THE SPANISH ADMIRAL'S LETTER. 39 



to press him to death ; they also kindled palm-leaves and applied the flame to the face of 

 this unfortunate Portuguese, burning- with them the whole skin, beard, and hair. At last, 

 seeing that neither with these tortures nor others they could get anything out of him, 

 they untied the cords, and carried him, half-dead, to the church, where was their corps du 

 guard ; here they tied him anew to one of the pillars thereof, leaving him in that condition 

 without giving him either to eat or drink, unless very sparingly and so little that would 

 scarce sustain life, for some days. Four or five being past, he desired one of the prisoners 

 might come to him, by whose means he promised he would endeavour to raise some money 

 to satisfy their demands. The prisoner whom he desired was brought to him, and he 

 ordered him to promise the pirates 500 pieces of eight for his ransom; but they were deaf 

 and obstinate at such a small sum, and instead of accepting it beat him cruelly with cudgels, 

 saying, ' Old fellow, instead of 500, 5,000 pieces of eight ; otherwise you shall here end your 

 life/ Finally, after a thousand protestations that he was but a miserable man, and kept 

 a poor tavern for his living, he agreed with them for 1,000 pieces of eight. These he 

 raised., and having paid them, got his liberty, though so horribly maimed, that it is 

 scarce to be believed he could survive many weeks." Morgan proceeded later to Gibraltar, 

 and his proceedings there are but a repetition of his former acts. And yet in searching 

 the interior he and some of his men were at one time in such straits that a couple of 

 score or so of Spaniards could have annihilated them. 



And now they returned to Maracaibo, where an unpleasant surprise awaited them. 

 They learned from a poor old Spaniard that three large Spanish ships had arrived off the 

 bar, and were awaiting the exit of the pirates; and, further, that the castle at the 

 entrance had been repaired, well provided with guns and ammunition, and thoroughly 

 manned. Morgan sent a boat down to find out how far this was true, and the report was 

 that its crew had ventured so near that they were in great danger of being shot ; that there 

 were three great ships, mounting respectively forty, thirty, and twenty-four guns. Morgan 

 disguised the apprehension he must have felt, and sent a message, couched in his usual 

 style of braggadocia, demanding a heavy ransom for not putting the city of Maracaibo 

 to the flames. Here follows the answer of the Spanish Admiral : 



" The letter of Don Alonso del Campo y Espinosa, Admiral of the Spanish Fleet, to Captain 



Morgan, Commander of the Pirates : 



" Having understood by all our friends and neighbours the unexpected news that you 

 have dared to attempt and commit hostilities in the countries, titles, towns, and villages 

 belonging to the dominions of his Catholic Majesty, my Sovereign Lord and Master, I 

 let you understand by these lines that I am come to this place, according to my obligation, 

 near that castle which you took out of the hands of a parcel of cowards, where I have 

 put things into a very good posture of defence, and mounted again the artillery which 

 you nailed and dismounted. My intent is to dispute with you your passage out of the 

 lake, and follow and pursue you everywhere, to the end you may see the performance of my 

 duty. Notwithstanding, if you be contented to sm-render with humility all that you have 

 taken, together with the slaves and all other prisoners, I will let you freely pass, without 

 trouble or molestation, on condition that you retire home presently to your own country. 



