Page:The principal navigations, voyages, traffiques and discoveries of the English nation 15.djvu/363

 the drift of the Portugals was to draw him into this trench, and knowing wel that he could not returne as we came, by reason of many straights and aduantageable places, with an excellent resolution (like vnto himselfe) cryed out, all courage my hearts: assure yourselues that the deuice of the Portugals shall serue our turne this day; for they will suffer vs quietly to passe downe into their supposed trappe, and then will pursue vs, then which nothing can happen better. The day is ours now shew your selues as I know you will: and so presently we descended into the trench. And being downe the enemy pursued with a mighty crie, and all the cliffes on both sides were beset full of men; shot, and stones we wanted none from them on euery side in great plenty; for this naturall trench was not halfe a musket shot ouer. Those that attempted our Rereward by our Generals policie were so receiued that they made a stand, and neuer more came neere vs. We had now halfe a mile to the towne, into the which when wee came, wee were receiued with the streetes full of souldiers, who ioyned with vs at the push of the pike.

But their captaine and diuers of them being slaine (feare possessing them) they fled: and our Generall pursuing with such furious speede, did so dismay them that they fled the towne, and third of August we possessed both the lower forts.

Being now masters of the towne, we presently by the Generals direction (whose skill, spirit, and diligence can neuer haue sufficient commendation) baricadoed up all the streets, and brought our selues into a very conuenient strength. After we had bene six houres in the towne the Portugals still comming in great multitudes to the vpper fort, began to sally downe vpon vs, and to assault vs at euery baricado: so that in the first assault they slew and wounded eighty of our men, to our very great weakening. But they had small cause of triumph, for their losse was thrise more than ours: but they still prosecuted their assault, not giuing vs time either to sleepe or eate, so that we were in exceeding extremitie: for their forces did dayly increase to the number of three thousand persons: but we dayly lost of our poore number. Whilest we were thus keeping the towne, our ships came about vnto vs, who receiued many dangerous shot from the vpper castle. Our Generall finding himselfe thus streighted, and discreetely looking into the policie and strength of the enemy, and scarse able to defend any one assault more,