Year: 1866

side Is deep ditch, built up with stone
which must be passed before this castle
could be taken by storm. We entered at
the gate, which was of bamboo, the old
one having long since gone to decay;
the present structure having been made
to keep out the hogs, as the inner court
Is now used by the Alcalde.


We found heavy shot and shell in va
rious parts of the square.


AT the south end the ruins OF a chapel
could be traced, which belonged to and
formed a part of the castle itself. On
the side toward the sea were the high
massive walls which formed the battle
ments and covered the bomb. proof
vaults which were used Tor magazines
and dungeons. We found them empty,
but most of them in good dry condition.
Some of the arches were covered with
thick blue mould, but in most places the
plasteriug was of cement, and white and
smooth as finished marble. After re-
naming short time III these tomb-like
enclosures, we assembled a short stair
way and found ourselves again in the
open yard, where the light OF daY greet
ed us with the full blaze of it's tropical
brightness, and the gentle breeze from
the outstretched sea refreshed US. II
thls short and sudden change was to me
50 delightful, what must it have been to
the freed captives when the prison doors
were opened and they bid go free after
years Of confinement in the gloomy cav
erns, shut out from the light of day, far
away from their early homes and the
land that gave them birth.


We now assembled some wide stone
steps leading to the top of the battle
ment walls which overlooked the beau
tiful harbor and sea for many miles
around. Yes, we stood on the walls
where battles had been fought centuries
ago. The view from this part Of the
old castle was dne. Ii was Just mid day
The sun was brightly shining over
head while the waters smoothly sleeping
at our feet reflected back his golden
beams. On the opposite shore to the
north rose q high mountain clothed
with au ever-gr verdure and at its
base waved the graceful coCOanut and
Mango the branches of the latter were
bowed TO the earth with ripe fruit, while
farther up small patches OF Plantains
and Bananas were cultivated, and now
and then q native hut could be seen.
Still farther up and even to the very
summit, the majestic Palms. with their
lofty branches spread to the sun, stood
rs faithful sentinels, keeping guard over
the beautiful landscape below.


Not sound was to be heard except
the ever murmuring sea and the voices
OF two yOung natives at work in the
garden, or old courtyard below which
was once filed with warriors clad in
arm0r, bearing ia their hands swords
dripping with the gore OF their victims
on the battlefield But now how changed.
No sounds of revelry, no beating drum
or marching soldiers with banners dyed
in blood, are to be seen. They have
passed away; they have long since
turned TO dust, and let them sleep un-
til they are called to answer al the
Judgment seat for their wicked deeds.
These castles were for long time
great retreat Tor the worst Pirates IN
the world, and no one, either friend or
foe, was allowed to pass in peace. The
whole main was robbed and every city
plundared or sacked. Porto BelIo was
the last and strongest to take. IL
had withstOOd number OF fierce al
tacks but the enemy soon had to retire
from the range OF such heavy guns as
| were planted on the ramparts o. the
! different Forts. The besiegers III every
case soon found that with what ships
they had it was idle folly to think OF
! taking such a Gibra}tGr by sea.


Morgan, the buccaneer, and the worst
! nitrate that ever lived, short time after
| tried his hand. He had concentrated
! quite a fleet, bat was very cautious not
! to anchor within reach of the Spanish
| thunder dogs that looked upon his ship
| ping from every angle and embrasure of
| the castles. Yet his boidness was not
daunted, ior what he saw could not be
done by actual force TO make the rich
town surrender, he contriyed by strata
gem, and succeeded. In the night ne
| landed part OF his mtn, under brave
officer, who by daylight had pushed his
way through the thick wood and passed
this very castle unobserved by the SEN
tipels in the watch towers. He had


gained the east part of the town, which


was unprotected by the forts, and lay


concealed amid the thick grass and wild


plantain, All was still In and about the


doomed city. The inhabitants had seen


the sun rise and set for the last time


upon their noble buildings, their high


domed cathedrals, churches and con


vents. Their gilded spires will glisten


at golden sunset no more. The King oI


day rises, his beams are just gliding the


tops Of the Cordilleras, when the sign u


is given, and, Morgan opens lis heavy


batteries from his ships IN the harbor or


the town and castles, and at the same
instant the concealed party on short


rush like lot OF tigers from their GOV


ert, charge into the city, and dividing


into sections. soon get possession of the


churches aud converts. Every priest ol
monk who would not join the buccan
GERS and help them strip their own sa
, cred buildings and point out their hid


den gold and silver, were slain like dogi


at the very altar. The movements o


the robbers were so rapid that when thI


alarm reached the commander of th'


forts it was too late to repel the invad
ers, as the torch had been applied K


some of the churches and other build