Spanish flag flying. The Spaniards rallied bravely round it, but,
charging them cutlass in hand, with loud huzzas we put them to flight,
and very soon Nol Grampus had hauled down their flag and hoisted our own
glorious ensign in its stead. It was a signal to the ships to cease
their fire, which was becoming somewhat annoying to us as well as to our
foes. In a few minutes all the defenders of the fortress were scattered
far and wide, or had thrown down their arms and sued for mercy. Thus
the important fortress was won. The first thing I did was to look-out
for Tom Rockets, whom I found guarding the Spanish officer, and
endeavouring to assure him of his friendship and protection. Some of
the prisoners were carried on board the ships, others were shut up under
a guard in the fortress, and others were allowed to take their
departure. Besides two richly-laden galleons and a dhow with dry goods
in the harbour, we found in the fort twenty thousand dollars, a vast
quantity of quicksilver, three or four hundred slaves who had been
lately landed, and were to have been sent into the interior, and sixty
thousand pounds' worth of silk, cables, anchors, and other naval
stores,--the whole not being of less value than a million sterling.

On my return on board I acquainted Captain Packenham with Tom Rockets'
gallantry. He was much amused, and at once sent for the brave fellow to
come to him on the quarter-deck. Tom approached, hat in hand, looking
somewhat sheepish, as if he was afraid of getting scolded for having
done something wrong. When, however, the captain praised him for his
conduct, he gave a hitch to his trowsers and a twist to his hat,
exclaiming--

"It's all right then, sir? I thought as how perhaps I ought to have
knocked the Spanish gentleman over; but you see, sir, I didn't like to
take the life of a man who hadn't even a cutlash to fight with."

Captain Packenham assured him that he had done perfectly right, and that
he would look after his interests. He spoke to the commodore about him
that very afternoon, and it was agreed to give him a boatswain's
warrant; but Tom at once declined the offer, saying that he had only
done his duty, and did not want any reward.

After Captain Packenham's return from the commodore's ship, he told me
that he was going home at once with despatches, and that I was to be
removed from the Porcupine into the Charon in order that I might with
some of her crew take charge of the