A BATTLE AND A VICTORY, 411

The battle was very fierce; and if I might believe the English-
men, one of them said he could perceive that some of them were
men of great bravery, of invincible spirit, and of great policy in
guiding the fight. The battle, they said, held two hours before
they could guess which party would be beaten. But then that
party which was nearest our people’s habitation began to appear
weakest; and after some time more some of them began to
fly; and this put our men again into a great consternation, lest
any of those that fled should run into the grove before their
dwelling for shelter, and thereby involuntarily discover the place ;
and that by consequence the pursuers should do the like in
search for them. Upon this they resolved that they would stand
armed within the wall, and whoever came into the grove they
should sally out over the wall and kill them: so that, if possible,
not one should return to give an account of it. They ordered
also that it should be done with their swords, or by knocking
them down with the stock of the musket; but not by shooting
them, for fear of the noise.

As they expected, it fell out. Three of the routed army fled
for life, and, crossing the creek, ran directly into the place, not in
the least knowing whither they went, but running as into a thick
wood for shelter. The scout they kept to look abroad gave notice
of this within, with this addition, to our men’s great satisfaction,
namely, that the conquerors had not pursued them, or seen which
way they were gone. Upon this the Spaniard governor, a man of
humanity, would not suffer them to kill the three fugitives; but
sending three men out by the top of the hill, ordered them to go
round and come in behind them, surprise, and take them prisoners;
which was done. The residue of the conquered people fled to
their canoes, and got off to sea. The victors retired, and made no
pursuit, or very little ; but drawing themselves into a body together,
gave two great screaming shouts, which they supposed was by way
of triumph; and so the fight ended. And the same day, about
three o’clock in the afternoon, they also marched to their canoes;
and thus the Spaniards had their island again free to themselves,
their fright was over, and they saw no savages in several years
after.