Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/81

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ning out a great way, able to hold a great many ships. The West-Gate of the Church was very fine Work, and stands very entire, it was seven Foot wide, and as high before the Arch began. Over the Door in the middle was our Saviour's Head with a Crown of Thorns between two Angels, on the right side a small round figure of some Saint with a Knife struck into his Head, on the left a Virgin Mary or Madonna, her Arm tied in three places, Spanish Fashion. Over the Gate, under a Coat of Arms, this Inscription,

PETRUS. MARTIR. AB. ANGLERIA. ITALUS. CIVIS. MEDIOLANEN. PROTHON. APOS. HVIVS INSVLE. ABBAS. SENATVS. INDICI. CONSILIARIVS. LIGNEAM. PRIUS. ÆDEM. HANC. BIS. IGNE. CONSVMPTAM. LATERICIO. ET. QUADRATO. LAPIDE. PRIMVS. A. FUNDAMENTIS. EXTRUXIT.

The words are entire, except Mediolanensis, which I have supplied because this Peter Martir, a famous Man, wrote himself of Milan. He was Author of the Decads, Epistles, and some other Books, which gave him great Reputation in the World.

I went from St. Anns towards St. Georges, where I crossed the River called Rio Nuevo. I saw the old Spanish Fortifications, whither the Spaniards retreated, and kept themselves till they were carried to Cuba, where they, for the most part, settled about a place called St. Jago. Colonel Ballard, who was present at the taking of the Island, assured me that the Spaniards (who Inhabited the island to the number of Five thousand, with as many Blacks) retired to the North side, where Seven hundred fortified themselves very well, but were beat in their Forts by so many English. The Governour was an old decrepid Man, who was brought to them in an Hamaca, his Name was Don Juan Ramires de Arellano Cavallero del Habito de S. Jago. They held it out in this North-side for some time.

The same Person likewise told me that when the Spaniards were retreated into their Fortifications, at the first coming of the English hither, the Spanish Dogs went all wild, and that they were almost as big as Irish Grey-Hounds. They used to hunt of themselves the Cattle which were in the Savannas and Woods. One day Colonel Ballard assured me he saw a little reddish one, call'd a Busc, howl, and was answer'd by the others in the Woods, who came from all quarters to him, and then went orderly about to take their Supper. The Soldiers used to follow the wild Cattle on Horseback, and take them in the manner before related. The wild Dogs, who