“I had been driven out of my course,” he said, “by contrary winds, when we sighted a vessel flying the Spanish flag, which I am bound, by a solemn oath, whenever an opportunity offers, to destroy.  I was about to sink her when I noticed an unusual number of people upon her decks, among whom were several women and children, and, since I war only with men, I sent a boat to demand the surrender of the vessel.  This was at once agreed to.  Her colours were struck, and my own hoisted at the mizzen.  I then went on board to hold an enquiry, and decide what was to be done, when I found that the ship had been stolen from a party of Dutch navigators on a visit to this country.  The object of stealing the ship was for the purpose of conveying the settlers, who had been marooned here for some years, to their homes.  It was not difficult, in the crowded state of the vessel, to find many who were prepared to disclose the whole truth.  Donna Isabel Barreto, who appeared to be a queen among these people, then offered to make terms with me, promising, if I would suffer her to continue the voyage, she would send, as ransom, a large sum of money, of which she professed to have command at Madrid; but, having some experience of Spanish promises, I declined this offer, preferring to retain possession of the ship I had captured, which appeared to be of good build and well found.  I undertook, however, to disembark Donna Isabel and her followers upon the first land we sighted, which happened to be a desolate-looking island by no means comparable with this fertile valley.  Isabel then threw herself on her knees, and implored me not to abandon her, and her people, to death by slow starvation, which the landing of so great a company on such an uninviting shore would mean.  But I was obdurate.  ‘Be thankful,’ said I, ’that your lives are spared you.  It is not for me to interfere with the decrees of Fate.  This punishment for having stolen their vessel from those who trusted you, and to whom you were bound by the laws of hospitality, has clearly been ordained by Providence.  Land, then, and, by your submission in face of adversity, seek to atone for your treacherous conduct.’

“The party being landed and left to shift for themselves, I resolved to continue my voyage to this place, of which I had been given the bearings, in order that I might restore to you your ship, for I take no booty except from Spain.”

We again thanked our generous visitor, nor could we do less than place ourselves and our ship at his disposal.

“Come back with me, then,” said Montbar, “and join our band.  I have voyaged far into these southern latitudes in search of treasure, and I may tell you that the islands of the south are by no means comparable with those in the west.”