protected by a ditch 12 feet deep and by several smaller batteries
nearer the water's edge. Lieutenant-Colonel Bradley, who, according to
Exquemelin, had been on these coasts before with Captain Mansfield,
landed near the fort on the 27th of December. He and his men fought in
the trenches from early afternoon till eight o'clock next morning, when
they stormed and carried the place. The buccaneers suffered severely,
losing about 150 in killed and wounded, including Bradley himself who
died ten days later. Exquemelin gives a very vivid account of the
action. The buccaneers, he writes, "came to anchor in a small port, at
the distance of a league more or less from the castle. The next morning
very early they went on shore, and marched through the woods, to attack
the castle on that side. This march continued until two o'clock,
afternoon, by reason of the difficulties of the way, and its mire and
dirt. And although their guides served them exactly, notwithstanding
they came so nigh the castle at first that they lost many of their men
with the shot from the guns, they being in an open place where nothing
could cover nor defend them. This much perplexed the Pirates ..." (but)
"at last after many doubts and disputes among themselves they resolved
to hazard the assault and their lives after a most desperate manner.
Thus they advanced towards the castle, with their swords in one hand and
fireballs in the other. The Spaniards defended themselves very briskly,
ceasing not to fire at them with their great guns and muskets
continually crying withal: 'Come on, ye English dogs, enemies to God and
our King; let your other companions that are behind come on too, ye
shall not go to Panama this bout.' After the Pirates had made some trial
to climb up the walls, they were forced to retreat, which they
accordingly did, resting themselves until night. This being done, they
returned to the assault, to try if by the help of their fireballs they
could overcome and pull down the pales before the wall. This they
attempted to do, and while they were about it there happened a very
remarkable accident, which gave them the opportunity of the victory. One
of the Pirates was wounded with an arrow in his back, which pierced his
body to the other side. This he instantly pulled out with great valour
at the side of his breast; then taking a little cotton that he had about
him, he wound it about the said arrow, and putting it into his musket,
he shot it back