twenty-six Spanish
leagues, and eight from Panama. Moreover, this is the last place unto
which boats or canoes can come; for which reason they built here
store-houses, wherein to keep all sorts of merchandise, which from hence
to and from Panama are transported upon the backs of mules.

"Here therefore Captain Morgan was constrained to leave his canoes and
land all his men, though never so weak in their bodies. But lest the
canoes should be surprised, or take up too many men for their defence,
he resolved to send them all back to the place where the boats were,
excepting one, which he caused to be hidden, to the intent it might
serve to carry intelligence according to the exigency of affairs. Many
of the Spaniards and Indians belonging to this village were fled to the
plantations thereabouts. Hereupon Captain Morgan gave express orders
that none should dare to go out of the village, except in whole
companies of a hundred together. The occasion hereof was his fear lest
the enemy should take an advantage upon his men, by any sudden assault.
Notwithstanding, one party of English soldiers stickled not to
contravene these commands, being thereunto tempted with the desire of
finding victuals. But these were soon glad to fly into the town again,
being assaulted with great fury by some Spaniards and Indians, who
snatched up one of the Pirates, and carried him away prisoner. Thus the
vigilance and care of Captain Morgan was not sufficient to prevent every
accident that might happen.

"On the eighth day, in the morning, Captain Morgan sent two hundred men
before the body of his army, to discover the way to Panama, and see if
they had laid any ambuscades therein. Especially considering that the
places by which they were to pass were very fit for that purpose, the
paths being so narrow that only ten or twelve persons could march in a
file, and oftentimes not so many. Having marched about the space of ten
hours, they came unto a place called Quebrada Obscura. Here, all on a
sudden, three or four thousand arrows were shot at them, without being
able to perceive from whence they came, or who shot them. The place,
from whence it was presumed they were shot was a high rocky mountain,
excavated from one side to the other, wherein was a grotto that went
through it, only capable of admitting one horse, or other beast laden.
This multitude of arrows caused a huge alarm among the Pirates,
especially because they could not discover the place