306 Mr. WAFER V Tiefcriptiori. 



of the IfthmuSy which I have defcribed hitherto^ the 

 Spaniards had neither Command over the Indians^ 

 nor Commerce with them while I was there, though 

 there are Indians inhabiting all along the Continent ; 

 yet one has told me fince, that the Spaniards have 

 won them over to them. 

 Portobel. Portobel is a very fair, large and commodious* 

 TheHar- Harbour,, affording good Anchoring and good 

 hour. Shelter for Ships, having a narrow Mouth, and 

 fpreading wider within. The Galleons from Spain 

 find good Riding here during the Time of their 

 B'ufinefs at Portobel ; for from hence they take m 

 fuch of the Treafures of Peru as are brought thither 

 TheForts. over Land from Panama. The Entrance of this 

 Harbour is feeur'd by a Fort upon the left Hand 

 going in ; it is a very ftrong one, and the Paflage 

 is made more fecure by a Biock-Houfe on the other 

 Side, oppofite to it. At the Bottom of the Har- 

 bour lies the Town, bending along the Shore like a 

 Half-moon : In the Middle of which upon the Sea 

 is another fmall low Fort, environ'd with Houfes, 

 except only to the Sea : And at the Weft-end of the: 

 Town, about a Furlong from the Shore, upon a 

 gentle Rifing, lies another Fort, pretty large and 

 very ftrong, yet over- look 5 d by a Neighbouring 

 Hill further up the Country, which Sir Henry Mor- 

 gan made ufe of to take the Fort. In all thefe Forts 

 there may be about 2 or 300 Spanifh Soldiers in Gar- 

 TSe rifon. The Town is long and narrow, having two 

 Town, principal Streets befides thofe that go a-crofs ; with 

 a fmall Parade about the Middle of it, furrounded 

 with pretty fair Houfes. The other Houfes alfo 

 and Churches are pretty handfome, after the Spanifh 

 Make. The Town lies open to the the Country 

 without either Wall or Works ; and at the Eaft- 

 Road to fide of it, where the Road to Panama goes out (be- 

 Panama, cau f e 0> f piil] s that lie to the Southward of the 

 Town, and obftrud the direct PaffageJ there lies a 



