Majesty of Spain being very narrowly concerned herein; otherwise the
pirates by such conquests might easily, in course of time, possess
themselves of all the countries thereabouts." To this some made answer,
"that the pirates, not being able to subsist in the said island, would
of necessity consume and waste themselves, and be forced to quit it,
without any necessity of retaking it: that consequently it was not worth
the while to engage in so many expenses and troubles as this would
cost." Notwithstanding which, Don John being an expert and valiant
soldier, ordered that provisions should be conveyed to Puerto Velo for
the use of the militia, and transported himself thither, with no small
danger of his life. Here he arrived July 2, with most things necessary
to the expedition in hand, where he found in the port a good ship, and
well mounted, called the _St. Vincent_, that belonged to the company of
the negroes, which he manned and victualled very well, and sent to the
isle of St. Catherine, constituting Captain Joseph Sanchez Ximenez,
major of Puerto Velo, commander thereof. He carried with him two hundred
and seventy soldiers, and thirty-seven prisoners of the same island,
besides thirty-four Spaniards of the garrison of Puerto Velo,
twenty-nine mulattoes of Panama, twelve Indians, very dextrous at
shooting with bows and arrows, seven expert and able gunners, two
lieutenants, two pilots, one surgeon, and one priest, of the order of
St. Francis, for their chaplain.

Don John soon after gave orders to all the officers how to behave
themselves, telling them that the governor of Carthagena would supply
them with more men, boats, and all things else, necessary for that
enterprise; to which effect he had already written to the said governor.
July 24, Don John setting sail with a fair wind, he called before him
all his people, and made them a speech, encouraging them to fight
against the enemies of their country and religion, and especially
against those inhuman pirates, who had committed so many horrid
cruelties upon the subjects of his Catholic Majesty; withal, promising
every one most liberal rewards, especially to such as should behave
themselves well in the service of their king and country. Thus Don John
bid them farewell, and the ship set sail under a favourable gale. The
22nd they arrived at Carthagena, and presented a letter to the governor
thereof, from the noble and valiant Don John, who received it with
testimonies