water, and so to be landed in a convenient place near the town. All things being now in readiness, as was supposed, the twenty-fourth of April, the army proceeded on their march, the guides promising to direct them in a way they had not yet known, which led to a fresh-water river, distant but two miles from the north-part of the town, whither they might pass without danger of any fort. That there was such a path, was known to be certain; but, taking another to be it, they drew near the way they had formerly gone, advancing but slowly, by reason the mortar pieces and small drakes, for want of horses and furniture, the soldiers drew, by turns.

The day following, before noon, they approached near the fort, but with worse success than before; for the enemy, having charged the forlorn-hope, beat them clearly to the general's regiment, and routed those also, executing them in the backs, in as great numbers as they listed.

Major-general Haines, being then in the van of the army, was most unworthily and shamefully deserted by the soldiers, notwithstanding that he earnestly intreated that, for God's sake, some few of them would stand by him, if but ten in number; but such was their vile cowardice and baseness of spirit, that not one man would do it; whereupon he sacrificed his life, amongst the thickest of his enemies, at as dear a rate, as became a stout soldier, and gallant commander, who, in his life-time, was as much beloved of his friends, as feared by his enemies; such was his worthiness; too worthy, indeed, to be a member of so antichristian an army.

The Spaniards pursued this victory, made as great a slaughter as they were able, and that, without the least resistance, near the one half of the army flying before them, to the great amaze and discouragement of the rest, that were not as then marched up. Some, having broken off the head of their lances, continued still the pursuit, knocking down some, beating and driving others along, with their lance-staves, like slaves and cow-hearted villains, until, at length, being tired with slaughter, not able to proceed farther (like as the painful workman, after a laborious and hard day's labour, goeth to rest) they returned to the town, carrying with them, as sure trophies of victory, seven English

colours.

The number, at this time, slain out-right, were no less than six-hundred men, besides two hundred more that crept into bushes, and were left behind in the woods, whom the negroes and Molattoes soon after dispatched. There were also three-hundred wounded, whereof many were past recovery, most of them all receiving their hurts in their backs. As for those that did all this spoil and mischief (O miracle to believe, and shame to think of it!) exceeded not in all the number of fifty men. The pursuit now ended, these running regiments stood still, taking opportunity (with sorrow and shame) to look back on their miserable fellows, groaning with wounds, and weltering in blood.

The Spaniards manner of outset was thus. After they had fired a volley of small shot out of the woods (being assisted by negroes and Molattoes) they most desperately fell in, and charged with their sharp steel lances, which, being directed by able bodies and strong arms, found little opposition of the weak and feeble multitude, parched by the heat

of the sun, and half dead with thirst, no care being taken to supply this defect. The other disadvantages were these. The disequality betwixt the English pikes and Spanish lances was such, that the one being over long, and top-heavy, could not be managed with that dexterity, and to so good a purpose (especially in narrow ways and woods) as the lance, which is about three quarters of that length; neither are the English half-pikes of sufficient length to reach these lances. The Spaniards also (by often use and practice) become more expert and ready in the use of these weapons than Englishmen, who, although perhaps old soldiers, never made use of pike or lance, (except against horses). Divers, likewise, in the expedition, that were of more valour and strength than others, and would have fought, were so overwhelmed, and trampled under foot (by the shameful flight of the multitude that were about them) that they were not able to make resistance, but became a prey, with the rest, unto the merciless enemy. But, above all, the hand of the Almighty was much seen in the business, who struck so great a terror in their hearts, that they became the people of his wrath, fitted to destruction.

After this sad success, and lamentable loss, the army, that night, drew up nearer the fort, as if they intended to execute revenge upon that; and, having found a convenient place, within musquet-shot thereof, where the enemy could not bring any great gun to bear, the pioneers cut down the trees, and made a kind of breast-work, such as the time would permit, and there planted the mortar-piece; which being then in a readiness to do execution on the fort, speedy orders were given to mount it on another carriage, fit to be drawn off, and to burn that; which being performed, and the granado-shells buried under ground, the army began their march back to the watering-place in the bay. But, what ground there was for this action, or what the real intent of the thing signified, let those determine, who have power to punish offences and reward deserts.

In the mean season, the general of the navy, with divers ships, anchored in the road, at such a distance, as that the forts could reach them with great shot, and they both the forts and town; and, having discerned parties of men passing to and fro, without the town, conceived them to be the English army there incamped, and thereupon sent in divers boats with provision of victuals, and other necessaries for their supply: who, approaching near the shore, discovered their error, and found them to be Spaniards, who, as it seems, had the leisure to cast up outworks, and so returned on board in safety, both going and coming underneath the fort and banksides, from danger of the shot, by which they manifestly found how good and convenient a place it was to have landed an army of men.

The army lying in the bay, as formerly, had not that supply of victuals from the ships as before, but were necessitated to go abroad in parties through the woods, to seek for cattle; and, oftentimes meeting with some few negroes, were by them put to the rout, and divers slain; others, casting away their arms, betook themselves to their heels, and so escaped the fury of these naked pagans; and, at some times, when neither men nor beasts were near, only the leaves of trees making some

little noise, and crabs stirring in the woods, possessed them with such eminent fear, that, leaving their weapons behind, they ran over clifts into the sea. But at length this bold army was grown so politick, that they would no more adventure into the woods amongst these cow-killers (whose sable deformities had often struck as great a terror in their hearts, as Pluto and all his infernal rout could do, had they been there present to have tortured them) exercising their valour only on horses, asses, necoes, and such like, making a slaughter of all they met, greedily devouring skin, intrails and all, to satiate their hungers; and thus were all their troop-horses belonging to the army by them eaten, the general's own hardly escaping. This behaviour and diet they continued for some days.

What number of men had been lost in small parties, and by straggling (besides at the total rout) was not known, until, by a general muster, was found, that, of nine-thousand seven-hundred men first landed, there remained then only eight-thousand (the sea-regiment included.) Many of these were sick and wounded, and most of them faint-hearted, not fit for service. To have adventured a third time with such, in the face of the enemy, were an act of no less rashness than madness; for, had the commanders been ever so valiant, able, and worthy (except it had pleased God miraculously to perform the work by them alone, which could be as little expected as deserved,) these sheeplike soldiers (I mean in courage, not innocence) would questionless have left them in the lurch. Experience had already shewn it, and too true they should have found it; and again, to have shipped this wretched rabble, not well knowing whither to go, or how to dispose of them, would also have been the destruction and loss of the whole fleet, having provisions but for a short time, for so great a multitude. Of these two evils, it pleased Providence, that the least was chosen, and a place was now thought on, absolutely fit indeed for such an army, where they might have food without fighting, and a land to inhabit without opposition, and that within some few days sail. This being resolved upon, care was taken to ship the men, the mortar-piece, two small drakes, and two iron guns (which wese placed in a small fortification by them, made at the mouth of the river, for the better securing of the watering-place). Before the performance of these things, I should have declared how adjutant-general Jackson (that great man of little courage) was cashiered for a coward, and the ceremony performed, of breaking his sword over his head, for example to others; but my opinion is, that, if all of like nature had been so dealt with, there would not have been many whole swords left in the army.

The third of May, all were shipped, except the bodies of seventeenhundred men, most of whose arms, seven field colours, with all their honours, if any they had, were left behind. It is also observable, that as, at their landing, they had no opposition, so neither, at their shipping off; the Spaniards, with their small numbers, rather shewed themselves defensive, than offensive, resting content with what they had already done, strongly fortifying for the future; whereas, if they had taken but this last opportunity (by the disabilty, weakness, and cowardice of the army) to have charged in with two or three hundred able resolute men,

within few days before, or at their going off, certainly they had destroyed and spoiled the most part of them all; who were more willing and ready to run into the sea, and there perish, than to oppose or look upon their enemies.

All the benefit or good the army had found, in this place, was only, at the first, some few cattle, and a good quantity of sugar, part whereof they made use of, casting the rest into the river, to dulcify that (such was their ignorance and folly) but this sweet diet had sowre

sauce.

The fleet also recruited with fresh water out of this fair and goodly river (whose golden sands had a bloody price) and, the soldiers being all on board, as aforesaid, they set sail that day before the wind, and before they had performed the least part of their intent or desires.

Having now briefly, but truly, related their manner of proceedings and success on this unfortunate island, it will not be altogether impertinent to describe the situation of the town and forts adjacent, with the nature and quality of the country; which take as follows.

The town of Sancta Domingo (metropolis of Hispaniola, and residence of the Spanish viceroy) is situate on the south-side of the island, distant from the eastermost cape or Land's-end, twenty-eight leagues, having north latitude, 18 degrees, 22 minutes. It is well watered, and, in some sort, strengthened, by a great river, which passeth near the northeast part thereof. At the mouth of this river is a harbour, which, although of no great magnitude, yet is capable of entertaining ships of good burthen. The entrance to the harbour is through a bay of reasonable latitude, where there is good anchorage, and a road for ships; on the larboard side going in, is a fort strengthened with twelve, or more, good guns, which commandeth the harbour and south-west side of the town; the other parts whereof, on the land-side, have, for their defence, an old ruinated wall, encompassed thick with lime-trees, which is, now lately, well repaired, and strongly fortified. Within one mile's circumference of the town, is open ground, and plain fields, or Savinars, as they there call them, being made by industry and art, as are all their ways and passages through the woods and fields, for sugar-canes, with other open places for husbandry; the whole land being naturally overgrown and covered over with trees, amongst which, of lemon, orange, cocoa, cabbage, palmetto, cedar, mastick, and lignum-vite trees, there are good plenty.

About two miles to the westward of the town, and near the bay-side, is placed another fort, the description whereof, as also the damage it did the army in their march towards the town, I have already declared.

Four miles farther to the west from thence, is that river and bay formerly spoken of, where the army incamped, and the fleet took in fresh water; which place the Spaniards had not then fortified; but, it is to be supposed, that, in the strengthening of that, and all places else of consequence, in the West-Indies, they have not since been negligent.

The commodities these rivers afford, besides the goodness of their waters, consist in the divers sorts of dainty fish therein abounding, as also pieces of gold minerals, washed from forth their banks at certain times, together with sand-gold, a small quantity whereof was found by

some English soldiers. The discommodities these streams ingender are allegators, which, farther up in the country, are in too great plenty.

The whole land (except some hills of great ascent, is certainly very fruitful, which although it produce not such fruits and corn as England doth, and other more temperate climates (the scorching heat of the sun depriving it of that happiness) yet of sugar-canes, oranges, lemons, bonanoes, bonuist, plantanes, pine-apples, potatoe and cassadra roots (whereof they make their bread), with divers other roots and fruits, there is no scarcity.

It is also replenished with store of oxen and cows of good magnitude, as well wild as tame. Sheep there are some, not many, and abundance of hogs, and fair horses, which last are there of little use and service in war, by reason of the exceeding thick woods. But, beyond all, the inestimable mines of rich gold and silver, hid within the bowels of that land, make amends for all other defects. The north and west parts of the island are scarcely at all inhabited, except by some few cow-killers, rogues that have been thither banished for murther, or some other villainy, who make it their labour to kill and destroy many cattle, and that only for their tallow and hides, which are sent in to the Spaniards. As for the towns and villages in, the habitable parts, they are neither fair nor many, the chiefest whereof I have already mentioned; which, doubtless, at the time of the English army's being there, was very rich; for, the neighbouring villages and plantations being alarmed by their landing, they had the leisure to convey themselves, with much treasure, plate, and jewels, thither, as to a place of their best strength and refuge.

And thus much of Hispaniola. The island of Jamaica must now be the subject of my following discourse, whither the fleet approached. The seventh of May was observed as another day of humiliation, for all such, whom hunger, thirst, and the sword of the enemy had not yet given a feeling sense of their presumptuous wickedness, and disobedience towards God. And, considering the great cowardice that had lately possessed them, it was also proclaimed to the whole army, that whosoever should be found to turn his back to the enemy, and run away, the next officer, that brought up the rear of that division, should immediately run him through, which, if he failed to perform, himself was to suffer death without mercy. Which strict order might have wrought better effect at Hispaniola, there being little p.obability of engaging with an enemy in this place.

The ninth of May, they drew nigh the island, and, having sailed about sixtech leagues within the south-side thereof, the day following came to an anchor in a spacious harbour, called also Jamaica, where there was good ground, and deep water; and, manning all their small vessels and boats with soldiers, soon landed the army in a bay, that lay yet farther within the harbour, and that without the loss of one man; for the Spaniards, having only three or four small and slight breastworks, with some few guns, and seeing so numerous an army with readiness to land, made not many shot, but fled in haste to the town of Oristano, which was altogether unfortified, and distant from thence six English miles, from whence they conveyed away all things of value and