Cayos:
these little islands the pirates use as ports of refuge. Here they have
their meetings, and hold their councils, how best to assault the
Spaniards. It is watered on all sides with plentiful and pleasant
rivers, whose entries form both secure and spacious ports; beside many
other harbours for ships, which along the calm shores and coasts adorn
this rich and beautiful island; all which contribute much to its
happiness, by facilitating trade, whereto they invited both natives and
aliens. The chief of these ports are San Jago, Byame, Santa Maria,
Espiritu Santo, Trinidad, Zagoa, Cabo de Corientes, and others, on the
south side of the island: on the north side are, La Havanna, Puerto
Mariano, Santa Cruz, Mata Ricos, and Barracoa.

This island hath two chief cities, to which all the towns and villages
thereof give obedience. The first is Santa Jago, or St. James, seated on
the south side, and having under its jurisdiction one half of the
island. The chief magistrates hereof are a bishop and a governor, who
command the villages and towns of the said half. The chief of these are,
on the south side, Espiritu Santo, Puerto del Principe, and Bayame. On
the north it has Barracoa, and De los Cayos. The greatest part of the
commerce driven here comes from the Canaries, whither they transport
much tobacco, sugar, and hides, which sort of merchandise are drawn to
the head city from the subordinate towns and villages. Formerly the city
of Santa Jago was miserably sacked by the pirates of Jamaica and
Tortuga, though it is defended by a considerable castle.

[Illustration: "CAPTAIN MORGAN RECRUITING HIS FORCES"--_Page 115_]

The city and port De la Havanna lies between the north and west side of
the island: this is one of the strongest places of the West Indies; its
jurisdiction extends over the other half of the island; the chief places
under it being Santa Cruz on the north side, and La Trinidad on the
south. Hence is transported huge quantities of tobacco, which is sent to
New Spain and Costa Rica, even as far as the South Sea, besides many
ships laden with this commodity, that are consigned to Spain and other
parts of Europe, not only in the leaf, but in rolls. This city is
defended by three castles, very great and strong, two of which lie
towards the port, and the other is seated on a hill that commands the
town. It is esteemed to contain about ten thousand families. The
merchants of this place trade in New Spain, Campechy,