ROBERT VENABLES. XIX 



ing to advance further, lest (it being then three o'clock) 

 they should in a strange country, and without guides, be 

 inconveniently overtaken with night, in some place 

 where they might be more exposed to the enemies as- 

 saults, and beating up their quarters, they resolved to 

 stay at that fort, and landing place that night, and rest- 

 their weak and sick men. Next morning they marched 

 early, and about noon, came to a Savanna near the chief 

 town of the island, St. Jago, where two or three Spa- 

 niards appeared at a distance, making some signals of 

 civility. The like number of English was sent to them, 

 upon which they rode away, but making a stand, one 

 was sent to them to know what they desired ; they an- 

 swered, ' a treaty.* The English, replied, they would 

 treat when they saw any impowered thereunto. After 

 some time, a priest and a major were sent from the 

 town. The English as an introduction to the treaty, 

 first demanded to have one hundred cows, with cassavia 

 bread proportionably, sent them immediately; and so 

 daily while the treaty lasted. Cows were sent in, but 

 no bread ^ that being, as they said, scarce with them. 

 Whereupon Commissioners were appointed on both sides 

 to treat, and in conclusion, the Spaniards yielded to ren- 

 der the island and all in it, and all ships in the havens 

 unto the English ; the Spaniards and inhabitants having 

 their lives granted them, and such as would, to be at li- 

 berty by a certain day to depart the island, but to take 

 nothing, save their wearing apparel, and their books,, 

 and writings with them. 



