ugh they
had some, but no sufficient quantity of flour of meal, and this the
pirates had taken for themselves, as they also took the swine, cows,
sheep, and poultry, without allowing any share to the poor prisoners.
For these they only provided some small quantity of mules' and asses'
flesh; and many who could not eat of that loathsome provision died for
hunger, their stomachs not being accustomed to such sustenance. Of the
prisoners many also died under the torment they sustained to make them
discover their money or jewels; and of these, some had none, nor knew of
none, and others denying what they knew, endured such horrible deaths.

Finally, after having been in possession of the town four entire weeks,
they sent four of the prisoners to the Spaniards that were fled to the
woods, demanding of them a ransom for not burning the town. The sum
demanded was 10,000 pieces-of-eight, which if not sent, they threatened
to reduce it to ashes. For bringing in this money, they allowed them
only two days; but the Spaniards not having been able to gather so
punctually such a sum, the pirates fired many parts of the town;
whereupon the inhabitants begged them to help quench the fire, and the
ransom should be readily paid. The pirates condescended, helping as much
as they could to stop the fire; but, notwithstanding all their best
endeavors, one part of the town was ruined, especially the church
belonging to the monastery was burned down. After they had received the
said sum, they carried aboard all the riches they had got, with a great
number of slaves which had not paid the ransom; for all the prisoners
had sums of money set upon them, and the slaves were also commanded to
be redeemed. Thence they returned to Maracaibo, where being arrived,
they found a general consternation in the whole city, to which they sent
three or four prisoners to tell the governor and inhabitants, "they
should bring them 30,000 pieces-of-eight aboard their ships, for a
ransom of their houses, otherwise they should be sacked anew and
burned."

Among these debates a party of pirates came on shore, and carried away
the images, pictures, and bells of the great church, aboard the fleet.
The Spaniards who were sent to demand the sum aforesaid returned, with
orders to make some agreement; who concluded with the pirates to give
for their ransom and liberty 20,000 pieces-of-eight, and five hundred
cows, provided that they should commit no further hostilities, but