.
The few inhabitants who remained were shut up under a guard in one of
the churches, except some negroes, who were employed in carrying the
treasure from the custom-house and other places to the fort, escorted by
a file of musketeers.

Although orders had been issued that there should be no pillage, the
sailors could not be prevented from entering the houses, and as the
Spaniards had left behind them their clothing, mostly embroidered or
laced, the seamen put them on over their dirty trousers and jackets,
some adding a bagwig or a laced hat to their costume. When this
practice was once begun there was no preventing the whole detachment
from imitating it.

Those who came latest, not finding men's clothing, equipped themselves
with women's gowns and petticoats, so that when they appeared before
their commander he was not immediately satisfied that they were his own
people. Meantime, while the British crews were employed in carrying off
the treasure, two hundred horsemen were seen collecting outside the
town, besides other troops, but the commodore having got the _Centurion_
close in, felt very sure that they would not venture to attack his
people on shore. Reports were, however, brought off on the second day
that the number of the enemy being greatly augmented, they intended to
storm the place, led by one Gordon, a Scotch papist and captain of a
ship in those seas.

Notwithstanding this the crews continued their work of spoliation, and
the next day a reinforcement was sent on shore, so that the Spaniards
dared not attempt to carry out their plan.

On the third day, the 15th of November, besides the treasure, the more
valuable part of the effects found in the town, consisting of rich
brocades, bales of fine linens, etcetera, cases of brandy and wine,
hogs, sheep, fowls, and other provisions, were brought off. The
prisoners were then landed, and placed in one of the churches at a
distance from the town. Lastly the place itself was set on fire in all
directions, and burned to the ground.

As Lieutenant Brett and his men were about to embark, the Spaniards,
seeing them on the open beach, made a feint of attacking them, but
halted, as it was expected they would do, when they came near. The
boats were about to shove off when it was found that one of their
number, a Dutchman, was missing. Just then they heard his voice
shouting, but the smoke was so thick that he could not be seen.
Presently he came rushing into t