could. The
pirates accepted this, it being then more useful to them than ready
money, and agreed they should pay four thousand hanegs, or bushels of
maize. These were brought in three days after, the Spaniards being
desirous to rid themselves of that inhuman sort of people. Having laded
them on board with the rest of their purchase, they returned to
Hispaniola, to give account to their leader, Captain Morgan, of all they
had performed.

They had now been absent five weeks on this commission, which long delay
occasioned Captain Morgan almost in despair of their return, fearing
lest they were fallen in to the hands of the Spaniards; especially
considering the place whereto they went could easily be relieved from
Carthagena and Santa Maria, if the inhabitants were careful to alarm the
country. On the other side, he feared lest they should have made some
great fortune in that voyage, and with it have escaped to some other
place. But seeing his ships return in greater numbers than they
departed, he resumed new courage, this sight causing both in him and his
companions infinite joy, especially when they found them full laden with
maize, which they much wanted for the maintenance of so many people,
from whom they expected great matters under such a commander.

Captain Morgan having divided the said maize, as also the flesh which
the hunters brought, among his ships, according to the number of men, he
concluded to depart; having viewed beforehand every ship, and observed
their being well equipped and clean. Thus he set sail, and stood for
Cape Tiburon, where he determined to resolve what enterprise he should
take in hand. No sooner were they arrived, but they met some other ships
newly come to join them from Jamaica; so that now their fleet consisted
of thirty-seven ships, wherein were two thousand fighting men, beside
mariners and boys. The admiral hereof was mounted with twenty-two great
guns, and six small ones of brass; the rest carried some twenty; some
sixteen, some eighteen, and the smallest vessel at least four; besides
which, they had great quantities of ammunition and fire-balls, with
other inventions of powder.

Captain Morgan having such a number of ships, divided the whole fleet
into two squadrons, constituting a vice-admiral, and other officers of
the second squadron, distinct from the former. To these he gave letters
patent, or commissions to act all manner of hostilities against the
Spanish nation, and take o