The object of their attack was a handsome palace, belonging to the military governor of the island, situated at a short distance from the town.
Passing through the cultivated country, noiselessly and without detection, they reached the mansion and surrounded it.

There were, here, a guard of some thirty soldiers, and sentries were placed at the entrance.
At the signal, given by the blowing of a conch shell, the attack commenced on all sides.

The sentries were at once shot down, and the negroes and their allies speedily penetrated into the building.
The Spanish guard fought with great bravery, but they were overpowered by the infuriated negroes.

Yells, shrieks, and shouts of all kinds resounded through the palace.
Before starting on their adventure, Ned and Gerald had exacted a solemn oath, from each of the men who were to take part in it, that on no account would he lift his hand against a defenseless person; and also that he spare everybody who surrendered.

The negroes were greatly loath to take this promise, and had Ned urged them to do so purely for the sake of humanity, the oath would unquestionably have been refused; for in those days of savage warfare, there was little or no mercy shown on either side.