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 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 a
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 the 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 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 feet about, of
which they 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.
Thus far I thought good to make a short description of the lake of
Maracaibo, that my reader might 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 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 consists 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 endeavoured 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
altogether 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 might have laid an ambuscade in the woods: they put
their men into canoes, brought for that purpose, and landed where they
thought most convenient, shooting still 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, as I told you, 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, 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 the best houses in the town,
and placed sentinels wherever they thought convenient; 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 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 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 towards 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 through much dirt and mud 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 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 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 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 colours 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; only some women were allowed better cheer, because they
served their sensual delights, to which those robbers are much given.
Among these, some had been forced, others were volunteers, though
almost all rather submitted through poverty and hunger than any other
cause. 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 endeavours, one part of the town was ruined, especially
the church belonging to the monastery was burnt 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. Hence 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 burnt.”
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 farther 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 those 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 bucaniers, 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 bucaniers. Here they made a dividend of all their
prizes and gains, according to the order 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 above 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 purchased: 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.