, who always went before
them with two of the said canoes, to discover on both sides the river
the ambuscades of the Spaniards. These had also spies, who were very
dextrous, and could at any time give notice of all accidents or of the
arrival of the Pirates, six hours at least before they came to any
place. This day about noon they found themselves nigh unto a post,
called Torna Cavallos. Here the guide of the canoes began to cry aloud
he perceived an ambuscade. His voice caused infinite joy unto all the
Pirates, as persuading themselves they should find some provisions
wherewith to satiate their hunger, which was very great. Being come unto
the place, they found nobody in it, the Spaniards who were there not
long before being every one fled, and leaving nothing behind unless it
were a small number of leather bags, all empty, and a few crumbs of
bread scattered upon the ground where they had eaten.[300] Being angry
at this misfortune, they pulled down a few little huts which the
Spaniards had made, and afterwards fell to eating the leathern bags, as
being desirous to afford something to the ferment of their stomachs,
which now was grown so sharp that it did gnaw their very bowels, having
nothing else to prey upon. Thus they made a huge banquet upon those bags
of leather, which doubtless had been more grateful unto them, if divers
quarrels had not risen concerning who should have the greatest share. By
the circumference of the place they conjectured five hundred Spaniards,
more or less, had been there. And these, finding no victuals, they were
now infinitely desirous to meet, intending to devour some of them rather
than perish. Whom they would certainly in that occasion have roasted or
boiled, to satisfy their famine, had they been able to take them.

"After they had feasted themselves with those pieces of leather, they
quitted the place, and marched farther on, till they came about night to
another post called Torna Munni. Here they found another ambuscade, but
as barren and desert as the former. They searched the neighbouring
woods, but could not find the least thing to eat. The Spaniards having
been so provident as not to leave behind them anywhere the least crumb
of sustenance, whereby the Pirates were now brought to the extremity
aforementioned. Here again he was happy, that had reserved since noon
any small piece of leather whereof to make his supper, drinking after it
a good draught of water for his greatest comfor