n lives; but nothing could
prevail with his obstinacy and fierceness. Thus many of the religious
men and nuns were killed before they could fix the ladders; which at
last being done, though with great loss of the said religious people,
the pirates mounted them in great numbers, and with not less valour,
having fire-balls in their hands, and earthen pots full of powder; all
which things, being now at the top of the walls, they kindled and cast
in among the Spaniards.

This effort of the pirates was very great, insomuch that the Spaniards
could no longer resist nor defend the castle, which was now entered.
Hereupon they all threw down their arms, and craved quarter for their
lives; only the governor of the city would crave no mercy, but killed
many of the pirates with his own hands, and not a few of his own
soldiers; because they did not stand to their arms. And though the
pirates asked him if he would have quarter; yet he constantly answered,
"By no means, I had rather die as a valiant soldier, than be hanged as a
coward." They endeavoured as much as they could to take him prisoner,
but he defended himself so obstinately, that they were forced to kill
him, notwithstanding all the cries and tears of his own wife and
daughter, who begged him, on their knees, to demand quarter, and save
his life. When the pirates had possessed themselves of the castle, which
was about night, they enclosed therein all the prisoners, placing the
women and men by themselves, with some guards: the wounded were put in
an apartment by itself, that their own complaints might be the cure of
their diseases; for no other was afforded them.

This done, they fell to eating and drinking, as usual; that is,
committing in both all manner of debauchery and excess, so that fifty
courageous men might easily have retaken the city, and killed all the
pirates. Next day, having plundered all they could find, they examined
some of the prisoners (who had been persuaded by their companions to say
they were the richest of the town), charging them severely to discover
where they had hid their riches and goods. Not being able to extort
anything from them, they not being the right persons, it was resolved to
torture them: this they did so cruelly, that many of them died on the
rack, or presently after. Now the president of Panama being advertised
of the pillage and ruin of Puerto Bello, he employed all his care and
industry to raise forces to pursue and cast out the p