AD. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1595. 



boat and went to the towne and called all the Captaines 

 together, declaring that the enemies were about some 

 pretence right against the ships, consulting whether it 

 were best to sally out & see what they were doing, or 

 depart that evening according to the former determina- 

 tion. The Admirall was of opinion to depart that night, 

 saying it was but folly to seeke warres since we had no 

 neede to doe it : other affirmed, it were good to see what 

 they did, least the winde might be contrarie and the ships 

 not get out, and so our enemies may build upon us to 

 our great disadvantage. Well, said the Admiral, the 

 matter is not great, for there can be no danger in this 

 sally, for where they worke it is within Falkonshot of the 

 ships, and if any power should come against you, the 

 ships may play upon them with 40 peeces of ordinance at 

 the least, so that a bird cannot passe there but she must 

 be slaine. I am somewhat unwilling you should go, for I 

 have not bene well these two dayes, and I am not strong 

 to march upon those heavie sands : they answered all at 

 once, you shall not neede to trouble your selfe for this 

 service, for you see it is nothing and of no danger, being 

 so neere the ships, doubt you not we will accomplish this 

 service well ynough, and returne againe within this houre. 

 The Admirall answered : the danger cannot be great, but 

 yet you shall goe out strong for feare of the worst. And 

 so the Admirall marshalled them 275 men French and 

 English, which were under the conduct of Edmund 

 Barker, captaine Barker of Plimmouth, Viceadmirall to 

 captaine Venner, captaine Addy, and the three French 

 captaines all going out together, and they were to march 

 upon a narrow peece of ground to the place whether they 

 were sent unto : in the brodest part betwixt the sea and 

 the water on the other side, it is not above a stones cast> 

 for it is a bank of sand lying betweene the river & the 

 sea, so they needed not to feare any comming on their 

 backs or on their sides, and before them could no man 

 come, but he must passe by all the ships which no 

 company of men were able to do without present death. 



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