20 THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 



tured, bringing with them three of the larger ships, 

 laden with specie and valuable goods. They had 

 found, besides, about a hundred mules loaded with 

 the same cargoes, trying to push into the interior of 

 the island to secrete them. For three weeks did the 

 whole party remain in Panama, collecting all the 

 valuables they could find, and making excursions 

 in the surrounding country for the same purpose, that 

 were highly successful. The prisoners were held to 

 ransom, according to their wealth, which contributed 

 much to the general fund. On leaving Panama, 

 the amount of baggage was immense, and required a 

 strong guard. Whether it was to punish the Span- 

 iards for some past actions, or for some newly dis- 

 covered treachery among the citizens, is not known, 

 but Morgan took 500 of them with him as prisoners, 

 and ordered the city to be fired. After two days, 

 they arrived at Cruces, where the prisoners w T ere 

 ransomed, and allowed to return, while the bucca- 

 neers descended the river to Chagres, where there 

 was a division of the spoil ; Morgan's share being 

 sufficient to keep him in Jamaica, the rest of his 

 days were spent in a style of lavish hospitality, and 

 in dispensing his wealth in the most liberal man- 

 ner on all objects that attracted his admiration. 



Thus Panama — " The Old," as the natives call 

 it — fell, and it remains in ruins down to this day. 

 The inhabitants preferring a locality more defenci- 

 ble, chose the site of the present city (six miles dis- 

 tant), and in that year, (1670), commenced their 

 buildings and defences. 



