ptain Morgan arriving at the town called Cruz, on the banks of the
river Chagre, he published an order among the prisoners, that within
three days every one should bring in their ransom, under the penalty of
being transported to Jamaica. Meanwhile he gave orders for so much rice
and maize to be collected thereabouts, as was necessary for victualing
his ships. Here some of the prisoners were ransomed, but many others
could not bring in their money. Hereupon he continued his voyage,
leaving the village on the 5th of March following, carrying with him all
the spoil he could. Hence he likewise led away some new prisoners,
inhabitants there, with those in Panama, who had not paid their ransoms.
But the two religious men, who had diverted the lady's money, were
ransomed three days after by other persons, who had more compassion for
them than they had showed for her.

About the middle of the way to Chagre, Captain Morgan commanded them to
be mustered, and caused every one to be sworn, that they had concealed
nothing, even not to the value of sixpence. This done, Captain Morgan
knowing those lewd fellows would not stick to swear falsely for
interest, he commanded every one to be searched very strictly, both in
their clothes and satchels, and elsewhere. Yea, that this order might
not be ill taken by his companions, he permitted himself to be searched,
even to his very shoes. To this effect, by common consent, one was
assigned out of every company to be searchers of the rest. The French
pirates that assisted on this expedition disliked this new practice of
searching; but, being outnumbered by the English, they were forced to
submit as well as the rest. The search being over, they reembarked, and
arrived at the castle of Chagre on the 9th of March.

FOOTNOTES:

[2] From _The Buccaneers of America_.

THE MALAY PROAS[3]

JAMES FENIMORE COOPER

We had cleared the Straits of Sunda early in the morning, and had made a
pretty fair run in the course of the day, though most of the time in
thick weather. Just as the sun set, however, the horizon became clear,
and we got a sight of two small sail, seemingly heading in toward the
coast of Sumatra, proas by their rig and dimensions. They were so
distant, and were so evidently steering for the land, that no one gave
them much thought, or bestowed on them any particular attention. Proas
in that quarter were usually distrusted by ships, it is true; but the
sea is full of them, a