the sea-side, amongst some others that had
called them by signs thither. Our men presently without any due regard
had to the quality of the place, and seeing no man of the Spaniards to
shew themselves, boarded the Spanish barks or boats, and so standing all
open in them, were suddenly shot at by a troop of Spaniards out of the
bushes; by which volley of shot there were slain Captain Varney, which
died presently, and Captain Moon, who died some few days after, besides
some four or five others that were hurt: and so our folks returned
without their purpose, not having any sufficient number of soldiers with
them to fight on shore. For those men they carried were all mariners to
row, few of them armed, because they made account with their ordnance
to have taken the barks well enough at sea; which they might full easily
have done, without any loss at all, if they had come in time to the
harbour mouth, before the Spaniards' boats had gotten so near the shore.

During our abode in this place, as also at St. Domingo, there passed
divers courtesies between us and the Spaniards, as feasting, and using
them with all kindness and favour; so as amongst others there came to
see the General the governor of Carthagena, with the bishop of the same,
and divers other gentlemen of the better sort. This town of Carthagena
we touched in the out parts, and consumed much with fire, as we had done
St. Domingo, upon discontentments, and for want of agreeing with us
in their first treaties touching their ransom; which at the last was
concluded between us should be 110,000 ducats for that which was yet
standing, the ducat valued at five shillings sixpence sterling.

This town, though not half so big as St. Domingo, gives, as you see, a
far greater ransom, being in very deed of far more importance, by reason
of the excellency of the harbour, and the situation thereof to serve the
trade of Nombre de Dios and other places, and is inhabited with far more
richer merchants. The other is chiefly inhabited with lawyers and brave
gentlemen, being the chief or highest appeal of their suits in law of
all the islands about it and of the mainland coast next unto it. And
it is of no such account as Carthagena, for these and some like reasons
which I could give you, over long to be now written.

The warning which this town received of our coming towards them from St.
Domingo, by the space of 20 days before our arrival here, was cause that
they had both fortifi