THE PORTUGAL VOYAGE a.d. 



1589. 



the horsemen. And to that of the Myne, Captaine John 

 Sampson, and Captaine Anthonie Wingfield Lieutenant 

 Colonell to the Master of the Ordinance, with certaine 

 selected out of divers Regiments. All these companies 

 being in armes, and the assault intended to be given in 

 al places at an instant, fire was put to the traine of the 

 mine ; but by reason the powder brake out backewards 

 in a place where the cave was made too high, there could 

 be nothing done in either place for that day. During 

 this time Captaine Hinder was sent with some chosen 

 out of every company into the countrey for provisions, 

 whereof he brought in good store, and returned with- 

 out losse. 



The next day Captaine Anthony Sampson was sent 

 out with some 500 to fetch in provisions for the army, 

 who was encountred by them of the countrey, but he 

 put them to flight, and returned with good spoile. The 

 same night the Miners were set to worke againe, who 

 by the second day after had wrought very well into the 

 foundation of the wall. Against which time the com- 

 panies aforesayd being in readinesse for both places 

 (Generall Drake on the other side, with two or three 

 hundred men in pinnesses, making proffer to attempt a 

 strong fort upon an Hand before the towne, where he 

 left more then thirty men) fire was given to the traine 

 of the mine, which blew up halfe the tower under which 

 the powder was planted. The assailants having in charge 

 upon the effecting of the mine presently to give the 

 assault, performed it accordingly : but too soone : for 

 having entred the top of the breach, the other halfe of 

 the tower, which with the first force of the powder was 

 onely shaken and made loose, fell upon our men : under 

 which were buried about twenty or thirty, then being 

 under that part of the tower. This so amazed our men 

 that stood in the breach, not knowing from whence that 

 terror came, as they forsooke their Commanders, and left 

 them among the ruines of the mine. The two Ensignes 

 of Generall Drake and Captaine Anthony Wingfield 



489 



