The Torture.--Sickness and Misery.--Measures of the Governor of Panama.--The Ambuscade.--Awful Defeat of the Spaniards.--Ferocity of the Pirates.--Strange Correspondence.--Exchange of Courtesies.--Return to Cuba, and Division of the Spoil.--Wild Orgies at Jamaica.--Complicity of the British Government with the Pirates.--The New Enterprise.--Arrival of the Oxford.--Destruction of the Cerf Volant.--Rendezvous at Samona. 246 CHAPTER XVI. _The Expedition to Maracaibo._ The Delay at Ocoa.--Hunting Excursions.--The Repulse.--Cities of Venezuela.--The Plan of Morgan.--Suggestions of Pierre Picard.--Sailing of the Expedition.--They Touch at Oruba.--Traverse Venezuela.--Enter Lake Maracaibo.--Capture of the Fort.--The City Abandoned.--Atrocities of the Pirates. 260 CHAPTER XVII. _Adventures on the Shores of Lake Maracaibo._ Preparations for the Defence of Gibraltar.--The Hidden Ships.--The Hiding-place of the Governor and the Women.--Disaster and Failure.--Capture of the Spanish Ships.--The Retreat Commenced.--Peril of the Pirates.--Singular Correspondence.--Strength of the Spanish Armament.--The Public Conference of the Pirates.--The Naval Battle.--The Fire-Ship.--Wonderful Achievement of the Pirates. 273 CHAPTER XVIII. _A New Expedition Planned._ The Threat to Espinosa.--Adroit Stratagem.--Wonderful Escape.--The Storm.--Revelry at Jamaica.--History of Hispaniola.--Plan of a New Expedition.--The Foraging Ships.--Morgan’s Administrative Energies.--Return of the Foragers.--Rendezvous at Cape Tiburon.--Magnitude and Armament of the Fleet.--Preparations to Sail. 290 CHAPTER XIX. _Capture of St. Catherine and Chagres._ The Defences at St. Catherine.--Morgan’s Strategy.--The Midnight Storm.--Deplorable Condition of the Pirates.--The Summons to Surrender.--Disgraceful Conduct of the Spanish Commander.--The Advance to Chagres.--Incidents of the Battle.--The Unexpected Victory.--Measures of Morgan. 305 CHAPTER XX. _The March from Chagres to Panama._ Preparations to Ascend the River.--Crowding of the Boats.--The Bivouac at Bracos.--Sufferings from Hunger.--The Pathless Route.--The Boats Abandoned.--Light Canoes Employed.--Abandoned Ambuscades.--Painful Marches, Day by Day.--The Feast on Leathern Bags.--Murmurs and Contentions.--The Indians Encountered.--Struggling through the Forest.--The Conflagration at Santa Cruz.--Battle and Skirmishes.--First Sight of Panama.--Descent into the Plain.--Feasting. 319 CHAPTER XXI. _The Capture of Panama._