The Buccaneers in the West Indies in the XVII CenturyHaring, Clarence Henry
History
The Buccaneers in the West Indies in the XVII Century
Haring, Clarence Henry
Buccaneers; West Indies -- History
"They had not left behind them any beast whatsoever, either alive or
dead. This occasioned much confusion in their minds, they not finding
the least thing to lay hold on, unless it were some few cats and dogs,
which they immediately killed and devoured with great appetite. At last
in the King's stables they found by good fortune fifteen or sixteen jars
of Peru wine, and a leather sack full of bread. But no sooner had they
begun to drink of the said wine when they fell sick, almost every man.
This sudden disaster made them think that the wine was poisoned, which
caused a new consternation in the whole camp, as judging themselves now
to be irrecoverably lost. But the true reason was, their huge want of
sustenance in that whole voyage, and the manifold sorts of trash which
they had eaten upon that occasion. Their sickness was so great that day
as caused them to remain there till the next morning, without being able
to prosecute their journey as they used to do, in the afternoon. This
village is seated in the latitude in 9 degrees and 2 minutes, northern
latitude, being distant from the river of Chagre twenty-six Spanish
leagues, and eight from Panama. Moreover, this is the last place unto
which boats or canoes can come; for which reason they built here
store-houses, wherein to keep all sorts of merchandise, which from hence
to and from Panama are transported upon the backs of mules.
"Here therefore Captain Morgan was constrained to leave his canoes and
land all his men, though never so weak in their bodies. But lest the
canoes should be surprised, or take up too many men for their defence,
he resolved to send them all back to the place where the boats were,
excepting one, which he caused to be hidden, to the intent it might
serve to carry intelligence according to the exigency of affairs. Many
of the Spaniards and Indians belonging to this village were fled to the
plantations thereabouts. Hereupon Captain Morgan gave express orders
that none should dare to go out of the village, except in whole
companies of a hundred together. The occasion hereof was his fear lest
the enemy should take an advantage upon his men, by any sudden assault.
Notwithstanding, one party of English soldiers stickled not to
contravene these commands, being thereunto tempted with the desire of
finding victuals. But these were soon glad to fly into the town again,
being assaulted with great fury by some Spaniards and Indians, who
snatched up one of the Pirates, and carried him away prisoner. Thus the
vigilance and care of Captain Morgan was not sufficient to prevent every
accident that might happen.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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