But our Captain
perceiving it, cut betwixt her and the town, forcing her to go to the
other side of the bay: whereby we landed without impeachment, although
we found one gunner upon the Platform [battery] in the very place where
we landed; being a sandy place and no key [quay] at all, not past twenty
yards from the houses.
There we found six great pieces of brass ordinance, mounted upon their
carriages, some Demy, some Whole-Culvering.
We presently dismounted them. The gunner fled. The town took alarm
(being very ready thereto, by reason of their often disquieting by their
near neighbours the Cimaroons); as we perceived, not only by the noise
and cries of the people, but by the bell ringing out, and drums running
up and down the town.
Our captain, according to the directions which he had given over night,
to such as he had made choice of for the purpose, left twelve to keep
the pinnaces; that we might be sure of a safe retreat, if the worst
befell. And having made sure work of the Platform before he would enter
the town, he thought best, first to view the Mount on the east side
of the town: where he was informed, by sundry intelligences the year
before, they had an intent to plant ordnance, which might scour round
about the town.
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