24 THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 



having fallen in the hand to hand conflict in repel- 

 ling the frequent assaults of the freebooters. 



Morgan gave orders to repair the fort, and left 

 500 men for its defence, and 150 men on board the 

 vessels, to guard the harbor, and prepare for any 

 emergency. He prepared a fleet of canoes, and with 

 about 1,300 daring followers, and a few pieces of 

 light artillery, he ascended the Chagres river, amid 

 the shouts and good wishes of that part of his little 

 army that he left behind. The voyage was perilous and 

 tedious. They had little or no provisions with them, 

 and the flying Spaniards had destroyed or driven 

 away everything w T hich could nourish or sustain 

 life. Besides, on their arrival at Cruces, they 

 found that that place had been fired by the retreating 

 Spaniards, and they had to get along as best they 

 could. The mosquito fleet of canoes were sent back 

 to Chagres, with enough men to guard them, and 

 with whatever was bulky or heavy, that would im- 

 pede the rest in a journey across the Isthmus. They 

 left Cruces in high spirits, and twelve hours after 

 were gratified with the sight of the glittering spires 

 of Panama, but at the same time they perceived a 

 large ship and five smaller ones departing for the 

 Island of Taboga, and carrying with them part of the 

 w r ealth they had already counted as their own. On 

 n earing the city, they found a large force of armed 

 Spaniards awaiting their arrival — nearly quadruple 

 their own number. Morgan addressed his men ; he 

 pointed to the ships carrying away the treasure, but 

 reminded them of that of the churches, and the large 



