gunpowder, placed on end like guns at the open ports on her larboard
side. On the evening of the fourth day, everything being now in
readiness, all were got aboard, and the empty, pleasant city of
Maracaybo was at last abandoned. But they did not weigh anchor until
some two hours after midnight. Then, at last, on the first of the ebb,
they drifted silently down towards the bar with all canvas furled save
only their spiltsails, which, so as to give them steering way, were
spread to the faint breeze that stirred through the purple darkness of
the tropical night.

The order of their going was as follows: Ahead went the improvised
fire-ship in charge of Wolverstone, with a crew of six volunteers, each
of whom was to have a hundred pieces of eight over and above his share
of plunder as a special reward. Next came the Arabella. She was followed
at a distance by the Elizabeth, commanded by Hagthorpe, with whom was
the now shipless Cahusac and the bulk of his French followers. The rear
was brought up by the second sloop and some eight canoes, aboard of
which had been shipped the prisoners, the slaves, and most of the
captured merchandise. The prisoners were all pinioned, and guarded by
four buccaneers with musketoons who manned these boats in addition to
the two fellows who were to sail them. Their place was to be in the rear
and they were to take no part whatever in the coming fight.

As the first glimmerings of opalescent dawn dissolved the darkness, the
straining eyes of the buccaneers were able to make out the tall rigging
of the Spanish vessels, riding at anchor less than a quarter of a mile
ahead. Entirely without suspicion as the Spaniards were, and rendered
confident by their own overwhelming strength, it is unlikely that they
used a vigilance keener than their careless habit. Certain it is that
they did not sight Blood's fleet in that dim light until some time
after Blood's fleet had sighted them. By the time that they had actively
roused themselves, Wolverstone's sloop was almost upon them, speeding
under canvas which had been crowded to her yards the moment the galleons
had loomed into view.

Straight for the Admiral's great ship, the Encarnacion, did Wolverstone
head the sloop; then, lashing down the helm, he kindled from a match
that hung ready lighted beside him a great torch of thickly plaited
straw that had been steeped in bitumen. First it glowed, then as he
swung it round his head, it burst into flame, jus