188 
D0TTINGS ON THE ROADSIDE. [Chap. XI.— B. S. 
chief began to think earnestly about his departure, 
when a plot was discovered which retarded it for 
awhile. In leading the buccaneers across the Isthmus, 
Morgan had opened to them a new field of enterprise. 
The great Pacific Ocean, of whose riches they had 
heard so much, and whose waters they had never navi¬ 
gated, stretched in all its majesty before them. The 
prospect was so tempting, that a considerable number 
conceived the plan of leaving Morgan, and proceed¬ 
ing to Europe by way of the East Indies. They 
intended to take the ship lately captured at Taboga, 
and had already secretly gathered provisions and naval 
stores, when their proceedings were discovered. Mor¬ 
gan’s resolution was instantly taken. He issued orders 
to cut down the mainmast, and burn it together with 
all the boats and coasting vessels that had been seized. 
Thus a separation was prevented which must have 
proved fatal to all engaged in the invasion. 
The preparations for the departure were actively 
resumed. Many of the prisoners received permission 
to seek for money to ransom themselves, from their 
relations or friends; the whole of the artillery was 
spiked, and a strong party sent in search of the Go¬ 
vernor, who, it was reported, intended to make an 
attack. It was soon ascertained, however, that though 
he entertained such an intention, the people under his 
command, disheartened by their recent misfortune, 
had refused to comply with his orders. At last all 
was in readiness for a start, and on the 24th of Febru¬ 
ary, 1671 , the pirates left the still smoking ruins, 
carrying off six hundred prisoners, and one hundred 
