had given a pompous account of el Palacio del Rey, or the king’s palace, as they stiled the governor’s house, and therefore we expected to see something very magnificent; but it was nothing better than a large thatched barn, partitioned off into several rooms.  The governor was sitting at a large table covered with a piece of red serge, having all the principal officers about him.  After some time, he made us sit down, attempting to converse with us by his linguist, who was a stupid old fellow, that could neither talk English nor Spanish, but said he was born in England, had resided above forty years in that country, and having formerly been a buccaneer, was taken by the Spaniards near Panama.  The governor kept us to supper, and then we were conducted across the court to our apartment, which was a place that had served to keep the fire-wood for the governor’s kitchen; however, as it was dry over head, we thought ourselves extremely well lodged.  There was a soldier placed at the door with a drawn spado in his hand, to prevent our stirring out, which was quite unnecessary, as we knew not where to go if we had been at liberty.  One of these soldiers took a fancy to my ragged grieko, which had still some thousands about it, and in exchange gave me an old poncho, the sort of garment with a hole in the middle to put one’s head through, as above related to be worn by the Indians; and for the little bit of my waistcoat that remained, he gave me a pair of breeches.  I now should have thought myself very handsomely equipped, if I had had but another shirt.

The next day, about noon, the governor sent for us, and we dined at his table, after which we returned to our lodging, where we were never alone, for every body was curious to see us.  We passed about a week in this manner, when the centinel was taken off, and we were allowed to look about us a little, though not to go out of the palace, as they were pleased to call it.  We dined every day with the governor, but were not very fond of his fast days, which succeeded each other too quickly.  I contrived to make friends with his steward and cook, by which means I always carried my pockets full to my apartment, where I passed my time very agreeably.  Soon after, we had leave to walk about the town, or go wherever we pleased.  Every house was open to us; and though it was but an hour after we had dined, they always spread a table, thinking we never could eat enough after what we had suffered; and we were much of the same opinion.  They are, in general, a charitable, good sort of people, but very ignorant, and governed by their priests, who make them believe just what they please.