into the castle. But the cotton being kindled by the
powder, occasioned two or three houses that were within the castle,
being thatched with palm-leaves, to take fire, which the Spaniards
perceived not so soon as was necessary. For this fire meeting with a
parcel of powder, blew it up and thereby caused great ruin, and no less
consternation to the Spaniards, who were not able to account for this
accident, not having seen the beginning thereof.

"Thus the Pirates perceiving the good effect of the arrow and the
beginning of the misfortune of the Spaniards, were infinitely gladdened
thereat. And while they were busied in extinguishing the fire, which
caused great confusion in the whole castle, having not sufficient water
wherewithal to do it, the Pirates made use of this opportunity, setting
fire likewise to the palisades. Thus the fire was seen at the same time
in several parts about the castle, which gave them huge advantage
against the Spaniards. For many breaches were made at once by the fire
among the pales, great heaps of earth falling down into the ditch. Upon
these the Pirates climbed up, and got over into the castle,
notwithstanding that some Spaniards, who were not busied about the fire,
cast down upon them many flaming pots, full of combustible matter and
odious smells, which occasioned the loss of many of the English.

"The Spaniards, notwithstanding the great resistance they made, could
not hinder the palisades from being entirely burnt before midnight.
Meanwhile the Pirates ceased not to persist in their intention of taking
the castle. Unto which effect, although the fire was great, they would
creep upon the ground, as nigh unto it as they could, and shoot amidst
the flames, against the Spaniards they could perceive on the other side,
and thus cause many to fall dead from the walls. When day was come, they
observed all the moveable earth that lay between the pales to be fallen
into the ditch in huge quantity. So that now those within the castle did
in a manner lie equally exposed to them without, as had been on the
contrary before. Whereupon the Pirates continued shooting very furiously
against them, and killed great numbers of Spaniards. For the Governor
had given them orders not to retire from those posts which corresponded
to the heaps of earth fallen into the ditch, and caused the artillery to
be transported unto the breaches.

"Notwithstanding, the fire within the castle still continued, and now
the P