SIX HUXDEED AND SIXTY PIRATES. 19 



Test. Thus he cruelly and barbarously put them all to death, reserving only oue alive, whom 

 he sent back to the Governor of the Havannah, with this message in writing : ' I shall 

 inever henceforth 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 sad news, swore in the presence 

 of many that he would never grant quarter to any pirate that should fall into his hands. 

 Bat the citizens of the Havannah 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 a hundred times more opportunity for revenge than he; that 

 being necessitated to get their livelihood by fishery, they should hereafter 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 Lolonois had got a good ship, but very few provisions and people in it ; to purchase 

 iboth which he determined 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 merchandise, 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 five hundred 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 

 ihad in his service several prisoners well acquainted with the ways and places designed 

 upon." 



Lolonois gave notice to a large number of the pirates, and gathered together 

 in a little while above 400 men, among whom was then in Tortuga another freebooter, 

 named Michael de Basco, who, by his piracy, had become rich enough to live at 

 ease and go no more abroad, having withal the offer of major of the island. But 

 .seeing the great preparations that Lolonois 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 approaches) he would share in his fortunes and go 

 with him. This precious pair of thieves agreed, to the great joy of Lolonois, who knew 

 that Basco had done great things in Europe, and had the repute of being a good soldier. 

 'Then they all embarked in eight vessels, that of Lolonois being the greatest, having 

 ten guns. 



All things being ready, and the whole company on board, they set sail together 

 about the end of April, being in all about six hundred and sixty persons. They steered for 

 the port of Bayala, north of Hispaniola. Here they took into their company some 

 French hunters, who volunteered, and 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 d' Espada. Hereabouts espying a ship from Puerto Rico, 



