industrious disposition, as he would never leave, until we had gotten up
to a fair plain, where we made stand for the assembling of the army. And
when we were all gathered together upon the plain, some two miles from
the town, the Lieutenant-General thought good not to make attempt till
daylight, because there was not one that could serve for guide or giving
knowledge at all of the place. And therefore after having well rested,
even half an hour before day, he commanded the army to be divided into
three special parts, such as he appointed, whereas before we had marched
by several companies, being thereunto forced by the badness of the way
as is aforesaid. Now by the time we were thus ranged into a very brave
order, daylight began to appear. And being advanced hard to the wall,
we saw no enemy to resist. Whereupon the Lieutenant-General appointed
Captain Sampson with thirty shot, and Captain Barton with other thirty,
to go down into the town, which stood in the valley under us, and might
very plainly be viewed all over from that place where the whole army
was now arrived; and presently after these captains 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