guns, the second
with thirty, and the smallest with twenty-four. These forces being much
beyond those of Captain Morgan, caused a general consternation in the
pirates, whose biggest vessel had not above fourteen small guns. Every
one judged Captain Morgan to despond, and to be hopeless, considering
the difficulty of passing safe with his little fleet amidst those great
ships and the fort, or he must perish. How to escape any other way, by
sea or land, they saw no way. Under these necessities, Captain Morgan
resumed new courage, and resolving to show himself still undaunted, he
boldly sent a Spaniard to the admiral of those three ships, demanding of
him a considerable ransom for not putting the city of Maracaibo to the
flames. This man (who was received by the Spaniards with great
admiration of the boldness of those pirates) returned two days after,
bringing to Captain Morgan a letter from the said admiral, as follows:--

_The Letter of Don Alonso del Campo y Espinosa,
Admiral of the Spanish Fleet, to Captain Morgan,
Commander of the Pirates._

"Having understood by all our friends and
neighbours, the unexpected news that you have
dared to attempt and commit hostilities in the
countries, cities, towns, and villages belonging
to the dominions of his Catholic Majesty, my
sovereign lord and master; I let you understand by
these lines, that I am come to this place,
according to my obligation, near that castle
which you took out of the hands of a parcel of
cowards; where I have put things into a very good
posture of defence, and mounted again the
artillery which you had nailed and dismounted. My
intent is, to dispute with you your passage out of
the lake, and follow and pursue you everywhere, to
the end you may see the performance of my duty.
Notwithstanding, if you be contented to surrender
with humility all that you have taken, together
with the slaves and all other prisoners, I will
let you freely pass, without trouble or
molestation; on condition that you retire home
presently to your own country. But if you make any
resistance or opposition to what I offer you, I
assure you I will command boats to come from
Caraccas, wherein I will put my troops,