being almost spent, we had a Hole cut in the Well to try to come at the
Company's. We continued on with Double-round and Partridge, and Bolts,
_&c._ with a Double Allowance of Powder to each Gun, doing the utmost we
could to save the Ship. The Tiller-rope was now shot away, tho' of no
Service before. The Carpenter told me the Ship made a great deal of
Water, and had above two Foot in her Hold. The Caulker afterwards told
me she had three Foot. I saw nothing we could do more than firing our
Stern-Chase. There was a sad Complaint for Shot; however we fir'd Bolts.
I call'd out to the People to have good Hearts, and went into the
Round-house to encourage them there. It was very hard we could stand no
Chance for a Mast of theirs, nor no lucky Shot to disable some of them,
in all the Number that we fir'd. As to our small Arms, they were of
little Service, they keeping their Men so close. The Rigging of the
Foremast being gone, and that fetching so much way, I expected it to go
every Minute; and about Seven in the Evening, the Ship falling off into
the Trough of the Sea, the Foremast came by the Board. It was now about
Four o' Clock, when Mr. _Thomas Rogers_, my Chief Mate, sent my Steward
to desire to speak with me. When I went to him, he spoke to me to this
Purpose. "Sir," says he, "I am inform'd what Condition the Ship is in;
as her Masts are gone, you had better not be obstinate, in standing out
longer; it will only be the Means of making more Objects, of murdering
more Men, and all to no Purpose, but to be used worse by the Enemy, for
it is impossible to get away. Therefore you had better surrender." To
the best of my Knowledge, I hardly made him any Answer; nor had I,
before he sent to me, the least Thoughts of surrendering, which I
declare before God and Man; tho' I was well convinc'd within myself,
that it was impossible to save the Ship. I went up to my old Station the
Quarter-Deck, and took several Turns, as usual, and proceeded in the
Engagement. I begun to consider what Mr. _Rogers_ told me, and the
Condition of the Ship, and argue within myself the Impossibility of
doing any more (for if a Gale had sprung up, it could be of no Service)
and all the time from the Fall of our Main-mast, the Enemy were got so
near, that I could hear them talk, and my Second Mate did the same. As
to our Masts, they had gain'd their Ends, and their only Business now
was to fire at the Hull. There was no Hopes of their leaving us,
considering the condition they had brought us to, and it could not be
long before we sunk: for as they lay so near us, and so low in Water,
our Shot must doubtless fly over them. At last I was of Mr. _Rogers's_
Opinion, that it was only sacrificing the Men to no Purpose; for they
had so large a Mark of us, they could not miss us; and during all the
Engagement, as they play'd their Shot so hot at our Stern, it is
surprizing there were not many more Men Kill'd. I then sent for my
Second and Third Mate, and told them Mr. _Rogers's_ Opinion and my own.
They both agreed to it, and consented to the surrendering of the Ship.
So we submitted to the Enemy, finding it in vain to proceed. By my Watch
it was Five o' Clock. My Second and Third Mate went in to the Steerage
to forbid firing, and myself in the Round-House, did the same. Every
Body seem'd to be very well satisfied as to the surrendering Part, and
no Objection was made. Colours we had none to strike; those and the
Ensign-Staff were shot to Pieces; and what was left of the Ensign being
made fast to the Main-Shrowds, went with the Mast. Capt. _Scarlet_ went
into the Round-House, and call'd the Enemy on board, and told them we
had no Boats. They sent their Dingey aboard with Four Men for me and my
chief Officers. They left Two of the Four aboard the _Derby_. Myself and
my Second Mate went in the Dingey aboard the Grabb. We were gone an Hour
and a half good, if not more; then we return'd in a Gallivat with 50 or
60 Men, but not a Soul went aboard the _Derby_, till we return'd. Then
came aboard more Gallivats and more Men, and secured the Arms, _&c._ and
drove our People up, some to the Pumps, and some to clear the Rigging
off the Ship's Side. They transkipt to their Grabbs what Treasure could
be got at, and the next Day turn'd out the Remainder, with myself,
_Scarlet_, _Cuddon_, the two Ladies, and my Servants, into one of the
Grabbs.
FOOTNOTES:
[13] A noted pirate.
FRANCIS LOLONOIS
THE SLAVE WHO BECAME A PIRATE KING[14]
JOHN ESQUEMELING
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. Having served his time, he came to Hispaniola; here
he joined for some time with the hunters, before he began his robberies
upon the Spaniards.
At first he made two or three voyages as a common mariner, wherein he
behaved himself so courageously as to gain the favor of the governor of
Tortuga, Monsieur de la Place; insomuch that he gave him a ship, in
which he might seek his fortune, which was very favorable to him at
first; for in a short time he got great riches. But his cruelties
against the Spaniards were such, that the fame of them made him so well
known through the Indies, that the Spaniards, in his time, would choose
rather to die, or sink fighting, than surrender, knowing they should
have no mercy at his hands. But Fortune, being seldom constant, after
some time turned her back; for in a huge storm he lost his ship on the
coast of Campechy. The men were all saved, but coming upon dry land, the
Spaniards 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 besmearing his
face, and other parts of his body, and hiding himself dextrously among
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
Campechy, having disguised himself in a Spanish habit; here he enticed
certain slaves, to whom he promised liberty if they would obey him and
trust to his conduct. They accepted his promises, and stealing a canoe,
they went to sea with him. Now the Spaniards, having made several 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 Spaniards, who made thanks to God for their
deliverance from such a cruel pirate. Lolonois, having seen these
rejoicings for his death, made haste to escape, with the slaves
above-mentioned, and came safe to Tortuga, the common refuge of all
sorts of wickedness, 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
ships, by reason of the little depth of that sea.
Lolonois was persuaded he should get here some considerable prey; but by
the good fortune of some fishermen who saw him, and the mercy of God,
they escaped him: for the inhabitants of the town dispatched immediately
a vessel overland to the Havannah, complaining that Lolonois was come to
destroy them with two canoes. The governor could hardly believe this,
having received letters from Campechy that he was dead: but, at their
importunity, he sent a ship for their relief, with ten guns and ninety
men, well armed; giving them this express command, "that they should not
return into his presence without having totally destroyed those
pirates." To this effect he gave them a negro to serve for a hangman,
and orders, "that they should immediately hang every one of the pirates,
excepting Lolonois, their captain, whom they should bring alive to the
Havannah." This ship arrived at Cayos, of whose coming the pirates were
advertised beforehand, and instead 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 came, and if they had seen any pirates abroad. They caused one of
the prisoners to answer, they had seen no pirates, nor anything else.
Which answer made them believe that they were fled upon hearing of their
coming.
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 themselves as they ought, and
made as good defense as they could, making some use of their great guns,
yet they were forced to surrender, being beaten by the pirates, with
sword in hand, down under the hatches. From hence Lolonois commanded
them 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 hands very
dolefully, telling Lolonois he was constituted hangman of that ship, and
if he would spare him, he would tell him faithfully all that he should
desire. Lolonois, making him confess what he thought fit, commanded him
to be murdered with the rest. Thus he cruelly and barbarously put them
all to death, reserving only one alive, whom he sent back to the
governor of the Havannah, with this message in writing: "I shall never
henceforward give quarter to any Spaniard whatsoever; and I have great
hopes I shall execute on your own person the very same punishment I have
done upon them you sent against me. Thus I have retaliated the kindness
you designed to me and my companions." The governor, much troubled at
this bad news, swore, in the presence of many, that he would never grant
quarter to any pirate that should fall into his hands. But the citizens
of the Havannah desired him not to persist in the execution of that rash
and rigorous oath, seeing the pirates would certainly take occasion from
thence to do the same, and they had an 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 inhabitants;
they congratulating his happy success, and their own private 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 purpose 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.
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 Tortuga another pirate, named
Michael de Basco, who, by his piracy, 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 Lolonois made for
this expedition, he joined him, and offered him, that if he would make
him 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 Europe, 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 hundred and sixty
persons. They steered for that part called Bayala, north of Hispaniola:
here they took into their company some French hunters, who voluntarily
offered themselves, and here they provided themselves with victuals and
necessaries for their voyage.
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 they had been in sight full two hours, and
knew them to be pirates, yet would not flee, but prepared to fight,
being well armed, and provided. The combat lasted three hours, and then
they surrendered. This ship had sixteen guns, and fifty fighting men
aboard: they found in her 120,000 weight of cocoa, 40,000
pieces-of-eight, and the value of 10,000 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 Savona, met another Spanish vessel
coming from Coman, with military provisions to Hispaniola, and money to
pay the garrisons there. This vessel they also took, without any
resistance, though mounted with eight guns. In it were 7,000 weight of
powder, a great number of muskets, and like things, with 12,000
pieces-of-eight.
These successes encouraged the pirates, they seeming very lucky
beginnings, especially finding their fleet pretty well recruited 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 Lolonois. This ship he chose for
himself, and gave that which he commanded to his comrade, Anthony du
Puis. Being thus recruited with men in lieu of them he had lost in
taking the prizes, and by sickness, he found himself in a good condition
to set sail for Maracaibo, in the province of Neuva Venezuela, in the
latitude of 12 deg. 10 min. 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. Roman, and the western
side Cape of Caquibacoa: the gulf is called, by some, the Gulf of
Venezuela, but the pirates usually call 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 Palomas, 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 them is the best 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 impede the entry of vessels, all being
necessitated to come very nigh the castle, by reason of two banks of
sand on the other side, with only fourteen feet water. Many other banks
of sand there are in this lake; as that called El Tablazo, or the Great
Table, no deeper than ten feet, forty leagues within the lake; others
there are, that have no more than six, seven, or eight feet in depth:
all are very dangerous, especially to mariners unacquainted with them.
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
included, all which make a town of reasonable bigness. There are judged
to be about eight hundred persons able to bear arms, all Spaniards. Here
are one parish church, well built and adorned, four monasteries, and one
hospital. The city is governed by a deputy governor, substituted by the
governor of the Caraccas. The trade here exercised is mostly in hides
and tobacco. The inhabitants possess great numbers of cattle, and many
plantations, which extend thirty leagues in the country, especially
towards the great town of Gibraltar, where are gathered great quantities
of cocoa-nuts, and all other garden fruits, which serve for the regale
and sustenance of the inhabitants of Maracaibo, whose territories are
much drier than those of Gibraltar. 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 slighting 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 untameable. 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 innumerable
mosquitoes, or gnats, which infest and torment them night and day. To
the east of the said lake are whole towns of fishermen, who likewise
live in huts built on trees, as the former. Another reason of this
dwelling, is the frequent inundations; for after great rains, the land
is often overflown for two or three leagues, there being no less than
twenty-five great rivers that feed 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 1,500 persons, whereof four hundred may
bear arms; the greatest part of them keep shops, wherein they exercise
one trade or another. 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 feet about, of which they can
build boats and ships, so as to bear only one great sail; such vessels
being called piraguas. The whole country is well furnished with rivers
and brooks, very useful in droughts, being then cut into many little
channels to water their fields and plantations. They plant also much
tobacco, well esteemed in Europe, and for its goodness is called there
_tobacco de sacerdotes_, or priest's 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 mountains. On the said mules returns are
made in flour of meal, which comes from towards Peru, by the way of
Estaffe.
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 of Maracaibo, where they
cast anchor again; then they landed their men, with design to attack
first the fortress that commanded the bar, therefore called _de la
barra_. This fort consisted 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 men: 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 them off behind, while he should 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 companions, advanced immediately 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, those who were the routed ambuscade,
not being able to get into the castle, retired into Maracaibo in great
confusion and disorder, crying "The pirates will presently 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 dismal news they endeavored to escape towards
Gibraltar in their boats and canoes, carrying with them all the goods
and money they could. Being come to Gibraltar, they told how the
fortress 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 come farther in without fear of
danger: the rest of that day was spent in ruining and demolishing the
said castle. They nailed the guns, and burnt as much 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 directly
towards Maracaibo, about six leagues distant from the fort; but the wind
failing that day, they could advance little, being forced to await 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
might have laid an ambuscade in the woods. They put their men into
canoes, brought for that purpose, and landed, shooting meanwhile
furiously with their great guns. Of those in the canoes, half only went
ashore, the other half remained 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 were
retired to the woods, and Gibraltar, with their wives children and
families. Their houses they left well provided with victuals, as flour,
bread, pork, brandy, wines, and poultry, and 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.