lack and blew
blows upon the English mans shoulders to all the rest of the Noble men
at Court. He fearing therefore lest the King might be made acquainted
herewith was forced tho much against his will to clap the Chingulay
in Chains. In which condition after he got him, he released him not
till besides the former fee he had given him another.

[An English man preferred at Court.] Lately was Richard Varnham
taken into the Kings service, and held as Honourable an employment as
ever any Christian had in my time, being Commander of Nine Hundred
and Seventy Soldiers, and set over all the great Guns, and besides
this, several Towns were under him. A place of no less Profit than
Honour. The King gave him an excellent Silver Sword and Halberd, the
like to which the King never gave to any White man in my time. But he
had the good luck to die a natural Death. For had not that prevented,
in all probability he should have followed the two English men that
served him, spoken of before.

[The English serve the King in his Wars.] Some years since some of
our Nation took up Arms under the King. Which happened upon this
occasion. The Hollanders had a small Fort in the Kings Countrey,
called Bibligom Fort. This the King minded to take and demolish, sent
his Army to beseige it. But being pretty strong; for there were about
Ninety Dutch men in it, besides a good number of Black Soldiers, and
four Guns on each point one, being in this condition it held out. Some
of the great men informed the King of several Dutch runnaways in his
Land, that might be trusted, not daring to turn again for fear of
the Gallows, who might help to reduce the Fort. And that also there
were white men of other Nations that had Wives and Children, from
whom they would not run: and these might do him good service. Unto
this advice the King inclined.

Whereupon the King made a Declaration to invite the forrain Nations
into his Service against Bibligom Fort, that he would compel none,
but such as were willing of their own free accord, the King would
take it kindly, and they should be well rewarded. Now there entred
into the Kings Service upon this Expedition some of all Nations; both
Portugueze, Dutch and English, about the number of Thirty. To all that
took Arms he gave to the value of Twenty shillings in money, and three
pieces of Callico for Cloaths, and commanded them to wear Breeches,
Hats and Doublets, a great honour there. The King intended a Dutch-man,
who h