 section 12 of great pirate stories 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 Patrick McAfee great pirate stories by various edited by Joseph Louis French section 12 narrative of the capture of the ship Derby 1735 Captain Anselm I fell in with the land of Madagascar the latitude of about 24 degrees 13 minutes north and sometime before I had made it I met with nothing but light airs of winds and calms and continued so long my people dropping down with the scurvy I took a small still that I had and distilled saltwater into fresh I allowed them as much peace and flour as they could eat that they might not eat any salt provision though I boiled it in fresh water I had been very liberal with my fresh provision in my passage to my people and the passage so long that I had hardly any left and that only a few fouls and myself and officers too had been much out of order at last being got to the northward of Augustin Bay seeing my poor people fall down so very fast it gave me very great concern for them but still was willing in hopes of change of wind for Johanna but the small airs trifled with me and what there were northerly a current settling to the southward that what to do I could not well tell to go into Augustin Bay I was very unwilling I had two boats came off to me the people talking tolerable good English at last my doctor sharp told me there were above 30 people down with the scurvy and all the rest even some of the petty officers were touched with the same if I did not soon put into port I plainly found I should have been in a bad condition for men I consulted with my officers to go into Augustin Bay and we agreed and bore away for it soon after the wind came southerly and I bore away for Johanna a fine passage I had and anchored the next day about four in the afternoon being September 13th I thank God I brought all my people in alive and that in as much as I can say of a good many of them I had a tent made ashore for them and supplied them all that ever I could and the doctors assisting with everything in their way for their speedy recovery after I had been here a fortnight the winds in the daytime set in very fresh from the north northwest to the north northeast finding the people recover so very slowly what to do I could not tell to go out with my people as bad as when they came in I was not willing but resolved to have patience one week more I consulted with mr. Rogers my chief mate and told him that we must consider the condition of the people and how we met the winds and currents before we came in the people of the island told me that this was about the time of year for the northerly winds and southerly currents and I told them I thought it better to trim all our casks and fill what water we could fearing of a long passage if our stay was a little longer mr. Rogers was of my opinion this I must say I found the cask not so well used in the hold as they ought to have been which caused the coopers more work neither did I make a little noise about it because I had more words with my chief and second mate about my third and fourth mate than anything else having all my water aboard about 80 ton 25 head of oxen etc. I sailed the 13th of October with several of my men not recovered some I buried at Johanna and some after to the number of 10 or thereabouts having a fine gale I made all the sale I could except studying sales which I thought needless the wind veered to the north word and I was resolved to make the Malabar course as soon as possible for the advantage of the land and sea winds I had one passenger aboard a sad troublesome wicked fellow whose behavior was so bad that I could hardly forbear using him ill I forbid my officers keeping company with him but Mr. B would do it at all events I turned him once off the quarter deck for being with him there yet that did not avail I came out one night about half an hour past 10 my second mates watch and this bees turn to sleep and seeing a light in his cabin I sent Mr. Cutten the second mate to him to know how he would be able to sit up one watch and keep his own upon this bee came up halfway the steerage ladder with his pipe in his hand and talk to me very pertly and that was not the first time this put me into a passion to be so talked to by a boy that I did dismiss him for two or three days and then restated him which was more than he deserved for keeping company with him for whom the worst of names is good enough and those who recommended him his commission be was told of this by Mr. Rogers by my orders and I told him of it on the quarter deck and told him at the same time I was resolved to tell the gentleman at home of him and asked him what he imagined they would think of him for keeping such swearing drunken company this was before I dismissed him before I came in with the land hearing much talk of Angria by Captain Scarlett and Mr. Rodgers and of his great force for I had very little notion of him before I took care to put the ship in a proper posture of defense powder chests on the quarter deck poop and folksal a punch in filled with water in the main top a hog's head in the foretop and a barrel in the mizzen top all filled with water chests with good coverings in the tops for granado shells all the small arms with 50 new ones in readiness my ship being too deep to get the gun rooms ports open as the gunner informed me the ship sending and the seawashing above the tops of the ports I got those guns into the into the great cabin quarter bills over the guns the rewards and close quarters etc at the mizzen mast shot lockers and shot in their proper station plugs for shot holes and everything that I could think of and gave particular orders to my gunner carpenter and boats and to have everything in their way in readiness the two lower yards flung with the top chains not being easy in my mind about these gun room stern ports I sent Mr. Rodgers it being smooth water to open one of the gun room stern ports to see if we could on occasion get guns out there but he brought me word it could not be done with safety the ship being so deep a few days before I made the land the winds used to veer and haul that offing in an hour I could hardly up from east north east to southeast but the winds chiefly kept to the northward I was very desirous to make the land not knowing how far the southwest currents might set me to the westward at noon being December 12th I made the land of Goa in the latitude of 15 degrees north my chief mate wanted me to go into Goa but I was resolved not but to make the best of my way for Bombay the next morning having a fine six-knot gale about nine o'clock Mr. Rodgers told me he saw Garia and desired me to haul further offshore and said if angria and his grabs should see us in his river he would send them out after us I asked him if his grabs came out of sight of land he told me they were afraid to do that fearing the Bombay vessels should get between them and the shore and keep them out of their ports to prevent running into danger I kept out of sight of land I thought it better to do so since it would make but a few days difference in getting at Bombay making no doubt I should get there the last of the month as doubtless we should if we had not met with our sad misfortune when it was too late I was acquainted by those taken in the Severn that mr. Rodgers informed me wrong for angria sometimes keeps the shore aboard and sometimes goes directly out to see 60 leagues off it was too late to reflect neither could I blame myself knowing I had done everything to the best of my judgment but had I been better informed it is my opinion we might have escaped those cursed dogs by keeping in shore and taken the advantage of the land and sea winds I have since repented that we did not go into Goa but God knows whether a man goes too fast or too slow for I had certainly a very suitable cargo for that place but my earnest desired desire was to get to Bombay the season of the year being far advanced December 26 being my second mate's morning watch about five o'clock he came to me and told me he saw nine sale of Galevats I got up and found them to be five top mast vessels and four Galevats not above two miles from us I ordered all hands to be called and down with the cabins in the steerage which was done in an instant and everybody to their respective quarters they came up with us a pace having but light airs of winds and found them to be angry as fleet I had the transom in the great cabin and the balcony in the round house cut away for traversing the stern chase guns they came up with me very boldly within pistol shot before six they began firing upon us throwing their shot in at our stern raking us a foreign aft I ordered everything to be got ready for going about to give them my broadside when my chief mate Mr. Rogers and my third mate Mr. Burrows came to me and begged that I would not put about for if I did they would certainly board us as to my part being a stranger to this coast and Angria knowing my chief mate had been off in this way and my third mate had sailed in the galleys I was over propelled upon not to tack about as the enemy kept under my stern playing their shot in very hot upon us and destroying my rigging so fast I soon after endeavored to wear the ship upon the enemy but the wind dying away to a calm she would not regard her helm but lay like a log in the water by eight o'clock most of my rigging was destroyed and the longboat taking fire a stern was forced to cut her away the y'all being stove by their shot we launched her overboard by nine the top chain that flung the main yard was shot away with gear and gear blocks the main yard came next down with the sails almost torn to pieces with the shot as fast as our people knotted and spliced the rigging it was shot away in their hands the water tubs in the tops were shot to pieces and the boat's mates leg shot off in the main top one of the four masterman's leg was shot off in the foretop and one wounded by ten the mizzen mast was shot by the board wanting people to cut the mast rigging etc from her side found them appear very thin upon deck and desired my younger mates to drive them out of their holes word was then brought me that my chief mate's leg was shot off but that he was in good heart and this time it was a calm and our guns of the broadside of no service not being able during the engagement to bring one gun to bear upon them they kept throwing their shots so thick in at our stern with a continual fire and we returned it as fast as we could load in fire about one my main mast was shot by the board and the fall of that stove the penace on the booms the loss of my main mast gave me a very great concern and seeing the condition of the four mast the four yard halfway down and the top sill yard them sprung in several places the head of the top gallant mast shot away rendered that mast quite useless I could not see which way it was in the power of men to save us from these dogs however I made myself as easy as could be expected and kept my thoughts to myself though the shot were like hail about my ears I thank God I escaped them neither did they give me much uneasiness as to my person the grabs perceiving their great advantage by the fall of our main mast etc though all the time before within musket shot come up boldly within call throwing in at our stern double round and partridge as fast as they could load in fire we doing the same with bolts etc we saw a great many holes in their sails soon after this they lodged two double head shot and a large stone in the four mast the shrouds of which were mostly gone I often sent captain scarlet to mr. Cudden to encourage the people and to take care to cool his guns and not fire in haste but take good aim we received two double-headed shot in the bread room which were soon plugged up and one shot under the larbored chestry but so low in the water that could not get at it and the ship proved leaky I had a pack of sad cowardly ignorant dogs as ever came into a ship as to my common sailors who were not above 12 seamen with the officers they stood by me it was all owing to my misfortune on the mouse that I was so poorly manned as to my third mate be he did not seem to stomach what he was about he was sometimes on the quarter deck not being able to use any guns but the stern chase and every shot the enemy fired he cowardly trembled with his head almost down to the deck this captain scarlet has often declared to the gentleman at bombay and before those that are now coming home I had six men killed and six their legs shot off with several others wounded by their partridge shot etc had our people kept the deck like men there must have been several more killed and wounded about three I heard a great call for shot and desired captain scarlet to go to mr. Cudden and tell him not to fire in waste we lay now just like a wreck in the sea and at our wits ends our shot being almost spent we had a whole cut in the well to try to come at the companies we continued on with double round and partridge in bolts etc with a double allowance of powder to each gun doing the utmost we could to save the ship the tiller rope was now shot away though of no service before the carpenter told me the ship made a great deal of water and had above two foot in her hold the caulker afterwards told me she had three foot I saw nothing we could do more than firing our stern chase there was a sad complaint for shot however we fired bolts I called out to the people to have good hearts and went into the roundhouse to encourage them there it was very hard we could stand no chance for a mast of theirs nor no lucky shot to disable some of them in all the number that we fired as to our small arms they were of little service they keeping their men so close the rigging of the four mast being gone and that fetching so much way I expected it to go every minute and about seven in the evening the ship falling off into the trough of the sea the four mast came by the board it was now about four o'clock when mr. Thomas Rogers my chief mate sent my steward to desire to speak with me when I went to him he spoke to me in this purpose sir says he I am informed what condition the ship is in as her masts are gone you had better not be obstinate in standing out longer it will only be the means of making more objects of murdering more men and all to no purpose but to be used worse by the enemy for it is impossible to get away therefore you had better surrender to the best of my knowledge I hardly made him any answer nor had I before he sent to me the least thoughts of surrendering which I declare before God and man though I was well convinced within myself that it was impossible to save the ship I went up to my old station the quarter deck and took several turns as usual and proceeded in the engagement I begun to consider what mr. Rogers told me in the condition of the ship and argue within myself the impossibility of doing any more for if a gale had sprung up it could be of no service and all the time from the fall of our main mast the enemy were got so near that I could hear them talk and my second mate did the same as to our masts they had gained their ends and their only business now was to fire at the hull there was no hopes of their leaving us considering the condition they had brought us to and it could not be long before we sunk for as they lay so nearest and so low in water our shot must doubt was fly over them at last I was of mr. Rogers opinion that it was only sacrificing the men to no purpose for they had so large a mark of us they could not miss us and during all the engagement as they played their shot so hot at our stern it is surprising there were not many more men killed I then sent for my second and third mate and told the mr. Rogers opinion and my own they both agreed to it and consented to the surrendering of the ship so we submitted to the enemy finding it in vain to proceed by my watch it was five o'clock my second and third mate went into the steerage to forbid firing and myself in the roundhouse in the roundhouse did the same everybody seemed to be very well satisfied as to the surrendering part and no objection was made colors we had none to strike those in the ensign staff were shot to pieces and what was left of the ensign being made fast to the main shrouds went with the mast captain scarlet went into the roundhouse and called the enemy on board and told them we had no boats they sent their dinghy aboard with four men for me and my chief officers they left two of the four aboard the derby myself and my second mate went in the dinghy aboard the grab we were gone an hour and a half good if not more then we returned in a galavat with 50 or 60 men but not a soul went aboard the derby till we returned then came aboard more galavats and more men and secured the arms etc and drove our people up some to the pumps and some to clear the rigging off the ship side they transcript to their grabs what treasure could be got at and the next day turned out the remainder with myself scarlet cut in the two ladies and my servants into one of the grabs end of 12 narrative of the capture of the ship derby recording by patrick macafe chicago gis dot depaul dot edu slash p macafe section 13 of great pirate stories this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libra vox dot org recording by patrick macafe great pirate stories by various edited by joseph louis french section 13 francis lolo noir the slave who became a pirate king john esquimelling francis lolo noir was a native of that territory in france which is called les sables dolons or the sands of olon in his youth he was transported to the carabi islands in quality of servant or slave according to custom having served his time he came to his spaniola here he joined for sometime with the hunters before he began his robberies upon the spaniards at first he made two or three voyages as a common mariner wherein he behaved himself so courageously as to gain the favor of the governor of tortuga monsu de la plaza in so much that he gave him a ship in which he might seek his fortune which was very favorable to him at first for in a short time he got great riches but his cruelties against the spaniards were such that the fame of them made him so well known through the indies that the spaniards in his time would choose rather to die or sink fighting then surrender knowing they should have no mercy at his hands but fortune being seldom constant after some time turned her back for in a huge storm he lost his ship on the coast of compétit the men were all saved but coming upon dry land the spaniards pursued them and killed the greatest part wounding also lolo noir not knowing how to escape he saved his life by a stratagem mingling sand with the blood of his wounds with which besmearing his face and other parts of his body and hiding himself dexterously among the dead he continued there till the spaniards quitted the field they being gone he retired to the woods and bound up his wounds as well as he could these being pretty well healed he took his way to compétit having disguised himself in a spanish habit here he enticed certain slaves to whom he promised liberty if they would obey him and trust to his conduct they accepted his promises and stealing a canoe they went to see with him now the spaniards having made several of his companions prisoners kept them close in a dungeon while lolo noir went about the town and saw what passed these were often asked what has become of your captain to whom they constantly answered he is dead which rejoiced the spaniards who made thanks to god for their deliverance from such a cruel pirate lolo noir having seen these rejoicings for his death made haste to escape with the slaves above mentioned and came safe to tortuga the common refuge of all sorts of wickedness and the seminary as it were of pirates and thieves though now his fortune was low yet he got another ship with craft and subtlety and in it 21 men being well provided with arms and necessaries he set forth for cuba on the south whereof is a small village called de los caos the inhabitants drive a great trade in tobacco sugar and hides and all in boats not being able to use ships by reason of the little depth of that sea lolo noir was persuaded he should get here some considerable prey but by the good fortune of some fishermen who saw him and the mercy of god they escaped him for the inhabitants of the town dispatched immediately a vessel overland to the havana complaining that lolo noir was come to destroy them with two canoes the governor could hardly believe this having received letters from come peche that he was dead but at their importunity he sent a ship for their relief with 10 guns and 90 men well armed giving them this express command that they should not return into his presence without having totally destroyed those pirates to this effect he gave them a negro to serve for a hangman and orders that they should immediately hang every one of the pirates accepting lolo noir their captain whom they should bring alive to the havana the ship arrived at gaios of whose coming the pirates were advertised beforehand and instead of flying they went to seek it in the river estera where she rode at anchor the pirates seized some fishermen and forced them by night to show them the entry of the port hoping soon to obtain a greater vessel than their two canoes and thereby to mend their fortune they arrived after two in the morning very nigh the ship and the watch on board the ship asking them whence they came and if they had seen any pirates abroad they caused one of the prisoners to answer they had seen no pirates nor anything else which answer made them believe that they were fled upon hearing of their coming but they soon found the contrary for about break of day the pirates assaulted the vessel on both sides with their two canoes with such vigor that though the spaniards behaved themselves as they ought and made as good defense as they could making some use of their great guns yet they were forced to surrender being beaten by the pirates with sword in hand down under the hatches from hence lolo noir commanded them to be brought up one by one and in this order caused their heads to be struck off among the rest came up the negro designed to be the pirates executioner this fellow implored mercy at his hands very dolefully telling lolo noir he was constituted hangman of that ship and if he would spare him he would tell him faithfully all that he should desire lolo noir making him confess what he thought fit commanded him to be murdered with the rest thus he cruelly and barbarously put them all to death reserving only one alive whom he sent back to the governor of the havana with this message in writing i shall never hence forward give quarter to any spaniard whatsoever and i have great hopes i shall execute on your own person the very same punishment i have done upon them you sent against me thus i have retaliated the kindness you designed to me and my companions the governor much troubled at this bad news swore in the presence of many that he would never grant quarter to any pirate that should fall into his hands but the citizens of the havana desired him not to persist in the execution of that rash and rigorous oath seeing the pirates would certainly take occasion from thence to do the same and they had and hundred times more opportunity of revenge than he that being necessitated to get their livelihood by fishery they should hear after always be in danger of their lives by these reasons he was persuaded to bridle his anger and remit the severity of his oath now lolo noir had got a good ship but very few provisions and people in it to purchase both which he resolved to cruise from one port to another doing thus for some time without success he determined to go to the port of maracaibo here he surprised a ship laden with plate and other merchandises outward bound to buy cocoa nuts with this prize he returned to tortuga where he was received with joy by the inhabitants they congratulating his happy success and their own private interest he stayed not long there but designed to equip a fleet sufficient to transport 500 men and necessaries thus provided he resolved to pillage both cities towns and villages and finally to take maracaibo itself for this purpose he knew the island of tortuga would afford him many resolute and courageous men fit for such enterprises besides he had in his service several prisoners well acquainted with the ways and places designed upon of this design lolo noir giving notice to all the pirates whether at home or abroad he got together in a little while above 400 men beside which there was then in tortuga another pirate named michael debasco who by his piracy had got riches sufficient to live at ease and go no more abroad having with all the office of major of the island but seeing the great preparations that lolo noir made for this expedition he joined him and offered him that if he would make him his chief captain by land seeing he knew the country very well and all its avenues he would share in his fortunes and go with him they agreed upon articles to the great joy of lolo noir knowing that basco had done great actions in europe and had the repute of a good soldier thus they all embarked in eight vessels that of lolo noir being the greatest having 10 guns of indifferent carriage all things being ready and the whole company on board they set sail together about the end of april being in all 660 persons they steered for that part called bayala north of hispaniola here they took into their company some french hunters who voluntarily offered themselves and here they provided themselves with victuals and necessaries for their voyage from hence they sailed again the last of july and steered directly to the eastern cape of the isle called punta despada hereabouts aspiring a ship from puerto rico bound for new spain laden with coconuts lolo noir commanded the rest of the fleet to wait for him near savannah on the east of cape punta despada he alone intending to take the sed vessel the spaniards though they had been in sight full two hours and knew them to be pirates yet would not flee but prepared to fight being well armed and provided the combat lasted three hours and then they surrendered the ship had 16 guns and 50 fighting men aboard they found in her 120 000 weight of coco 40 000 pieces of eight and the value of 10 000 more in jewels lolo noir sent the vessel presently to tortuga to be unlated with orders to return as soon as possible to savannah where he would wait for them meanwhile the rest of the fleet being arrived at savannah met another spanish vessel coming from coman with military provisions to hispaniola and money to pay the garrisons there this vessel they also took without any resistance though mounted with eight guns in it were 7 000 weight of powder a great number of muskets and like things with 12 000 pieces of eight these successes encouraged the pirates they seeming very lucky beginnings especially finding their fleet pretty well recruited in a little time for the first ship arriving at tortuga the governor ordered it to be instantly unladen and soon after sent back with fresh provisions and other necessaries to lolo noir this ship he chose for himself and gave that which he commanded to his comrade anthony dupuy being thus recruited with men in lieu of them he had lost in taking the prizes and by thickness he found himself in a good condition to set sail for maracaibo in the province of nueva venezuela in the latitude of 12 degrees 10 minutes north this island is 20 leagues long and 12 broad to this port also belong the islands of onega and monge's the east side thereof is called camp saint roman and the western side cape of kaki bakoa the gulf is called by some the gulf of venezuela but the pirates usually call it the bay of maracaibo at the entrance of this gulf are two islands extending from east to west that towards the east is called isla de la vigilias or the watch isle because in the middle is a high hill on which stands a watch house the other is called isla de la palomas or the isle of pigeons between these two islands runs a little sea or rather lake of fresh water 60 leagues long and 30 broad which disgorging itself into the ocean dilates itself about the said two islands between them is the best passage for ships the channel being no broader than the flight of a great gun of about eight pounds on the isle of pigeons stand at the castle to impede the entry of vessels all being necessitated to come very nigh the castle by reason of two banks of sand on the other side with only 14 feet water many other banks of sand there are in this lake as that called el tablazo or the great table no deeper than 10 feet 40 leagues within the lake others there are that have no more than six seven or eight feet in depth all are very dangerous especially to mariners unacquainted with them west hereof is the city of maracaibo very pleasant to the view its houses being built along the shore having delightful prospects all round the city may contain three or four thousand persons slaves included all which make a town of reasonable bigness there are judged to be about 800 persons able to bear arms all spaniards here are one parish church well built and adorned four monasteries and one hospital the city is governed by a deputy governor substituted by the governor of the caracas the trade here exercised is mostly in hides and tobacco the inhabitants possess great numbers of cattle in many plantations which extend 30 leagues in the country especially towards the great town of gibraltar where are gathered great quantities of coconuts and all other garden fruits which serve for the regal and sustenance of the inhabitants of maracaibo whose territories are much drier than those of gibraltar hither those of maracaibo send great quantities of flesh they making returns in oranges lemons and other fruits for the inhabitants of gibraltar want flesh their fields not being capable of feeding cows or sheep before maracaibo is a very spacious and secure port wherein may be built all sorts of vessels having great convenience of timber which may be transported thither at little charge nigh the town lies also a small island called borica where they feed great numbers of goats which cattle the inhabitants use more for their skins than their flesh or milk they sliding these two unless while they are tender and young kids in the fields are fed some sheep but of a very small size in some islands of the lake and in other places here abouts are many savage indians called by the spaniards bravos or wild these could never be reduced by the spaniards being brutish and untameable they dwell mostly towards the west side of the lake in little huts built on trees growing in the water so to keep themselves from innumerable mosquitoes or gnats which infest and torment them night and day to the east of the said lake are whole towns of fishermen who likewise live in huts built on trees as the former another reason of this dwelling is the frequent inundations for after great rains the land is often over flown for two or three leagues there being no less than 25 great rivers that feed this lake the town of gibraltar is also frequently drowned by these so that the inhabitants are constrained to retire to their plantations gibraltar situate at the side of the lake about 40 leagues within it receives his provisions of flesh as has been said from maracaibo the town is inhabited by about 1500 persons whereof 400 may bear arms the greatest part of them keep shops wherein they exercise one trade or another in the adjacent fields are numerous plantations of sugar and cocoa in which are many tall and beautiful trees of whose timber houses may be built in ships among these are many handsome and proportionable cedars seven or eight feet about of which they can build boats and ships so as to bear only one great sale such vessels being called piraguas the whole country is well furnished with rivers and brooks very useful in droughts being then cut into many little channels to water their fields and plantations they plant also much tobacco well esteemed in europe and for its goodness is called their tobacco de sacerdotes or priest tobacco they enjoy nine 20 leagues of jurisdiction which is bounded by very high mountains perpetually covered with snow on the other side of these mountains is situate a great city called merida to which the town of gibraltar is subject all merchandise is carried hence to the aforesaid city on mules and that but at one season of the year by reason of the excessive cold in those high mountains on the said mules returns are made in flour of meal which comes from towards peru by the way of estafé lolo noir arriving at the gulf of venezuela cast anchor with his whole fleet out of sight of the vigilia or watch aisle next day very early he set sail thence with all his ships for the lake of maracaibo where they cast anchor again then they landed their men with designed to attack first the fortress that commanded the bar therefore called de la barra this fort consisted only of several great baskets of earth placed on a rising ground planted with 16 great guns with several other heaps of earth round about for covering their men the pirates having landed a league off this fort advanced by degrees toward it but the governor having aspired their landing had placed an embusca to cut them off behind while he should attack them in front this the pirates discovered that getting before they defeated it so entirely that not a man could retreat to the castle this done lolo noir with his companions advanced immediately to the fort and after a fight of almost three hours with the usual desperation of this sort of people they became masters thereof without any other arms than swords and pistols while they were fighting those who were the routed embuscade not being able to get into the castle retired into maracaibo in great confusion and disorder crying the pirates will presently be here with 2000 men and more the city having formerly been taken by this kind of people and sacked to the uttermost had still an idea of that misery so that upon these dismal news they endeavored to escape towards Gibraltar in their boats and canoes carrying with them all the goods and money they could being come to Gibraltar they told how the fortress was taken and nothing had been saved nor any persons escaped the castle thus taken by the pirates they presently signified to the ships their victory that they should come farther in without fear of danger the rest of that day was spent in ruining and demolishing the said castle they nailed the guns and burnt as much as they could not carried away burying the dead and sinning on board the fleet the wounded next day very early they weighed anchor and steered directly towards maracaibo about six leagues distant from the fort but the wind failing that day they could advance little being forced to await the tide next morning they came inside of the town and prepared for landing under the protection of their own guns fearing the spaniards might have laid an embuscade in the woods they put their men into canoes brought for that purpose and landed shooting meanwhile furiously with their great guns of those in the canoes half only went to shore the other half remained aboard they fired from the ships as fast as possible towards the woody part of the shore but could discover nobody then they entered the town whose inhabitants were retired to the woods and Gibraltar with their wives children and families their houses they left well provided with victuals as flour bread pork brandy wines and poultry and with these the pirates fell to making good cheer for in four weeks before they had no opportunity of filling their stomachs with such plenty they instantly possessed themselves of the best houses in the town and placed sentinels wherever they thought necessary the great church served them for their main guard next day they sent out 160 men to find out some of the inhabitants in the woods their bouts these returned the same night bringing with them 20 000 pieces of eight several mules laden with household goods and merchandise and 20 prisoners men women and children some of these were put to the rack to make them confess where they had hid the rest of the goods but they could extort very little from them lola noir who valued not murdering though in cold blood 10 or 12 spaniards drew his cutlass and hacked one to pieces before the rest saying if you do not confess and declare where you have hid the rest of your goods i will do like to all your companions at last among these horrible cruelties and in human threats one promised to show the place where the rest of the spaniards were hid but those that were fled having intelligence of it changed place and buried the remnant of their riches underground so that the pirates could not find them out unless some of their own parties should reveal them besides the spaniards flying from one place to another every day and often changing woods were jealous even of each other so that the father durst scarce trust his own son after the pirates had been 15 days in maracaibo they resolved for Gibraltar but the inhabitants having received intelligence thereof and that they intended afterwards to go to marida gave notice of it to the governor there who was a valiant soldier and had been an officer in Flanders his answer was he would have them take no care for he hoped in a little while to exterminate the said pirates whereupon he came to Gibraltar with 400 men well armed ordering at the same time the inhabitants to put themselves in arms so that in all he made 800 fighting men with the same speed he raised a battery toward the sea mounted with 20 guns covered with great baskets of earth another battery he placed in another place mounted with eight guns this done he barricaded a narrow passage to the town through which the pirates must pass opening at the same time another one through much dirt and mud into a wood which was totally unknown to the pirates the pirates ignorant of these preparations having embarked all their prisoners and booty took their way towards Gibraltar being come inside of the place they saw the royal standard hanging forth and that those of the town designed to defend their homes lolanoa seeing this called a council of war what they ought to do telling his officers and mariners that the difficulty of the enterprise was very great seeing the spaniards had had so much time to put themselves in a posture of defense and had got a good body of men together with much ammunition but not withstanding said he have a good courage we must either defend ourselves like good soldiers or lose our lives with all the riches we have got do as I shall do who am your captain at other times we have fought with fewer men than we have in our company at present and yet we have overcome greater numbers than there possibly can be in this town the more they are the more glory and the greater riches we shall gain the pirates suppose that all the riches of the inhabitants of maracaibo were transported to Gibraltar or at least the greatest part after this speech they all promised to follow and obey him lolanoa made answer tis well but no ye with all that the first man we shall show any fear or the least apprehension thereof I will pistol him with my own hands with this resolution they cast anchor nigh the shore near three quarters of a league from the town next day before sunriseing they landed three hundred and eighty men well provided and armed everyone with a cutlass and one or two pistols and sufficient powder and bullet for thirty charges here they all shook hands in testimony of good courage and began their march lolanoa speaking thus come my brethren follow me and have good courage they followed their guide who believing he led them well brought them to the way which the governor had barricaded not being able to pass that way they went to the other newly made in the wood among the mire which the spaniards could shoot into at pleasure but the pirates full of courage cut down the branches of trees and threw them on the way that they might not stick in the dirt meanwhile those of Gibraltar fired with their great guns so furiously they could scarce here nor see for the noise and smoke being past the wood they came on firm ground where they met with a battery of six guns which immediately the spaniards discharged upon them all loaded with small bullets and pieces of iron and the spaniards sallying forth set upon them with such fury as caused the pirates to give way few of them caring to advance towards the fort many of them being already killed and wounded this made them go back to seek another way but the spaniards having cut down many trees to hinder the passage they could find none but were forced to return to that they had left here the spaniards continued to fires before nor would they sally out of their batteries to attack them anymore lolanoa and his companions not being able to climb up the bastion of earth were compelled to use an old stratagem wherewith at last they deceived and overcame the spaniards lolanoa retired suddenly with all his men making show as if he fled hereupon the spaniards crying out they flee they flee let us follow them sallyed forth with great disorder to the pursuit being drawn to some distance from the batteries which was the pirates only design they turned upon them unexpectedly with sword in hand and killed above 200 men and thus fighting their way through those who remained they possessed themselves of the batteries the spaniards that remained abroad giving themselves over for loss fled to the woods those in the battery of eight guns surrendered themselves obtaining quarter for their lives the pirates being now become masters of the town pulled down the spanish colors and set up their own taking prisoners as many as they could find these they carried to the great church where they raised a battery of several great guns fearing less the spaniards that were fled should rally and come upon them again but next day being all fortified their fears were over they gathered the dead to bury them being above 500 spaniards besides the wooded in the town and those that died of their wounds in the woods the pirates had also above 150 prisoners and nine 500 slaves many women and children of their own companions only 40 were killed and almost 80 wounded where of the greatest part died through the bad air which brought fevers and other illness they put the slain spaniards into two great boats and carrying them a quarter of a league to see they sunk the boats this done they gathered all the plate household stuff and merchandise they could or thought convenient to carry away the spaniards who had anything left had hit it carefully but the unsatisfied pirates not contented with the riches they had got sought for more goods and merchandise not sparing those who lived in the fields such as hunters and planters they had scarce been 18 days on the place when the greatest part of the prisoners died for hunger for in the town were few provisions especially of flesh though they had some but no sufficient quantity of flour of meal and this the pirates had taken for themselves as they also took the swine cows sheep and poultry without allowing any share to the poor prisoners for these they only provided some small quantity of mules and asses flesh and many who could not eat of that loathsome provision died for hunger their stomachs not being accustomed to such sustenance of the prisoners many also died under the torment they sustained to make them discover their money or jewels and of these some had none nor knew of none and others denying what they knew endured such horrible deaths finally after having been in possession of the town for entire weeks they sent four of the prisoners to the spaniards that were fled to the woods demanding of them a ransom for not burning the town some demanded was 10 000 pieces of eight which if not sent they threatened to reduce it to ashes for bringing in this money they allowed them only two days but the spaniards not having been able to gather so punctually such as some the pirates fired many parts of the town whereupon the inhabitants begged them to help quench the fire and the ransom should be readily paid the pirates condescended helping as much as they could to stop the fire but not withstanding all their best endeavors one part of the town was ruined especially the church belonging to the monastery was burned down after they had received the said some they carried aboard all the riches they had got with a great number of slaves which had not paid the ransom for all the prisoners had sums of money set upon them and the slaves were also commanded to be redeemed thence they returned to maracaibo where being arrived they found a general consternation in the whole city to which they sent three or four prisoners to tell the governor and inhabitants they should bring 30 000 pieces of eight aboard their ships for a ransom of their houses otherwise they should be sacked anew and burned among these debates a party of pirates came on shore and carried away the images pictures and bells of the great church aboard the fleet the spaniards who were sent to demand the sum of foresaid return with orders to make some agreement who concluded with the pirates to give for their ransom and liberty 20 000 pieces of eight and 500 cows provided that they should commit no further hostilities but depart thence presently after payment of money and cattle the one and the other being delivered the whole fleet set sail causing great joy to the inhabitants of maracaibo to see themselves quit of them but three days after they renewed their fears with admiration seeing the pirates appear again and re-enter the port with all their ships but these apprehensions vanished upon hearing one of the pirates erin who come ashore from l'olonois to demand a skillful pilot to conduct one of the greatest ships over the dangerous bank that lieth at the very entry of the lake which petition or rather command was instantly granted they had now been full two months in these towns wherein they committed those cruel and insolent actions we have related departing thence they took their course to hispaniola and arrived there in eight days casting anchor in a port called isla de la vaca or cow island this island is inhabited by french buccaneers who mostly sell the flesh they hunt to pirates and others who now and then put in there to victual or trade here they unlated their whole cargason of riches the usual storehouse of the pirates being commonly under the shelter of the buccaneers here they made a dividend of all their prizes and gains according to the orders and degree of everyone as has been mentioned before having made an exact calculation of all their plunder they found in ready money 260 000 pieces of eight this being divided everyone received for his share in money it's also in silk linen and other commodities to the value of 100 pieces of eight those who had been wounded received their first part after the rate mentioned before for the loss of their limbs then they weighed all the plate uncoined reckoning 10 pieces of eight to a pound the jewels were prized indifferently either too high or too low by reason of their ignorance this done everyone was put to his oath again that he had not smuggled anything from the common stock hence they proceeded to the dividend of the shares of such as were dead in battle or otherwise these shares were given to their friends to be kept in tire for them and to be delivered in due time to their nearest relations or their apparent lawful heirs the whole dividend being finished they set sail for tortuga here they arrived a month after to the great joy of most of the island for as to the common pirates in three weeks they had scarce any money left having spent it all in things of little value or lost it at play here had arrived not long before them two French ships with wine and brandy and such like commodities whereby these liquors at the arrival of the pirates were indifferent cheap but this lasted not long for soon after they were enhanced extremely a gallon of brandy being sold for four pieces of eight the governor of the island bought of the pirates the whole cargo of the ship laden with cocoa giving for that rich commodity scarce the 20th part of its worth thus they made shift to lose and spend the riches they had got in much less time than they were obtained the taverns and stews according to the custom of pirates got the greatest part so that soon after they were forced to seek more by the same unlawful means they had got the former end of chapter 13 francis lolanois the slave who became a pirate king recording by patrick macafe chicago gis dot depaul dot edu slash p macafe section 14 of great pirate stories this is a liber vox recording all liber vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit liber vox dot org great pirate stories by various edited by joseph louis french section 14 the fight between the doral and the mocha the fight between the doral and the mocha these truly represented the scheme of what misfortune has befell us as we were going through the straits of malacca in the pursuance to our pretended voyage wednesday the 7th july five o'clock morning we have speed a ship to winward as soon as was well light perceived her to bear down upon us we thought at first she had been a judgment bound for action or bengal when perceived she had no galleries did then suppose her to be what after to our dreadful sorrow found her we got our ship in the best post posture of defense that sudden emergent necessity would permit we kept good looking out expecting to see an island called pulu parah but as then saw it not about eight of the clocks the ship came up fairly within shot saw in room of our galleries there was large saliports in each of which was a large gun seemed to be brass her tafferyl was likewise taken down we having nothing that possibly could prepare ourselves fearing might be suddenly set on ordered our people to their perspective stations for action we now hoisted our colors the captain commanded to nail ours and signed to the staff in sight of the enemy which was immediately done as they perceived we hoisted our colors they hoisted theirs with the union jack and let fly a broad red pendant at their main top mass ahead the pirate being now in little more than half pistol shot from us we could discern abundance of men who went after to the quarter deck which as we supposed was to console they stood as we stood but we spoke neither to other as no one it fell calm so that we were afraid should buy the sea have been huffed on one another at one o'clock spring up a gale the pirate kept as we kept at three o'clock the villain backed her sails and they went from us we kept closing halt having a contrary win for mallica when the pirate was about seven miles distant tacked and stood after us at six the evening saw the looked for island and the pirate came up with us on our starboard side within shot we see he kept a man at each top mast ahead looking out till it was dark then he hauled a little from us but kept us company all night at eight in the morning he drew near us but we had time to mount our other four guns that were in hold and now we were in the best posture of defense could desire he drawing nears and seeing that if we would we could not get from him he far out sailing us by or large in one direction or another the captain resolved to see what the rogue would do so ordered to hand furl all our small sails and furled our main sail he seeing this did the like and as he drew near us be a drum and sounded trumpets and then held us four times before we answered him at last it was thought fit to know what he would say so the boat swing spoke to him as was ordered which was that we came from london then he inquired whether peace or war with france our answer there was a universal peace through europe at which they paused and then said that's well he further inquired if we had touched at at chin we said a boat came off to us but we came not near it by several leagues further he inquired our captain's name and whether we were bound we answered to malacca they too and would have had the captain gone aboard to drink a glass of wine we said that would see one another at malacca then he called to lie by and he would come aboard us our answer was as before saying it was late he said true it was for china he and inquired whether should touch at the water islands pulo andan off malacca we said should then said he so shall we after he had asked us all these questions we desired to know from whence he was he said from london the captain named collie ford the ship named the resolution bound for china this collie ford had been gunners mate at bomb bay and after run away with the catch thus passed the eighth july friday the ninth due he being some distance from us about half an hour after ten came up with us then it grew calm we could discern a fellow on the quarter deck wearing a sword as he drew near this hellish imp cried strike you dogs which we perceived was not by a general consent for he was called away our boats wane in a furry run upon the poop unknown to the captain and answered that we would strike to know such dogs as he telling him the rogue every and his accomplices were all hang the captain was angry that he spake without order then ordered to hail him and asked what was his reason to dog us one stepped forward on the forecastle beckon with his hand and said gentlemen we want not your ship nor men but money we told them had none for them but bid them come up alongside and take it as could get it then a parcel of bloodhound rogues clashed their cut lashes and said they would have it or our hearts blood saying what do you not know us to be the mocha our answer was yes yes they're on they gave a great shout and so they all went out of sight and we two our quarters they were going to hoist colors but the inside halyards broke which our people perceiving gave a great shout so they let them alone as soon as they could bring their chase guns to bear fired upon us and so kept on our quarter our guns would not bear in a small space but as soon as did have gave them better than the pirates did like his second shot carried away our sprite sail yard and half an hour after or more he came up alongside and so we powered in upon him and continued sometime broad size and sometimes three or four guns as opportunity presented and could bring them to do best service he was going to lay us a thought and house but by god's providence captain hide frustrated his intent by pouring a broadside into him which made him give back and go astern where he lay and paused without firing then in a small space fired one gun the shot came in at our roundhouse window without damage to any person after which he filled and bore away and when was about a quarter mile off fired a gun to leeward which we answered by another to winward about an hour after he tacked and came up with us again we made no sail but laid by to receive him but he kept the loof off the distance at most in all our firing was never more than two ship lengths the time of our engagement was from half an hour after 11 till about three afternoon when we came to see what damage we had sustained found our chief mate mr smith wounded in the leg close by the knee with a splinter or piece of chain which cannot well be told our barber had two of his fingers shot off as was sponging one of our guns the gunner's boy had his leg shot off in the waist john amos quartermaster had his leg shot off while at the helm the bots wing boy a lad of 13 years old was shot in the thigh which went through and splintered his bone the armorer jose osborne in the roundhouse wounded by a splinter just in the temple the captain's boy on the quarter deck a small shot raised his skull through his cap and was the first person wounded and at the first onset when reynolds boy had the brim of his hat half shot off and his four fingers splintered very sorely john blake turner the flesh of his leg and calf a great part shot away our ship's damage is the mizzen top mast shot close by the cap and it was a miracle stood so long and did not fall in the rogue's sight our rigging shot that had but one running rope left clear our main shrouds three on one side two on the other cut in two our main yard 10 feet from the mast by a shot cut eight inches deep our fort top mast backstage shot away a great shot in the roundhouse one on the quarter deck and two of the roundhouse shot came on the set deck several in the storage betwicks decks and in the forecastle two in the bread room which caused us to make much water and damage the greatest part of our bread they dismounted one of their guns in the roundhouse two in the syringe two in the waist one in the forecastle with abundance more damage which may seem tedious to rehearse their small shot was most tin and titan aga their fired pieces of glass bottles do teapots chains stones and whatnot which were found on our decks we could observe abundance of great shot to have passed through the rogue's foresail and our hope is have done that to him which will make him shun having to do with any europe ship again at night we perceived kept close their lights we did the like and lay by in the morning they were as far off as we could discern upon deck we sent up to see how they stood which was right with us in the night we knotted our rigging and in the morning made all haste to repair our carriages our men seeing they stood after us we could perceive their continuances to be dejected we cheered them what we could and for their encouragement the captain and we of our proper money did give them to every man and boy three dollars each which animated them and promised to give them as much more if engaged again and that if we took the ship for every prisoner five pounds and besides the gratuity from the gentlemen employers we read the king's proclamation about every and see and the right honorable companies about nine o'clock the 10th july we perceived the rogue made from us so we gave the almighty our most contingent thanks for his mercy that delivered us not to the worst of our enemies for truly he the pirate was very strong having at least and hundred europeans on board 34 guns mounted besides 10 patters and two small mortars in the head his lower tier some of them as we judged 16 and 18 pounders we lay as near our course as could the next day saw land on our starboard side which was mainland kept on our way the 12th july died the boat swain boy george mop in the morning friday the 16th due in the evening died the gunners boy thomas matthews sunday the 18th at anchor two leagues from the pulo simbillon islands died the barber andrew miller do the 31st died the chief mate mr john smith the other two are yet in a very deplorable condition and we are ashore here to refresh them the chinese further report the moko was at the mildews and careened there they gave an end to the life of their commanding rogue stout who they murdered for attempting to run away end of section 14 section 15 of great pirate stories this is a libravox recording all libravox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libravox.org recording by verinville great pirate stories by various edited by joseph louis french section 15 jadie a malee pirate jadie a malee pirate 16 long before that action with the english man of war which drove me to singapore i still in a fine fleet of brawls belonging to the rajah of joho sultan mahmadsah we were all then very rich such numbers of beautiful wires and such feasting but above all we had a great many most holy men in our force when the proper monsoon came we proceeded to see to fight the biggest men of celibese and china men bound from borneo and the celibese to java for you must remember our rajah was at war with them jadie always maintained in which she had been engaged part of a purely warlike and not of a piratical character our 13 brawls had all been fitted out in and about singapore i wish you could have seen them to hunt run sir these brawls we see here nothing to them such brass guns such long pendants such creases malee chris jagger allah ill allah our tattoos that achieve were indeed great men sailing along the coast as high as patani even crossed over to borneo to elanoon prahus acting as pilots and reached a place called samas as borneo there he fought the chinese and dutchmen who ill treat our countrymen and are trying to drive the malaise out of their country golders and slaves in large quantities where he had taken most of the letter being our countrymen of the march on java who are captured and sold to planters and miners of the dutch settlements do you mean to say i asked there is dutch countenance such traffic hollanders replied jadie have been the bane of a malaise no one knows the amount of alani the bloody cruelty of their system towards us they drove us into our prahus to escape their taxes and laws and they declared us pirates and for us to death their natives and our crew to hunt of the march on java of bianca or bengal and borneo wasn't why they hate a dutchman why they would kill a dutchman it is because the dutchman is a false man not like the white man or english the hollander steps in the dark he's a liar however from borneo we sailed to a bliton island between bengal and borneo and yankar and they waited for some large chunks that were expected our crews had been so far successful and we freezed our way fighting cocks smoking opium and eating white rice at north of scout so as that a young was in sight she came a lotty sighted one of fukian or fukian you know these m oi men would fight like tiger cats for their sugar insults unless the breeze was fresh they only kept her inside by keeping clothes and jaw and following her not to frighten the china men we did not high sail but make our saves full oh set judy warming up with the recollection of the event oh it was fine to feel what brave fellows we then were towards night we made till and closed upon the jump and that day like it felt dark calm and we rented our prize like sharks all our fighting men put on their war dresses the elinons dance and war dance and all our gongs sounded as we opened out to attack her on different sides but those m oi men are picked they went draw paper sounded their gongs and received us with such showers of stones hot water long pikes and wanted to well-directed shots that we halted off to try the effect of our guns sorry though we were to do it for it was sure to bring the judgment upon us bang bang we fired at them and they had us three hours that we passed via and whenever we tried to walk the chinese beat us back every time for a sight was as smooth and high as a wall with galleries overhanging we had to roll mental and hurt a council was called a certain child was performed by one of our holy men a famous chief and 20 of our best men devoted themselves to effecting the landing on the jump step when i looked at prowls make the signal that the dutch men were coming and sure enough some dutch gunboats came sleeping round the headland in a moment we were rounding pulling like demons for the shores of bliton the gunboats and chase of us and the chinese howling with delight the sea breeze fashions and brought out a shunar wrecked boat very fast we had been at about 24 hours and were heartily tired our slaves could work no longer so we prepared for the hollandaise they were afraid to close upon us and commence firing at our distance this was just what we wanted we had guns as well as they and by keeping up the fight until doubt without trough escape the dutch men however knew this too and kept closing gradually upon us and when they saw our prowls laying at war tender they knew we were suffering and cheered like devils we were desperate surrender to dutch men we never would we closed together for mutual support and determined at last if our hope of escape ceased to run our prowls shore burn them and lie here in jungle until a future day baobabe daughter with his shed at prahu's satus he proposed to let the dutchman board her crease step before chris all let it so and then trust to Allah for his escape it was done immediately he all pulled the short distance away and left the brave daughter's brahu like a recabandant had the dutchman yelled in fire into her the slaves and cowards jumped out of the brahu but our braves kept quiet at last as we expected one gunboat dashed alongside other prize and boarded her in the crowd then was the time to see how the Malay men could fight the crease was worth 20 swats and the dutchman went down like a sheet we fought to cover our countrymen who as soon as their work was done jumped overboard and swam to us by the brave daughter with many more died as brave malaysia do running amok against a host of enemies the gunboats were quite scared by this punishment and we lost no time in getting away as rapidly as possible by the kashona by keeping more and the offering helped them win and preserved her position signaling all the while for the gunboat to follow her we did not want to fight anymore it was evidently an unlucky day on the opposite side of the channel to that we were on the coral reefs and shoals would prevent the hunters from us it was determined at all risks to get the inspired of the shona we're the first of the landmen in the evening we set sail before it and and yet across from Bianca the shona plays itself in our way like a clever sailor says to turn us back but we were determined to push on take a fire and run all risks it was a sight to see us meeting one another but we were desperate we had caught plenty of dutchmen it was a turn now i was in the second brahu and well it was so for when the headmost one got closer shona the dutchman fired all his guns into her and knocked her once into a red condition we gave one cheer fired our guns and then pushed on for lives oh sir it was a dark night indeed for us three plahu's and all were sunk and the whole force dispersed twerked to our misfortunes a strong gill sprang up we were obliged to carry canvas our brahu leaked from shot holes the sea continually broke into her we did not run into coral reefs on such night and brought up illustrative malacca the wounded wreath and shrieked in the agony and we had to pum be fight him and and they all like black fellows kafra are negro slaves by two in the morning we were all worn out i felt indifferent whether i was drowned or not and many threw down the bucket and sat down to die the winds increased and at last as if to put us out of our misery just such a squall this came down upon us i saw it was fully contending against our fate and follow the general example god is great we exclaimed but the roger of joho came and reproved us well until daylight has set and i will ensure your safety he pointed to a black storm which was approaching is that what you fear he replied and going below he produced just such a wooden spoon and did what you have seen me do and i tell you my captain as i worked at the company sahib stood before me there is almost nothing and that we had a dead calm one hour afterwards and saved god is great and my hope is this prophet but there is no charm like the joho one the king of it footnotes 16 from vietnam and query from 49 and of section 15