X MEMOIR OP COLONEL 



five miles up the river, seeking one ; and at last, the 

 day being spent, they were forced to quarter that night 

 Without either food or good fresh water. Next day, 

 after three miles march more, a ford was found, and 

 the river passed, and they had not gone far, when a 

 farm with water chancing in their way, gave them great 

 refreshment. Where making a halt, and consulting 

 what was meet for them to do, they resolved to go to 

 the fleet at the harbour for provision for their hungry 

 men; to which an Irishman, then brought in by some 

 stratagem, offered to guide them the shortest way. 

 And though Venables was jealous of him, and would 

 not have heeded him, yet Commissioner Butler would 

 have him followed, and charged them by virtue of their 

 instructions so to do; and follow him they did, till a 

 fruitless march three or four miles the contrary way, 

 proved him a liar. At last, hearing Buller's drums, 

 they made towards him, and met with him near the 

 strong fort, St. Hieronimo, a regular and well fortified 

 pier, in the road to the city. Venables being at this 

 time in the van, which he had* led all their long march, 

 went himself with the guide, for the officers being all 

 very weary, were willing to be excused; to search the 

 woods before the army, and discovered the Spaniards in 

 ambush, before they stirred ; who presently, thereupon 

 advancing, the English forlorn immediately fired upon 

 them too hastily and at too much distance, which gave 

 the Spaniards advantage to fall in with them with their 

 lances, before they could charge again, and so gave 

 them some disorder, and killed some officers 5 among 



