 Section 27 of Pirates of Panama, The Buccaneers of America by A. O. X. Vimalang, 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. Reading by Laash Rolander. Chapter 17, Part 2 The pirates endeavored to take some of the Indians' prisoners, but they being swifter than the pirates, everyone escaped, leaving eight pirates dead and ten wounded. Yeah, had the Indians been more dexterous in military affairs, they might have defended that passage and not let one man pass. A little while after they came to a large champagne, 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 nimblist 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, hallowing to the English and crying, Allah savanna, Allah savanna, peros ingleses, 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 ambush gate there, it lying so conveniently, hereupon he sent two hundred men to search it. The Spaniards and Indians perceiving the pirates to send the mountain did so too, as if they designed to attack them, but being got into the wood, out of the sight of the pirates they were seen no more, leaving the passage open. About night fell a great rain which caused the pirates to march the faster, and seek for houses to preserve their arms from being wet. But the Indians had set fire to everyone, 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 shepherds 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 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 favourable 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 endeavoured 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 if it were the end of their labours, 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 islands of Tabuga and Tabugila. Then they came to a vale where they found much cattle, whereof they killed good store, here while some killed and flayed cows, horses, bulls and chiefly asses, of which 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 as they more assembled cannimals than Europeans, the blood many times running down from their beards to their wastes. Having satisfied their hunger, Captain Morgan ordered them to continue the march. Here again he sent before the main body fifty men to take some prisoners, if they could, for he was much 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 hallowed to the pirates, but they understood not what they said. A little while after they came in sight of the high 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 in token 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 intended to attack the city. This evening appeared fifty horse 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 musket shot of the army with a trumpet that sounded marvelously well. Those on horseback hallowed aloud to the pirates and threatened them saying, peros nos verimos, that is ye dogs we shall meet ye. Having made this menace they returned to the city except only seven or eight horsemen who hoovered their bouts to watch their motions. Immediately after the city fired and ceased not to play their biggest guns all night long 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 hearing 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 bulls 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, be times 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 decided Captain Morgan not to take the common highway, lest they should find in it many ambush gates. He took his advice and choose 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 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, whence they had a large prospect of the city and Champagne 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. Yeah, few or none there were but wished themselves at home, or at least free from the obligation of that engagement, it's 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 spend the last drop of blood. Then they divided themselves into three battalions, sending before 200 Buccaneers who were very dexterous at their guns. Then, descending the hill, they marched directly towards the Spaniards, who in a spacious field waited for 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 200 Buccaneers who went before, each putting one knee to the ground, began the 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 constrained by the pirates to leave them. 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 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 foots 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 wither they decide hid themselves for that crescent 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 four hundred horse, twenty-four companies of foot, each of one hundred men complete. Sixty Indians and some Negroes who were to drive two thousand wild bulls upon the English, and thus by breaking their files put them into a total disorder. Beside that in the city they had made trenches and raced batteries in several places, in all which they had placed many guns, and that at the entry of the highway leading to the city they had built a fort mounted with eight great brass guns, defended by fifty 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 six hundred 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 recommenced their march, either to conquer or 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 and others with mosquito bullets. With all 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 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, killed and destroyed all that attempted in the least to oppose them. The inhabitants had transported the best of their goods to more remote and occult places, how-bate they found in the city several warehouses well-stocked with merchandise, as well silks and clothes 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 because he had intelligence that it was all poisoned by the Spaniards. How-bate 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 seen them in wine should rally and falling on the city, use them as inhumanly as they had used the inhabitants before. Translated by G. A. Williams CHAPTER 18 Captain Morgan sends canoes and boats to the South Sea. He fires the city of Panama. Robberies and cruelties committed there by the pirates till their return to the castle of Chagra. 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 stuck 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 on what motives Captain Morgan did it, which are unknown to this day. The fire increased so that before night the greatest part of the city was in 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 flame, 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, and another great part were consumed by fire. There were in the 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 two thousand houses of magnificent building, the greatest part inhabited by merchants, vastly rich. For the rest of less quality and tradesmen, this city contained five thousand more. Here were also many stables for the horses and mules that carried the plate to the king of Spain, as well as private men toward the North Sea. The neighboring fields are full of fertile plantations and pleasant gardens, affording delicious prospects to the inhabitants all 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 two hundred 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 would come and fight them anew. 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. There wounded, which were many, they put into one church, which remained standing, the rest being consumed by the fire. Besides these decreases of their men, Captain Morgan had sent a convoy of one hundred and fifty men to the castle of Chagra 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 having escaped the fire. Then they sought very carefully among the ruins and ashes for utensils or 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 one hundred and fifty 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 bringing above two hundred prisoners, men, women and slaves. The same 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 prizes they could willingly have given and greater labor into the bargain for one galleon which miraculously escaped. Richly laden with all 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 in much gold, plate and other things of great value. The strength of this galleon was inconsiderable, having only seven guns and ten or twelve muskets, and very ill provided with victuals, necessaries and fresh water, having no more sales than the uppermost of the mainmist. 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 her 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 found ready, choosing rather to satiate their appetites than to lay hold on such huge advantage, since this only prize would have been a far greater value than all they got at Panama and the places they're 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 island of Tavoga and Tavoguilla, several boats laden with very good merchandise, all which they took and brought to Panama, where they made an exact relation of all that 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 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 hopes of finding her. Hereupon they returned to Tavoga and Tavoguilla. Here they found a reasonable good-ship, newly come from Peta, laden with cloth, soap, sugar, and biscuit, with twenty thousand pieces of eight. This they instantly seized, without the least resistance, as also a boat which was not far off, on which they laded great part of the merchandises from the ship with some slaves. With this purchase 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 Chagra 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 Chagra 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 spandards thinking to take refuge under the castle were caught in a snare and made prisoners. The cargo on board the said vessel consisted in victuals and provisions than which nothing could be more opportune for the castle, where they began already to want things of this kind. This good luck of those of Chagra caused Captain Morgan to stay longer at Panama, ordering several new excursions into the country round about. And while the pirates at Panama were upon these expeditions, those at Chagra were busy in piracies on the North Sea. Captain Morgan sent forth, daily, parties of two hundred men to make inroads into all the country round about. 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 to 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 britches 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 britches 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, inhumanly, 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 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 rumour 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 got as much as they thought fit, and then return homewards by way of the West 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, wherewith 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 maideness 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 ambuscades in the way by which he ought to return. But they returned soon after, saying they had not found any sign of such ambuscades. 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 effect it were unwilling to undertake it, so that for want of means he could not put his design 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. Beside about 600 prisoners, men, women, children, and slaves. That day they came to a river that passes through a delicious plain, a league, 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 designededly 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 dear husbands and children in little huts of straw which they would erect, seeing 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 bring it to him. Otherwise he would assuredly transport them all to such places whether 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 whom 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 them, to her, they had employed it 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, being brought 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 exercises 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 had given to her. He was only designed to transport to Jamaica, but he detained the said religious men as prisoners in her place, using them according to their desserts. Captain Morgan, arriving at the town called Cruz, on the banks of the river Chagra, he published an order among the prisoners, that within three days everyone 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 victualing 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 fifth of March following, carrying with him all the spoil he could. Hence he likewise led away some new prisoners, inhabitants there, with those in Panama, who had not paid their ransom, 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 showed for her. About the middle of the way to Chagra, Captain Morgan commanded them to be mustered, and caused everyone to be sworn, that they had concealed nothing, even not to the value of sixpence. 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. Gay that this order might not be taken ill 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 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 Chagra on the 9th of March. Here they found all things in good order, excepting the wounded men whom they had left at their departure, for of these the greatest number were dead of their wounds. From Chagra Captain Morgan sent, presently after his arrival, a great boat to Puerto Bello, with all the prisoners taken at the Isle of St. Catherine, demanding of them a considerable ransom for the castle of Chagra, where he then was, threatening, otherwise, to ruin it. To this those of Puerto Bello answered, they would not give one farthing towards the ransom of the said castle, and the English might do with it as they pleased. Hereupon the dividend was made of all the spoil made in that voyage. Every company and every particular person therein receiving their proportion, or rather, what part thereof Captain Morgan pleased to give them, for the rest of his companions, even of his own nation, murmured at his proceedings, and told him to his face that he had reserved the best jewels to himself. For they judged it impossible that no greater share should belong to them than two hundred pieces of eight, per capita, of so many valuable plunders they had made, which small some they thought too little for so much labor, and such dangers as they had been exposed to. But Captain Morgan was deaf to all this, and many other like complaints, having designed to cheat them of what he could. At last finding himself obnoxious to many censures of his people, and fearing the consequence, he thought it unsafe to stay any longer at Chagra, but ordered the ordinance of the castle to be carried on board his ship. Then he caused most of the walls to be demolished, the edifices to be burnt, and as many other things ruined as could be done in a short time. This done he went secretly on board his own ship, without giving any notice to his companions, and put out to sea, being only followed by three or four vessels of the whole fleet. These were such, as the French pirates believed, as went shares with Captain Morgan in the best part of the spoil, which had been concealed from them in the dividend. The French men could willingly have revenged themselves on Captain Morgan and his followers, had they been able to encounter him at sea, but they were destitute of necessaries, and had much adieu to find sufficient provisions for their voyage to Jamaica, he having left them unprovided for all things. End of Chapter 18. End of Pirates of Panama. By A. O. X. Camillin. Translated by G. A. Williams. Read for LibriVox. By Dennis Sayers. In Modesto, California. Winter. 2008.