THE SIEGE OF PLYMOUTH. 183 



of the guard, that sent out sentries perdue, it being 

 a wet and dark night, the enemy raised a square 

 work, with the help of a corner of a field, within 

 pistol-shot of Maudline work, almost in a direct 

 line between that and Penny-Com-Quick, which 

 if they had held, might have cut us off from the 

 relief of that work. 



In the morning of the 21st day of December, as 

 soon as it was discovered, the ordinary guard there, 

 being some threescore men, fell on, in hope to have 

 regained it without any more help, but found their 

 work guarded with two or three hundred men, and 

 so were fain to rereat till help came from the town ; 

 and then about nine of the clock in the morning, 

 having horse and foot in readiness, we fell upon 

 their work, and received the repulse twice ; once 

 after we had gained the work ; but our men, hear- 

 tened with the assistance of some fresh men, and 

 backed with most of the strength we could make, 

 fell on, took, and slighted the enemy's work ; took 

 prisoners, a Captain, Prince Maurice's trumpeter, 

 and some few others more, and killed that day near 

 one hundred men : there were taken of ours by the 

 enemy, two Lieutenants. Upon the enemy's retreat, 

 we could hardly dissuade our soldiers from falling 

 on their works to gain their ordnance, but we had 

 too few men to venture on so hazardous a design. 

 The next day we could see the enemy preparing to 

 draw off their ordnance ; and on Christmas Day, 

 25th of December, 1643, in the morning, they drew 

 off their guards from about us, being the same day 

 that Prince Maurice promised his soldiers they 

 should be in Plymouth. 



The enemy now quartered at Tavistock and 

 Plympton to refresh their men, and to recruit for a 

 siege, and for the present they block us up from 

 provisions, having driven all the country before 

 them of cattle, so that we cannot subsist long, un- 

 less store of provisions be sent us ; but if we may 

 have a considerable supply of men, money, arms 



