For, as we perceived, these
two frigates were manned and set forth out of Cartagena, to fight with
us, and, at least, to impeach or busy us; whilst by some means or other
they might recover the frigates from us.
But our Captain prevented both their drifts. For commanding JOHN OXNAM
to stay with the one pinnace, to entertain these two Men-of-war; himself
in the other made much speed, that he got to his frigates which he
had left at anchor; and caused the Spaniards, (who in the meantime had
gotten aboard in a small canoe, thinking to have towed them within the
danger of their shot) to make the greater haste thence, than they did
thither.
For he found that in shifting thence, some of them were fain to swim
aland (the canoe not being able to receive them) and had left their
apparel, some their rapiers and targets, some their flasks and calivers
behind them; although they were towing away of one of them.
Therefore considering that we could not man them, we sunk the one, and
burnt the other, giving them to understand by this, that we perceived
their secret practices.
This being done, he returned to JOHN OXNAM; who all this while lay by
the Men-of-war without proffering to fight.
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