SIR FRANCIS DRAKE ad. 



1586. 



bene built by the Spaniards : and some mile or thereabout 

 above the Fort was a little Towne or Village without 

 walks, built of woodden houses, as the Plot doeth 

 plainely shew. Wee forthwith prepared to have ordi- 

 nance for the batterie ; and one peece was a litle before 

 the Evening planted, and the first shot being made by 

 the Lieutenant generall himselfe at their Ensigne, strake 

 through the Ensigne, as wee afterwards understood by a 

 French man, which came unto us from them. One shot 

 more was then made, which strake the foote of the Fort 

 wall, which was all massive timber of great trees like 

 Mastes. The Lieutenant generall was determined to passe 

 the river this night with 4. companies, and there to lodge 

 himselfe intrenched as neere the Fort, as that he might play 

 with his muskets and smallest shot upon any that should 

 appeare, and so afterwards to bring and plant the batterie 

 with him : but the helpe of Mariners for that sudden to 

 make trenches could not be had, which was the cause that 

 this determination was remitted untill the next night. 



In the night the Lieutenant generall tooke a little 

 rowing Skiffe, and halfe a dozen well armed, as Captaine 

 Morgan, and Captaine Sampson, with some others besides 

 the rowers, & went to view what guard the enemie kept, 

 as also to take knowledge of the ground. And albeit he 

 went as covertly as might be, yet the enemie taking ye 

 Alarme, grew feareful that the whole force was approching 

 to the assault, and therefore with all speede abandoned 

 the place after the shooting of some of their peeces. 

 They thus gone, and hee being returned unto us againe, 

 but nothing knowing of their flight from their Fort, 

 forthwith came a French man being a Phipher (who had Nicholas 

 bene prisoner with them) in a litle boate, playing on his Borgotgnon. 

 Phiph the tune of the Prince of Orenge his song ; and 

 being called unto by the guard, he tolde them before he 

 put foote out of the boate, what he was himselfe, and how 

 the Spaniards were gone from the Fort, offering either to 

 remaine in hands there, or els to returne to the place with 



them that would goe. 



X 129 I 



