48 



THE SEA. 



ambuscades. He took his advice, and chose another way through the wood, though very 

 irksome and difficult. The Spaniards, perceiving- the pirates had taken another way they 

 scarce had thought of, were compelled to leave their barricades and batteries, and come 

 out to meet them. The Governor of Panama put his forces in order, consisting of two 

 squadrons, four regiments of foot, and a large number of wild bulls, which were driven 

 by a large number of Indians, with some negroes and others to help them/' 



The pirates, now upon their march, came to the top of a low hill, whence they had 



BURNING OF PANAMA. 



a prospect of the city and champaig-ne country underneath. Here they found the forces 

 of the people of Panama in battle array to be so numerous that they were rather alarmed. 

 Much doubting- the fortunes of the day, most of them wished themselves at home, or at 

 least free from the obligation of fighting at that moment, but it was obvious that they 

 must either fight resolutely or die; for no quarter could be expected from an enemy on 

 whom they had committed so many cruelties. They divided themselves into three battalions, 

 sending in advance two hundred bucaniers, who were g-ood shots. Descending the hill 

 they marched directly towards the Spaniards, who waited for their coming-. As soon as 

 they approached, the Spaniards began to shout and cry, " Viva el Roy ! " (" God save the 

 King ! ") and immediately their horse moved against the pirates ; but the fields being full 

 of quagmires, soft under foot, they could not wheel about as they desired. The two 



