that four hundred men could take
such a great city, with so many strong castles, especially having no
ordnance, wherewith to raise batteries, and, what was more, knowing the
citizens of Puerto Bello had always great repute of being good soldiers
themselves, and who never wanted courage in their own defence. This
astonishment was so great, as made him send to Captain Morgan, desiring
some small pattern of those arms wherewith he had taken with much vigour
so great a city. Captain Morgan received this messenger very kindly, and
with great civility; and gave him a pistol, and a few small bullets, to
carry back to the president his master; telling him, withal, "he
desired him to accept that slender pattern of the arms wherewith he had
taken Puerto Bello, and keep them for a twelvemonth; after which time he
promised to come to Panama, and fetch them away." The governor returned
the present very soon to Captain Morgan, giving him thanks for the
favour of lending him such weapons as he needed not; and, withal, sent
him a ring of gold, with this message, "that he desired him not to give
himself the labour of coming to Panama, as he had done to Puerto Bello:
for he did assure him, he should not speed so well here, as he had done
there."
After this, Captain Morgan (having provided his fleet with all
necessaries, and taken with him the best guns of the castles, nailing up
the rest) set sail from Puerto Bello with all his ships, and arriving in
a few days at Cuba, he sought out a place wherein he might quickly make
the dividend of their spoil. They found in ready money 250,000 pieces of
eight, besides other merchandises; as cloth, linen, silks, &c. With this
rich purchase they sailed thence to their common place of rendezvous,
Jamaica. Being arrived, they passed here some time in all sorts of vices
and debaucheries, according to their custom; spending very prodigally
what others had gained with no small labour and toil.
CHAPTER XII
_Captain Morgan takes the city of Maracaibo on the coast of Neuva
Venezuela--Piracies committed in those seas--Ruin of three Spanish
ships, set forth to hinder the robberies of the pirates._
NOT long after their arrival at Jamaica, being that short time they
needed to lavish away all the riches above mentioned, they concluded on
another enterprise to seek new fortunes: to this effect Captain Morgan
ordered all the commanders of his ships to meet at De la Vacca, or the
Cow Isle, south of H
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