MORGAN AT MAEACAIBO. 37 



crying- ' Mata, mata ! ' which is, ' Kill, kill ! ' Thus the pirates were compelled to quit 

 the prey, and retreat to their ships; but they did it in good order, retiring by degrees, 

 and when they had opportunity discharging full volleys on the Spaniards, killing many of 

 their enemies, though with some loss. 



" The Spaniards, seeing their damage, endeavoured to save themselves by flight and 

 carry off their dead and wounded companions. The pirates perceiving them flee would 

 not content themselves with what hurt they had already done, but pursued them speedily 

 into the woods, and killed the greatest part of those that remained. Next day Captain 

 Morgan, extremely offended at what had passed, went himself, with 200 men, into the 

 woods to seek for the rest of the Spaniards, but finding nobody, he revenged himself on 

 the houses of the poor and miserable rustics that inhabited those scattering fields and 

 woods, of which he burnt a great number; with this he returned to his ship, somewhat 

 more satisfied in his mind for having done some considerable damage to the enemy, which 

 was always his most ardent desire." 



Captain Morgan having waited impatiently for some of his ships which had not yet 

 joined company, was recommended by a French captain who had served with Lolonois to 

 make an attempt with his present forces eight ships and about 500 men on Maracaibo. 

 The Spaniards had built another fort since the action with Lolonois, and when the pirates 

 arrived gave them a very warm reception, which lasted till evening. In the obscurity of 

 the night Morgan and his men crept up to the fort, when they found that the Spaniards 

 had deserted it. They had left, however, a train of powder with match burning, with the 

 intention of playing Guy Fawkes with the pirates, and had not Morgan discovered it in 

 time they would undoubtedly have suffered great loss. The freebooters found a considerable 

 amount of powder and muskets, with which they furnished the fleet, and they spiked 

 sixteen cannons. Next day they proceeded in boats and canoes to the town, which, with 

 an adjacent fort, was found deserted. 



" As soon as they had entered the town the pirates searched every corner, to see if 

 they could find any people who were hid who might offend them unawares; not finding 

 anybody, every party, as they came out of their several ships, chose what several houses 

 they pleased. The church was deputed for the common corps du guard, where they lived, 

 after their military manner, very insolently. Next day after they sent a troop of 100 men 

 to seek for the inhabitants and their goods. These returned next day, bringing with them 

 thirty persons men, women, and children and fifty mules laden with good merchandise. 

 All these miserable people were put to the rack, to make them confess where the rest of 

 the inhabitants were and their goods. Among other tortures, one was to stretch their 

 limbs with cords and then to beat them with sticks and other instruments. Others had 

 burning matches placed between their fingers, which were thus burnt alive. Others had 

 slender cords or matches placed about their heads till their eyes burst out. Those who 

 would not confess, or had nothing to declare, died under the hands of those villains. These 

 tortures and racks continued for three whole weeks, in which time they sent out daily 

 parties to seek for more people to torment and rob, they never returning without booty 

 and new riches. 



" Captain Morgan having now gotten into his hands about a hundred of the chief families, 



