The Raymer enterprise., 1913-09-18

cancer, did In 1871, when he led his
band OF cutthroats down from the
hills upon Panama. After he had fin-
ished with that big, flourishing city
there was SO little left Of 1t that the
Spanish moved five miles west along
the coast and there built a new Pan
ama-the Panama we know today.
The story of Morgan's Justly famous
exploit. often told, never grows stale,
1t is wonderful story Of desperate
bravery, endurance, suffering and ruth
less cruelty, and as John Esquemeling
was the first to relate 1t in detail. so
he has been the best. Howard Pyle
has we'll said: "In the case of the
Esquemellng history. it should be de-
cidedly hands of. One touch Of the
modern brush would destroy the
whole tone of dim colors Of the past
made misty by the lapse Of time"
So wish had space to quote the en-.
tire story of Morgan and Panama as
Esquemeling. who was one OF the
band, tells 1t. Some of It, at least,
must be given in his quaint language,
beginning with the capture by a part
Of Morgan's fleet Of Fort San Lorenzo
at the mouth Of the Chagres river
Says Esquemeling:
Captain Brodely being made com
mander, In three days after his de-
parture (from St. Catherine's) ar.
rived in sight OF the said castle Of
Chagre. by the Spaniards called St
Lawrence. This castle is built on q
high mountain at the entry Of the
river, surrounded by strong palisades
or wooden walls, filled with earth
which secures them as well as the
best wall Of stone or brick. The TOP
Of this mountain is, III a manner, d.
vided into two parts, between which
is ditch thirty feet deep. The castle
hath but one entry. and that by 9
drawbridge over this ditch. To the
land 1t has four bastions, and to the
sea two more. The south part is to
tally inaccessible, through the craggi
ness Of the mountain. The north 1.
surrounded by the river, which here II
very broad. At the foot Of the castle
or rather mountain, is a strong fort
with eight great guns. commanding
the entry Of the river. Not much low
er are two other batteries, each Of 81,
pieces. to defend likewise the moutl
Of the river.
mo sooner had the Spaniards per
ceived the pirates, but they fred in
cessantly at them with the biggest o
their guns. They came to an ancho
in a small port about league from
the castle. Next morning, very early
they went ashore and marched
through the woods to attack the castl,
on that side. This march lasted til
two OF the clock in the afternoon, be
fore they could reach the castle, b!
reason Of the difficulties Of the way
and Its mire and dirt: and thougl
their guides served them very exact
ly, yet they came SO nigh the castl'
at first that they lost many Of thei
men by its shot, they being In an opel
place without covert"
The pirates bravely assaulted tn,
castle, sword in one hand and fire
ball in the other, but were repulse'
with heavy loss. Renewing the al
tack under cover OF darkness, "ther
happened a very remarkable acciden
which occasioned their victory. On
OF the pirates being wounded with al
arrow In his back, which pierced hi
body through. he pulled 1t out boldl.
at the side Of his breast, and windlnl
a little cotton about 1t, he put 1t int
his musket, and shot 1t back to tn
castle, but the cotton being kindle'
by the powder, fired two or thre'
houses In the castle, ,beinl
matched with palm leaves, which tn
Spaniards perceived not so soon o
was necessary; for this fire meetinl
with a parcel Of powder, blew It uI
thereby causing great ruin. and NJ
less CONSERVATION to the Spanlards
who were not able to put stop to It.
Full advantage was taken OF this b,
the buccaneers, and they set fire I,
the pallngs and gained a foothol,
within them, despite 'many flaminI
pots full OF combustible matter, an
odious smells. which destroyed man
Of the English" All next mornin
the fsht ragged. but about noon tn
English gained q breach througl
which they fought their way to tn
heart Of the castle. 1.-THE Spaniard
who remained alive cast themselve
down from the castle into the sea
choosing rather to die thus (few o
none, surviving the falD than to asl
quarter for their lives. The governo
himself retreated to tho corps d
guard. before which were placed tw
pieces Of cannon; here he still de
Tended himself. not demanding an
quarter, till he was killed with q mus
ket shot In the head"
In a few days Captain Morgan q,
rived with the rest Of his feet and Of
ganized the expedition against Pans
ma. He took his men by boat up th
Chagres d. far az Cruces, now q VII