[They move towards the Enemy.] In this Order they began to move towards the Enemy, Captain Don Thomas marching by Gallinato, who afterwards, in a Letter to Don Pedro, said, He this Day, and upon other Occasions, gave good Proof, that he was the Son of such a Father, and these grey Hairs of mine were sufficiently honour'd with the Assistance of such a Hand, and I was well defended and secure. The Enemy being above 700, kept in a strong and safe Post, the Shore on which our Men march'd, being little or nothing, by Reason it was High-Water, and that on the Land Side there was a very high Bank, and above it a rising and close Zacatal, which could not be broke through. Zacatal is a Field overgrown with such deep Grass or Weeds, that many Men, and much Cattle may be hid among them. These are much thicker [Zacatal what it is.] than the Fields of Sedge, or Sheer-Grass in Spain. They call it Zacatal, from the Word Zacate, signifying that Sort of Grass or Weed, which grows up almost as thick as a Reed. Along this narrow Slip of Shore, which was full of Rocks, and uneven, only three Men could march abreast, he that was next the Sea, being partly in the Water. The Enemy was possess'd of this close Pass, and a great Tree cut down for that Purpose, and lying across the Place, serv'd them instead of a Trench. Behind [Posture of the Ternates.] it, and upon the Bank, between it, and the Zacatal, appear'd all their Men, with Muskets, Fire-Locks, Campilanes, or Cymiters, Bacacacs, or burnt Staves, Darts, Hand Granadoes, and Stones which did not do us the least Harm. They had also five Drakes in this Post, wherewith, upon some short Attacks, they kill'd five Spaniards; and afterwards, as the Action grew hotter, wounded ten Portugueses, in such Sort that they dy'd in a few Days. Gallinato owns he was this Day in Danger of losing his Honour; because the Colours, and all the Rest was in the utmost Peril.
[Gallinato repulsed.] The Enemy fought in Safety, and did our Men so much Harm, that the first Charge Gallinato gave, the Ternates fell on so furiously, as to drive us from the Ground we had gain'd. Gallinato look'd behind him to see the Colours he had brought with him in the Van, with the 300 Men, and found them at his Back very thinly Guarded. Thus the second Time the Shout was given to fall on, and he again oblig'd to retire, because he had fewer Men every time, and the last they were scarce twenty. At length shaming those that lagg'd, and as it were inspiring new Vigour into them, he [Gains the Pass.] fell on so fiercely, that he gain'd the Post, and the five Drakes. The Ternates lost all, or most of their best Men. Gallinato follow'd the Chace till he discover'd the Fort, then he halted, and order'd our Camp to be Intrenched. The work was begun, and the Enemy obstructed it twice, sending out Parties to prevent planting the Gabions, and divert the Workmen; but they retir'd both times with loss. When the Trench was finished, Gallinato [Spaniards Intrench.] sent to the General to come to it. He came and took up his Quarters, with all his Men, bringing the Royal Standard, and all the Colours.