In Some That Died Were Plainly Shown
The Small Spots Which Are Often Found Upon Those That Be Infected With
The Plague.
We were not above eighteen days in passage between the
sight of Santiago aforesaid, and the island of Dominica,
Being the
first island of the West Indies that we fell withal; the same being
inhabited with savage people, which go all naked, their skin coloured
with some painting of a reddish tawny, very personable and handsome
strong men, who do admit little conversation with the Spaniards; for,
as some of our people might understand them, they had a Spaniard or
twain prisoners with them. Neither do I think that there is any safety
for any of our nation, or any other, to be within the limits of their
commandment; albeit they used us very kindly for those few hours of
time which we spent with them, helping our folks to fill and carry on
their bare shoulders fresh water from the river to our ships' boats,
and fetching from their houses great store of tobacco, as also a kind
of bread which they fed on, called cassavi, very white and savoury,
made of the roots of cassavi. In recompense whereof we bestowed
liberal rewards of glass, coloured beads, and other things, which we
had found at Santiago; wherewith, as it seemed, they rested very
greatly satisfied, and shewed some sorrowful countenance when they
perceived that we would depart.
From hence we went to another island westward of it, called Saint
Christopher's Island; wherein we spent some days of Christmas, to
refresh our sick people, and to cleanse and air our ships. In which
island were not any people at all that we could hear of.
In which time by the General it was advised and resolved, with the
consent of the Lieutenant-General, the Vice-Admiral, and all the rest
of the captains, to proceed to the great island of Hispaniola, as well
for that we knew ourselves then to be in our best strength, as also
the rather allured thereunto by the glorious fame of the city of St.
Domingo, being the ancientest and chief inhabited place in all the
tract of country thereabouts. And so proceeding in this determination,
by the way we met a small frigate, bound for the same place, the which
the Vice-Admiral took; and having duly examined the men that were in
her, there was one found by whom we were advertised the haven to be a
barred haven, and the shore or land thereof to be well fortified,
having a castle thereupon furnished with great store of artillery,
without the danger whereof was no convenient landing-place within ten
English miles of the city, to which the said pilot took upon him to
conduct us.
All things being thus considered on, the whole forces were commanded
in the evening to embark themselves in pinnaces, boats, and other
small barks appointed for this service. Our soldiers being thus
embarked, the General put himself into the bark Francis as Admiral;
and all this night we lay on the sea, bearing small sail until our
arrival to the landing-place, which was about the breaking of the day.
And so we landed, being New Year's Day, nine or ten miles to the
westwards of that brave city of St. Domingo; for at that time nor yet
is known to us any landing-place, where the sea-surge doth not
threaten to overset a pinnace or boat. Our General having seen us all
landed in safety, returned to his fleet, bequeathing us to God, and
the good conduct of Master Carlile, our Lieutenant-General; at which
time, being about eight of the clock, we began to march. And about
noon-time, or towards one of the clock, we approached the town; where
the gentleman and those of the better sort, being some hundred and
fifty brave horses, or rather more, began to present themselves. But
our small shot played upon them, which were so sustained with good
proportion of pikes in all parts, as they finding no part of our troop
unprepared to receive them (for you must understand they viewed all
round about) they were thus driven to give us leave to proceed towards
the two gates of the town which were the next to the seaward. They had
manned them both, and planted their ordnance for that present and
sudden alarm without the gate, and also some troops of small shot in
/ambuscado/ upon the highway side. We divided our whole force, being
some thousand or twelve hundred men, into two parts, to enterprise
both the gates at one instant; the Lieutenant-General having openly
vowed to Captain Powell, who led the troop that entered the other
gate, that with God's good favour he would not rest until our meeting
in the market-place.
Their ordnance had no sooner discharged upon our near approach, and
made some execution amongst us, though not much, but the Lieutenant-
General began forthwith to advance both his voice of encouragement and
pace of marching; the first man that was slain with the ordnance being
very near unto himself; and thereupon hasted all that he might, to
keep them from the recharging of the ordnance. And notwithstanding
their /ambuscados/, we marched or rather ran so roundly into them, as
pell-mell we entered the gates, and gave them more care every man to
save himself by flight, than reason to stand any longer to their
broken fight. We forthwith repaired to the market-place, but to be
more truly understood, a place of very spacious square ground; whither
also came, as had been agreed, Captain Powell with the other troop.
Which place with some part next unto it, we strengthened with
/barricados/, and there as the most convenient place assured
ourselves, the city being far too spacious for so small and weary a
troop to undertake to guard. Somewhat after midnight, they who had the
guard of the castle, hearing us busy about the gates of the said
castle, abandoned the same; some being taken prisoners, and some
fleeing away by the help of boats to the other side of the haven, and
so into the country.
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