 4. Piracy embodies the romance of the sea at its highest expression. It is a sad but inevitable commentary on our civilization that, so far as the sea is concerned, it is developed from its infancy down to a century or so ago under one phase or another of piracy. If men were savages on land, they were doubly so at sea, and all the years of maritime adventure, years that it added to the map of the world till there was little left to discover, could not wholly eradicate the peritical germ. It went out gradually with the settlement ordering of the far-flung British colonies. Great Britain, foremost of sea powers, must be credited with doing more both directly and indirectly for the abolition of crime and disorder on the high seas than any other force. But the conquest was not complete till the advent of steam which chased the sea rover into the farthest corners of his domain. It is said that he survives even today in certain spots in the Chinese waters. But he is certainly an innocuous relic. A pirate of any sort would be as great a curiosity today if he can be caught on exhibit as a fabulous monster. The fact remains and will always persist that in the lore of the sea he is far and away the most picturesque figure, and the more genuine and grossest character, the higher degree of interest as he inspire. There may be a certain human perversity in this, for the pirate was unquestionably a bad man, at his best or worst, considering his surroundings and conditions, undoubtedly the worst man that ever lived. There is little to soften the dark yet glowing picture of his exploits. But again, it must be remembered that not only does the note of distance subdue and even lend a certain enchantment to the scene, but the effective contrast between our peaceful times and his own contributes much to deepen our interest in him. Perhaps it is this latter, attitude that deathless spark on the human breast that glows at the tale of adventure, which makes him the kind of hero of romance that he is today. He is undeniably a redoubtable historical figure. It is a curious fact that the commerce of the seas was cradled in the lap of Buccaneering. The constant danger of the deeps in this form only made hardier mariners out of the merchant adventurers actually stimulating and strengthening maritime enterprise. Buccaneering, which is only a politer term for piracy, thus became the high romance of the seas during the great centuries of maritime adventure. It went hand in hand with discovery. They were in fact almost inseparable. Most of the mighty mariners from the days of leaf the discoverer, through those of the rededible Sir Francis Drake, down to our own Paul Jones, answered to the roll call. It was a bold hearty world, this of ours, up to the advent of our giant servant, Steen. Every foot of which was one by fierce conquest of one sort or another. Out of this past the pirate emerges as a romantic, even at times heroic, figure. This final niche, despite his crimes, cannot altogether be denied him. A hero he is and will remain so long as tales of the sea are told. So have at him in these pages. Joseph Louis French End of FOURT Recording by James Christopher, JXChristopheratyahoo.com by Various Edited by Joseph Louis French Section 1 The Pickaroon The Pickaroon, footnote, from Tom Kringle's Log by Michael Scott, quote, Ours the wildlife in tumult, still to range, unquote, the Corsair. We return to Cartagena to be at hand should any opportunity occur for Jamaica, and we're lounging about one for noon on the fortifications. Looking, with sickening hearts out to seaward, when a voice struck up the following negro ditty close to us. Father was a Coromantee, mother was a Mingo, Blackpicken in a Bukrawantee, Sodem Selamy, Peter by Gingo, Jigary, Jigary, Jigary. Well sung, Massabongo, exclaimed Mr. Splinter. Where do you hail from, a hearty? Hello, bongo indeed, free and easy that anyhow. Who you yourself, eh? Why, Peter? Continued the Lieutenant, don't you know me? Cannot say that I do, rejoined the negro very gravely, without lifting his head, as he sat mending his jacket in one of the embrasures near the Watergate of the Arsenal. Have not the honour of your acquaintance, sir? He then resumed his scream, for song it could not be called. Mamicelle's daughter, lose him shoe in an old canoe, that lay half full of water, and then she knew not what to do. Jigary, jig, confound your jigary, jigary, sir. But I know you well enough, my man, and you can scarcely have forgotten Lieutenant Splinter of the Torch, one would think. However, it was clear that the poor fellow really had not known us. For the name so startled him, that in his hurry to unlace his legs from under him, as he sat tailor fashion, he fairly capsized out of his perch, and toppled down on his nose. A feature, fortunately, so flattened by the hand of nature, that I question if it could have been rendered more obtuse, had he fallen out of the main top on a timber head, or a marine officer's? Er, no, yes, him sure enough. And who is the pickin'-inny officer? Oh, I see, Massa Tom Cringo, caramite gentleman, where have you dropped from? Where is the old torch? Many a time had by Peter Mangrove, pilot to him Britannic Majesty Squadron, taken the old brig in and through amongst the keys at Port Royale. I, and how often did you scour her copper against the coral reefs, Peter? His Majesty's pilot gave a knowing look, and laid his hand on his breast, no more a doubt of your love, Massa. Well, well, it don't signify any how, my boy. She will never give you that trouble again, foundered all hands lost, Peter, but the two you see before you. Where is Sara, Massa Plinter? Where is Sara? What, the black cook's maid and all? But, Miss Fortune, can't be held. Stop till I put up my needle, and I will take a turn with you. Here he drew himself up with a great deal of absurd gravity. Proper that British officer in distress should assist one another, we shall consult together. How can I serve you? Why, Peter, if you could help us to a pathage to Port Royale, it would be serving us most essentially. When we used to be lying there a week seldom passed without one of the squadron arriving from this, but here we have been for more than a month without a single penant belonging to the station having looked in. Our money is running short, and if we are to hold on in Cartagena for another six weeks, we shall not have a shot left in the locker, not a copper to tinkle on a tombstone. The negro looks steadfastly at us, then carefully around. There was no one near. You see, Massa Splinter, I am desirable to serve you for one little reason of my own, but beside that it is good for me at present to make some friend with the officer of the squadron, being as how that I am absent without leave. Oh, I perceive a large R against your name in the master attendance books, eh? You have hid it, sir, very close. Besides, I long mosh to return to my poor wife Nancy Cater, that I leave Wagabon, that I is, just about to be confined. I could not resist putting in my ore. I saw Nancy just before we sailed, Peter, fine child that. Not quite so black as you, though. Oh, Massa, said Snowball grinning and showing his white teeth. You know I am such a terrible black fellow, and when you are a little out at present, Massa, I mean about to be confined in the workhouse for stealing the admiral's muscovy ducks, and he laughed loud and long. However, if you will promise that you will stand, my friends, I will put you in the way of getting a shove across to the east end of Jamaica, and I will go with you, too, for company. Thank you, rejoin, Mr. Splinter, but how do you mean to manage this? There is no Kingston trader here at present, and you don't mean to make a start of it in an open boat, do you? No, sir, I don't, but in the first place, as you are a gentleman, will you try and get me off when we get to Jamaica? Secondly, will you promise that you will not seek to know more of the vessel you may go in, nor of her crew, than they are willing to tell you, provided you are landed safe? Why, Peter, I scarcely think you would deceive us, for you know I saved your bacon in that awkward affair, when, through drunkenness, you plumped the torch ashore, so forget that, sir, forget that. Never shall poor black pilot forget how you saved him from being seized up when the greatings, bosons, mates, and all were ready at the gangway. Never shall poor black rascal forget that. Indeed, I do not think you would wittingly betray us into trouble, Peter, and as I guess you mean one of the forced traders. We will venture in her rather than kick about here any longer, and pay a moderate sum for our passage. Then wait here five minute, and so saying he slipped down through the embrasure into a canoe that lay beneath, and in a trice we saw him jump on board of a long, low, nondescript kind of craft that lay moored within pistol shot of the walls. She was a large, shallow vessel, coppered to the bends, of great breadth of beam, with bright sides like an American, so painted as to give her a clumsy mercantile sheen externally, but there were many things that belied this to a nautical eye. Her copper, for instance, was bright as burnished gold on her very sharp bows and beautiful run, and we could see from the bastion where we stood that her decks were flush and level. She had no cannon mounted that were visible, but we distinguished grooves on her well-scrubbed decks as from the recent traversing of caronade slides, while the bolts and rings in her high and solid bulwarks shone clear and bright in the ardent noon tide. There was a tarpaulin stretched over a quantity of rubbish, old sails, old junk, and hemcoops rather ostentatiously piled up forward which we conjectured might conceal a long gun. She was a very talk-rigged hermaphrodite, or brig-forward and schooner aft. Her formast and bowsprit were immensely strong and heavy, and her main mist was so long and tapering that the wonder was how the few shrouds and stays about it could support it. It was the handsomest stick we had ever seen. Her upper spars were on the same scale, tapering away through top-mast, top-gallant-mast, royal and sky-sail-masts, until they were fined away into slender wands. The sails that were loose to dry were old and patched and evidently displayed to clook the character of the vessel by an ostentatious show of their unserviceable condition. But her rigging was beautifully fitted, every rope lying in the chafe of another being carefully served with hide. There were several large, bushy-whiskered fellows lounging about the deck, with their hair gathered into dirty net-bags like the fishermen of Barcelona. Many had red silk sashes around their waists, through which were stuck their long knives in shark-skin sheaths. Their numbers were not so great as to excite suspicion, but a certain daring, reckless manner would at once have distinguished them independently of anything else from the quiet, hard-worked, red-shirted merchant seamen. That chap is not much to be trusted, said the lieutenant. His bunting would make a few jackets for Joseph, I take it. But we had little time to be critical before our friend Peter came paddling back with another black-a-moor in the stern, of as ungainly an exterior as could well be imagined. He was a very large man, whose weight every now and then, as they breasted the short sea, cocked up the snout of the canoe with Peter Mangrove in it, as if he had been a cork, leaving him to flourish his paddle in the air like the weather-wheel of a steamboat in a sea-way. The newcomer was strong and broad-shouldered, with long muscular arms and a chest-like hercules. But his legs and thighs were, for his bulk, remarkably puny and misshapen. A thick fell of black wool, in close tufts, as if his face had been stuck full of cloves, covered his chin and upper lip. And his hair, if hair it could be called, was twisted into a hundred short plates that bristled out and gave his head when he took his hat off the appearance of a porcupine. There was a large saber cut across his nose and down his cheek, and he wore two immense gold earrings. His dress consisted of short cotton drawers that did not reach within two inches of his knee, leaving his thin cucumber shanks, on which the small bullet-like calf appeared to have been stuck before, through mistake in place of a baffed, naked to the shoe. A check-shirt and an enormously large Panama hat made of a sort of cane, split small and worn shovel fashion. Notwithstanding, he made his bow by no means ungracefully, and offered his services in choice Spanish. But spoke English as soon as he heard who we were. "'Praiser, are you the master of that vessel?' said the lieutenant. "'No, sir, I am the mate, and I learn you are desirous of a passage to Jamaica.' This was spoken in a broad scotch accent. "'Yes, we are,' said I, in very great astonishment, but we will not sail with the devil. And whoever saw a negro scotchman before, the spirit of nickel-jarvey conjured into a black-amour's skin. The fellow laughed. "'I am black, as you see. So were my father and mother before me.' And he looked at me, as much as to say I have read the book you quote from. But I was born in the good town of Port Glasgow, notwithstanding, and many a voyage I have made as the cabin boy and cook in the good ship the piggy-buggle with worthy old juke hunter. But that matters not. I was told you wanted to go to Jamaica. I daresay our captain will take you for a moderate passage money. But here he comes to speak for himself. Captain van der Bosch. Here are two shipwrecked British officers who wish to be put on shore on the east end of Jamaica. Will you take them, and what will you charge for their passage?' The man he spoke to was nearly as tall as himself. He was a sunburnt, angular, raw-boned, iron-visaged veteran, with a nose in shape and colour like the bowl of his own pipe, but not at all, according to the received idea, like a Dutchman. His dress was quizzical enough, white trousers, a long flapped embroidered waistcoat that might have belonged to a Spanish grandee, with an old-fashioned French cut coat showing the frayed marks where the lace had been stripped off, voluminous in the skirts, but very tight in the sleeves, which were so short as to leave his large bony paws and six inches of his arm above the wrist exposed. Altogether it fitted him like a purser's shirt on a hand-spike. They for one hundred taler I will lend them safe and mechan all by. But how shall we manage, Williamson, to cabin-wash point yesterday?' The Scotch Negro nodded. Never mind. I daresay the smell of the paint won't signify to the gentleman. The bargain was ratified. We agreed to pay the stipulated sum, and that same evening, having dropped down with the last of the sea breeze, we set sail from Boca Chica, and began working up under the lee of the headland of Punta Canoa. When off the San Domingo gate, we burned a blue light, which was immediately answered by another in shore of us. In the glare we could perceive two boats full of men. Anyone who has ever played at Snapdragon can imagine the unearthly appearance of objects when seen by this species of firework. In the present instance it was held aloft on a boat-hook, and cast a strong spectral light on the band of lawless Ruffians, who were so crowded together that they entirely filled the boats, no part of which could be seen. It seemed as if two clusters of fiends, suddenly vomited forth from hell, were floating on the surface of the Midnight Sea, in the midst of brimstone flames. In a few moments our crew was strengthened by about forty as ugly Christians as I ever set eyes on. They were of all ages, countries, complexions, and tongues, and looked as if they had been kidnapped by a press gang as they had knocked off from the Tower of Babel. From the moment they came on board, Captain Vanderbosch was shorn of all his glory, and sank into the petty officer, while, to our amazement, the Scottish Negro took the command, evincing great coolness, energy, and skill. He ordered the schooner to be war as soon as we had shipped the men, and laid her head off the land, then set all hands to shift the old suit of sales, and to bend new ones. Why did you not shift your canvas before we started? said I, to the Dutch captain, or mate, or whatever he might be. Vy, won't you be content to take a quiet passage, unhacks no question? was the uncivil rejoinder, which I felt inclined to resent until I remembered that we were in the hands of the Philistines, where a quarrel would have been worse than useless. I was gulping down the insult as well as I could when the black captain came aft, and, with the air of an equal, invited us into the cabin to take a glass of grog. We had scarcely sat down before we heard a noise, like the swaying up of guns, or some other heavy articles, from the hold. I caught Mr. Splinter's eye, he nodded, but said nothing. In half an hour afterwards, when we went on deck, we saw by the light of the moon twelve eighteen pound caronades mounted, six of a side, with their accompaniments of rammers and sponges, water buckets, boxes of round grape, and canister and tubs of wadding, while the comings of the hatchways were thickly studded with round shot. The tarpaulin and lumber forward had disappeared, and there lay long tom, ready leveled, grinning on his pivot. The ropes were all coiled away, and laid down in regular Manawar fashion, while an ugly gruff beast of a Spanish mulatto, apparently the officer of the watch, walked the weather side of the quarter deck in true pendulum style. Lookouts were placed aft, and at the gangways and boughs, who every now and then passed the word to keep the bright lookout, while the rest of the watch were stretched silent, but evidently broad awake under the lee of the boat. We noticed that each man had his cutlass buckled round his waist, that the boarding pikes had been cut loose from the main boom, round which they had been stopped, and that about thirty muskets were ranged along a fixed rack that ran a thwart ships near the main hatchway. By the time we had reconordered thus far, the night became overcast, and a thick bank of clouds began to rise to windward. Some heavy drops of rain fell, and the thunder grumbled at a distance. The veil crept gradually on, until it shrouded the whole firmament, and left us in as dark a night as ever poor devils were out in. By and by, a narrow streak of bright moonlight appeared under the lower edge of the bank, defining the dark outlines of the tumbling, multitudinous billows on the horizon, as distinctly as if they had been paste-board waves in a theatre. Is that a sail to windward in the clear? Think you, said Mr. Splinter to me in a whisper. At this moment it lightened vividly. I am sure it is, continued he. I could see her white canvas glance just now. I looked steadily, and at last caught the small dark speck against the bright background, rising and falling on the swell of the sea like a feather. As we stood on, as we stood on, she was seen more distinctly, but to all appearance nobody was aware of her proximity. We were mistaken in this, however, for the captain suddenly jumped on a gun and gave his orders with a fiery energy that startled us. A small French boy was at his side in a moment, forward, and called all hands to shorten sail. But, doucement yalan creb, man the four clue garnets, hands by the top gallant clue lines, jib down hall, rise taxon sheets, peak and throat hall guards, let go, clue up, settle away the main gaffe there. In almost as short a space as I have taken to write it, every inch of canvas was close furled, every light except the one in the binocle, and that was cautiously masked, carefully extinguished. A hundred and twenty men at quarters, and the ship under bare poles. The headyards were then squared, and we bore up before the wind. The strategy improved successful. The strange sail could be seen through the nightglasses, cracking on close to the wind, evidently under the impression that we had tacked. There she goes, chasing the goal-ball, said the Dutchman. She now burned a blue light, by which we saw she was a heavy cutter, without doubt, our old fellow cruiser, the spark. The Dutchman had come to the same conclusion. My aye captain, no juist a dodge-farmer, it is only that footy little king's cutter on the Jamaica station. It is her, true enough, answered Williamson, and she is from Santa Marta, with a freight of species I know. I will try a brush with her, bygue. Splinter struck in before he could finish his irreverent exclamation. If your conjecture be true, I know the craft, a heavy vessel of her class, and you may depend on hard knocks, and small profit if you do take her. While if she takes you, I'll be hanged if she does. And he grinned at the conceit, then setting his teeth hard, or rather, I will blow the schooner up with my own hand before I strike, better than that to have one's bones bleached in chains on a key at Port Royal. But you see you cannot control us, gentlemen, so get down into the cable-tear, and take Peter Mangrove with you. I would not willingly see those come to harm who have trusted me. However, there was no shot flying as yet. We therefore stayed on deck. All sail was once more made. The caronades were cast loose on both sides, and double-shotted. The long guns slewed round. The tack of the foreign aft foresail holed up, and we kept by the wind, and stood after the cutter, whose white canvas we could still see through the gloom like a snow wreath. As soon as she saw us, she tacked and stood toward us, and came bowling along gallantly, with the water roaring and flashing at her bows. As the vessels neared each other, they both shortened sail, and finding that we could not weather her, we steered close under her lee. As we crossed on opposite tacks, her commander hailed, Ho, the brigantine, hoi! Hello, sung out the blacky, as he backed his main top sail. What schooner is that? The Spanish schooner, queridud, went in with a bound, quer te heina te Puerto Rico. Heave, too, and send your boat on board. We have none that will swim, sir. Very well, bring two, and I will send mine. Call away the boarders, said our captain, in a low, stern tone. Let them crouch out of sight behind the boat. The cutter wore, and hoeve, too, under our lee quarter, within pistol shot. We heard the rattle of the ropes running through the davit blocks, and the splash of the jelly boat, touching the water. Then the measured stroke of the oars, as they glanced like silver in the sparkling sea, and a voice calling out, Give way, my lads! The character of the vessel we were on board of was now evident, and the bitter reflection that we were chained to the stake on board of a pirate, on the eve of a fierce contest with one of our own cruisers, was aggravated by the consideration that the cutter had fallen into a snare by which a whole boat's crew would be sacrificed before a shot was fired. I watched my opportunity as she pulled up alongside and called out, leaning well over the nettings. Get back to your ship, treachery! Get back to your ship! The little French serpent was at my side with a speed of thought, his long, clear knife glancing in one hand, while the fingers of the other were laid on his lips. He could not have said more plainly, hold your tongue, or I'll cut your throat. But Sneezer now startled him by rushing between us and giving a short, angry growl. The officer in the boat had heard me imperfectly. He rose up. I won't go back, my good man, until I see what you are made of. And as he spoke he sprang on board, but the instant he got over the borks, he was caught by two strong hands, gagged and thrown bodily down the main hatchway. Heave cried a voice, and with a will, and four cold thirty-two pound shot were hove at once into the boat alongside, which crashing through her bottom swamped her in a moment, precipitating the miserable crew into the boiling sea. There shrieks still ring in my ears as they clung to the oars and some loose planks of the boat. Bring up the officer, and take out the gag, said Williamson. Poor welcome, who had been an old messmate of mine, was now dragged to the gangway half naked, his face bleeding and heavily ironed. When the Blackamore, clapping a pistol to his head, bid him, as he feared instant death, hail that the boat had swamped under the counter and to send another. The poor fellow, who appeared stunned and confused, did so, but without seeming to know what he said. Good God, said Mr. Splinter, don't you mean to pick up the boat's crew? The blood curdled to my heart as the Black Savage answered in a voice of thunder, let them drown and be damned, fail and stand on. But the clouds by this time broke away, and the mild moon shone clear and bright once more upon this scene of most atrocious villainy. By her light the cutter's people could see that there was no one struggling in the water now, and that the people must either have been saved, or were passed all earthly aid, but the infamous deception was not entirely at an end. The captain of the cutter, seeing we were making sail, did the same, and after having shot ahead of us, hailed once more. Mr. Welcome, why don't you run to Leeward and heave to, sir? Answer him instantly and hail again for another boat! Said the sable fiend, and cocked his pistol. The click went to my heart, the young midshipman turned his pale, mild countenance laced with his blood, upwards toward the moon and stars, as one who had looked his last upon earth. The large tears were flowing down his cheeks and mingling with the crimson streaks, and a flood of silver light fell on the fine features of the poor boy, as he said firmly, Never the miscreant fired, and he fell dead. Up with the helm and we're across a stern, the order was obeyed, Fire! The whole broadside was poured in, and we could hear the shot rattle and tear across the cutter's deck, and the shrieks and groans of the wounded, while the white splinters glanced away in all directions. We now ranged alongside, and close action commenced, and never do I expect to see such an infernal scene again. Up to this moment there had been neither confusion nor noise on board the pirate. All had been coolness and order. But when the yards locked, the crew broke loose from all control, they ceased to be men, they were demons, and they threw their own dead and wounded as they were moaned down like grass by the cutter's grape, indiscriminately down the hatchways to get clear of them. They had stripped themselves almost naked, and although they fought with the most desperate courage, yelling and cursing, each in his own tongue most hideously, yet their very numbers, pent up in a small vessel, were against them. At length, amidst the fire and smoke and hellish uproar, we could see that the deck had become a very shambles, and unless they soon carried the cutter by boarding it was clear that the coolness and discipline of my own glorious service must prevail, even against such fearful odds, the superior size of the vessel, the number of guns, and heavier metal. The pirates seemed aware of this themselves for they now made a desperate attempt forward to carry their antagonist by boarding, led on by the Black Captain. Just at this moment the cutter's main boom fell across the schooner's deck, close to where we were sheltering ourselves from the shot the best way we could, and while the rush forward was being made by a sudden impulse, Splinter and I, followed by Peter and the dog, who with wonderful sagacity, seeing the uselessness of resistance, had cowered quietly by my side during the whole row, scrambled along it as the cutter's people were repelling the attack on her bow, and all four of us, in our haste, jumped down on the poor Irishman at the wheel. Murder, fire, rape, and robbery! It is capsized, stove in, sunk, burned, and destroyed I am. Captain, Captain, we are carried aft here. Oh, hubba-boo for Patrick Donnelly! There was no time to be lost. If any of the crew came aft we were dead men, so we tumbled down through the cabin skylight, men and beast, the hatch having been knocked off by a shot, and stowed ourselves away in the side berths. The noise on deck soon ceased, the cannon were again plied, gradually the fire slackened, and we could hear that the pirate had scraped clear and escaped. Some time after this the lieutenant commanding the cutter came down. Poor Mr. Douglas, both Mr. Splinter and I knew him well. He sat down and covered his face with his hands, while the blood oozed down between his fingers. He had received a cutlass wound on the head in the attack. His right arm was bound up with his neckcloth, and he was very pale. Steward, bring me a light. Ask the doctor how many are killed and wounded, and, do you hear? Tell him to come to me when he is done forward, but not a moment sooner. To have been so mauled and duped by a buccaneer, and my poor boat's crew. Splinter groaned. He started, but at this moment the man returned again. Thirteen killed your honor, and fifteen wounded, scarcely one of us untouched. The poor fellow's own skull was bound round with a bloody cloth. God help me, God help me, but they have died the death of men. Who knows what death the poor fellows in the boat have died. Here he was cut short by a tremendous scuffle on the ladder, down which an old quartermaster was trundled neck and crop into the cabin. How now, Jones? Pleasure, Anna, said the man, as soon as he had gathered himself up, and had time to turn his quid and smooth down his hair. But again the uproar was renewed and donnelly was lugged in, scrambling and struggling between two seamen. This here Irish chap, your honor, has lost his wits. If so be he ever had any, your honor. He has gone mad through fright. Fright be damned, roared donnelly. No man ever frighten me, but his honor was skewering them bloody thieves forward. I was burdened and carried after by the devil, your honor, pooped by Beaslebub by God. And he wrapped his fist on the table until everything on it danced again. They were four of a mere runner, a black one and two blue ones, and a pie-bold one, with far legs and a bushy tail. Each with two horns on his head, for all the world like those on Father MacLeary's red cow. No, she was humble, his father clannahans, I mean. No, not his neither, for his was the perishable, fed, I don't know what, I mean, except that they all had horns on their heads and vomited fire, and each one of them had a tail at his stern, twisting and twining like a congery yule, with a blue light on the end of it. And that's a lie, if ever there was one, exclaimed Peter Mangrove, jumping from the berth. Look at me, your Irish tiff, and tell me if I have a blue light or a congery yule mustern. This was too much for poor donnelly. He yelled out, you'll believe your own eyes now, your honor, when you've seen one of them bodily before you. Let me go, let me go! And rushing up the ladder he would, in all probability, have ended his earthly career in the Salt Sea, had his bullet head not encountered the broadest part of the purser, who was in the act of descending, with such violence that he shot him out of the companion several feet above the deck, as if he had been discharged from Culverin, but the recoil sent poor donnelly stunned and senseless to the bottom of the ladder. There was no standing all this, we laughed outright, and made ourselves known to Mr. Douglas, who received us cordially, and in a week we were landed at Port Royal. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Great Pirate Stories by Various. Edited by Joseph Louis French. Section 2. The Capture of Panama. The Capture of Panama. 1671 and 2. John Esquimiling. Captain Morgan set forth from the castle of Chagre towards Panama, August 18, 1870. He had with him 1200 men, five boats laden with auxiliary, and 32 canoes. The first day they sailed only six leagues and came to a place called De Los Bracos. 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 a 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 runt 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. Hereupon 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, they all went ashore, except those who were able 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 lest they should be surprised by an ampusgate 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, the Captain Morgan thought it more convenient to transport some of the men in canoes, though with great labor, to a place farther up the river called Cádro Bueno. Thus they re-embarked, and the canoes returned for the rest, so that, about night, they got altogether at the said place. The pirates much desired to meet 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 marched 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 of the river, the ampusgates. 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 ampusgate. His voice caused infinite joy to all the pirates, hoping to find some 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, and fell to eating the leather and bags, to allay the ferment of their stomachs, which was now so sharp as to gnaw 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 five hundred Spaniards had been there, whom, finding no victuals, they were now infinitely desirous to meet, intending to devour some of their rather, intending to devour some of them rather than perish. Having feasted themselves on these pieces of leather, they marched on, till they came about night to another post, called Torna Muni. Here they found another ampuscade, but as barren as the former. They searched the neighbouring woods, but could not find anything to eat. The Spaniards having been so provident, as not to leave anywhere the least crumb of subsidence. Whereby the pirates were now brought to this extremity. Here again he was happy that he 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 were never out of 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. Thus being cooked, they cut it into small morsels and ate it, helping it down with frequent gulps of water, which by good fortune they had at hand. The fifth day, about noon, they came to a place called Barbocoa. Here they found traces of another ampuscade, but the place totally as unprovided as the former. At a small distance were several plantations which they searched very narrowly, but 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 hewn out of a rock, where were two sacks of meal, wheat and like things, with two great jars of wine, and certain fruits called plantanois. Captain Morgan, knowing some of his 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 victuals, 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 till 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, for both the ruggedness of the way and their extreme weakness, which 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 maize. 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 ampiscade. This they no sooner discovered, but they threw away their maize, with the sudden hopes of finding all things in abundance. But they were much deceived, meeting neither Indians, nor Victuals, nor anything else, but they saw, on the other side of the river, about a hundred Indians, who, all fleeing, escaped. Some pirates leaped into the river to cross it, and to 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, Ha, perlos, alasavana, alasavana. Hey ye dogs, go to the plain, go to the plain. This day they could advance no farther, being necessitated to pass the river, to continue their march on the other side. Hereupon they were posed for that night, though their sleep was not profound, for great murmurings were made at Captain Morgan and his conduct, some being desirous to return home, while others would rather die than go back a step from their undertaking. Others who had great courage laughed and joked at their discourse. Meanwhile they had a guide who much comforted them, saying, it would not now be long before they met with people, for 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 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 hereof 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, there is 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 sweating 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 kings, storehouses, and stables. They had not left behind them any beast, alive or dead, which much troubled their pursuers, 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, 15 or 16 jars of Peru wine, and a leather and 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 substance, and the manifold sorts of trash they had eaten. Their sickness was so great, as caused them to remain there till the next morning, without being able to prosecute their journey in the afternoon. This village is seated in 9 degrees, 2 minutes, north latitude, distance, from the river Chagre, 26 Spanish leagues, and 8 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, are transported on 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, having fled to the near plantations, Captain Morgan ordered that none should go out of the village, except companies of 100 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, who carried one of them away prisoner. Thus the vigilancy and care of Captain Morgan was not sufficient to prevent every accident. The eighth day in the morning Captain Morgan sent 200 men before the body of his army, to discover the way to Panama, and any ampusgates therein, the path being so narrow that only 10 or 12 persons could march abreast, and often not so many. After 10 hours march they came to a place called Quebrada Abscula. Here, all of a sudden, three or four thousand arrows were shot at them, they not perceiving, whence they came, or who shot them, though they presumed it was from a high rocky mountain, from one side to the other, whereupon was a grot capable of but one horse or other beast laden. This multitude of arrows much alarmed the pirates, especially because they could not discover once 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 advantage of another post, thence 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 disparate of life, yet his valour being greater than his strength, would ask no quarter, but endeavouring to raise himself with undaunted mind, laid hold of his azagayo, or javelin, and struck it 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 defense of their country. The pirates endeavoured to take some of the Indians' prisoners, but they being swifter than the pirates, every one escaped, leaving eight pirates dead and ten wounded. Yay, had the Indians been more dexterous in military affairs, they might have defended the passage, and not let one man pass. A little while after they came to a large campaign, open and full of fine meadows, hence they could perceive at a distance before them some Indians, on the top of a mountain, near the way by which they were to pass. They sent fifty men, the nimblest they had, to try to catch any of them, and force them to discover their companions, but all in vain, for they escaped by their nimbleness, and presently showed themselves in another place, hollowing to the English, and crying, a la savanna, a la savanna peros inglesis, that is, to the plain, to the plain ye English dogs. Meanwhile, the ten pirates that were wounded were dressed and plastered up. Here was a wood, and on each side a mountain. The Indians possessed themselves of one, and the pirates of the other. Captain Morgan was persuaded the Spaniards had placed an ampuscade there, it lying so conveniently, here upon, he sent two hundred men to search it. The Spaniards and Indians perceiving the pirates, descended the mountain, did so too, as if they designed to attack them, but being got into the wood, out of sight of the pirates, they were seen no more, leaving the passage open. About night fell a great rain, which calls the pirates to march the faster, and seek for houses to preserve their arms from being wet. But the Indians had set fire to every one, and driven away all their cattle, that the pirates, finding neither houses nor victuals, might be constrained to return. But, after diligent search, they found a few shepherd's huts, but in them nothing to eat. These, not holding, many men, they placed in them, out of every company, a small number, who kept the arms of the rest. Those who remained in the open field endured much hardship that night, the rain not ceasing till morning. Next morning, about the break of day, being the ninth of that tedious journey, Captain Morgan marched on, while the fresh air of the morning lasted. For the clouds hanging yet over their heads were much more favorable than the scorching rays of the sun, the way being now more difficult than before. After two hours march, they discovered about twenty Spaniards, who observed their motions. They endeavored to catch some of them, but could not. They suddenly disappearing and absconding themselves in caves, among the rocks unknown to the pirates. At last, ascending a high mountain, they discovered the South Sea. This happy sight, as it were the end of their labors, caused infinite joy among them. Hence, they could describe also one ship and six boats, which were set forth from Panama, and sailed towards the isles of Tavaga and Tavogia. Then they came to a veil, where they found much cattle, whereof they killed good store, here, while some killed and flayed cows, horses, bulls, and chiefly asses, of whom there were most. Others kindled fires, and got wood to roast them. Then, cutting the flesh into convenient pieces, or gobbets, they threw them into the fire, and half carbonated, or roasted. They devoured them with incredible haste and appetite. Such was their hunger, that they more resembled cannibals than Europeans, the blood many times running down their beards to their wastes. Having satisfied their hunger, Captain Morgan then continued the march. Here again, he sent before the main body fifty men to take some prisoners, if they could, for he was much more concerned that in nine days he could not meet one person to inform him of the condition and forces of the Spaniards. About evening they discovered about two hundred Spaniards, who hellowed to the pirates, but they understood not what they said. A little while after, they came in sight of the highest steeple of Panama. This they no sooner discovered, but they showed signs of extreme joy, casting up their hats into the air, leaping and shouting, just as if they had already obtained the victory, and accomplished their designs. All their trumpets sounded and drums beat, entoken of this alacrity of their minds. Thus they pitched their camp for that night, with general content of the whole army, waiting with impatience for the morning when they attended to attack the city. This evening appeared fifty horses who came out of the city, on the noise of the drums and trumpets to observe as it was thought their motions. They came almost within musketshot of the army, with a trumpet that sounded marvelously well. Those on horseback hallowed aloud to the pirates and threatened them, saying, peros nos veremos, that is, ye dogs, we shall meet ye. Having made this menence, they returned to the city, except only seven or eight horsemen who hovered theirabouts to watch their motions. Immediately after the city fired and ceased not to play their biggest guns all night loud against the camp, but with little or no harm to the pirates, whom they could not easily reach. Now also the two hundred Spaniards, whom the pirates had seen in the afternoon, appeared again, making a show of blocking up the passages that no pirates might escape their hands. But the pirates, though in a manner besieged, instead of fearing their blockades, as soon as they had placed sentinels about their camp, opened their satchels, and without any napkins or plates, fell to eating, very heartily the pieces of bowls and horses' flesh which they had reserved since noon. This done they laid themselves down to sleep on the grass, with great repose and satisfaction, expecting only with impatience the dawning of the next day. The tenth day, betimes in the morning, they put all their men in order, and with drums and trumpets sounding, marched directly towards the city. But one of the guides desired Captain Morgan not to take the common highway, lest they should find in it many ampuscaeds. He took his advice and chose another way through the wood, though very irksome and difficult. The Spaniards, perceiving the pirates had taken another way, they scarce had thought on, were compelled to leave their stops and batteries, and to come out to meet them. The governor of Panama put his forces in order, consisting of two squadrons, four regiments of foot, and a huge number of wild bulls, which were driven by a great number of Indians, with some Negroes and others to help them. The pirates, now upon their march, came to the top of a little hill, once they had a large prospect of the city and campaign country underneath. Here they discovered the forces of the people of Panama, in battle array, to be so numerous that they were surprised with fear, much doubting the fortune of the day. Yea, few or none there were but wished themselves at home, or at least free from obligation of that engagement, it so nearly concerning their lives. Having been some time wavering in their minds, they at last reflected on the straits they had brought themselves into, and that now they must either fight resolutely, or die, for no quarter could be expected from an enemy on whom they had committed so many cruelties. Hereupon they encouraged one another, resolving to conquer, or to spend the last drop of blood. Then they divided themselves into three battalions, sending before two hundred buccaneers, who were very dexterous at their guns. Then, descending the hill, they marched directly towards the Spaniards, who, in a spacious field, waited their coming. As soon as they drew nigh, the Spaniards began to shout and cry, Viva el Rey! God save the king, and immediately their horse moved against the pirates. But the fields, being full of quags and soft underfoot, they could not wheel about as they desired. The two hundred buccaneers, who went before, each putting one knee to the ground, began to battle briskly, with a full volley of shot. The Spaniards defended themselves courageously, doing all they could to disorder the pirates. Their foot endeavored to second the horse, but were forced by the fire of the pirates to retreat. Finding themselves baffled, they attempted to drive the bulls against them behind, to put them into disorder. But the wild cattle ran away, frightened with the noise of the battle. Only some few broke through the English companies, and only tore the colors in pieces, while the buccaneers shot nearly every one of them dead. The battle, having continued two hours, the greatest part of the Spanish horse was ruined. While the buccaneers shot every one of them dead. The battle, having continued two hours, the greatest part of the Spanish horse was ruined, and almost all killed, the rest fled, which the foot seeing, and that they could not possibly prevail, they discharged the shot they had in their muskets, and throwing them down, fled away, every one as he could. The pirates could not follow them, being too much harassed and wearied with their long journey. Many not being able to fly, whether they desired, hid themselves, for that present among the shrubs of the seaside. But very unfortunately, for most of them being found by the pirates, were instantly killed, without any quarter. Some religious men were brought prisoners before Captain Morgan, but he, being deaf to their cries, commanded them all to be pistoled, which was done. Soon after they brought a captain to him, whom he examined very strictly, particularly wherein consisted the forces of those of Panama. He answered, their whole strength consisted in 400 horse, 24 companies of foot. Each one, 100 men complete, 60 Indians and some Negroes, who were to drive 2,000 wild bulls upon the English, and thus, by breaking their files, put them into total disorder. Besides that, in the city, they had made some trenches, and raised batteries in several places, in all which they had placed many guns, and at that entry of the highway, leading to the city, they had built a fort, mounted with 8 great brass guns, defended by 50 men. Captain Morgan, having heard this, gave orders instantly to march another way, but first he made a review of his men, whereof he found both killed and wounded a considerable number, and much greater than had been believed. Of the Spaniards were found 600 dead on the place, besides the wounded and prisoners. The pirates, nothing discouraged, seeing their numbers so diminished, but rather filled with greater pride, perceiving what huge advantage they had obtained against their enemies, having rested some time, prepared to march courageously towards the city, plighting their oaths to one another, that they would fight till not a man was left alive. With this courage, they recommended their march, either to conquer or to be conquered, carrying with them all the prisoners. They found much difficulty in their approach to the city, for within the town the Spaniards had placed many great guns, at several quarters, some charged with small pieces of iron, others with musket bullets. With these they saluted the pirates at their approaching, and gave them full and frequent broadsides, firing at them incessantly, so that unavoidably they lost at every step great numbers of men. But not these manifest dangers of their lives, nor the sight of so many as dropped continually at their sides, could deter them from advancing, and gaining ground every moment on the enemy. And though the Spaniards never ceased to fire, and act the best they could for their defense, yet they were forced to yield, after three hours' combat. And the pirates, having possessed themselves at last of the city, killed all that attempted, in the least to oppose them. The inhabitants had transported the best of their goods to more remote and secret places. Howbate they found in the city several warehouses well stocked with merchandise, as well silks and cloths, as linen and other things of value. As soon as the first fury of their entrance was over, Captain Morgan assembled his men, and commanded them, under great penalties, not to drink or taste any wine. And the reason he gave for it was this. Because he had intelligence that it was all poisoned by the Spaniards. Howbate it was thought he gave these prudent orders to prevent the debauchery of his people, which he foresaw would be very great at the first, after so much hunger, sustained by the way, fearing with all, lest the Spaniards seeing them in wine should rally, and falling on the city used them as humanely as they had used the inhabitants before. Captain Morgan, as soon as he had placed necessary guards at several quarters within and without the city, commanded twenty-five men to seize a great boat, which had struck in the mud of the port, for want of water, at a low tide. The same day, about noon, he caused fire privately to be set to several great edifices of the city. Nobody knowing who were the authors thereof. Much less of what motives Captain Morgan did it, which are unknown to this day. The fire increased so that before the night the greatest part of the city was in a flame. Captain Morgan pretended the Spaniards had done it, perceiving that his own people reflected on him for that action. Many of the Spaniards and some of the pirates did what they could, either to quench the flames, or by blowing up houses with gunpowder, and pulling down others to stop it. But in vain. For in less than half an hour it consumed a whole street. All the houses of the city were built with cedar. Very curious and magnificent, and richly adorned, especially with hangings and paintings, whereof part were before removed, but another great part were consumed by fire. There were in this city, which is the sea of a bishop, eight monasteries, seven for men and one for women, two stately churches, and one hospital. The churches and monasteries were all richly adorned with altarpieces and paintings, much gold and silver, and other precious things, all which the ecclesiastics had hidden, besides which here were 2,000 houses of magnificent building, the greatest part inhabited by merchants, vastly rich. For the rest of less quality and tradesmen, this city contained 5,000 more. Here were also many stables for the horses and mules that carry the plate of the king of Spain, as well as of private men towards the North Sea. The neighboring fields were full of fertile plantations and pleasant gardens, affording delicious prospects to the inhabitants all of the year. The Genoese had in this city a stately house for their trade of negroes. This likewise was by Captain Morgan burnt to the very ground. Besides which building, there were consumed 200 warehouses and many slaves, who had hid themselves therein with innumerable sacks of meal, the fire of which continued four weeks after it had begun. The greatest part of the pirates still encamped without the city, fearing and expecting the Spaniards could come and fight the manoeu, it being known they much outnumbered the pirates. This made them keep the field, to preserve their forces united, now much diminished by their losses. Their wounded, which were many, they put into one church which remained standing, the rest being consumed by the fire. Besides these decrees of his men, Captain Morgan had sent to convoy of 150 men to the castle of Chagre to carry the news of his victory at Panama. They saw often whole troops of Spaniards run to and fro in the fields, which made them suspect their rallying, which they never had the courage to do. In the afternoon Captain Morgan re-entered the city with his troops, that everyone might take up their lodgings, which now they could hardly find, few houses being escaped the fire. Then they sought very carefully among the ruins and ashes for utensils of plate or gold that were not quite wasted by the flames, and of such they found no small number, especially in wells and cisterns where the Spaniards had hid them. Next day Captain Morgan dispatched away two troops of 150 men each, stout and well armed, to seek for the inhabitants who were escaped. These having made several excursions up and down the fields, woods and mountains adjacent, returned after two days and bringing above 200 prisoners, men, women and slaves. The next day returned also the boat which Captain Morgan had sent to the South Sea, bringing three other boats which they had taken. But all these pirates they could willingly have given, and greater labor into the bargain, for one Galleon, which miraculously escaped, richly laden with the king's plate, jewels and other precious goods of the best and richest merchants of Panama. On board which were also the religious women of the nunnery, who had embarked with them all the ornaments of their church consisting of much gold, plate, and other things of value. The strength of this Galleon was inconsiderable, having only seven guns and ten or twelve muskets and very ill provided with victuals, necessities and fresh water, having no more sales than the uppermost of the mast. This account the pirates received from someone who had spoken with seven mariners belonging to the Galleon, who came ashore in the cock boat for fresh water. Hence they concluded they might easily have taken it, had they given their chase, as they should have done. But they were impeded from following this vastly rich prize by their gluttony and drunkenness, having plentifully debauched themselves with several rich wines they had found ready, choosing rather to satiate their appetites than to lay hold on such huge advantage, since this one prize would have been a far greater value than all they got at Panama and the places they were about. Next day repenting of their negligence, being weary of their vices and debaucheries, they set forth another boat, well-armed to pursue with all speed the said Galleon. But in vain, the Spaniards who were on board having had intelligence of their own danger, one or two days before, while the pirates were cruising so near them, whereupon they fled to places more remote and unknown. The pirates found in the ports of the islands of Tavoga and Togavia. Several boats laden with very good merchandise, all of which they took and brought to Panama, where they made an exact relation of all they had passed to Captain Morgan. The prisoners confirmed what the pirates said, adding that they undoubtedly knew where the Galleon might then be, but that it was very probable that they had been relieved before now from other places. This stirred up Captain Morgan anew to send forth all the boats in the port of Panama to seek the said Galleon till they could find her. These boats, being in all four, after eight days cruising to and fro and searching several ports and creeks, lost all hope of finding her, whereupon they returned to Tavoga and Togavia. Here they found a reasonable, good ship newly come from Paita laden with cloth, soap, sugar and biscuit, with 20,000 pieces of each. This they instantly seized without the least resistance, as also a boat which was not far off on which they laid great part of the merchandise from the ship with some slaves. With this spoil, they returned to Panama, somewhat better satisfied, yet with all much discontented that they could not meet with the Galleon. The convoy which Captain Morgan had sent to the castle of Chagre returned much about the same time, bringing with them very good news. For while Captain Morgan was on his journey to Panama, those he had left in the castle of Chagre had sent for two boats to cruise. These met with the Spanish ship, which they chased within sight of the castle. This being perceived by the pirates in the castle, they put forth Spanish colors to deceive the ship that fled before the boats. And the poor Spaniards thinking to take refuge under the castle were caught in a snare and made prisoner. The cargo on board the said vessel consisted in victuals and provisions, then which nothing could be more opportune for the castle, where they had already begun to want things of this kind. This good luck of those of Chagre caused Captain Morgan to stay longer at Panama, ordering several new excursions into the country round bout. And while the pirates at Panama were upon these expeditions, those at Chagre were busy in piracies on the North Sea. Captain Morgan sent forth daily parties of 200 men to make inroads into all the country round bout. And when one party came back, another went forth, who soon gathered much riches and many prisoners. These being brought into the city, were put into the most exquisite tortures to make them confess both other people's goods and their own. Here it happened that one poor wretch was found in the house of a person of quality, who had put on, amidst the confusion, a pair of taffety breeches of his masters, with a little silver key hanging out, perceiving which they asked him for the cabinet of the said key. His answer was he knew not what was become of it, but that finding those breeches in his master's house he had made bold to wear them. Not being able to get any other answer, they put him on the rack and inhumanely disjointed his arms. Then they twisted a cord about his forehead, which they wrung so hard that his eyes appeared as big as eggs, and were ready to fall out. But with these torments not obtaining any positive answer, they hung him up by the wrists, giving him many blows and stripes under that intolerable pain and posture of body. Afterwards, they cut off his nose and ears, and singed his face with burning straw, till he could not speak, nor lament his misery any longer. Then, losing all hopes of any confession, they bade a negro to run him through, which put an end to his life, and to their inhuman tortures. Thus did many others of those miserable prisoners finish their days, the common sport and recreation of these pirates being such tragedies. Captain Morgan, having now been at Panama full three weeks, commanded all things to be prepared for his departure. He ordered every company of men to seek so many beasts of carriage as might convey the spoil to the river where his canoes lay. About this time there was a great rumor that a considerable number of pirates intended to leave Captain Morgan, and that, taking a ship then in port, they determined to go and rob on the South Sea, till they had as much as they thought fit, and then return homewards by way of the East Indies, for which purpose they had gathered much provisions, which they had hid in private places, with sufficient powder, bullets, and all other ammunition. Likewise, some great guns belonging to the town, muskets, and other things, werewith they designed not only to equip their vessel, but to fortify themselves in some island which might serve them for a place of refuge. This design had certainly taken effect. Had not, Captain Morgan had timely advice of it from one of their comrades. Hereupon he commanded the main mast of the said ship to be cut down and burnt, with all the other boats in the port. Hereby the intentions of all, or most of his companions, were totally frustrated. Then Captain Morgan sent many of the Spaniards into the adjoining fields and country to seek for money, to ransom not only themselves, but the rest of the prisoners, as likewise the Ecclesiastics. Moreover, he commanded all the artillery of the town to be nailed and stopped up. At the same time, he sent out a strong company of men to seek for the governor of Panama, of whom intelligence was brought, that he had laid several ampuscaids in the way by which he ought to return. But they returned soon after saying that they had not found any sign of such ampuscaids. For confirmation whereof they brought some prisoners, who declared that the said governor had had an intention of making some opposition by the way, but that the men designed to affect it were unwilling to undertake it, so that for a want of means he could not put his designs in execution. February 24, 1671 Captain Morgan departed from Panama, or rather from the place where the city of Panama stood. Of the spoils whereof he carried with him 175 beasts of carriage, laden with silver, gold, and other precious things, besides about 600 prisoners, men, women, children, and slaves. That day they came to a river that passes through a delicious plain, a leak from Panama. Here Captain Morgan put all his forces into good order, so that the prisoners were in the middle, surrounded on all sides with pirates, where nothing else was to be heard but lamentations, cries, shrieks, and doleful sighs of so many women and children who feared Captain Morgan designed to transport them all into his own country for slaves. Besides, all those miserable prisoners endured extreme hunger and thirst at that time, which misery Captain Morgan designably caused them to sustain, to excite them to seek for money to ransom themselves according to the tax he had set upon every one. Many of the women begged Captain Morgan, on their knees, with infinite sighs and tears, to let them return to Panama, there to live with their dead husbands and children in little huts of straw, which they would erect, seeing that they had no houses till the rebuilding of the city. But his answer was, he came not thither to hear lamentations and cries, but to seek money. Therefore, they ought first to seek out that, wherever it was to be had, and to bring it to him, otherwise he would assuredly transport them all to such places whither they cared not to go. Next day, when the march began, those lamentable cries and shrieks were renewed, so as it would have caused compassion in the hardest heart. But Captain Morgan, as a man little given to mercy, was not moved in the least. They marched in the same order as before, one party of the pirates in the van, the prisoners in the middle, and the rest of the pirates in the rear, by which the miserable Spaniards were, at every step, punched and thrust in their backs and sides with the blunt ends of their arms to make them march faster. A beautiful lady, wife to one of the richest merchants of Tavoga, was led prisoner by herself between two pirates. Her lamentations pierced the skies, seeing herself carried away into captivity, often crying to the pirates and telling them that she had given orders to two religious persons, in whom she had relied to go to a certain place and fetch so much money as her ransom did amount to, that they had promised faithfully to do it. But having obtained the money, instead of bringing it to her, they had employed it in another way, to ransom some of their own and particular friends. This ill action of theirs was discovered by a slave who brought a letter to the said lady. Her complaints and the cause thereof, having brought it to Captain Morgan, he thought fit to inquire therein too. Having found it to be true, especially hearing it confirmed by the confession of the said religious men, though under some frivolous excuses of having diverted the money but for a day or two, in which time they expected more sums to repay it. He gave liberty to the said lady, whom otherwise he designed to transport to Jamaica. But he detained the said religious men as prisoners in her place, using them according to their deserts. Captain Morgan, arriving at the town called Cruz, on the banks of the River Chagre, he published an order among the prisoners that within three days, every one of them should bring in their ransom under the penalty of being transported to Jamaica. Meanwhile, he gave orders for so much rice and maize to be collected thereabouts, as was necessary for victualizing his ships. Here some of the prisoners were ransomed, but many others could not bring in their money. Hereupon he continued his voyage, leaving the village on the 5th of March following, carrying with him all the spoils he could. Hence he likewise led away some new prisoners, inhabitants there, with those in Panama, who had not paid their ransoms. But the two religious men, who had diverted the lady's money, were ransomed three days after by other persons who had more compassion for them than they had shown for her. About the middle of the way to Chagre, Captain Morgan commanded them to be mustered and caused every one to be sworn that they had concealed nothing, even not to the value of six pence. This done, Captain Morgan, knowing those lewd fellows would not stick to swear falsely for interest, he commanded every one to be searched very strictly, both in their clothes and satchels and elsewhere. Yea, that this order might not be ill-taken by his companions, he permitted himself to be searched, even to his very shoes. To this effect, by common consent, one was assigned out of every company to be the searchers of the rest. The French pirates that assisted on this expedition disliked this new practice of searching, but being outnumbered by the English, they were forced to submit as well as the rest. The search being over, they re-embarked, and arrived at the castle of Chagre on the 9th of March. End of Section 2. Section 3 of Great Pirate Stories. This is the Labour Vax recording, while Labour Vax recordings are in the public domain. For more information, Ode to Volunteer, please visit LabourVax.org, recording by Ion Huntley. Great Pirate Stories, by various authors, edited by Joseph Lewitt's friends. Section 3, they may lay prox by James Finnemore Cooper. We have cleared the streets as soon as early in the morning, and made a pretty fair run in the course of the day, though much of the time in thick weather. Just as the sun set, however, the rise and rain came clear, and we got sight of two small sails, seemingly heading toward the coast of Sumatra. Pullouts by the rig in dimensions. They were so distant, and so evidently steering for the land, that no one gave them much thought, bestowed on them any particular attention. Prox in that quarter were usually distrusted by the ships, it is true, but the sea is full of them, and far more are innocent than are guilty of any acts of violence. Then became dark soon after these cramps were seen, night set them in. Now or after the sun had set, the wind fell to a lot of air. That just kept the steerage away on the ship. Fortunately, the john was not only fat, but he minded her helm as a light-footed girl turns in a lively dance. I never was in a better steering ship, mostly especially in moderate weather. Mr. Marble had the middle once that night. Of course, I was on deck for midnight until four in the morning. It proved midst the most of the once, and for quite an hour we had a light drizzle and rain. The ship the whole time was clothes-horned, carrying royals. As everybody seemed to have made up his mind to a quiet night, when without any reefing or furling most of the watch were sleeping about the decks, or wherever they could get good quarters, and be elites in the way. Do not know what kept me awake, for lads of my age are out to get all the sleep they can. But I believed I was thinking of Glowbunny, and Grates, and Lucy. With the latter, extra-in-gross she was, often crossed my mind in those days of youth, in comparative innocence. Awake I was, and walking in the weather-gangway, a sailor's trot. Mr. Marble, he ought to believe, was fairly snoozing on the hencoops, being like the sailors, as one might say, very asleep. At that moment, out of noise, went familiar to seeming, that of an oar falling in the boat. So completely was my mind bent on other indecent scenes. That first, I felt no surprise, as if we were in the harbor surrounded by craft of various sizes, coming and going in all hours. But a second thought, destroyed this illusion, and I looked eagerly about me. Directly on our weather bell, distant, perhaps a kibble's length, I saw a small sail, and I could distinguish it sufficiently well, to perceive it was a sproa. I said, yeah, sail-ho! and close abroad! Mr. Marble was on his feet in the instant. He afterwards told me that when he opened his eyes, for he admitted this must mean confidence. They fell directly on the stranger. He was too much of a seaman to require a second look, in order to assert in what was to be done. Keep the sip away. Keep her brawn off, he called out to the man at the wheel. Lay the odd square. Call hands, one of you. Captain Robbins, Mr. Kite, bear a hand up. The bloody porous are aboard us. The last part of this call was uttered in a loud voice, with the speakers head down the companion way. It was heard prunering up below, but scarcely at all on deck. In the meantime, everybody was in motion. It's amazing how soon sailors are a wind-awake when there's really anything to do. It appeared to me that all our people were mustering on the deck, and that's in a minute. Most of them was nothing on but their search and trousers. The sip was nearly before the wind, by the time I heard the captain's voice. Then Mr. Kite came butchering in Mungut's Ford, ordering most of them in to lay out to the braces, remaining himself from the forecastle, and keeping me with them to go to the seats. On the forecastle, the strange sail was no longer visible, being now abaffed by the beam. But I could hear Mr. Marble swearing there were two of them, that they must be the very chaps we had seen to either stand in for the land at sunset. I also heard the captain calling out to the steward to bring him up a powder horn. Immediately after, orders were given to that flying all our seats forward, and then I perceived that they were wearing the sip. Nothing saved us, but the prompt order of Mr. Marble to keep the sip away, by which means, instead of moving toward the products, we instantly began to move from them. Although they went three feet to our two, this gave us a moment of breathing time. As our seats were off-line forward, and remained so for a few minutes, he gave me a leisure to look about. I soon saw both prompts, and, gliding up, was I to perceive that they had not approached materially near. Mr. Kite deserved this also in remark, that our movements had been so prompt as to take the rascals aback. He meant they did not exactly know what we were at, and had not kept away with us. At this instant, the captain in five or six of the Odixemen began to cast those all our starboard and weather guns, for and all in sixes. We had loaded these guns in the straits of Banca, with grapes and canister, and ready nets for just those pirates, as were now coming down upon us, and nothing was wanting but the priming and the hot leggerhead. It seems two of the lights had been ordered in the fire when we saw the pro-hat-sat-sat-sat, and they were now in ancient condition for service, life caused being kept all around them at night by command. I saw a clutch of men busy with the second gun from forward, and could distinguish the captain pointing to it. There cannot well be any mistake, Mr. Marble. The captain deserved, hesitating, whether to fire or not. Mistakes, sir. Lord, Captain Robbins, you might cannonade any of the islands this term for a week. Never hurt none its men. Let them have it, sir. I'll answer for you. Do good. Let's settle the matter. The loggerhead was applying, and one of our sixes spoke in a smart report. A breath of its stillness seceded. The pro-hat-sat-sat did not alter the course, but neared its fast. The captain leveled his night-grat, and I heard him tell a little kite, and low voice, that there were a fourth man. The word was now passed to clear away all the guns, to open the arm-tests, to come at the muskets and pistols. I heard the rattling of the boarding-pipes, too, as they were cut adrift from the spanker-boom, and fell upon the decks. All that sounded very ominous, and I began to think we should have a desperate engagement first, and then have all our throats cut afterward. I expected now to hear the guns that it starts in quick succession, but they were got ready only, not fired. Kite lent apt, and returned with three or four muskets, and as many pikes. He gave the latter to those of the people, and nothing to do with the guns. By this time the sip was on a wind, steering a good fool, while the two pruts were just a beam and closing fast. The stillness that wrangled on both sides was like that of death. The pruts, however, fell a little bit more astern. The result of their own maneuvering, out of all doubt, as they moved through the water much faster than the sip, seeming desirates of dropping into our wake, with the design of closing under our stern, and avoiding our broad side. As this would never do, and the wind frozen so as to give us four or five night away, a moot's fortunate circumstance for us to captain determine attack while he in ruin. The giant behaved beautifully, and came round like a top. The pruit saw that there was no time to lose, and attempted to close before we could fill again. This they would have done with ninety-nine sips and a hundred. They captain knew his vessel, however, and did not let her lose her way, making everything draw again, as might be by instinct. The pruit's attack, too, and laying up much nearer to the wind than we did, appeared as if about to coax in on our lead bow. The question was now whether we could pass them or not before they got nearing up to grapple. The pirates got on board us. We were hoping to be gone, and everything depended on coordinates and judgment. The captain behaved perfectly well in this critical instant, commanding a dead silence in the closest intense into his orders. I assumed much interest in that at this moment to fill the concern that I might otherwise have experienced. On the forecast, it appeared to us all that we should be boarded in a minute, for one of the pruits was actually within a hundred feet, though losing our advantage a little by getting under the lee of our cells. Cain had ordered us to much afford of the rigging to meet the expected leap through the jet storage of muskets, then to present our patch. When I felt an arm thrown around my body and was turned inboard while another person assumed my place, this was Neve, who on this equally threatened himself before me in order to meet the danger first. I felt that, even while I was touched with the fellow's attachment and self-devotion, that I had no time to betray either feeling before the crews of the pruits gave me a little and discharged some fifty or sixty man locs at us. There was full of bullets, but they all went over our heads. Not a soul on board the john was hurt. When I was signed, we gave the gentleman the four sixes, two at the nearest and two at the sternmost proa, which was still near a cable's length descent. As often happens, and one seemingly farthest from danger, fair to the worse, our grape and canister had room to scatter, and I can at this distant day still hear the shrieks that arose from that craft. They were like the yells of fiends in English. The effect of that proa was instantaneous. Instead of keeping on after her console, she wolf-sort around on our hill and stood away in our wake on the other tank, parrying to get out of the range of our fire. I doubt if we touched the man in the nearest proa. At any rate, no noise proceeded from her, as he came up under our bowels fast. As every gun was discharged, there was no time to loathe them. The awe now depended on repelling the borders. Part of our people mustered in their ways, where it was expected the proa would find a long sign and part on the forecatchel. This, as this disribution was made, post-catched the drapnel. It was an admiring throne, but it caught only a randoy. I saw this, and I was about to jump onto the rigging to try what I could do to clear it. When Nebegan went ahead of me and cut the randoy with his knife, this was just as the pirates had abandoned sails and oars, and had risen up to haul a long sign. So sudden was the other rereads, and 20 of them fell by their own efforts. In this state, the ship passed ahead, all of her candidates being four, leaving the proa moats and wets in her wake. And pirates, and however, the two vets who were so near as that, those eyed, and the john distinctly saw the shorty faces of their enemies. We were no sooner clear of the pros than the order was given ready about. The helm was put down, and the ship came into the wind in a minute. As we came square with the two pros, all the labored guns were given to them, and this ended the affair. I think the nears of the ranchers got it this time, for away she went after her console, but furling off toward the islands. We had made a little soul of chase, and it was only a faint, for we were too grinding away from them to be in earnest, and ten minutes after we re-tagged the last time. We seats firing, having thrown some eight or ten rounds on after the pros, and we were close hauled again heading into the southwest. This one records from a float in the shore. In this section three, recording by Ion Hightley.