are oftenest cut.
To the midst of this wood, a company of soldiers, which continually lay
in that town, to defend it against the Cimaroons, were come forth, to
stop us if they might on the way; if not, to retreat to their strength,
and there to expect us. A Convent [Monastery] of Friars, of whom one was
become a Leader, joined with these soldiers, to take such part as they
did.
Our Captain understanding by our Cimaroons, which with great heedfulness
and silence, marched now, but about half a flight-shot before us, that
it was time for us to arm and take us to our weapons, for they knew the
enemy was at hand, by smelling of their match and hearing of a noise:
had given us charge, that no one of us should make any shot, until the
Spaniards had first spent their volley: which he thought they would not
do before they had spoken, as indeed fell out.
For as soon as we were within hearing, a Spanish Captain cried out,
"Hoo!" Our Captain answered him likewise, and being demanded "_Que
gente?_" replied "Englishmen!" But when the said Commander charged him,
"In the name of the King of Spain, his Master, that we should yield
ourselves; promising in the word and faith of a Gentleman Soldier,
that if we would so do, he would use us with all courtesy." Our Captain
drawing somewhat near him said: "That for the honour of the Queen of
England, his Mistress, he must have passage that way," and therewithal
discharged his pistol towards him.
Upon this, they presently shot off their whole volley; which, though it
lightly wounded our Captain, and divers of our men, yet it caused death
to one only of our company called JOHN HARRIS, who was so powdered with
hail-shot, (which they all used for the most part as it seemed, or else
"quartered," for that our men were hurt with that kind) that we could
not recover his life, though he continued all that day afterwards with
us.
Presently as our Captain perceived their shot to come slacking, as the
latter drops of a great shower of rain, with his whistle he gave us
his usual signal, to answer them with our shot and arrows, and so march
onwards upon the enemy, with intent to come to handy-strokes, and to
have joined with them; whom when we found retired as to a place of some
better strength, he increased his pace to prevent them if he might.
Which the Cimaroons perceiving, although by terror of the shot
continuing, they were for the time stept aside; yet as soon as they
discerned by hearing t
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