36 THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 



They readied the Gulf of Darien in safety, and es- 

 tablished themselves on the coast in localities to 

 which they gave the names of New Calidoiria and 

 New St. Andrews. The government of Spain had 

 been perfectly quiet during the agitation of the 

 project, and the arrangements for * carrying it out; 

 but no sooner was the expedition arrived at the 

 Isthmus, than — secretly instigated, it was believed, 

 by the English King — it resolved to attack the 

 embryo colony. The unfortunate Highlanders, de- 

 cimated as they soon were by fever, hunger, and pri- 

 vations of all kinds, could still at all events fight ; 

 and Captain Campbell, of Finab, a relative of the 

 Athole and Breadalbane families, who had joined 

 his countrymen with some followers, was chosen to 

 command them. Captain Campbell had served in 

 "William's continental wars, and his military mea- 

 sures were prompt and decided. At the head of a 

 few hundred picked men, he made a rapid night- 

 march to Tuburactu, where a large body of Spanish 

 troops were posted, and surprised and scattered them. 

 His victory was a barren one. On returning with 

 his triumphant soldiers, he found the Scottish settle- 

 ments beleagued seaward by a Spanish squadron. 

 There was no help, and, after a gallant but ineffect- 

 ual resistance, the surviving colonists capitulated, 

 with the exception of Captain Campbell, who, fearful 

 of trusting to the tender mercies of the Spaniards, es- 

 caped overland, and ultimately arrived safe in Scot- 

 land. Paterson, who became temporarily deranged 

 by the failure of his project, was amongst the sur- 



