Drakes Great Armada | Page 8

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 the town on the north
side, between the two mountains, the valley waxeth somewhat larger
than at the town's end; which valley is wholly converted into gardens
and orchards, well replenished with divers sorts of fruits, herbs, and
trees, as lemons, oranges, sugar-canes, /cocars/ or cocos nuts, plantains,
potato-roots, cucumbers, small and round onions, garlic, and some
other things not now remembered. Amongst which the cocos nuts and
plantains are very pleasant fruits; the said cocos hath a hard shell and a
green husk over it as hath our walnut, but it far exceedeth in greatness,
for this cocos in his green husk is bigger than any man's two fists. Of
the hard shell many drinking cups are made here in England, and set in
silver as I have often seen. Next within this hard shell is a white rind

resembling in show very much, even as any thing may do, to the white
of an egg when it is hard boiled. And within this white of the nut lieth a
water, which is whitish and very clear, to the quantity of half a pint or
thereabouts; which water and white rind before spoken of are both of a
very cool fresh taste, and as pleasing as anything may be. I have heard
some hold opinion that it is very restorative. The plantain groweth in
cods, somewhat like to beans, but is bigger and longer, and much more
thick together on the stalk; and when it waxeth ripe, the meat which
filleth the rind of the cod becometh yellow, and is exceeding sweet and
pleasant.
In this time of our being there happened to come a Portugal to the
western fort, with a flag of truce. To whom Captain Sampson was sent
with Captain Goring; who coming to the said messenger, he first asked
them, What nation they were? they answered Englishmen. He then
required to know if wars were between England and Spain; to which
they answered, that they knew not, but if he would go to their General
he could best resolve him of such particulars. And for his assurance of
passage and repassage these captains made offer to engage their credits,
which he refused for that he was not sent from his governor. Then they
told him if his governor did desire to take a course for the common
benefit