ABout August last past , 1590 , that most famous and venterous Gentleman , Edward Glemhall of Benhall in Suffolke , Esquire , set saile from Tilberry-hope neere Grauesend , onely accompanyed with one good ship , viz. The Edward & Constance , of the burthen of 240. Tunnes or vpward , and one Pinnis called the Fawlcon , which Ship and Pinnis he alone equiped , furnished and victualed , in such sort and with such plentie , as sildome hath there beene so much prouision made for the like Voyage , all at his owne proper costs . This famous Gentleman , being owner and sole aduenturer : not onely hassarded his goods to the fortune of the Seas , but scorning the Idle life which many desireth , aduentured also his bodye in this voyage , showing his worthie vndaunted minde , which holdeth honour in greater regarde , then ease at home , preferring countreys benefit , and his reputation farre beyond life , ( albeit ) his worship in his Countrey , and liuings were such , as might haue drawne the coward mindes of many , to haue liued amongst their freends , free from those dangers imminent to trauailers , yea , such were the bountifull blessings of God , enduing him with those worldly fauoures , as might haue woone him to haue left his determined voyage , hauing so aboundantly the loue generally of his neighbours , Gentlemen , and commons , amongst whom he kept good hospitality , feasting his freends , and releeuing the poore plentifully , such was the good minde both of the gentleman and his vertuous wife , whose worshipfull auncestrie , hath beene , and is , most famous , both in Court and Countrie , being daughter and sole heyre of a right worshipfull Knight , famous in his life , and of great possessions . But neither the desire of liuing which he enioyed , the sorrow of his right worshipfull Wife , nor the pitteous mone of his sweet children , might remooue his setled determination from his intended voyage , which he vndertooke this last yeare , for the Ilands of the Suryes and Canaryes , whether at his departure hee framed his course , giuing the like directions to his Pinnis , who he was enforced to leaue behinde him at Douer , to repaire some wants , but he neuer sawe hir since , by the negligence of the Maister and Captaine which he left in her , to no little greefe of the Gentleman , & no small discomfort to all his company .

All things furnished for his voiage , the great commander of the heauens and seas , fauouring his enterprise , he set saile from Douer roade , hauing the winde large at North East , which continued so eight daies , so that it freed him from our coast . Thus happily he recouered the Cape , and from thence to the Ilands , there spending his time , dooing small good , vntill Nouember , abiding many sharpe stormes of winde and weather , which they continued , when many were enforsed to forsake the Ilandes , and returne home , keeping the Spanish coast , without dooing any thing answerable to his valiant minde , loathing to returne without dooing some honourable exploite , aswell for honour of his Countrey , as his reputation , his men , healthfull and in good liking , for whom was his cheefest care , for that he would profit them , whose liuing is thereby maintained , their wiues and families , exteeming their good , more then his owne losse , which was likely to be of no small importe .

Houering betweene the Ilandes , commaunded by the harshnes of the windes , to seeke his best safetie , hauing little chase or none , and desirous to releeue his companies with such fresh vittels as the Ilandes affords , he most valiantlye accompted , to land on Saint Georges Iland . And hauing counselled with his company thereof , they were all willing , as men that loue him , both for his valoure and courtesie , to follow him , in what seruice so euer , all condiscending to hys will , he causeth speedy preparation to be made for the same . And hauing a small Caruill , which he had taken before at his starne , for that she drewe little water , was the fitter for the landing his companies : All things prouided , they attend but the tide for their best aduantage , and neere vpon a full sea , he halled vp his long Boate and the Caruell , into which entered foure score and sixe men , 60 Shot , the rest Pikes , blacke Billes , and other warlike abilliments , and in Gods name commit themselues to their good fortunes .

The watch of the Iland , perceiuing theyr comming neere the shore , with their Ship , more then commonly any stranger dooth , had before giuen warnings , that the most force of the Iland was there , ready to receaue them : which our men perceaued , yet could not be daunted with the sight of them , but valiantly put forwards , attempting to land where they were most sharpely encountered by the enemie . But the Gunner taking aduantage , with a Sacare from the Ship , charged with a Chaine , made so good a shoote , that hee flew and dismembred tenne or twelue , who seeing his successe aunswerable to his desire , hee playde still vpon them with his Ordnance from the Shippe , which made them the sooner to retire , so that the whole conflict at the first landing , continued not past two houres , when the Spaniards heartes began to quaile , and his men to bee of more courage , which the Spaniards perceauing , sounded a retreate , and with all speede , fled into the hie Countreyes , so thankes be to God , they ended onely with the losse of two men , besides some hurt , yet did they great spoile amongst the Spaniards .

Being landed , and night at hande , they had no pollicie , to persue them , wherefore marching into the lande a Mile or something lesse , they encamped themselues , dispearsing sundrye Sentenels , for watche , farre from the Campe , diuers wayes , keeping a strong watch in campe . That if the enimie should haue come vpon them in the night , they might haue beene ready to receiue them .

But the Spaniards , hauing so bad a banquetiat their first meetings , had no hast to come againe . Day being come , Generall Glemham commaunded certaine espials to be sent out , to see if they could descrie the enemie , but they returned with little newes , sauing they saw many armed in no araye , and diuers women and children , carrying goods to hide .

Vpon this newes , that worthy Gentleman , and braue Captaine , Maister Edward Horecourt his associate in those his Voyages , willed the Generall to deuide the company , and he would lead the one of them : and so with Ensignes displayed , to march in warlike order farther vp , to see what they would do : which counsell the Generall accepted , and with easie paces marched on , largely distanted one from the other , to make them seeme farre more in number then they were , with Drums , Trumpets , and two Ensignes displaid , yeeling such terrible cryes as they marched , as might terrifie a great company .

The Generall gouerned by Captaine Horecourt , whose experience in land seruice is much , hauing had charge of credit in the Low-countreys , Ireland , and Portingall , and therfore wholy directed by him , the two Companies marched in sort like two wings , with intent and full resolution , if there came ten men for one , to encounter them , and valiantly to die together , or gaine honour for euer with the enemie .

They had not marched halfe a league , when making a stand for some parley , the espyals brought word they sawe one come , mounted as if he came to speake with them , wherfore the Generall sent a Guarde of Musketeares to meete him , and to stay him , if he had any thing to saye , for that hee should not take view of their forces . When he came to this Courte of Guarde appointed to meete him : they demanded what he was ? Who answered , he had to say to their Generall and Captaines , and desired to be brought to their presence , they staide him there , and sent worde to the Generall what hee was , who came accompanied with foure other Gentlemen , and his whole noise of Trumpets , most brauely to speake with him .

After entertainment giuen him in the best manner , for that he seemed some Cauelere , hee aduertised the Generall that he came from the Gouernour , to know what they were , and what they required .

The General vsing him kindely , gaue him milde speeches , but willed him to returne his aunswer thus . That he was a Gentleman of England , & what he pretended , he would not impart to any priuate man : but if the Gouernor would come himselfe , he promised on the honour of an English Gentleman , he should passe and repasse in safetie : if hee gaue not credit to his worde , hostage of reputation , Gentlemen of his countrie , no whit inferiour to the best Spaniard in the Ile , should be deliuered for him .

With this answer , the Messenger hastneth to the Gouernour : Who calling his Counsell , required their opinions , whose aduises giuen , he came towards the Campe , accompanied with twelue others , well mounted , about some halfe mile from the Court of Guarde , they made staye , and sent vnto the Generall for his hostages , who ss he promised , sent a Gentleman , that sometimes attended the Earle of Warwike , Maister Hammon , one Maister Gore , and Maister Hunnings , Guarded with twentie Musketeares , who deliuered the Gentlemen , and receaued the Gouernour , conducting him to a place where the Generall made his stay , distant from his Campe .

Being mette , and hauing a while conferred , the General demanded to haue the Iland deliuered him , vnto the Queen of Englands vse , which if they would , they should haue libertie to depart with what they had there in possession , if not , to commit it to the hassard of the sworde , for what aduantuge he had , he would keepe , or die for it : and what spoile he could make they should be assured of .