46 A NATURALIST IN THE GUIANAS 



nobly. Walter Kalegh, in particular, showed that his 

 mettle was worthy of his strain. 



Grados and his Spaniards, too, fought well against 

 superior numbers. But they were driven fiercely back, 

 and, as they retreated, the Englishmen followed. It is 

 apparent, alike from the Enghsh accounts and from the 

 Spanish, that Ealegh's men were as ignorant of the close 

 proximity of the village as of the nature of the ground 

 and of the defences. As the Spaniards under Grados 

 came near to their comrades already under arms within 

 St. Thomas, and headed by Diego Palomeque, the 

 Governor, the pursuers were for a moment checked b}'' 

 new and fresh opponents. The English musketeers were 

 behind, the pikemen were in advance. 



Young Ralegh was the first to rally his men under 

 the unexpected charge of Palomeque. Calling cheerily 

 to the pikemen not to wait for the musketeers, he dashed 

 on at their head. It is probable, but not quite certain, 

 that Palomeque himself fell under his hand. There is no 

 doubt that he killed a principal leader of the Spaniards 

 who had sallied out from St. Thomas. John Plessington, 

 his lieutenant, slew another. One of the men of Walter's 

 own company — ' John of Morocco ' by designation — slew 

 two other Spaniards in quick succession. In the melee 

 young Ealegh received a musket-shot, but, bleeding as 

 he was, he pressed on vigorously, sword in hand, and 

 struck at a Spaniard named Erinetta who defended 

 himself with the butt-end of his musket. Ralegh was 

 felled to the ground, mortally wounded, but quite un- 

 dismayed. He had breath but for very few words. The 

 last words that were audible from his lips were these : 

 ' Go on ! May the Lord have mercy upon me and 

 prosper your enterprise.' 



