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 274 INTRODUCTION. chap. vii. This fortunate delay was employed by the 1704. governor to the utmost advantage. The mi- litia of the neighbouring country were marched to the assistance of the town; Indian aid was procured; and martial law proclaimed. That colony The following: day the Spanish flotilla invaded. ° J L crossed the bar, and anchored above Sullivan's island. The governor, perceiving this move- ment, called a council of war, in which it was determined to place some heavy artillery in the vessels then in the harbour, and thus employ the sailors in their own way. William Rhet received the command of this little fleet, and hoisted his flag on board the Crown Galley. The enemy observing these preparations for defence, summoned the governor to surrender, which being resolutely refused, a party of them landed on James' island, where they burned down some houses; and another partjr, consisting of one hundred and sixty men, landed about the same time on the opposite side of the river, where they burned two ves- sels in Dearsby's creek, and set fire to a store house. The governor detached captain Drake and his company, with a small party of Indians, to James' island; and captain Cantry, frith a hundred chosen men, was ordered to pass the river privately in the night, and watch the motions of the party that had landed on Wando Neck. Before Drake could bring up his men, the Indians, who could be kept under no con- trol, and who ran through the woods with