The result is soon told. The Dutch fleet, perceiving the intentions of the Portuguese, stood out to sea whilst they were able to do so. Their disappearance set at liberty the merchant ships along the coast, which were employed under the orders of Barreto. A line was drawn across the harbour of _Recife_, and strict precautions were taken that no relief should reach the city by sea or by land. The besieging force consisted of three thousand five hundred men. The indefatigable Fernandes led the first assault; and he was good enough to promise a separate mass for the soul of each of his men who should fall. On the morning of the 15th of January, the besieged were astonished to find themselves cannonaded by a battery of twenty-four pounders, and the fort of _Salinas_ surrendered on the same night. One post gave in after another, and at length the inhabitants compelled the General to treat for a capitulation. The Dutch, having surrendered their arms, might remain for three months at _Recife_ to settle their affairs; but all their possessions on the coast of _Brazil_, without exception, were to be surrendered to the Portuguese. [Sidenote: 1654.] Fernandez entered the city and received the keys of the magazines and forts, seventy-three in number, which he proudly delivered to Barreto. Twelve hundred regular troops laid down their arms at _Recife_. The Portuguese likewise gained possession of two hundred and seventy-three guns; the Indians had retired toward _Ceará_. Some of the distant garrisons, having received timely warning of the loss of _Recife_, succeeded in effecting their escape; but at _Itamaraca_ four hundred men were taken. The General and the Admiral now proceeded with the convoy to _Bahia_; whilst Vidal set out to announce the glad tidings in Portugal. But in this intention the commander was anticipated by a Benedictine priest, who, arriving at Lisbon on the same evening, proceeded at once to communicate the information to the King. [Sidenote: 1661.]