o
shout and cry, "Viva el rey!" "God save the king!" and immediately their
horse moved against the pirates: but the fields being full of quags, and
soft under-foot, they could not wheel about as they desired. The two
hundred buccaneers, who went before, each putting one knee to the
ground, began to battle briskly, with a full volley of shot: the
Spaniards defended themselves courageously, doing all they could to
disorder the pirates. Their foot endeavored to second the horse, but
were forced by the fire of the pirates to retreat. Finding themselves
baffled, they attempted to drive the bulls against them behind, to put
them into disorder; but the wild cattle ran away, frighted with the
noise of the battle. Only some few broke through the English companies,
and only tore the colors in pieces, while the buccaneers shot every one
of them dead.

The battle having continued two hours, the greatest part of the Spanish
horse was ruined, and almost all killed: the rest fled, which the foot
seeing, and that they could not possibly prevail, they discharged the
shot they had in their muskets, and throwing them down, fled away, every
one as he could. The pirates could not follow them, being too much
harassed and wearied with their long journey. Many, not being able to
fly whither they desired, hid themselves, for that present, among the
shrubs of the sea-side, but very unfortunately; for most of them being
found by the pirates, were instantly killed, without any quarter. Some
religious men were brought prisoners before Captain Morgan; but he,
being deaf to their cries, commanded them all to be pistoled, which was
done. Soon after they brought a captain to him, whom he examined very
strictly; particularly, wherein consisted the forces of those of Panama?
He answered, their whole strength consisted in four hundred horse,
twenty-four companies of foot, each one hundred men complete; sixty
Indians, and some negroes, who were to drive two thousand wild bulls
upon the English, and thus, by breaking their files, put them into a
total disorder: beside, that in the city they had made trenches, and
raised batteries in several places, in all which they had placed many
guns; and that at the entry of the highway, leading to the city, they
had built a fort mounted with eight great brass guns, defended by fifty
men.

Captain Morgan having heard this, gave orders instantly to march another
way; but first he made a review of his men, whereof he fo