neither party was sparing of powder, was followed for some time with all the circumstances which could give it the semblance of reality. Ten forts surrendered, one after another, after sustaining a kind of siege or assault: and this series of successes did not cost the life of a single man, or even a scratch, on the part of the victors or of the conquered.
All the inhabitants of the island were shut up in the great fort of Santa Teresa, which was built on a steep rock: and the conquerors, who had not taken any sustenance for twenty-four hours, declared a most furious war against the horned cattle and game of the district.
In the Isle of St Constantine, he found four hundred and fifty-nine persons of both sexes; one hundred and ninety of whom were soldiers, forty-two criminals, eighty-five children, and six-six negroes. There were ten forts, containing sixty-eight cannons, and which were so defended in other respects by nature, that very small garrisons were deemed amply sufficient to protect them. Beside an immense quantity of fusees and grenades (which were at that time much used), upwards of three hundred quintals of gunpowder were found in the arsenal. The whole of this ammunition was carried on board the pirates’ ships: the cannon, which could be of no service to them, were spiked; their carriages were burnt; and all the forts demolished excepting one, which the free-booters themselves garrisoned. Morgan selected three of the criminals to serve him as guides to Panama; and whom he afterwards, on his return to Jamaica, set at liberty; even giving them a share in the booty.
The plan, conceived by this intrepid chieftain, inspired all his companions in arms with genuine enthusiasm: it had a character of grandeur and audacity that enflamed their courage; how capable they were of executing it, the subsequent pages will demonstrate.
Resurrection Of A Highwayman
Patrick O’Brian, a native of Ireland, after committing a series of atrocities, was at length apprehended and executed at Gloucester for highway robbery; and when he had hung the usual time, his body was cut down, and given to his friends; but when carried home he was observed to move, on which a surgeon was immediately sent for, who bled him, and other means being used, he recovered life. This fact was kept a secret, and it was hoped that it would have a salutary effect upon his future conduct. His friends were very willing to contribute towards his support, in order that he might live in the most retired manner. He engaged to reform his life, and for some time kept his promise; but the impressions of death, and all the tremendous consequences, soon wearing off his mind, he returned to his vicious courses. Abandoning his friends, and purchasing a horse and other necessaries, he again visited the road.
In about a year after his execution, he met the same gentleman who was his former prosecutor, attacked him in the same manner as before. The gentleman was surprised to see himself stopped by the same person who had formerly robbed him, and who was executed for that crime. His consternation was so great, that he could not avoid acknowledging it, and asked him, ‘How comes it to pass? I thought you had been hanged a twelvemonth ago.’ ‘So I was, and therefore you ought to imagine that what you now see is only my ghost. However, lest you shall be so uncivil as to hang my ghost too, I think it my best way to secure you.’ Upon this he discharged a pistol through the gentleman’s head, and alighting from his horse, cut his body in pieces with his hanger.
One barbarity was followed by a greater. O’Brian, accompanied by another four, attacked the house of Launcelot Wilmot, Esquire, of Wiltshire; entered and bound all the servants, then went up to the gentleman’s own room, and bound him and his wife. They next proceeded to the daughter’s chamber; used her in a brutal manner, and stabbed her to the heart. They then returned – in the same manner, butchered
All the inhabitants of the island were shut up in the great fort of Santa Teresa, which was built on a steep rock: and the conquerors, who had not taken any sustenance for twenty-four hours, declared a most furious war against the horned cattle and game of the district.
In the Isle of St Constantine, he found four hundred and fifty-nine persons of both sexes; one hundred and ninety of whom were soldiers, forty-two criminals, eighty-five children, and six-six negroes. There were ten forts, containing sixty-eight cannons, and which were so defended in other respects by nature, that very small garrisons were deemed amply sufficient to protect them. Beside an immense quantity of fusees and grenades (which were at that time much used), upwards of three hundred quintals of gunpowder were found in the arsenal. The whole of this ammunition was carried on board the pirates’ ships: the cannon, which could be of no service to them, were spiked; their carriages were burnt; and all the forts demolished excepting one, which the free-booters themselves garrisoned. Morgan selected three of the criminals to serve him as guides to Panama; and whom he afterwards, on his return to Jamaica, set at liberty; even giving them a share in the booty.
The plan, conceived by this intrepid chieftain, inspired all his companions in arms with genuine enthusiasm: it had a character of grandeur and audacity that enflamed their courage; how capable they were of executing it, the subsequent pages will demonstrate.
Resurrection Of A Highwayman
Patrick O’Brian, a native of Ireland, after committing a series of atrocities, was at length apprehended and executed at Gloucester for highway robbery; and when he had hung the usual time, his body was cut down, and given to his friends; but when carried home he was observed to move, on which a surgeon was immediately sent for, who bled him, and other means being used, he recovered life. This fact was kept a secret, and it was hoped that it would have a salutary effect upon his future conduct. His friends were very willing to contribute towards his support, in order that he might live in the most retired manner. He engaged to reform his life, and for some time kept his promise; but the impressions of death, and all the tremendous consequences, soon wearing off his mind, he returned to his vicious courses. Abandoning his friends, and purchasing a horse and other necessaries, he again visited the road.
In about a year after his execution, he met the same gentleman who was his former prosecutor, attacked him in the same manner as before. The gentleman was surprised to see himself stopped by the same person who had formerly robbed him, and who was executed for that crime. His consternation was so great, that he could not avoid acknowledging it, and asked him, ‘How comes it to pass? I thought you had been hanged a twelvemonth ago.’ ‘So I was, and therefore you ought to imagine that what you now see is only my ghost. However, lest you shall be so uncivil as to hang my ghost too, I think it my best way to secure you.’ Upon this he discharged a pistol through the gentleman’s head, and alighting from his horse, cut his body in pieces with his hanger.
One barbarity was followed by a greater. O’Brian, accompanied by another four, attacked the house of Launcelot Wilmot, Esquire, of Wiltshire; entered and bound all the servants, then went up to the gentleman’s own room, and bound him and his wife. They next proceeded to the daughter’s chamber; used her in a brutal manner, and stabbed her to the heart. They then returned – in the same manner, butchered
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