ROBERT VENABLES. XXI 



tage, that in the end, they must need have smarted for 

 the want of those which had been thus lavishly spoiled 

 and lost. Besides, the cattle which at their first com- 

 ing, were seen by great numbers, and so tame, that they 

 might have been easily managed and driven up, were so 

 affrighted by the soldiers disorderly chasing and shout- 

 ing after them, that they were now grown wild and un- 

 tractable. And therefore, commanded parties with their 

 officers were thenceforwards ordered out to fetch in cat- 

 tle as there was need; and by that means they were 

 sufficiently supplied, and no waste made. But bread 

 they still much wanted, for then* own store ships not 

 having yet reached them, they had no bread but what 

 came from the fleet, whence it was very sparingly sent, 

 and scarce any but what was bad and corrupt. I find it 

 noted, that in seventeen days time, they had but three 

 biscuits a man ; that they could seldom get any thing 

 from the fleet, unless the Commissioner would sign re- 

 mittances for greater proportions than were indeed de- 

 livered ; that of above a hundred tuns of brandy, which 

 was put on board in England for this service, and above 

 thirty tuns more taken in at Barbadoes, it could not be 

 observed, that the landmen ever had ten tuns to their 

 use, between the middle of April and the middle of 

 July. So that the soldiers being put to feed wholly on 

 fresh flesh and fruits, without either brandy, or any kind 

 of bread ; and that after they had been long at a scanty 

 diet, upon salt meats, it hugely increased sickness 

 among* them, insomuch, that after their coming to Ja- 



