1 16' A VOYAGE TO Book III- 



to fave bimfelf, the works were loon abandoned, in 

 order to efcape the dcKible danger of being cither 

 burnt or blown up. The coramandanf, however, 

 determined to do all in his power, Itill defended the 

 fort, wiih iixteen or twcnt}' foldiers, being all that 

 were left him, till, covered with wounds, he fell a 

 viélim to his loj-alty. The pirates, encouraged by 

 this accident, pufhcd their attack with the utmoll 

 vigour ; and the few people were obliged to furrender 

 the place, which the vio'ence of the ilames loon laid 

 in aihes. Having lurmounted this difficulty, the 

 greater part of them proceeded up the river in boats 

 and launches, leaving the fhips at anchor, for the 

 defence of their new^ conquefi:. The detachment 

 having landed at Cruces, marched towards Panama, 

 and, on the Sabana, a fpacious plain before the city, 

 th.ey had fcveral íkirmiíhes, in wdiich Morgan always 

 gained the advantage ; fo that he made bimfelf mañer 

 of the city; but found it alraoft forfaken ; the inha- 

 bitants, on feeing their men defeated, having retired 

 into the woods. Fie now plundered it at his leifure ; 

 and, after fraying fome days, agreed, for a large 

 ranfom, to evacuate it without damaoinir the build- 

 ings ; but, after the payment of the money, the city 

 was fet on fíre, by accident, as they gave out, and as 

 the hiftory of his adventures relates ; but it is much 

 more probable that it was done by deiign. Tfi pre- 

 tend it wa^ owing to accident, feemecl to them the 

 hen palliative for their violating the treaty. 



This misfortune rendering it abfolutely neceffary 

 to rebuild the city, it was removed to its prcfent iitua- 

 tion, which is about a league and a half from the 

 former, and much more convenient. It has a wall of 

 free-ftone, and is defended by a large garrifon of regu- 

 lars; whence detachments are lent to do duty at 

 Darien, Porto Bello, and Cbagre. Near the city, on 

 the norlh-vveii, is a mountain called Ancon, whole 



perpendicular 



