ROBERT VENABLES. XT 



the command, who laboured much also to get the mor- 

 tar-piece planted, but without any effect. For the spirits 

 of the English soldiers were so sunk, by their want of 

 water and provisions, the excessive heat, and their great 

 sickness occasioned thereby, that not any one upon any 

 account could be got to plant it. Night drawing on, 

 whilst the soldiers buried the dead, they called a council 

 of war of all the colonels, and field officers, where it 

 was agreed, no man dissenting, that the difficulties of 

 thirst were not to be overcome, and that if they staid 

 there, though they beat the enemy, they must perish for 

 want of water. Whereupon, it was resolved to retreat 

 next morn at sun rise, if the mortar-piece could not 

 play before. The morning came, and no place found 

 to plant the mortar-piece, nor men that would work, the 

 guns from the fort beating them off from every place, 

 they buried their shells, drew off their mortar-piece, 

 drakes, spades, &c. and making a strong rear-guard, re- 

 treatect to their ships at the harbour. 



In this attempt against the fort, the common sol- 

 diers shewed themselves so extremely heartless, that 

 they only followed their officers to charge, and left them 

 there to die, unless they were as nimble footed as them- 

 selves. And of all others, the planters, whom they had 

 raised in those parts, were the worst, being only forward 

 to do mischief; men SQ debauched as not to be kept 

 under discipline, and so cowardly as not to be made to 

 fight. 



Being come to the harbour, they betook themselves 

 to the examination and punishment of the cowardice of 



