?

Some thought, that "It was most necessary to seek supply of victuals,
that we might the better be able to keep our men close and in health
till our time came: and this way easy to be compassed, because the
frigates with victuals went without great defence, whereas the frigates
and barks with treasure, for the most part were wafted with great ships
and store of soldiers."

Others yet judged, "We might better bestow our time in intercepting the
frigates of treasure; first, for that our magazines and storehouses
of victuals were reasonably furnished, and the country itself was so
plentiful, that every man might provide for himself if the worst befell:
and victuals might hereafter be provided abundantly as well as now:
whereas the treasure never floateth upon the sea, so ordinarily as
at this time of the Fleets being there, which time in no wise may be
neglected."

The Cimaroons being demanded also their opinion (for that they were
experienced in the particularities of all the towns thereabouts, as
in which some or other of them had served), declared that "by Veragua,
Signior PEZORO (some time their master from whom they fled) dwelt; not
in the town for fear of some surprise, but yet not far off from the
town, for his better relief; in a very strong house of stone, where he
had dwelt nineteen years at least, never travelling from home; unless
happily once a year to Cartagena, or Nombre de Dios when the Fleets were
there. He keepeth a hundred slaves at least in the mines, each slave
being bound to bring in daily, clear gain (all charges deducted) three
Pesos of Gold for himself and two for his women (8s. 3d. the Peso),
amounting in the whole, to above 200 pounds sterling each day: so that
he hath heaped a mighty mass of treasure together, which he keepeth
in certain great chests, of two feet deep, three broad, and four long:
being (notwithstanding all his wealth) bad and cruel not only to his
slaves, but unto all men, and therefore never going abroad but with
a guard of five or six men to defend his person from danger, which he
feareth extraordinarily from all creatures.

"And as touching means of compassing this purpose, they would conduct
him safely through the woods, by the same ways by which they fled, that
he should not need to enter their havens with danger, but might come
upon their backs altogether unlooked for. And though his house were of
stone, so that it could not be burnt; yet if our Captain would underta