placed sentinels wherever they thought necessary;--the great church
served them for their main guard. Next day they sent out an hundred and
sixty men to find out some of the inhabitants in the woods thereabouts.
These returned the same night, bringing with them 20,000
pieces-of-eight, several mules 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 the 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, and hacked one to pieces before the rest,
saying, "If you do 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 inhuman threats, one promised to
show the place where the rest of the Spaniards were hid. But those that
were fled, having intelligence of it, changed place, and buried the
remnant of their riches underground, 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 other, so that 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 intelligence 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 answer was, "he would have them 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 same time
the inhabitants to put themselves in arms, so that in all he made eight
hundred fighting men. With the same speed he raised a battery toward the
sea, mounted with twenty guns, covered with great baskets of earth:
another battery he placed in another place, mounted with eight guns.
This done, he barricaded a narrow passage to the town through which the
pirates must pass, opening at the same time another one through much
dirt and mud into a wood which was 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 homes. 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
defense, and had got a good body of men 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 more 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 promised 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 him with my own hands."
With this resolution they cast anchor nigh the shore, near
three-quarters of a league from the town: next day before sun-rising,
they landed three hundred and eighty men well provided, and armed 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 me, and have good courage." They followed their guide,
who, believing he led them well, brought them to the way which the
governor had barricaded. 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 passed the wood, they came on firm ground, where they met
with a battery of six guns, which immediately the Spaniards discharged
upon them, all loaded with small bullets 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 advance towards the fort,
many of them being already killed and wounded. This made 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 climb up the bastion 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
some distance from the batteries, 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 way 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 surrendered themselves, obtaining quarter for
their lives. The pirates being now become masters of the town, pulled
down the Spanish colors and set up their own, taking prisoners as many
as they could find. These they carried to the great church, where they
raised 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 hundred 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 companions 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 quarter of a league to sea, they sunk
the boats; this done, they gathered all the plate, household stuff, and
merchandise they could, or thought convenient to carry away. The
Spaniards who had anything left had hid it carefully; but the
unsatisfied pirates, not 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 prisoners died for hunger.
For in the town were few provisions, especially of flesh, though they
had some, but no sufficient 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 some small quantity of mules' and asses'
flesh; and many who could not eat of that loathsome provision died for
hunger, their stomachs not being accustomed to such sustenance. Of the
prisoners many also died under the torment they sustained to make them
discover their money 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 entire 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 10,000 pieces-of-eight, which if not sent, they threatened
to reduce it to ashes. For bringing in this money, they allowed them
only two days; but the Spaniards not having been able to gather so
punctually such a sum, the pirates fired many parts of the town;
whereupon the inhabitants begged them to help quench the fire, and the
ransom should be readily paid. The pirates condescended, helping as much
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 monastery 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 commanded to
be redeemed. Thence they returned to Maracaibo, where being arrived,
they found a general consternation in the whole city, to which they sent
three or four prisoners to tell the governor and inhabitants, "they
should bring them 30,000 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 came 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 agreement; who concluded with the pirates to give
for their ransom and liberty 20,000 pieces-of-eight, and five hundred
cows, provided that they should commit no further hostilities, but
depart thence presently after payment of money and cattle. The one and
the other being delivered, the whole fleet set sail, causing great joy
to the inhabitants of Maracaibo, to see themselves 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 hearing one of the pirate's errand,
who came ashore from Lolonois, "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 command, was instantly
granted.
They had now been full two months in these towns, wherein they committed
those cruel and insolent actions we have related. Departing thence, they
took their course to Hispaniola, 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 mostly sell the flesh they
hunt to pirates and others, who now and then put in there to victual, or
trade. Here they unladed their whole cargazon of riches, the usual
storehouse of the pirates being commonly under the shelter of the
buccaneers. Here they made a dividend of all their prizes and gains,
according to the orders and degree of every one, as has been mentioned
before. Having made an exact calculation of all their plunder, they
found in ready money 260,000 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 100 pieces-of-eight. Those who had been
wounded received their first part, after the rate mentioned before, 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
indifferently, 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
anything 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 Tortuga. 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 suchlike commodities; whereby these liquors, at the arrival
of the pirates, were indifferent cheap. But this lasted not long, for
soon 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 ship 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 obtained. The taverns and stews, according to the custom 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.
FOOTNOTES:
[14] _The Buccaneers of America._
THE FIGHT BETWEEN THE _DORRILL_ AND THE _MOCA_[15]
These truly representeth a scheem of what misfortune has befell us as we
were going through the streights of Malacca, in the persuance to our
pretended voyage, _vizt._, Wednesday the 7th July, 5 o'clock morning we
espied a ship to windward; as soon as was well light perceived her to
bare down upon us. Wee thought at first she had been a Dutchman bound
for Atcheen or Bengall, when perceived she had no Gallerys, did then
suppose her to be what after, to our dreadful sorrow, found her. Wee
gott our ship in the best posture of defence that suddain emergent
necessity would permitt. Wee kept good looking out, expecting to see an
Island called Pullo Verello [Pulo Barahla], but as then saw it not.
About 8 of the clock the ship came up fairely within shott. Saw in room
of our Gallerys there was large sally ports, in each of which was a
large gunn, seemed to be brass. Her tafferill was likewise taken downe.
Wee having done what possibly could to prepare ourselves, fearing might
be suddenly sett on, ordered our people to their respective stations for
action. Wee now hoisted our colours. The Captain commanded to naile our
Ensigne to the staff in sight of the enimie, which was immediately done.
As they perceived wee hoisted our colours they hoisted theirs, with the
Union Jack, and let fly a broad red Pendant at their maintopmast head.
The Pirate being now in little more than half Pistoll shott from us, wee
could discerne abundance of men who went aft to the Quarter Deck, which
as wee suppose was to consult. They stood as we stood, but wee spoke
neither to other. Att noone it fell calme, so that [wee] were affraid
should by the sea have been hove on one another. Att 1 a clock sprang up
a gale. The Pirate kept as wee kept. Att 3 a clock the villain backt her
sailes and they went from us. Wee kept close halled, having a contrary
wind for Mallacca. When the Pirate was about 7 miles distant tackt and
stood after us. Att 6 that evening saw the lookt for island, and the
Pirate came up with us on our starboard side within shott. Wee see he
kept a man at each topmast head, looking out till it was darke, then he
halled a little from us, but kept us company all night.
At 8 in the morning he drew near us, but wee had time to mount our other
four guns that were in hold, and now wee were in the best posture of
defence could desire. He drawing near us and seeing that if [wee] would,
[wee] could not gett from him, he far outsailing us by or large [in one
direction or another], the Captain resolved to see what the rogue would
doe, soe ordered to hand [furl] all our small sailes and furled our
mainesaile. He, seeing this, did the like, and as [he] drew near us beat
a drum and sounded trumpets, and then hailed us four times before we
answered him.
At last it was thought fitt to know what he would say, soe the
Boatswaine spoke to him as was ordered, which was that wee came from
London. Then he enquired whether peace or war with France. Our answer,
there was an universall peace through Europe, att which they paused and
then said, "That's well." He further enquired if had touched at
Attcheen. Wee said a boat came off to us, but [wee] came not near itt by
several leagues. Further he enquired our Captain's name and whither wee
were bound. Wee answered to Mallacca. They too and [would have] had the
Captain gone aboard to drink a glass of wine. Wee said that would see
one another at Mallacca. Then he called to lye by and he would come
aboard us. Our answer was as before, saying it was late. He said, true,
it was for China, and enquired whether should touch at the Water Islands
[Pulo Ondan, off Malacca]. Wee said should. Then said he, So shall wee.
After he had asked us all these questions wee desired to know from
whence he was. He said from London, their Captain name Collyford, the
ship named the _Resolution_, bound for China. This Collyford had been
Gunners Mate at Bombay, and after run away with the Ketch.
Thus past the 8th July. Friday the 9th do., he being some distance from
us, About 1/2 an hour after 10 came up with us. Then it grew calme. Wee
could discerne a fellow on the Quarter Deck wearing a sword. As he drew
near, this Hellish Imp cried, Strike you doggs, which [wee] perceived
was not by a general consent for he was called away. Our Boatswaine in a
fury run upon the poop, unknown to the Captain, and answered that wee
would strike to noe such doggs as he, telling him the rogue Every and
his accomplices were all hanged. The Captain was angry that he spake
without order, then ordered to haile him and askt what was his reason to
dogg us. One stept forward on the forecastle, beckoned with his hand and
said, Gentlemen, wee want not your ship nor men, but money. Wee told
them had none for them but bid them come up alongside and take it as
could gett it. Then a parcell of bloodhound rogues clasht their
cutlashes and said they would have itt or our hearts blood, saying,
"What doe you not know us to be the _Moca_?" Our answer was Yes, Yes.
Thereon they gave a great shout and so they all went out of sight and
wee to our quarters. They were going to hoist colours but the ensigne
halliards broke, which our people perceiving gave a great shout, so they
lett them alone.
As soon as they could bring their chase gunns to bear, fired upon us and
soe kept on our quarter. Our gunns would not bear in a small space, but
as soon as did hap, gave them better than [the pirates] did like. His
second shott carried away our spritt saile yard. About half on hour
after or more he came up alongside and soe wee powered in upon him and
continued, some time broadsides and sometimes three or four gunns as
opportunity presented and could bring them to doe best service. He was
going to lay us athwart the hawse, but by God's providence Captain Hide
frustrated his intent by pouring a broadside into him, which made him
give back and goe asterne, where he lay and paused without fireing, then
in a small space fired one gunn. The shott come in at our round house
window without damage to any person, after which he filled and bore
away, and when was about 1/4 mile off fired a gunn to leeward, which wee
answered by another to windward. About an hour after he tackt and came
up with us againe. Wee made noe saile, but lay by to receive him, but he
kept aloof off. The distance att most in all our fireing was never more
than two ships length; the time of our engagement was from 1/2 an hour
after 11 till about 3 afternoon.
When [wee] came to see what damage [wee] had sustained, found our Cheife
Mate, Mr. Smith, wounded in the legg, close by the knee, with a splinter
or piece of chaine, which cannot well be told, our Barber had two of his
fingers shott off as was spunging one of our gunns, the Gunner's boy had
his legg shott off in the waste, John Amos, Quartermaster, had his leg
shott off [while] at the helme, the Boatswaine's boy (a lad of 13 years
old) was shott in the thigh, which went through and splintered his bone,
the Armorer Jos. Osborne in the round house wounded by a splinter just
in the temple, the Captain's boy on the Quarter Deck a small shott
raised his scull through his cap and was the first person wounded and
att the first onsett. Wm. Reynolds's boy had the brim of his hatt 1/2
shott off and his forefinger splintered very sorely. John Blake, turner,
the flesh of his legg and calfe a great part shott away.
Our ships damage is the Mizentopmast shott close by the cap and it was a
miracle stood soe long and did not fall in the rogues sight. Our rigging
shott that had but one running rope left clear, our mainshrouds three on
one side, two on the other cutt in two. Our mainyard ten feet from the
mast by a shott cutt 8 inches deep, our foretopmast backstays shott
away, a great shott in the roundhouse, one on the Quarter Deck and two
of the roundhouse shott came on the said deck, severall in the stearidge
betwixt decks and in the forecastle, two in the bread room which caused
us to make much water and damaged the greatest part of our bread. They
dismounted one of our gunns in the roundhouse, two in the stearidge, two
in the waste, one in the forecastle, with abundance more damage which
may seem tedious to rehearse.
Their small shott were most Tinn and Tuthenage [_tutenaga_, spelter].
They fired pieces of glass-bottles, do. teapots, chains, stones and what
not, which were found on our decks. We could observe abundance of great
shott to have passed through the rogues foresaile, and our hope is have
done that to him which [will] make him shunn having to do with any
Europe ship againe. Att night wee perceived kept close their lights. Wee
did the like and lay by. In the morning they were as far off as [wee]
could discerne upon deck. Wee sent up to see how they stood, which was
right with us. In the night wee knotted our rigging and in the morning
made all haist to repare our carriages.
Our men, seeing they stood after us, [wee] could perceive their
countinances to be dejected. Wee cheared them what wee could, and, for
their encouragement, the Captain and wee of our proper money did give
them, to every man and boy, three dollars each, which animated them, and
promised to give them as much more if engaged againe, and that if [wee]
took the ship, for every prisoner five pounds and besides a gratuity
from the Gentlemen Employers. Wee read the King's Proclamation about
Every, &c., and the Right Honble. Company's.
About 9 o'clock the 10th July wee perceived the rogue made from us, soe
wee gave the Almighty our most condigne thanks for his mercy that
delivered us not to the worst of our enimies, for truly he [the pirate]
was very strong, having at least an hundred Europeans on board, 34 gunns
mounted, besides 10 pattererers and 2 small mortars in the head; his
lower tier, some of them, as wee judged, sixteen and eighteen pounders.
We lay as near our course as could, and next day saw land on our
starboard side which was the Maine [Land]. Kept on our way.
The 12th July dyed the Boatswaine's boy, George Mopp, in the morning.
Friday the 16th do. in the evening dyed the Gunner's boy, Thomas
Matthews. Sunday the 18th at anchor two leagues from the Pillo Sumbelong
[Pulo Sembilan] Islands dyed the Barber, Andrew Miller. Do. the 31st
dyed the Cheife Mate, Mr. John Smith. The other two are yet in a very
deplorable condition and wee are ashore here to refresh them.... The
Chinese further report ... the _Mocco_ was at the Maldives and creaned
[careened]; there they gave an end to the life of their commanding rogue
Stout, who they murdered for attempting to run away.
FOOTNOTES:
[15] From _The Indian Antiquary_, Vol. 49.
JADDI THE MALAY PIRATE[16]
Long before that action with the English man-of-war which drove me to
Singapore, I sailed in a fine fleet of prahus belonging to the Rajah of
Johore [Sultan Mahmad Shah]. We were all then very rich--ah! such
numbers of beautiful wives and such feasting!--but, above all, we had a
great many most holy men in our force! When the proper monsoon came, we
proceeded to sea to fight the Bugismen [of Celebes] and Chinamen bound
from Borneo and the Celebes to Java; for you must remember our Rajah was
at war with them. (Jadee always maintained that the proceedings in which
he had been engaged partook of a purely warlike, and not of a piratical
character.)