THE PACIFIC IX SIGHT. 47 



river of the time was very like that of to-day a shallow stream, except in the freshet season 

 and after a few days of tedious progress, they left it, preferring to continue their 

 journey by land. On this trip a pipe of tobacco was the only supper that many of 

 them could obtain, while a piece of leather, washed down by a draught of muddy water- 

 formed, by comparison, a splendid meal. 



On the ninth day of that tedious journey, Captain Morgan marched on while th 

 fresh air of the morning lasted, a common practice in very hot countries. The way 

 was now more difficult than before ; but after two hours' march they observed some Spaniards 

 in the distance, who watched their motions. They endeavoured to catch some of them, 

 but could not, as they would suddenly disappear, and hide themselves in caves among the rocks, 

 unknown to the pirates. At last, ascending a high hill, the latter saw in the distance 

 the blue waters of the Pacific, then known as the South Sea. This happy sight, as it seemed 

 the end of their labours, caused great joy among them they could see, also, one ship and 

 six boats, which were sailing from Panama, and proceeded to the Islands of Torvoga and 

 Tavogilla; then they came to a valley, where they found cattle in abundance, of which 

 they killed a number. There, while some killed and flayed horses, cows, bulls, and asses, 

 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 burnt or roasted, they devoured 

 them with greedy appetite. Such was their hunger, they behaved as though they were 

 rather cannibals than Europeans, " the blood many times running down from their beards 

 to their Avaists." 



A little while after they came in sight of the highest steeple in Panama ; and one can 

 imagine their satisfaction. All their trumpets were sounded, and drums beat. Then they 

 pitched their camp for that night ; the whole army waiting with impatience for the morning, 

 when they intended to attack the city. During the evening fifty horse appeared, who 

 came out of the city on the noise of the drums and trumpets, to observe the enemy's 

 position, and came almost within musket-shot of the army. Those on horseback 

 hallooed to the pirates, and threatened them, saying, " Perros ! nos veremos ! " that is, 

 " Ye dogs ! we shall meet ye ! " They then returned to the city, except only seven or 

 eight horsemen, who hovered about to watch the pirates. " 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 

 200 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 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, 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 

 directed Captain Morgan not to take the common highway, lest they should find in it many 



