 Section 16 of Pirates of Panama, the Buccaneers of America by A. O. Esquimellon, translated by G. A. Williams. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. CHAPTER XII. PART I. Captain Morgan takes the city of Maracaibo on the coast of Nueva Venezuela. The seas committed in those seas, ruin of three Spanish ships, set forth to hinder the robberies of the pirates. Not long after their arrival at Jamaica, being that short time they needed to lavish away all the riches above mentioned, they concluded on another enterprise to seek new fortunes. To this effect Captain Morgan ordered all the commanders of his ships to meet at de la vaca, or the cow isle, south of Hispaniola, as is said. Other flock to them great numbers of other pirates, French and English, the name of Captain Morgan being now famous in all the neighbouring countries for his great enterprises. There was then at Jamaica an English ship newly come from New England, well mounted with thirty-six guns. This vessel, by order of the Governor of Jamaica, joined Captain Morgan to strengthen his fleet and give him greater courage to attempt mighty things. With this supply Captain Morgan judged himself sufficiently strong, but there being in the same place another great vessel of twenty-four iron guns and twelve brass ones, belonging to the French, Captain Morgan endeavored also to join this ship to his own, but the French, not daring to trust the English, denied absolutely to consent. The French pirates belonging to this great ship had met at sea an English vessel, and being under great want of victuals they had taken some provisions out of the English ship without paying for them, having perhaps no ready money aboard. Only they gave them bills of exchange for Jamaica and Tortuga to receive money there. Captain Morgan, having notice of this, and perceiving he could not prevail with the French captain to follow him, resolved to lay hold on this occasion, to ruin the French and seek his revenge. Hereupon he invited, with dissimilation, the French commander and several of his men to dine with him on board the great ship that was come to Jamaica, as is said. Being come, he made them all prisoners, pretending the injury aforesaid done to the English vessel. This unjust action of Captain Morgan was soon followed by divine punishment, as we may conceive, the manner I shall instantly relate. Captain Morgan, presently after he had taken these French prisoners, called a council to deliberate what place they should first pitch upon in this new expedition. Here it was determined to go to the Isle of Savonia, to wait for the flotta then expected from Spain, and take any of the Spanish vessels straggling from the rest. This resolution being taken, they began aboard the great ship to feast one another for joy of their new voyage, and happy council, as they hoped. They drank many hells, and discharged many guns, the common sign of mirth among seamen. Most of the men being drunk, by what accident is not known, the ship was suddenly blown up, with three hundred and fifty Englishmen, besides the French prisoners in the hold, of all of which they escaped but thirty men, who were in the great cabin, at some distance from the main force of the powder. Many more, it is thought, might have escaped, had they not been so much overtaken with wine. This loss brought much consternation of mind upon the English. They knew not whom to blame, but at last the accusation was laid on the French prisoners, whom they suspected to have fired the powder of the ship out of revenge, though with the loss of their own lives. Hereupon they added new accusations to their former, whereby to seize the ship and all that was in it, by saying the French designed to commit piracy on the English. The grounds of this accusation were given by a commission from the governor of Baracoa, found aboard the French vessel, wherein were these words, that the said governor did permit the French to trade in all Spanish ports, etc., as also to cruise on the English pirates in whatever place soever they find them, because of the multitudes of hostilities which they had committed against the subject of his Catholic majesty, in time of peace betwixt the two crowns. This commission for trade was interpreted as an express order to exercise piracy and war against them, though it was only a bear license for coming into the Spanish ports, the cloak of which permission were those words that they should cruise upon the English. And though the French did sufficiently expound the true sense of it, they could not clear themselves to Captain Morgan nor his counsel, but in lieu thereof the ship and men were seized and sent to Jamaica. Here they also endeavored to obtain justice, and the restitution of their ship, but all in vain, for instead of justice they were long detained in prison and threatened with hanging. Eight days after the loss of the said ship, Captain Morgan commanded the bodies of the miserable wretches who were blown up to be searched for, as they floated on the sea, not to afford them Christian burial but for their clothes and attire, and if any had gold rings on their fingers these were cut off, leaving them exposed to the veracity of the monsters of the sea. At last they set sail for Savannah, the place of their assignation. There were in all fifteen vessels, Captain Morgan commanding the biggest, of only fourteen small guns, his number of men was nine hundred and sixty. Few days after they arrived at the Cabo de Lobos. Both of Hispaniola, between Cape Tiberon and Cape Punta de Espadia, hence they could not pass by reason of contrary winds for three weeks, notwithstanding all the utmost endeavours Captain Morgan used to get forth. Then they doubled a cape and spied an English vessel at a distance. Having spoken with her they found she came from England, and bought of her for ready money some provisions that they wanted. Captain Morgan proceeded on his voyage till he came to the port of Auca. Here he landed some men sending them into the woods to seek water and provisions, the better to spare such as he had already on board. They killed many beasts, and among others some horses. But the Spaniards, not well satisfied at their hunting, laid a stratagem for them, ordering three or four hundred men to come from Santo Domingo, not far distant, and desiring them to hunt in all the parts thereabouts near the sea, that so, if the pirates should return, they might find no subsistence. Within few days the same pirates returned to hunt, but finding nothing to kill, a party of about fifty struggled farther on into the woods. The Spaniards, who watched all their motions, gathered a great herd of cows, and set two or three men to keep them. The pirates, having spied them, killed a sufficient number, and though the Spaniards could see them at a distance, yet they could not hinder them at present. But as soon as they attempted to carry them away, they set upon them furiously, crying, Mata, Mata, i.e., kill, kill. Thus the pirates were compelled to quit the prey and retreat to their ships, but they did it in good order, retiring by degrees, and when they had opportunity, discharging full volleys on the Spaniards, killing many of their enemies, though with some loss. The Spaniards, seeing their damage, endeavored to save themselves by flight, and carry off their dead and wounded companions. The pirates, perceiving them flee, would not content themselves with what hurt they had already done, but pursued them speedily into the woods, and killed the greatest part of those that remained. Next day Captain Morgan, extremely offended at what had passed, went himself with two hundred men into the woods to seek for the rest of the Spaniards, but finding nobody, he revenged his wrath on the houses of the poor and miserable rustics that inhabited those scattering fields and woods, of which he burnt a great number. With this he returned to his ships, somewhat more satisfied in his mind for having done some considerable damage to the enemy, which was always his most ardent desire. The impatience wherewith Captain Morgan had waited a long while for some of his ships not yet arrived, made him resolve to sail away without them, and steer for Savanna, the place he always designed. Being arrived and not finding any of his ships come, he was more impatient and concerned than before, fearing their loss, or that he must proceed without them. But he was waiting for their arrival a few days longer, and having no great plenty of provisions. He sent a crew of one hundred and fifty men to Hispaniola to pillage some towns near Santo Domingo. But the Spaniards, upon intelligence of their coming, were so vigilant, and in such good posture of defense, that the pirates thought not convenient to assault them, choosing rather to return empty handed to Captain Morgan than to perish in that desperate enterprise. End of CHAPTER XII PART II At last Captain Morgan, seeing the other ships did not come, made a review of his people, and found only about five hundred men. The ships wanting were seven, he having only eight in his company, of which the greatest part were very small. Having hitherto resolved to cruise on the coast of Caracas, and to plunder the towns and villages there, finding himself at present with such small forces, he changed his resolution by advice of a French captain in his fleet. This Frenchman, having served lulanoise in the like enterprises, and at the taking of Mericaybo, knew all the entries, passages, forces, and means, how to put in execution the same again in company of Captain Morgan, to whom, having made a full relation of all, he concluded to sack it the second time, being himself persuaded with all his men of the facility the Frenchman propounded. Hereupon they weighed anchor, and steered towards Curacao. Being come with inside of it, they landed at another island near it, called Ruba, about twelve leagues from Curacao to the west. This island, defended by a slender garrison, is inhabited by Indians subject to Spain, and speaks Spanish by reason of the Roman Catholic religion, here cultivated by a few priests sent from the neighboring continent. The inhabitants exercised commerce or trade with the pirates that go or come this way. They buy of the islanders sheep, lambs, and kids, which they exchange for linen, thread, and like things. The country is very dry and barren, the whole substance thereof consisting in those three things, and in a little indifferent wheat. This isle produces many venomous insects, as vipers, spiders, and others. These last are so pernicious that a man bitten by them dies mad, and the manner of recovering such is to tie them very fast both hands and feet, and so to leave them twenty-four hours without eating or drinking anything. Captain Morgan, as was said, having cast anchor before this island, bought of the inhabitants sheep, lambs, and wood for all his fleet. After two days he sailed again in the night, to the intent that they might not see what course he steered. Next day they arrived at the Sea of Maracaibo, taking great care not to be seen from Vigilia, for which reason they anchored out of sight of it. Despite being come, they set sail again towards the land, and next morning, by break of day, were got directly over against the bar of the said lake. The Spaniards had built another fort since the action of Laloise, once they now fired continually against the pirates, while they put their men into boats to land. The dispute continued very hot, being managed with great courage from morning till dark night. This being come, Captain Morgan, in the obscurity thereof, drew nigh the fort, which having examined, he found nobody in it, the Spaniards having deserted it not long before. They left behind them a match, lighted near a train of powder, to have blown up the pirates and the whole fortress as soon as they were in it. This design had taken effect, had not the pirates discovered it in a quarter of an hour, but Captain Morgan, snatching away the match, saved both his own and his companion's lives. They found here much powder, whereof he provided his fleet, and then demolished part of the walls, nailing sixteen pieces of ordinance from twelve to twenty-four pounders. Here they also found many muskets and other military provisions. Next day they commanded the ships to enter the bar, among which they divided the powder, muskets, and other things found in the fort. Then they embarked again to continue their course towards Maracaibo, but the waters, being very low, they could not pass a certain bank at the entry of the lake. Hereupon they were compelled to go in canoes and small boats, with which they arrived next day before Maracaibo, having no other defense than some small pieces which they could carry in the said boats. Being landed they ran immediately to the fort de la barra, which they found as the precedent, without any person in it, for all were fled into the woods, leaving also the town without any people, unless a few miserable folks who had nothing to lose. As soon as they had entered the town, the pirates searched every corner to see if they could find any people that were hid, who might offend them unawares. Not finding anybody, every party, as they came out of their several ships, chose what houses they pleased. The church was deputed for the common cordu guard, where they lived after their military manner very insolently. Next day after they sent a troop of a hundred men to seek for the inhabitants and their goods. These returned next day, bringing with them thirty persons, men, women, and children, and fifty mules laden with good merchandise. All these miserable people were put to the rack, to make them confess where the rest of the inhabitants were, and their goods. Among other tortures one was to stretch their limbs with cords, and then to beat them with sticks and other instruments. Others had burning matches placed betwixt their fingers, which were thus burnt alive. Others had slender cords or matches twisted about their heads till their eyes burst out. Thus all inhumane cruelties were executed on those innocent people. Those who would not confess, or who had nothing to declare, died under the hands of those villains. These tortures and racks continued for three whole weeks, in which time they sent out daily parties to seek for more people to torment and rob. They never returning without booty and new riches. Captain Morgan, having now gotten into his hands about a hundred of the chief families with all their goods, at last resolved for Gibraltar, as Lollanois had done before. With this design he equipped his fleet, providing it sufficiently with all necessaries. He put likewise on board all the prisoners, and weighing anchor set sail with resolution to hazard a battle. They had sent before some prisoners to Gibraltar, to require the inhabitants to surrender, otherwise Captain Morgan would certainly put them all to the sword without any quarter. Arriving before Gibraltar, the inhabitants received him with continual shooting of great cannon-bullets. But the pirates, instead of fainting here at, ceased not to encourage one another, saying, We must make one meal upon bitter things before we come to taste the sweetness of the sugar this place affords. Next day very early they landed all their men, and being guided by the Frenchmen above said they marched towards the town, not by the common way, but crossing through the woods. Which way the Spaniards scarce thought they would have come. For at the beginning of their march they made as if they intended to come the next, and open the way to the town, hereby to deceive the Spaniards. But these remembering full well what Lollanois had done but two years before, thought it not safe to expect a second brunt, and hereupon all fled out of the town as fast as they could, bringing all their goods and riches, as also all the powder, and having nailed all the great guns, so as the pirates found not one person in the whole city, but one poor innocent man who was born a fool. This man they asked whether the inhabitants were fled, and where they had hid their goods. To all which questions and the like he constantly answered, I know nothing, I know nothing. But they presently put him to the rack, and tortured him with cords. Each torments forced him to cry out, Do not torture me any more, but come with me, and I will show you my goods and my riches. They were persuaded, it seems, he was some rich person disguised under those clothes so poor, and that innocent tongue. So they went along with him, and he conducted them to a poor, miserable cottage, wherein he had a few earthen dishes, and other things of no value, and three pieces of eight, concealed with some other trempary under ground. Then they asked him his name, and he readily answered, My name is Don Sebastian Sanchez, and I am brother unto the governor of Marrakeibo. This foolish answer it must be conceived, these inhuman wretches took for truth, for no sooner had they heard it, but they put him again upon the rack, lifting him up on high with cords, and tying huge weights to his feet and neck. Besides which they burnt him alive, applying palm leaves burning to his face. CHAPTER 12 PART 3 The same day they sent out a party to seek for the inhabitants, on whom they might exercise their cruelties. These brought back an honest peasant with two daughters of his, whom they intended to torture as they used others, if they showed not the places where the inhabitants were hid. The peasant knew some of those places, and seeing himself threatened with the rack, went with the pirates to show them. But the Spaniards, perceiving their enemies to range everywhere up and down the woods, were already fled thence farther off into the thickest of the woods, where they built themselves huts, to preserve from the weather those few goods they had. The pirates judged themselves, deceived by the peasant, and hereupon to revenge themselves, notwithstanding all his excuses and supplication they hanged him on a tree. Then they divided into parties to search the plantations, for they knew the Spaniards that were absconded could not live on what the woods afforded, without coming now and then for provisions to their country houses. Here they found a slave, to whom they promised mountains of gold and his liberty, by transporting him to Jamaica, if he would show them where the inhabitants of Gibraltar lay hid. This fellow conducted them to a party of Spaniards, whom they instantly made prisoners, commanding this slave to kill some before the eyes of the rest. That by this perpetrated crime he might never be able to leave their wicked company. The Negro, according to their orders, committed many murders and insolences upon the Spaniards, and followed the unfortunate traces of the pirates, who eight days after returned to Gibraltar with many prisoners and some mules laden with riches. They examined every prisoner by himself, who were in all about two-hundred and fifty persons, where they had hid the rest of their goods, and if they knew of their fellow townsmen. Such as would not confess were tormented after most inhuman manner. Among the rest there happened to be a Portuguese, who by a Negro was reported, though falsely, to be very rich. This man was commanded to produce his riches. His answer was, he had no more than one-hundred pieces of aid in the world, and these had been stolen from him two days before by his servant. Which words, though he sealed with many oaths and protestations, yet they would not believe him, but dragging him to the rack, without any regard to his age of sixty years, they stretched him with cords, breaking both his arms behind his shoulders. This cruelty went not alone, for he, not being able or willing to make any other declaration, they put him to another sort of torment more barbarous. They tied him with small cords by his two thumbs and his great toes to four stakes fixed in the ground, at a convenient distance, the whole weight of his body hanging on those cords. Not satisfied yet with this cruel torture, they took a stone of above two-hundred pounds and laid it upon his belly, as if they intended to press him to death. They also kindled palm-leaves and applied the flame to the face of this unfortunate Portuguese, burning with him the whole skin, beard, and hair. At last, seeing that neither with these tortures nor others they could get anything out of him, they untied the cords and carried him half-dead to the church, where was their core to guard? Here they tied him anew to one of the pillars thereof, leaving him in that condition, without giving him either to eat or drink, unless very sparingly, and so little that would scare sustained life for some days, four or five being passed, he desired one of the prisoners might come to him, by whose means he promised he would endeavor to raise some money to satisfy their demands. The prisoner whom he required was brought to him, and he ordered him to promise the pirate five-hundred pieces of eight for his ransom, but they were deaf and obstinate as such a small sum, and instead of accepting it, beat him coolly with cudgels, saying, Old fellow, instead of five-hundred, you must say five-hundred thousand pieces of eight, otherwise you shall hear end your life. Finally, after a thousand protestations that he was but a miserable man, and kept a poor tavern for his living, he agreed with them for one thousand pieces of eight. These he raised, and having paid them, got his liberty, though so horribly maimed that it is scarce to be believed he could survive many weeks. Others were crucified by these tyrants, and with kindled matches burnt between the joints of their fingers and toes, others had their feet put into the fire, and thus were left to be roasted alive. Having used these and other cruelties with the white men, they began to practice the same with the negroes, their slaves, who were treated with no less inhumanity than their masters. Among these slaves there was one who promised Captain Morgan to conduct him to a river of the lake, where he should find a ship and four boats, richly laden with goods of the inhabitants of Merakai Boat. The same discovered likewise where the governor of Gibraltar lay hid, with the greatest part of the women of the town. But all these he revealed upon great menaces to hang him, if he told not what he knew. Captain Morgan sent away presently two hundred men in two satis, or great boats, to this river, to seek for what the slave had discovered, but he himself, with two hundred and fifty more, undertook to go and take the governor. This gentleman was retired to a small island in the middle of the river, where he had built a little fort, as well as he could, for his defense. But hearing that Captain Morgan came in person with great forces to seek him, he retired to the top of a mountain not far off, to which there was no ascent but by a very narrow passage, so straight that whosoever did attempt to gain the ascent must march his men one by one. Captain Morgan spent two days before he arrived at this little island, once he designed to proceed to the mountain where the governor was posted, had he not been told of the impossibility of ascent, not only for the narrowness of the way, but because the governor was well provided with all sorts of ammunition. Besides, there was fallen a huge rain whereby all the pirate's baggage and powder was wet. By this rain also they lost many men at the passage over a river that was overflown. Here perished likewise some women and children and many mules laden with plaiting goods, which they had taken from the fugitive inhabitants, so that things were in a very bad condition with Captain Morgan and his men much harassed, as may be inferred from this relation, whereby, if the Spaniards in that juncture had but fifty men well armed, they might have entirely destroyed the pirates. But the fears that the Spaniards had at first conceived were so great that the leaves stirring on the trees they often fancied to be pirates. Finally, Captain Morgan and his people, having upon this march sometimes waded up to their middles in water for half or whole miles altogether, they at last escaped for the greatest part, but the women and children for the major part died. Thus, twelve days after they set forth to seek the governor, they returned to Gibraltar, with many prisoners. Two days after arrived also the two setees that went to the river, bringing with them four boats and some prisoners. But the greatest part of the merchandise in the said boats they found not, the Spaniards having unlated and secured it, having intelligence of their coming, who designed also when the merchandise was taken out to burn the boats. Yet the Spaniards made not so much haste to unlade these vessels, but that they left in the ship and boats great parcels of goods, which the pirates seized, and brought a considerable booty to Gibraltar. Thus, after they had been in possession of the place five entire weeks, and committed an infinite number of murders, robberies, and such-like insolences, they concluded to depart. But first they ordered some prisoners to go forth into the woods and fields, and collect a ransom for the town, otherwise they would certainly burn it to the ground. These poor, afflicted men went as they were sent, and having searched the adjoining fields and woods, returned to Captain Morgan, telling him they had scarce been able to find anybody, but that to such as they had found they had proposed his demands, to which they had answered that the governor had prohibited them to give any ransom for the town, but they beseeched him to have a little patience, and among themselves they would collect five thousand pieces of eight, and for the rest they would give some of their own townsmen as hostages, whom he might carry to Maracaibo till he had received full satisfaction. End of Chapter 12 Part 3 Section 19 of Pirates of Panama. The Buccaneers of America by A. O. Esquimelon. Translated by G. A. Williams. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Chapter 12 Part 4 Captain Morgan, having now been long absent from Maracaibo, and knowing the Spaniards had had sufficient time to fortify themselves, and hinder his departure out of the lake, granted their proposition, and made as much haste as he could for his departure. He gave liberty to all the prisoners, first putting everyone to a ransom, yet he detained the slaves. They delivered him four persons agreed on for hostages of what money more he was to receive, and they desired to have the slave mentioned above, intending to punish him according to his desserts, but Captain Morgan would not deliver him, lest they should burn him alive. At last they weighed anchor, and set sail in all haste for Maracaibo. Here they arrived in four days, and found all things as they had left them. Yet here they received news from a poor, distressed old man, whom alone they found sick in the town, that three Spanish men of war were arrived at the entry of the lake, waiting the return of the pirates, moreover, that the castle at the entry thereof was again put into a good posture of defense, well provided with guns and men, and all sorts of ammunition. This relation could not choose but disturb the mind of Captain Morgan, who now was careful how to get away through the narrow entry of the lake. Hereupon he sent his swiftest boat to view the entry, and see if things were as they had been related. Next day the boat came back, confirming what was said, assuring him, they had viewed the ship so nigh that they had been in great danger of their shot. Hereon too they added that the biggest ship was mounted with forty guns, the second with thirty, and the smallest with twenty-four. These forces being much beyond those of Captain Morgan caused a general consternation in the pirates, whose biggest vessel had not above fourteen small guns. Everyone judged Captain Morgan to despond, and to be hopeless, considering the difficulty of passing safe with his little fleet amidst these great ships and the fort, or he must perish. How to escape any other way? By sea or land they saw no way. Under these necessities Captain Morgan resumed new courage, and resolving to show himself still undaunted he boldly sent a Spaniard to the admiral of those three ships, demanding of him a considerable ransom for not putting the city of Mericaybo to the flames. This man, who was received by the Spaniards with great admiration of the boldness of those pirates, returned two days after, bringing to Captain Morgan a letter from the said admiral as follows. The letter of Don Alonso del Campo y Espinoza, admiral of the Spanish fleet, to Captain Morgan, commander of the pirates. Having understood by all our friends and neighbors the unexpected news that you have dared to attempt and commit hostilities in the countries, cities, towns, and villages belonging to the dominions of his Catholic majesty, my sovereign lord and master, I let you understand by these lines that I am come to this place, according to my obligation, near that castle which you took out of the hands of a parcel of cowards, where I have put things into a very good posture of defense, and mounted again the artillery which you had nailed and dismounted. My intent is to dispute with you your passage out of the lake, and follow and pursue you everywhere, to the end you may see the performance of my duties. Notwithstanding, if you be contented to surrender with humility all that you have taken, together with the slaves and all other prisoners, I will let you freely pass, without trouble or molestation, on condition that you retire home presently to your own country. But if you make any resistance or opposition to what I offer you, I assure you I will command boats to come from Caracas, wherein I will put my troops, and coming to Maracaibo will put you every man to the sword. This is my last and absolute resolution. Be prudent, therefore, and do not abuse my bounty within gratitude. I have with me very good soldiers who desire nothing more ardently than to revenge on you, and your people, all the cruelties and base infamous actions you have committed upon the Spanish nation in America. Dated on board the royal ship named the Magdalene, lying at anchor at the entry of the Lake Maracaibo this twenty-fourth of April 1669. Don Ilonzo del Campo y Espinoza. As soon as Captain Morgan received this letter, he called all his men together in the marketplace of Maracaibo, and after reading the contents thereof, both in French and English, asked their advice and resolution on the whole matter, and whether they had rather surrender all they had got to obtain their liberty than fight for it. They answered all unanimously. They had rather fight to the last drop of blood than surrender so easily the booty they had got with so much danger of their lives. Among the rest, one said to Captain Morgan, Take you care for all the rest, and I will undertake to destroy the biggest of those ships with only twelve men. The manner shall be by making a bruleau, or fire-ship, of that vessel we took in the river of Gibraltar, which to the intent she may not be known for a fire-ship we will fill her decks with logs of wood, standing with hats on Monterra caps, to deceive their sight with the representation of men. The same we will do at all the portholes that serve for guns, which shall be filled with counterfeit cannon. At the stern we will hang out English colours, and persuade them the enemy she is one of our best men of war going to fight them. This proposition was admitted and approved by everyone, how be it their fears were not quite dispersed. For notwithstanding what had been concluded there, they endeavored to the next day to come to an accommodation with Don Alonso. To this effect Captain Morgan sent to him two persons with these propositions. First that he would quit Maracaibo without doing any damage to the town, or exacting any ransom for the firing thereof. Secondly that he would set at liberty one half of the slaves and all the prisoners without ransom. Thirdly that he would send home freely the four chief inhabitants of Gibraltar, which he had in his custody as hostages for the contributions those people had promised to pay. These propositions were instantly rejected by Don Alonso as dishonourable. Neither would he hear of any other accommodation, but sent back this message, that if they surrendered not themselves voluntarily into his hands, within two days under the conditions which he had offered them by his letter he would immediately come and force them to do it. No sooner had Captain Morgan received this message from Don Alonso than he put all things in order to fight, resolving to get out of the lake by main force without surrendering anything. First he commanded all the slaves and prisoners to be tied and guarded very well, and gathered all the pitch, tar, and brimstone they could find in the whole town for the fire ship above mentioned. Then they made several inventions of powder and brimstone with palm leaves well anointed with tar. They covered very well their counterfeit cannon, laying under every piece many pounds of powder. Besides they cut down many outworks of the ship, that the powder might exert its strength the better, by breaking open also new portholes, where instead of guns they placed little drums used by the Negroes. Finally, the decks were handsomely beset with many pieces of wood, dressed up like men with hats, or monterras, and armed with swords, muskets, and bandoliers. The fire ship being thus fitted, they prepared to go to the entry of the port. All the prisoners were put into one great boat, and in another of the biggest they placed all the women, plate, jewels, and other rich things. Into others they put the bales of goods and merchandise, and other things of bulk. Each of these boats had twelve men aboard, very well armed. The bruleaux had orders to go before the rest of the vessels, and presently to follow foul with the great ship. All things being ready, Captain Morgan exacted an oath of all his comrades, protesting to defend themselves to the last drop of blood, without demanding quarter, promising with all that whosoever behaved himself thus, should be very well rewarded. CHAPTER XII PART V With this courageous resolution they set sail to seek the Spaniards. On April 30th, 1669, they found the Spanish fleet riding at anchor in the middle of the entry of the lake. Captain Morgan, it being now late and almost dark, commanded all his vessels to anchor, designing to fight even all night if they forced him to do it. He ordered a careful watch to be kept aboard every vessel till morning, they being almost within shot, as well as within side of the enemy. The day dawning they weighed anchor, and sailed again, steering directly towards the Spaniards, who seeing them move did instantly the same. The fire ship sailing before the rest fell presently upon the great ship, and grappled her, which the Spaniards, too late perceiving to be a fire ship, they attempted to put her off, but in vain, for the flame seizing her timber and tackling soon consumed all the stern, the four part sinking into the sea where she perished. The second Spanish ship perceiving the admiral to burn, not by accident, but by industry of the enemy, escaped towards the castle, where the Spaniards themselves sunk her, choosing to lose their ship rather than to fall into the hands of those pirates. The third, having no opportunity to escape, was taken by the pirates. The seamen that sunk the second ship near the castle, perceiving the pirates come towards them to take what remains they could find in their shipwreck, or some part was yet above the water, but fire also to this vessel, that the pirates might enjoy nothing of that spoil. The first ship being set on fire, some of the persons in her swam towards the shore. These pirates would have taken up in their boats, but they would not ask or take quarter, choosing rather to lose their lives than receive them from their hands, for reasons which I shall relate. The pirates being extremely glad at this signal victory so soon obtained, and with so great an inequality of forces, conceived greater pride than they had before, and all presently ran ashore intending to take the castle. This they found well provided with men, cannon, and ammunition, they having no other arms than muskets, and a few hand-granados, their own artillery they thought incapable for its smallness of making any considerable breach in the walls. Thus they spent the rest of the day firing at the garrison with their muskets till the dusk of the evening, when they attempted to advance nearer the walls to throw in their fireballs. But the Spaniards, resolving to sell their lives as dear as they could, fired so furiously at them that they having experimented the obstinacy of the enemy and seeing thirty of their men dead, and as many more wounded, they retired to their ships. The Spaniards, believing the pirates would next day renew the attack with their own cannon, labored hard all night to put things in order for their coming. Finally they dug down and made plain some little hills and eminences, when possibly the castle might be offended. But Captain Morgan intended not to come again, busying himself next day and taking prisoners some of the men who still swam alive, hoping to get part of the riches lost in the two ships that perished. Among the rest he took a pilot, who was a stranger, and who belonged to the lesser ship of the two, of whom he inquired several things, as, what number of people those three ships had in them, whether they expected any more ships to come, from what port they set forth at last when they came to seek them out. He answered in Spanish, Noble Sir, be pleased to pardon and spare me, that no evil be done to me, being a stranger to this nation I have served, and I shall sincerely inform you of all that passed till our arrival at this lake. We were sent by orders from the Supreme Council of State in Spain, being six men of war well equipped, into these seas, with instructions to cruise upon the English pirates, and route them out from these parts by destroying as many of them as we could. These orders were given upon the news brought to the court of Spain of the loss and ruin of Puerto Bello, and other places, of all of which damages and hostilities committed here by the English dismal lamentations have often been made to the Catholic King and Council, to whom belongs the care and preservation of this new world. And though the Spanish court hath many times by their ambassadors complained hereof to the King of England, yet it hath been the constant answer of his Majesty of Great Britain that he never gave any letters patent, nor commissions, for acting any hostility against the subjects of the King of Spain. Hereupon the Catholic King resolved to revenge his subjects and punish these proceedings, commanded six men of war to be equipped, which he sent under the command of Don Augustine de Bustos, Admiral of the said fleet. He commanded the biggest ship, named Enes de la Solera, of forty-eight great guns and eight small ones. The vice-admiral was Don Alonso del Campo y Espanosa, who commanded the second ship, called La Concepción, of forty-four great guns and eight small ones, besides four vessels more, whereof the first was named the Magdalene, of thirty-six great guns and twelve small ones, with two hundred and fifty men. The second was called the St. Louis, with twenty-six great guns, twelve small ones, and two hundred men. The third was called La Marquesa, of sixteen great guns, eight small ones, and one hundred and fifty men. The fourth and last Enes del Carmen, with eighteen great guns, eight small ones, and one hundred and fifty men. Having arrived at Cartacena, the two greatest ships received orders to return to Spain, being judged too big for cruising on these coasts. With the four ships remaining, Don Alonso del Campo y Espanosa departed towards Campeche to seek the English. We arrived at the port there, where, being surprised by a huge storm from the north, we lost one of our ships, being that which I named last. Hence we sailed for Hispaniola, inside of which we came in a few days, and steered for Santo Domingo. Here we heard that there had passed that way a fleet from Jamaica, and that some men thereof had landed at Altagracia. The inhabitants had taken one prisoner, who confessed that their design was to go and pillage the city of Caracas. On hearing this news, Don Alonso instantly weighed anchor, and crossing over to the continent, we came inside of the Caracas. Here we found them not, but met with a boat, which certified us they were in the lake of Maracaibo, and the fleet consisted of seven small ships and one boat. Upon this we came here, and arriving at the entry of the lake, we shot off a gun for a pilot from the shore. Those on land, perceiving we were Spaniards, came willingly to us with a pilot, and told us the English had taken Maracaibo, and that they were now at the pillage of Gibraltar. Don Alonso, on this news, made a handsome speech to his soldiers and mariners, encouraging them to their duty, and promising to divide among them all they should take from the English. He ordered the guns we had taken out of the ship that was lost to be put into the castle, and mounted for its defense, with two eighteen pounders more out of his own ship. The pilots conducted us into the port, and Don Alonso commanded the people on shore to come before him, whom he ordered to repossess the castle, and reinforce it with one hundred men more than it had before it's being taken. We heard of your return from Gibraltar to Maracaibo, whither Don Alonso wrote you a letter, giving you an account of his arrival and design, and exhorting you to restore what you had taken. This you refusing, he renewed his promises to his soldiers and seamen, and having given a very good supper to all his people, he ordered them not to take or give any quarter, which was the occasion of so many being drowned, who dared not to crave quarter, knowing themselves must give none. Two days before you came against us, a negro came aboard Don Alonso's ship, telling him, Sir, be pleased to have great care of yourself, for the English have prepared a fire-ship with design to burn your fleet. But Don Alonso, not believing this, answered, How can that be? Have they, para-adventure, wit enough to build a fire-ship? Or what instruments have they to do it with all? CHAPTER XII. PART VI. This pilot, having related so distinctly these things to Captain Morgan, was very well used by him, and after some kind proffers made to him remained in his service. He told Captain Morgan that in the ship which was sunk there was a great quantity of plate, to the value of forty thousand pieces of eight, which occasioned the Spaniards to be often seen in boats about it. Hereupon Captain Morgan ordered one of his ships to remain there, to find ways of getting out of it what plate they could. Meanwhile, himself, with all his fleet, returned to Maracaibo, where he refitted the great ship he had taken, and chose it for himself, giving his own bottom to one of his captains. Then he sent again a messenger to the Admiral, who was escaped ashore, and got into the castle, demanding of him a ransom of fire for Maracaibo, which, being denied, he threatened entirely to consume and destroy it. The Spaniards considered the ill luck they had all along with those pirates, and not knowing how to get rid of them, concluded to pay the said ransom, although Don Alonso would not consent. Hereupon they sent to Captain Morgan to know what some he demanded. He answered that on payment of thirty thousand pieces of eight, and five hundred beaves, he would release the prisoners and do no damage to the town. At last they agreed on twenty thousand pieces of eight, and five hundred beaves to victual his fleet. The cattle were brought the next day, with one part of the money, and while the pirates were busyed insulting the flesh, they made up the whole twenty thousand pieces of eight, as was agreed. But Captain Morgan would not presently deliver the prisoners, as he had promised, fearing the shot of the castle at his going forth out of the lake. Hereupon he told them he intended not to deliver them till he was out of that danger, hoping thus to obtain a free passage. Then he set sail with his fleet in quest of the ship he had left, to seek for the plate of the vessel that was burnt. He found her on the place, with fifteen thousand pieces of eight got out of the work, beside many pieces of plate, as hilts of swords, and the like. Also a great quantity of pieces of eight melted and run together by the force of the fire. Captain Morgan scarce thought himself secure, nor can he contrive how to avoid the shot of the castle. Hereupon he wished the prisoners to agree with the Governor to permit a safe passage to his fleet, which if he should not allow he would certainly hang them all up in his ships. Upon this the prisoners met, and appointed some of their fellow messengers to go to the said Governor, Don Alonso. These went to him, beseeching and supplicating him to have compassion on those afflicted prisoners, who were, with their wives and children, in the hands of Captain Morgan, and that to this effect he would be pleased to give his word to let the fleet of pirates freely pass. This being the only way to save both the lives of them that came with this petition, as also of those who remained in captivity, all being equally menaced with the sword and gallows, if he granted them not this humble request. But Don Alonso gave them, for answer, a sharp reprehension of their cowardice, telling them, if you had been as loyal to your king in hindering the entry of these pirates, as I shall do their going out, you had never caused these troubles, neither to yourselves, nor to our whole nation, which hath suffered so much through your pusillanimity. In a word I shall never grant your request, but shall endeavor to maintain that respect which is due to my king, according to my duty. Thus the Spaniards returned with much consternation, and no hopes of obtaining their request, telling Captain Morgan what answer they had received. His reply was, if Don Alonso will not let me pass, I will find means how to do it without him. Hereupon he presently made a dividend of all they had taken, fearing he might not have an opportunity to do it in another place, if any tempest should rise and separate the ships, as also being jealous that any one of the commanders might run away with the best part of the spoil, which then lay much more in one vessel than another. Thus they all brought in according to their own laws, and declared what they had, first making an oath not to conceal the least thing. The accounts being cast up they found to the value of twenty-five thousand pieces of eight, in money and jewels, beside the huge quantity of merchandise and slaves, all which purchase was divided to every ship or boat, according to her share. The dividend being made the questions still remained how they should pass the castle and get out of the lake. To this effect they made use of a stratagem as follows. The day before the night wherein they determined to get forth they embarked many of their men in canoes, and rode towards the shore, as if they designed to land. Here they hid themselves under branches of trees that hung over the coast awhile, laying themselves down in the boats. Then the canoes returned to the ships, with the appearance of only two or three men rowing them back, the rest being unseen at the bottom of the canoes. Thus much only could be perceived from the castle, and this false landing of men, for so we may call it, was repeated that day several times. This made the Spaniards think the pirates intended at night to force the castle by scaling it. This sphere caused them to place most of their great guns on the land side, together with their main force, leaving the side towards the sea almost destitute of defense. Night being come they weighed anchor, and by moonlight, without setting sail, committed themselves to the ebbing tide, which gently brought them down the river. Till they were near the castle, being almost over against it, they spread their sails with all possible haste. The Spaniards, perceiving this, transported with all speed their guns from the other side, and began to fire very furiously at them. But these, having a very favorable wind, were almost past danger before those of the castle could hurt them, so that they lost few of their men, and received no considerable damage in their ships. Being out of the reach of the guns, Captain Morgan sent a canoe to the castle with some of the prisoners, and the governor thereof gave them a boat to return to their own homes. But he detained the hostages from Gibraltar, because the rest of the ransom for not firing the place was yet unpaid. Just as he departed, Captain Morgan ordered seven great guns with bullets to be fired against the castle, as it were to take his leave of them, but they answered not so much as with a musket shot. Next day after, they were surprised with a great tempest, which forced them to cast anchor in five or six fathom water, but the storm-increasing compelled them to weigh again and put to sea, where they were in great danger of being lost. For if they should have been cast on shore, either into the hands of the Spaniards or Indians, they would certainly have obtained no mercy. At last the tempest being spent, the wind ceased to the great joy of the whole fleet. While Captain Morgan made his fortune by these pillaging's, his companions, who were separated from his fleet at the Cape de Lobos, to take the ships spoken of before, endured much misery and were unfortunate in all their attempts. Being arrived at Savanna, they found not Captain Morgan there, nor any of their companions, nor had they the fortune to find a letter which Captain Morgan, at his departure, left behind him in a place where in all probability they would meet with it. Thus, not knowing what course to sear, they concluded to pillage some town or other. They were in all about four hundred men, divided into four ships and one boat. Being ready to set forth, they constituted an admiral among themselves, being one who had behaved himself very courageously at the taking of Portobello, named Captain Hansel. This commander attempting the taking of the town of Camania, on the continent of Caracas, nigh sixty leagues to the west of the Isle de la Trinidad. Being arrived there, they landed their men and killed some few Indians near the coast. But approaching the town, the Spaniards having in their company many Indians disputed the entry so briskly that with great loss and confusion they were forced to retire to the ships. At last they arrived in Jamaica, where the rest of their companions, who came with Captain Morgan, mocked and jeered them for their ill success at Camania, often telling them, Let us see what money you have brought from Camania, and if it be as good silver as that which we bring from Maracaibo. End of CHAPTER XII CHAPTER XIII Captain Morgan goes to Hispaniola to equip a new fleet, with intent to pillage again on the coast of the West Indies. Captain Morgan perceived now that Fortune favored him, by giving success to all his enterprises, which occasioned him, as is usual in human affairs, to aspire to greater things, trusting she would always be constant to him. Such was the burning of Panama, wherein Fortune failed not to assist him, as she had done before, though she had led there too through a thousand difficulties. The history hereof I shall now relate, being so remarkable in all its circumstances, as per adventure nothing more deserving memory will be read by future ages. Captain Morgan, arriving at Jamaica, found many of his officers and soldiers reduced to their former indignity, by their vices and debaucheries. Hence they perpetually improtuned him for new exploits. Captain Morgan, willing to follow Fortune's call, stopped the mouths of many inhabitants of Jamaica, who were creditors to his men for large sums, with the hopes and promises of greater achievements than ever by a new expedition. This done he could easily levy men for any enterprise, his name being so famous through all those islands, as that alone would readily bring him in more men that he could well employ. He undertook therefore to equip a new fleet, for which he assigned the south side of Tortuga as a place of rendezvous, sending letters to all the expert pirates there inhabiting, as to the governor and to the planters and hunters of Hispaniola, informing them of his intentions and desiring their appearance if they intended to go with him. These people upon this notice flocked to the place assigned, in huge numbers, with ships, canoes and boats, being desirous to follow him. Many who had not the convenience of coming by sea traversed the woods of Hispaniola, and with no small difficulties arrived there by land. Thus all were present at the place assigned, and ready against October 24th, 1670. Captain Morgan was not wanting to be there punctually, coming in his ship to Port Cullian over against the island de la Vaca, the place assigned. Having gathered the greatest part of his fleet, he called a council to deliberate about finding provisions for so many people. Here they concluded to send four ships and one boat, with four hundred men, to the continent, in order to rifle some country towns and villages for all the corn or maize they could gather. They set sail for the continent towards the river de la Vaca, designing to assault the village called La Rancheria, usually best stored with maize of all the parts thereabouts. Meanwhile Captain Morgan sent another party to hunt in the woods, who killed a huge number of beasts and salted them. The rest remained in the ships to clean, fit and rig them, but at the return of their fellows all things might be in readiness to weigh anchor and follow their designs. END OF CHAPTER XIII. SECTION XXIII. OF PIRATES OF PANAMA, THE BUCKINIERS OF AMERICA BY A. O. ESQUIMELLON, TRANSLATED BY G. A. WILLIAMS. THIS IS A LIBERVOX RECORDING. ALL LIBERVOX RECORDINGS ARE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO VOLUNTEER, PLEASE VISIT LIBERVOX.ORG. CHAPTER XIV. WHAT HAPPENED IN THE RIVER DE LA HACHA? These four ships, setting sail from Hispaniola, steered for the river de la hacha, where they were suddenly overtaken with the tedious calm. Being within sight of land becalmed for some days, the Spaniards inhabiting along the coast, who had perceived them to be enemies, had sufficient time to prepare themselves, at least to hide the best of their goods, that without any care of preserving them they might be ready to retire, if they proved unable to resist the pirates, by whose frequent attempts on those coasts they had already learned what to do in such cases. There was then in the river a good ship, come from Cartagena, to laid with maize, and now almost ready to depart. The men of this ship endeavored to escape, but not being able to do it, both they and the vessel fell into their hands. This was a fit purchase for them, being a good part of what they came for. Next morning, about break of day, they came with their ships ashore, and landed their men, though the Spaniards made good resistance from a battery they had raised on that side, whereof necessity they were to land, but they were forced to retire to a village, whither the pirates followed them. Here the Spaniards' rallying fell upon them with great fury, and maintained a strong combat, which lasted till night, but then perceiving they had lost a great number of men, which was no less on the pirate's side, they were tired to secret places in the woods. Next day the pirates, seeing them all fled, and the town left empty of people, they pursued them as far as they could, and overtook a party of Spaniards whom they made prisoners and exercised with most cruel torments to discover their goods. Some were forced by intolerable tortures to confess, but others who would not were used more barbarously. Thus in fifteen days that they remained there, they took many prisoners, much plate and movables, with which booty they resolved to return to Hispaniola. Yet not content with what they had got, they dispatched some prisoners into the woods to seek for the rest of the inhabitants, and to demand a ransom for not burning the town. They answered they had no money nor plate, but if they would be satisfied with a quantity of maize, they would give as much as they could. The pirates accepted this, it being then more useful to them than ready money, and agreed they should pay four thousand hennecks or bushels of maize. These were brought in three days after, the Spaniards being desirous to rid themselves of that inhuman sort of people. Having laded them on board with the rest of their purchase, they returned to Hispaniola to give account to their leader, Captain Morgan, of all they had performed. They had now been absent five weeks on this commission, which long delay occasioned Captain Morgan almost in despair of their return, fearing lest they were fallen into the hands of the Spaniards, especially considering the place where to they went could be easily relieved from Cartagena and Santa Maria, if the inhabitants were careful to alarm the country. On the other side he feared lest they should have made some great fortune in that voyage, and with it to have escaped to some other place. But seeing his ships return in greater numbers than they departed, he resumed new courage, this sight causing both him and his companions infinite joy, especially when they found them full laden with maize, which they much wanted for the maintenance of so many people from whom they expected great matters under such a commander. Captain Morgan, having divided the said maize, as also the flesh which hunters brought among his ships, according to the number of men, he concluded to depart, having viewed beforehand every ship, and observed their being well equipped and clean. Thus he set sail, and stood for Cape Tiberan, where he determined to resolve what enterprise he should take in hand. No sooner were they arrived, but they met some other ships newly come to join them from Jamaica, so that now their fleet consisted of thirty-seven ships wherein were two thousand fighting men, besides mariners and boys. The admiral hereof was mounted with twenty-two great guns, and six small ones of brass. The rest carried some twenty, some sixteen, some eighteen, and the smallest vessels at least four, besides which they had great quantities of ammunition and fireballs, with other inventions of powder. Captain Morgan, having such a number of ships, divided the whole fleet into two squadrons, constituting a vice-admiral and other officers of the second squadron distinct from the former. To these he gave letters patent, or commissions to act all manner of hostilities against the Spanish nation, and to take of them what ships they could, either abroad at sea or in the harbors, as if they were open and declared enemies, as he termed it of the King of England, his pretended master. This done he called all his captains and other officers together, and caused them to sign some articles of agreement betwixt them, and in the name of all. Herein it was stipulated that he should have the hundredth part of all that was gotten to himself, that every captain should draw the shares of eight men for the expenses of his ship, besides his own. To the surgeon, besides his pay, two hundred pieces of eight for his chest of medicaments. To every carpenter above his salary one hundred pieces of eight. The rewards were settled in this voyage much higher than before, as for the loss of both legs fifteen hundred pieces of eight, or fifteen slaves, the choice left to the party, for the loss of both hands eighteen hundred pieces of eight, or eighteen slaves, for one leg, whether the right or left, six hundred pieces of eight, or six slaves, for a hand, as much as for a leg, and for the loss of an eye one hundred pieces of eight, or one slave. Lastly to him that in any battle should signalize himself, either by entering first any castle, or taking down the Spanish colors, and setting up the English, they allotted fifty pieces of eight for a reward. All which extraordinary salaries and rewards to be paid out of the first spoil they should take, as every one should occur to be either rewarded or paid. This contract being signed, Captain Morgan commanded his vice admirals and captains to put all things in order to attempt one of these three places, either Cartagena, Panama, or Veracruz. But the lot fell on Panama as the richest of all three, though this city being situated at such a distance from the North Sea as they knew not well the approaches to it. They judged it necessary to go beforehand to the Isle of St. Catherine, there to find some persons for guides in this enterprise. Or in the garrison there are commonly many banditi and outlaws belonging to Panama and the neighboring places, who are very expert in knowledge of that country. Before they proceeded they published an act through the whole fleet, promising if they met with any Spanish vessel the first captain who should take it should have for his reward the tenth part of what should be found in her. Section 24 of Pirates of Panama, the Boconies of America by A. O. X. Mellon, translated by G. A. Williams. This is a LibriVox recording. A LibriVox recording is a written public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Verum Young. Chapter 15. Captain Morgan leaves Espanola and goes to St. Catherine's, which he takes. Captain Morgan and his companions wait anchor from Cape of Tabuguan, December 16, 1617. Four days after they arrived inside of St. Catherine's, now in possession of the Spaniards again. As I said before, to which they commonly banish the benefactors of Spanish dominance in the West Indies. Here are huge quantities of persons at certain seasons. It is sorted by four riverlands, whereof two are always dry in summer. Here is no trade or commerce exercised by the inhabitants. Neither do they plant more fruit than what are necessary for human life. Though the country would make very good plantations of tobacco, of considerable profit, where it cultivated. As soon as Captain Morgan came near the island with his feet, he sent one of his best sailing vessels to view the entry of the river and see if any other ships were there. Might hinder him from landing, as also fearing less they should give intelligence of his arrival to the inhabitants and prevent his designs. Next day, before sunrise, all the feet anchor near the island in a bay called Aguali Crande. On this bay the Spaniards had built a battery mounted with four pieces of cannon. Captain Morgan landed about 1,000 men in diverse cauldrons marching through the woods, though they had no other guides than a few of his own men who had been there before under Man's Fault. The same day they came to a place where the governor sometimes decided here they found a battery called the platform, but nobody and then the Spaniards having retired to Leicester Island, which as I said before is only on a great one, there are short bridge only may can join them. This Leicester Island was so well fortified with forts and batteries around it as might seem impregnable. Hereupon, as soon as Spaniards received the pirate's approach, they fought on them so furiously that they could advance nothing that day, but were content to retreat and take up their rest in the open fields, which was not strange for these people being sufficiently used to such kind of repose. What most afflicted them was hunger, having not eaten anything that whole day. About midnight it rained so hot that they had much to do to bear it, the greatest part of them having no other clothes and pair of semen trousers or breeches, hence a shirt without shoes or stockings. In this great extremity they poked down a few sketch houses to make fires with all. In the world they were in such a condition that 100 men in different evil arms might easily that night have to own them own pieces. Next morning, about break of day, the rain ceased and they dried their arms and marched on. But soon after it rained afresh, rather harder than before, as if the skies were melted into waters, which kept them from bouncing towards the forts, when Spaniards continually fired at them. The pirates were now reduced to great affliction and danger. Through the hardness of the weather, their own knickness and great hunger for a small relief year off, they found and fused an old horse, lean and full of scaps and butchers, with guard back and sights. This they instantly killed and faked and divided into small pieces among themselves as far as the work reached. For many could not get a morsel, which they roasted and devoured without salt or bread, more like ravenous walls than men. The rain not season, Captain Morgan received their minds around, sharing many of them say they would return on board. Along these fatigues of mind and body, he felt convenient to use some sun and remedy. To this effect, he commanded a canoe to be rigged and haste and close the truce to be hanged out. This canoe he sent to his Spanish governor with his message. There after within a few hours, he divert not himself and all his men into his hand. He did by the messenger swear to him and all his company, he would most certainly put them to his waltz without granting quarter twenty. In the afternoon the canoe returned with his altar. Then the governor desired two hours time to deliberate with his officers about it. Returing past, he would give his positive altar. The time being lapsed, the governor sent two canoes with white colours and two persons to treat with Captain Morgan. But before they landed, they demanded other pirates who persons as hostages. These already granted by Captain Morgan would deliver two of the captains to a pledge of a security of quiet. With their suspicions to Captain Morgan, let the governor in the full assembly had resolved to deliver up the island, not being provided with his efficient forces to the ventured of the insatiable murder. But with all, he desired Captain Morgan would be pleased to use a certain strategy of war for the better saving of his own credit and the reputation of his officers both abroad and at home which should be as follows. That Captain Morgan would come with his troops by night to a bridge that joined the lesser island to Great One and they attacked the Fort of Saint Jerome. At the same time all his feet were drawn near the castle of Santa Teresa and attacked it by land, landing and meanwhile more troops near the battery of Saint Matthew that these troops being newly landed should by these means intercept the governor as he endeavoured to pass to Saint Jerome's fort and then take him prisoner using the formality as if they force him to the castle and that he would lead the English into it under cover of being his own troops. That on both sides there should be continual firing and bullets or at least into the air so that no sight might be heard. That thus having obtained to such considerable fault the chief was of the Isle he need not take care for the rest which was full of course into his hand. These propositions were granted by Captain Morgan and conditioned they should see them faithfully observed otherwise they should be used with the utmost regard. This is promised to do and took their leave of their negotiation to the governor. Presently after Captain Morgan commanded the whole fleet to enter the port as it meant to be ready to assault the night the castle of Saint Jerome. First the false battle began with insistent firing from both castles against the ships but without bullets as was agreed then the pirates landed and assaulted by night the less island which they took as also with fortresses and spaniards an appearance to fly to church for this assault Captain Morgan sent word to the governor that he should keep all his men together in a body otherwise if the pirates met any shaken spaniards in the streets they should certainly shoot them. This island being taken by this unusual stretch them and all things but in order the pirates made a new war against poultry cattle gas thinking of anything else and kill roast and eat and make what good sure they could. If what was wanting they poked down the houses and made fires with a timber as had been done before in the field. Next saving number all the prisoners they have taken on the island which were found to be all 459 persons men, women and children it's permitted to be seen 190 soldiers of the garrison 14 habitants were married 43 children 34 slaves belonging to a king with 8 children 8 vanity 39 e-girls belonging to private persons with 27 female black and 34 children the pirates armed all the spaniards and sent them out immediately to plantations to seek for provisions leaving the women in the church to exercise their devotions. Soon after they reviewed the whole island and all the fortresses thereof which they found to be 9 and all it's permitted to be seen the fort of St True next bridge had 8 great guns of 12, 6 and 8 pounds carriage with 6 parts of musket every part contained 10 muskets here they found still 60 muskets with sufficient powder and other ammunition the second fortress Cotson Matthew had 3 guns of 8 pounds each the third antithesis named Santa Teresa had 20 great guns of 18, 12, 8 and 6 pounds with 10 parts of musket like those before and 90 musket remaining besides other ammunition this castle was built with stone and mortar with very thick walls and large ditch around it 20 feet deep which though it was dry it was very hard to get over here was no entry but through one door to the middle of the castle within it was a mount almost inaccessible with 4 pieces of cannon and tor when they could shift directly into a port on the seaside it was impractical by reason of the rocks around it and the sea beating furiously upon them to land it was still commenced on the mountain as there was no access to it the fourth fortress was named Synogocene having 3 guns of 8 and 6 pounds the fifth named La Plataforma La Concepción only had 2 guns of 8 pounds the sixth by names in Salvador had likewise no more than 2 guns the seventh had also 2 guns the eighth had 3 guns the ninth had 6 guns of 12 and 8 pounds besides 2 pipes of musket and sufficient ammunition in the stone houses were about 30,000 pounds of powder with all other ammunition which was scarred by the pirates on board all the guns were stopped and nailed and the fortresses demolished except that of Saint Jerome where the pirates kept guard and resistance kept in mourning and quiet for any vanity from Panama and 3 were brought in who pretended to be very expert in the avenues of those parts he asked them to be skied and show him the secure space of Panama which as they performed he promised them equal shares and pender of expedition and their liberty when they arrived in Jamaica these propositions the banditry ready to accept it promising to serve him very faithfully especially one of the 3 who was the greatest root thief and assassin among them who had deserved rather to be broken alive on the wheel than punished for serving in the garrison this wicked fellow had a great ascendant over the other 2 and domineered over them as he pleased they not daring to disobey his orders Captain Morgan commanded 4 ships and 1 belt to be equipped and provided with necessaries to go and take the castle of Chagra on the river of Etlean neither would he go himself with his whole fleet less Hispanic should be jealous of his father's design on Panama in these results he embarked 400 men to put in execution these his orders meanwhile himself remained in Catherine's with the rest of the fleet expecting to hear of his success end of chapter 15 now translated by G.A. Williams this is a LibriVox recording or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org reading by Lars Rolander Chapter 16 Captain Morgan takes the castle of Chagra with 400 men sent to this purpose from Saint Catherine's Captain Morgan sending this little fleet to Chagra choose for Vice Admiral there are one captain broadly who had been long in those quarters and committed many robbers on the Spaniards when Mansfeld took the Isle of Saint Catherine as was before related and therefore was thought a fit person for this exploit his actions likewise having rendered him famous among the pirates and their enemies the Spaniards Captain broadly being made commander in three days after his departure arrived in sight of the said castle of Chagra by the Spaniards called Saint Lawrence this castle is built on a high mountain at the entry of the river surrounded by strong palisades or wooden walls filled with earth which secures them as well as the best wall of stone or brick the top of this mountain is in a manner divided into two parts between which is a ditch 30 feet deep the castle has but one entry and that by a drawbridge over this ditch to the land it has four bastions and to the sea two more the south part is totally inaccessible through the craginess of the mountain the north is surrounded by the river which here is very broad at the foot of the castle or rather mountain is a strong fort with eight great guns commanding the entry of the river not much lower are two other batteries each of six pieces to defend likewise the mouth of the river at one side of the castle are two great storehouses of all sorts of war like ammunition and merchandise brought thither from the island country near these houses is a high pair of stairs ewn out of the rock to mount to the top of the castle on the west is a small port not about seven or eight fathoms deep fit for small vessels and a very good anchorage besides before the castle at the entry of the river is a great rock scarce to be described but at low tides no sooner had the Spaniards perceived the pirates but they fired incessantly at them with the biggest of their guns they came to an anchor in a small port about a league from the castle next morning very early they went ashore and marched through the woods to attack the castle on that side this march lasted two o'clock in the afternoon before they could reach the castle by reason of the difficulties of the way and its mire and dirt and though their guides serve them very exactly yet they came so nigh the castle at first that they lost many of their men shot they being in an open place without cover this much perplexed the pirates not knowing what course to take for on that side of necessity they must make the assault and being uncovered from head to foot they could not advance one step without danger besides that the castle both for its situation and strength watched out of success but to give it over they dared not lest they should be reproached by their companions at last after many doubts and disputes resolving to hazard the assault and their lives desperately they advance towards the castle with their swords in one hand and fireballs in the other the spanners defending themselves very briskly ceasing not to fire at them continually crying with all come on ye English dogs enemies to God and our king and let your other companions that are behind come on too ye shall not go to Panama this boat the pirates making some trial to climb the walls were forced to retreat resting themselves till night this being come they return to the assault to try by the help of their fireballs to destroy the pails before the wall and while they were about it there happened a very remarkable accident which occasioned their victory one of the pirates being wounded with an arrow in his back which pierced his body through he pulled it out boldly with his breast and whining a little cotton about it he put it into his musket and shot it back to the castle but the cotton being kindled by the powder fired two or three houses in the castle being thatched with palm leaves which the Spaniards perceived not so soon as was necessary for this fire meeting with a parcel of powder blew it up with great ruin and no less consternation to the Spaniards who were not able to put a stop to it not having seen it time enough the pirates perceiving the effect of the arrow and the misfortunes of the Spaniards were infinitely glad and while they were busy in quenching the fire which caused a great confusion for want of water the pirates took this opportunity and fired likewise to the Palisades the fire thus seen at once in several parts about the castle gave them great advantage against the Spaniards many breaches being made by the fire among the pails great heaps of earth falling into the ditch then the pirates climbing up got over into the castle though those Spaniards were not busy about the fire flaming pots full of combustible matter and odious smells which destroyed many of the English the Spaniards with all their resistance could not hinder the Palisades from being burnt down before midnight meanwhile the pirates continued in their intention of taking the castle and though the fire was very great they would creep on the ground as near as they could and shoot amidst the flames against the Spaniards on the other side and thus killed many from the walls when day was come they observed all the movable earth that lay between the pails to be fallen into the ditch so that now those within the castle lay equally exposed to them without as had been on the contrary before where upon the pirates continued shooting very furiously and killed many Spaniards for the governor had charged them to make good those posts answering to the heaps of earth fallen into the ditch and caused the artillery to be transported to the breaches the fire within the castle still continuing the pirates from abroad did what they could to hinder its progress by shooting incessantly against it one party of them was employed only for this while another watched all the motions of the Spaniards about known the English gained a breach which the governor himself defended with 25 soldiers here was made a very courageous resistance by the Spaniards with muskets, pikes, stones and swords but through all these the pirates fought their way till they gained the castle the Spaniards who remained alive cast themselves down from the castle into the sea choosing rather to die thus few or none surviving the fall then to ask water for their lives the governor himself retreated to the corpse to guard before which were placed two pieces of cannon here he still defended himself not demanding any quarter till he was killed with a musket in the head the governor being dead and the corpse to guard surrendering they found remaining in it alive 30 men where of scarce ten were not wounded these informed the pirates that eight or nine of their soldiers had deserted and were gone to Panama to carry news of their arrival and invasion these 30 men alone remained of 314 wherewith the castle was garrisoned among which not one officer was found alive these were all made prisoners and compelled to tell whatever they knew of their designs and enterprises among other things that the governor of Panama had noticed sent him three weeks ago from Cartagena that the English were equipping a fleet at his Spaniola with a line to take Panama and beside that this had been discovered by a deserter from the pirates at the river de la hacha where they had victualed that upon this the governor had sent 164 men to strengthen the garrison of that castle with much provision and ammunition the ordinary garrison where was only 150 men but these made up 214 men very well armed besides this they declared that the governor of Panama had placed several emboscades along the river of Chagre and that he waited for them in the open fields of Panama with 3600 men the taking of this castle cost the pirates excessively dear in comparison to what they were want to lose and their toil and labour was greater than at the conquest of the Isle of St. Catherine for numbering their men they had lost above 100 besides 70 wounded they commanded the Spanish prisoners to cast the dead bodies of their own men from the top of the mountain to the seaside and to bury them the wounded were carried to the church of which they made an hospital and where also they shut up the women Captain Morgan remained not long behind at St. Catherine's after taking the castle of Chagre of which he had noticed presently but before he departed he embarked all the provisions that could be found with much mace or Indian wheat and cassava where also is made bread in those ports he transported great store of provisions to the garrison of Chagre where they could be got at a certain place they cast into the sea all the guns belonging there too designing to return and leave that island well garrisoned to the perpetual possession of the pirates but he ordered all the houses and forts to be fired except the castle of St. Teresa which he judged to be the strongest and secureest were in to fortify himself at his return from Panama having completed his arrangements he took with him all the prisoners of the island and then sailed for Chagre where he arrived in eight days here the joy of the whole fleet was so great when they spied the English colors on the castle that they minded not their way into the river so that they lost four ships at the entry thereof Captain Morgan's being one yet they saved all the men and goods the ships too had been preserved if a strong northerly wind had not risen which cast them on the rock at the entry of the river Captain Morgan was brought into the castle with great acclamations of all the pirates both of those within and those newly come having heard the manner of the conquest he commanded all the prisoners to work and repair what was necessary especially to set up new palisades around the forts of the castle there were still in the river some Spanish vessels called Chattin serving for transportation or merchandise up and down the river and to go to Puerto Bello and Nicaragua these commonly carry two great guns of iron and four small ones of brass these vessels they seized with four little ships they found there and all the canoes in the castle they left a garrison of 500 men and in the ships in the river 150 more this stun Captain Morgan departed for Panama at the head of 1200 men he carried little provisions with him hoping to provide himself sufficiently among the Spaniards whom he knew to lie in ambush by the way end of chapter 16 read by Lars Rolander section 26 of Pirates of Panama the Buccaneers of America by A. O. X. Cuma Lang translated by G. A. Williams this is a LibriVox recording or LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org reading by Lars Rolander chapter 17 part 1 Captain Morgan departs from Chagre at the head of 1200 men to take the city of Panama Captain Morgan set forth from the castle of Chagre towards Panama August 18, 1670 he had with him 1200 men five boats laden with artillery and 32 canoes the first day they sailed only six leagues and came to a place called De Los Brachos here a party of his men went ashore only to sleep and stretch their limbs being almost crippled with lying too much crowded in the boats having rested a while they went abroad to seek victuals in the neighboring plantations but they could find none the Spaniards being fled and carrying with them all they had this day being the first of their journey they had such scarcity of victuals as the greatest part were forced to pass with only pipe of tobacco without any other refreshment next day about evening they came to a place called Cruz de Juan Gallego here they were compelled to leave their boats and canoes the river being very dry for want of rain and many trees having fallen into it the guides told them that about two leagues farther the country would be very good to continue the journey by land here upon they left 160 men on board the boats to defend them that they might serve for a refuge in necessity next morning being the third day on the shore except those who were to keep the boats to these Captain Morgan gave order under great penalties that no man on any pretext whatever should dare to leave the boats and go ashore fearing less they should be surprised by an ambush gate of Spaniards in the neighboring woods which appeared so thick as to seem almost impenetrable this morning beginning their march the ways proved so bad that Captain Morgan thought it more convenient to transport some of the men in canoes though with great labour to place farther up the river called Cedro Bueno thus they re-embarked and the canoes returned for the rest so that about night they got all together at the said place the pirates much desired some Spaniards or Indians hoping to fill their bellies with their provisions being reduced to extremity and hunger the fourth day the greatest part of the pirates march by land being led by one of the guides the rest went by water farther up being conducted by another guide who always went before them to discover on both sides the river the ambush gates these had also spies who were very dexterous to give notice of all accidents or of the arrival of the pirates six hours at least before they came this day about noon they came near a post called Torna Cavallos here the guide of the canoes cried out that he perceived an ambush gate his voice caused infinite joy to all the pirates and their own provisions to satiate their extreme hunger being come to the place they found nobody in it the Spaniards being fled and leaving nothing behind but a few leather and bags all empty and a few crumbs of bread scattered on the ground where they had eaten being angry at this they pulled down a few little huts which the Spaniards had made with the leather bags to allay the ferment of their stomachs which was now so sharp as to ignore their very bowels thus they made a huge banquet upon these bags of leather diverse quarrels arising concerning the greatest shares by the bigness of the place they conjectured about 500 Spaniards had been there whom finding no victuals they were now infinitely desirous to meet intending to devour some of them rather than perish having feasted themselves with those pieces of leather they marched on till they came about night to another post called Torna Munni here they found another ambush gate but as barren as the former they searched the neighboring woods but could not find anything to eat the Spaniards having been so provident as not to leave anywhere the least crumb of sustenance whereby the pirates were now brought through this extremity here again he was happy that had reserved since noon any bit of leather to make his supper of drinking after it a good draught of water for his comfort some who never were after their mother's kitchens may ask how these pirates could eat and digest those pieces of leather so hard and dry whom I answer that could they once experiment what hunger or rather famine is they would find the way as the pirates did for these first sliced it in pieces then they beat it between two stones and rubbed it often dipping it in water to make it supple and tender lastly they scraped off the hair and broiled it being thus cooked they cut it into small morsels and ate it helping it down with frequent gauze of water which by good fortune they had at hand the fifth day about noon they came to a place called Barbacoa here they found traces of another ambush gate but the place totally as unprovided as the former at a small distance were several plantations which they searched very narrowly could not find any person animal or other thing to relieve their extreme hunger finally having ranged about and searched a long time they found a grot which seemed to be but lately ewn out of a rock where were two sacks of meal wheat and like things with two great jars of wine and certain fruits called platanos Captain Morgan knowing some men were now almost dead with hunger and fearing the same of the rest caused what was found to be distributed among them who were in greatest necessity having refreshed themselves with these pictures they marched anew with greater courage than ever such as were weak were put into the canoes and those commanded to land that were in them before thus they prosecuted their journey late at night when coming to a plantation they took up their rest but without eating anything for the Spaniards as before had swept away all manner of provisions the sixth day they continued their march part by land and part by water how bait they were constrained to rest very frequently both for the ruggedness of the way and their extreme weakness they endeavored to relieve by eating leaves of trees and green herbs or grass such was their miserable condition this day at noon they arrived at a plantation where was a barn full of mace immediately they beat down the doors and ate it dry as much as they could devour then they distributed a great quantity giving every man a good allowance thus provided and prosecuting their journey for about an hour they came to another ambush gate this they know sooner discovered but they threw away their mace with the sudden hopes of finding all things in abundance but they were much deceived meeting neither Indians nor Victorals nor anything else but they saw on the other side of the river about a hundred Indians who all fleeing escaped some few pirates leaped into the river to cross it and try to take any of the Indians but in vain for being much more nimble than the pirates they not only baffled them but killed two or three with their arrows hooting at them and crying ah perros a la savana a la savana ha ye dogs go to the plane go to the plane this day they could advance no farther being necessitated to pass the river to continue their march on the other side hereupon they reposed for that night though their sleep was not profound for great murmurings were made at captain Morgan and his conduct some being desires to return home while others would rather die there than go back a step from their undertaking others who had greater courage laughed and joked at their discourses meanwhile they had a guide who much comforted them saying it would not now be long before they met with people from whom they should reap some considerable advantage the seventh day in the morning they made clean their arms and everyone discharged his pistol or musket without bullet to try their firelocks this done they crossed the river leaving the post where they had rested called Santa Cruz and at noon they arrived at a village called Cruz being yet far from the place they perceived much smoke from the chimneys the sight hero gave them great joy and hopes of finding people and plenty of good cheer thus they went on as fast as they could encouraging one another saying their smoke comes out of every house they are making good fires to roast and boil what we are to eat and the like at length they arrived there all sweetening and panting but found no person in the town nor anything eatable to refresh themselves except good fires which they wanted not for the Spaniards before their departure had everyone set fire to his own house except the king's storehouses and stables they had not left behind them any beasts alive or dead which much troubled their minds not finding anything but a few cats and dogs which they immediately killed and devoured at last in the king's stables they found by good fortune fifteen or sixteen years of Peru wine and a leathern sack full of bread no sooner had they drunk of this wine when they fell sick almost every man this made them think the wine was poisoned which caused a new consternation in the whole camp judging themselves now to be irrecoverably lost but the true reason was their want of sustenance and the many false sorts of trash they had eaten their sickness was so great as caused them to remain there till the next morning being able to prosecute their journey in the afternoon this village is seated nine degrees two minutes north latitude distant from the D.S. 26 Spanish leagues and eight from Panama this is the last place to which boats or canoes can come for which reason they built here storehouses for all sorts of merchandise which to and from Panama the backs of mules here Captain Morgan was forced to leave his canoes and land all his men though never so weak but lest the canoes should be surprised or take up too many men for their defense he sent them all back to the place where the boats were except one which he hid that it might serve to carry intelligence many of the Spaniards and Indians of this village during the negotiations Captain Morgan ordered that none should go out of the village except companies of one hundred together fearing lest the enemy should take an advantage upon his men notwithstanding one party contravened these orders being tempted with the desire of victuals but they were soon glad to fly into the town again being assaulted with great fury by some Spaniards and Indians for them a way prisoner thus the viglancy and care of Captain Morgan was not sufficient to prevent every accident the eight day in the morning Captain Morgan sent two hundred men before the body of his army to discover the way to Panama and any emboscades therein the path being so narrow that only ten or twelve persons could march abreast and often not so many but ten hours march they came to a place called Quebrada Obscura here all on a sudden three or four thousand arrows were shot at them they not perceiving whence they came for who shot them though they presumed it was from a high rocky mountain from one side to the other whereon was a grot capable of but one horse or other beast laded this multitude of arrows much alarmed the pirates especially because they could not discover whence they were discharged at last seeing no more arrows they marched a little farther and entered a wood here they perceived some Indians to fly as fast as they could to take the advantage of another post then to observe their march yet there remained one troop of Indians on the place resolved to fight and defend themselves which they did with great courage till their captain fell down wounded who though he despaired of life yet his valor being greater than his strength would ask no quarter but endeavouring to raise himself with undaunted mind laid hold of his asagayo or javelin and struck at one of the pirates but before he could second the blow he was shot to death this was also the fate of many of his companions who like good soldiers lost their lives with their captain for the defence of their country