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