September 1st, 1635.

I wus sailin' towards Cartagena one early September morning, when out of tha sea mists comes a fleet 'o three ships.  Now me lookout informs me that tha colours them thar ships were flying were unfamiliar to 'is eye.

Anyhow, I gets out me spyglass 'n has meself a look.  Well shiver me friggin' timbers!  them thar ships be flying Danish colours!  Now tha reason 'ol Cog wus surprised at this 'ere sight wus because tha Danes were not known fer sailin' this far south.  Those bacon eatin' buggers usually stay around tha Lesser Antilles 'n twas quite unheard of fer 'em ta be seen along tha Spanish Main on tha account dat Spain 'n Denmark were on unfriendly terms.

Anyhow, on scrutinizing tha distant ships a lil' more, I sees dat one 'o 'em be a friggin' Galleon!  I ask yew, how often do yew see a Galleon flyin' nottin' but Spanish colours?  Twas certainly tha first time I'd ever saw such a sight - dats fer sure.

Me men were eager ta taste some Danish bacon so I tells tha Gits ta prepare fer one 'ell 'o battle!  That thar Galleon would be carryin' nigh on 200 scurvy bastids 'n if'n we wus ta win tha day, we'd have ta be on fine form.

Within twenty minutes we comes within firing range 'o tha Danish fleet 'n I orders me gunners ta prepare tha first broadside as we hoist tha Jolly Roger.  But to me complete surprise, tha blimmy Danes strike thar colours as soon as that thar skull 'n crossbones shot to tha top 'o me mast!  Me men just stood on deck 'n watched in complete silence as that thar Galleon 'n her two companion Brigs came to a halt just off me port-side.

Anyhow, within tha hour we'd secured all three vessels 'n with reluctance I allows three score 'n eight Danish swabs ta join me crew on tha account I wus short on sailors.  After dumping the gunners and the cowardly Danish officers overboard we sets sail fer Cartagena ta sell off me excess baggage 'n re-fit me newly acquired Galleon.

Now me hearties, on reachin' Cartagena I be a lil' wary 'o me reception from tha dons.  I wus hopin' tha Spanish Gits would let Cog's growing fleet dock wit no trouble.  'Appen a pirates reputation has a nasty habit 'o catching up wit him eventually, but as luck would have it, mine had yet to do so.  Tha swabs in Cartagena were none tha wiser 'o who I be and we soon berthed our ships near tha main dock.

Within thirty minutes I sends a small band 'o me men inta town on a scouting mission.  Well low 'n behold, tha swines come back and informs me thar be no friggin' redcoats ta be found - anywhere!

Opportunities like this'n are rare indeed and as ye can imagine, ol' Coggy didn't let this bugger pass.  So I sends in thirty 'o me scurviest marines and we heads straight fer tha Governors mansion.  As ye can imagine, tha townsfolk didn't stand a chance and with neyone ta man them thar turrets, we took tha place wit ease.

Cap'n Cognito, 1st day 'o September.