University of Virginia Library

CHAP. III.

THe next morning, which was Thursday April the Fifteenth,
about break of day, we heard from the
Town a small Arm discharged, and after that a Drum beating
a travailler. With this we were roused from our sleep,
and taking up our Arms, we put our selves in order and
marched towards the Town. As soon as we came out of the
Woods into the open ground, we were descryed by the
Spaniards, who had received before-hand intelligence of
our coming, and were prepared to receive us, having already
conveyed away all their Treasure of Gold, and sent
it to Panama. They ran immediately into a large Palizada
Fort, having each Pale or Post twelve foot high, and
began to fire very briskly at us as we came. But our
Vanguard ran up unto the place, and pulling down two
or three of their Palizadas, entred the Fort incontinently,
and made themselves Masters thereof. In this Action there
were not fifty of our men that came up before the Fort
was taken; and on our side only two were wounded, and
not one killed. Notwithstanding within the place were
found two hundred and threescore men, besides which
number, two hundred others were said to be absent, being
gone up into the Countrey unto the Mines to fetch down
Gold, or rather to convey away what was already in
the Town. This golden Treasure cometh down another
branch of this River unto Santa Maria, from the neighbouring
Mountains, where are thought to be the richest Mines
of the Indies, or, at least, of all these parts of the Western
World. Of the Spaniards we killed in the assault twenty
six, and wounded to the number of sixteen more. But
their Governour, their Priest, and all, or most of their chief
men, made their escape by flight.

Having taken the Fort, we expected to find here a con-

siderable Town belonging unto it. But it proved to be
only some wild houses made of Cane, the place being chiefly
a Garrison designed to keep the Indians in subjection,
who bare a mortal hatred, and are often apt to rebel against
the Spaniards. But as bad a place as it was, our fortune
was much worse. For we came only three days too late, or
else we had met with three hundred weight of Gold, which
was carried thence to Panama in a Bark, that is sent from
thence twice or thrice every year, to fetch what Gold
is brought to Santa Maria from the Mountains. This River,
called by the name of the Town, is hereabouts twice
as broad as the River of Thames is at London, and floweth
above threescore miles upwards, rising to the heighth of
two fathom and a half at the Town it self. As soon as we
had taken the place, the Indians who belonged to our company,
and had served us for Guides, came up unto the Town.
For mean while they heard the noise of the Guns, they were
in a great consternation, and dared not approach the
Palizadas, but had hidden themselves closely in a small hollow
ground, insomuch that the bullets, while we were
fighting flew over their heads.

Here we found and redeemed the eldest Daughter of the
King of Darien, of whom we made mention above. She
had, as it should seem, been forced away from her Fathers
house by one of the Garison, (which Rape had hugely incensed
him against the Spaniards) and was with Child by
him. After the Fight the Indians destroyed as many more
of the Spaniards, as we had done in the assault, by taking
them into the adjoyning Woods, and there stabbing them
to death with their Lances. But so soon as we understood
this their barbarous cruelty, we hindred them from taking
any more out of the Fort, where we confined them every
one Prisoners. Captain Sawkins with a small party of ten
more, put himself into a Canoa, and went down the
River, to pursue and stop, if it were possible, those that had
escaped, who were the chiefest of the Town and Garrison.
But now our great expectations of making an huge purchase
of Gold at this place being totally vanished, we were
unwilling to come so far for nothing, or go back emptyhanded;
especially, considering what vast riches were to
be had at no great distance from thence. Hereupon, we
resolved to go for Panama, which place if we could take,
we were assured we should get Treasure enough, to satisfie
our hungry appetite of Gold and Riches, that City being
the receptacle of all the Plate, Jewels, and Gold that is digged
out of the Mines of all Potosi and Peru. Unto this effect
therefore, and to please the humours of some of our com-
pany, we made choice of Captain Coxon to be our General,
or Commander in chief. Before our departure, we sent
back what small booty we had taken here by some prisoners,
and these under the charge of twelve of our men to convey
it unto the Ships.

Thus we prepared to go forward on that dangerous enterprize
of Panama. But the Indians who had conducted
us having gotten from us what Knives, Sizars, Axes, Needles,
and Beads they could obtain, would not stay any longer,
but all, or the greatest part of them returned to their
home. Which notwithstanding, the King himself, Captain
Andræas, Captain Antonio, the Kings Son, called by the Spa-

niards, Bonete de Oro, or King Golden cap, as also his Kinsman,
would not be perswaded by their falling off to leave
us, but resolved to go to Panama, out of the desire they
had to see that place taken and sackt. Yea, the King promised,
if there should be occasion, to joyn fifty thousand
men unto our Forces. Besides which promises, we had also
another encouragement very considerable to undertake
this journey. For the Spaniard who had forced away the
Kings Daughter, as was mentioned above, fearing lest
we should leave him to the mercy of the Indians, who
would have had but little on him, having shewed themselves
so cruel unto the rest of his Companions, for the safety
of his life had promised to lead us, not only into the
Town, but even to the very bed-chamber door of the Governour
of Panama, and that we should take him by the
hand, and seize both him and the whole City, before we
should be discovered by the Spaniards, either before or after
our arrival.