 Section 00 of Pirates of Panama. The Buccaneers of America by A. O. Esquamellen, translated by G. A. Williams. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Heather Mby. Introduction. This volume was originally written in Dutch by John Esquamellen, and first published in Amsterdam in 1678 under the title of The American Netsch Zerovers. It immediately became very popular, and this first-hand history of the Buccaneers of America was soon translated into the principal European languages. The first English edition was printed in 1684. Of the author, John Esquamellen, very little is known, although it is generally conceded that he was in all probability a Fleming or a Hollander, a quite natural supposition as his first works were written in the Dutch language. He came to the island of Tortuga, the headquarters of the Buccaneers, in 1666, in the employ of the French West India Company. Several years later this same company, owing to unsuccessful business arrangements, recalled their representatives to France and gave their officers order to sell the company's land and all its servants. Esquamellen, then a servant of the company, was sold to a stern master by whom he was treated with great cruelty. Owing to hard work, poor food, and exposure he became dangerously ill, and his master, seeing his weak condition and fearing to lose the money, and his master, seeing his weak condition and fearing to lose the money Esquamellen had cost him, resold him to a surgeon. This new master treated him kindly so that Esquamellen's health was speedily restored, and after one year's service he was set at liberty upon a promise to pay his benefactor, the surgeon, one hundred pieces of eight, at such a time as he found himself in funds. Once more a free man he determined to join the pirates, and was received into their society, and remained with them until 1672. Esquamellen served the Buccaneers in the capacity of Barber Surgeon, and was present at all their exploits. Little did he suspect that his first-hand observations would someday be cherished as the only authentic and true history of the Buccaneers and Marooners of the Spanish Maine. From time to time new additions of this work have been published, but in many cases much new material, not always authentic, has been added, and the result has been to mar the original narrative as set forth by Esquamellen. In arranging this addition the original English text only has been used, and but few changes made by cutting out the long and tedious description of plant and animal life of the West Indies, of which Esquamellen had only a smattering of truth. But the history of Captain Morgan and his fellow Buccaneers is here printed almost identical with the original English translation, and we believe it is the first time this history has been published in a suitable form for the juvenile reader, with no loss of interest to the adult. The worldwide attention at this time in the Isthmus of Panama and the Great Canal, connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean, lends to this narrative an additional stimulus. Here are set forth the deeds of daring of the wild frebooters in crossing the Isthmus to attack the cities, Puerto Bello and Panama. The sacking and burning of these places accompanied by pillage, fire and treasure-seeking, both on land and on sea, form exciting reading. The Buccaneers and marooners of America well deserves a place in the bookshelf with those old-world favorites Robinson Crusoe and the Swiss family Robinson. George Alfred Williams End of introduction. Section 1 of the Pirates of Panama, the Buccaneers of America by A.O. X. Crumelang, translated by G.A. Williams. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander Preface The Translator to the Reader of 1684 The present volume, both for its curiosity and ingenuity, I dare recommend unto the perusal of our English nation, whose glorious actions it contains. What relates unto the curiosity hereof, this piece both of natural and humane history, was no sooner published in the Dutch original than it was snatched up for the most curious libraries of Holland. It was translated into Spanish, two impressions there of being sent into Spain in one year. It was taken notice of by the Learned Academy of Paris, and finally recommended as worthy our esteem by the ingenious author of the weekly memorials for the ingenious, printed here at London about two years ago. Neither all this undeservedly, seeing it enlarges our acquaintance of natural history, so much prized and inquired for by the Learned of this present age, with several observations not easily to be found in other accounts already received from America. And besides, it informs us, with huge novelty, of us great and bold attempts, in point of military conduct and valor, as ever were performed by mankind, without accepting here either Alexander the Great or Julius Caesar, or the rest of the nine worthies of fame. Of all which actions as we cannot confess ourselves to have been ignorant here, there too, the very name of Buccaneers being as yet known but unto few of the ingenious, as their lives, laws, and conversation are in a manner unto none, so can they not choose but be admired out of this ingenious author, by whosoever is curious to learn the various revolutions of human affairs. But more especially by our English nation, as unto whom these things more narrowly do a pertain. We having here more than half the book filled with the unparalleled, if not in inventable adventures and heroic exploits of our own countrymen and relations, whose undaunted and exemplary courage, when called upon by our king and country, we ought to emulate. From whence it has proceeded that nothing of this kind was ever as yet published in England, I cannot easily determine, except as some will say, from some secret ragion di stato. Let the reason be as it will. This is certain. So much the more we are obliged unto this present author, who though a stranger unto our nation, yet with that candor and fidelity has recorded our actions, as to render the metal of our true English valor to be the more believed and feared abroad. Then if these things had been divulged by ourselves at home. From hence per adventure will other nations learn that the English people are of their genius more inclinable to act than to write, seeing as well they as we have lived unacquainted with these actions of our nation, until such a time as a foreign author to our country came to tell them. Besides, the merits of this piece for its curiosity, another point of no less esteem, is the truth and sincerity wherewith everything seems to be penned. No greater ornament or dignity can be added unto history, either humane or natural than truth. All other embellishments, if this be failing, are of little or no esteem. If this be delivered, are either needless or superfluous. What concerns this requisite in our author, his lines to everywhere declare the faithfulness and sincerity of his mind. He writes not by hearsay, but was an eyewitness, as he somewhere tells you, unto all and every one of the bold and has sergeous attempts which he relates. And these he delivers with such candor of style, such ingenuity of mind, such plainness of words, such consciousness of periods, so much divested of rhetorical hyperballs, or the least flourishes of eloquence, so hugely void of passion or national reflections, as that he strongly persuades all along to the credit of what he says. He raises the mind of the reader to believe these things far greater than what he has said, and having read him leaves only this scruple or concern behind, that you can read him no longer. In a word such are his desserts, that some persons per adventure would not stickle to compare him to the father of historians, Philip de Comas, at least thus much may be said, with the whole truth imaginable, that he resembles that great author in many of his excellent qualities. I know some persons have objected against the greatness of these prodigious adventures, intimating that the resistance our Buccaneers found in America was everywhere but small. For the Spaniards, say they, in the West Indies, are become of late years nothing less, but rather much more degenerate than in Europe. The continual peace they have enjoyed in those parts, the defect of military discipline and European soldiers for their commanders, much contributing here unto. But more especially, and above all other reasons, the very luxury of the soil and riches, the extreme heat of those countries, and influence of the stars being such, as totally inclines their bodies unto an infinite effeminacy and cowardice of minds. Unto these reasons, I shall only answer in brief. This history will convince them to be manifestly false. For as to the continual peace here alleged, we know that no peace could ever be established beyond the line since the first procession of the West Indies by the Spaniards till the burning of Panama. At that time, or few months before, Sir William Godolphin, by his prudent negotiation in quality of ambassador for our most gracious monarch, did conclude at Madrid a peace to be observed even beyond the line and through the whole extent of the Spanish dominions in the West Indies. This transaction gave the Spaniards new courses of complaints against our proceedings, that no sooner a peace had been established for those parts of America, but our forces had taken and burned both Chagre, St. Catherine, and Panama. But our reply was convincing, that whereas eight or ten months of time had been allowed by time had been allowed by articles for the publishing of the said peace through all the dominions of both monarchies in America, those hostilities had been committed not only without orders from His Majesty of England, but also within the space of the said eight or ten months of time. Until that time the Spanish inhabitants of America, being, as it were, in a perpetual war with Europe, certain it is that no coasts nor kingdoms in the world have been more frequently infested, nor alarmed with the invasions of several nations than theirs. Thus from the very beginning of their conquests in America, both English, French, Dutch, Portuguese, Swedes, Danes, Kirlanders, and all other nations that navigate the ocean, have frequented the West Indies, and filled them with their robbers and assaults. From these occasions have they been in continual watch and ward, and kept their militia in constant exercise, as also their garrisons pretty well provided and paid, as fearing every sale they discovered at sea to be pirates of one nation or another. But much more especially since that Curacao, Tortuga, and Jamaica have been inhabited by English, French, and Dutch, and bred up that race of huntsmen, then which no other ever was more desperate nor more mortal enemies to the Spaniards, called Buccaneers. Now shall we say that these people, through too long continuation of peace, have utterly abolished the exercises of war, having been all along incessantly vexed with the tummels and alarms thereof? In like manner it is false to accuse their defect of military discipline for want of European commanders, for who knows not that all places, both military and civil, through those vast dominions of the West Indies, are provided out of Spain? And those of the militia most commonly given unto expert commanders, trained up from their infancy in the wars of Europe, either in Africa, Milan, Sicily, Naples, or Flanders, fighting against either English, French, Dutch, Portuguese, or Moors? Yeah, they're very garrisons, if you search them in those parts, will per adventure be found to be stopped three parts to four, with soldiers both born and bred in the Kingdom of Spain? From these considerations it may be inferred what little difference ought to be allowed between the Spanish soldiers, inhabitants of the West Indies, and those of Europe, and how little the soil or climate has influenced or caused their courage to degenerate towards cowardice or baseness of mind, as if the very same argument deduced from the nature of that climate did not equally militiate against the valor of our famous Buccaneers, and represent this to be of as degenerate metal as theirs. But nothing can be more clearly evinced than is the valor of the American Spaniards, either soldiers or officers, by the sequel of this history. What men ever fought more desperately than the garrison of Chagre? Their number being 314, and of all these only 30 remaining, of which number scarce 10 were unwounded, and among them not one officer found alive. Were not 600 killed upon the spot at Panama? 500 at Gibraltar? Almost as many more at Puerto del Príncipe? All dying with their arms in their hands and facing bravely the enemy for the defense of their country and private concerns. Did not those of the town of San Pedro, both fortify themselves, lay several ambush gates, and lastly sell their lives as dear as any European soldier could do? Lulunois being forced to gain step by step his advance unto the town, with huge loss both of blood and men. Many other instances might be produced out of this compendious volume of the generous resistance the Spaniards made in several places, though fortune favored not their arms. Next as to the personal valor of many of their commanders, what men ever behaved himself more briskly than the governor of Gibraltar, than the governor of Puerto del Príncipe, both dying for the defense of their towns, than Don Alfonso del Campo and others. Or what examples can easily parallel the desperate courage of the governor of Chagre, who though the palistas were fired, the terraplains were sunk into the ditch, the breaches were entered, the houses all burned above him, the whole castle taken, his men all killed, yet would not admit of any quarter, but choose rather to die under his arms, being shot into the brain, than surrender himself as a prisoner unto the Buccaneers. What lion ever fought to the last gasp more obstinately than the governor of Puerto Velo, who seeing the town entered by a suprisal in the night, one chief castle blown up into the air, or the other fortune castles taken, his own assaulted several ways, both religious men and women placed at the front of the enemy to fix the ladders against the walls, yet spared not to kill as many of their said religious persons as he could, and at last the walls being scaled, the castle entered and taken, all his own men ever come by fire and sword, who had cast down their arms and begged mercy from the enemy, yet would admit of none for his own life, yet with his own fans killed several of his soldiers to force them to stand to their arms, though all were lost. Yeah, though his own wife and daughter begged of him upon their knees that he would have his life by craving quarter, though the enemy decide of him the same thing, yet would hearken to no cries nor persuasions, but they were forced to kill him, combating with his arms in his hands, being not otherwise able to take him prisoner as they were desires to do. Shall these men be said to be influenced with cowardice, who thus acted to the very last scene of their own tragedies? Or shall we rather say that they wanted no courage but fortune? It being certainly true that he who is killed in a battle may be equally courageous with him that kills, and that whosoever derogates from the valour of the Spaniards in the West Indies diminishes in like manner the courage of the Buccaneers, his own countrymen, who have seemed to act beyond mortal men in America. Now to say something concerning Don Esquimelang, the first author of this history. I take him to be a Dutchman, or at least born in Flanders, notwithstanding that the Spanish translation represents him to be a native of the Kingdom of France. His printing this history originally in Dutch, which together with the very sound of his name convincing me there unto. True it is, he set sail from France and was some years at Tortuga, but neither of these two arguments drawn from the history are prevalent. For were he to be a Frenchman born, how came he to learn the Dutch language so perfectly as to prefer it to his own? Especially that not being spoken at Tortuga, nor Jamaica, where he resided all the while. I hope I have made this English translation something more plain and correct than the Spanish. Some few notorious faults either of the printer or the interpreter I am sure I have redressed. But the Spanish translator complaining much of the intricacy of style in the original, as flowing from a person who, as has been said, was no scholar, as he was pardonable. Being in great haste for not rendering his own version so distinct and elaborate as he could desire. So must I be excused from the one, that is to say, elegancy, if I have cautiously declined the other. I mean, confusion. End of the Preface. The introduction. The author sets forth for the western islands in the service of the west India company of France. They meet with an English frigate and arrive at the island of Tortuga. We set sail from Havde Grace in France from whence we set sail in the ship called Saint John, May 2, 1666. Our vessel was equipped with twenty-eight guns, twenty mariners, and two hundred and twenty passengers, including those whom the company sent as free passengers. Soon after we came to an anchor under the cape of Barfleur, there to join seven other ships of the same west India company, which were to come from Dieppe, under a convoy of a man of war, mounted with thirty-seven guns, and two hundred and fifty men. Of these ships, two were bound for Senegal, five for the Caribbean islands, and ours for Tortuga. Here gathered to us about twenty sail of other ships, bound for Newfoundland, with some Dutch vessels going for Nantes, Rochelle, and Saint Martins, so that in all we made thirty sail. Here we put ourselves in a posture of defense, having noticed that four English frigates of sixty guns each waited for us near Aldenay. Our admiral, the Chevalier Sordis, having given necessary orders, we sailed thence with a favourable gale, and some mists arising totally impeded the English frigates from discovering our fleet. We steered our course as near as we could to the coast of France for fear of the enemy. As we sailed along, we met a vessel of Ostend, who complained to our admiral that a French privateer had robbed him that very morning, whereupon we endeavored to pursue the said pirate, but our labour was in vain, not being able to overtake him. Our fleet, as we sailed, caused no small fears and alarms to the inhabitants of the coasts of France, these judging us to be English, and that we sought some convenient place for landing. To allay their flight, we hung out our colours, but they would not trust us. After this we came to an anchor in the bay of Coquette in Brittany, near Echante, to there take in water. Having stored ourselves with fresh provisions here, we prosecuted our voyage, designing to pass by the Ross of Fautenau and not expose ourselves to the Solingues, fearing the English that were cruising their bouts. The river Ross is of a current very strong and rapid, which rolling over many rocks disgorges itself into the sea, on the coast of France, in forty-eight degrees ten minutes latitude, so that this passage is very dangerous, all the rocks as yet being not thoroughly known. Here I shall mention the ceremony which at this passage, and some other places, is used by the mariners, and by them called baptism, though it may seem little to our purpose. The master's mate clothed himself with a ridiculous sort of garment that reached to his feet, and on his head he put a suitable cap, made very burlesque. In his right hand he had a naked wooden sword, and in his left a pot full of ink. His face was horribly blacked with soot, and his neck adorned with a collar of many little pieces of wood. Thus apparelled he commanded every one to be called who had never passed through that dangerous place before, and then, causing them to kneel down, he made the sign of the cross in their foreheads with ink, and gave every one a stroke on the shoulders with his wooden sword. Meanwhile the standards by cast a bucket of water upon each man's head, and so ended the ceremony. But that done each of the baptized must give a bottle of brandy, placing it nigh the main mast, without speaking a word, even those who have no such liquor not being excused. If the vessel never passed that way before, the captain is obliged to distribute some wine among the mariners and passengers, but as for other gifts, which the newly baptized frequently offer, they are divided among the old seamen, and of them they make a banquet among themselves. The Hollander's likewise, not only at this passage, but also at the rocks called Burlinges, nigh the coast of Portugal, in thirty-nine degrees forty minutes, being a passage very dangerous especially by night, when in the dark the rocks are not distinguishable, the land being very nigh. They use some such ceremony, but their manner of baptizing is very different from that of the French, for he that is to be baptized is fastened, and hoisted up thrice at the main yard's end, as if he were a criminal. If he be hoisted the fourth time in the name of the Prince of Orange, or of the captain of the vessel, his honor is more than ordinary. Thus every one is dipped several times in the main ocean, but he that is dipped first has the honor of being saluted with a gun. Such as are not willing to fall must pay twelve pence for ransom, if he be an officer two shillings, and if a passenger at their own pleasure. If the ship never passed that way before, the captain is to give a small runlet of wine, which if he denies the mariners may cut off the stem of the vessel. All profit accruing by this ceremony is kept by the master's mate, who after reaching their port, usually lays it out in wine, which is drank among the ancient seamen. Some say this ceremony was instituted by the Emperor Charles the Fifth, though it is not amongst his laws. But here I leave these sea-customs and return to our voyage. Having passed the wrass, we had very good weather, till we came to Cape Finasterre. Here a sudden tempest surprised us and separated our ship from the rest that were in our company. This storm continued eight days, in which time it would move compassion to see how miserably the passengers were tumbled to and fro, on all sides of the ship, in so much that the mariners, in the performance of their duty, were compelled to tread upon them. This boisterous weather being over, we had very favorable gales again, till we came to the Tropic of Cancer. This Tropic is an imaginary circle, which astronomers have invented in the heavens, limiting the progress of the sun towards the North Pole. It is placed in the latitude of twenty-three degrees thirty minutes. Here we were baptized a second time as before. The French always performed this ceremony at the Tropic of Cancer, as also under the Tropic of Capricorn. In this part of the world we had very favorable weather, at which we were very glad because of our great want of water, for that element is so scarce with us that we were stinted to two half-pinds a man every day. About the latitude of Barbados we met an English frigate, or privateer, who first began to give us chase, but finding herself not to exceed us in force presently got away. Hereupon we pursued her firing several guns, eight pounders, at her, but at length she escaped, and we returned to our course. Soon after we came within sight of Martinico. We were bent to the coast of the Isle of St. Peter, but were frustrated by a storm which took us hereabouts. Hence we resolved to steer to Guadalupe, yet we could not reach this island by reason of the said storm, so that we directed our course to the Isle of Tortuga, being the very same land we were bound to. We passed along the coast of Pantirica, which is extremely agreeable and delightful to the sight, being adorned with beautiful woods even to the tops of the mountains. Then we discovered Hispaniola, of which I shall give a description, and we coasted about it till we came to Tortuga, our desired port. Here we anchored July 7th in the same year, not having lost one man in the voyage. We landed the goods that belonged to the West India Company, and soon after the ship was sent to Calda Sac with some passengers. End of Chapter 1 Chapter 2 A description of Tortuga, the fruits and plants there, how the French first settled there at two several times, and forced out the Spaniards, the author twice sold in the said island. The island of Tortuga is situated on the north side of Hispaniola in 20 degrees 30 minutes latitude. Its just extent is three scoreleagues about. The Spaniards who gave name to this island called it so from the shape of the land, in some manner resembling a great sea tortoise, called by them Tortuga de Mar. The country is very mountainous and full of rocks and yet thick of lofty trees that grow upon the hardest of those rocks without partaking of a softer soil. Hence it comes that the roots for the greatest part are seen naked and tangled among the rocks like the branching of ivy against our walls. That part of this island, which stretches to the north, is totally uninhabited. The reason is, first, because it is incommodious and unhealthy, and secondly for the ruggedness of the coast that gives no access to the shore, unless among rocks almost inaccessible. For this cause it is peopled only on the south part, which hath only one port indifferently good. Yet this harbour has two entries, or channels, which afford passage to ships of seventy guns. The port itself being without danger and capable of receiving a great number of vessels. The inhabited parts of which the first is called the Lowlands or Low Country. This is the chief among the rest, because it contains the port aforeset. The town is called Cayona, and here live the chiefest and richest planters of the island. The second part is called the Middle Plantation. Its soil is yet almost new, being only known to be good for tobacco. The third is named Ringot and is situated towards the west part of the island. The fourth and last is called the Mountain, in which place were made the first plantations upon this island. As to the wood that grows here, we have already said that the trees are exceedingly tall and pleasing to the sight, when snowman will doubt, but they may be applied to several uses. Such is the Yellow Saundre, which by the inhabitants is called Wadi Shandel or in English Candlewood, because it burns like a candle and serves them with light while they fish by night. Here grows also Lingnam Sanctum or Guayakum. Its virtues are very well known, more especially to those who observe not the Seventh Commandment and are given to impure copulations. Physicians drawing hence in several compositions the greatest antidote for venereal diseases, as also for cold and vicious humours. The trees likewise, which afford Gumi Ilemi, grow here in great abundance, as doth Radix Chinae or China root. Yet this is not so good as that of other parts of the western world. It is very white and soft and serves for pleasant food for the wild boars, when they can find nothing else. This island also is not deficient in aloe, nor an infinite number of the other medicinal herbs, which may please the curiosity of such as are given to their contemplation. Moreover, for building of ships or any other sort of architecture, here are found several sorts of timber. The fruits likewise, which grow here abundantly, are nothing inferior in quantity or quality toward other islands produced. I shall name only some of the most ordinary and common. Such are Magnuite, Potatoes, Abadjo apples, Yanas, Basons, Pacaes, Carousels, Mammines, Anananes, and diverse other sorts, which I omit to specify. Here grow likewise in great numbers those trees call Palmitos or Palmites, whence is drawn a certain juice, which serves the inhabitants instead of wine, and whose leaves cover their houses instead of tiles. In this island abundeth also the wild boar. The governor hath prohibited the hunting of them with dogs, fearing lest the island being but small, the whole race of them in a short time should be destroyed. The reason why he thought convenient to preserve these wild beasts was that in case of any invasion the inhabitants might sustain themselves with their food, especially where they once constrained to retire to the woods and mountains. Yet this sort of game is almost impeded by itself by reason of the many rocks and precipice, which for the greatest part are covered with little shrubs, very green and thick, whence the huntsmen have oftentimes fallen, and left us the sad remembrance of many a memorable disaster. At certain time of the year, they resort to Tortuga large flocks of wild pigeons, and then the inhabitants feed on them very plentifully, having more than they can consume and leaving totally to their repose all other sorts of foul, both wild and tame. That so, in the absence of the pigeons, these may supply their place. But as nothing in the universe, though never so pleasant, can be found but what hath something of bitterness with it, the very symbol of this truth we see in the aforesaid pigeons. For these the season being past can scares be touched with the tongue, they become so extremely lean and bitter even to admiration. The reason of this bitterness is attributed to certain seed which they eat about that time, even as bitter as gall. About the sea shores, everywhere I found great multitudes of crabs, both the land and sea, and both sorts very big. These are good to feed servants and slaves, whose pellets they please but are very hurtful to this sight. Besides being eaten too often, they cause great tidiness in the head, with much weakness of the brain, so that very frequently they are depred of sight for a quarter of an hour. The French, having settled in the Isle of Sainte-Christophe, planted their sort of trees, of which at present there possibly may be greater quantities with a timber, with a timber, whereof they make long boats and hoist, which they sent then westward, well manned and victualed to discover other islands. These setting sail from Sainte-Christophe came within sight of Hispaniola, where they arrived with abundance of joy. Having landed, they marched into the country, where they found large quantities of cattle, such as cows, bulls, horses, and wild boars. But finding no great profit in these animals, unless they could enclose them, and knowing likewise the island to be pretty well peopled by the Spaniards, they thought it convenient to enter upon and cease the island of Tortuga. This they performed without any difficulty, there being upon the island no more than ten or twelve Spaniards to guard it. These few men let the French come in peaceably and possess the island for six months without any trouble. Meanwhile, they passed and repossed with their canoes to Hispaniola from whence they transported many people, and at last began to plant the whole island of Tortuga. The few Spaniards remaining there, perceiving the French to increase their number daily, began at last to repine at their prosperity and grudge them the possession. Hence they gave notice to others of their nation, their neighbors, who sent several boats well armed and manned to dispossess the French. This expedition succeeded according to their desires, for the new possessors seeing the great number of Spaniards fled with all they had to the woods, and hence by night they wafted over with canoes to the island of Hispaniola. This they the more easily performed having no women or children with them, nor any great substance to carry away. Here they also retired into the woods, both to seek for food and from thence with secrecy to give intelligence to others of their own faction, judging for certain that within a little while they would be in a capacity to hinder the Spaniards from fortifying in Tortuga. Meanwhile the Spaniards of the Great Island ceased not to seek after their new guests. The French with intent to route them out of the woods if possible, or cause them to perish with hunger. But this design soon failed, having found that the French were masters both of good guns, powder, and bullets. Here therefore the fugitives waited for a certain opportunity wherein they knew the Spaniards were to come from Tortuga with arms, and a great number of men to join with those of the greater island for their destruction. When this occasion offered they in the meanwhile discerting the woods where they were returned to Tortuga and dispossessed the small number of Spaniards that remained at home. Having so done, they fortified themselves the best they could, thereby to prevent the return of the Spaniards in case they should attempt it. Moreover, they sent immediately to the Governor of Saint Christopher's, craving his aid and relief, and demanding of him a Governor, the better to be united among themselves, and strengthen on all occasions. The Governor of Saint Christopher's received their petition with much satisfaction, and without delay sent Monsieur le Passeur to them in quality of a Governor, together with a ship full of men, and all necessaries for their establishment and defence. No sooner had they received this recruit, but the Governor commanded a fortress to be built upon the top of a high rock, from whence he could hinder the entrance of any ships or other vessels to the port. To this fort no other excess could be had, then by almost climbing through a very narrow passage that was capable only of receiving two persons at once, and those not without difficulty. In the middle of this rock was a great cavity, which now serves as a storehouse, besides here was great convenience for racing a battery. The fort being finished, the Governor commanded two guns to be mounted, which could not be done without great toil and labour, as also a house to be built within the fort. And afterwards the narrow way that led to the said fort to be broken and demolished, leaving no other ascent there too, then by a ladder. Within the fort gushes out a plentiful fountain of pure fresh water, sufficient to refresh a garrison of a thousand men. Being possessed of these conveniences and the security these things might promise, the French began to peeple the island, and each of them to seek their living, some by hunting others by planting tobacco, and others by cruising and robbing upon the coasts of the Spanish islands, which trade is continued by them to this day. The Spanish notwithstanding could not behold, but with jealous eyes, the daily increase of the French in Tortuga, fearing, less in time, they might be by them dispossessed also of Hispaniola. Thus taking an opportunity, when many of the French were abroad at sea, and others employed in hunting. With eight hundred men in several canoes, they landed again in Tortuga, almost without being perceived by the French, but finding that the governor had cut down many trees for the better discovery of any enemy in case of an assault, as also that nothing of consequence could be done without great guns. They consulted about the fittest place for raising a battery. This place was soon concluded to be the top of a mountain, which was in sight, seeing that from thence alone they could level their guns at the fort, which now lay open to them since the cutting down of the trees by the new processors. Hence they resolved to open away for the carriage of some pieces of ordinance to the top. This mountain is somewhat high, and the upper part there of plain, from whence the whole island may be viewed. The sides thereof are very rugged, by reason a great number of inaccessible rocks do surround it. So that the ascent was very difficult, and would always have been the same, had not the Spaniards undergone the immense labour and toil of making the way before mentioned, as I shall now relate. The Spaniards had with them many slaves and Indians, labouring men whom they call Mataris or in English half jello men. These they ordered with iron tools to dig away through the rocks. This they performed with the greatest speed imaginable, and through this way, by the help of many ropes and pulleys, they at last made shift to get up two pieces of ordinance, wherewith they made a battery next day to play on the fort. Meanwhile, the French, knowing these designs, prepared for a defence, while the Spaniards were busy about the battery, sending notice everywhere to their companions for help. Thus the hunters of the island all joined together, and with them all the pirates who were not already too far from home. These landed by night at Tortuga, lest they should be seen by the Spaniards, and under the same obscurity of the night, they all together, by a back way, climbed the mountain where the Spaniards were posted, which they did the more easily, being acquainted with these rocks. They came up at the very instant that the Spaniards, who were above, were preparing to shoot at the fort, not knowing in the least of their coming. Here they set upon them at their backs, with such fury as forged the greatest part to precipitate themselves from the top to the bottom, and dash their bodies in pieces. Few or none escaped, for if any remained alive, they were put to the sword. Some Spaniards did still keep the bottom of the mountain, but these, hearing the shrieks and cries of them that were killed, and believing some tragical revolution to be about, fled immediately towards the sea, despairing ever to regain the island of Tortuga. The governors of this island behaved themselves as proprietors and absolute lords thereof till 1664, when the West Indian Company of France to procession thereof, and sent thither for their governor, Monsieur Augaron. These planted the colony for themselves by their factors and servants, thinking to drive some considerable trade from thence with the Spaniards, even as the Hollanders do from Curacao. But this design did not answer, for with other nations they could drive no trade, by reason they could not establish any secure commerce from the beginning with their own. For as much as at the first institution of this company in France, they agreed with the pirates, hunters and planters, first processors of Tortuga, that these should buy all their necessaries from the said company upon trust. And though this agreement was put in execution, yet the factors of the company soon after found that they could not recover either monies or returns from those people, that they were constrained to bring some armed men into the island in behalf of the company to get in some of their payments. But neither this endeavor nor any other could prevail towards the settling a second trade with those of the island. Hereupon the company recalled their factors, giving them orders to sell all that was their own in the said plantation, both the servants belonging to the company, which were sold some for twenty and others for thirty pieces of eight, as also all other merchandises and proprieties. And thus all their designs fell to the ground. On this occasion I was also sold, being a servant under the said company in whose service I left France, but my fortune was very bad, for I fell into the hands of the most cruel and perfidious man that ever was born, who was then Governor or rather Lieutenant General of that island. This man treated me with all the hard usage imaginable. Yeah, with that of hunger, with which I thought I should have perished inevitably. With all he was willing to let me buy my freedom and liberty, but not under the rate of three hundred pieces of eight, I not being master of one at a time in the world. At last through the many-fold miseries I endured, as also affliction of mind I was thrown into a dangerous sickness. This misfortune added to the rest was the cause of my happiness, for my wicked master, seeing my condition, began to fear lest he should lose his monies with my life. Hereupon he sold me a second time to a certain for seventy pieces of eight. Being with this second master, I began soon to recover my health through the good usage I received, he being much more humane and civil than my first patron. He gave me both close and very good food, and after I had served him but one year he offered me my liberty, with only this condition that I should pay for the good of this condition, that I should pay him one hundred pieces of eight when I was in a capacity so to do, which kind proposal of his I could not but accept with infinite joy and gratitude. Being now at liberty, though like Adam when he was first created, that is naked and destitute of all human necessaries, not knowing how to get my living, I determined to enter into the order of the pirates, or robbers at sea. Into this society I was received with common consent, both of the superior and vulgar sort, where I continued till sixteen hundred and seventy-two. Having assisted them in all their designs and attempts, and served them in many notable exploits, of which hereafter I shall give the reader a true account, I returned to my own native country. But before I begin my relation, I shall say something of the island Hispaniola, which lies towards the western part of America, as also give my reader a brief description thereof according to my slender ability and experience. Read by Lars Rolander Section 4 of Pirates of Panama, The Buccaneers of America by A.O. Xquamilan translated by G.A. Williams This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Reading by Lars Rolander Chapter 3 A description of Hispaniola, also a relation of the French Buccaneers. The large and rich island called Hispaniola is situated from 17 degrees to 19 degrees latitude. The circumference is 300 leagues. The extent from east to west is 120. It spreads almost 50, being broader or narrower at certain places. This island was first discovered by Christopher Columbus, Anodomene 1492. He being sent for this purpose by Ferdinand, King of Spain, from which time to this present the Spaniards have been continually possessors thereof. There are upon this island very good and strong cities, towns and hamlets, as well as a great number of pleasant country houses and plantations. The effects of the care and industry of the Spaniards, its inhabitants. The chief city and metropolis hereof is Santo Domingo, being dedicated to Saint Dominic, from whom it derives its name. It is situated towards the south and affords the most excellent prospect, the country roundabout being embellished with innumerable rich plantations, as also verdant meadows and fruitful gardens, all which produce plenty and variety of excellent pleasant fruits according to the nature of those countries. The governor of the island resides in this city, which is, as it were, the storehouse of all cities, towns and villages, which hence export and provide themselves with all necessaries for human life, and yet hath it this particularity above many other cities, that it entertains no commerce with any nations but its own, the Spaniards. The greatest part of the inhabitants are rich and substantial merchants or shopkeepers. Another city of this island is Santiago, or Saint James, being consecrated to that apostle. This is an open place without walls or castle, situated in 19 degrees latitude. The inhabitants are generally hunters and planters, the adjacent territory and soil being very proper for the said exercises. The city is surrounded with large and delicious fields, as much pleasing to the view as those of Santo Domingo, and these abound with beasts both wild and tame, yielding vast numbers of skins and hides very profitable to the owners. In the south part of this island is another city, called Nuestra Señora de Alta Gracia. This territory produces great quantities of cacao, whereof the inhabitants make great store of the richest chocolate. Here grows also ginger and tobacco, and much tallow is made from the beasts which are hereabouts hunted. The inhabitants of this beautiful island of Hispaniola often resort in their canoes to the isles of Savona, not far distant, where is their chief fishery, especially of tortoises. Hither those fish constantly resort in great multitudes at certain seasons there to lay their eggs, burying them in the sands of the shore, whereby the heat of the sun, which in those parts is very ardent, they are hatched. This island of Savona has little or nothing that is worthy consideration, being so very barren by reason of its sandy soil. True, it is that here grows some small quantity of lignum sanctum or guayacum, of whose use we say something in another place. Westward of Santo Domingo is another great village called El Pueblo de Aso, or the town of Aso. The inhabitants thereof drive great traffic with those of another village in the very middle of the island, and is called San Juan de Guave, or San John of Guave. This is environed with a magnificent prospect of gardens, woods and meadows. Its territory extends about twenty leagues in length and graces a great number of wild bulls and cows. In this village squares dwell any others than hunters and butchers who flay the beasts that are killed. These are, for the most part, a mongrel sort of people, some of which are born of white European people and Negroes, and called mulattoes, others of Indians and white people, and termed mestizos. But others come of Negroes and Indians and are called Alcatracis. From the said village are exported garily vast quantities of tallow and hides, they exercising no other traffic, for as to the lands of this place, they are not cultivated by reason of the excessive dryness of the soil. These are the chiefest places that the Spaniards possess in this island, from the Cape of Lobos towards San John de Guave, until the Cape of Samana, Nye the Sea, on the north side, and from the eastern part towards the sea called Punta de Espada. All the rest of the island is possessed by the French, who are also planters and hunters. This island has very good ports for ships, from the Cape of Lobos to the Cape of Tiberon, on the west side thereof. In this space there are no less than four ports, exceeding in goodness, largeness and security, even the very best of England. Besides these, from the Cape of Tiberon to the Cape of Donna Maria, there are two very excellent ports, and from this Cape to the Cape of St. Nicholas, there are no less than twelve others. Every one of these ports has also the confluence of two or three good rivers, in which are great plenty of several sorts of fish very pleasing to the Palate. The country hereabouts is well watered with large and deep rivers and brooks, so that this part of the land may easily be cultivated without any great fear of drafts, because of these excellent streams. The sea coasts and shores are also very pleasant, to which the tortoises resort in large numbers to lay their eggs. This island was formerly very well peopled on the north side, with many towns and villages, but these being ruined by the Hollanders, were at last for the greatest part asserted by the Spaniards. The spacious fields of this island commonly are five or six leagues in length. The beauty whereof is so pleasing to the eye, that together with a great variety of their natural productions, they captivate the senses of the beholder. For here at once they not only with diversity of objects, recreate the sight, but with many of the same do also please the smell, and with most contribute delights to the taste. Also they flatter and excite the appetite, especially with the multitudes of oranges and lemons here growing, both sweet and sour, and those that participate of both tates, and are only pleasantly tartish. Besides here abundantly grows several sorts of fruit, such as are citrons, tauronias, and lemas, in English not improperly called crab lemons. Aside the fruit which this island produces, whose plenty as he said surpasses all the islands of America, it abounds also with all sorts of quadrupeds, as horses, bulls, cows, wild boars, and others, very useful to mankind, not only for food, but for cultivating the ground and the management of commerce. Here are vast numbers of wild dogs, these destroy yearly many cattle, for no sooner hath a cow called or a mare fold, but these wild mastiffs devour the jang, if they find not resistance from keepers and domestic dogs. They run up and down the woods and fields, commonly fifty, three score or more together, being with also fears that they will often assault an entire herd of wild boars, not ceasing to worry them till they have fetched down two or three. One day a French buccaneer showed me a strange action of this kind, being in the fields hunting together. We heard a great noise of dogs which has surrounded a wild boar. Having tamed dogs with us, we left them to the custody of our servants, being deserious to see the sport. Hence my companion and I climbed up to several trees, both for security and prospect. The wild boar all alone stood against a tree, defending himself with his tusks from a great number of dogs that enclosed him, killed with his teeth and wounded several of them. This bloody fight continued about an hour, the wild boar meanwhile attempting many times to escape. At last flying, one dog leaping upon his back fastened on his throat. The rest of the dogs, perceiving the courage of their companion, fastened likewise on the boar, and presently killed him. This done, all of them, the first only accepted, laid themselves down upon the ground about the prey, and there peaceably continued till he, the first and most courageous of the troop, had ate as much as he could. When this dog had left off, all the rest fell in to take their share till nothing was left. What ought we to infer from this notable action, performed by wild animals but this, that even beasts themselves are not destitute of knowledge, and that they give us documents how to honor such as have deserved well, even since these irrational animals did reverence and respect him that exposed his life to the greatest danger against the common enemy. The governor of Tortuga, Monsieur Augaron, finding that the wild dogs killed so many of the wild boars, that the hunters of that island had much ado to find any, fearing less that common substance of the island should fail, sent for a great quantity of poison from France to destroy the wild mastiffs. This was done Anodomenus 1668, by commanding horses to be killed and impoisoned, and laid open at certain places where the wild dogs used to resort. This being continued for six months, there were killed an incredible number, and yet all this could not exterminate and destroy the race, or scarce diminish them, their number appearing almost as large as before. These wild dogs are easily tamed among men, even as tame as ordinary house dogs. The hunters of those parts whenever they find a wild beach with their welfs commonly take away the puppies and bring them home, which, being grown up, they hunt much better than other dogs. But here the curious reader may perhaps inquire how so many wild dogs came here. The occasion was the Spaniers having possessed these isles, found them people with Indians and barbarous people, sensual and brutish, hating all labour, and only inclined to killing and making war against their neighbours, not out of ambition, but only because they agreed not with themselves in some common terms of language. And perceiving the dominion of the Spaniards led great restrictions upon their lazy and brutish customs. They conceded an irreconcilable hatred against them, but especially because they saw them take possession of their kingdoms and dominions. Hereupon they made against them all the resistance they could, opposing every their designs to the outmost. And the Spaniards finding themselves cruelly hated by the Indians and nowhere secure from their treacheries, resolved to extirpate and ruin them, since they could neither tame them by civility nor conquer them with a sword. But the Indians, it being their custom to make the woods their chief places of defence, at present made these their refuge, whenever they fled from the Spaniards. Hereupon those first conquerors of the New World made use of dogs to range and search the intricateists thickets of woods and forests, for those their implacable and unconquerable enemies. Thus they forced them to leave their old refuge and submit to the sword, seeing no milder usage would do it. Hereupon they killed some of them and quartering their bodies, placed them in the highways, that others might take warning from such a punishment. But this severity proved of ill consequence, for instead of fighting them and reducing them to civility, they conceived such horror of the Spaniards that they resolved to detest and fly their sight forever. Hence the greatest part died in caves and subterranean places of the woods and mountains, in which places I myself have often seen great numbers of human bones. The Spaniards, finding no more Indians to appear about the woods, turned away a great number of dogs they had in their houses, and they, finding no masters to keep them, betook themselves to the woods and fields to hunt for food to preserve their lives. Thus by degrees they became unacquainted with houses and grew wild. This is the truest account I can give of the multitudes of wild dogs in these parts. But besides these wild mastiffs, here are also great numbers of wild horses, everywhere all over the island. They are but low of stature, short bodied with great heads, long necks, and big thick legs. In a word they have nothing handsome in their shape. They run up and down commonly in troops of two or three hundred together, one going always before to lead the multitude. When they meet any person travelling through the woods or fields, they stand still, suffering him to approach till he can almost touch them, and suddenly starting they betake themselves to flight, running away as fast as they can. The hunters catch them only for their skins, though sometimes they preserve their flesh likewise, which they harden with smoke using it for provisions when they go to sea. Here would be also wild bulls and cows in great number, if by continual hunting they were not much diminished, yet considerable profit is made to this day by such as make it their business to kill them. The wild bulls are of a vast bigness of body, and yet they hurt not anyone except they be exasperated. Their hides are from eleven to thirteen feet long. It is now time to speak of the French who inhabit great part of this island. We have already told how they came first into these parts, we shall now only describe their manner of living, customs, and ordinary employments. The callings or professions they follow are generally by three, either to hunt or plant, or else to row the seas as pirates. It is a constant custom among them all to seek out a comrade or a companion, whom they may call partner in their fortunes, with whom they join the whole stock of what they possess towards a common gain. This is done by articles agreed to, and reciprocally signed. Some constitute their surviving companion absolute heir to what is left by the death of the first. Others, if they be married, leave their estates to their wives and children, others to other relations. This done everyone applies himself to his calling, which is always one of the three aforementioned. The hunters are again subdivided into two sorts, for some of these only hunt wild bulls and cows, others only wild boars. The first of these are called buccaneers, and not long ago were about six hundred on this island, but now they are reckoned about three hundred. The course has been the great decrease of wild cattle, which has been such that far from getting, they are now are but poor in their trade. When the buccaneers go into the woods to hunt for wild bulls and cows, they commonly remain there a twelve month or two years without returning home. After the hunt is over and the spoil divided, they commonly sail to Tortuga to provide themselves with guns, powder and shot and other necessaries for another expedition. The rest of their gains they spend prodigly, giving themselves to all manner of vices and debauchery, particularly to drunkenness, which they practice mostly with brandy. This they drink as liberally as the Spaniards do water. Sometimes they buy together a pipe of wine, this they stave on one end and never cease drinking till it is out. Thus, sortishly, they live till they have no money left. The said buccaneers are very cruel and tyrannical to their servants, so that commonly they had rather big galley slaves or saw brasil wood in the raspouses of Holland, than serve such barbarious masters. The second sort hunt nothing but wild boars, the flesh of these they salt and sell it so to the planters. These hunters have the same vicious customs and are as much addicted to debauchery as the former, but their manner of hunting is different from that in Europe, for these buccaneers have certain places designed for hunting, where they live for three or four months, and sometimes a whole year. Such places are called Isabelan, and in these, with only the company of five or six friends, they continue all the said time in mutual friendship. The first buccaneers many times agree with planters to furnish them with meat all the year at a certain price. The payment hereof is often made with two or three hundred weight of tobacco in the leaf, but the planters commonly into the bargain furnish them with a servant whom they send to help. To the servant they afford sufficient necessaries for the purpose, especially of powder and shot to hunt with all. The planters here have but very few slaves, for one to which themselves and their servants are constrained to do all the drudgery. These servants commonly bind themselves to their masters for three years, but their masters having no consciences often traffic with their bodies, as with horses at a fair, selling them to other masters as they sell negroes. Yeah, to advance this trade some persons go purposely into France and likewise to England and other countries to pick up young men or boys, whom they inveigle and transport, and having once got them into these islands they work them like horses. The toil imposed on them being much harder than what they enjoin the negroes, their slaves, for these they endeavor to preserve, being their perpetual bond men, but for their white servants they care not whether they live or die, seeing they are to serve them no longer than three years. These miserable kidnapped people are frequently subject to a disease which in these parts is called coma, being a total privation of their senses. This distemper is judged to proceed from their hard usage and the change of their native climate, and their being often among these some of good quality, tender education and soft constitutions, they are more easily ceased with this disease, and others of those countries than those of harder bodies and laborious lives. Beside the hard usage in their diet, apparel and rest, many times they beat them so cruelly that they fall down dead under the hands of their cruel masters. This I have often seen with great grief, of the many instances I shall only give you the following history, it being remarkable in its circumstances. A certain planter of these countries exercised such cruelty towards one of his servants as caused him to run away. Having absconded for some days in the woods, at last he was taken and brought back to the wicked farrow. No sooner had he got him, but he commanded him to be tied to a tree. There he gave him so many lashes on his naked back, as made his body run with an entire stream of blood. Then to make the smart of his wounds the greater, he anointed him with lemon juice mixed with salt and pepper. In this miserable posture he left him tied to the tree for 24 hours, which being passed he began his punishment again, lashing him as before so cruelly that the miserable wretch gave up the ghost with these dying words. I beseech the Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth, that he permits the wicked spirit to make these feel as many torments before thy death as thou hast caused me to feel before mine. A strange thing and worthy of astonishment and admiration. Scared three or four days were passed after this horrible fact, when the Almighty Judge, who had heard the cries of the tormented wretch, suffered the evil one suddenly to possess this barbarous and inhuman homicide, so that those cruel hands, which had punished to death his innocent servant, were the tormentors of his own body. For he beat himself and tore his flesh after a miserable manner, till he lost the very shape of a man, not ceasing to howl and cry without any rest by day or night. Thus he continued raving mad till he died. Many other examples of this kind I could rehearse, but these not belonging to our present discourse I omit them. The planters of the Caribbean islands are rather worse and more cruel to their servants than the former. In the Isle of St. Christopher's, whilst one named Bethesda, well known to the Dutch merchants, who has killed about a hundred of his servants with blows and stripes, the English do the same with their servants, and the mildest cruelty they exercise towards them is that, when they have served six years of their time, they being bound among the English for seven, they use them so cruelly as to force them to beg of their masters to sell them to others, though it be to begin another servitude of seven years, or at least three or four. And I have known many who have thus served 15 or 20 years before they could obtain their freedom. Another law very rigorous in that nation is if any man owes another about 25 shillings English, if he cannot pay it, he is liable to be sold for six or eight months. Not to trouble the reader any longer with relations of this kind, I shall now describe the famous actions and exploits of the greatest pires of my time, during my residence in those parts. These I shall relate without the least passion or partiality, and assure my reader that I shall give him no stories upon trust or hearsay, but only those enterprises to which I was myself an eyewitness. END OF CHAPTER III I have told you in the preceding chapters how I was compelled to adventure my life among the pirates of America, which sort of men I name so because they are not authorized by any sovereign prince, for the kings of Spain having on several occasions sent their ambassadors to the kings of England and France, to complain of the molestations and troubles those pirates often caused on the coast of America, even in the calm of peace. It hath always been answered that such men did not commit those acts of hostility and piracy as subjects to their majesties, and therefore his Catholic majesty might proceed against them as he should think fit. The king of France added that he had no fortress nor castle upon his Spaniola, neither did he receive a farthing of tribute from thence. And the king of England adjoined that he had never given any commissioners to those of Jamaica to commit hostilities against the subjects of his Catholic majesty. Nor did he only give this bare answer, but out of his royal desire to pleasure the court of Spain, recalled the governor of Jamaica, placing another in his room, all which could not prevent these pirates from acting as here to fore. But before I relate their bold actions I shall say something of their rise and exercises, as also of the chieftice of them and their manner of arming themselves before they put to sea. The first pirate that was known upon Tortuga was Pierre Legrand, or Peter the Great. He was born at Dieppe in Normandy. That action which rendered him famous was his taking the vice admiral of the Spanish Flota near the Cape of Tiberon on the west side of his Spaniola. This he performed with only one boat and twenty-eight men. Now till that time the Spaniards had passed and repassed with all security through the Channel of Bahama, so that Pierre Legrand, setting out to sea by the Caicos, he took this great ship with all ease imaginable. The Spaniards they found aboard they set ashore and sent the vessel to France. The manner how this undaunted spirit attempted and took this large ship I shall give you, out of the Journal of the Author in his own words. The boat, says he, wherein Pierre Legrand was with his companions, had been at sea a long time without finding any prize worth his taking, and their provisions beginning to fail they were in danger of starving. Being almost reduced to despair they spied a great ship of the Spanish Flota, separated from the rest. This vessel they resolved to take or die in the attempt. Hereupon they sailed towards her to view her strength. And though they judged the vessel to be superior to theirs, yet their covetousness and the extremity they were reduced to made them venture. Being so near that they could not possibly escape, they made an oath to their captain, Pierre Legrand, to stand by him to the last. To his true the pirates did believe they should find the ship unprovided to fight, and thereby the sooner master her. It was in the dusk of the evening they began to attack, but before they engaged they ordered the surgeon of the boat to bore a hole in the sides of it, that their own vessels sinking under them they might be compelled to attack more vigorously and endeavor more hastily to board the ship. This was done accordingly, and without any other arms than a pistol in one hand and a sword in the other they immediately climbed up the sides of the ship, and ran altogether into the great cabin, where they found the captain with several of his companions playing at cards. Here they set a pistol to his breast, commanding him to deliver up the ship. The Spaniards, surprised to see the pirates on board their ship, cried, Jesus bless us, are these devils, or what are they? Meanwhile some of them took possession of the gun-room and seized the arms, killing as many as made any opposition, whereupon the Spaniards presently surrendered. That very day the captain of the ship had been told by some of the seamen that the boat which was in view cruising was a boat of pirates, whom the captain slightly answered, What then? Must I be afraid of such a pitiful thing as that is? No, though she were a ship as big and strong as mine is. As soon as Pierre Legrand had taken this rich prize he detained in his service as many of the common seamen as he had need of, setting the rest of shore, and then set sail for France, where he continued without ever returning to America again. The planters and hunters of Tortuga had no sooner heard of the rich prize those pirates had taken, but they resolved to follow their example. Hereupon many of them left their employments and endeavored to get some small boats, wherein to exercise piracy, but not being able to purchase or build them at Tortuga, they resolved to set forth in their canoes and seek them elsewhere. With these they cruised at first upon Cape d'Alvarez, where the Spaniards used to trade from one city to another in small vessels, in which they carry hides, tobacco, and other commodities, to the Havana, and to which the Spaniards from Europe do frequently resort. Here it was that those pirates at first took a great many boats laden with the aforesaid commodities. These they used to carry to Tortuga and sell the whole purchase to the ships that waited for their return or accidentally happened to be there. With the gains of these prizes they provided themselves with necessaries, wherein to undertake other voyages, some of which were made to Campeche and others toward New Spain, in both of which the Spaniards then drove a great trade. Upon those coasts they found great numbers of trading vessels, and often ships of great burden. Two of the biggest of these vessels, and two great ships which the Spaniards had laden with plate in the port of Campeche to go to the Caracas, they took in less than a month's time and carried to Tortuga, where the people of the whole island encouraged by their success, especially seeing in two years the riches of the country so much increased, they augmented the number of pirates so fast that in a little time there were, in that small island in port, above twenty ships of this sort of people. Hereupon the Spaniards, not able to bear their robberies any longer, equipped two large men of war, both for the defense of their own coasts and to cruise upon the enemies. End of Chapter 4 vessels and regulate their voyages Before the pirates go to sea they give notice to all concerned of the day on which they are to embark, obliging each man to bring so many pounds of powder and ball as they think necessary. Being all come aboard they consider where to get provisions, especially flesh, seeing they scarce eat anything else, and of this the most common sort is pork. The next food is tortoises, which they salt a little. Sometimes they rob such or such hog yards, where the Spaniards often have a thousand head of swine together. They come to these places in the night, and having beset the keepers lodge they force them to rise, and give them as many heads as they desire, threatening to kill him if he refuses, or make any noise. And these menaces are often times executed on the miserable swine keepers, or any other person that endeavors to hinder their robberies. Having got flesh sufficient for their voyage, they return to their ship. Here they allow, twice a day, every one as much as he can eat, without weight or measure, nor does the steward of the vessel give any more flesh or anything else to the captain than to the meanest mariner. The ship being well-victualed, they deliberate whether they shall go to seek their desperate fortunes, and likewise agree upon certain articles which are put in writing which everyone is bound to observe, and all of them, or the chiefest part, do set their hands to it. Here they set down distinctly what sums of money each particular person ought to have for that voyage, the fund of all the payments being what is gotten by the whole expedition. For otherwise it is the same law among these people as with other pirates, no prey, no pay. First, therefore, they mention how much the captain is to have for his ship. Next, the salary of the carpenter or shipwright, who careened, mended and rigged the vessel, this commonly amounts to one hundred or one hundred and fifty pieces of eight, according to the agreement. Afterwards, for provisions and victualing, they draw out of the same common stock about two hundred pieces of eight, also a salary for the surgeon and his chest of medicaments, which usually is rated at two hundred or two hundred and fifty pieces of eight. Lastly, they agree what rate each one ought to have that is either wounded or maimed in his body, suffering the loss of any limb, as for the loss of a right arm, six hundred pieces of eight or six slaves, for the left arm five hundred pieces of eight or five slaves, for a right leg five hundred pieces of eight or five slaves, for the left leg four hundred pieces of eight or four slaves, for an eye one hundred pieces of eight or one slave, for a finger the same as for an eye. All which sums are taken out of the common stock of what is gotten by their piracy, and a very exact and equal dividend is made of the remainder. They have also regarded qualities and places, thus the captain or chief, is allotted five or six portions to what the ordinary seamen have, the master's mate only two, and other officers proportionately to their employ, after which they draw equal parts from the highest to the lowest mariner, the boys not being omitted, who draw half a share, because when they take a better vessel than their own it is in the boy's duty to fire their former vessel and then retire to the prize. They observe among themselves very good orders, for in the prizes which they take it is severely prohibited to everyone to take anything to themselves, hence all they take is equally divided as hath been said before, yea, they take a solemn oath to each other not to conceal the least thing they find among the prizes, and if anyone is found false to the set oath, he is immediately turned out of the society. They are very civil and charitable to each other, so that if anyone wants what another has, with great willingness they give it to one another. As soon as these pirates have taken a prize, they immediately set ashore the prisoners, detaining only some view for their own help and service, whom also they release after two or three years. They refresh themselves at one island or another, but especially at those on the south of Cuba, here they careen their vessels while some hunt and others cruise in canoes for prizes. The inhabitants of New Spain and Campeche laid their best merchandise in ships of great bulk. The vessels from Campeche sell in the winter to Caracas, Trinity Isles, and that of Magrita, and return back again in the summer. The pirates knowing these seasons being very diligent in their inquiries always cruise between the places above mentioned, but in case they light on no considerable booty, they commonly undertake some more hazardous enterprises, one remarkable instance of which I shall here give you. A certain pirate, called Pierre François, or Peter Francis, waiting a long time at sea with his boat in twenty-six men for the ships that were to return from Magrabo to Campeche, and not being able to find any prey, at last he resolved to direct his course Torranceres near the River de la Plata, in twelve degrees and a half north latitude. Here lies a rich bank of pearl, to the fishery whereof they yearly sent from Cartagena twelve vessels with a manivore for their defense. Every vessel has at least two negros in it, who are very dexterous in diving to the depth of six fathoms, where they find good store of pearls. On this fleet they called the Pearl Fleet, Pierre François, resolved to venture, rather than go home empty, they then read at anchor at the mouth of River de la Hacha, the manivore scarce half a league distant from the small ships, and the wind very calm. Being spied them in this posture he presently pulled down his sails and rode along the coast feigning to be a Spanish special coming from Magrabo, but no sooner was he come to the Pearl Bank when suddenly he assaulted the vice admiral of eight guns and sixty men commanding them to surrender. The Spaniards made a good defense for some time, but at last they were forced to submit. Having thus taken the vice admiral he resolved to attempt the manivore, with which addition he hoped to master the rest of the fleet. To this end he presently sunk his own boat, putting forth the Spanish colors, and wade anchor with a little wind which then began to stir, having with threats and promises compelled most of the Spaniards to assist him. But so soon as the manivore perceived one of his fleet to sail, he did so too, fearing less the manor is designed to run away with the riches they had on board. The pirate on this immediately gave over the enterprise, thinking themselves unable to encounter force to force. Hereupon they endeavored to get out of the river and gain the open seas, by making as much sail as they could, which the manivore perceiving he presently gave him chase. But the pirates having laid on too much sail, and a gust of wind suddenly rising, their main mass was brought by the board which disabled them from escaping. This unhappy event much encouraged those in the manivore, they gaining upon the pirates every moment, and at last overtook them. The finding they had twenty-two sound men, the rest being either killed or wounded, resolved to defend themselves as long as possible. This they performed very courageously for some time, till they were forced by the manivore on condition that they should not be used as slaves to carry stones or be employed in other labors for three or four years, as they served their negroes, but that they should be set safe ashore on free land. On these articles they yielded with all they had taken, which was worth in pearls alone, above a hundred thousand pieces of eight, besides the vessel, provisions, goods, etc. All of which would have made this a greater prize than he could have desired, which he had certainly carried off, if his main mass had not been lost, as we said before. Another bold attempt like this, no less remarkable, I shall also give you. A certain pirate of Portugal, thence called Bartholomew Portugies, was cruising in a boat of thirty men and four small guns from Jamaica upon the Cape de Corriente in Cuba, where he met a great ship from Maracabo and Cartagena, bound for the Havana, well provided with twenty great guns and seventy men, passengers and mariners. This ship he presently assaulted, which they on board as resolutely defended. The pirate escaping the first encounter resolved to attack her more vigorously than before, seeing he had yet suffered no great damage. Thus he performed with so much resolution that at last, after a long and dangerous fight, he became master of it. The Portugies lost only ten men and had four wounded, so that he had still remaining twenty fighting men, whereas the Spaniards had doubled the number. Having possessed themselves of the ship, the wind being contrary to return to Jamaica, they resolved to steer to Cape St. Anthony, which lies west of Cuba, there to repair and take in fresh water, of which they were then in great want. Being very near the Cape, above said, they unexpectedly met with three great ships coming from New Spain and bound for the Havana. By these not being able to escape, they were easily retaken, both ship and pirates, and all main prisoners and stripped of all the riches they had taken out just before. The cargo consisted in a hundred and twenty thousand weight of coconuts, the chief ingredient of chocolate, and seventy thousand pieces of eight. Two days after this most fortune there arose a great storm which separated the ships from one another. The great vessel where the pirates were arrived at Campeche, where many considerable merchants came and saluted the captain. These presently knew the Portuguese pirate being infamous for the many insolency robberies and murders he had committed on their coasts, which they kept fresh in their memory. The next day after their arrival, the magistrates of the city sent to demand the prisoners from on board the ship in order to punish them according to their deserts, but fearing a captain of the pirates should make his escape, as he had formally done, being their presenter once before, they judged it safer to leave him guarded on shipboard for the present, while they erected a gibbet to hang him on the next day without any other process than to lead him from the ship to his punishment, the rumor of which was presently brought to Bartholomew Portuguese, whereby he sought all possible means to escape that night, with this design he took two earthen jars wherein the Spaniards carry wine from Spain to the West Indies, and stopped them very well, intending to use them for swimming, as those unskilled in that art do corks or empty bladders. Having made this necessary preparation, he waited when all should be asleep, but not being able to escape his sentinel's vigilance. He stabbed him with a knife he had secretly purchased, and then threw himself into the sea with the earthen jars before mentioned, by the help of which, though he never learned to swim, he reached the shore and immediately took to the woods where he hid himself for three days, not daring to appear eating no other food than wild herbs. Those of the city next day made diligent search for him in the woods, where they concluded him to be. This strict inquiry Portuguese saw from the hollow of a tree wherein he lay hid, and upon their return he made the best of his way to Del Golfo Triste, forty leagues from Compete, where he arrived within a fortnight after his escape, during which time, as also afterwards, he endured extreme hunger and thirst, having no other provision with him than a small calabaca with a little water, besides the fears of falling again into the hands of the Spaniards. He ate nothing but a few shellfish, which he found among the rocks near the seashore, and being obliged to pass some rivers not knowing well how to swim. He found that last an old board which the waves had driven ashore, were in where a few great nails, these he took, and with no small labour wetted on a stone, till he made them like knives, they're not so well. With these and nothing else he cut down some branches of trees, with which twigs and oysters he joined together, and made as well as he could a boat to waft him over the rivers, thus arriving at the Cape of Golfo Triste, as was said, he found a vessel of pirates, comrades of his own, lately come from Jamaica. To these he related all his adversities and misfortunes, and with all desire they would fit him with a boat and twenty men, with which company alone he promised to return to Campete and assault the ship that was in the river, by which he had been taken fourteen days before. They presently granted his request, and equipped him a boat accordingly. With this small company he set out to execute his design, which he bravely performed eight days after he left Golfo Triste. For being arrived at Campete, with an undaunted courage, and without any noise, he assaulted the said ship, those on board thought it was a boat from land that came to bring contraband goods, and so were no posture or defense, which opportunity the pirates a laying hold of assaulted them so resolutely that in a little time they compelled the Spaniards to surrender. Being masters of the ship they immediately weighed anchor and set sail from the port, lest they should be pursued by other vessels. This they did, with utmost joy, seeing themselves possessors of so brave ship, especially Portuguese, who by a second turn of fortune was become rich and powerful again, who was so lately in that same vessel a prisoner condemned to be hanged. With this purchase he designed greater things, which he might have done since they remained in the vessel so great a quantity of rich merchandise that the plate had been sent to the city. But while he was making his voyage to Jamaica, near the Isle of Pinos, on the south of Cuba, a terrible storm arose, which drove against the hardeens' rocks, where she was lost, but Portuguese, with his companions, escaped in a canoe, and when she arrived at Jamaica, where it was not long air he went on new adventures, but was never fortunate after. End of Chapter 5 Part 1 Recording by Acacia Wood Lastly they agree what rate each one ought to have that is either wounded or maimed in his body. Section 7 of Pirates of Panama, the Buccaneers of America, by A. O. X. Webmellan, translated by G. A. Williams. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Acacia Wood. Chapter 5 Part 2 Nor less considerable are the actions of a nether pirate who now lives at Jamaica, who on several occasions has performed very surprising things. He was born at Groningen in the United Provinces. His own name not being known, his companions gave him that of Roche Brasiliano, by reason of his long residence in Brazil. Hence he was forced to fly when the Portuguese retook those countries from the Dutch, several nations then inhabiting at Brazil, as English, French, Dutch, and others being constrained to seek new fortunes. This person fled to Jamaica, where being at a stand how to get his living, he entered himself into the Society of Pirates, where he served as a pirate-mariner for some time, and behaved himself so well that he was beloved and respected by all. One day some of the mariners quarreled with their captain to that degree that they left the boat. Brasiliano following them was chosen their leader, who having fitted out a small vessel, they made him captain. Within a few days after he took a great ship coming from New Spain, which had a great quantity of plate on board, and carried it to Jamaica. This action got him a great reputation at home, and though in his private affairs he governed himself very well, he would often times appear brutish and foolish when in drink, running up and down the streets beating and wounding those he met, no person daring to make any resistance. To the Spaniards he was always very barbarous and cruel, out of an inveterate hatred against that nation. Of these he commanded several to be roasted alive on wooden spits, for not showing him hogyards where he might steal swine. After many of these cruelties as he was cruising on the coast of Campeche, a dismal tempest surprised him so violently that his ship was wrecked upon the coasts, the mariners only escaping with their muskets and some few bullets and powder which were the only things they could save. The ship was lost between Campeche and the Golfo Triste. Here they got ashore in a canoe, and marching along the coast with all the speed they could, they directed their course towards Golfo Triste, the common refuge of the pirates. Being upon his journey in all very hungry and thirsty, as as usual in desert places, they were pursued by a troop of a hundred Spaniards. Brasiliano, perceiving their imminent danger, encouraged his companions, telling them they were better soldiers and ought rather to die under their arms fighting as it became men of courage than surrender to the Spaniards who would take away their lives with utmost torments. The pirates were about thirty, yet seeing their brave commander oppose the enemy with such courage resolved to do the like. Hereupon they faced a troop of Spaniards and discharged their muskets on them so dexterously that they killed one horseman almost with every shot. The fight continued for an hour till at last the Spaniards were put to flight. They stripped the dead and took from them what was most for their use. Such as were also not quite dead they dispatched with the ends of their muskets. Having vanquished the enemy they mounted on horses they found in the field and continued their journey, Brasiliano having lost but two of his companions in this bloody fight and had two wounded. Prosecuting their way before they came to the port they spied a boat at anchor from Campete, well manned, protecting a few canoes that were lading wood. Hereupon they sent six of their men to watch them who next morning by a while possessed themselves of the canoes. Having given notice to their companions they boarded them and also took the little man of war their convoy. Being thus masters of this fleet they wanted only provisions of which they found little aboard those vessels but this defect was supplied by the horses which they killed and salted with salt which by good fortune the woodcutters had brought with them with which they supported themselves till they could get better. They took also another ship going from New Spain to Madicabo laden with diverse sorts of merchandise and pieces of eight designed to buy coconuts for their lading home. All these they carried to Jamaica where they safely arrived and according to custom wasted all in a few days in taverns giving themselves to all manner of debauchery. Such of these pirates will spend two or three thousand pieces of eight in a night not leaving themselves a good shirt to wear in the morning. My own master would buy sometimes a pipe of wine and placing it in the street would force those that passed by to drink with him threatening also to pistol them if they would not. He would do the like with barrels of beer or ale and very often he would throw these liquors about the streets and wet people's clothes without regarding whether he spoiled their apparel. Among themselves these pirates were very liberal if anyone has lost all which often happens in their manner of life they freely give of him what they have. In taverns and ale houses they have great credit but at Jamaica they ought not to run very deep in debt seeing the inhabitants there easily sell one another for debt. This happened to my patron to be sold for a debt of a tavern wherein he had spent the greatest part of his money. This man had within three months before three thousand pieces of eight in ready cash all which he wasted in that little time and became as poor as I have told you. But to return to Brasiliano after having spent all was forced to go to sea again to seek his fortune. He set forth towards the coast of Campeche his common rendezvous. Fifteen days after his arrival he put himself into a canoe to aspire the port of that city and see if he could rob any Spanish vessel. But his fortune was so bad that both he and all his men were taken and carried before the governor who immediately cast them into a dungeon intending to hang them every one and doubtless he had done so but for a stratagem of Brasiliano which saved their lives. He wrote a letter to the governor in the names of other pirates that were abroad at sea telling them he should have a care how he used those persons here in custody for if he hurt them in the least they swore they would never give quarter to any Spaniard that should fall into their hands. These pirates having been often at Campeche and other places of the West Indies and the Spanish Dominions the governor feared what mischief their companions abroad might do if he should punish them. Hereupon he released them exacting only an oath on them that they would leave their exercise of piracy forever and withle he sent them as common mariners and the galleons to Spain. They got in this voyage altogether five hundred pieces of eight so that they tarried not long there after their arrival. Providing themselves with necessaries they returned to Jamaica from whence they set forth again to sea committing greater robberies and cruelties than before that especially abusing the poor Spaniards who fell into their hands with all sorts of cruelty. The Spaniards finding they could gain nothing on these people nor diminish their number daily resolved to lessen the number of their trading ships but neither was this of any service for the pirates finding few ships at sea began to gather into companies and to land on their dominions ruining cities, towns, and villages pillaging, burning, and carrying away as much as they could. The first pirate who began these invasions by land was Louis Scott who sacked the city of Campeche which he almost ruined robbing and destroying all he could and after he had put it into an excessive ransom he left it. After Scott came another named Mansfeldt who invaded Granada and penetrated even to the South Sea till it last for one of provision he was forced to go back. He assaulted the Isle of St. Catherine which he took with a few prisoners. These directed him to Cartagena, a principal city in Nuevo Granada, but the bold attempts and actions of John Davis born in Jamaica ought not to be forgotten being some of the most remarkable, especially his rare prudence and baller showed in the aforementioned Kingdom of Granada. This pirate having long cruised in the Gulf of Paccatora on the ship expected to Cartagena, bound for Nicaragua, and not meeting any of them resolved at last to land in Nicaragua leaving his ship hit on the coast. This design he soon executed for taking eighty men out of ninety which he had in all and the rest he left to keep the ship he divided them equally into three canoes. His intent was to rob the churches and rifle the houses of the chief citizens of Nicaragua. Thus in the dark night they entered the river leading to that city rowing in their canoes. By day they hid themselves on boats under the branches of trees on the banks which grew very thick along the river sides in those countries and along the sea coast. Being arrived at the city the third night the Centenal who kept the post of the river thought them to be fishermen that had been fishing in the lake and most of the pirates understanding Spanish he doubted not as soon as he heard them speak. They had in their company an Indian who had run away from his master who would have enslaved him unjustly. He went first ashore and instantly killed the Centenal. This done they entered the city and went directly to three or four houses of the chief citizens where they knocked softly. These believing them to be friends opened the doors and the pirates suddenly possessing themselves of the houses stole all the money and plate they could find nor did they spare the churches and most sacred things all of which were pillaged and profaned without any respect or veneration. Meanwhile great cries and lamentations were heard of some who had escaped them so that the whole city was in an uproar and all the citizens rallied in order to a defense which the pirates perceiving they instantly fled carrying away their booty and some prisoners. These they led away that if any of them should be taken by the Spaniards they might use them for ransom. Thus they got to their ship and with all speed put to see forcing the prisoners before they let them go to procure them as much flesh as was necessary for their voyage to Jamaica. But no sooner had they weighed anchor or they saw a troop of about five hundred Spaniards all well armed at the seaside against these they let's supply several guns wherewith they forced them to quit the sands and retire with no small regret to see these pirates carry away so much plate of their churches and houses they're distant at least forty leagues from the sea. These pirates got on this occasion about four thousand pieces of eight in money besides much plate and many jewels in all to the value of fifty thousand pieces of eight or more. With all this they arrived to Jamaica soon after. But this sort of people being never long masters of their money they were soon constrained to seek more by the same means and Captain John Davis presently after his return was chosen admiral of seven or eight vessels he being now esteemed an able conductor for such enterprises. He began his new command by directing his fleet to the north of Cuba there to wait for the fleet from New Spain but missing his design they determined for Florida. Being arrived there they landed their men and sacked a small city named St. Augustine of Florida. The castle had a garrison of two hundred men but could not prevent the pillage of the city they affecting it without the least damage from the soldiers or townsmen. End of chapter five part two recording by Acacia Wood.