re beaten; the ramparts were manned;
the guns were primed, and such of the townspeople as were not too timid
to bear arms were assembled under their militia officers.

The watchers on the west wall of the fort were soon aware of the
approach of the buccaneers. Indeed, they made no concealment whatever
about their motions. Who they were and what they were the garrison had
not discovered and could not imagine. A prompt and well-aimed volley,
however, as soon as the buccaneers came within range apprised them that
they were dealing with enemies, and determined enemies at that. Under
cover of the confusion caused by this unexpected discharge, Morgan
deployed his men.

"Lads," he said, "we'll board yon fort with a rush and a cheer. The
ladders will be placed on the walls, and under cover of a heavy fire
from our musketry we'll go over them. Use only the cutlass when you gain
the parapet and ply like men. Remember what's on the other side!"

"Ay, but who'll plant the ladders?" asked one.

"The priests and women," said Morgan grimly. "I saved them for that."

A roar of laughter and cheers broke from the ruffianly gang as they
appreciated the neatness of the old buccaneer's scheme.

"'Tis an old trick," he continued; "we did the same thing thirty years
since at Porto Bello. Eh, Hornigold? How's that leg of yours?"

"Stiff and sore."

"Bide here then with the musketeers. Teach, you shall take the walls
under the cliff yonder. L'Ollonois, lead your men straight at the fort.
De Lussan, let the curtain between be your point. I shall be with the
first to get over. Now, charge your pieces all, and Hornigold, after we
have started, by slow and careful fire do you keep the Spaniards down
until you hear us cheer. After that, hold your fire."

"But I should like to be in the first rank myself, master," growled the
old boatswain.

"Ha, ha!" laughed Morgan, "that's a right spirit, lad, but that cut leg
holds you back, for which you have to thank this gentleman," bowing
toward Alvarado with a hideous countenance. "You can be of service here.
Watch the musketeers. We would have no firing into our backs. Now bring
up the women and priests. And, Hornigold, watch Senorita de Lara. See
that she does not escape. On your life, man; I'd rather hold her safe,"
he muttered under his breath, "than take the whole city of Caracas."

With shouts of fiendish glee the buccaneers drove the hapless nuns and
priests, who had been dragged along in t