June 6th, 1635.

To sey me court appearance in Margarita wus a shambles, is an understatement. From tha moment I wus escorted inta tha courtroom, I knew tha blaggards had already convicted me in my absence. Tha newly built gallows right outside tha window wus a dead give-away.

Anyhow, it wasn't long before tha Spanish judge appeared from 'is chamber. This blaggard be as old as god 'imself - all hunched up 'n shrivelled like some old fossil. 'E must 'o been nigh on 90 if'n 'e wus a day. Tha Git carried a bottle 'o grog wit him, and everyone gathered knew tha old bastid wus pissed as a newt cos tha swine reeked like a brewery.

I had ta stand thar, in front 'o all these filthy peasants, and listen' to some two-bit poncey friggin' barrister read out tha charges against me.
Well maties, it didn't look good fer ol' Cog. Tha evidence wus damning ta sey tha least. Tha bleedin' hangman left early, and I could see tha swine getting' 'is gallows ready fer it's first customer - namely me!

Well, I wus just about resigned to me fate when tha fossil stood up 'n announced 'is verdict...
Low and behold, tha swine tells tha court I wus free ta go!
All those gathered sat in silent shock at tha ol' bastids announcement. At first I thought tha swine wus too drunk ta realise wut 'e was sey'n, but then tha Git explained is reasons, and I quote:
"I believe this gallant man is innocent of all crimes and that he should be set free this day - given a new Sloop and a few men to help sail it..."

I thought Christmas 'ad come early fer me!

One 'o tha prosecution slime balls had a quiet word wit tha fossil, and I overheard tha Ol Bugger sey I wus to be set free on tha account 'o me capturing tha French town St. Kitts, earlier dat year.

Yew see folks, cos tha Spanish 'n French were on un-friendly terms, tha bleedin' greaseballs forgave me heinous crimes cos I pillaged an enemy's town!

Twas certainly another lucky escape fer ol Cog, but I didn't stay around ta argue wit 'em. Left tha courtroom, headed fer tha dock, 'n quickly cleared off inta tha sunset wit me new Sloop and crew of eight hardy souls.

But maties, a promise is a promise.... And while I wus sat in dat thar 'ell hole prison, I promised meself ta return to Margarita one day, and burn tha bugger to tha ground. I may spare tha judge if'n I feels like it.

Cap'n Cognito, 6th day 'o June, 1635.