ogether, and
would hold unless the storm came up again. As the arms came ashore
Morgan served them out to those men whom he considered most reliable;
and, after throwing out a strong guard around the band, the rest sought
shelter around huge driftwood fires which had been kindled by the use of
flint and steel. There was hardly a possibility they would be observed
in that deserted land, but still it was wise to take precaution.

Morgan ordered the women and priests to be double-guarded by the
trustiest, and it was well that he did so. He gave old Hornigold
particular charge of them. The buccaneers were hungry and thirsty, but
they were forced to do without everything until morning when they could
get all they wanted from the ship. So they tightened their belts and
disposed themselves about the fires as best they could to get what rest
they might.

[Illustration: But de Lussan shot him dead, and before the others could
make a move, Morgan stepped safely on the sand.]

Morgan and the officers drew apart and consulted long and earnestly over
the situation. They could never make the ship seaworthy again. To build
a smaller one out of her timbers would be the work of months and when it
was finished it could not possibly carry the whole crew. To march
westward toward the Isthmus meant to encounter terrific hardships for
days; their presence would speedily become known, and they would be
constantly menaced or attacked by troops from the heavily garrisoned
places like Porto Bello and Carthagena. Back of them a short distance
away lay La Guayra. It could be taken by surprise, Morgan urged, and
easily captured. If they started to march westward the Indians would
apprise the Spaniards of their presence, and they would have to fight
their way to the Pacific. If they took La Guayra, then the Viceroy, with
the treasure of his palace and the opulent city of Caracas would be at
their mercy. They could ravage the two towns, seize the first ship that
came to the roadstead, and make their way to the Isthmus safely and
speedily. As to the treasure on the galleon, the buccaneer captain
proposed to unload it and bury it in the sand, and after they had
captured La Guayra it would be easy to get it back again.

Morgan's counsel prevailed, and his was the resolution to which they
came. The council of war broke up thereafter, and those not told off to
watch with the guards went to sleep near the fires. Morgan, under the
guardianship of the fa