hin and without the city, commanded twenty-five men to seize
a great boat, which had stuck in the mud of the port, for want of water,
at a low tide. The same day about noon, he caused fire privately to be
set to several great edifices of the city, nobody knowing who were the
authors thereof, much less on what motives Captain Morgan did it, which
are unknown to this day: the fire increased so, that before night the
greatest part of the city was in a flame. Captain Morgan pretended the
Spaniards had done it, perceiving that his own people reflected on him
for that action. Many of the Spaniards, and some of the pirates, did
what they could, either to quench the flames or by blowing up houses
with gunpowder, and pulling down others to stop it, but in vain: for in
less than half an hour it consumed a whole street. All the houses of the
city were built with cedar, very curious and magnificent, and richly
adorned, especially with hangings and paintings, whereof part were
before removed, but another great part were consumed by fire.

There were in this city (which is the see of a bishop) eight
monasteries, seven for men, and one for women; two stately churches, and
one hospital. The churches and monasteries were all richly adorned with
altar-pieces and paintings, much gold and silver, and other precious
things, all which the ecclesiastics had hidden. Besides which, here were
two thousand houses of magnificent building, the greatest part inhabited
by merchants vastly rich. For the rest of less quality, and tradesmen,
this city contained five thousand more. Here were also many stables for
the horses and mules that carry the plate of the king of Spain, as well
as private men, towards the North Sea. The neighboring fields were full
of fertile plantations and pleasant gardens, affording delicious
prospects to the inhabitants all the year.

The Genoese had in this city a stately house for their trade of negroes.
This likewise was by Captain Morgan burnt to the very ground. Besides
which building, there were consumed two hundred warehouses, and many
slaves, who had hid themselves therein, with innumerable sacks of meal;
the fire of which continued four weeks after it had begun. The greatest
part of the pirates still encamped without the city, fearing and
expecting the Spaniards would come and fight them anew, it being known
they much outnumbered the pirates. This made them keep the field, to
preserve their forces united, now much dimi