Page:Voyages and adventures of the renowned Admiral Drake.pdf/5

5 had left 12 men to take care of the pinnaces, that in case of any miscarriage, he might be secure of retreat. Having secured the platform before he entered the town, he thought fit to view the mount, on the east side of the town, where he was informed the year before they had designed to plant some cannon. However, Capt. Drake found no cannon there: and thereupon ordered his brother, with John Oxenham, to go round behind the King’s treasure-house, and enter at the east end of the market-place; while he, with the rest, marched with sound of drum and trumpet up the broad-street, which led thither.

The fire-pikes, which served both to frighten the enemy and give light to his own men, he divided equally between the two companies.—The inhabitants stood amazed at such a strange sight, and hearing the sound of drums and trumpets in more than one place, imagined their enemies far more numerous than they were.—By this time some soldiers, and some of the inhabitants, had put themselves in arms at one end of the market-place, near the Governor’s house, and not far from the gate of the town. Upon Drake’s approaching them with his men, they discharged a volley of shot at them. The English having returned it, with both fire-arms and arrows, came immediately to a close fight, and did great execution with their pikes, swords, and the but-ends of their muskets. Capt. Drake’s brother coming in at the instant with the other company, the Spaniards threw down their weapons and fled out of the town. The English pursued them to the gate, and returning, took their stand towards the middle of the market-place: and Drake having taken two or three Spaniards