And In The Evening We Anchored The Fleet Between The Town
Called The Playa Or Praya And Santiago; Where We Put On Shore 1000 Men
Or More, Under The Leading Of Master Christopher Carlile, Lieutenant-
General, Who Directed The Service Most Like A Wise Commander.
The
place where we had first to march did afford no good order, for the
ground was mountainous and
Full of dales, being a very stony and
troublesome passage; but such was his industrious disposition, as he
would never leave, until we had gotten up to a fair plain, where we
made stand for the assembling of the army. And when we were all
gathered together upon the plain, some two miles from the town, the
Lieutenant-General thought good not to make attempt till daylight,
because there was not one that could serve for guide or giving
knowledge at all of the place. And therefore after having well rested,
even half an hour before day, he commanded the army to be divided into
three special parts, such as he appointed, whereas before we had
marched by several companies, being thereunto forced by the badness of
the way as is aforesaid. Now by the time we were thus ranged into a
very brave order, daylight began to appear. And being advanced hard to
the wall, we saw no enemy to resist. Whereupon the Lieutenant-General
appointed Captain Sampson with thirty shot, and Captain Barton with
other thirty, to go down into the town, which stood in the valley
under us, and might very plainly be viewed all over from that place
where the whole army was now arrived; and presently after these
captains was sent the great ensign, which had nothing in it but the
plain English cross, to be placed towards the sea, that our fleet
might see St. George's cross flourish in the enemy's fortress. Order
was given that all the ordnance throughout the town and upon all the
platforms, which were about fifty pieces all ready charged, should be
shot off in honour of the Queen's Majesty's coronation day, being the
17th of November, after the yearly custom of England, which was so
answered again by the ordnance out of all the ships in the fleet,
which now come near, as it was strange to hear such a thundering noise
last so long together. In this mean while the Lieutenant-General held
still the most part of his force on the hilltop, till such time as the
town was quartered out for the lodging of the whole army. Which being
done, every captain took his own quarter; and in the evening was
placed such a sufficient guard upon every part of the town that we had
no cause to fear any present enemy. Thus we continued in the city the
space of fourteen days, taking such spoils as the place yielded, which
were, for the most part, wine, oil, meal, and some other such like
things for victual as vinegar, olives, and some other trash, as
merchandise for their Indian trades. But there was not found any
treasure at all, or anything else of worth besides.
The situation of Santiago is somewhat strange; in form like a
triangle, having on the east and west sides two mountains of rock and
cliff, as it were hanging over it; upon the top of which two mountains
were builded certain fortifications to preserve the town from any harm
that might be offered, as in a plot is plainly shewed. From thence on
the south side of the town is the main sea; and on the north side, the
valley lying between the aforesaid mountains, wherein the town
standeth. The said valley and town both do grow very narrow; insomuch
that the space between the two cliffs of this end of the town is
estimated not to be above ten or twelve score [yards] over. In the
midst of the valley cometh down a riveret, rill, or brook of fresh
water, which hard by the seaside maketh a pond or pool, whereout our
ships were watered with very great ease and pleasure. Somewhat above
the town on the north side, between the two mountains, the valley
waxeth somewhat larger than at the town's end; which valley is wholly
converted into gardens and orchards, well replenished with divers
sorts of fruits, herbs, and trees, as lemons, oranges, sugar-canes,
/cocars/ or cocos nuts, plantains, potato-roots, cucumbers, small and
round onions, garlic, and some other things not now remembered.
Amongst which the cocos nuts and plantains are very pleasant fruits;
the said cocos hath a hard shell and a green husk over it as hath our
walnut, but it far exceedeth in greatness, for this cocos in his green
husk is bigger than any man's two fists. Of the hard shell many
drinking cups are made here in England, and set in silver as I have
often seen. Next within this hard shell is a white rind resembling in
show very much, even as any thing may do, to the white of an egg when
it is hard boiled. And within this white of the nut lieth a water,
which is whitish and very clear, to the quantity of half a pint or
thereabouts; which water and white rind before spoken of are both of a
very cool fresh taste, and as pleasing as anything may be. I have
heard some hold opinion that it is very restorative. The plantain
groweth in cods, somewhat like to beans, but is bigger and longer, and
much more thick together on the stalk; and when it waxeth ripe, the
meat which filleth the rind of the cod becometh yellow, and is
exceeding sweet and pleasant.
In this time of our being there happened to come a Portugal to the
western fort, with a flag of truce. To whom Captain Sampson was sent
with Captain Goring; who coming to the said messenger, he first asked
them, What nation they were? they answered Englishmen.
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