_Treaty made by the Spaniards with Don =Henriquez=. Increase of
English and French in the =West Indies=. =Tortuga= surprised
by the Spaniards. Policy of the English and French Governments
with respect to the Buccaneers. =Mansvelt=, his attempt to
form an independent Buccaneer Establishment. French West-India
Company. =Morgan= succeeds =Mansvelt= as Chief of the
Buccaneers._
[Sidenote: 1630.] The Spanish Government at length began to think it
necessary to relax from their large pretensions, and in the year 1630
entered into treaties with other European nations, for mutual security of
their West-India possessions. In a Treaty concluded that year with _Great
Britain_, it was declared, that peace, amity, and friendship, should be
observed between their respective subjects, in all parts of the world. But
this general specification was not sufficient to produce effect in the
_West Indies_.
[Sidenote: 1633.] In _Hispaniola_, in the year 1633, the Government at
_San Domingo_ concluded a treaty with Don Henriquez; which was the more
readily accorded to him, because it was apprehended the revolted natives
would league with the Brethren of the Coast. By this treaty all the
followers of Don Henriquez who could claim descent from the original
natives, in number four thousand persons, were declared free and under his
protection, and lands were marked out for them. But, what is revolting to
all generous hopes of human nature, the negroes were abandoned to the
Spaniards. Magnanimity was not to be expected of the natives of _Hayti_;
yet they had shewn themselves capable of exertion for their own relief;
and a small degree more of firmness would have included these, their most
able champions, in the treaty. This weak and wicked defection from
friends, confederated with them in one common and righteous cause, seems
to have wrought its own punishment. The vigilance and vigour of mind of
the negro might have guarded against encroachments upon the independence
obtained; instead of which, the wretched Haytians in a short time fell
again wholly into the grinding hands of the Spaniards: and in the early
part of the eighteenth century, it was reckoned that the whole number
living, of the descendants of the party of Don Henriquez, did not quite
amount to one hundred persons.
[Sidenote: Cultivation in Tortuga.] The settlement of the Buccaneers at
_Tortuga_ drew many Europeans there, as well settlers as others, to join
in their adventures and occupations. They began to clear and cultivate the
grounds, which were before overgrown with woods, and made plantations of
tobacco, which proved to be of extraordinary good quality.
[Sidenote: Increase of the English and French Settlements in the West
Indies.] More Europeans, not Spaniards, consequently allies of the
Buccaneers, continued to pour into the _West Indies_, and formed
settlements on their own accounts, on some of the islands of the small
_Antilles_. These settlements were not composed of mixtures of different
people, but were most of them all English or all French; and as they grew
into prosperity, they were taken possession of for the crowns of _England_
or of _France_ by the respective governments. Under the government
authorities new colonists were sent out, royal governors were appointed,
and codes of law established, which combined, with the security of the
colony, the interests of the mother-country. But at the same time these
benefits were conferred, grants of lands were made under royal authority,
which dispossessed many persons, who, by labour and perilous adventure,
and some who at considerable expence, had achieved establishments for
themselves, in favour of men till then no way concerned in any of the
undertakings. In some cases, grants of whole islands were obtained, by
purchase or favour; and the first settlers, who had long before gained
possession, and who had cleared and brought the ground into a state for
cultivation, were rendered dependent upon the new proprietary governors,
to whose terms they were obliged to submit, or to relinquish their tenure.
Such were the hard accompaniments to the protection afforded by the
governments of _France_ and _Great Britain_ to colonies, which, before
they were acknowledged legitimate offsprings of the mother-country, had
grown into consideration through their own exertions; and only because
they were found worth adopting, were now received into the parent family.
The discontents created by this rapacious conduct of the governments, and
the disregard shewn to the claims of the first settlers, instigated some
to resistance and rebellion, and caused many to join the Buccaneers. The
Caribbe inhabitants were driven from their lands also with as little
ceremony.
The Buccaneer colony at _Tortuga_ had not been beheld with indifference by
the Spaniards. [Sidenote: 1638.] The Buccaneers, with the carelessness
natural to men in their loose condition of life, under neither command nor
guidance, continued to trust to the supineness of the enemy for their
safety, and neglected all precaution. [Sidenote: Tortuga surprised by the
Spaniards.] In the year 1638, the Spaniards with a large force fell
unexpectedly upon _Tortuga_, at a time when the greater number of the
settlers were absent in _Hispaniola_ on the chace; and those who were on
the Island, having neither fortress nor government, became an easy prey to
the Spaniards, who made a general massacre of all who fell into their
hands, not only of those they surprised in the beginning, but many who
afterwards came in from the woods to implore their lives on condition of
returning to _Europe_, they hanged. A few kept themselves concealed, till
they found an opportunity to cross over to their brethren in _Hispaniola_.
It happened not to suit the convenience of the Spaniards to keep a
garrison at _Tortuga_, and they were persuaded the Buccaneers would not
speedily again expose themselves to a repetition of such treatment as they
had just experienced; therefore they contented themselves with destroying
the buildings, and as much as they could of the plantations; after which
they returned to _San Domingo_. In a short time after their departure, the
remnant of the Hunters collected to the number of three hundred, again
fixed themselves at _Tortuga_, and, for the first time, elected a
commander.
As the hostility of the Buccaneers had constantly and solely been directed
against the Spaniards, all other Europeans in the _West Indies_ regarded
them as champions in the common cause, and the severities which had been
exercised against them created less of dread than of a spirit of
vengeance. The numbers of the Buccaneers were quickly recruited by
volunteers of English, French, and Dutch, from all parts; and both the
occupations of hunting and cruising were pursued with more than usual
eagerness. The French and English Governors in the _West Indies_,
influenced by the like feelings, either openly, or by connivance, gave
constant encouragement to the Buccaneers. The French Governor at _St.
Christopher_, who was also Governor General for the French West-India
Islands, was most ready to send assistance to the Buccaneers. This
Governor, Monsieur de Poincy, an enterprising and capable man, had formed
a design to take possession of the Island _Tortuga_ for the crown of
_France_; which he managed to put in execution three years after, having
by that time predisposed some of the principal French Buccaneers to
receive a garrison of the French king's troops. [Sidenote: Tortuga taken
possession of for the Crown of France.] This appropriation was made in
1641; and De Poincy, thinking his acquisition would be more secure to
_France_ by the absence of the English, forced all the English Buccaneers
to quit the Island. The French writers say, that before the interposition
of the French Governor, the English Buccaneers took advantage of their
numbers, and domineered in _Tortuga_. The English Governors in the _West
Indies_ could not at this time shew the same tender regard for the English
Buccaneers, as the support they received from home was very precarious,
owing to the disputes which then subsisted in _England_ between King
Charles and the English Parliament, which engrossed so much of the public
attention as to leave little to colonial concerns.
The French Commander de Poincy pushed his success. In his appointment of a
Governor to _Tortuga_, he added the title of Governor of the West coast of
_Hispaniola_, and by degrees he introduced French garrisons. This was the
first footing obtained by the Government of _France_ in _Hispaniola_. The
same policy was observed there respecting the English as at _Tortuga_, by
which means was effected a separation of the English Buccaneers from the
French. After this time, it was only occasionally, and from accidental
circumstances, or by special agreement, that they acted in concert. The
English adventurers, thus elbowed out of _Hispaniola_ and _Tortuga_, lost
the occupation of hunting cattle and of the boucan, but they continued to
be distinguished by the appellation of Buccaneers, and, when not cruising,
most generally harboured at the Islands possessed by the British.
Hitherto, it had rested in the power of the Buccaneers to have formed
themselves into an independent state. Being composed of people of
different nations, the admission of a Governor from any one, might easily
have been resisted. Now, they were considered in a kind of middle state,
between that of Buccaneers and of men returned to their native allegiance.
It seemed now in the power of the English and French Governments to put a
stop to their cruisings, and to furnish them with more honest employment;
but politics of a different cast prevailed. The Buccaneers were regarded
as profitable to the Colonies, on account of the prizes they brought in;
and even vanity had a share in their being countenanced. [Sidenote: Policy
of the English and French Governments with respect to the Buccaneers.] The
French authors call them _nos braves_, and the English speak of their
'unparalleled exploits.' The policy both of _England_ and of _France_ with
respect to the Buccaneers, seems to have been well described in the
following sentence: _On laissoit faire des Avanturiers, qu'on pouvoit
toujours desavouer, mais dont les succes pouvoient etre utiles_: _i. e._
'they connived at the actions of these Adventurers, which could always be
disavowed, and whose successes might be serviceable.' This was not
esteemed _friponnerie_, but a maxim of sound state policy. In the
character given of a good French West-India governor, he is praised, for
that, 'besides encouraging the cultivation of lands, he never neglected to
encourage the _Flibustiers_. It was a certain means of improving the
Colony, by attracting thither the young and enterprising. He would
scarcely receive a slight portion of what he was entitled to from his
right of bestowing commissions in time of war[10]. And when we were at
peace, and our Flibustiers, for want of other employment, would go
cruising, and would carry their prizes to the English Islands, he was at
the pains of procuring them commissions from _Portugal_, which country was
then at war with _Spain_; in virtue of which our _Flibustiers_ continued
to make themselves redoubtable to the Spaniards, and to spread riches and
abundance in our Colonies.' This panegyric was bestowed by Pere Labat; who
seems to have had more of national than of moral or religious feeling on
this head.
It was a powerful consideration with the French and English Governments,
to have at their occasional disposal, without trouble or expence, a well
trained military force, always at hand, and willing to be employed upon
emergency; who required no pay nor other recompense for their services and
constant readiness, than their share of plunder, and that their piracies
upon the Spaniards should pass unnoticed.
[Sidenote: 1644.] Towards the end of 1644, a new Governor General for the
French West-India possessions was appointed by the French Regency (during
the minority of Louis XIV.); but the Commander de Poincy did not choose to
resign, and the colonists were inclined to support him. Great discontents
prevailed in the French Colonies, which rendered them liable to being
shaken by civil wars; and the apprehensions of the Regency on this head
enabled De Poincy to stand his ground. He remained Governor General over
the French Colonies not only for the time, but was continued in that
office, by succeeding administrations, many years.
[Sidenote: 1654. The Buccaneers plunder New Segovia.] About the year 1654,
a large party of Buccaneers, French and English, joined in an expedition
on the Continent. They ascended a river of the _Mosquito shore_, a small
distance on the South side of _Cape Gracias a Dios_, in canoes; and after
labouring nearly a month against a strong stream and waterfalls, they left
their canoes, and marched to the town of _Nueva Segovia_, which they
plundered, and then returned down the river.
[Sidenote: The Spaniards retake Tortuga. 1655. With the assistance of the
Buccaneers, the English take Jamaica: 1660; And the French retake
Tortuga.] In the same year, the Spaniards took _Tortuga_ from the French.
In the year following, 1655, _England_ being at war with _Spain_, a large
force was sent from _England_ to attempt the conquest of the Island
_Hispaniola_. In this attempt they failed; but afterwards fell upon
_Jamaica_, of which Island they made themselves masters, and kept
possession. In the conquest of _Jamaica_, the English were greatly
assisted by the Buccaneers; and a few years after, with their assistance
also, the French regained possession of _Tortuga_.
On the recovery of _Tortuga_, the French Buccaneers greatly increased in
the Northern and Western parts of _Hispaniola_. _Spain_ also sent large
reinforcements from _Europe_; and for some years war was carried on with
great spirit and animosity on both sides. During the heat of this contest,
the French Buccaneers followed more the occupation of hunting, and less
that of cruising, than at any other period of their history.
The Spaniards finding they could not expel the French from _Hispaniola_,
determined to join their efforts to those of the French hunters, for the
destruction of the cattle and wild hogs on the Island, so as to render the
business of hunting unproductive. But the French had begun to plant; and
the depriving them of the employment of hunting, drove them to other
occupations not less contrary to the interest and wishes of the Spaniards.
The less profit they found in the chase, the more they became cultivators
and cruisers.
[Sidenote: Pierre le Grand, a French Buccaneer.] The Buccaneer Histories
of this period abound with relations: of daring actions performed by them;
but many of which are chiefly remarkable for the ferocious cruelty of the
leaders by whom they were conducted. Pierre, a native of _Dieppe_, for his
success received to his name the addition of _le grand_, and is mentioned
as one of the first Flibustiers who obtained much notoriety. In a boat,
with a crew of twenty-eight men, he surprised and took the Ship of the
Vice-Admiral of the Spanish galeons, as she was sailing homeward-bound
with a rich freight. He set the Spanish crew on shore at _Cape Tiburon_,
the West end of _Hispaniola_, and sailed in his prize to _France_.
[Sidenote: Alexandre.] A Frenchman, named Alexandre, also in a small
vessel, took a Spanish ship of war.
[Sidenote: Montbars, surnamed the Exterminator.] It is related of another
Frenchman, a native of _Languedoc_, named Montbars, that on reading a
history of the cruelty of the Spaniards to the Americans, he conceived
such an implacable hatred against the Spaniards, that he determined on
going to the _West Indies_ to join the Buccaneers; and that he there
pursued his vengeance with so much ardour as to acquire the surname of the
Exterminator.
[Sidenote: Bartolomeo Portuguez.] One Buccaneer of some note was a native
of _Portugal_, known by the name of Bartolomeo Portuguez; who, however,
was more renowned for his wonderful escapes, both in battle, and from the
gallows, than for his other actions.
[Sidenote: L'Olonnois, a French Buccaneer, and Michel le Basque, take
Maracaibo and Gibraltar.] But no one of the Buccaneers hitherto named,
arrived at so great a degree of notoriety, as a Frenchman, called Francois
L'Olonnois, a native of part of the French coast which is near the sands
of _Olonne_, but whose real name is not known. This man, and Michel le
Basque, both Buccaneer commanders, at the head of 650 men, took the towns
of _Maracaibo_ and _Gibraltar_ in the _Gulf of Venezuela_, on the _Tierra
Firma_. The booty they obtained by the plunder and ransom of these places,
was estimated at 400,000 crowns. The barbarities practised on the
prisoners could not be exceeded. [Sidenote: Outrages committed by
L'Olonnois.] Olonnois was possessed with an ambition to make himself
renowned for being terrible. At one time, it is said, he put the whole
crew of a Spanish ship, ninety men, to death, performing himself the
office of executioner, by beheading them. He caused the crews of four
other vessels to be thrown into the sea; and more than once, in his
frenzies, he tore out the hearts of his victims, and devoured them. Yet
this man had his encomiasts; so much will loose notions concerning glory,
aided by a little partiality, mislead even sensible men. Pere Charlevoix
says, _Celui de tous, dont les grandes actions illustrerent davantage les
premieres annees du gouvernement de M. d'Ogeron, fut l'Olonnois. Ses
premiers succes furent suivis de quelques malheurs, qui ne servirent qu'a
donner un nouveau lustre a sa gloire._ The career of this savage was
terminated by the Indians of the coast of _Darien_, on which he had
landed.
[Sidenote: Mansvelt, a Buccaneer Chief; his Plan for forming a Buccaneer
Establishment. 1664.] The Buccaneers now went in such formidable numbers,
that several Spanish towns, both on the Continent and among the Islands of
the _West Indies_, submitted to pay them contribution. And at this time, a
Buccaneer commander, named Mansvelt, more provident and more ambitious in
his views than any who preceded him, formed a project for founding an
independent Buccaneer establishment. Of what country Mansvelt was native,
does not appear; but he was so popular among the Buccaneers, that both
French and English were glad to have him for their leader. The greater
number of his followers in his attempt to form a settlement were probably
English, as he fitted out in _Jamaica_. A Welshman, named Henry Morgan,
who had made some successful cruises as a Buccaneer, went with him as
second in command. [Sidenote: Island S^{ta} Katalina, or Providence; since
named Old Providence.] The place designed by them for their establishment,
was an Island named _S^{ta} Katalina_, or _Providence_, situated in
latitude 13 deg. 24' N, about 40 leagues to the Eastward of the _Mosquito
shore_. This Island is scarcely more than two leagues in its greatest
extent, but has a harbour capable of being easily fortified against an
enemy; and very near to its North end is a much smaller Island. The late
Charts assign the name of _S^{ta} Katalina_ to the small Island, and give
to the larger Island that of _Old Providence_, the epithet _Old_ having
been added to distinguish this from the _Providence_ of the _Bahama
Islands_. At the time Mansvelt undertook his scheme of settlement, this
_S^{ta} Katalina_, or _Providence Island_, was occupied by the Spaniards,
who had a fort and good garrison there. Some time in or near the year
1664, Mansvelt sailed thither from _Jamaica_, with fifteen vessels and 500
men. He assaulted and took the fort, which he garrisoned with one hundred
Buccaneers and all the slaves he had taken, and left the command to a
Frenchman, named Le Sieur Simon. At the end of his cruise, he returned to
_Jamaica_, intending to procure there recruits for his Settlement of
_S^{ta} Katalina_; but the Governor of _Jamaica_, however friendly to the
Buccaneers whilst they made _Jamaica_ their home, saw many reasons for
disliking Mansvelt's plan, and would not consent to his raising men.
[Sidenote: Death of Mansvelt.] Not being able to overcome the Governor's
unwillingness, Mansvelt sailed for _Tortuga_, to try what assistance he
could procure there; but in the passage he was suddenly taken ill, and
died. For a length of time after, Simon remained at _S^{ta} Katalina_ with
his garrison, in continual expectation of seeing or hearing from Mansvelt;
instead of which, a large Spanish force arrived and besieged his fort,
when, learning of Mansvelt's death, and seeing no prospect of receiving
reinforcement or relief, he found himself obliged to surrender.
[Sidenote: French West-India Company.] The government in _France_ had
appointed commissioners on behalf of the French West-India Company, to
take all the Islands called the _French Antilles_, out of the hands of
individuals, subjects of _France_, who had before obtained possession, and
to put them into the possession of the said Company, to be governed
according to such provisions as they should think proper. [Sidenote:
1665.] In February 1665, M. d'Ogeron was appointed Governor of _Tortuga_,
and of the French settlements in _Hispaniola_, or _St. Domingo_, as the
Island was now more commonly called. [Sidenote: The French settlers
dispute their authority.] On his arrival at _Tortuga_, the French
adventurers, both there and in _Hispaniola_, declared that if he came to
govern in the name of the King of _France_, he should find faithful and
obedient subjects; but they would not submit themselves to any Company;
and in no case would they consent to the prohibiting their trade with the
Hollanders, 'with whom,' said the Buccaneers, 'we have been in the
constant habit of trading, and were so before it was known in _France_
that there was a single Frenchman in _Tortuga_, or on the coast of _St.
Domingo_.'
[Sidenote: 1665-7.] M. d'Ogeron had recourse to dissimulation to allay
these discontents. He yielded consent to the condition respecting the
commerce with the Dutch, fully resolved not to observe it longer than till
his authority should be sufficiently established for him to break it with
safety; and to secure the commerce within his government exclusively to
the French West-India Company, who, when rid of all competitors, would be
able to fix their own prices. It was not long before M. d'Ogeron judged
the opportunity was arrived for effecting this revocation without danger;
but it caused a revolt of the French settlers in _St. Domingo_, which did
not terminate without bloodshed and an execution; and so partial as well
as defective in principle were the historians who have related the fact,
that they have at the same time commended M. d'Ogeron for his probity and
simple manners. In the end, he prevailed in establishing a monopoly for
the Company, to the injury of his old companions the French Buccaneers,
with whom he had at a former period associated, and who had been his
benefactors in a time of his distress.
[Sidenote: Morgan succeeds Mansvelt; plunders Puerto del Principe.] On the
death of Mansvelt, Morgan was regarded as the most capable and most
fortunate leader of any of the _Jamaica_ Buccaneers. With a body of
several hundred men, who placed themselves under his command, he took and
plundered the town of _Puerto del Principe_ in _Cuba_. A quarrel happened
at this place among the Buccaneers, in which a Frenchman was
treacherously slain by an Englishman. The French took to arms, to revenge
the death of their countryman; but Morgan pacified them by putting the
murderer in irons, and promising he should be delivered up to justice on
their return to _Jamaica_; which was done, and the criminal was hanged.
But in some other respects, the French were not so well satisfied with
Morgan for their commander, as they had been with Mansvelt. Morgan was a
great rogue, and little respected the old proverb of, Honour among
Thieves: this had been made manifest to the French, and almost all of them
separated from him.
[Sidenote: 1667. Maracaibo again pillaged. 1668. Morgan takes Porto Bello:
Exercises great Cruelty.] _Maracaibo_ was now a second time pillaged by
the French Buccaneers, under Michel le Basque.
Morgan's next undertaking was against _Porto Bello_, one of the principal
and best fortified ports belonging to the Spaniards in the _West Indies_.
He had under his command only 460 men; but not having revealed his design
to any person, he came on the town by surprise, and found it unprepared.
Shocking cruelties are related to have been committed in this expedition.
Among many others, that a castle having made more resistance than had been
expected, Morgan, after its surrendering, shut up the garrison in it, and
caused fire to be set to the magazine, destroying thereby the castle and
the garrison together. In the attack of another fort, he compelled a
number of religious persons, both male and female, whom he had taken
prisoners, to carry and plant scaling ladders against the walls; and many
of them were killed by those who defended the fort. The Buccaneers in the
end became masters of the place, and the use they made of their victory
corresponded with their actions in obtaining it. Many prisoners died under
tortures inflicted on them to make them discover concealed treasures,
whether they knew of any or not. A large ransom was also extorted for the
town and prisoners.
This success attracted other Buccaneers, among them the French again, to
join Morgan; and by a kind of circular notice they rendezvoused in large
force under his command at the _Isla de la Vaca_ (by the French called
_Isle Avache_) near the SW part of _Hispaniola_.
A large French Buccaneer ship was lying at _la Vaca_, which was not of
this combination, the commander and crew of which refused to join with
Morgan, though much solicited. Morgan was angry, but dissembled, and with
a show of cordiality invited the French captain and his officers to an
entertainment on board his own ship. When they were his guests, they found
themselves his prisoners; and their ship, being left without officers, was
taken without resistance. The men put by Morgan in charge of the ship,
fell to drinking; and, whether from their drunkenness and negligence, or
from the revenge of any of the prisoners, cannot be known, she suddenly
blew up, by which 350 English Buccaneers, and all the Frenchmen on board
her, perished. _The History of the Buccaneers of America_, in which the
event is related, adds by way of remark, 'Thus was this unjust action of
Captain Morgan's soon followed by divine justice; for this ship, the
largest in his fleet, was blown up in the air, with 350 Englishmen and all
the French prisoners.' This comment seems to have suggested to Voltaire
the ridicule he has thrown on the indiscriminate manner in which men
sometimes pronounce misfortune to be a peculiar judgment of God, in the
dialogue he put into the mouths of Candide and Martin, on the wicked Dutch
skipper being drowned.
[Sidenote: 1669. Maracaibo and Gibraltar plundered by Morgan.]
From _Isla de la Vaca_ Morgan sailed with his fleet to _Maracaibo_ and
_Gibraltar_; which unfortunate towns were again sacked. It was a frequent
practice with these desperadoes to secure their prisoners by shutting them
up in churches, where it was easy to keep guard over them. This was done
by Morgan at _Maracaibo_ and _Gibraltar_, and with so little care for
their subsistence, that many of the prisoners were actually starved to
death, whilst their merciless victors were rioting in the plunder of their
houses.
Morgan remained so long at _Gibraltar_, that the Spaniards had time to
repair and put in order a castle at the entrance of the _Lagune of
Maracaibo_; and three large Spanish ships of war arrived and took stations
near the castle, by which they hoped to cut off the retreat of the
pirates. [Sidenote: His Contrivances in effecting his Retreat.] The
Buccaneer Histories give Morgan much credit here, for his management in
extricating his fleet and prizes from their difficult situation, which is
related to have been in the following manner. He converted one of his
vessels into a fire-ship, but so fitted up as to preserve the appearance
of a ship intended for fighting, and clumps of wood were stuck up in her,
dressed with hats on, to resemble men. By means of this ship, the rest of
his fleet following close at hand, he took one of the Spanish ships, and
destroyed the two others. Still there remained the castle to be passed;
which he effected without loss, by a stratagem which deceived the
Spaniards from their guard. During the day, and in sight of the castle, he
filled his boats with armed men, and they rowed from the ships to a part
of the shore which was well concealed by thickets. After waiting as long
as might be supposed to be occupied in the landing, all the men lay down
close in the bottom of the boats, except two in each, who rowed them back,
going to the sides of the ships which were farthest from the castle. This
being repeated several times, caused the Spaniards to believe that the
Buccaneers intended an assault by land with their whole force; and they
made disposition with their cannon accordingly, leaving the side of the
castle towards the sea unprovided. When it was night, and the ebb tide
began to make, Morgan's fleet took up their anchors, and, without setting
sail, it being moonlight, they fell down the river, unperceived, till they
were nigh the castle. They then set their sails, and fired upon the
castle, and before the Spaniards could bring their guns back to return the
fire, the ships were past. The value of the booty made in this expedition
was 250,000 pieces of eight.
Some minor actions of the Buccaneers are omitted here, not being of
sufficient consequence to excuse detaining the Reader, to whom will next
be related one of their most remarkable exploits.