves in a little toAvn that was in our way, and lay
half a league beyond it.
We mel-.with another ambuscade on the 10th, wherein we
were beforehand with our enemies, and made thera leave us
their horses ; then went to bait at another borough, and lay a
little farther.
On the llth, as we drew nearer unto the town of Segovia,
Ave raet with a ncAv arabuscade a little on this side it, and, Avhen
we had forced them with our fusils to retire, we went into the
said town, being resolved and disposed to fight stoutly, as be
lieving, if the Spaniards were minded to try us, they Avould use
their greatest effort in that place ; but they contented themselves
wilh firing only a fcAv rausket-shot at us frora under the covert
of sorae pine-trees that gre"iv upon the ascents which encompass
the town, whither they had retired. We found nothing there to'
eat, because they had burnt all the provision in the place.
By good luck Ave took a prisoner to conduct us to the river
we sought for, and which was still twenty leagues off, foras
much as those, who had been our guides as far as Segovia knew
not the way any farther.
This town lies in a bottom, and is so surrounded with moun
tains, that she looks as if she were laid up in prison." The
churches here are but very indifferently buflt, and the place of
arms is both very considerable and very fine ; it is an inland
place forty leagues off from the South Sea. The way that leads
to it, from the place where we were, is very difficult, being all
raountains of a prodigious height, to the tops whereof we must
creep Avilh great danger, and the valleys consequently are so
very narrovv here, that for a league^ of even ground you pass
over, you have six leagues of mountains lo go. When we had
passed these mountains we fell a very sharp cold, and Avere

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 4'47
taken with so thick a fog, that, even when day appeared, we
could not know one another otherAvise than by our voices;
but that lasted not till above ten in the raorning, Avhen the
weather cleared up, and the fog went entirely off; and the
«heat, which succeeds th^ cold, becomes there very great, as
weU as in the plains, where none of this cold is felt tfll you
corae directly to the foot of the mountains. Thus we were
forced to endure such contrary seasons, as Avell when we trav
elled, as when we reposed ourselves, that they eiposed us to
very great inconveniences ; but the hopes of gelling once into
our nativg country macje us patiently to endure all their tofls.
and served a» so raany wings to carry us.
On the 12th we departed frora this town, and went up other
raountains, where we had incredible trouble lo clear the ways
of t'hbse works the Spariiards had prepared to barricade them
up wilh. We went to lodge jn a hallo, where they fired very
much in the night into our camp.
On the 13th, an hour before sunrising, we raounted along
a.n erainence, that seemed to us to be an advantageous place to
encamp on ; frora whence we saw, upon the edge of a mountain
from which we were separated but by a narrow valley, twelve
or fifteen horses, which we took for some firae for cattle that
fed there, Avhereat we much rejoiped, as being in hopes we
should next morning have good cheer at the cost of these
animals ; and, that we raight be the more assured of the mat
ter, we sent forty men thither, who told us, at their return, that
what Ave took for beeves were all saddled horses, and that they
had observed three entrenchments in the same place, about
pistol-shot one from another, Avhich, rising by degrees towards
the middle of the same side of the mountain, fully barricaded
the way through which avc Avere to pass next day, and'com-
manded a small stream that ran along the said valley, into
which Ave must necessarily descend first, there being no other
way, nor any likelihood of our going on one side thereof
They saw also a man, who, as soon as he discovered them,
severely threatened -them' wilh his cutlass, which he held naked
in his hand.
These sad tidings were a raighty alloy to our joy, and the
transformation of those pretended beeves, on whom our pining
appetite had depended so rauch, affected us to a great degree ;
but th^se thoughts were at present to be laid aside, to make
room, for to consider how we should disentangle ourselves
frbra that place, and that Ayithout delay, because the Spaniards,
who Avere gathering together frora aU the adjacent provinces,
would quickly fall upon our small company, who must of neces-

448 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
sity be overborne by thera, if we staid for thera. The means
to effect this were not easily, found, and perhaps it Avouldihave
appeared an irapossible thing to any other than such as we
were, who, till, then, had been successful alraost in all our un
dertakings ; and, to be plain in the matter, we found ourselves
now hard put to it. For, as I observed to the rest of our peo
ple, ten thousand ,raen could not be ablq lo force their way
through that entrenchraent, Avithout being, cut to pieces,, as well
because of the advantage of the place, as the nuraber of Span^
iards that defended it, which we inight coraputeby that of their
horses ; and, seeing a single raan could hardly pass on one side
of it, there was no likelihood we should be ablq to do- il with
our horses and baggage, so rough was the country. And indeed,
saving the road itself, all the rest was no other than a thick for
est, without either ways or paths, fuU-of sharp rocks in sorae
places, of quagmires in others, and embarrassed Avith a great
many trees that had dropped down to the ground with age.
And, though after all, we should have found out a way to
escape across so many obstacles, there was still an indispensable
necessity that we should fight with the.Spaniards, that we might
be at quiet for the rest of our journey.- This they all agreed
to ; but, as they objected unto me, that it was to no purpose to
represent these difficulties, Avhich of themselves were but too
apparent, without proposing some method to surraount them,
nor to give counsel without facilitating the execution thereof,
I told thera, that, for ray part, I could not see what else we
could do but go across those woods, precipices, raountains, and
rocks, howsoever inaccessible they appeared to be, and endeav
or to surprise the eneray in the rear, and to gain the advan
tage of the ground frora thera, by getting above thera, Avhere
surely we were not expected ; andrfhat I would answer for the
success of the sarae at the peril of ray life, if they would un
dertake it. That, as for our prispners, horses, and baggage,
wherewith Ave were encurabered, we ought not to leave them
defenceless to the discretion of those three hundred raen, who
ahvays kept close to us in our march, and encaraped every eve
ning about a musket-shot off. That we ought to leave four
score men to guard thera with all necessary precaution, as you
Avfll hear by and by, and that such a number was enough to
fight with so raany Spaniards four tiraes told.
We took some tirae to deliberate hereupon ; and, at length,
these expedients, how hazardous soever they were, being found
the most suitable to the condition avc were ip", and I raay say
the only ones we had left us, we resolved to lay hold of them,
and put the sarae in execution.

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA. 449
Scarce had we projected the design, and considered the
ascent where we were, the situation of the opposite raountain,
where the Spaniards had raade their entrenchraents, but th^
above the highest of them we saw a road, which we took to
be the continuation of that which they had shut up against us,
and,, turning to the right, went winding about the "side of the
same mountain ; which yet we could not discover but with
difficulty, and by lights peeping in between the trees, which
would allow us to see but sorae traces at a distance from one
another. As we had not hitherto resolved upon which side to pitch,
in order to get behind those entrenchments, whether the right
or left, this way decided that point, being well satisfied that,
if we could but once cross it, it would bring us directly upon
the eneray. But yet, that we might not engage ourselves in
considerately in this enterprise, where all things went for us,
we sent tAventy raen, while we had any daylight left, to a
place that Avas soraewhat higher than that where we Avere, to
cover another party, whom we had known by experience to
have been very ingenious and expert upon several occasions,
that so they raight pitch upon those places by which we might,
in the night, the more easily get up as far as that road, thereby
to, go and charge the enemy in the rear, by break of day.
As soon as our raen were returned and gave us an account of
what they had observed, we raade all things ready for our de
parture; but we first raade that station, we were leaving, a
place of arms, where we left our baggage, all the prisoners we
had, and fourscore men to guard thera, and this, that the three
hundred Spaniards who continually followed us, as well as
tliose who were behind the entrenchments, raight be persuaded
we had not left our carap; and we gave the officer that com
manded order to raake every sentinel he set or relieved in the
night-time, to fire his fusil, and that he should beat the drum
at the usual hour. We told him, moreover, that, if God gave
us the victory, we should send a party to bring him off, and
that if, about an hour after he heard the firing at an end, he did
, not see any body frpm us, he should provide for his oavu safety
as well as he could.
Things being thus disposed, we said our prayers as low as
we could, that the Spaniards might not hear us, from whom we
were separated but by the Valley we have spoke of At the
same time we set forward, to the number of two hundred men,
by raoonlight, it being now an hour within night ; and, about
one raore after our departure, we heard the Spaniards also at their
prayers, who, knowing we were encaraped very near them, fired
3g*

450 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
about six hundred rauskets into the air to frighten us. Besides
which,' they also raade a discharge at all the responses of the
litany of the saints Avhich they sung. We still pursiled our
march, and spent the whole night .(in going down, and then
getting up) to advance half a quarter of a league, which was
the distance between thera and us, through a country, as I have
already said, so full of rocks, raountains, woods, and frightful
precipices, that our posteriors and knees were of more use to
us than our legs, it being impossible for us to travel thither
otherwise. On the 14lh, by break of day, as we were got over the most
dangerous parts of this passage, and had already seized upon a
considerable ascent of the mountain, by clarabering up to it in
great sflence, and leaving the Spaniards' entrenchments on the
left, we saw their parly that went the rounds, who, thanks to the
fogs that are very rife in this country (as I have already said) till
ten o'clock, did not discover us. As soon as they AV'-ere gone
by, we went directly to the place where we saAv them,- and
found it to be exactly the road we were minded to seize on.
When Ave had made a halt for about half an hour to take
breath, and that Ave had a little daylight to facilitate our march,
we followed this rbad by the voice of the Spaniards, who were
at their morning prayers, and we were but just beginning qur
raarch, when unfbrtunately Ave raet with tAvo out-sentinels, on
whora we were forced to fire ; and. this gave the Spaniards
notice, who thought of nothing less than to see us corae down
frora above them upon their entrenchraent, since they expected
us from no other way than from below. So that those Avho had
the guard thereof, and were in nuraber about fiVe hundred men,
finding theraselves on the outside, Avhen they thought they had
been Avithin, and consequently open without any covert, took
the alarm so hot, that, falling all on upon thera at the same
tirae, Ave raade thera quit the place in a raoraent, and make
their escape by the favor of the fog.
This so ranch unexpected raorning , rausic disturbed the
whole econoray of their designs, and so thwarted their whole
contrivance, that thoSe of the other two entrenchraents dreAvall
without the lowerraost, where they prepared to defend themselves.
We fought Avith thera a whole hour from under the covert of
the first entrenchraent Avhich we had got of them, and which
exactly comraanded them, because of its elevated situation upon
the mountain. But as they gave no ground, we began to think
that the shot we discharged did not reach thera, because of the
fog which hindered us to discover thera, and that we could not
fire but according to the discharges that carae frora them; so

THE BUCCANEEBS OF AM'ERICA. 451
that being resolved to lose our aim no longer, we advanced
and fell directly upon the places from whence they fired.
There Ave fought thera stoutly, and they did not quit the
place till such tirae as they saw the butts of our muskets, and
that near them, the sight whereof the mist had tfll then taken
from thera. But then, being rauch terrified, they left us all,
and ran that way which was before their entrenchraents, which
proved very incomraodious for thera, because, that being the
only place by which they thought we co.uld corae at thera, they
had cut down all the trees that groAV there and in the adjacent
partsas' well because they might obstruct their sight in this bot
tom, as hinder us to corae on under the covert of thera. And thus
the precaution, which they had taken eigainst us, by a quite
cqntrary, effect was turned upon, theraselves, insorauch that we
had so clear a view of thera frora the entrenchraents we had
taken, that we did execution alraost Avith every piece we shot.
We pursued thera after that for some tirae, still beating thera ;
but at length being weary both of running ancJ kflling, we re
turned to the entrenchraents where thefive hundred men w'hom
we had.. put to fiight at first, being come back, endeavored to '
break in upon those whora we had left lo guard thera; but we
made thera, like the rest, quickly run away. We were also
fatigued raightily in pursuing of thera ; for, besides that the
ground was so extraordinary bad and hard lo passj they also
'augraented the difficulties by raaking: use of the trees which
they had felled down, to barricade and slop up even the least
avenue that was near \he place round abbut.
We found these Spaniards had so little raind to give us
quarter, if they shblild have the upper hand bf us, that even
when! we tool* any of thera, they would not as rauch as ask it
at our hands, and to sorae of thera Ave gave quarter in spite of
their teeth, though they did otherwise all that ever they could
to save theraselves out of our hands. But at this no raan
ought lo wonder; for it is a raaxira amongst thera in these
p^rts, and Avhereof we have had experience upon several occa
sions, whether it proceeded frora pride or natural fierceness of
temper, or because of an oath they take before their com
mander, before they go lo fight, that they wfll never submit to
ask quarter of those to whom they have sworn they would
gjve none. But we in the mean time, being affected with com
passion upon sight of the great quantity of blood Ave saw run-,
ning down into the rivulet, spared the rest, and went a second
time into our entrenchments, having lost all' this wjifle but one
man, and -two only wounded/, Tbe Spaniards, among others.
lost their ^generalj who! was an, old; Walloon officer; who had

452 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
given thera the plan of this eritrenchment, that would infallibly
have prevailed against us, had we attacked thera by the Avay
they expected. In the raean time another old captain, had ad
vised him to secure their rear; but he saw so little li^lihobd
of danger on that side^ that he answered, Ave must be either
men or devils ; that if we Avere men, he defied us to get over
any way in eight days' tirae ; but if we were devfls; though
he should take never so much care of hiraself, he raust stifl be
taken. However, at the solicitation of the said officer, he sent a party
that way to go 'the rounds, and to post the two sentinels we
spoke of, as they thought raost convenient. The general being
searched, there were several letters found in his pockets, which
had, been written, to hira by the^ governors of the province, that
set forth particrilarly the nuraber of raen they had sent him ;
and one araong others, frora the general of Costa Rica, who
expressed himself as follows : — ¦
A Letter written by the General of the Province of Costa Rica
to the Commander in Chief in the Entrenchments, dated
January 6, 1668.
" Sir : — I thought I had raade a good choice, when I cora
raitted to you'the conduct of an affair which ought to reestab
lish our reputation, if you have the better of the eneray, as you *
induce rae to believe you will. I Avas preparing to send you
eight thousand raen, if you had not sent me word that fifteen
hundred was enough. I do not doubt but a person that hath
served so long as* you have done, will take* care of your men,
especially since you have to do wilh a people from whom there
will no honor redound to you by overdoing thera.
" According, to the relation you have given rae of your en
trenchments, it is impossible but those people, with the help
of God, must be destroyed. I advise you to put a thousand
men into them, and two hundred near unto the river by which
they hope to get unto the North Sea, In case any of them
save themselves across the raountains, Don Rodrigo Sarraado, ,
the new governor of Tipsigal,, ought to be at the head of three
hundred raen, to fall upon the rear as soon as ever they are
engaged, for certainly their ^baggage raust be there. "Take,
good raeasuresyfor those devfls have a cunning and subtlety that
is not in use amongst us.
" When ypu find them advance Avithin the shot of your
arquebusses, let not your raen fire but by twenties, to the
end your firing may not be in vain ; and when you -find them

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 453
weakened, raise a shout to frighten thera, and fall in with your
swords, whfle Don Rodrigo attacks thera iri the rear. I hope
God wfll favor our designs, since they are no other than for his
glory and the destruction of these new sort of Turks. Hearten
up your raen, though they raay have enough of that according
to your exaraple ; they shall be rewarded in heaven, and if
they get the better, they wfll have gold and sflver enough,
wherewith these thieves are laden."
After we had sung Te Deum upon the , field of battle, by
way of thanks unto God for this victory, we raounted sixty
men on horseback to go and give notice to our other people of
the success the Alraighty was pleased to give us. We fbund
thera ready to begin another engageraent against the three hun
dred Spaniards whereof we have spoken ; who as soon as they
heard that action at the entrenchraents begin, and saw how few
raen we had left behind in our carap, were easily induced to
believe we had raade our attack by that disadvantageous way
I have spoken of, as supposing it irapossible for us to do it in
any other place, and that therefore our ruin must be inevitable ;
insomuch that instead of entering directly into the place, Avhich
considering their nuraber, they could have carried in a moment,
they had so little courage that they contented theraselves to send
an officer to our raen that guarded the baggage to parley with
thera, whora they stopped for a tirae, in expectation of sortie
news from us, that so they raight return an answer conforra-
able to the intelligence they received. And thus the platform
I had laid whereon to ground the sufficiency of fourscore of
our raen for that work, or rather the cbAvardice of the eneray,
Avas fully confirmed.
They told us that as soon as we had begun the fight, those
thi-ef hundred Spaniards advanced a little, and having got upon
ari eminence that coraraanded our carap, they alighted and sent
thera the said officer to raake the following harangue to thera : —
" I corae hither frora ray general. You say you do not ques
tion but you have force enough, and that you are raen of cour
age, Avhich you have let us know whenever you have been
rainded to raake yourselves raasters of our country ;*yet you
are not to doubt but the great nurabers of men avc have got
together will overpower you. We are to let you understand
there are a thousand raen in that entrenchment against whom
they are gone to fight, where they are worsted ; that we a*e
three hundred raen in this place, and that two hundred. are
posted near to' the river you go and seek, to wait for those of
you who escape out of the fight. Wherefore, if you Avill give
30*

454 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
yourselves up prisoners, of war into the poAver of our general,
who is a raan of honor, we wfll be friends, and we AviU let you
pass to your own country. But ag to those of your men Avhom
ours have taken alive, their almoner yesterday after prayers
begged quarter for them, for the honor of the holy sacrament
and glorious Virgin, Avhich has been proraised unto thera."
Our men, hearing him talk at this rale, were already some
what alarmed, as fearing what he said was true ; but as soon
as they saw us come/at a distance, they took courage, and re
turned him as fierce an answer, like men who had no fear upon
them, to this purpose : —
" Though you had had force enough to destroy Iavo thirds of
our number, we should not fail still to-fight with the remaining
part ;¦ yea, though Jhere Avere bul one man of us left, he sho6ld
rfight still against you all.
" When we put ashore and left the South Sea, we all resolved
to pass through y«*r country or die in the attempt^ and though
there were as many Spaniards of you as there is grass in this
savanna, we should not be afraid, but look upon you always in
our opinion cowards, and we will pass on, and go where we
will, in spite of your teeth."
The officer being dismissed upon our arrival, mounted his
horse to return from Avhence he came, and observing we were
booted, and mounted upon his companions' horses who guarded
the entrenchments, he shrunk up his shoulders by way of
araazement, and rode as fast as he could to carry the news to
his own party. As soon as he was got to them, Avho Avere not
above a rausket-shot off, we advanced and fell upon them, to
put them out of condition all at once to follow us any more.
We received their first firing, to which we raade no return oth-
ierwise than with our pistols and cutlasses, and that unhappfly
for them who had not yet got upon their horses; for we, cut a
great many of them to pieces, insomuch that God croAvning all
the advantages we had had in the rest of our engagements by
the success we heid in this last,*we let the rest go, detaining
only their horses ; and when we had broken all their arms,
we Avilh our baggage rejoined our main body, who staid stfll
upon the place to guard the entrenchments. We had no more
•than one man killed in this engagement, (as it Avas in the other, )
and two mairaed.
We asked some qf the prisoners whora we had taken sev
eral questions, and they told us, araong other things, that we
should StiU meet with another entrenchraent upon the road,
about six leagues distant from those we quitted, which raa'de
us fear with very great reason lest the fugitives should go and

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 455
possess themselves of il, Avilh a design to dispute our passage
once more. And indeed. We saw fire Upon the top of a great
mountain, which they had made fbr a signal to gather their
scattered troops together, and those who out of the fear they
were in, raight perhaps hide themselves for eight days together,
had it not been for this, as believing us stiU at their heels. But
we prevented their design, for Ave lay two leagues frora thence
to cut off their passage, there being no other way than this by
which they might get thither, and whose sides Avere stfll less
accessible the farther you went on, than they were behither the
same. We had cut the hatns of nine hundred of their horses
before, that so they raight be njade unfit to pursue ug ; we took
much about the same nuraber of them with us to ease our jour
ney, tfll we came at the river we were in quest of, and to kiU
and salt them upon our arrival, that So they might serve us for
food in that long passage.
On the 15th we passed by the fore-raentioned entrenchraent,
which Avas not yet finished, without any ¦•resistance, this pro
ceeding in all appearance frora the terror^-which the noise of
our victory had struck into the people, and lay at a hatto
three leagues beyond it, Ori the 19th we lay at another, six
leagues farther ; and at last, on the 17th, which Avas the six
teenth day since our setting out, Ave carae to the So rauch desired
river, and presently entered into the woods that grow upon the
banks thereof, where every one fell to work in good earnest lo
cut down trees to build piperies, wherein we raight go down
the same.
Some perhaps may think that these Avere sorae commodious
vessels, .whereinto carry us AVith ease down the river ; bul there
was nothing less than that in it. What we called piperies,
were four or five stocks of one kind of tree, which they called
Tnahot ; it is a light, floating sort of AVood, which after we have
taken off the bark. We join and tie together, instead of cords,
with a sort of lines that grOW in these woods and cling like ivy
unto every thing that is near theto, and especially to trees, to the
height whereof they riiount ; and when these pieces are set to
gether, they put tAVO or three men upon thera, according to the bigs
ness of the pipery, and this is all the equipraent we raake thereof.
The surest posture we can find ourselves to be in, is to stand
upright thereon, though they sink two or three feet under the
water ; and you raay judge by what foUbws, whether the con
tinual apprehensions of danger we were in AVere Avell or fll
grounded. ¦ We buflt ours no bigger than to, hold two raen, that so they
might the more easily pass belAveen those very narrow rbcks

456 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
we foresaw, by thbse that already presented themselves to our
view, we must meet with before we got unto the sea-side.
When this pretty ^oto was in a condition to put out, we 'drag
ged it to the river-side, after we had furnished ourselves With
long poles, to keep us frora being driven too violently upon the
rocks, where Ave were apprehensive we should be carried by the
violence of the stream, as it carae also frequently to pass.
This river springs in the mountains of Segovia, and dis
charges itself into the North Sea at Cape Gracias a Dios, after
having run a very long way in a most .rapid manner across a
vast number of rocks of a prodigious bigness, and by the most
frightful precipices that can be thought of, besides a great raany
falls of Avaler, to the nuraber at least of a hundred of all sorts,
which it is impossible for a man to look on without trerabling, .
and raaking the head of the raost fearless to turn round, when
he sees and hears the water fall frora such a height into those
tremendous whirlpools. In short, the whole is so formidable,
that there are none .but those who have some experience can
have right conceptions of it. But for me, who have passed
these places, and who, as long as I live, shall have ray raind
filled with those risks I have run, it is irapossible I should give
such an idea hereof; but what will corae far short of what I
have really known of thera.
It was therefore .upon this dangerous river that we went
down, suffering ourselves to be carried along at the will of the
streara, in these pitiful raachines, whereof, the greatest part was
under water, as has been said before, two or three feel, inso
much that we were alraost always up to the raiddle therein.
But this was notlyng in coraparison of the rapidity, of it, which
many tiraes hurried us, in spite of all the resistance we could
raake, into the publings of foaraing water, where we now and
then found ourselves buried with our pieces of Avood, which
raade raany of our. raen tie therasselves thereon, as being in
hopes the wood that flbated would bear thera up still upon the
water ; but in this sorae of thera were raistaken. '
But as for those great falls, they had, to our good fortunes,
at their entrance and goings out, a great basin of still water,
which gave us the opportunity to get upon the banks of the
river and draw our piperies ashore, to take off those things we
had laid on them, which, as wet as we were, we carried with
us, leaping frora rock to rock, till we carae to the end of the
fall, frora whence one of us afterwards returned to put our
pipery into the water, and let her swira along, to hira who
waited for her below. But, if he failed to catch hold (by
swiraraing) of those pieces of Avood, before they got. out ofthe

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA. 457
basin below, the violenqe of the streara would carry thera away
to rights, and the 'raen raust then be necessitated to go arid
pick out trees to raake another.
We thought at our setting but to go doAvn the water aU to
gether, to the end that, in case of any accident, one raight give
^assistance to the other ; but, at the end of three days, when I
knew the danger we exposed ourselves to in this way of swim
raing together, which had already been the occasion qf our losing
many piperies, I set myself against the design of our continuing
thus together, by demonstrating to all our raen, lhat,>now we had
no Spaniards ip these parts to conflict with, but only the diffi
culties of'^;this dangerous river, it was convenient bn the con-
.trary to allow every creWof us to advance a Httle ^efqre the
other, and tb keep,„as it were, in a line successively; and so,
in case the first were carried (as indeed it carae to pass) by the
violence of the stream iipon the rocks on the brink of the
water, whereof the river is full in an infinity of places, they
raight have tirae at least to get bff before the arrival of the
next pipery, which had already wrought so rauch disorder by
the wrecks that had been occasioned by their falling foul on
one another, that all of us were in raanifest danger bf perishing.
I afterwards found, as well as several others of our people,
who had raade trial herebf, that this foresight^was not useless to
us ; for ray pipery happening to be cast upon such a place, I
was forced to untie the pieces of wood, and to straddle upon
one piece, while ray corapanion did the same upon another,
and so leave ourselves to be carried down in this manner at
the pleasure of the streara, till it pleased God that we should
meet with a place, as we did indeed, that was not so rapid,
where we could go upon the bank of the river, which we could
nbt have done, if others had immediately foUoAved us. I also
advised that those, who went doAvn first, should take care to
set up in the most dangerous places a flag'or banner at the top
(rf a long pole, that so we might discern it afar off, not so much
to give notice to those who were hinderraost that there was a
fall in such a place, for these would raake themselves to be
heard almost a league off, but to signify to them what side they
were to put to land, which should be that where the flag stood.
These methods being put in practice, saved the lives of a great
many men, though, for all these precautions, several were
also lost.
The raany bananas which we found along the banks of this
river were alraost the only food that kept us frora starving ; for,
our arras being continually wet, and our poAvder aU spoiled, we
could not possibly go a hunting, though there is very good
39

458 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
garae there ; for, as to the horse-flesh which we had salted, we
were forced to throw it away in two days' tirae, for it could
not keep in the water any longer.
These bananas have partly heen planted by the Indians,
who dwell along, the sides of this river, and partly by the over
flowing of the waters, which, having dragged thera along, and
then left thera dry, took root againp and so have raultipHed.
Some days after we found, when AVe began to go down the
river, some carbets of an Indian nation called Albaouins, whom
we chased lo get their victuals j there are a multitude of others,
who dwell farther frora the brink thereof on the opposite side
to the former, and those of the orie bank have neither war nor
comraerce Avith those of the other.
It was in this place that those of our raen, who had lost their
money by gaming, put their cruel design in execution, and
where I came to know that the warning formerly given me
was too true. For these wretches, being gone before, went
and hid themselves behind the rocks that are upon the brink of
this river, by Avhich we must necessarily pass. As every raan
endeavored to save himself as well as he could, and that for
the reasons already given, we went down the river at a dis
tance one frora another,'"and without any mistrust, they hiad
but too rauch tir^e and conveniency to pick out and murder
five Englishmen, whom they knew to be some of the best fur
nished with booty, of which these assassins entirely deprived
thera. My corapanion and I found their bodies upon the river's
side ; and I raust freely confess, that such a spectacle would
have struck no sraall terror into me, if I had still been the
bearer of ray winnings ; I bless God with all ray heart, that
inspired rae with a design to quit ray treasure, being then
exposed in going down the river, as I was last after the EngHsh,
to the treachery of those villains, where I raust infallibly have
run the same risk ¦ as they had done. None of our people
knew any thing of this raurder ; but when we were got all
together farther down, I told thera what I had seen, which
was fully confirraed, as well by the absence of the dead men
as by that of the assassins, who durst not corae and rejoin us,
and whom we never saw from thence forAvard.
On the 20th of February we found the river larger, and raore
spacious than before, and, riiet wilh no raore falls therein ,• but
the sarae was so encurabered wilh trees and bamboes, which
the floods carried thither, that our wretched machines could not
be kept frora overturning ; but the depth of the water in these
parts being a means to moderate the rapidness of it, there were
not many drowned.

THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMERICA. 459
At last, when we were gone down sorae leagues farther, we
found the river very good, the stream v^ry gentle, and no likeli
hood of our meeting any raore rocks or trees, though Ave had stfll
above sixty leagues to the sea-side. Wherefore, now finding
ourselves freed from those perils and dangers which we had
been exposed to in such terrible places, where death, in the
most fright/ul shape, presented itself continually to our view,
every one began to resume fresh courage, and conceive good
hopes of the remainder of the voyage ; insqrauch that, being
now all of us asserabled together in the sarae place Avhere those
who had gone before, staid for thera that came after, and that
we had now before us how we should go quite through with
the rest of our/voyageSj avc agreed to divide ourselves into
several corapanies, each consisting of sixty men, to build canoes
out of mapou AVOod, which sort of trees grow in great numbers
uppn the banks of the said river.
Having, with wonderful diligence, finished four canoes by
the 1st qf March, for the use of a hundred and twenty men
that were of us in one canton, we put them into the water, and
embarked thereon, without staying for a hundred and forty
more, who were finishing theirs ; the "ardent desire we had to
be, as soon as possible, satisfied Avliether we should reaUy be
able to reach the North. Sea, egged us mightily to put on ; for,
according to the idea we had conceived of our passage, we were
apprehensive of being carried back into that of the South, as
not being able to think we could be so happy as to recover tho
sight of a sea, by which we might be carried home to our
native countries, and which we had for so considerable a time
loiiged for.
"The English, who would not make any canoes, had got in
their piperies before us to the sea-side. Here they met with an
English boat from Jamaica, at anchor, whom they were very
fbrward to press to go and ask leave of the governor of that
island for their safe coraing thither, because they had gone out
without any commission ; but that vessel being unwilling to go
thither, without they laid doAvn 6000^. sterling, by way of ad
vance, and they being not in a condition to run the hazard of
such a sum, because many of them had lost their money, as
several araongst us had done, which they would have carried
with thera, by the oversetting of the piperies, they staid wilh
the Moustic Indians, that dweU sorae leagues to the windward
of the raouth of this river, and who are very kind to them,
because of the trinkets they bring them from Jaraaica.
Thus,. that boat proving to be of no use to these English,
tbey politicly bethought theraselves to send us word hereof, as

460

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

hoping we, in atknowledgraent of this kindness, would obtain
leave of the governor of St. Doraingo for thera to retire, and
be protected iu that island. This news we received by two
Moustic Indians, whom in a boat they sent to meet us forty
leagues up the river, and who told us, that there should no raore
than forty men only come down, because that ship could con
tain no more by reason bf the smallness of it, and >ts scantiness
of provision. ' But for all this, the one hundred and twenty
that made up one of our companies, went down together, for
every one pretended to be of the nuraber of the said forty.
Though this river we are now leaving is by some Spanish
maps made tb run directly eighty leagues, and then to fall into
the North Sea, yet we have coraputed the same to run above
three hundred, being alraost always carried to the south-east,
for to go to the north.
We happily arrived on the 9th at the mouth of the river, at
C!ape Gracia de Dios, and entered into the sea, which with
much satisfaction we knew to be that of the north, where we
AVere obliged to wait for the English ship that' was at the isles
of Pearls, which are a dozen leagues distant frora that cape to
the east. Here we staid till the 14th with the mulattoes that
live in these parts, and who fed us for some days with fish.
This cape, which stands on the continent, hath been inhab
ited for a long time by these mulattoes and negroes, both men
and woraen, who have greatly multiplied there since a Spanish
"ship, bound from Guinea, freighted with their fathers, Was lost
by coraing too near the shore, which is very dangerous in these
parts. Now those who had escaped the shipwreck were cpur-
teoiisly received by the Moustic Indians living about this can
ton, who Ayere well pleased with the loss of that ship and of
the Spaniards, their enemies, that were in it.
Those Indians assigned their new guests a place to grub up,
?where they buflt theniselves cottages in the finest country of
savannas, that reach along the river frora the mouth of it for
five or six leagues upwards. Here, for their sustenance, they
plant maize, bananas, and raagniots, which the Indians gave
them ; they also taught thera to make a raost nourishihg sort
of drink, which they call hoon ; they prepare the sarae of a
fruit that is produced on the top of a kind of a palra-tree, which
grows naturally in these woods, and never exceeds ten feet in
height. Each of these trees bears no raore, than one bunch of
grapes, but inost of them are a full load for one-man. Its grain
is of the same forra and thickness as an olive ; sorae of them
are yellowish, others reddish, and containing in a very hard
stone an exceeding oily kernel. They pound the fruit; stone,

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 461
and kernel all together, bpiling the same afterwards in water,
and this makes up the composition. When the sarae is grown
cold, or but lukewarm, they put what quantity they are mind
ed to drinkj into a calabash pierced through with small holes
like unto a skimmer. This drink, besides that it is very nourish
ing, and fattens very much, is also a pleasanter liquor than any
that is to be met with among the other Indians, the same being'
only peculiar to this nation.
'The mulattoes are all ^ Very tall people, and go altogether
naked, saving their privy* parts, which they, cover, nature hav
ing provided for them upon that account a kind of glayish
stuff, which.they pull from a tree called the bastard-palm, the
top of whose stock is wrapped up in some fathoms of it, frora
the first rising of its branches some feet downwards, according
to the thickness of each of these trees. This stuff is also a
great help to them to raake coverlets, AvhereAvith to cover them
in t4ie night ; and sorae of those people who live raore at ease,
wear shirts and drawers, which the English bring thera from
Jaraaica. They are the boldest people in the world for expos-
sing themselves to the perfls of the sea, and undoubtedly the
most expert in the art of -fishing. They will comrait thera
selves to the waves in these little boats, or such like, which an
able searaan will scarce venture to do ; aufl here they will stay
for three or four days together, being , no raore concerned, let
the weather be what it wfll, than if they were raade of the
same piece as their boat ; and provided they can but once set
sight on the fish, though swimraing never so low in the water,
they will not fail to take hira, so dexterous are they at this work.
.They many times do oUr freebooters a kindness, when they
take them on board with them, upon condition of letting thera
have a share of what booty is got, which must be exactly per
formed unto them. For if you once deceive them, you must
no Ibnger expect their assistance ;> and this teraper is peculiar
alraost to all the Indian nations in these parts, that they wfll
never go again when once you have broke your word with
them. I
The ancient Mbustics, who gave theSe raen I have spoken
of, entertainment, live about ten or twelve leagues to the wind
ward of Cape Gracia a Dios, in those places they call Sarabay
and Sanibey. They are very slothful, and neither plant nor
sow but very little, and lie all day on their amacks, which are
a kind of raoving beds in their ajoupas or barracks, while their
wives wait upon thera. in every thing as far as they can serve
them ; and when they are pressed with hunger, they go a fish
ing in their boats, at which they also are very Skflful, and when
¦ 39 *

462 THE. BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
they have taken any, they eat thera, and go not out any more,
tiU hunger returns upon thera again. ¦
As for their clothing, it is neither larger nor more .sumptuous
than that of the mulattoes at the cape. There are but a few
araongst them that have a fixed abode, most of them being'vag-
abonds,,and Avandering along the river side, and having no other
hous© to shelter theraselves in but a latanier leaf, which they
rilanage so, that wheri the wind drives the rain on the one side,
* they turn their leaf, against it, behind Avhich they" lie, and this
skreens them against the weather. When they are inclined to
sleep, they dig a hole in the sand, where they lie and then cover
themselves therewith ; and this they do to keep theniselves
frora the stinging of the moustics, Avherewith the air is generally
very full. 'They are little flies, that are'sooner fell than seen,
and have so' sharp and venomous a sting, that where they
alight, they seem to have fiery darts wherewith to prick men.
These poor people are so tormented with those raischiev6us
insects, when they see thera not, that their bodies appear like
lepers, and I can assure it for truth, as knowing the sarae by
my own knowledge, that it is no small pain to be attacked with
them ; for besides that they caused us to lose our rest in the
night, it* was then that Ave were fbrced tb go naked for Avant of
shirts, when the troublesbmeness bf these animals made us run
into despair, and such a rage as set us beside ourselves.
When these Indians go a journey, thoUgh ever so short, they
take their wives, children, dogs, and fawns', which they breed
tame, all, along with them. It is a custora I have observed to
be held among all the Indian nations on the terra firma of
America ; and these 1 speak of live as brutishly as any of the
- rest, yet: they are not so cruel and savage, because of the soci
ety they have with the English, Avho have no other aim than
to endeavor tb bring them under, and master their country,
where they have a great many habitations already.
On the 14th the vessel, Avhieh I said was gone to the Isles
ofl Pearls, arrived at the place where we were, and came scarce
to an anchor, but we afl crowded to go on board, because we
were to dra^ lots who* should embark ; but about fifty of us,
for all that, being raore vigilant than the rest, raade a shift to
enter her ; who thinking it unadvisable to go ashore again, to
coramit to chance a thing we were already in possession of, and
for' to preverita greater nunaber frora entering in, we being al-
read.yj piled as itwere on the top of one another, we weighed
anchor and departed.
The raaster Avould have carried us to Jamaica; but Ave, not
knowing how raatters stood between Prance and England,

?
THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA. 463.
whether it were peace or war, engaged hira to carry us to St.
Domingo, for forty pieces of eight a head. We went to take
in water at the Isle of PeariS, and on the 16th left the same.
On the I7th we doubled the island of Catalina or Providence,
as the English call it, where the Spaniards had formeriy a very
fine fort and sraall town, which were taken by the French
and Bnglish, under the colors of the last. On the ISth Ave
went to cross the channel, though it blew a strong easteriy
breeze. On the 24th we carae to land at Los Jardinos, which
are a great raany sraall islands near unto that of Cuba. And
on the 29lh we took in water at Port Portflla, (in the Isle of
Cuba,) which is not inhabited. On the 30th we anchored to
the S. S. E. of the, borough of Baracoa, in the same island,
where we surprised the hunters belonging to that place, whom
we obliged to sell us the victuals they had took, by giving thera
their own price for it. But this our liberality towards them
proceeded from another cause, and that was, that we were un
certain Avhether our nation Avas at peace or Avar with the Span
iards, since we had no intelligence here, or frora any French
country, how things werit wilh thera.
On, the 6th of April, we touched at Nippas, which is a small
borough on the coast, ^even leagues distant frora Petit Guavis,
that so we raight hear some'' news of our own country, while
we rode at anchor there. There were some of our people so
infatuated with the long miseries we had suffered, that they
thought of nothing else but the Spaniards, insomuch that when
from the deck they saw some horsemen riding along the sea
side, they flew to their arms to fire upon them, as imagining they
were eneraies, though we assured thera we Avere now corae
araong those of our own nation. We left this port on the 4th,
and Avent to anchor in the port of Petit Guavis, from whence
we had departed alraost four years before ; and before Ave came
near the fort, I went to Monsieur Dumas, the king's lieutenant,
to require him to grant us protection and indemnity in the Gov
ernor Monsieur de Cassy's absence, by virtue of an amnesty
the king had been pleased to send to those that made war upon
the Spaniards since the peace, which being concluded on since
our departure, it was impossible we should come to know it in
such remote places, and where we were thought to have been
entirely, destroyed.
Lastly, when we were got all ashore to a people that spoke
French, we could not forbear shedding tears for joy, that after
we had run so many hazards, dangers and perils, it had pleased
the Almighty Maker of the earth and seas -to grant a deliver
ance, and bring us back to those of our own nation, that at

464 - THE BUCCANEEBS OP AMERICA.
length we raay return without any raore ado to our own coun
try ; whereunto I cannot but further add, that for ray own part
I had so little hopes of ever getting back, that I could not, for
the space of fifteen days, take ray return for any other than an
fllusion ; find it proceeded so far with rae, that I shutined sleep
for fear, when I ayaked, I should find rayself again in those
countries out of , Avhich I was now safely delivered.

CHAPTER LVII.
A Relation of a Voyage made by the Sieur De Montauban,* Captain of the
Freebooters on the Coast of Guinea, in the Year 1695. With a Description
of the Kingdom of Cape Lopez, the Manners, Customs, and Religion of tha
Country. Since I have so often felt the raalignant influences of those
stars that preside over the seas, and by an adverse fortune lost
aU that wealth which wilh so much care "and trouble I had
amassed together, I should take no manner of pleasure in this
place to call to mind the raisfortunes that befel me before the
conclusion of the last campaign, had not a desire of serving still
both the public and particular persons, as well as to let his
raajesty know the affection and weddedness I have always had
for his service, raade rae take pen in hand to give M. de Pheli-

* A Letter to Monsieur ¦

"SiH: — A relation of the voyage made by Captain Montauband, commonly called
Montauban/ is at last come to my hands; and I have sent you the same in print. There
is no doubt, but yoji will admire, as well as I, how rhuch his prudence and courage
have been instrumental to deliver him from many unhappy accidents, where another
must have infallibly perished. Toil will remember, as soon as you begin to read, to
have seen some of his men at Bourdeaux, in the year 1694 ; from thence it was he
departed the following year to undertake the voyage you are here presented with. He
gave chase to several snips he met with in his way ; he fought with a frigate carrying
thirty-four guns, at Cape Yerde ; he met with an English ship of twenty guns, at
Cape St. Johtt.Triiich he took after a short fight; after which he took a Brandenburgh
caper, and sail^cT away-for Angola. Near the shore he met with an English guard-
ship, being a frigate carrying fifty-four pie.ces of cannon. This ship he fought for five
or six hours, and both of them' very bravely boarded one another; and as he was about
to make himself master of the said ship, the English captain set fire to his powder,
and so both the ships blew up into the air with a terrible crack.
"You will have the pleasure to contemplate, in the perusal of this book, as if you
stood upon the s^-side, this tremendous shipwreck ; as also see how the Sieur de
Montauban, togeth^ . with fifteen' or sixteen of his men, were saved. He suffered
hunger for above three days together, and at last arrived at Cape Lopez, from whence
he went to visit the king s}i that country, of whose court and kingdom he has given
us here a description. He speaks also of his reception, and advances a project how
to settle the Boman Catholic faith in those parts, fie stood for surety at the bap-

THE BUCCANEEES OP AMERICA. 465
peaux an account of such observations as I have raade ; where
in he raay also find with what eagerness I have penetrated to
the reraotest colonies of our enemies, in order to destroy them
and ruin their trade.
I was not wflling to sweU up this relation with an account
of all the voyages I have made, and all the particular adven
tures- that have befallen me on the coasts of New Spain, Car
thagena, Mexico, Florida, and Cape Verde, which last place I
had been at twenty years ago, having begun to use the seas at
the age of sixteen.
r could also have added hereunto the campaign I have raade
in 1691, Avhen, being coraraander of the ship called the Machine,
I ravaged the coasts of Guinea, entered into the great Serelion,
and took a fort frbra the English, where they had four and
twenty pieces of cannori, which I caused to be split, that they
might be of no further use unto them.
But I ara desirous to confine myself to give an account of
ray last voyage, because it is the nearest, and that Avhich is yet
fresh in the memory of the public ; notice and some informa
tion having been given thereof by the noise raade in France
and elsewhere of the burning of. ray ship, and the terrible
crack it raade in the air.
In the year 1694, after I had ravaged the coast of Caracca,
I went up to the windward towards St. Croix, where I under
stood that there were some raerchant ships, with a convoy, to
corae from Barbadoes and Nevis, and bound for England ; and
upon the same information I resolved to sail up to the height
of the Bermudas, hoping to take this sraall fleet, and so to raake

tizing of a son of Prince Thomas, the aforesaid king's son. He went on board a Por
tuguese ship, in order to his passage to Europe. An Englishman, that was hi^ friend,
took him aboard hi^ vessel, and carried him to Barbadoes, where he was confined to
his chamber by Colonel Russel, who was governor of those islands. He was freed
from thence, and went to Martinico, where he saw M. de Frontenac, general of the
French islands. From thence he got into France, being very uncertain whether he
shall return to sea again. But, sir, all these adventures are set forth in so natural
and easy a style, that you cannot but infallibly observe the sincerity and generosity of
theauthor. It is true, our seafaring men are not so polite as those who liveou
shore; and that proceeds from want of society and cpnversation. But to make
amends for that, they are a hundred fold more sincere than the other. . And thus, sir,
do not think a seafaring man will impose upon you. For myself, I have several
times heard Montauban, in person, give a relation of this same voyage, but I cOuld
never observe that he varied in any one thing at any time ; and the free and generous
air wherewith he delivered those brave actions he has performed in fight, would per
suade you of the truth of what he hath related. It is not for a.ny ostentation that
he has -written this account ; he has in the very beginning thereof declared- openly
enough, that he had no other end in doing it, than to give a minister of state an ac
count (as he calls it) of his campaign. In short, if you are dubious m respect to the
fight where the Sieur de Montauban was shipwrecked, you may recollect yourself, and
find you have read the same in the gazettes of September aud October this pres
ent year. I am, Sir, your most humble, and most obedient servant, B .

466 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
a good booty of it. I Avas scarce got thither, but that I saAv
them appear, and sailing directly towards me, Avithout any
apprehensions of danger upon them. But I presently attacked
their convoy, called the Wolf, and took her, Avith two more of
the merchant ships laden AV'ith sugar, the rest havingmade their
escape during the fight. As I was carrying ray prize into
France, I met with another English' ship of sixteen guns com
ing from Spain, and bound also for England, that after a short
fight struck, and which I carried to Rochelle, Avhere the admi
ralty judged the same to be good prize. When I had sold this
ship, I carried my three other vessels to Bourdeaux, Avhere I
arrived in September, 1694;, and these last being also con-
deraned as good prizes, I raade it ray business presently lo find
out merchants that would buy thera.
In the raean time, my freebooters, who had not seen France
for a long time, finding theraselves now in a grea!t city where
pleasure and plenty reigned, were hot backAvard to refresh thera
selves after the fatigues they had endured, while so long absent
from their native country. They spent a world of money here,
and proved horribly extravagant. The merchants and their
hosts made rio scruple to advancei them money, or lend thera
as rauch as they pleased, upon the reputation of their wealth,
and the noise there was throughout the city of the valua
ble prizes whereof they had a share. All the nights they
spent in such divertisements as pleased them best, and the
days in running up and down the tqwn 'in masquerade, causing
themselves to be carried in chairs, with lighted flambeaux at
noon-day, of which debauches some died, while four of my
crew fairly deserted me. So that now, seeing I lost my raen,
notAvithstanding all the care I had taken, and strict injunctions
I had laid upon them, I thought it advisable for rae to be
gone frora thence as soon as I could, that I raight keep the
rest together.
In the first place I supplied the roora of those whora I had
lost with as raany Bourdeaux young raen. who in a short time
became as expert as the old ones ; for you are to observe, I
raade it my continual care and business to leach ray men to
shoot ; and ray so frequent exercising them rendered them in
a short time as capable of shooting and handling their arms as
the oldest sea freebooters, or the best fowlers by land.
When I had revictualled my ship, that carried no more than
thirty-four pieces of cannon, I left Bourdeaux in the raonth of
February, 1695, with an intention to go and cruise on the
coast of Guinea, in Africa. I got up to the Azores, which are
thirty-seven degrees north latitude, and cjruised thereabouts for

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 467
the space of eight days without any purchase. From thence
I passed to the Canary Islands, Avhich are in twenty-five degrees
north latitude. We discovered the Peak of Teneriffe a great
way off, which they say is the highest mountain in the Avorld.
They report these mountains had their naraes frora dogs, which
the Latins call canes, and which the Portuguese found here
in great numbers upon their first arrival. I cruised round about
them for fourteen days, in expectation of meeting with some
' Dutch ships which I was informed were to come that way, and
' it proved to be really so ; for the said ships canie thither, but
they got into the port before I could reach them; and this
made me sail away for the White Cape and the Isles of Cape
Verde, that are between fourteen and eighteen degrees north
latitude. "Upon my arrival there, I found two English ships
lying at anchor in the road of the Isle of May, Avhich made
rae put out ray shaUop to know what they A^'ere, and the same
inforraed rae that they were two interlopers, carrying about
thirty guns each. I resolved to board and take them ; to this
end I lay by to come nearer them ; bul as we bore upon one
of the points of this island, these ships did not think ^t to tarry
for ray coraing up ; but sraelling ray design, they made all
ready, and left their^cables and anchors in the road at which
their shallops lay.
I pursued them all day ; but night coming on, I lost sight of
them, and returned to the road from whence they were gone,
in order to take away the cables and anchors, and to sink the
shallops fastened by therii. When I had so done, I sailed away
for the Isle of St. Vincent, to calk ray, vessel in that place,
and to take in Avaler and wood. This island also is one of
those of Cape Verde. Here I staid for the space of eight days,
at the end whereof, understanding by a Portuguese bark that
there Avere two English ghips, carrying frora twenty to thirty
guns, at the Isle of Fuego, one of Avhich was refitting therej
because of a fight she had been engaged in with .some other
ships, I presently weighed anchor, and sailed avgay for the said
island, Avhich is not far distant frora that of St. Vincent, being
in hopes to raeet with the enemy in that place. But upon
my arrival, I understood by a Portuguese, that they Avere gone
away four or five days before, in the night, Avithout saying
any thing of the place Avhither they "were bound, from the said
^Island of Fuego, or Fire Island. I thereupon steered my course
for the coast qf Guinea, and first discovered the.Cape of Three
Points, Avhere" I met Avith the ^uard-ship, which was a Dutch
frigate, carrying thirty-four guns, and cruised out at sea. She
quickly discovered me, and made directly tbwards me, in order

468 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
to knoAV what I was. As I had also on ray part perceived her,
and was in hopes to corae close and fight her, I hung up Dutch
colors, that I raight not frighten her away, but give her an op
portunity to come up within cannon-shot of rae. When I saw
her near enough, Lput up French colors, and gave her a signal
to strike ; Sut instead thereof, she, Avithout any raore ado, very
bravely gave rae a hroadside, and at the sarae tirae received
one frora rae. We continued to fight one another in this man
ner frora raorning till four in the afternoon, without'my being
able to get the weather-gage, or come up near enough unto'
her to make Use to any purpose of my fusils, which are the
chief arras in such ships as ours be ; nor to hinder her, by the
favor of the wind which she had of rae, to go and anchor
under the port of the Cape of Three Points, where there were
two Dutch ships raore fitted out for raen-of-war, one whereof
carried fourteen, and the other tAvenly-eight pieces of cannon.
I presently thought these three ships had joined together, in
order to come out and , fight rae, Avhich made rae lie by there
abouts for a whole day, in expectation of them. I anchored
also within a league of the shore, hoping at length that they
being spighled at my insulting thera in this manner, Avould be
eager for revenge. But all this to no purpose, and in all appear
ance the guard-ship had already found herself so ill-treated that
she had no occasion for a second fight. A sraall Portuguese
ship, that passed by soon after, told riie these ships were the
sarae that had forced the Sieur Rey, captain of the king's flute
called the Deep, to leave that coast ; which also was confirraed
afterwards unto rae by the Sieur Rey hiraself, at the Prince's
Island, Avhere I raet hira.
Seeing therefore that the eneray would not fight, and con
sidering with rayself it was not advisable for rae to attack them
under the cannon of the fort, I resolved to go to Cape Lopez,
and to Prince's and St. Thomas' Isles. In ray passage I dis
covered Cape St. John, that stands on the continent of Guinea,
as Avell as the Cape of Three Points, and I happened to raeet Avith
an English ship of twenty guns, and that had three hundred
and fifty negroes, elephants' tfeth, and wax on board it, which
did not cost rae rauch p£^ins to take her. The captain told me
he was corae from Ardra, Avhere he had taken five hundred and
fifty negroes on board, but that they had slain some of them,
because they hafl mutinied against his ship's crew ; and that
some more of thera had raade their escape to land in his shallop,
which they secretly stole fromv.hira. Ardra is one of the prin
cipal towns in Guinea, standing upon the sea-side, and the usual
residence of a prince who governs a great country in this part
of the world.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 469
From thence I went to Prince's Isle, in sight whereof I look
a small Brandenburgh caper, mounted with eight pieces of can
non, and carrying sixty men. She cruised about this latitude,
and took all the barks she could light on, without distinction
of nation or colors. When I had done this, I went into the
port, in order to clean my ship, which was foul enough ; and
that I raight clear rayself of the English prize I had taken, I
Sent her away to St. Doraingo in America, to have the same
conderaned, under the coraraand of the Sieur de Nave, and a
sufficient nuraber of men in her, whom I picked out of ray.
own crew. But sorae tirae after, I understood she was taken
by sorae English raen-of-war that were before Little Goara.
In the raean tirae, that my raen raight not be idle, I gave ray
officers orders to have ray ship careened, Avhile I rayself with
the Brandenburgh caper which I had taken, and ninety raen
whora I had put on board her; went out to cruise, and contin
ued at it for six weeks, upon the coast of Guinea, or about the
Prince's and Sl. Oraer's Islands, Avithout raeeting any eneray.
Whereupon I returned back into the road of the first of these
isles, where I revictualled ray ship as soon as possibly I could ;
and when all things Avere ready, I weighed anchor, and sailed
directly for the Isle of St. Thoraas, there either to sell, or truck
the caper I had taken ; which last I chose to do for some pro
visions, because I had not enough to go and cruise long upon
the coasts of Angola, whither I had resolved to go and spend
five or six months, in order to avoid the English ships they
were fitting out at the same town of Guinea, which consisted
' of three men-of-war and a fire-ship, and were designed to go
in quest of me, cruising about St. 'Thomas, where they thought
I should continue.
As I left St. Thomas, I saAV a ship at anchor. I sailed to
wards her, and gave her chase a long tirae ; but I could not
prevent her getting to land at the Isle of St. Oraer, and slaving
to pieces. In striving to take her, I lost a hundred and fifty
pounds of gold dust, which this Dutch interloper had got in
trading on this coast.
This being over, I sailed for the coasts of Angola, which is
tAVO hundred and fifty leagues on the other side of the line.
There I arrived on the 22d of Septeraber, and understood,
when I carae within three leagues of the port of Cabinda, that
there were two English ships with negroes on board in that
place. As I Avas to leeward of that port, I bore out to sea, in
hopes next day to have a south-'«vest wind, that usually blows
frora the seaward, to help to recover the port. When day ap
peared, I saAV a ship under English colors bearing upon me,
40

470

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

' -1

*' \

'*"

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA. 471
whora, I presently did not take to be a man-of-war. But some
time after, 1 discovered she carried no less than four and fifty
guns. I used all the art I could to, amuse her; and for that
end I hung out Dutch colors, that I might also the more easfly
come near her ; Avhile she on her part was not backward to
arause me, and by the guns she fired from time to time, to
assure me of her friendship, endeavored to come up Avith me.
When I perceived my eneray's design, I took upon me to make
a show of waiting for hira, and sailed but very slowly, that I
raight raake hira believe ray ship was heavy laden, or that I
was encurabered for want of sails and hands. We kept in this
manner frora break of day till ten in the forenoon. He gave rae
a gun from time to time without ball, to assure me what he was,
and as he supposed, ray friend j but finding at last I did not
answer him on ray«part in the ^arao manner, and that We were
now within cannon-shot of one another, he gave me one again
with ball, which made rae presently put up French colors, and
answer him Avith another. Hereupon the English captayi,
without any raore ado, gave me two broadsides, which I re
ceived without returning him one again, though he had killed
me seven men ; for I was in hopes, if I could have got sorae
thing nearer to him, to put hira out of condition ever lo get
away frora me. I endeavored to come within a fusil shot of
him, and was desirous to give hira an opportunity to show his
courage in boarding me, since I coifld not so well do the same
by hira, as being to the leeward. At last, being come by de
grees., nearer, and finding hira within the reach of my fusfls,
which for that end I kept concealed upon the deck from his
sight, they were discharged upon him, and my men continijed
to make so great a fire Avith thera, that the enemy on their part'
began quickly to flag.
In the mean time, as their ship's crcAV consisted of above
three hundred raen, and that they saAv their cannon could not
do their work for them, they resolved lo board us, which they
did with a great shout and terrible threatening^ of giving no
quarter, if we did not surrender. Their grappling irons failing
to catch the stern of my ship, made theirs run in such a man
ner, that their stern run upon my bowsprit and broke it. Hav
ing observed my eneray thus encurabered, ray men plied thera
briskly with their sraall shot, and made so terrible a fire upon
them for an hour and a half, that being unable lo resist any
longer, and having lost a great many men, they left the sport,
and ran down between* decks, and I saw thera presently after
make signals Avith their hats of crying out for quarter. I
caused my raen therefore to give over their firmg, and com-

472 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
manded the English to erabark in their shallops, and come on
board of me, while I raade sorae of ray crew at the same time
leap into the eneray's ship, and seize her, and so prevent any
surprise frora them. I already rejoiced within myself for the
taking of such a considerable prize ; and so rauch the raore,
in that I hoped, that after having taken this vessel that was the
guard-ship of Angola, and the largest the English iiad in those
seas, I should find rayself in a condition to take stfll better
prizes, and attack ariy raan-of-war I should raeet with. My
ship's crew were also as joyful as rayself, and did the work they
were engaged in Avith a great deal of pleasure ; but the enemy's
powder suddenly taking fire, by the means of a match the
captain had left burning on purpose, as hoping he might escape
with his Iavo shallops, blew both the ships into the air, and
made the most horrible crack that was ever heard. It is
irapossible lo set forth this horrid spectacle to the life ; the spec
tators themselves Avere the actors of this bloody scene, not
kr^owing whether they saw it or not, and not being able to
judge of that which theraselves felt. Wherefore leaving the
reader, to iraagine the horror which the blowing up of two ships
above two hundred fathoms into the air must work in us, where
there was formed, as il were, a raountain of water, fire, wreck
of the ships, cordages, cannon, raen, with a raost terrible clap
raade, what with the cannon that went off in the air, and the
waves of the sea that were tossed up thither ; to which Ave
may add the cracking of masts and boards, the rending of the
sails and ropes, the cries of men, and the breaking of bones ;
I say, leaving these things to the iraagination of the reader, I
shall only lake notice of what befell rayself, and by what good
fortune it was that I escaped.
When the fire first begun, I was upon the fore deck of my
bwn ship, where I gave the necessary brders. Nbw I was car
ried upon part of the said deck so high, that I fancy it was the
height alone that prevented my being involved in the Avreck of
the ships, where I.-must have infallibly perished, and been cut
into a thousand pieces. I fell back into the sea (you raay be
sure,) giddy-headed enough, and continued a long tirae under
water without being able to get up to the surface of il ; at last,
falling into a debate with the water, as a person who Avas afraid
of being drowned, I got upon the face of it, and laid hold of a
broken piece of a mast that I found near rae. I called to some
of my men Avhora I saw swimraing round about me, and ex
horted thera to take courage, hoping we might yet save our
lives if we could light upon any one of our shallops. But
what yet afflicted rae raore than my very misfortune was, to see

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 473
two half bodies Avho had stiU soraewhat of life reraaining in
them, from time to tirae raount up to the face of the waterj
and leave the place where they appeared all dyed Avith blood.
It was also rauch the sarae thing, to see round about rae a vast
number of members and scattered parts of men's bodies, and
most of them spitted upon splinters of wood. At last, one of
my men, having.met with a whole shallop, araong all the Avreck
that swam up and down upon the water, came to tell rae that
we raust endeavor to stop sorae hbles therein, and to take out
the canoe that lay on board her. We got to the nuraber of
fifteen or sixteen of us who had escaped, near unto this shal
lop, every man upon his piece of wood, and took the pains to
loosen our canoe, which al length we effected. We went all
on board her, and after we had got in, saved our chief gunner,
who in the fight had had his leg broke. We took up three or
four oars, br pieces of boards which served us for that purpose ;
and when we had done that, Ave sought out for somewhat to
raake us a sail and a little raast ; and having fitted up all things
as well as possibly we could, we coraraitted ourselves to the
Divine Providence, who alone could give us life and deliverance.
As soon as I had done working, I found rayself all over be
smeared with blood,, that ran frora a wound I had received in
ray head at the tirae of ray fall." We raade sorae lint out of
ray handkerchief, arid a fillet to bind it withal out of my shirt,
after I had first washed the wound with urine. The same
thing was done to the rest that had been wounded, and oui
shallop in the mean whfle sailed along, without making land,
or our knowing where we were going. And -what was still
raore sad, was, that Ave had no victuals, and we had already
spent three days without either eating or drinking. One of
our raen, being greatly affiicted with hunger arid thirst at the
sarae tirae, drank so much salt water that he died of it. Most
of our men vomited continually, whether it were that they
were incomtftoded with the water that ^ got into thera when
they fell into the*sea, as it wfll happen if they drink of it out of
raere necessity. As for myself, I was incoraraoded for a long
tirae. I afterAvards swelled up raightfly, and my excrements
carae frora me in the forra of sraall buttoqs; and I attribute to
a quartan ague, that seized on me soon after, the cure of ray
drojisy, and recovery of ray health that by degrees returned to
me. I make no enuraeration of the other inconveniences
which so dangerous a fall brought upon me, such being un
avoidable to a raan that feU into so great a fire. AU my hair,
face, and one side of me, were burnt with the powder ; and
the same fate attended me as usually does bombardiers at sea,
40*

474

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

and that Avas to bleed at the nose, ears, and raouth. I do not
knoAv Avhether this be the effect of the powder or no, by swell
ing up those vessels Avhich contain the blood in our bodies to
such an extraordinary degree, that the ends of the veins open
and let it out ; or that. the great noise and violent motion that
is wrought in those organs make the same happen. But let
it come which way it will, since there is nq room here for
a consultation of physicians, as long as we were dying of hun
ger, nor to inquire what became of the English, .Avhen we
had so much difficulty, and could hardly save ourselves, we
continued our course up the current with the help of our oars,
because we knew the same came frora the port of Cabindas.
But as tie wind Avas against us, we could never get thither,
and were forced to be satisfied to get to the Cape of Corsa if
•Ave could, which stands a dozen leagues frora that of Cathersna,
where we could nol land, because of a bar that renders the
coast inaccessible. That was our design, but hunger hindered
us to put the sarae in execution, and we were forced even to
overcorae the obstacles which nature laid in our way, by run
ning ashore in spite of the bar. This we perforraed at last,
(after much difficulty,) being in hopes to find there some negroes
that might furnish us with victuals. One of our company
presently landed, in order to go and seek out somewhat to sat
isfy oiir hunger, and by good fortune found in a pond, stick
ing to the branches of trees, some oysters, whereof he gave us
presently notice. We Avent all up to the very pond along a
channel of the sea, Avhere we were no sooner come, but we eat
lustily of the oysters with a very good appetite. We opened,
thera with a few knives we found in our pockets, lending the
sarae frora one to another very charitably and readily. When
we had spent Iavo days in that place, I divided ray raen into three
small companies, and sent thera up into the country to seek for
victuals and houses, with orders to return again in the evening
to the shallop. I Avent out myself also as the restdid ; but Ave
could find neither any houses, nor the least sign of any men in
those parts. All that we could see were great herds of buf-
flers,. as large as oxen, who fled so fast frora us, that we could
not possibly corae near thera. Wherefore having spent all the
day in this manner, and got nothing, we returned to our shal
lop to eat oysters again, and resolved next day to leave this
place, and go to Cape Corsa, to the leeward of Avhich there is
a large port, Avhere ships that sail that way put in to furnish
themselves Avilh Avater and wood. The negroes that live in
the country having notice of the coming iri of ships by firing
of cannon, come thither also with provisions, and barter the

THE BUCCANEERS QF AMERICA. 475
«
sarae for brandy, knives and hatchets. They are forced to- live
remote frora the sea, because all the coast is very marshy. As
soon as we were got to the said cape, we heard a great noise made
by the negroes who carap thither to sell wood to the ships that
lay at anchor in the port. I looked araongst thera to see if I
could find any one whom I knew, for as they had often brought
me sorae wood, and other refreshraents "in the course of my
former voyages, I was in hopes to find some or other that
would know me again. But though I knew several of them,
it was impossible for me to persuade any of them that I was Cap
tain Montauban, so rauch was I disfigured Avith my late raisfor
tune ; and all of them took me for a man that Avould impose the'
belief of it upon them. I thought fit lo tell them in their own
language, whereof I understood a little, that I was ready to die
with famine, and prayed them to give me somcAvhat to eat ;
but it signified-^ nothing. So I desired them to carry me to
Prince Thoraas, who is son to the king of that country, as
hoping he raight ball to raind the favors I had forraerly
shoAved hira.
I carried all ray corapany with rae to that prince. We were
first brought to the dwellings of those negroes, where they
began to be a little raore tractable, and gave us some bananas
to eat, which are a sort of figs longer than a man's hand.
Next day we got to the' prince's habitation ; but I was in so
pitiful a condition, that I could never, by the signs I gave,
make hira know rae, though I spoke to hira in his own lan
guage, as also in the Portuguese tongue, which he understood
tery well. It fortuned one day, that going to bathe ourselves,
he saw a scar upon my thigh, that was the effect of a Avound I
had received with a musket-ball, ifte told me that he raust
iraraediately know Avhether I was Captain Montauban or no ;
and that if I were not the man, he would cut off my head.
He asked if ever I had a scar with a rausket-shot upon my
thigh, which when I showed him, he presently embraced me,
and said he was exceeding sorry to see me in that condition,
aiid immediately caused victuals to be distributed among my
raen, and divided thera into several habitatioris, Avith strict
orders to the negroes, Avith Avhom they were quartered, to take
the greatest care they could of thera. As for me, he kept me
with hiraself, and raade rae alvvays eat at his own table. When
I was a little brought into order, he said he Avould carry me to
see the king his father, who lived five or six leagues off, that is
about ten or adozen from the sea-side. I let him know hoAv
great the favor and honor was he did me, and prayed him at
the same time that I might have the liberty to let rayfreeboot-

476 THE BUCCAIfEERS OF AMERICA.
ers go along with me, and grant us sorae pieces of stuffs to put
ourselves in as good equipage as we could) ui order to appear
before so great a prince ; all which he allowed rae, and three
days after, we went all together in a great canoe, and passed by
the River of Cape Lopez, because the country is so full of
marshes that you cannot go by land.
Being arrived at fhe Jring's habitation, which .is a village
consisting of three hundred booths, covered with palm-leaves,
wherein the king keeps his wives, famfly, relations, and some
other negro families, whom he loves best, I was lodged in Prince
Thoraas's house, and all my raen were distributed into other
habitations. We found all the people in great laraenlatioh,
because the chief of their religion, whora they call papa, had
died that day, when they were to begin the funeral obsequies,
Avhich were usually to last for seven days for priests of that
quality. This same person was had in great esteem and ven
eration by all the people, they looking upqn him to be a holy
man. As the king is in mourning, and sees nobody all the
whfle that this funeral ceremony lasts, Prince Thomas bid me-
have patience, and not to go out of my lodgings for to see the
king, because that was the custom of his nation..
However, I could not forbear going to see the funeral solem
nity, where I saw nothing else but a great concourse of people
standing round the dead corpse. I was in the raean tirae very
well fed by Prince Thoraas's orders, who was gone to see his
father. They did not let rae want bananas, elephant's flesh,
and river fish, though all of it carae without either bread or
wine, as you may well suppose. My raen were treated in
the sarae raanner in their respective quarters all the tirae we
staid there.
At the eight days' end. Prince Thomas came, in order lo
carry us before the king. He is a large negro, well enough
made, and about fifty years old, Avho to do me the greater hon
or, according to the relation given of me to him by his son,
came out of his house to receive rae, and advanced sorae steps
to meet rae. He was supported by four or five woraen, which
gave hira a kind of an air of grandeur in a very curabersorae
and fantastic .manner. He was guarded by several negroes,
who Avere armed with lances and fusils, which they discharged'^
from time to time with no great order. There Avere several
trumpets and druras raarched before hira, at the head of Avhich
company there were several standards carried, alike in color tb
those used in Holland. He had no bther clothes than a piece
of cotton stuff, streaked with white and blue, wherewith part
of his body was covered, the sarae being several tiraes folded
round about himf.

THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERiaA. 477
He gave me many demonstrations of his friendship ; he also
Stretched out his hand to rae, saying it was the first time he
had ever done so to any man before me. Being come to his
house, he sat at his door, and raade rae take place on the one
Side of him, as his son did on the other. He asked rae sev
eral questions concerning the greatness and power of the king
ray raaster; and when I had told hira that he alone waged war
against the English 'and the Dutch, whom himself knew, as
having seen them, often at the Cape of Lopez; that he also
warred against the Germans and Spaniards, who were more
potent nations than the English and Dutch ; he also told me
he was pleased Avith my account, and that he Avould drink the
king of France's health.' Prese'ntly they brought him up some
palm wine, Avhich is not unpleasant to drink, and his wives
served him in a great crystal glass. As soon as he began to
take the glass, the negro men and woraen lifted up their right
arm, and held the same in that posture very silently till he had
done drinking. But when it was over, they made a great noise
wilh their trumpets and druras, and discharged all their mus
kets, or I should rather have said fusils.
Prince Thoraas then asked rae, Avhat was the king of France's
name, and having told hira, Lewis le Grand, he said he had a
mind I should hold a child of his, of about seven or eight
raonths old lo baptisra, and that I should give him the name
of Lewis le Grand, which raade rae sraile a little at the huraor.
He told me also, that the first voj^age I should make into his
country, he would give me the child lo carry lo France for a
present to the king, to whose service he devoted him, being
very desirous he should be brought up according to the custom
of the country and court of so great a prince. I also proraised
on ray part, that the first time I came to the coast of Guinea,
I should not fafl to corae and put hira in raind of his proraise,
that so, upon my return into France, I might be capable of
making the greatest present that could be unto the king, in
presenting him with the son of Prince Thomas. And assure
hira, said the sarae prince, that I ara his friend, and that if he
has occasion for ray services, I wiU go rayself into France with
all the lances and fusils belonging to the king ray father ; which
was as rauch as to say, with all the force of the kingdora.
The king presently pursued the discourse, and assured rae he
would go thither in person, if there was need for it ; and with
that all the negro mep and woraen raised such a shout as much
surprised me ; and this Avas scarce over, when the fusileers
made a general discharge of their arras ; the drums and trum
pets went to it again ; and those who carried the lances set

478

|H

E BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.

themselves running frora one side to another with such horrible
outcries as frighted rae. I was really ignorant of the raeaning
of all this, and could not be satisfied tfll I saw the king drink
the French king's Ijeallh a second tirae, with the same cere
monies as al first. Prince Thoraas drank it also, and all of us
were commanded to do the same. This being over, the king
'Ordered Iavo wax cakes to be brought, whereof he made me a
present, desiring me to accept them as a token of his friend
ship, and then he Avent into his house.
The audience being thus over. Prince Thoraas carried rae
along with hira into all the parts of the village, whither he
went to visit his friends ; and Ave went on the succeeding days
to see several other villages ifhat are scattered up and down
the country, about five leagues distant frora each other.
These people, the greatest part of whora had never been at
the sea-side, and consequently had not seen any white people,
ran from all quarters to see us, and brought us raore fruit, with
bufflers and elephants' flesh, than Ave could eat. As for the
elephants of this country, they are not altogether like unto
those in the East Indies, whereof they are a different species ;
as are also those of Cafala, near Zanguebar, on the eastern
coasts of Ethiopia. The negroes eat of their flesh with a good
appetite, and Hke the sarae better than any other ; hereof they
provide their best feasts, and those who were minded to honor
us most, brought il unto us instead of that of bufflers, which I
prefer much before it.
As they Avere not able to comprehend the difference there
was between the color of their faces and ours, they would fre
quently put their hands upon our faces to see if the white
color would go off; and it Avas the fortune of raany of us, lo
raeet with hands scrubbed with knives, so as that raany times
we were hurt with them, Avhich yet we durst not cbraplain of
Prince Thoraas, when he saw that, coraraanded all the attend
ants that they should suffer none to. corae and rub and scrape
us Avith their fingers in thai manner, and spoke aljud to all the
people who came to see us, that atl strangers were white as
we were ; and that if the negroes Avent into another country,
they Avould seem to be as odd colored there as we were in
Guinea. He laughed also frora tirae to tirae to see the people
run in that fashion after us, as if Ave had been sorae unknown
aniraal ; and I am not certain whether he were sorry to see us
thus incoraraoded wilh the importunities of those negroes, or
that he ttiok some pleasure to see the folly of his countrymen,
as I have done many a time, to behold all their extravagant
humors.

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 479
At last, after a journey and diversion together of three days,
the prince brought rae back by another way to take ray leave
of his father. The king caressed me a thousand times, afler a
most obliging raanner, according to the custom of his country,
and made rae promise I should give him a visit the first tirae I
returned into Guinea. Then we erabarked in our canoes, and
next day came to Prince Thomas's vfllage, where he continued
to treat us after the same manner he had been used to do.
Here he spake to rae again, that he would have me stand wit
ness for his son at his baptism ; Avhich I did with so much the
niore pleasure, in that I was helping to make a Christian, and
sanctify a soul.
But as I was dubious whether the priest of the town knew
how to baptize a child, or that he could remember the words
he ought to say at the administration of that sacrament, I de
sired the prince to send for a priest out of one of the Portu
guese ships, which he presently did, to Cape Lopez ; so that
one came frora thence in two days' tirae. 'J^he Portuguese
were the people that brought the Christian religion first into
these countries. It is true, they have not kept the same up
-there 'as they ought to have done; but the difficulties that
obstruct that gbod establishment proceed, without doubt, from
hence, that men raust dwell in a country that is no better than
savage, where the air and the victuals are not so agreeable to
strangers. To give religion a sure footing in these regions, it is
necessary that the Europeans have fixed habitations, or build
towns there ; that they instruct the negroes in the truths of the
Christian faith, and that they send out raissionaries frora time
to tirae araong these poor wretches. This might very easily
be done, because the people are very docile, and readily appre
hend the truths Avhich you would teach them, as having lived
without any faith al all, or any idea of another religion, for a
long tirae. These negroes being once becorae Christians, you
raight raake priests among them' of their own nation, who
raight be furnished with books for the ceremonies of the church,
and a catechism for the rule of their faith, untfl they were capa
ble to read the New Testament. It is necessary also, that a
bishop were constituted in this lown, Avho should fake care to
send priests to the dwellings of the negroes, up ahd dbwn the
countries, and lo build oratories in the raost populous places.
The Christian religion might in this manner be settled io
Guinea, and so become less subjecl to be ruined by the wars
which strangers make there. The Christians also who dwell
in the kingdoms of Fez and Morocco might be reformed, and
a correspondence settled between the priests of that nation, and

480 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
those of Guinea, that so they raight be assisting to" one another
for the keeping up of religion on all the coasts of Africa. It
was in a raanner not unlike unto this, that Christianity estab
lished itself araong the gentiles, Avho were a hundred fold
raore averse to our faith than the negroes of Guinea. The
priests of this country are for the raost part no priests at all, as
having never been ordained by any bishop, and constituted
theraselves in the roora of those that Avere deceased in their
country. And thus it is that they have nothing in a man
ner that savors of Christianity, though they have ceremonies
enough, and some appearance of a sacrifice.
But to return to our baptism. The Portuguese priest being
come, Prince Thoraas's sbn was baptized, and named Lewis
le Grand, in pursuance to the intention of his father. A negro
woman, and one of his relations, served as godmother, and I
for godfather. I was told this lady Avas called Antonia, and
that she had been thus named by the wife of a Portuguese
captain at her baptism.
Two or three days after this ceremony was oyer, which was
performed Avith all the raagnificence the negroes were capable
of, Prince Thomas's guards, which he kept at Cape de' Lopez
to give him notice of the arrival of any ships, carae to tell hira
there was an English ship corae thither. I desired, him to let
rae go on board her, that I might return to my own country,
to free myself from those raany inconveniences I still labored
under. But he would not have rae corarait rayself into the
hands of ray enemies, and desired rne to have a little patience
till the arrival of some Portuguese ships, with which he would
let me go. In the mean time the prince went to Cape Lopez,
there to exchange elephants' teeth, bees' wax, and negroes for
iron, arms, and brandy, and returned frora thence in ten or
twelve days.
He told rae, when he carae back, that there was a Portu
guese ship come to anchor at Cape de Lopez, and that I should
go down in his canoe in order to "go on board her j that he had
recoraraended me to the captain, and that I should want noth
ing that was necessary for ray voyage into Europe.
I presently gathered , my raen together, except two whom I
did not think fit to wait for ; for they were gone up into the
country five or six days before, artd I knew not where to find
them. We therefore embarked on board this prince's canoes,
after I had taken ray leave of hira ; and upon our arrival at Cape
Lopez, I found the Portuguese coraraander to h€ one of my
friends, with Avhom I had contracted acquaintance at the Isle of
St. 'Thoraas. I went on board hira, and three days after we

THE BUCCANEEBS OF AMEBICA. 48
anchored at the said island, the governor Avhereof shoAved me
and ray raen a thousand civiHties during a raonth's space that we
were forced to tarry in that port. At the expiration of that time,
came in an English ship that had been out upon the Gold Coast.
I made acquaintance with the captain, and we grew to be such
friends, that I thought myself obliged in honor to accept of the
offers he made me. He prayed me to go on board his ship, and
assured me I should find all the help imaginable at Barbadoes,
whither he Avas bound, because there were very good Jewish
physicians of that island of his acquaintance. I embarked
therefore in his ship, with all my men, notwithstanding all the
reasons given me by the^ governor of the island to make me
suspicious of the Englishman, Avho was undoubtedly as honest
a man as any of his country. He was so civil as to give me
his own cabin, with all the pleasure and diversion he could
think of, for the solacing of my spirits under the afflictions I
had frora time to time endured. ^,
Ten days after our departure from St. Thomas, a blast of
wind unhappily made us lose our rudder;.in the room whereof
we were forced to set up a spare lop-mast ; and this proved
very detrimental to our voyage, Avhich lasted no less than three
months. •
Provisions began to be scarce before our arrival at Barba
does ; so that when we came there, Ave had no more than what
would' have served us for three days longer ; insomuch that
the captain, being concerned that he had taken our men aboard,*"
ordered our allowance to be lessened three fourths of what il
should be. When we Avere got to port, the captain went lo
wait upon Colonel Russel, who is general there, related to him
, my Avhole adventure with the guard-ship of Angola, and was
much blamed for bringing me to Barbadoes. When the cap
tain returned on board his ship, he told me what the governor
had said, who had forbid him upon pain of death to let me go
ashore. However, he said nothing to me of this prohibition,
but contented himself with only desiring me not to go ashore,
that it might create no suspicion in the gnvernor; which I
promised exactly to perforra, having no great concern upon rae
of seeing a place again that I had known so long ago, and
being unwilling to create my captain any trouble.
Next day, several Jews that had been driven aAvay from
Martinico, having heard of my arrival, came 'to see me, and
finding I Avas very crazy, and much out of order, they sent
some physicians of their nation to rae, who said I could not be
cured if I were not carried ashore, and thereupon offered to
solicit the governor on my behalf, for giving me leave to go
41

482 THE BUCCANEERS OP AMERICA.
and lie in a house in the town. I drew up a petition to him,
praying him to grant me that liberty, and promising L would
not stir put .of the chamber Avhere I Avae placed, tfll I were to
reerabark to go for Martinico.
The physicians themselves were obliged to be my securities,
and I was at length carried to Mr. Jacob Lewis's house, where
I was very well looked after all the time I stg,id there. Three
days after I Avas brought thither, the raajor general carae to see
me from Colonel Russel, the governor. He very civflly offered
me his protection, and all those things that could be conducive
for the recovery of ray health. The same raajor, as also the
, captain of the garrison, carae also to visit rae frora time to
time, though I apprehended they came not so much to inspect
into the state of my health, as to see if I were in a condition
to be transported out of that island. Colonel Russel, about ten
or twelve days afler my arrival, came to see if I were as bad as
they said I was. He came again about seven or eight days
after in the evening, and caused me to be carried out of the
Jew's house where I was, to an English merchant's. He told
me I should be better accomraodated there than at Jacob
Lewis's ; but I thought it Avas to the intent I raight be watched
more narrowly, and not converse with many people. He came
to see me the next day, and asked how I liked rny new lodg
ings. I rendered hira raany thanks for the civilities and kind
nesses he showed me, aqd that he raight have no occasion to
suspect ray raen, I prayed him to shut thera up in the citadel,
that they might not run about the island, and to prevent their
making of their esgape.
He said he would take care of it, but that I was to under
stand they Avere prisoners of war as well as myself. I made
answer, I kncAV that, and that I thought rayself a happy man
to have fallen into his hands ; but that the English captain,
who had brought me to Barbadoes, had given me his word I
should not be detained, nor any of my raen ; that it was upon
his faith given rae, and the tenders of service he raade, that I
had embarked, as firmly relying upon those testimonies of his
friendship he had given me. 'Then I desired hira to grant me
and my men our liberty, promising I should be ever mindful
of the favor done me, whether il were by restoring of the
prisoners I might take belonging to the islands, or paying him
such a ransom as he required.
No, said the governor, I will have neither your ransom, nor
your prisoners, and you are too brave a man for me to have no
compassion upon your raany raisfortunes ; I desire, on the con
trary, that you would accept of these forty pistoles, Avhich I

THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA. 483
present you with, to supply your present occasion. He gave
them rae in a purse, which he had doubtless brought along
Avith hira for that purpose ; and when he left rae, he said he
went to give orders for to bring ray raen together. Next day
he sent me two of them, who said they knew not what Avas
become of the rest, and that they had orders from the gov
ernor to stay with me. I had the liberty to send them abroad
to get me necessaries ; and at last, finding myself somewhat
recovered by the care my landlord took of me, I told the officer
that came daily to see rae, that I desired the governor to let rae
go on board the first vessel that Avas bound to Martinico.
Three days after carae a bark, which the Count de Blenac,
general of the French islands, had sent thither about the ex
change of prisoners. Colonel Russel sent me word she was
come, and that I should prepare to be gone. Then it was I
had the liberty to go to his house to render him thanks for all
the civilities he had showed me. He told me he was sorry that
by the laws of war he was bound to allow me no more liberty
than I had, and that he prayed rae to use the English kindly
that should h*appen to fall into my hands. This being done, I
went on board the French bark, which Avas commanded by the
Sieur Courpon, forraerly an inhabitant of St. Christopher's, and
I could never find any raore of ray freebooters than those two
I have spoken of, whom the governor sent me.
We went ashore at Port Royal in Martinico, and I went wilh
my men to the tOAvn to Avait upon Monsieur de Blenac, who
was then sick of that distemperhe died of. I gave hira a rela
tion of all ray adventures, and I am sure he was surprised to
hear the particulars of so many misfortunes. As he would
have rae stay at his house all the tirae I tarried in Martinico,
he raade rae every day repeat unto hira the raanner of my
fight with the English man-of-war ; and al last finding an op
portunity of getting me transported into France, he sent for the
captain of the ship who was bound thither, and recommertded
me to hira. He would also have written letters by me to Mon
sieur Phelipeaux, to recommend me to some employ ; but the
day before my departure he was taken so very ill, that he could
not write, and that day, which was the 10th of June, in the
evening he died. I Avas raightily troubled at his death for sev
eral reasons. He Avas a person that took delight in serving
every body ; who had great compassion on such as had been
persecuted by an evil fate, as was my case ; who went forwards
with what he knew ; who of himself made an offer of those
favors he was minded to bestow, before they were asked of
hira ; and who, in short, was brave as to his person, skflful in

484 THE BUCCANEERS OF AMERICA.
maritime affairs, si good seaman, knew all the coasts and heights
of land in Araerica, was in great esteem with the king for his
integrity, wisdora, justice, and for all the great services he had
done the governraent in the way of commerce and discovery
of islands. The next day after his death I embarked on board
the Virgin, a ship belonging to Bourdeaux, and which had been
built there, in which port, after a passage of nol many days, I
arrived at last, with many different thoughts and contrary sen
timents within me. I do not know whe'ther I have bid the
sea adieu, so much has my last misfortune terrified me ; or
whether I shall go out again to be revenged on the English,
who have done me so much raischief, or go and traverse the
seas with a design to get me a little wealth, or rest quiet and
eat up what my relations have left me. "There is a strange
inclination in raen to undertake, voyages, as there is to gara-
ing ; whatever raisfortunes befall thera, they do not believe
they will be always unhappy, and therefore they will play on.
Thus it is as to the sea ; whatever accidents befall us, we are in
hopes to find a favorable opportunity to raake us amends for
all our losses. I believe whoever reads this account will find
it a hard task to give me counsel thereupon, or to take the
same himself

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