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842 DE CHASTE’S VOYAGE TO TERCiRA.
tulation, before as were the marquifs’s orders, the army was put in motion to overwhelm
him, The commander, in rejoinder, informed them, that his refolution had only en-
creafed, and fought them not to trouble themfelves further with attempts to per-
fuade him, as he weuld not litten to them; telling them, if they ventured to affail him,
and his companions, he woald make them fee in a different manner to what they had
yet done, the valour of his frenchmen, and how willingly they devoted themfelves to
death, which however would not take place without their firft rendering efpecial fer-
vice to his Majeity in fpite of any fuggeftions to the contrary. This however was
but as is faid, a good countenance with a bad hand. In the mean time the commander
was told that the count was on the mountain, his boat having been deftroyed on his at-
tempting to fave himfelf, and that the Portuguefe were in fearch of him, on account of
his having rendered them cowards, and engaged them to abandon the French in their
diftrefs : he requefted him to furnifh them with bread and ammunition, afluring him
that although the Portuguefe fhould not liften to his reprefentations, engaging them
to join him in battle; he would yet rather die than capitulate to the Spaniards, from
whom he looked for no mercy. In his anfwer the count begged to fpeak with him, re-
quefting that he might not allow the French in his way to behave injurioufly towards
him, which he was greatly apprehenfive of. ‘This the cominander promifed, not-
withftanding he had more caufe to ill treat him than to receive him. On his arrival,
when pafling by the French, they exclaimed. Look at the coward who abandoned us,
and who is the caufe of all our misfortune, kill him, kill him. The count upon this cry-
ing bitterly, covered with fhame for his behaviour, addretled them thus: Frenchmen,
brothers, and friends, you have jujt reafon to take away my life, but before hand, in the
name of God, I beg your forgivenefs. ‘The commander hearing this exclamation from his
houfe, which was adjoining, ran out, and touched with pity at feeing a viceroy on
knees, imploring his life from Frenchmen ; he commanded them to be filent, and not
to fpeak a word which might hurt his feelings. I can fafely affirm that there was not
a brave man prefent, however much he might fuffer from his conduct, who feeing him
in this condition, did not pity him, notwith{tanding his previous want of courage. He
informed the commander that there were no means left of furnifhing him with other
provifions or ammunition ; that he had been fix weeks without tafting bread, and aban-
doned by all his people; but if he could come to any terms he would do well to accept
them in his diftreffed fituation ; in that cafe, he humbly befought him that he might
be included, and his life faved. ‘Che commander replied, /¢ would be to me a double ca-
lamity to keep remembrance of you, confidering the litile title you poffe/s to my notice from your
conduct ; neverthelefs if it be poffible it fhall be done.
At this inftant he was informed by fome of his captains, that fixty of the poltroons
who. had been mutinous, had deferted to the Marquis de Santa Cruz; and that the
reit were inclined to follow their example, and were throwing their arquebufles and
corflets over the walls, breaking their fwords, and fending aloud to the devil their fathers
and mothers, who had brought them into the world to fuffer fuch calamity, crying
out—Let us goto the galleys, is it not better than to be hung, or killed ; we are all loft, and
our General refufes our lives when they are offered us. The poor fellows who were wound-
ed hearing the cries of thofe cowardly fcoundrels, and forefeeing that their difloyalty
would involve and bring to a miferable end the better fort among them, loft all hope,
and hearing on all fides, to arms, to arms, the enemy ; they looked upon their compani-
ons who were pafling by, and unable themfelves to move, exclaimed, Alas! is there
none among you who will put an end to cur miferies, by the means of a fhot a piece, and pre-
vent the Spaniards from exercifing their crvelty upon us. The commander feeing this, and
the
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