The Monarchs of the Main Volume Ii Part 9

It was in the very next year that the governor of Carthagena, hearing that Michael le Basque and Jonque were cruising near his port, sent two vessels against them, one of 48 guns and 300 men, and the other of 40 guns and 250 men, with a small bark as a decoy. The Buccaneer chiefs each commanded a vessel of 30 guns and 200 men. They both grappled the Spaniards, held them for an hour and a-half, swept their decks with musketry, tortured them with hand grenades and missiles, and eventually bore them off in triumph. All the Spaniards who were not killed were put on sh.o.r.e with a note to the governor, thanking him for having sent them two such good vessels, as their own had long been unfit for service.

They, moreover, promised to wait fifteen days off Carthagena for any other vessel he might wish to get rid of, provided he would send money in them, of which they were in great need.

END OF VOL. II.