Chapter XI
Captain Morgan resolving to attack and plunder the city of Puerto Bello, equips a fleet, and with little expense and small forces takes it.
SOME may think that the French having deserted Captain Morgan, the English alone could not have sufficient courage to attempt such great actions as before. But Captain Morgan, who always communicated vigour with his words, infused such spirit into his men, as put them instantly upon new designs; they being all persuaded that the sole execution of his orders would be a certain means of obtaining great riches, which so influenced their minds, that with inimitable courage they all resolved to follow him, as did also a certain pirate of Campechy, who on this occasion joined with Captain Morgan, to seek new fortunes under his conduct. Thus Captain Morgan in a few days gathered a fleet of nine sail, either ships or great boats, wherein he had four hundred and sixty military men.
All things being ready, they put forth to sea, Captain Morgan imparting his design to nobody at present; he only told them on several occasions, that he doubted not to make a good fortune by that voyage, if strange occurrences happened not. They steered towards the continent, where they arrived in a few days near Costa Rica, all their fleet safe. No sooner had they discovered land but Captain Morgan declared his intentions to the captains, and presently after to the company. He told them he intended to plunder Puerto Bello by night, being resolved to put the whole city to the sack: and to encourage them he added, this enterprise could not fail, seeing he had kept it secret, without revealing it to anybody, whereby they could not have notice of his coming. To this proposition some answered, "they had not a sufficient number of men to assault so strong and great a city." But Captain Morgan replied, "If our number is small, our hearts are great; and the fewer persons we are, the more union and better shares we shall have in the spoil." Hereupon, being stimulated with the hope of those vast riches they promised themselves from their success, they unanimously agreed to that design. Now, that my reader may better comprehend the boldness of this exploit, it may be necessary to say something beforehand of the city of Puerto Bello.
This city is in the province of Costa Rica, 10 deg. north latitude, fourteen leagues from the gulf of Darien, and eight westwards from the port called Nombre de Dios. It is judged the strongest place the king of Spain possesses in all the West Indies, except Havanna and Carthagena. Here are two castles almost impregnable, that defend the city, situate at the entry of the port, so that no ship or boat can pass without permission. The garrison consists of three hundred soldiers, and the town is inhabited by about four hundred families. The merchants dwell not here, but only reside awhile, when the galleons come from or go for Spain, by reason of the unhealthiness of the air, occasioned by vapours from the mountains; so that though their chief warehouses are at Puerto Bello, their habitations are at Panama, whence they bring the plate upon mules, when the fair begins, and when the ships belonging to the company of negroes arrive to sell slaves.
Captain Morgan, who knew very well all the avenues of this city and the neighbouring coasts, arrived in the dusk of the evening at Puerto de Naos, ten leagues to the west of Puerto Bello. Being come hither, they sailed up the river to another harbour called Puerto Pontin, where they anchored: here they put themselves into boats and canoes, leaving in the ships only a few men to bring them next day to the port. About midnight they came to a place called Estera longa Lemos, where they all went on shore, and marched by land to the first posts of the city: they had in their company an Englishman, formerly a prisoner in those parts, who now served them for a guide: to him and three or four more they gave commission to take the sentinel, if possible, or kill him on the place: but they seized him so cunningly, as he had no time to give warning with his musket, or make any noise, and brought him, with his hands bound, to Captain Morgan, who asked him how things went in the city, and what forces they had; with other circumstances he desired to know. After every question they made him a thousand menaces to kill him, if he declared not the truth. Then they advanced to the city, carrying the said sentinel bound before them: having marched about a quarter of a league, they came to the castle near the city, which presently they closely surrounded, so that no person could get either in or out.
Being posted under the walls of the castle, Captain Morgan commanded the sentinel, whom they had taken prisoner, to speak to those within, charging them to surrender to his discretion; otherwise they should all be cut in pieces, without quarter. But they regarding none of these threats, began instantly to fire, which alarmed the city; yet notwithstanding, though the governor and soldiers of the said castle made as great resistance as could be, they were forced to surrender. Having taken the castle, they resolved to be as good as their words, putting the Spaniards to the sword, thereby to strike a terror into the rest of the city. Whereupon, having shut up all the soldiers and officers as prisoners into one room, they set fire to the powder (whereof they found great quantity) and blew up the castle into the air, with all the Spaniards that were within. This done, they pursued the course of their victory, falling upon the city, which, as yet, was not ready to receive them. Many of the inhabitants cast their precious jewels and money into wells and cisterns, or hid them in places underground, to avoid, as much as possible, being totally robbed. One of the party of pirates, assigned to this purpose, ran immediately to the cloisters, and took as many religious men and women as they could find. The governor of the city, not being able to rally the citizens, through their great confusion, retired to one of the castles remaining, and thence fired incessantly at the pirates: but these were not in the least negligent either to assault him, or defend themselves, so that amidst the horror of the assault, they made very few shots in vain; for aiming with great dexterity at the mouths of the guns, the Spaniards were certain to lose one or two men every time they charged each gun anew.
This continued very furious from break of day till noon; yea, about this time of the day the case was very dubious which party should conquer, or be conquered. At last, the pirates perceiving they had lost many men, and yet advanced but little towards gaining either this, or the other castles, made use of fire-balls, which they threw with their hands, designing to burn the doors of the castles; but the Spaniards from the walls let fall great quantities of stones, and earthen pots full of powder, and other combustible matter, which forced them to desist. Captain Morgan seeing this generous defence made by the Spaniards, began to despair of success. Hereupon, many faint and calm meditations came into his mind; neither could he determine which way to turn himself in that strait. Being thus puzzled, he was suddenly animated to continue the assault, by seeing English colours put forth at one of the lesser castles, then entered by his men; of whom he presently after spied a troop coming to meet him, proclaiming victory with loud shouts of joy. This instantly put him on new resolutions of taking the rest of the castles, especially seeing the chiefest citizens were fled to them, and had conveyed thither great part of their riches, with all the plate belonging to the churches and divine service.
To this effect, he ordered ten or twelve ladders to be made in all haste, so broad, that three or four men at once might ascend them: these being finished, he commanded all the religious men and women, whom he had taken prisoners, to fix them against the walls of the castle. This he had before threatened the governor to do, if he delivered not the castle: but his answer was, "he would never surrender himself alive." Captain Morgan was persuaded the governor would not employ his utmost force, seeing the religious women, and ecclesiastical persons, exposed in the front of the soldiers to the greatest danger. Thus the ladders, as I have said, were put into the hands of religious persons of both sexes, and these were forced, at the head of the companies, to raise and apply them to the walls: but Captain Morgan was fully deceived in his judgment of this design; for the governor, who acted like a brave soldier in performance of his duty, used his utmost endeavour to destroy whosoever came near the walls. The religious men and women ceased not to cry to him, and beg of him, by all the saints of heaven, to deliver the castle, and spare both his and their own lives; but nothing could prevail with his obstinacy and fierceness. Thus many of the religious men and nuns were killed before they could fix the ladders; which at last being done, though with great loss of the said religious people, the pirates mounted them in great numbers, and with not less valour, having fire-balls in their hands, and earthen pots full of powder; all which things, being now at the top of the walls, they kindled and cast in among the Spaniards.
This effort of the pirates was very great, insomuch that the Spaniards could no longer resist nor defend the castle, which was now entered. Hereupon they all threw down their arms, and craved quarter for their lives; only the governor of the city would crave no mercy, but killed many of the pirates with his own hands, and not a few of his own soldiers; because they did not stand to their arms. And though the pirates asked him if he would have quarter; yet he constantly answered, "By no means, I had rather die as a valiant soldier, than be hanged as a coward." They endeavoured as much as they could to take him prisoner, but he defended himself so obstinately, that they were forced to kill him, notwithstanding all the cries and tears of his own wife and daughter, who begged him, on their knees, to demand quarter, and save his life. When the pirates had possessed themselves of the castle, which was about night, they enclosed therein all the prisoners, placing the women and men by themselves, with some guards: the wounded were put in an apartment by itself, that their own complaints might be the cure of their diseases; for no other was afforded them.
This done, they fell to eating and drinking, as usual; that is, committing in both all manner of debauchery and excess, so that fifty courageous men might easily have retaken the city, and killed all the pirates. Next day, having plundered all they could find, they examined some of the prisoners (who had been persuaded by their companions to say they were the richest of the town), charging them severely to discover where they had hid their riches and goods. Not being able to extort anything from them, they not being the right persons, it was resolved to torture them: this they did so cruelly, that many of them died on the rack, or presently after. Now the president of Panama being advertised of the pillage and ruin of Puerto Bello, he employed all his care and industry to raise forces to pursue and cast out the pirates thence; but these cared little for his preparations, having their ships at hand, and determining to fire the city, and retreat. They had now been at Puerto Bello fifteen days, in which time they had lost many of their men, both by the unhealthiness of the country, and their extravagant debaucheries.
Hereupon, they prepared to depart, carrying on board all the pillage they had got, having first provided the fleet with sufficient victuals for the voyage. While these things were doing, Captain Morgan demanded of the prisoners a ransom for the city, or else he would burn it down, and blow up all the castles; withal, he commanded them to send speedily two persons, to procure the sum, which was 100,000 pieces of eight. To this effect two men were sent to the president of Panama, who gave him an account of all. The president, having now a body of men ready, set forth towards Puerto Bello, to encounter the pirates before their retreat; but, they, hearing of his coming, instead of flying away, went out to meet him at a narrow passage, which he must pass: here they placed a hundred men, very well armed, which at the first encounter put to flight a good party of those of Panama. This obliged the president to retire for that time, not being yet in a posture of strength to proceed farther. Presently after, he sent a message to Captain Morgan, to tell him, "that if he departed not suddenly with all his forces from Puerto Bello, he ought to expect no quarter for himself, nor his companions, when he should take them, as he hoped soon to do." Captain Morgan, who feared not his threats, knowing he had a secure retreat in his ships, which were at hand, answered, "he would not deliver the castles, before he had received the contribution money he had demanded; which if it were not paid down, he would certainly burn the whole city, and then leave it, demolishing beforehand the castles, and killing the prisoners."
The governor of Panama perceived by this answer that no means would serve to mollify the hearts of the pirates, nor reduce them to reason: hereupon, he determined to leave them, as also those of the city whom he came to relieve, involved in the difficulties of making the best agreement they could. Thus in a few days more the miserable citizens gathered the contributions required, and brought 100,000 pieces of eight to the pirates for a ransom of their cruel captivity: but the president of Panama was much amazed to consider that four hundred men could take such a great city, with so many strong castles, especially having no ordnance, wherewith to raise batteries, and, what was more, knowing the citizens of Puerto Bello had always great repute of being good soldiers themselves, and who never wanted courage in their own defence. This astonishment was so great, as made him send to Captain Morgan, desiring some small pattern of those arms wherewith he had taken with much vigour so great a city. Captain Morgan received this messenger very kindly, and with great civility; and gave him a pistol, and a few small bullets, to carry back to the president his master; telling him, withal, "he desired him to accept that slender pattern of the arms wherewith he had taken Puerto Bello, and keep them for a twelvemonth; after which time he promised to come to Panama, and fetch them away." The governor returned the present very soon to Captain Morgan, giving him thanks for the favour of lending him such weapons as he needed not; and, withal, sent him a ring of gold, with this message, "that he desired him not to give himself the labour of coming to Panama, as he had done to Puerto Bello: for he did assure him, he should not speed so well here, as he had done there."
After this, Captain Morgan (having provided his fleet with all necessaries, and taken with him the best guns of the castles, nailing up the rest) set sail from Puerto Bello with all his ships, and arriving in a few days at Cuba, he sought out a place wherein he might quickly make the dividend of their spoil. They found in ready money 250,000 pieces of eight, besides other merchandises; as cloth, linen, silks, &c. With this rich purchase they sailed thence to their common place of rendezvous, Jamaica. Being arrived, they passed here some time in all sorts of vices and debaucheries, according to their custom; spending very prodigally what others had gained with no small labour and toil.
1991 - [ ... ]
From 1991 to the present day
From the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 to the present day.
11. Будни следствия
Записки «вредителя». Часть II. Тюрьма. 11. Будни следствия
Постепенно следователь стал вызывать меня на допросы раз в неделю или раз в десять дней, держал четыре-пять часов, каждый раз уговаривал меня сознаться и грозил расстрелом, но делал это все более вяло. Видимо, ничего нового он придумать не мог, а принимать более энергичный нажим почему-то не входило в его планы. Для меня не было сомнения, что эти допросы нужны следователю не для дела, а чтобы отбыть положенное число часов на службе, «за работой». Он, видимо, скучал и несколько оживлялся только при угрозах расстрелом. Иногда он предлагал мне изложить какую-нибудь «техническую деталь», как он выражался, то есть дать расчет улова рыбного траулера за год, соображения относительно рыбных отходов, возможности производства из них рыбной муки и т. д. Сам он в это время лениво просматривал газету. Я говорил, намеренно усложняя деталями, нисколько не заботясь о точности, уверенный, что он не понимает и половины моих слов, что следить за ходом моего изложения вопроса он не в состоянии, и что это вообще никакого значения ни для кого не имеет. Отдельные его реплики убеждали меня в этом вполне. Иногда я видел, как он дремлет, прикрывшись от меня газетой. Я пробовал умолкать — он просыпался. — Ну-с, продолжайте. Мне приходилось возобновлять бесцельное словоизвержение. Наблюдая его, я стал постепенно практиковаться в том, чтобы вносить изменения в направление этих допросов. Например, говоря о рыбных отходах, я начинал рассказывать, какие рыбы водятся в Баренцевом море, стремясь поразить его воображение какими-нибудь необыкновенными особенностями.
1789 - 1815
From 1789 to 1815
The French Revolution, Directory, Consulate and Napoleon epoch from 1789 to 1815.
Les Grandes Misères de la guerre
Jacques Callot. Les Grandes Misères de la guerre, 1633
Les Grandes Misères de la guerre sont une série de dix-huit eaux-fortes, éditées en 1633, et qui constituent l'une des œuvres maitresses de Jacques Callot. Le titre exact en est (d'après la planche de titre) : Les Misères et les Malheurs de la guerre, mais on appelle fréquemment cette série Les Grandes Misères... pour la différencier de la série Les Petites Misères de la guerre. Cette suite se compose de dix-huit pièces qui représentent, plus complètement que dans les Petites Misères, les malheurs occasionnés par la guerre. Les plaques sont conservées au Musée lorrain de Nancy.
Местечковые страсти в чеченских горах
Великая оболганная война-2. Нам не за что каяться! Сборник. Ред.-сост. А. Дюков: М., Яуза, Эксмо, 2008
Аннотация издательства: Наши враги - и внешние, и внутренние - покушаются на самое святое - на народную память о Великой Отечественной войне. Нас пытаются лишить Великой Победы. Вторя геббельсовской пропаганде, псевдоисторики внушают нам, что Победа-де была достигнута «слишком дорогой ценой», что она якобы обернулась «порабощением Восточной Европы», что солдаты Красной Армии будто бы «изнасиловали Германию», а советских граждан, переживших немецкую оккупацию, чуть ли не поголовно сослали в Сибирь. Враги приравнивают Советский Союз к нацистскому Рейху, советских солдат - к фашистским карателям. И вот уже от нашей страны требуют «платить и каяться», советскую символику запрещают наравне с нацистской, а памятники воинам-освободителям в Восточной Европе под угрозой сноса... Но нам не за что каяться! Эта книга - отповедь клеветникам, опровержение самых грязных, самых лживых мифов о Великой Отечественной войне, распространяемых врагами России.
Upper Paleolithic
Upper Paleolithic : from 50 000 years before present to 12 000 BC
Upper Paleolithic : from 50 000 years before present to 12 000 BC.
12. «Сон Попова»
Записки «вредителя». Часть II. Тюрьма. 12. «Сон Попова»
Книга в тюрьме — это совсем не то, что книга на воле. Это, может быть, единственный настоящий момент отдыха, и то, что было много раз прочитано, приобретает совершенно новый смысл и силу. Кроме того, книг так мало, получить их так трудно, что одно это придает им особую ценность и значение. В общую камеру с числом заключенных около ста на две недели выдается тридцать книг, из них десять книг политического содержания, которые никто читать не хочет. В одиночках, в тех редких случаях, когда разрешены книги, выдаются на две недели четыре книги, из которых одна политическая. Тюремная библиотека на Шпалерной составлена была до революции и оказалась неплохой по составу. После революции часть книг, как, например, Библия, Евангелие и многие другие, была изъята; часть книг, особенно русские классики, была растащена, зато библиотека пополняется тощими произведениями советских писателей и, главным образом, книгами политическими. При этом надо сказать, что основных политических или политико-экономических трудов почти нет, а все забито мелкими брошюрками, внутрипартийным переругиванием, теряющим смысл, пока книга печатается, и пр. Часто это преподношения авторов крупным членам ГПУ, которые, желая избавиться от лишнего хлама в доме, жертвуют его в тюремную библиотеку. Книги эти обычно поступают неразрезанными; часто имеют трогательные авторские надписи, которые только и прочитываются заключенными с некоторым интересом. Читают же охотнее всего Лескова, Л. Тостого, Достоевского, Тургенева, Пушкина, Лермонтова, Чехова. С особым вниманием читалось все, что касалось описания тюрем, допросов, каторги, при этом совершенно исключительным успехом пользовался «Сон Попова» Ал. Толстого.
Воспоминания кавказского офицера : II
Воспоминания кавказского офицера : II
Не стану описывать подробно моего путешествия от Тифлиса до границ Абхазии; оно было весьма незанимательно. Зимнее время скрывало от мен живописную сторону богатой имеретинской и мингрельской природы. Плохие дороги, дурные ночлеги, холод, грязь и снег попеременно преследовали меня от начала до конца путешествия. До Сурама я ехал на русских почтовых телегах; всем известно, как они покойны. Через Сурамские горы и далее приходилось ехать верхом, на казачьих переменных лошадях. В Кутаисе я остановился на несколько дней, чтобы явиться к управляющему Имеретией, начальнику абхазского действующего отряда, знавшему только о моем гласном назначении находиться при войсках в Абхазии, так как в Тифлисе признано было необходимым никому не поверять тайны моего настоящего поручения, для того чтобы предохранить меня от последствий всякой даже неумышленной нескромности. Далее я продолжал свой путь без отдыха. От самого Кутаиса я не пользовался другим помещением, кроме постовых плетневых хижин, ночуя в них, по кавказскому обыкновению, на земле, окутанный в бурку вместо постели и одеяла; поэтому я немало обрадовался, услышав шум моря, означавший близость Редут-Кале, в котором я ожидал найти некоторое вознаграждение за испытанные мною лишения. Когда мы подъехали к Редуту, совершенно смерклось, и только эта темнота помешала моему преждевременному разочарованию. Редут-Кале — земляное укрепление, построенное на берегу моря, около устья реки Хопи, посреди непроходимых болот, — был в то время забытый уголок, в котором прозябали изнуренные лихорадками несколько солдат, офицеров и карантинных и таможенных чиновников.
3300 - 2100 BC
From 3300 to 2100 BC
Early Bronze Age. From 3300 BC to the establishment of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt in 2100-2000 BC.
10. Мат, блат и стук
Записки «вредителя». Часть III. Концлагерь. 10. Мат, блат и стук
В Соловецком лагере существует поговорка, что три кита, на которых держится лагерь, — это мат, блат и стук. Мат — это непристойная брань, доведенная в лагере до высшей виртуозности и получившая необыкновенное распространение. Ругаются заключенные и начальство, ругаются по всякому поводу и без всякого повода. Мне кажется, у заключенных в этом выражается их бессильная злоба, презрение к проклятой рабской жизни, из которой выбраться невозможно, презрение к самим себе, ко всему окружающему. У начальства это способ выражения своей власти и превосходства над заключенными, которых можно безнаказанно ругать похабными словами. Кроме того, в лагере, среди начальства и заключенных, есть прославленные виртуозы ругани, которые относятся к этому, как к известному мастерству, искусству, и ругаются с особым чувством и выражением. Один из начальников «Рыбпрома» был в этом деле одним из первых мастеров лагеря и настоящим художником. Ни одного распоряжения он не отдавал, не произнеся отборнейших непристойных выражений, не по адресу того, к кому он обращался, а за счет третьих лиц. Передать его речь в печати совершенно невозможно, хотя она необыкновенно характерна для лагерных отношений. Надо представить себе, что если он отдавал, например, распоряжение написать деловую бумагу в ответ на непонравившееся ему отношение, форма его распоряжения заключенному спецу была примерно следующая: — Будьте добры, напишите этим (далее следуют непристойные слова в самой фантастической комбинации), так напишите, чтобы у них по морде текло, на голову им, мерзавцам...
XII. Финляндия
Побег из ГУЛАГа. Часть 3. XII. Финляндия
Рассвет. Кругом бело. Из-за тумана ничего не видно; ни признака солнца, ни розовой полоски зари. Отец с сыном пошли на разведку. Я продолжала лежать; не могла себя заставить хотя бы пойти собрать черники. Вернулись. Теперь муж лег, я пошла бродить, чтобы не пропустить солнца. Чтобы занять себя, собирала чернику, рассыпанную на крохотных кустиках, потонувших во мху. Несколько ягод — и взгляд на небо. Что это? Как будто наметилось движение облаков, или это обман глаз, до слез уставших смотреть на белизну? Нет. Облака пошли выше, стали собираться группами. Разбудила мужа. Пока мы радостно суетились, солнце вышло по-настоящему. Собрались, скатились к речке. В пышных зарослях поймы вылетела на солнце масса блестящих, ярких жуков и бабочек; полярное лето кончалось, все торопились жить. На косогоре, где когда-то был пожар, выросли целые плантации цветов и ягодников. Многочисленные выводки тетеревов то и дело вырывались из-под самых ног и разбегались в заросли полярной березки. Дальше все чаще стали попадаться сшибленные и обкусанные грибы. Так хорошо, весело мы шли часов шесть — семь, но река после прямого западного направления повернула на север. — Надо сворачивать, — решил отец. Пошли по берегу. Опять болото, ивняк, комары. Муж становился все мрачнее. — Вода, наверное, ледяная, простужу всех вас. — Зато вымоемся. Шесть дней не умывались. Река оказалась глубокой и широкой. Нечего делать, надо было раздеваться и идти вброд. Муж пошел первый. Сразу, с берега, глубина была по пояс. Он шел наискось, борясь с сильным течением. Вода бурлила, становилось глубже.
Links
Links : resources in English, French and other languages, using Latin-based scripts