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
vain; for being much more nimble on their feet than the Pirates they
easily baffled their endeavours. Neither did they only baffle them, but
killed also two or three of the Pirates with their arrows, shooting at
them at a distance, and crying: 'Ha! perros, a la savana, a la savana.
Ha! ye dogs, go to the plain, go to the plain.'
"This day they could advance no further, by reason they were
necessitated to pass the river hereabouts to continue their march on the
other side. Hereupon they took up their repose for that night. Howbeit
their sleep was not heavy nor profound, for great murmurings were heard
that night in the camp, many complaining of Captain Morgan and his
conduct in that enterprise, and being desirous to return home. On the
contrary, others would rather die there than go back one step from what
they had undertaken. But others who had greater courage than any of
these two parties did laugh and joke at all their discourses. In the
meanwhile they had a guide who much comforted them, saying: 'It would
not now be long before they met with people, from whom they should reap
some considerable advantage.'
"The seventh day in the morning they all made clean their arms, and
every one discharged his pistol or musket without bullet, to examine the
security of their firelocks. This being done, they passed to the other
side of the river in the canoes, leaving the post where they had rested
the night before, called Santa Cruz. Thus they proceeded on their
journey till noon, at which time they arrived at a village called
Cruz.[301] Being at a great distance as yet from the place, they
perceived much smoke to arise out of the chimneys. The sight hereof
afforded them great joy and hopes of finding people in the town, and
afterwards what they most desired, which was plenty of good cheer. Thus
they went on with as much haste as they could, making several arguments
to one another upon those external signs, though all like castles built
in the air. 'For,' said they, 'there is smoke coming out of every house,
and therefore they are making good fires to roast and boil what we are
to eat.' With other things to this purpose.
"At length they arrived there in great haste, all sweating and panting,
but found no person in the town, nor anything that was eatable wherewith
to refresh themselves, unless it were good fires to warm themselves,
which they wanted not. For the Spaniards before their departure, had
every one set fire to his own house, excepting only the storehouses and
stables belonging to the King.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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