The Spaniards had discovered the approach of the pirates, and this fort had been converted into a great trap in which the citizens hoped to capture and destroy the pirate leader and his men.

Everybody had left the fort, the gates were open, and a slow-match, communicating with the magazine, had been lighted just before the last Spaniard had left.
But the oldest and most sagacious of rats would be no more difficult to entrap than was the wily pirate Morgan.

When he entered the open gates of the fort and found everything in perfect order, he suspected a trick, and looking about him he soon saw the smouldering match.

Instantly he made a dash at it, seized it and extinguished the fire.

Had he been delayed in this discovery a quarter of an hour longer, he and his men would have been blown to pieces along with the fort.
Now the pirates pressed on toward the town, but they met with no resistance.