The sailors leapt to the oars, and pulled with a will, for they knew as well as their captain how serious a matter it would be, were the town alarmed; and indeed, that all their toil and pains would be thrown away, as it was only by surprise that so small a handful of men could possibly expect to take a large and important town like Nombre de Dios.
Fortunately the boat overtook the fugitives before they were within hailing distance of the town, and rapidly towed them back to the ship.

All then took their places in the pinnaces, and pushed off without further delay.

It was not yet light, and steered by one who knew the town well, they rowed up alongside a battery, which defended it, without the alarm being given.

As they climbed up over the wall the sentry fired his piece, and the artillerymen, who, there having been some rumors of the arrival of Drake's fleet in those waters, were sleeping by the side of their guns, sprang to their feet and fled, as the English leapt down into the battery.
There were six large guns in the place, and many small, and bombards.
"Now, my lads," Captain Drake said, "you must lose no time.

In five minutes, yonder artillerymen will have alarmed the whole town, and we must be there before the Spaniards have managed to get their sleepy eyes open.
"Advance in three parties, and meet in the marketplace.