Having set all things in order against the next
flood, I went on shore with Captain Erwin at Greenwich, and into
the parke, and there: we could hear the guns from the fleete
most plainly. We walked to the water-side, and there seeing the
King and Duke come down in their barge to Greenwich-house, I to
them, and did give them an account what I was doing. They went
up to the park to hear the guns of the fleet go off. All our
hopes now are that Prince Rupert with his fleet is coming back
and will be with the fleet this even: a message being sent to
him for that purpose on Wednesday last; and a return is come from
him this morning, that he did intend to sail from St. Ellen's
point about four in the afternoon yesterday; which gives us great
hopes, the wind being very fair, that he is with them this even,
and the fresh going off of the guns makes us believe the same.
Down to Blackewall, and there saw the soldiers (who were by this
time gotten most of them drunk) shipped off. But, Lord! to see
how the poor fellows kissed their wives and sweet-hearts in that
simple manner at their going off, and shouted, and let off their
guns, was strange sport.
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