THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 23 



the Pacific — tlien allowed to be the richest city on 

 the continent. He issued a proclamation, calling 

 upon all the adventurers, English and French, who 

 resided in Jamaica, Tortugas Islands, and St. Do- 

 mingo, to assemble on a certain day, when he would 

 inform them of an adventure that would enrich them 

 all, and allow them — if any wished — to return to 

 England or France, and spend the rest of their days 

 in opulence and peace. 



The place chosen for the rendezvous was Port 

 Gongon, on the south of St. Domingo ; and on and 

 before the day, vessels from all quarters, full of daring, 

 bold men, were to be seen entering the little harbor. 

 Morgan, in his own twenty-four gun frigate, the 

 " Kite," arrived on the day ; and when he unfolded 

 his plans to the assembled buccaneers, and asked for 

 volunteers, ail rushed forward to his standard. He 

 was elected commander-in-chief on land, and admi- 

 ral on water. He appointed a commander for each 

 vessel, and set sail with thirty-seven vessels, and 2,200 

 men. Their course was directed towards the island 

 of St. Catharine, which they took, and where they 

 found three prisoners that had been sent from Pan- 

 ama, whom Morgan decided should act as guides 

 for him, promising them freedom and money, if 

 faithful ; instant death, if treacherous. Captain 

 Bradelet, a Frenchman, with four vessels, was sent 

 to take possession of Fort San Lorenzo, at the mouth 

 of Chagres river. The fort was taken after a despe- 

 rate resistance ; out of three hundred men who gar- 

 risoned it, only fourteen were left alive, the rest 



