Chap. XI.—B. S.] ATTACK ON CIIAGRES. 
175 
manded tlie mouth of the Chagres, which possessed, 
besides, the defence of a sunken rock. The garrison, 
consisting of three hundred and fourteen men, was 
well armed and prepared for an attack by previous 
notice. 
Morgan would have proceeded in person to com¬ 
mence operations, hut he was engaged in the island 
of Santa Catalina. To lose no time he sent four ships, 
a boat and four hundred men, under the command of 
Captain Brodely, to clear the way for the main force. 
ISTo sooner did this flotilla arrive in sight of the castle, 
than the Spaniards opened fire so well directed and 
kept up with so much spirit, that the pirates were 
obliged to take refuge in a small bay about a league 
distant. Men less accustomed to hazardous under¬ 
takings would, probably, have deferred assaulting a 
place so well defended; but the buccaneers, however 
discouraged, were ready to make a formal attack. 
Landing early the next morning, they forced a pas¬ 
sage through the forest, and reached the castle about 
two o’clock in the afternoon. Though concealed by 
trees, their movements had been perceived, and they 
had hardly approached within cannon-shot, when fire 
was opened on them, killing several of their number 
before the assault could be made. However they 
continued to advance, holding the sword in one hand, 
the fireball in the other. But the garrison defended 
itself so well that the design to climb the walls and 
set fire to the palisades failed, and retreat became in¬ 
evitable. 
This repulse did not shake their resolution. At 
