The Buccaneers in the West Indies in the XVII CenturyHaring, Clarence Henry
History
The Buccaneers in the West Indies in the XVII Century
Haring, Clarence Henry
Buccaneers; West Indies -- History
"The next morning, being the third day of their journey, they all went
ashore, excepting those above-mentioned who were to keep the boats. Unto
these Captain Morgan gave very strict orders, under great penalties,
that no man, upon any pretext whatsoever, should dare to leave the boats
and go ashore. This he did, fearing lest they should be surprised and
cut off by an ambuscade of Spaniards, that might chance to lie
thereabouts in the neighbouring woods, which appeared so thick as to
seem almost impenetrable. Having this morning begun their march, they
found the ways so dirty and irksome, that Captain Morgan thought it more
convenient to transport some of the men in canoes (though it could not
be done without great labour) to a place farther up the river, called
Cedro Bueno. Thus they re-embarked, and the canoes returned for the rest
that were left behind. So that about night they found themselves all
together at the said place. The Pirates were extremely desirous to meet
any Spaniards, or Indians, hoping to fill their bellies with what
provisions they should take from them. For now they were reduced almost
to the very extremity of hunger.
"On the fourth day, the greatest part of the Pirates marched by land,
being led by one of the guides. The rest went by water, farther up with
the canoes, being conducted by another guide, who always went before
them with two of the said canoes, to discover on both sides the river
the ambuscades of the Spaniards. These had also spies, who were very
dextrous, and could at any time give notice of all accidents or of the
arrival of the Pirates, six hours at least before they came to any
place. This day about noon they found themselves nigh unto a post,
called Torna Cavallos. Here the guide of the canoes began to cry aloud
he perceived an ambuscade. His voice caused infinite joy unto all the
Pirates, as persuading themselves they should find some provisions
wherewith to satiate their hunger, which was very great. Being come unto
the place, they found nobody in it, the Spaniards who were there not
long before being every one fled, and leaving nothing behind unless it
were a small number of leather bags, all empty, and a few crumbs of
bread scattered upon the ground where they had eaten.[300] Being angry
at this misfortune, they pulled down a few little huts which the
Spaniards had made, and afterwards fell to eating the leathern bags, as
being desirous to afford something to the ferment of their stomachs,
which now was grown so sharp that it did gnaw their very bowels, having
nothing else to prey upon. Thus they made a huge banquet upon those bags
of leather, which doubtless had been more grateful unto them, if divers
quarrels had not risen concerning who should have the greatest share. By
the circumference of the place they conjectured five hundred Spaniards,
more or less, had been there. And these, finding no victuals, they were
now infinitely desirous to meet, intending to devour some of them rather
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account