306 HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 



of them base people and free-booters, fitter to spoil 

 a coast than to recover a kingdom ; resorting unto 

 the principal gentlemen of the country, professed 

 their loyalty to the king, and desired to be directed 

 and commanded for the best of the king s service. 

 The gentlemen entering into consultation, directed 

 some forces in good number to shew themselves 

 upon the coast ; and some of them to make signs to 

 entice Perkin s soldiers to land, as if they would join 

 with them ; and some others to appear from some 

 other places, and to make semblance as if they fled 

 from them, the better to encourage them to land. 

 But Perkin, who by playing the prince, or else 

 taught by secretary Frion, had learned thus much, 

 that people under command do use to consult, and 

 after to march in order; and rebels contrariwise run 

 upon an head together in confusion, considering the 

 delay of time, and observing their orderly and not 

 tumultuary arming, doubted the worst. And there 

 fore the wily youth would not set one foot out of his 

 ship, till he might see things were sure. Wherefore 

 the king s forces, perceiving that they could draw on 

 no more than those that were formerly landed, set 

 upon them and cut them in pieces ere they could fly 

 back to their ships. In which skirmish, besides 

 those that fled and were slain, there were taken 

 about an hundred and fifty persons. Which, for 

 that the king thought, that to punish a few for 

 example was gentleman s pay ; but for^ascal people, 

 they were to be cut off every man, especially in the 

 beginning of an enterprize : and likewise for that he 



