Page 220
An. 1685
City of Leon burnt.
rounded by the Spaniards he refufed to take quarter, but difcharged his Gun amongft them, keeping a Piftol ftill charged, fo they fhot him dead at a di- ftance. His name was Swan; he was a very mer- ry hearty old man, and always ufed to declare he would never take quarter: But they took Mr. Smith, who was tired alfo; he was a Merchant belonging to Captain Swan, and being carried before the Governour of Leon, was known by a Mulatta wo- man that waited on him. Mr. Smith had lived ma- ny years in the Canaries, and could fpeak and write very good Spanifh, and it was there this Mulatto woman remembered him. He being examined how many men we were, faid 1000 at the City and 500 at the Canoas, which made well for us at the Canoas, who ftraggling about every day might ea- fily have been deftroyed. But this fo daunted the Governour, that he did never offer to moleit our men, although he had with him above 1000 men as Mr. Smith gueffed. He fent in a Flag of Truce about noon, pretending to ranfom the Town ra- ther than let it be burnt, but our Captains de- manded 300000 pieces of eight for its ranfom, and as much provifion as would victual 1000 men 4 months, and Mr. Smith to be ranfomed for fome of their Prifoners; but the Spaniards did not in- tend toranfom the Town, but only capitulated day after day to prolong time till they had got more men. Our Captains therefore, confidering the di- ftance that they were from the Canoas, refolved to be marching down. The 14th day in the morning they ordered the City to be fet on fire, which was prefently done, and then they came away: but they took more time in coming down than in go- ing up. The 15th day in the morning the Spaniards fent in Mr. Smith, and had a Gentlewoman in ex- change. Then our Captains fent a Letter to the Governour, to acquaint him, that they intended next