irates from abroad used what means they could to hinder its
progress, by shooting incessantly against it. One party of the Pirates
was employed only to this purpose, and another commanded to watch all
the motions of the Spaniards, and take all opportunities against them.
About noon the English happened to gain a breach, which the Governor
himself defended with twenty-five soldiers. Here was performed a very
courageous and warlike resistance by the Spaniards, both with muskets,
pikes, stones and swords. Yet notwithstanding, through all these arms
the Pirates forced and fought their way, till at last they gained the
castle. The Spaniards who remained alive cast themselves down from the
castle into the sea, choosing rather to die precipitated by their own
selves (few or none surviving the fall) than to ask any quarter for
their lives. The Governor himself retreated unto the corps du garde,
before which were placed two pieces of cannon. Here he intended still to
defend himself, neither would he demand any quarter. But at last he was
killed with a musket shot, which pierced his skull into the brain.

"The Governor being dead, and the corps du garde surrendered, they found
still remaining in it alive to the number of thirty men, whereof scarce
ten were not wounded. These informed the Pirates that eight or nine of
their soldiers had deserted their colours, and were gone to Panama to
carry news of their arrival and invasion. These thirty men alone were
remaining of three hundred and fourteen, wherewith the castle was
garrisoned, among which number not one officer was found alive. These
were all made prisoners, and compelled to tell whatsoever they knew of
their designs and enterprises."[297]

Five days after the taking of the castle, Morgan arrived from Providence
Island with the rest of the armament; but at the entrance to the Chagre
river, in passing over the bar, his flagship and five or six smaller
boats were wrecked, and ten men were drowned. After repairing and
provisioning the castle, and leaving 300 men to guard it and the ships,
Morgan, on 9th January 1671, at the head of 1400 men, began the ascent
of the river in seven small vessels and thirty-six canoes.[298] The
story of this brilliant march we will again leave to Exquemelin, who
took part in it, to relate. The first day "they sailed only six leagues,
and came to a place called De los Bracos. Here a party of his men went
on shore, only to sleep some few hours and st