four vessels more, whereof the first was named the
_Magdalen_, of thirty-six great guns, and twelve small ones, with two
hundred and fifty men. The second was called _St. Lewis_, with
twenty-six great guns, twelve small ones, and two hundred men. The third
was called _La Marquesa_, of sixteen great guns, eight small ones, and
one hundred and fifty men. The fourth and last, _N. S. del Carmen_, with
eighteen great guns, eight small ones, and one hundred and fifty men.

"Being arrived at Carthagena, the two greatest ships received orders to
return to Spain, being judged too big for cruising on these coasts. With
the four ships remaining, Don Alonso del Campo y Espinosa departed
towards Campechy to seek the English: we arrived at the port there,
where, being surprised by a huge storm from the north, we lost one of
our ships, being that which I named last. Hence we sailed for
Hispaniola, in sight of which we came in a few days, and steered for
Santo Domingo: here we heard that there had passed that way a fleet from
Jamaica, and that some men thereof had landed at Alta Gracia; the
inhabitants had taken one prisoner, who confessed their design was to go
and pillage the city of Caraccas. On this news, Don Alonso instantly
weighed anchor, and, crossing over to the continent, we came in sight of
the Caraccas: here we found them not, but met with a boat, which
certified us they were in the lake of Maracaibo, and that the fleet
consisted of seven small ships, and one boat.

"Upon this we came here, and arriving at the entry of the lake, we shot
off a gun for a pilot from the shore. Those on land perceiving we were
Spaniards, came willingly to us with a pilot, and told us the English
had taken Maracaibo, and that they were now at the pillage of Gibraltar.
Don Alonso, on this news, made a handsome speech to his soldiers and
mariners, encouraging them to their duty, and promising to divide among
them all they should take from the English: he ordered the guns we had
taken out of the ship that was lost to be put into the castle, and
mounted for its defence, with two eighteen-pounders more, out of his own
ship. The pilots conducted us into the port, and Don Alonso commanded
the people on shore to come before him, whom he ordered to repossess the
castle, and reinforce it with one hundred men more than it had before
its being taken. Soon after, we heard of your return from Gibraltar to
Maracaibo, whither Don Alonso wrote you a letter, giv