ch ferocious yells and so terrific a fusillade
of shots that the frightened inhabitants, taken utterly by surprise, fled
in mortal terror, leaving the place to its captors. These quickly seized a
number of horses, and made haste to retreat on their backs, hotly pursued
by the Spaniards, who soon discovered to what a handful of men they had
surrendered their city.

On receiving the report of their scouts, the freebooters determined on the
desperate venture. They had little to convey except their spoil, which,
the result of numerous raids, was valued at about one million dollars. It
chiefly consisted of gold and jewels, all heavier valuables, even silver,
being left in great part behind, as too heavy to carry. The spoil was very
unequally owned, since the gambling which had gone on actively among them
had greatly varied the distribution of their wealth. To overcome the anger
and jealousy which this created among the poorer, those with much to carry
shared their portions among their companions, with the understanding that,
if they reached the Antilles in safety, half of it should be returned. As
for the prisoners, it was decided to take them along, and make use of them
for carrying the utensils, provisions, and sick.

On the 1st of January, 1688, these freebooters, two hundred and
eighty-five in number, with sixty-eight horses, crossed in boats from
their island refuge to the main-land and began their march. Their ships
had been first destroyed, their cannon cast into the sea, and their
bulkier effects burned. Divided into four companies, with forty men in
front as an advance guard, they moved forward into a land of adventure and
peril.

It was soon found that the people expected and had prepared for their
coming. Trees had been felled across the roads and efforts made to
obstruct all the foot-paths. Provisions had been carried away, and the dry
herbage of the fields was set on fire as they advanced, almost suffocating
them with the heat and smoke. This was done to hinder their march until
the Spaniards had completed a strong intrenchment which was being built at
a suitable place on the route.

Ambuscades were also laid for them. On the eighth day of their march they
fell into one of these at Tusignala, where three hundred Spaniards lay
concealed on the ground and fired into their ranks. Though these were
dispersed by a fierce charge, they followed the freebooters closely,
annoying them from the shelter of woods and thi