beauty so great as peradventure I may doubt whether in all Europe one could be found to surpass her perfections either of comeliness or honesty. Her husband at that present was absent from home, being gone as far as the kingdom of Peru, about great concerns of commerce trade, wherein his employments did lie. and to This virtuous lady, likewise, hearing that Pirates were coming to assault Panama, had absented herself thence in the company of other friends and relations, thereby to preserve her life amidst the dangers which the cruelties and tyrannies of those hard-hearted enemies did scem menace to every citizen. But no sooner had she appeared in the presence of Capt. Morgan than he commanded they should lodge her in a certain apartment by herself giving her a negress, or black woman, to wait upon her, and that she should be treated with all the respect and regale dué to her quality. The poor afflicted lady did beg with multitude of sobs and tears she might be suffered to lodge among the other prisoners, her relations, fearing less the unexpected kindness of the commander might prove to be a design upon her chastity. But Capt. Morgan would by no means hearken to her petition, and all he commanded, in answer thereto, was she should be treated with more particular care than before and have her victuals carried from his own table. This lady bad formerly heard very strange reports concerning the Pirates, before their arrival at Panama, intimating to her, as if they were not men, but, as they said, heretics, who did neither invoke the Blessed Trinity, nor believe in Jesus Christ. But now she began to have better thoughts of them than ever before having experienced the manifold civilities of Capt. Morgan, especially hearing him many times to swear by the name of God, and of Jesus Christ, in whom, she was persuaded they did not believe. Neither did she now think them to be so bad, or to have the shapes of beasts, as from the lations of several people she had oftentimes heard. re For as to the name of robbers or thieres, which was commonly given them by others, she wondered not much at it seeing, as she said, that among all nations of the universe there were to be found some wicked men, who naturally coveted to possess the goods of others. Conformable to the persuasion of this lady was the opinion of another woman of weak tinderstanding, at Panama who used to say, before the Pirates came thither, she desired very much and had a great curiosity to see one of those men called Pirates for as much as her husband had often told her that they were not men; like others, but rather irrational beasts. This silly woman at last happened to see the first of them, and cried out aloud saying: Jesus bless me! these thieves are like us Spaniards . This false civility of Capt. Morgan wherewith he used this lady was soon after changed into barbarous cruelty. For three or four days being past, he came to see her and the virtuous lady repulsed him with all the civility imaginable and many humble and modest expressions of her mind. But Capt. Morgan still persisted in his disorderly request, presenting her withal with much pearl, gold and all that he had got that was precious and valuable in that voyage. But the lady being in no manner willing to consent thereto nor accept his presents, and showing herself in all respects like Susannah for constancy, he presently changed note and began to speak to her in another tone, threatening her with a thousand cruelties and hard usages at his hands. To all these things she gave this resolute and positive answer, than which no other could be extorted from her: Sir. my life is in your hands; but as to my body, in relation to that which you would persuade me to, my soul shall sooner be separated from it through the violence of your arms, than I shall condescend to your request No sooner had Captain Morgan understood this heroic resolution of her mind than he commanded her to be stripped of the best of her apparel and imprisoned in a darksome and stinking cellar.. Here she had allowed her an extremely small quantity of meat and drink, wherewith she had much ado to sustain life for a few days. con Under this hardship the constant and virtuous lady ceased not to pray daily to God Almighty for constancy and patience against the cruelties of Capt. Morgan. But he being now thoroughly convinced of her chaste resolutions, as also desirous to conceal the cause of her finement and hard usage, since many of the Pirates, his companions, did compassionate her condition, laid many false accusations to her charge giving to understand she held intelligence with the Spaniards and corresponded with them by letters abusing thereby his former lenity and kindness. 1 myself was an eye witness to these things here related, and could never have judged such constancy of mind and virtuous chastity to be found in the world, if my own eyes and ears had not informed me thereof. But of this incomparable lady I shall say something more hereafter in its proper place, whereupon I shall leave her at present to continue my history. Preparations for Departure. Capt. Morgan having now been at Panama the full space of three weeks commanded all things to be put in order for his departure. To this effect, he gave orders to every company of his men to seek out for so many beasts of carriage as might suffice to convey the whole spoil of the city to the river where his canoes lay. About this time a great rumour was spread in the city of a considerable number of Pirates who intended to leave Capt. Morgan and that, by taking a ship which was in the port, they determined to go and rob upon the South Sea till they had got as much as they thought fit, and then return homewards by the way of the East Indies into Europe. For which purpose, they had already gathered great quantity of provisions, which they had hidden in private places, with sufficient store of powder, bullets, and all other sorts of ammunition, likewise some great guns, belonging to the town, muskets and other things where with they designed not only to equip the said vessel but also to fortify themselves and raise batteries in some island or other, which might serve them for a place of refuge. This design had certainly taken effect as they intended, had not Capt. Morgan had timely advice thereof given him by one of their comrades. Hereupon he instantly commanded the mainmast of the said ship should be cut down and burnt, together with all the other boats that were in the port. Hereby, the intentions of all or most of his companions were totally frustrated. After this Captain Morgan sent forth many of the Spaniards into the adjoining fields and country, to seek for money wherewith to Dulcería El Fanal” Avenida Central, No. 254, Panamá. OFRECE SUS SERVICIOS EN EL RAMO DE DULCERIA Y PIEZAS DE MATRIMONIO. "DULCERIA EL FANAL" The Largest Cake and Confectionery Store in the City. Fresh Stock of Toothsome Sweets Cɔstantly on Hand. WEDDING CAKES A SPECIALTY. ALL ORDERS GIVEN PROMPT ATTENTION. No. 254 Central Avenue, DOLORES S. de GUTIERREZ, Prop. |