t so strong and great a city. But Captain Morgan
replied, "If our number is small, our hearts are great; and the fewer
persons we are, the more union and better shares we shall have in the
spoil." Hereupon, being stimulated with the hope of those vast riches
they promised themselves from their success, they unanimously agreed to
that design. Now, that my reader may better comprehend the boldness of
this exploit, it may be necessary to say something beforehand of the
city of Puerto Bello.

This city is in the province of Costa Rica, 10 deg. north latitude,
fourteen leagues from the gulf of Darien, and eight westwards from the
port called Nombre de Dios. It is judged the strongest place the king of
Spain possesses in all the West Indies, except Havanna and Carthagena.
Here are two castles almost impregnable, that defend the city, situate
at the entry of the port, so that no ship or boat can pass without
permission. The garrison consists of three hundred soldiers, and the
town is inhabited by four hundred families. The merchants dwell not
here, but only reside a while, when the galleons come from or go for
Spain, by reason of the unhealthiness of the air, occasioned by vapors
from the mountains; so that though their chief warehouses are at Puerto
Bello, their habitations are at Panama, whence they bring the plate upon
mules when the fair begins, and when the ships belonging to the company
of negroes arrive to sell slaves.

Captain Morgan, who knew very well all the avenues of this city and the
neighboring coasts, arrived in the evening with his men at Puerto de
Naos, ten leagues to the west of Puerto Bello. Being come hither, they
sailed up the river to another harbor called Puerto Pontin, where they
anchored: here they put themselves into boats and canoes, leaving in the
ships only a few men to bring them next day to the port. About midnight
they came to a place called Estera longa Lemos, where they all went on
shore and marched by land to the first posts of the city. They had in
their company an Englishman, formerly a prisoner in those parts, who now
served them for a guide. To him and three or four more they gave
commission to take the sentinel, if possible, or kill him on the place:
but they seized him so cunningly, as he had no time to give warning with
his musket, or make any noise, and brought him, with his hands bound,
to Captain Morgan, who asked him how things went in the city, and what
forces they had; with oth