We had not lain thus in ambush much above an hour,
but we heard the _Recuas_ coming both from the city to Venta Cruz, and
from Venta Cruz to the city, which hath a very common and great trade,
when the fleets are there. We heard them by reason they delight much to
have deep-sounding bells, which, in a still night, are heard very far
off.
Now though there were as great charge given as might be, that none of
our men should shew or stir themselves, but let all that came from Venta
Cruz to pass quietly; yea, their _Recuas_ also, because we knew that
they brought nothing but merchandise from thence: yet one of our men,
called ROBERT PIKE, haven drunken too much _aqua vitae_ without water,
forgot himself, and enticing a Cimaroon forth with him was gone hard
to the way, with intent to have shown his forwardness on the foremost
mules. And when a cavalier from Venta Cruz, well mounted, with his page
running at his stirrup, passed by, unadvisedly he rose up to see what he
was: but the Cimaroon of better discretion pulled him down, and lay
upon him, that he might not discover them any more. Yet by this, the
gentleman had taken notice by seeing one half all in white: for that we
had all put our shirts over our other apparel, that we might be sure to
know our own men in the pell mell in the night.
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