release on the payment of a great Ransom; but the Masters Son being sent ashore to fetch the Money which they had agreed for, in stead thereof, made his Fathers Mischance known; whereupon two great Frigats and a Galley were the next Morning very early sent to attaque the _French_, between whom was a sharp Encounter; but in a short time the two Pyrats were sunk, and the Prisoners sold for Slaves, excepting a few that escap’d in their Long-boat. [Sidenote: Great cruelty of the _Spaniards_ against the _French_.] [Sidenote: _Gurgie_’s valiant Exploits against the _Spaniards_.] In this interim _Laudonier_ receiving no Supply from _France_, was brought to great extremity; for the Rebels had carried great part of his Store with them. In these straights he was forc’d by those that staid with him, contrary to the Articles of Peace lately made with King _Utina_, to take him Prisoner, in hopes that for his Liberty he would procure them some Provisions; but the Inhabitants incens’d at the baseness of so unexpected an Action, could not be wrought upon by any means to give them Relief; but grown more perverse than before, appointed a general Meeting to elect another King; so that out of all hopes, they utterly gave themselves over for lost. In this desperate condition, _John Haukins_, a great Sea-Captain, came thither with four _English_ Ships, who pitying their misery, furnish’d them with Necessaries, and having onely four Vessels, lent them one, because _Laudonier_ was at that time too weak to endure the Sea; but not long after recovering strength, and all things ready to set Sail, _Ribald_ came to an Anchor before _Charles-Fort_, with seven Ships from _Diep_: Within few days after, the _Spanish_ Admiral _Peter Melandez_ arriv’d with eight Frigats, whereof the French having Intelligence, cut their Cables, and stood out to Sea, whom the _Spaniards_ chac’d, but could not reach; whereupon leaving them, they landed in the Mouth of the River _Dolphin_, where by help of the _Moorish_ Slaves they began to intrench themselves; of which _Ribald_ having notice, immediately sail’d thither, at least to disturb, if not absolutely drive them from their Work; but surpriz’d in the way by a great Storm, lost most of his Fleet, ingag’d among the Rocks; yet the Men were most of them sav’d. In this Storm the _Spaniards_ also suffer’d great damage, yet made an Advantage of the _Frenchmens_ Misfortune, marching with all speed to _Charles-Fort_, in which were onely two hundred weak Men, _Ribald_ having taken the primest Soldiers along with him. In the Morning before Sun-rise the _Spaniards_ made a fierce Assault, and in a short time became Masters of the Place, which _Laudonier_ seeing, fled in a Boat; others leaping from the Walls into the Moat, sav’d themselves by swimming: Whoever fell into the Victors Hands, was without mercy slain; nay, such was the _Spaniards_ inveterate malice to the _French_, that wanting living Bodies, they