"Advance in three parties, and meet in the marketplace. It is good
that we should make as much show as possible. There can be no more
concealment and, therefore, we must endeavor to make the Spaniards
believe that we are a far stronger force than, in truth, we are."

It was not until the three parties met in the marketplace that any
real resistance on the part of the Spaniards began, although
windows had been opened, and shots fired here and there. The alarm
bells were now ringing, shouts and screams were heard through the
town, and the whole population was becoming fairly aroused. As they
entered the marketplace, however, a heavy fire was opened with
arquebuses and guns. The English had taken with them no firearms,
but each man carried his bow and arrows, and with these they shot
fast and hard at the Spaniards, and silenced their fire.

At this moment, however, it happened, sadly for the success of the
enterprise, that a ball struck Captain Drake, and inflicted a
serious wound. Ned was standing near him, and observed him stagger.

"Are you hit, sir?" he asked anxiously.

"Tush, my boy," he replied, "it is a scratch; say nothing of it.

"Now, forward to the Treasury. The town is in your hands, my lads.
It only remains to you to sack as much treasure as you can carry;
but remember, do not lose your discipline, and keep together. If we
straggle, we are lost.

"Now, light at once the torches which you have brought with you,
and shout aloud to the inhabitants, you that can speak Spanish,
that if any more resistance is offered, we will burn the whole town
to the ground."

This threat mightily alarmed the inhabitants, and the firing ceased
altogether; for as these were not regular soldiers, and knew that
the object of the English attack was to plunder the public
treasuries, rather than private property, the townsmen readily
deemed it to their interest to hold aloof, rather than to bring
upon their city and themselves so grievous a calamity as that
threatened by the English.

In the advance, two or three Spaniards had fallen into the hands of
the men and, these being threatened with instant death if they
hesitated, at once led the way to the governor's house, where the
silver, brought down on mules from Panama, was stored. A party were
placed at the door of this building, and Captain Drake, with the
rest, entered.

The governor had fled, with his attendants. The house was richly
furnished; full of silk hangings,