"32 THE SEA. 



could with excuses and delays, expecting to be relieved by him in a short time, when they 

 would certainly come to their aid." Upon this intelligence, Captain Morgan ordered all 

 their plunder to be carried aboard; and withal, he told the Spaniards that the very next 

 day they should pay their ransoms, for he would not wait a moment longer, but reduce the 

 whole town to ashes if they failed of the sum he demanded. 



" With this intimation Captain Morgan made no mention of the letters he had inter- 

 cepted. They answered 'That it was impossible for them to give such a sum of money 

 in so short a space of time, seeing their fellow-townsmen were not to be found in all the 



ON THE COAST OF COSTA RICA. 



country thereabouts/ Captain Morgan knew full well their intentions, but thought it not 

 convenient to stay there any longer, demanding only of them 500 oxen or cows, with 

 sufficient salt to powder them, with this condition, that they should carry them on board 

 his ships. Thus he departed with all his men, taking with him only six of the principal 

 prisoners as pledges. Next day the Spaniards brought the cattle and salt to the ships, 

 and required the prisoners; but Captain Morgan refused to deliver them till they had 

 helped his men to kill and salt the beeves. This was performed in great haste, he not 

 caring to stay there any longer, lest he should be surprised; and having received all on 

 board, he liberated the hostages." 



Captain Morgan was hardly to be disconcerted by any defection on the part of his late 

 allies, and he therefore immediately rallied his remaining men, who swore to stick by him 

 to death. Another pirate captain joined him, and in a few days he had collected a fleet of 

 nine sail, manned by four hundred and sixty fighting men. Morgan immediately steered for 



