t found strongly defended by them that were on board. The pirate
escaping the first encounter, resolved to attack her more vigorously
than before, seeing he had sustained no great damage hitherto. This
resolution he boldly performed, renewing his assaults so often that
after a long and dangerous fight he became master of the great vessel,
having lost only ten men, and had four wounded.

Having possessed themselves of such a ship, and the wind being contrary
for returning into Jamaica, the pirates resolved to steer towards the
Cape of St. Anthony, on the western side of the isle of Cuba, there to
repair themselves and take in fresh water, of which they had great
necessity at the time.

Being now very near the cape above mentioned, they unexpectedly met with
three great ships that were coming from New Spain, and bound for the
Havana. By these, not being able to escape, were easily retaken both
ship and pirates. Thus they were all made prisoners through the sudden
change of fortune, and found themselves poor, oppressed, and stripped of
all the riches they had won.

Two days after this misfortune there happened to arise a huge and
dangerous tempest, which separated the ships one from another. The great
vessel in which the pirates were arrived at Campeche, where many
considerable merchants came to salute and welcome the captain. These
knew the Portuguese pirate as one who had committed innumerable crimes
upon these coasts, not only murders and robberies, but also lamentable
burnings, which those of Campeche still preserved very fresh in their
memory.

The next day after their arrival the magistrates of the city sent
several of their officers to demand and take into custody the prisoners
from on board the ship, with intent to punish them according to their
deserts. Yet fearing lest the captain of the pirates should escape out
of their hands on shore (as he had formerly done, being once their
prisoner in the city before), they judged it more convenient to leave
him safely guarded on board the ship for the present. In the meanwhile
they caused a gibbet to be erected, whereon to hang him the very next
day, without any other form of trial than to lead him from the ship to
the place of punishment.

The rumour of this tragedy was presently brought to the ears of
Bartholomew Portugues, and he sought all the means he could to escape
that night. With this design he took two earthen jars, in which the
Spaniards usually carry wine