guard the four Vessels which they brought with them, and the other four they
had taken in Port: Salguero, as we have said, was sent with thirty men to
the River of Chagre to take possession of the Silver which was robbed there: Hernando
de Conireras himself marched with forty Souldiers more by way of Capira to seise
the President and sack Nombre de Dios; both which exploits he thought very easie
to be done by a surprise; and John de Bermejo with an hundred and fifty men staid
at Panama to keep and defend that City. And besides these pieces of foolish ma∣nagement
and miscarriages, they were so inconsiderate as to entrust the merchan∣dise
which they had robbed in the hands of the Proprietors themselves, and to
other persons of reputation and note on security onely of Bonds under their hand∣writing
to yield them up to Hernando de Contreras, when he should return from
Nombre de Dios; and so far were they transported with vain confidence, that they
looked upon themselves as Masters of all the new world. And accordingly they
gave out their Warrants to take up all Horses and Mules that could be found, and
to mount their Souldiers thereon, and to go to the relief and assistence of Hernando
de Contreras if occasion should be. And with this Equipage Bermejo departed the
City, leaving it to it self, and with as much assurance of faithfulness as if it had
been his own House: whereas on the contrary, had they embarked all the Gold
and Silver they had robbed upon their Ships, together with the Jewels, Merchan∣dise
and other Booty, and had gone away themselves therewith, they had totally
destroyed and ruined the President and all his Adherents. But they neither de∣serving
so much good, nor the President so much evil, the wheel of fortune tur∣ned,
as we shall see by the sequel.
For so soon as it was day, those who had escaped out by night, whilst they
were plundring the City, one of which was Arias de Azevedo, (of whom the Hi∣story
makes mention) dispatched away a Servant of his to Nombre de Dios, to give
intelligence to the President Gasca of all that the Rebels had done at Panama: and
though as yet the advice was imperfect, yet it served to alarm the President in
such manner as that neither he nor his People were totally unprovided. On the
other side, the Inhabitants of the City, whom John de Bermejo left with so much
confidence, and reposed that Trust in as to commit a great part of his spoil to their
care and custody; no sooner was his back turned than they assembled together,
rang out the Bells of the Town, and fell to fortifying the City on the side towards
the Sea, and to secure the passage on the way of Capira, in case the enemy should
attack them on either side: At the sound of the Bells all the neighbouring Inha∣bitants
came in with their Arms, being attended with their Negroes, that in a short
time between White men and Tawny they made up a force of above five
hundred men, all resolute to die in defence of the City. Two of the Souldiers
belonging to John de Bermejo, who for want of Horses were left behind, hearing
the noise and confusion amongst the people, fled away to give advice to their
Commander how the City was in rebellion, and again returned to the obedience
of his Majesty: Of which John de Bermejo sent immediate advice to Hernando de
Contreras, giving him to understand that he was going to Panama, to cut those
Traitours in pieces who had falsly violated their Oath and Faith to them: and so
he returned thither with confidence of becoming Master of it with as much ease as
formerly; but things happened out quite contrary to his expectation, for the Ci∣tizens,
to prevent the burning of their City (which was all built of Timber)
came forth to encounter him in the way, and met John de Bermejo fortified on the
side of an Hill, where they attacked him with great courage; for being angry
and ashamed of the late disgracefull usage, they fought with the more bravery: at
the first assault it was not known which party had gained the advantage, but at
the second, the Citizens fighting like desperate men, and full of revenge, over∣whelmed
their enemies with their numbers of White and Black men; amongst
which Bermejo and Salguero were both killed with about eighty more; as
many more were taken, and carried away to the City; where being put all to∣gether
in an open yard, the chief Bailiff of the Town (whose name we shall not
mention) came in amongst them with two Negro Servants, and with Daggers
stabbed them to death, whilst with loud out-cries they desired time for Confes∣sion.
Palentino saith that, dying without Confession, they were buried on the
Sea-shore. The news of this misfortune was soon brought to the hearing of Her∣nando
de Contreras, who upon the advice formerly given by Bermejo, was upon his
march back to Panama; and considering himself now as a lost man and ruined,