42 THE SEA. 



jvncl brimstone with palm-leaves well anointed with tar. They covered very well their 

 counterfeit cannon, laying- under every piece many pounds of powder; besides, they cut 

 down many outworks of the ship, that the powder might exert its strength the better;, 

 breaking open also new port-holes, where, instead of guns, they placed little drums used 

 by the negroes. Finally, the decks were handsomely beset with many pieces of wood,, 

 dressed up like men, with hats or monteras, and armed with swords, muskets, and 

 bandeleers." 



The fire-ship being fitted, they prepared to proceed to the entry of the port. All the 

 prisoners were put into one great boat, and in another all the women were placed, with the 

 plate, jewels, and other rich things; into others they put the bales of goods, merchandise,, 

 and bulky articles. Each of these boats had twelve armed men aboard; the bntlot had 

 oi'ders to go before the rest of the vessels, and presently to fall foul of the great ship. 

 All things being ready, Captain Morgan exacted an oath of his comrades, making them 

 promise to defend themselves to the last drop of blood without demanding quarter; pro- 

 mising, withal, that whoever behaved himself thus should be well rewarded. 



With this resolution they set sail to meet the Spaniards. On April 30th, 1069, they 

 found the Spanish fleet riding at anchor in the middle of the entry of the lake. " Captain 

 Morgan, it being now late and almost dark, commanded all his vessels to an anchor, de- 

 signing to fight even all night if they forced him to it. He ordered a careful watch to be 

 kept aboard every vessel till morning, they being almost within shot, as well as within 

 sight, of the enemy. The day dawning, they weighed anchor and sailed again, steering 

 directly towards the Spaniards, who, seeing them move, did instantly the same. The fire- 

 ship, sailing before the rest, fell presently upon the great ship and grappled her, which the 

 Spaniards (too late) perceiving to be a fire-ship, they attempted to put her off, but in vain; 

 for the flame seizing her timber and tackling, soon consumed all the stern, the fore-part 

 sinking into the sea, where she perished. The second Spanish ship perceiving the Admiral 

 to burn, not by accident, but by industry of the enemy, escaped towards the castle, where 

 the Spaniards themselves sunk her, choosing to lose their ship rather than to fall into the 

 hands of those pirates. The third, having no opportunity to escape, was taken by the 

 pirates." 



The pirates were, w r e can well believe, rejoiced at this easy victory, and they now 

 attempted to take the castle. This was thoroughly well garrisoned and provided, whereas they 

 had nothing but muskets and a few hand grenades. They consequently failed ; the Spaniards 

 gave them volley after volley, and they at last retired, with a loss of thirty killed and as 

 many wounded. The attack was not renewed. From a pilot who was taken prisoner the 

 following day Captain Morgan learned that the expedition, which had been sent out by 

 the Supreme Council of State in Spain, consisted of six well-equipped men-of-war, with 

 instructions to root out the English pirates. It had been organised in Spain, upon the 

 receipt of the news of the loss of Puerto Bello and other places, after fruitless representations 

 had been made to the King of England, who simply disclaimed any connivance with the 

 pirates. Two of the principal vessels had returned to Spain, being considered too large for 

 the enterprise, and one had been lost in a gale. This pilot entered the service of Captain 

 Morgan, and informed him that in the ship which was sunk there was a great quantity 



