AD. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1567. 



which was to come unto him from the ships, the oversight 

 and charge whereof he had left unto Burdelois with the 

 The estate of rest of the Mariners. Now he had learned that the 

 the Spaniards Spanyards were foure hundred strong, devided into three 

 forts builded and flanked, and well fortified upon the 

 river of May, the great fort especially begunne by the 

 French, and afterward repaired by them : upon the most 

 dangerous and principall landing place whereof, two 

 [III. 358.] leagues lower and neerer towarde the Rivers mouth, they 

 had made two smaller Forts, which were defended, the 

 river passing betweene them, with sixe score souldiers, 

 good store of artillery and other munition, which they 

 The river of ^^d in the same. From Saracary unto these smal forts 

 Q^^^^^l- °^ was two leagues space, which he found very painful, 

 because of the bad waies and continual raines. After- 

 ward he departed from the river Catacouru with 10, shot, 

 to view the first fort, and to assault it the next day in 

 the morning by the breake of day, which hee could not 

 doe, because of the foule weather, and darknesse of the 

 night. King Helicopile seeing him out of quiet in that 

 he had failed of his purpose there, assured him to guide 

 him a more easie way, though it were farther about. In- 

 somuch as leading him through the woods, he brought 

 him within sight of the fort, where he discerned one 

 quarter which was but begun to bee entrenched. Thus 

 after he had sounded the small river that falleth downe 

 thereby, hee stayed untill ten of the clock in the 

 morning for an ebbe water, that his men might passe 

 over there, unto a place where he had scene a litle 

 grove between the river & the fort (that he might not 

 be scene to passe and set his souldiers in array) caus- 

 ing them to fasten their flasks to their Morions, & to 

 hold up their swords and kalivers in their hands, for 

 feare least the water, which reached up to their girdles, 

 should not wet them : where they found such abun- 

 dance of great oysters, and shels which were so sharpe, 

 that many had their legs cut with them, and many 

 others lost their shoes. Notwitstanding assoone as 



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