Yet another eyewitness account

[Airsaw]

The inhabitants of New Spain and Campeche lade their principle sorts of merchandises in ships of great bulk; and with these they exercise their commerce to and fro. The vessels from Campeche in winter time set out towards Caracas, Trinity Isles and Margarita. For in summer the winds are contrary, though very favourable to return to Campeche, as they are accustomed to do at the beggining of that season.

The Pirates are not ignorant of these times, being very dextrous in searching out all places and circumstances most suitable to their designs. Hence in the places and seasons aforementioned, they cruize upon the said ships for some while. But in case they can perform nothing, and that fortune does not favour them with some prize or other, after holding a council thereupon, they commonly enterprize things very desperate. Of these their resolutions I shall give you one instance very remarkable.

One certain Pirate, whose name was Pierre François, or Peter Francis, happened to be a long time at sea with his boat and six and twenty persons, waiting for the ships that were to return from Maracaibo towards Campeche. Not being able to find anything, nor get any prey, at last he resolved to direct his course to Rancherias, which is near the river called De la Plata, in the latitude of twelve degrees and half North. In this place lies a rich bank of pearl, to the fishery whereof they yearly send from Cartagena a fleet of a dozen vessels, with a man-of-war for their defence.

Every vessel has at least a couple of negroes in it, who are very dextrous in diving, even to the depth of six fathoms within the sea, whereabouts they find good store of pearls. Upon this fleet of vessels, though very small, called the Pearl fleet, Pierre François resolved to adventure, rather than go home with empty hands.

They rode at anchor, at that time, at the mouth of the river De la Hacha, the man-of-war being scarce half a league distant from the small ships, and the wind very calm. Having espied them in this posture, he presently pulled down his sails and rowed along the coast, dissembling to be a Spanish vessel that came from Maracaibo, and only passed that way. But no sooner was he come to the Pearl Bank, than suddenly he assaulted the Vice-Admiral of the said fleet, mounted with eight guns and threescore men well armed, commanding them to surrender. But the Spaniards, running to their arms, did what they could to defend themselves, fighting for some while; till at last they were constrained to submit to the Pirate.

Being thus possessed of the Vice-Admiral, he resolved next to adventure with some other stratagem upon the man-of-war, thinking thereby to get strength sufficient to master the rest of the fleet. With this intent he presently sank his own boat in the river, and, putting forth the Spanish colours, weighed anchor, with a little wind, which then began to stir, having with promises and menaces compelled most of the Spaniards to assist him in his design. But no sooner did the man-of-war perceive one of his fleet to set sail than he did so too, fearing lest the mariners should have any design to run away with the vessel and riches they had on board. This caused the Pirates immediately to give over that dangerous enterprise, thinking themselves unable to encounter force to force with the said man-of-war that now came against them.

Hereupon they attempted to get out of the river and gain the open seas with the riches they had taken, by making as much sail as possibly the vessel would bear. This being perceived by the man-of-war he presently gave them chase. But the Pirates, having laid on too much sail, and a gust of wind suddenly arising, had their main-mast blown down by the board, which disabled them from prosecuting their escape. This unhappy event much encouraged those that were in the man-of-war, they advancing and gaining upon the Pirates every moment; by which means at last they were overtaken.

But these notwithstanding, finding themselves still with two and twenty persons sound, the rest being either killed or wounded, resolved to defend themselves as long as it were possible. This they performed very courageously for some while, until being thereunto forced by the man-of-war, they were compelled to surrender. Yet this was not done without Articles, which the Spaniards were glad to allow them, as follows: that they should not use them as slaves, forcing them to carry or bring stones, or employing them in other labours, for three or four years, as they commonly employ their negroes. But that they should set them on shore, upon free land, without doing them any harm in their bodies.

Upon these Articles they delivered themselves, with all that they had taken, which was worth only in pearls to the value of above one hundred thousand pieces of eight, besides the vessel, provisions, goods and other things. All which, being put together, would have made to this Pirate one of the greatest prizes he could desire; which he would certainly have obtained, had it not been for the loss of his main-mast, as was said before.

(excerpt from...)

The
BUCCANEERS
of AMERICA

A true account of the most remarkable assaults
committed of late years upon the coasts of the
West Indies by the Buccaneers of Jamaica and
Tortuga (both English and French)

by

Alexander O. Exquemelin

One of the Buccaneers who was present at those tragedies

(It's hard to soar with the eagles when you've been up hooting with the owls.)
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[SuperCutless]

wow....I say you have a little bit of freetime huh.....
_________________
SuperCutless
"I work hard because millions of people on welfare depend on me"

[Justin Tyme]

Thank you for sharing that gem
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Operor retineo bastards adepto vos down

[Airsaw]

[PrinceScamp]

[quote="Airsaw"][quote="SuperCutless"]wow....I say you have a little bit of freetime huh...../quote]

Would that it were. It's the magic of copy/paste. Go Windows, woo./quote]


LOL
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LORD COMMANDER OF THE PLANK
CULT OF THE POLLMEISTER
CHA CHING!!!
320.9 SCAMP'S STOP