irates thence; but
these cared little for his preparations, having their ships at hand, and
determining to fire the city, and retreat. They had now been at Puerto
Bello fifteen days, in which time they had lost many of their men, both
by the unhealthiness of the country, and their extravagant debaucheries.

Hereupon, they prepared to depart, carrying on board all the pillage
they had got, having first provided the fleet with sufficient victuals
for the voyage. While these things were doing, Captain Morgan demanded
of the prisoners a ransom for the city, or else he would burn it down,
and blow up all the castles; withal, he commanded them to send speedily
two persons, to procure the sum, which was 100,000 pieces of eight. To
this effect two men were sent to the president of Panama, who gave him
an account of all. The president, having now a body of men ready, set
forth towards Puerto Bello, to encounter the pirates before their
retreat; but, they, hearing of his coming, instead of flying away, went
out to meet him at a narrow passage, which he must pass: here they
placed a hundred men, very well armed, which at the first encounter put
to flight a good party of those of Panama. This obliged the president to
retire for that time, not being yet in a posture of strength to proceed
farther. Presently after, he sent a message to Captain Morgan, to tell
him, "that if he departed not suddenly with all his forces from Puerto
Bello, he ought to expect no quarter for himself, nor his companions,
when he should take them, as he hoped soon to do." Captain Morgan, who
feared not his threats, knowing he had a secure retreat in his ships,
which were at hand, answered, "he would not deliver the castles, before
he had received the contribution money he had demanded; which if it were
not paid down, he would certainly burn the whole city, and then leave
it, demolishing beforehand the castles, and killing the prisoners."

The governor of Panama perceived by this answer that no means would
serve to mollify the hearts of the pirates, nor reduce them to reason:
hereupon, he determined to leave them, as also those of the city whom he
came to relieve, involved in the difficulties of making the best
agreement they could. Thus in a few days more the miserable citizens
gathered the contributions required, and brought 100,000 pieces of eight
to the pirates for a ransom of their cruel captivity: but the president
of Panama was much amazed to consider