, of whom he presently after
spied a troop that came to meet him proclaiming victory with loud shouts
of joy. This instantly put him upon new resolutions of making new
efforts to take the rest of the castles that stood out against him;
especially seeing the chief citizens were fled unto them, and had
conveyed thither great part of their riches, with all the plate
belonging to the churches, and other things dedicated to divine service.

"To this effect, therefore, he ordered ten or twelve ladders to be made,
in all possible haste, so broad that three or four men at once might
ascend by 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. Thus much he had beforehand threatened the Governor to
perform, in case he delivered not the castle. But his answer was: 'He
would never surrender himself alive.' Captain Morgan was much persuaded
that the Governor would not employ his utmost forces, seeing religious
women and ecclesiastical persons exposed in the front of the soldiers to
the greatest dangers. 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 deceived in his judgment of this design. For the
Governor, who acted like a brave and courageous soldier, refused not, in
performance of his duty, to use his utmost endeavours to destroy
whosoever came near the walls. The religious men and women ceased not to
cry unto him and beg of him by all the Saints of Heaven he would deliver
the castle, and hereby spare both his and their own lives. But nothing
could prevail with the obstinacy and fierceness that had possessed the
Governor's mind. 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 no less valour; having fireballs 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 as 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 admit or c