Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/210

190 parts of New Spain were also threatened, and the marqués de Laguna, who took office in November 1680, at once made preparations for defence; the militia were called out; the principal harbors were strongly fortified and garrisoned, and the armada de Barlovento was refitted and ordered to cruise off the coast of Tierra Firme.

But at this period corsairs ceased not to harass the Spaniards on land and sea. During the absence of the settlers they made sudden raids on the coast, sacked the towns, and carried off the cattle, thus causing many thriving colonies to be abandoned. Hovering on the shores of New Spain, they lay concealed in their light swift craft behind some point or reef, whence on the appearance of a treasure ship they darted like hawks on their prey. Laying their vessels athwart the Spaniard's bow they raked her deck with musketry, then pulled alongside, and dagger in hand swarmed over the bulwarks. Rarely did they fail to secure their prize, and often the Spaniards made no defense; the pirates finding them on their knees in supplication to the virgin and the saints, who sadly failed them in their emergencies.

In consequence of these depredations the viceroy gave orders that no ship should leave Vera Cruz without orders. This measure remedied the evil to some extent; but still the corsairs lurked among the numberless islands and reefs of the Bahama Channel, through which vessels must pass on their way to Spain, and many a richly laden craft fell a prize to them before those on board were aware that an enemy was within sight. On one occasion while the viceadmiral of the treasure fleet was at dinner in his