tedious
journey, Captain Morgan marched on while the fresh air of the morning
lasted; for the clouds hanging yet over their heads, were much more
favourable than the scorching rays of the sun, the way being now more
difficult than before. After two hours' march, they discovered about
twenty Spaniards, who observed their motions: they endeavoured to catch
some of them, but could not, they suddenly disappearing, and absconding
themselves in caves among the rocks, unknown to the pirates. At last,
ascending a high mountain, they discovered the South Sea. This happy
sight, as if it were the end of their labours, caused infinite joy among
them: hence they could descry also one ship, and six boats, which were
set forth from Panama, and sailed towards the islands of Tavoga and
Tavogilla: then they came to a vale where they found much cattle,
whereof they killed good store: here, while some killed and flayed cows,
horses, bulls, and chiefly asses, of which there were most; others
kindled fires, and got wood to roast them: then cutting the flesh into
convenient pieces, or gobbets, they threw them into the fire, and, half
carbonaded or roasted, they devoured them, with incredible haste and
appetite; such was their hunger, as they more resembled cannibals than
Europeans; the blood many times running down from their beards to their
waists.

Having satisfied their hunger, Captain Morgan ordered them to continue
the march. Here, again, he sent before the main body fifty men to take
some prisoners, if they could; for he was much concerned, that in nine
days he could not meet one person to inform him of the condition and
forces of the Spaniards. About evening they discovered about two hundred
Spaniards, who hallooed to the pirates, but they understood not what
they said. A little while after they came in sight of the highest
steeple of Panama: this they no sooner discovered but they showed signs
of extreme joy, casting up their hats into the air, leaping and
shouting, just as if they had already obtained the victory, and
accomplished their designs. All their trumpets sounded, and drums beat,
in token of this alacrity of their minds: thus they pitched their camp
for that night, with general content of the whole army, waiting with
impatience for the morning, when they intended to attack the city. This
evening appeared fifty horse, who came out of the city, on the noise of
the drums and trumpets, to observe, as it was thought, their motion