183 
Chap. XI.—B. S.] ENTRY INTO THE CITY. 
contrary, their opponents belonged to a race superior 
to themselves in courage and physical force. 
After two hours’ hard fighting, the Panamenians 
began to waver; their cavalry could not act advan¬ 
tageously on the boggy ground, and most of the 
horsemen were killed. Finding themselves baffled 
in this manner they had recourse to the bullocks, 
driving them from behind to create confusion; hut the 
wild cattle, frightened by the unwonted noise, mostly 
ran away, and the few that broke through the lines of 
the buccaneers were easily slain. The horsemen were 
the first who fled from the field; they were soon fol¬ 
lowed, however, by the infantry, who, seeing their 
companions deserting them, discharged their muskets, 
threw down their arms and seconded them in their 
cowardice. Those that were not so fortunate as to 
effect their escape hid themselves among the man¬ 
groves, where, when discovered, they were killed 
without mercy. Six thousand Spaniards were dyeing 
the savanas with their blood, and a considerable 
number of pirates shared the same fate. 
The great prize lay now within grasp ; it was neces¬ 
sary to seize it before additional forces could withhold 
it. Morgan, elated by success, ordered an instant as¬ 
sault on the city, and without any loss of time the 
infuriated multitude advanced towards the gates. 
The combat now became terrible ; one party fighting 
for the possession of those golden treasures which had 
always been the fame of the country and the envy of 
foreigners, the other defending their homes, their 
wives, their children, all that was dear to them. The 
