14th returned from the Isle of Platta and related that she had been chased about the Point of Sancta Helena by Two Ships which she could not discover what they were and this made us that Evening send out one of our Canoes that sailed well to see what those Ships might be On the 16th she found they came to joyn us they being Captain David's Frigate and a Prize he had taken after the other had been separated from them which we met before we went to Queaquilla they came with full Resolution to make a Descent at Paita in order to get some Refreshments for their Men who had been wounded in a Fight they had had with a Spanish Ship called Catalina which they met Fifty Leagues to Leeward of Lima and was one of those that we had for so long a time waited for before that Town This Ship Catalina was separated from Two more with whom she was returning to the Port of Callao when unfortunately for her she met with Captain David's Frigate that sailed much better than she and could have taken her without making as he did Two Days Fight or it had it not been that the greatest part of his Crew being continually Drunk failed Twenty times to come up close to board her and sufferred themselves to fall to Leeward because of their ill rigging as often as they found themselves to Windward of her which being observed by the Spaniards they thought by putting up a bloody Flag they would be quickly brought to strike but therein they were mistaken and the quite contrary fell out For David's People growing sober on the Third Day and putting their Tackle and Rigging into better order than before the Spaniards were so terrifyed thereat that they ran a Shoar where their Ship did not keep whole Two Hours David's Men in a Canoe went to save Two Spaniards who were about swiming to Land and now having escaped the danger of Drowing told them that their Captain having had his Thigh shot off with a Cannon Ball had desired his Lieutenant before his Death to lose no time but to go without tarrying to acquaint the Viceroy of Lima of the dangerous Estate the Frigate was reduced to that he might send without delay to her assistance Our Canoe which on the 22d came to rejoyn us and gave the foresaid Information brought also along with her Captain David's Prize which he had sent to desire us to get a Main Mast to be brought him from Queaquilla as somewhat of our Ransom his having been very much damnified in the last Engagement And that till it came he would Cruise without the Bay to prevent our being surprized by the Spaniards I forgot to take notice that this Ship 's Crew had at Paita surprized a Courier that was going from Queaquilla to Lima the third time to carry the following Letter unto the Viceroy which clearly made out unto us the suspitions we had entertained before that the Spaniards deferred to pay us the promised Ransom that they might have time to prepare themselves to come and pay us in a sort of Coyn we had no Occasion for and which we did not require at their hands A Letter of the Tenient of Queaquilla to the Viceroy of Lima. SIR I Am to inform your Excellency the second time that the English and French are still at Puna It 's several Days since the term they had allowed us for the Redemption of our Prisoners is expired I have done it on purpose that your Excellency might gain time They have sent me four of our Peoples Heads I will amuse them with some thousands of Peices of Eight from time to time though they have no Reason to be weary while your Excellency may please to come and though they should yet send me fifty Heads more I shall esteem that loss to be much less Prejudicial to us than to suffer such evil-disposed People to live Now Sir we have a brave opportunity to get rid of them provided your Excellency lose no time to do it We could not have received a more certain Testimoâ—y of the Thoughts and Designs of our Enemies than â—hose discovered by this Letter unto us so we took our measures accordingly CHAP. V. The remaining Actions of the Freebooters in the South Seas during 1687. THE best Winter Quarters which we had met with in these Seas and that of longest duration was 〈◊〉 of the time of our sojourning upon this Island of 〈◊〉 Puna where for the space of Thirty odd Days that 〈◊〉 staid here we lived mighty well for besides the â—â—ctuals which the Spaniards brought us dayly from Queaquilla we had brought thither our selves a great â—â—ny Refreshments neither did we want Charms for 〈◊〉 Ears in this Place for we had all the Musick of the â—own among our Prisoners which consisted of Lutes â—heorbs Gittars Harps and other Instruments I neâ—r saw any where else wherewith they made a very fine â—onsort Some of our Men grew very familiar with our Woâ—en Prisoners who without offering them any violence â—ere not sparing of their Favours and made appear 〈◊〉 I have already remarked that after they came once 〈◊〉 know us they did not retain all the Aversion for us â—â—â—t had been inculcated into them when we were â—â—rangers unto them All our People were so charmed with this way of living that they forgot their past 〈◊〉 series and thought of no more Danger from the Spaâ—niards than if they had been in the middle of Paris Amongst the rest my self had one pretty Adventure among the other Prisoners we had a Young Gentlewoâ—men lately become a Widow of the Treasurer of the Town who was slain when it was taken Now thâ—â— Woman appear'd so far comforted for her loss ouâ—â— an hardheartedness they have in this Country one 〈◊〉 another that she proposed to hide me and her self 〈◊〉 some corner of the Island till our People were gone anâ— that then she would bring me to Queaquilla to marrâ— her That she would procure me her Husband 's Offiâ—â— and vest me in his Estate which was very great Wheâ— I had returned her Thanks for such obliging offers 〈◊〉 gave her to understand that I was affraid her Inteâ—â—â—â— had not the mastery over the Spaniards Resentmeâ—â—â— and that the Wounds they had received from us 〈◊〉 yet too fresh and green for them easily to forget them She went about to cure me of my Suspicion by procuâ—â—ing secretly from the Governour and chief Officers proâ—mises under their Hands how kindly I should be useâ— by them I confess I was not a little perplext herewith and such pressing Testimonies of Good-will and Friendâ—ship towards me brought me after a little Consulâ—â—â—tion with my self into such a Quandary that I did noâ— know which side to close with nay I found my 〈◊〉 at length much inclined to close with the Offers 〈◊〉 me And I had two powerful Reasons to indâ—â—â— me thereunto one of which was the miserable and 〈◊〉 guishing
in France and elsewhere of the burning of my Ship and the terrible Crack it made in the Air. In the Year One Thousand Six Hundred and Ninty Four after I had ravaged the Coast of Caraqua I went up to Windward towards St. Croix where I understood that there were some Merchant Ships with a Convoy to come from Barbadoes and Nevis and bound for England and upon the same Information I resolved to sail up to the height of the Bermudos hoping to take this small Fleet and so to make a good Booty of it I was scarce got thither but that I saw them appear and sailing directly towards me without any Apprehensions of Danger upon them But I presently attack'd their Convoy called the Wolf and took her with Two more of the Merchant Ships laden with Sugar the rest having made their Escape during the Fight As I was carrying my Prize into France I met with another English Ship of Sixteen Guns coming from Spain and bound also for England that after a short Fight struck and which I carried to Rochel where the Admiralty adjudged the same to be good Prize When I had sold this Ship I carried my Three other Vessels to Bourdeaux where I arrived in September One Thousand Six Hundred Ninety and Four and these last also being condemned as good Prizes I made it my Business presently to find out Merchants that would buy them In the mean time my Freebooters who had not seen France in a long time finding themselves now in a great City where Pleasure and Plenty reigned were not backward to refresh themselves after the Fatigues they had endured while so long absent from their native Country They spent a world of Money here and proved horribly Extravagant The Merchants and their Hosts made no Scruple to advance them Money or lend them as much as they pleased upon the Reputation of their Wealth and the Noise there was throughout the City of the valuable Prizes whereof they had a share All the Nights they spent in such Divertisements as pleased them best and the Days in running up and down the Town in Masquerade causing themselves to be carried in Chairs with lighted Flambeaux's at Noon Day of which Debauches some died while Four of my Crew fairly deserted me So that now seeing I lost my Men notwithstanding all the Care I had taken and strict Injunctions I had laid upon them I thought it advisable for me to be gone from thence as soon as I could that I might keep the rest together In the first place I supplied the room of those whom I had lost with as many Bourdeaux young Men who in a short time became as expert as the old ones for you are to observe I made it my continual Care and Business to teach my Men to shoot and my so frequent exercising of them rendered them in a short time as capable of Shooting and handling their Arms as the oldest Sea Freebooters or the best Fowlers by Land When I had revictualled my Ship that carried no more than Thirty four Pieces of Cannon I left Bourdeaux in the Month of February in the Year One Thousand Six Hundred Ninety and Five with an Intention to go and cruise on the Coast of Guiney in Africa I got up to the Azores which are Thirty seven Degrees North Latitude and cruised thereabouts for the space of Eight Days without any Purchase From thence I passed to the Canary Islands which are in Twenty five Degrees North Latitude We discovered the Peak of Tenariff a great way off which they say is the highest Mountain in the World They report these Mountains had their Names from Dogs which the â—â—tins call Canis and which the Portugu se found here in great Numbers upon their first Arrival I cruised round about them for Fourteen Days in expectation of meeting with some Dutch Ships which I was informed were to come that way and it proved to be really so For the said Ships came thither but they got into Port before I could reach them and this made me sail away for the White Cape and the Isles of Cape Verd that are between Fourteen and Eighteen Degrees North Latitude Upon my Arrival there I found Two English Ships lying at Anchor in the Road of the Isle of May which made me put out my Shallop to know what they were and the same informed me that they were Two Interlopeâ—â— carrying about Thirty Guns each I resolved to board and take them to this end I lay by to come nearer them but as we bore upon one of the Points of this Island these Ships did not think fit to tarry for my coming up but smelling my Design they made all ready and left their Cables and Anchors in the Road at which their Shallops lay I pursued them all Day but Night coming on I lost sight of them and returned to the Road from whence they were gone in order to take away the Cables and Anchors and to sink the Shallops fastened by them When I had so done I sailed away for the Isle of St. Vincent to caulker my Vessel in that Place and to take in Water and Wood. This Island also is one of those of Cape Verd. Here I stay'd for the space of Eight Days at the end whereof understanding by a Portuguese Bark that there were Two English Ships carrying from Twenty to Thirty Guns at the Isle of Fugo one of which was resitting there because of a Fight she had been engaged in with some other Ships I presently weigh'd Anchor and sailed away for the said Island which is not far distant from that of St. Vincent being in hopes to meet with the Enemy in that Place But upon my Arrival I understood by a Portuguese that they were gone away Four or Five Days before in the Night without saying any thing of the Place whither they were bound from the said Island of Fugo or Fire-Island I thereupon steered my course for tâ—e Coast of Guiney and first discovered the Capâ— of Three Points where I met with the Guardship which was a Dutch Frigate carrying Thirty four Guns and cruised out at Sea She quickly discovered me and made directly towards me in order to know what I was As I had also on my part perceived her and was in hopes to come close and fight her I hung up Dutch Colours that I might not frighten her away but give her an Opportunity to come up within Cannon-shot of me When I saw her near enough I put up French Colours and gave her a Signal to strike but instead thereof she without any more ado very bravely gave me a Broad-side and at the same time received one from me We continued to fight one another in this manner from Morning till Four in the Afternoon without my being able to get the Weathergage nor come up near enough unto her to make use to any purpose of my Fusils which are the chief Arms in such Ships as ours be nor to
on the 19th all day long We made ready in the Evening and had the pleasure to be carryed up by the Current without the use of our Oars for fear lest the Sentinels who are always placed on this River's sides should hear the noise of our Rowing The Design of our Guide was to â—â—ss by and Land beyond the Town because he knew it was weaker and worse guarded on that side â—han on the other But his Project failed him for the â—yde now going out was as injurious to us as before â—t had been favourable and forced us to go ashoar two â—ours before Day within Cannon-shot on this side the Town from whence we discovered a great many Lights which they usually keep in their Houses all Night â—ong This Place where we landed is a Country full of Water and Shrubs a-cross which we were forced to cut 〈◊〉 Way with our Sabres but we did not know we 〈◊〉 unhappily landed over-against a Sentinel nor that 〈◊〉 an hour after that one of our Men who was left behind to look after our Canoes struck fire to light 〈◊〉 Pipe with which he rashly did contrary to the exprâ—â—â— Prohibition we had given him which being perceivâ—â— by that Sentinel he made no doubt but there must 〈◊〉 Enemies near Because the Spaniards upon pain 〈◊〉 Death forbid their People to strike fire in the Nighâ— in so much that he presently discharged a small Peterâ—â—â—â— to give the Fort notice of it who readily answered the same with a whole discharge of their Cannon Being overtaken at that instant of time with a Storm of Raâ—â— we were obliged to put in for shelter into a great Houâ—â— we found before us to light the Granadiers Matchâ—â— and wait till Day appeared during which space tâ—â— Enemy â—ired continually from the Town to frighten anâ— let us understand they were ready to receive us On the 20th at break of Day we marched out 〈◊〉 Order towards the Town with our Drums beating 〈◊〉 Colours flying and upon our approach found 〈◊〉 selves stopped by Seven Hundred Men who attackâ—â— us from under the Covert of a Wall four Foot and 〈◊〉 half high and of a Ditch wherewith the same 〈◊〉 encompassed towards the River's side which made 〈◊〉 presently suppose it to be their Fort having had 〈◊〉 good Intelligence of the Situation of the Place Thâ—â— did all they could to repulse us and presently killâ—â— some of our Men. Being encouraged with this littâ—â— Advantage they had the boldness to Sally out upon 〈◊〉 with Sword in Hand but seeing we gave them a mâ—â—â— vigorous Reception they fled without any more adâ—â—â— and contented themselves with breaking down 〈◊〉 Bridges to hinder us from advancing But this couâ—â— not prevent our crossing the Ditch and get to the socâ— of the Wall whereof we rendred our selves Masters â—â—â—spight of all the Resistance made by them who waâ— not Proof against our Granadoes that drove them â—â—â—to the very Houses which are all of them built on â—â—â—pose for Places of Defence in case they be attacked and from whence in a short time we also drove theâ— They fled to the Place of Arms and entrenched them â—â—lves in a strong Caze which we call a Redâ—â—bt and â—hich when they had defended for an hour's time they â—ere also forced to abandon in so much that we purâ—ued them from Fort to Fort till we came to a third â—hich is the greatest and most considerable of them â—l Here they defended themselves a long time for â—â—ey fired continually upon us by favour of the smoak of â—heir Cannon which hindred us from seeing them When â—e were got to the foot of the Pallisadoes they salâ—â—d out again with Sword in Hand and having wounded â—ome of our Men they took one of them Prisoner but â—e quickly made them leave him and to run back into â—heir Fort after they had lost a great many Men. At â—ast being weary with about Eleven hours Fight and â—ur Powder being now almost spent we redoubled our â—fforts in such a manner that we broke in upon them â—nd made our selves Masters of this last Fort but not without loss on our side since we had Nine Men killed â—nd a Dozen wounded We sent out several Parties at â—he same time to pursue those that fled who were still 〈◊〉 sight of us while the other Roman Catholicks went 〈◊〉 sing Te Deum in the great Church after we had first â—ut a Garrison into the Fort. The Town of Queaquilla is almost built round about little Mountain whereon stand those three Forts two whereof are commanded by the third which is the â—rgest and all of them Command the Town The â—reatest which is that against which we had most to 〈◊〉 is no where strong but to the River-ward and the â—â—o lesser ones are upon the Descent of an Hill which â—lso looks towards the River and are each of them â—urrounded with a thin but very high Wall on the outâ—â—de we found none but Petereroes to defend it There 〈◊〉 a Communication between these last two and the â—ther by a Covert-way on each side whereof are two rows â—f Pallisadoes filled with Earth and defended also with â—etereroes In the great Fort which is also beset with Pallisadoes we found Seven Pieces of Cannon carrying â—rom twelve to eighteen Pound Ball but they could not â—ecause of the Elevation of the Place bring their Guns â—o bear low enough to incommode those that were in â—he Town unless by thundering against the Houses â—hey should be buried in the Ruins of them The Maâ—azines of Powder stand in the middle of the Fort and are slightly enough built The Town as I have 〈◊〉 served is to the River-ward encompassed with a 〈◊〉 four Foot and an half high and three Foot thick 〈◊〉 Streets are very strait The Parish Churches as well the Convents are very curiously built the Houses 〈◊〉 almost all built with Boards and founded upon 〈◊〉 for that in the rainy time of the Year which continâ—â— from the beginning of Ianuary to the end of Apâ—â—â— they are so incommoded as to be forced to 〈◊〉 Bridges and raise Banks of Earth in all the Streets 〈◊〉 keep off the Water and Mud. Their chief Commodâ—â— is Cocoe of which they make Chocolate We toâ— Seven Hundred Prisoners of both Sexes in this 〈◊〉 and among the rest was the Governour and his Familâ—â— He was wounded as were several Officers and Menâ— Quality who fought more bravely than Five thousaâ—â— other Men that defended the Place We found in the Place several sorts of Merchandiâ—â— a great many Pearls and precious Stones a prodigâ—â—â—â— quantity of Silver Plate and seventy thousand Pieces 〈◊〉 Eight at least tho' there were Three Millions amoâ—â— them when we came thither But as we were all whoâ—â— taken up to make our selves Masters of the Forts the laid hold of that opportunity to make their escapâ— along the River with the greatest part of their most â—â—â—luable
of the Veins open and let it out or that the great noise and violent motion that is wrought in those Organs makes the same happen But let it come which way it will since there is no room here for a Consultation of Physicians as long as we were dying of Hunger nor to enquire what became of the English when we had so much difficulty and hardly could save our selves we continued our Course up the Current with the help of our Oars because we knew the same came from the Port of Cabinda But as the Wind was against us we could never get thither and were forced to be satisfied to get to the Cape of Corsa if we could which stands a dozen Leagues from that of Cathersna where we could not Land because of a Bar that renders the Coast unaccessible That was our Design but Hunger hindred us to put the same in Execution and we were forced even to overcome the Obstacles which Nature laid in our way by running ashoar in spight of the Bar This we performed at last after much difficulty being in hopes to find there some Negroes that might furnish us with Victuals One of our Company presently landed in order to go and seek out somewhat to satisfie our Hunger and by good Fortune found in a Pond sticking to the Branches of Trees some Oysters whereof he came presently to give us notice We went all up to the very Pond along a Channel of the Sea where we were no sooner come but we eat lustily of the Oysters with a very good Appetite We opened them with the few Knives we found in our Pockets lending the same from one to another very charitably and readily When we had spent two days in that Place I divided my Men into three small Companies and sent them up into the Country to seek for Victuals and Houses with Orders to return again in the Evening to the Shalloop I went out my self also as the rest did but we could find neither any House nor the least sign of any Men in those Parts All that we could see were great Herds of Bufflers as large as Oxen who fled so fast from us that we could not possibly come near them Wherefore having spent all the Day in this manner and got nothing we returned to our Shalloop to eat Oysters again and resolved next day to leave this Place and go to Cape Corsa to Leeward of which there is a large Port where Ships that sail that way put in to furnish themselves with Water and Wood. The Negroes that live in the Country having notice of the coming in of Ships by the firing of Cannon come thither also with Provisions and Barter the same for Brandy Knives and Hatchets They are forced to live remote from the Sea â—ecause all that Coast is very Marshy As soon as we were got to the said Cape we heard a great noise made 〈◊〉 the Negroes who came thither to sell Wood to the â—hips that lay at Anchor in the Port I looked amongst â—hem to see if I could find any one whom I knew for 〈◊〉 they had often brought me some Wood and other Refreshments in the course of my former Voyages I was in hopes to find some or other that would know me again But tho' I knew several of them it was impossible for me to perswade any of them that I was Captain Montauban so much was I disfigured with my late Misfortune and all of them took me for a Man that would impose the belief of it upon them I thought fit to tell them in their own Language whereof I understood a little that I was ready to die with Famine and prayed them to give me somewhat to eat but it signified nothing so I desired them to carry me to Prince Thomas who is Son to the King of that Country as hoping he might call to mind the favours I had formerly shewed him I carryed all my Company with me to that Prince we were first brought to the Dwellings of those Negroes where they began to be a little more tractable and gave us some Bananiers to eat which are a sort of Figs longer than a Man's Hand Next day we got to the Princes Habitation but I was in so pitiful a Condition that I could never by the signs I gave make him know me tho' I spoke to him in his own Language as also in the Portuguese Tongue which he understood very well It fortuned one day that going together to bath our selves he saw a Scar upon my Thigh that was the effect of a Wound I had received with a Musquet-ball he told me that he must immediately know whether I was Captain Montauban or no and that if I were not the Man he would cut off my Head He asked if everâ— I had a Scar with a Musquet-shot in my Thigh which when I had shewed him he presently embraced me and said he was exceeding sorry to see me in that Condition and immediately caused Victuals to be distributed among my Men and divided them into several Habitations with strict Orders to the Negroes with whom they were quartered to take the greatest care they could of them As for me he kept me with himself and made me always eat at his own Table When I was a little brought into Order he said he would carry me to see the King his Father who lived five or six Leagues off that is about ten or a dozen from the Sea-side I let him know how great the Favour and Honour was he did me and prayed him at the same time that I might have the Liberty to let my Freebooters go along with me and grant us some Pieces of Stuffs to put our selves in as good Equipage as we could in order to appear before so great a Prince all which he allowed me and three days after we went all together in a great Canoe and passed up the River of Cape Lopez because the Country is so full of Marshes that you cannot go by Land Being arrived at the King's Habitation which is a Village consisting of Three Hundred Booths covered with Palm-leaves wherein the King keeps his Wives Family Relations and some other Negro Families whom he loves best I was lodged in Prince Thomas his House and all my Men were distributed into other Habitations We found all the People in great Lamentation because the Chief of their Religion whom they call Papa had died that day when they were to begin the Funeral Obsequies which were usually to last for seven days for Priests of that Quality This same Person was had in great Esteem and Veneration by all the People they looking upon him to be an Holy Man As the King is in Mourning and sees no body all the While that this Funeral Ceremony lasts Prince Thomas bid me have patience and not to go out of my Lodgings for to see the King because that was the Custom of his Nation However I could not forbear going to see the Funeral
this place that there was then a Ruptâ—â— between the Two Crowns and that we had a so mal Commission from my Lord Admiral to infest 〈◊〉 Spaniards There was no question to be made but I could find a Captain that would receive me and I was not long in making the Choice since there was not many of them at that time to pitch upon Laurence de Graff was the Man I most fancied who would make a special Corsair and tho he had not been long arrived all that he wanted was to be gone as well as I. We were in a few hours time well satisfied with each other and became such Friends as those are wont to be who are about to run the same Rifque of Fortune and apparently to die together This last indeed we should have reckoned upon with most appearance of Reason but it was what we least thought of My Departure took up all my Thoughts I furnished my self with Arms and other small Necessaries at the Charge of Monsieur de Franquesnay who was very ready to advance me some Money which I have paid him since and whose kindness I shall never forget At last the day came and I must freely say it was in my Opinion one of the best in the Course of my Life On the 22d of November in the Year 1684. we departed from Pettit-Guaves on the Coast of St. Domingo to the number of 120 Men on Board a Prize taken some time before by Captain Laurence de Graff from the Spaniards which they sent as an Advice-boat from Carthagena on the Terra Firma of America to Spain Our Design was to go and joyn our selves with a Fleet of Free-Booters which we were in hopes to meet with before the Havana a great City in the Isle of Cuba to the North and about fourteen Leagues distant from St. Domingo We anchored on the 4th of December at the Tortoise Island to take in Water and on the 6th sailed away in order to return to the Coast of St. Domingo which is but Three Leagues off and where we arrived the 12th casting Anchor at Cape Francis where we took in our full Store of Water and Wood. We left this Place on the 17th and were taken with a North-wind two Leagues from the Road in such a manner that we lost our Shalloop which was too big to be put upon our Gibbet Towards Evening we sailed back to a Place of Safety where we were obliged to stay Two Days waiting for a Canoe we had sent to buy at the Cape from whence we came such things aâ— we wanted for making up the Loss of our Chaloop On the twentieth we made ready to endeavour to rejoyn the Victorious a Ship that came with â—â— from the Cape belonging to Nantes and bound to the Isles of the Wind which had on Board the Commander of St. Laurence Lieutenant-General of the French Islands and the Coasts of the Terra Firma of America and Monsieur Begon Intendant of Justice Policy and the Finances of that Countrey to whoâ— we served as Convoy left they should have been aâ—tacked by the Spanish Pirogues that Cruise thereabouts And indeed we had a great deal of Reason to be concerned for the Safety of those Gentlemen who were in much Esteem with all the Colonies of these Islands because of the good Orders they kept the exact Justice they administred and the Trâ—â— quility the People enjoyed under them but we could not possibly set sight on this Ship as not knowing whaâ— Course she steer'd The three and twentieth we steer'd our own Course and in the Evening discovered a Ship to Leeward of us to whom we gave Chase but she braced 〈◊〉 to wait for us and when we were come up 〈◊〉 her we found it was Captain le Suer of Deep who commanded a Flute called the Amerantha whom 〈◊〉 quickly left keeping our own Course But on the Five and twentieth which was christmas-Christmas-day we haâ— a great Calm till next day when the Wind proving contrary obliged us to put back to the Port 〈◊〉 Platta on the Coast of St. Domingo where we 〈◊〉 to the end of the Month. On the First of Ianuary in the New Year 168â— we doubled Cape St. Francis and next day by 〈◊〉 in the Morning did the same by Cape Cabrott 〈◊〉 we doubled that of Savona towards Noon they being all scituated on the same Coast and that day one of our Men died On the Fourth we sailed in sight of la Mona next day coasted the Isle of Puerto Rico and la Savona and then steered South-East and by South till the Eleventh when we discovered the Isles of Ave to-towards which we bore till the Evening and doubled them on the Twelfth about Eleven in the Morning keeping still the same Course till we came to the Isle de la Roca where there was also another Rendezvous of our Men of War to be which we were going to seek out On the Thirteenth at Seven in the Morning we discovered the main Land of America and were becalmed next Day which continued to the Fifteenth at Noon when we had a fresh Gale and steered North North-East till the Seventeenth when about Moon-setting we descry'd Two Ships and Four Boats to Windward of us about a Cannon-Shot's Distance that had the Cape of us which brought us upon Deck to make all ready One of those Boats on the Eighteenth by break of Day being a Tartane commanded by Captain Iohn Rose as not knowing us presently came up and haâ—ed us and as our Captain had a Commission from the Lord High Admiral of France the Count of Thoulouse we made answer from Paris and put out our Flag But Rose who would not know us so believing we had no other Intention in feigning our selves to be a King's Ship than to get clear off him gave 〈◊〉 Two Guns to make us strike insomuch that taking him really for a Spaniard we knocked out the Head of Two Barrels of Powder in order to burn our selves and blow up the Ship rather than fall into the Hands of those People who never gave us Quarter but were wont to make us suffer all imaginable Torments they beginning usually with the Captain whom they hang with his Commission about his Neck But one of the Two Ships came up with us in a Moment and knowing what we were gave us a Signal which was so much the more Satisfaction to us that instead of Enemies which we took them to be they proved to be not only Friends but those very Ships we were in quest of which obliged us to put in at the Cape and spend that Day to visit one another One of these Two Ships belonged to Captain Michael Landresson and was called The Mutinous but formerly The Peace and the other to Captain Laurence de Graff whose Name was The Neptune but once The St. Francis and which he had quitted when he went in his Prize to St. Domingo to get a new Commission of the Governour his
which exciting my Curiosity to enquire into the Circumstances thereof I found he had put off a Scapulary or kind of Cloak he wore and laid it under the Carriage of one of our Guns And what is yet more extraordinary is that contrary to what usually happens in such cases the Body which fell down with full force into the Water floated along time upon the Back by the Ship 's side though to our apprehension he did all he could to drown himself But when out of Compassion to save his Life we threw out some of our Tackle for him to catch hold on he not only refused to make use of them but turned himself upon his Face and plung'd to the bottom On the Twenty fifth at Eleven in the Morning we arriv'd and anchor'd at the Isle d'Or or Goldeu Island and at the same time fired a Gun to give the Indian notice of our coming Then we went a-shoar to know what that Flag was we discover'd at a distance from us where we found three Men belonging to Captain Grognier and Captain Lescuier's Crew who told us that they had carried there because they would not go with the other Free-Booters who were on their Journey to the South-Sea under the Conduct of those two Captains and that as soon as ever they saw us they had set up that Flag as a Signal for us to come up to them The Six and twentieth came some Indians with Letters on Board us which were directed to the first Free-Booters that should Anchor in that Road to give them notice that they were gone to the number of an hundred and seventy Men to that Sea and some small time before them an hundred and fifteen English Besides which they also set us some Instructions how to demean our selves towards the Indians through whose Territories we must pass wherewith wâ— were fully confirmed in the Project we had already formed of undertaking this Expedition And though we were but fourscore and seven Men yet we made our selves ready to be gone In the mean time some other Indians came also on Board us by whom we were informed that Captain Grogniet and Captain Lescuier were still in their Territories and not yet gone to the South Sea which made us write to them by one of those two Indians to let them know that we were coming to them On the Twenty seventh at Noon we saw Captain Mitchel and Captain Rose turn in to the same Port which made us go presently on Board to know what made them come in and Anchor in that Road. They told us they had been in Chase of a Spanish Ship named the Hardy come from St. Iago on the Coast of Cuba and bound for Carthagena but not being able to come up with her they were come into this Port as being the nighest to take in Water Then we shewâ—â— them the Letters we had received which wrought a Desire in many of them to come and increase our Number insomuch that an hundred and eighteen Men quitted Mitchel's Ship and the whole Crew of Captain Rose being Sixty four Men who burnt their Vessel when they had paid the Owners the price of it We were not then for delaying but on the Twenty ninth quitted our Ships and went a-shoar where we encamped to the Number of Two hundred sixty and four Persons but as to the Ship belonging to our particular Crew we left her in the Hands of Captain Mitchel rather than burn her CHAP. II. Our Passage cross the Continent of America to go to the South-Sea SVnday the first of March in the Year 1685 after we had recommended our selves to the Almighty's Protection we set out under the Command of Captain Rose Captain Picard and Captain Desmarais with two Indian Guides and about forty morâ— of that Nation whom we took along with us for the ease of those who were most burden'd amongst us We could noâ— travel above three Leagues that day and emcamped by a River-side after we had passed through a Country that presently discovered a terrible Aspect to us and then proved very difficult to travel in because of the Mountains Precipices and impenetrable Foreâ—â— whereof it is full And the Difficulty of our Journey was still the more increased by the great Rains that fell all the next Day To say nothing that in our ascending these Mountains which are of a prodigiouâ— height we were clogg'd with the weight of our Ammunition Arms and other Iron-Tools we carried with us Upon our coming down from these Mountains we got into a Plain which though it were without any Tracts or Ways yet appear'd very easie unto us but that we were obliged no less than four and forty times in the space but of two Leagues to cross the same River which because it ran between verâ— slippery Rocks gave us a great deal of trouble to 〈◊〉 over it being always in danger of falling On the Fourth we lay in an Indian Carbet which is a spacious sort of a Lodging built almost like 〈◊〉 Barn wherein the People are wont to meet together there we stayed next Day to go a Hunting where we found great numbers of Deer and all sorts of Birds Amongst others we saw a kind of Animal which the Indians call Manipouryes and we Trefoâ—â— because as they go along each of their Feet leaves the print of this Simple in the Ground This Animal is as big as a small Bullock but his Hair is not so long and more slick his Legs are fhort he has the head of an Ass but a sharper Nose and walks in the bottom of the Water as well as on dry Land They have here also a sort of Hogs which they call Vents because of an opening place they have in the form of a Navel upon their Backs We may farther take notice of those Beasts they call Agoutills and Ovistitills which both the one and the other of them are very like those Creatures we call Indian Pigs in France but much bigger The Monkeys of this Country are almost as big as Sheep live in Forests and seldom come down from the Trees where they always find their Food They are so hardy that though you shoot them with a Fusil in the Head or through both Shoulders they shall not fall to the Ground and many times for all you can do they have so much cunning in their fall as to twist their Tails which are very long about a Branch of a Tree where they hang and wast away without any possibility of comâ—ng at them because they generally make choice of the tallest Trees for the places of their Retreat I cannot without smiling call to mind what I have done to one of these Animals which after I had made several shots at him with my Fusil that carried off part of his Belly insomuch that his Guts came out held himself by one of his Paws or hands if you will to the Branch of a Tree while he put his Entrails with â—he other into that
Captain two Ships laden with Provision coming from 〈◊〉 He brought along with him a Man of Captain Groignict's Crew who was lost in the Woods a hunâ—ting while his Comrades were making their Canoes iâ— the same River where we were building ours On the twenty eighth we received News again by an Indian Captain who had conducted Captain Groigniet and Captain Esurier into the South-Sea in a Letter which they sent us that they would stay for us at Kings-Islands and desired us to lose no time but to come and have our share in taking of the Fleet of Peru which they waited for But for all the Expedition we could use our Conoes could not be finished before the last of March when we drew them into the River April the first we parted with fourteen Canoes carrying about twenty Oars apiece guided by twenty Indians who made use of this opportunity in order to participate of the Booty which they thought we were about to take from the Spaniards as soon as ever we got into the South-Sea We rested on the fourth to tarry for our Men who were behind and to mend our Canoes that were damnified by the Rocks and Flats we met with all along that River It cannot be believed what pains we had to bring them to the great Water as I may call it for we met with places where they rested dry so that we were in a manner forced to carry them This day died one of our Men of the Bloody Flux which was very rife amongst us because we were forced to fast so long and by reason of the hard Feeding we had and our continual dabling in the Water On the fifth we put on and about Evening found the River deeper but so full of and encumbred with Trees which the Floods had carried thither that our Canoes were in danger every Minute to be lost and this day died two of our Men. On the sixth we got to the great Water where the River is wider and deeper and that day we spent on the Banks of it to dry our Sacks which were wet through with the great Rains that fell the day before another of our Men died this day From hence to the eleventh we did all we could to get quickly to the Mouth of the River where we were informed by an Indian that was come in a small Vessel to meet us the English and French Free-Booters had sent a shore in a little Bay called Boca del Chica that stands at the Mouth of that River some Corn for our Refreshment when we should get down thither for they could gather very well by themselves who had been so straitned there for Provision whereabouts we must be and indeed we had so little that we were reduced to an handfull of Raw Maes for each Man a day The same Day we received farther News and by other Indians who gave our Guides notice to tell us that a thousand Spaniards being informed of our Descent mounted up along this River by Land with a design to lay an Ambuscade for us Hereupon we resolved not to stir but in the night-time and that without noise that so we might shun them and this succeeded accordingly But we fell into another encumbrance and that was we being Strangers in thâ—â— Country and knowing no more than our Guides how high the Tide flowed in this River we were surprized with the coming in of it and drove ouâ— Canoes and us very far so that one of them was overset with a great Tree that had fallen into the River and upon which the swiftness of the current threw it but it luckily fell out that no one was drowned they quitted it for the Arms and Ammunition that were lost which could not but woâ—â— some trouble in us to see our Men disarmed in 〈◊〉 Country where we could not go but must have much occasion to use them but to deliver us 〈◊〉 this Inquieâ—ude God was pleased to dispose of some of us who left their Arms to those that had lost their own When we were got clear of these Dangers our Guides advised us to row gently for fear the Indian-Spaniards who were our Enemies should hear us and who lay in wait to attack us some Leagues thâ—â— side the Mouth of the River in a place called Lestocads we took their Council and when we were got over against the said place where the River is very broad we disposed of our Canoes in such a manner that by the favour of the night they appeared to be much less than they really were Now these Indian-Spaniardâ— having some Glimpse of us asked who was there and our Guides having answered That what they saw waâ— nought but a few Boats belonging to them with which they were going to fetch Salt into the South-Sea by this wile we were spared the labour of engaging with those Rascals On the twelfth in the Morning we cast Anchor because the Tide came in and was against us and about ten made ready but towards Noon the Heavens were overcast to that degree that you could scarce see a Man from one end of a Canoe to the other and this was followed with such excessive Rains that we were afraid every Minute of being sunk though we employed two men in each Canoe continually to throw out the Water and during that time one of our Men died The same Day at Mid-night we got to the Mouth of the River and entred into the South-Sea from whence we made directly for the Bay of Boca del Chiâ—a to see for the Provision which we were told was there and which we found accordingly but before this we met with a Canoe of Captain Grogniet that waited for us and two Barks at Anchor They had been purposely sent by the English both to tow our Canoes to the place where the Fleet of Free-booters were and to bring us more Provision On the thirteenth in the Morning we carried our Sick on board them two Barks for their better Accommodation and then weigh'd Anchor in order to sail altogether to an Island four Leagues distant from the Mouth of that River where we refreshed our selves for two days with the Provision the English had sent us which was a mighty comfort to us On the sixteenth we went off in order to find out the English and French Fleet whose Rendezvous was to cruise either before Panama or at the Kings Islands which were not far from this River We arrived at those Islands on the eighteenth which stand thirty Leagues to the East of Panama where we found the largest of them to look more like the Continent than an Island so spacious and mountainous it is The same is inhabited by those Negroes whom they call Marons or Fugitives from the Spaniards who upon making their escapes from their Masters at Panama and the adjacent places have made this a place of Refuge This day one of our 〈◊〉 died We entred into this Sea at a very bad time
Vigier is no other thing meant than to set a Sentinel upon Land or Sea and those who are thus set they call Vigies The Spaniards maintain a great number of them for all their Cities Towns and Villages and even single Houses have Persons on purpose whom they send to all the rising ground round about and River-sides where they have their Horses ready Night and Day so that as soon as they discover an Enemy they hasten to give the Spaniards notice of it who forthwith prepare themselves not to fight but to save their Effects On the first of May we rejoyned our Ships who â—aited for us at a very pretty Island called Sippilla about a League distant from the Mouth of the River la Seppa which makes up a kind of Canal that forms the Bay of Panama and do as it were make a Bar all along that divides the Channel into two parts one to the East and the other to the West Those Pleasures we met with â—n these parts justly deserve a Remembrance whereof I shall give a little Description in this place I say then that all these Islands are so curious and delightfull that they are usually called the Gardens of Panama and with very good reason seeing all People of Note in that City have each of them one of these Islands for themselves and their Houses of Pleasure there also with curious Orchards watered with a great many Springs of running Waters adorned and imbelished with a wonderfull Variety of Flowers and Arbours of Jessamine up and down and full almost of an infinite number of all sorts of the Fruits of the Country among whom I have taken particular notice of four of them which are called Sappota Sappotilla Avocata and las Cayemites The first is a Fruit almost like unto our Pears of a different Size whose Rine is Greenish and contains in the midst thereof two Kernels of an oval Form appearing pretty pollished and sleek and are each of them in the largest of these Fruits somewhat bigger than an ordinary Nut When this Fruit â—t ripe it is very soft and when the Paring is taken off the Pulp is of a pure red Colour very sweet and of an admirable Tast. The second is of the same form as the other but no bigger than a Russet Pear It has an admirable tast and under the Rind is of a whitish Colour The third is of the same form as our Quincâ—â— saving that the Riâ—d is greener This fruit must be fully ripe and very soft before it becomes good Food and then it is that you find the Pulp of 〈◊〉 as white as Snow The Spaniards eat it with Spoon as we do Cream and indeed the tast thereof is mostly the same The fourth is like a large Damason and very â—â—voury Besides these and a great many more when with this Country is peculiarly blessed it producâ—â— also a great many of those Fruits that are commoâ— to Europe as Apricocks Pomegranates Goyavâ— Juniper Cocoe Bananes Figs of Provence French and Spanish Melons all sorts of Oranges Citroâ—â— and Lemmons of which I shall give no Description no more than of the Trees that bear them But those who would satisfie their Curiosity herein may 〈◊〉 it in reading the History of the Antilles writâ—â— by Monsieur de Rochefort in the Year 1668 〈◊〉 was skilled therein and gives a very good Account of them All these rich Presents of Fruits and pure Water of which Nature made us an offer in theâ—â— Islands were a wonderfull Relief to us after those Fatigues we had undergone in our Passage over thâ—â— Continent To say nothing of the plentifull Harveâ—â— we had of Maes and Rice wherewith we found these Islands covered and which the Spaniards I believe did not sow with an intention we should enjoy them But these same Islands that afforded us so many delights wrought also afterwards some sorrow in us 〈◊〉 which by and by On the eighth of May in the Morning we sailed away and passed by the old and new City of Panama the old one was that taken by General Morgaâ— in the Year 1670 whose Churches and Houses seemed to us to be finely built as far as we could judge of them at such a Distance there is none but theâ— new Town that is fortified being defended with 〈◊〉 good Wall and several other Works but that is only to the Sea-ward This City is attended with an Inconveniency that as it is situated at the bottom 〈◊〉 a Bay and that the Sea ebbs very much in thâ—â— Country great Ships are left dry there if they anchor nearer than a League to the place We got as â—igh it as we could with our Colours and Streamers loose and from thence went to anchor at Tavoga which appeared to us as if it were a little enchanted Island so agreeable and delightfull are those Houses and Gardens that are upon it On the ninth we caâ—lked all our Ships and next day sent out our long Bark to cruise in order to give us notice when the Spanish Fleet appear'd in sight of us and on the thirteenth we made choice of these Ships that should engage it Captain David and Captain Grogniet were to board the Spanish Admiral Captain Suam and Captain Townsley the Vice-Admiral Captain Peter Henry and one of Townsley's Prizes â—he Patach our Fire-ship was to keep herself under the Quarter of our Admiral Our other Ships were to attack the rest of their Fleet according to their Strength and our armed Pirogues were to keep off the Enemies Fire-ships We heard this day a great many Cannon fired at Panama the cause whereof we could not guess at â—nd on the fourteenth we put a-shore upon this Iâ—â—and of Tavoga forty Prisoners who were very cumâ—â—ersom to us and then weighed to go wait for the 〈◊〉 at Cape Pin But this was much out of Seaâ—â— since the Fleet who was willing to spare us this Trouble as well as that of attacking her was alâ—eady without our knowing of it arrived at Panama having got in under the Covert of one of those â—leasant Islands through one of the two Channels which I said was formed by them and which hid â—hem from us while we cruised in the other Chanâ—el through which we thought they would have â—â—iled As we knew nothing hitherto of this matter 〈◊〉 that upon the return of our long Bark she told 〈◊〉 she had discover'd no Ships pass we went and â—â—hor'd at Kings-Islands where the whole Fleet 〈◊〉 the usual Oath that we would not wrong one â—â—other to the value of a Piece of Eight in case God 〈◊〉 pleased to give us the Victory over the Spaniards 〈◊〉 the seventeenth one of our Men died On the nineteenth we weighed and anchored between the great Island and those in the East Channel through which we thought the Fleet we expected would pass On the twenty eighth another 〈◊〉 our Men died Next day we made ready aâ—â— sailed for Cape Pin. On the thirty
favour of an Easterly Breeze we arrived on the fourteenth we ran our selves presently a-shore and it was high time for we had all along from the time of the Fight five Foot of Water in the Hold We lost no time to put our selves in a condition to get up again before Panama that we might know what became of our Fleet about which we were in great pain which we were put out of on the six and twentieth when we saw them coming to an Anchor in the same place where we were who told us they did not fight any more after our Departure from them That the Spanish Fleet upon the ninth in the Evening had anchor'd within Cannon Shot of ours and that both the one and the other having made ready on the tenth the Spaniards sailed away for the Port of Panama that Captain David had been hard plied by the Spanish Cannon especially with two Shots that carried off half his Rudder but that he had no more than six of his Ships Crew wounded and only one killed that Captain Sammes was no less put to it that almost all his Poop was sweept off that he had received several Shots between Wind and Water that his Mate had his Head shot off with a Cannon Ball and that he had no more than three Men wounded And that in short the other lesser Vessels had lost never a Man and had but very few wounded Here I may truly say and without exasperating the matter that it was a strange thing and next to a Miracle that we who were so few in number and had such pitifull Ships of our own should be able to bear the Fire of withstand and fight so considerable a Fleet in comparison of our own consisting of such good Ships and manned so well as that of the Spaniards was whose Admiral was a Vessel of seventy Guns though she had but fifty six mounted because she was too old Their Vice-Admiral had sorty though she was bored to carry sixty Guns she was a very fine Ship and an excellent Sailor but also old The Patach was a Vessel of forty Guns though she had no more than eight and twenty mounted The Conserve had eighteen Guns but was built as well as the Patach to carry forty The other three were almost as big besides they had the advantage oâ— Fire-ships on board of which they had planted Cannon to the end that we might not take theâ— to be really what they were and that so they might come near and the more easily surprize us than 〈◊〉 we were aware of them If we had met with this Fleet as we were in hope we should before they got an addition of strengâ—â— in Panama or that we had had but only the Winâ— of them when we attack'd them I do not question but things would have appeared with another faâ—â— than now they did and that we should have posseâ—â— our selves of their Ships to bring us back through the Sâ—â—eights with Wealth enough to live at ease whiâ—â—â—ould have freed us all at once after a continue Sâ—ccession of Fatigues and Troubles which wâ— were forced to go through for three Years longer 〈◊〉 well in those Places as in our return over Land 〈◊〉 the North Sea but Divine Providence had otherwisâ— ordered it On the twenty ninth we parted from the Isle 〈◊〉 St. Iohn to the number of three hundred Men 〈◊〉 five Canoes in order to go and surprize the Towâ— of Pueblo Nuevo that was six Leagues off thinkiâ—â— we should get some Provision there whereof now 〈◊〉 began to be in need Being landed on the thiâ—â— first we took a Sentinel but another escaped which was the occasion of our being discovered We were obliged in order to get at this Town to go up a very fine River two Leagues and to make use of the flowing of the Tide for that purpose Before we came at it we found a Retrenchment made for its Security but ill guarded The Town is none of the best situated though it stands upon the River-side being surrounded every way with Marshes We found neither People nor Victuals there and so we left it on the third of Iuly and next day as we returned with our Canoes to rejoyn our Fleet we gave Chase to a Bark which we took and on the fifth we got to our Ships The English and we had a difference in the Descent we made upon this Town for they being more numerous than we would take the advantage of us and be Masters of the whole and that so far that Captain Townsley would have taken Captain Groigniet's Ship away which Captain David had given him and give him his own for her But as he found he had to do with men who though inferiour in number would not tamely be thus put upon he was forced to give over his Pretensions Yet we finding still that they continued to pretend to the same Dominion over us we separated our selves from them to the number of an hundred and thirty Frenchmen without reckoning Captain Groigniet's Crew who were two hundred more and after having banded our selves apart we landed upon the Island One of the chief reasons that made us disagree was their Impiety against our Religion for they made no Scruple when they got into a Church to cut down the Arms of a Crucifix with their Sabres or to shoot them down with their Fusils and Pistols bruising and maiming the Images of the Saints with the same Weapons in Derision to the Adoration we Frenchmen paid unto them And it was chiefly from these horrid Disorders that the Spaniards equally hated us all as we â—â—me to understand by divers of their Letters that sell into our Hands which I have got rendred into French as may be seen by and by On the ninth the English weighed and came to anchor about five or six Leagues to Leeward of the place where we were building our Canoes to fit up others for themselves in Lieu of those they had lost as well as we during the Fight with the Spanish Fleet. We laid out for Trees fit for our purpose and to that end went into a Wood which in these parts grows near to the Sea of which we chose the largest which commonly are those Trees called Mapou and Acajou and are withal very tender and easie to be wrought among them we found some so large that the single Trunk after being hewâ— and made hallow could carry fourscore Men. While we were builâ—â—â— our Canoes a Centinel whom we had set on a very high Tree growing on the Sea-side in our Island as well for discovering leâ—â— the English who knew we were imployed about our Canoes should come to take away our Ship as to observe if any Spanish Ship should sail between the main Land and the Island whereon we were came to tell us on the fifteenth that he saw a Ship out at Sea steering South-West and by West which put us presently upon making ready to come up
Coast where we never were before On the five and twentieth we put to the Shoar and landed and after a March of three Hours came to an Hatto where we surprized the People who gave us to understand that the English had taken the Town of Leon and burnt that of Realeguo That the Inhabitants of Legoria Granada Sansonnat St. Michell St. Salvador and Villa-Nueva which are Neighbouring Towns to the two fore-mention'd ones had sent a considerable Re-inforcement of Men to those of the Town of Leon who yet durst not attack the English who staid there three whole days during which time they had sent several Messages to these Re-inforcements to require them to fight in the Race Savana which the other still refused saying they were not yet all come together that is that they were hitherto no more than six to one and that they staid till they were doubly increased On the six and twentieth one of our Quarter-Masters who was a Catalonian by Birth fled to the Spaniards which hindred us at this time from going to take the Town of Granada of which I shall speak in its due place for we did not doubt but that he had given them an account of the Design we had formed upon that place On the seven and twentieth we went on board our Canoes again and made for the Port of Realeguo where the Rendezvous of our Ship was to be We could land no where all along the Coast because the Sea breaks with so much Violence there when 't is a Southerly Wind that it is impossible to come near it However six of our Men swum with a design to fill some Casks with Water which we were in want of but they could not do it for the Spaniards followed us by Land all along the Bank and so it sell out that one of our Men was unfortunately drowned On the first of November we arrived at the Port of Realeguo where we found our Ship at Anchor There are two Passages to this Port whereof that to Windward is best It 's very narrow and besides this has two Mornes or little Mountains that form the two points thereof Upon one of which the Spaniards had a design to build a Fort. There is a very fine River runs into this Haven that bears the same Name with the Town It 's safe from any Winds and contains within it â—ive Islands that are very good to carreen Ships in there are but three Leagues from thence up the River before you come at the Town But before we got there with our Canoes we met three very strong Retrenchments that had been made for its Security upon the River's side about a Quarter of a League distant one from another and which the English had half burnt â—â—bout a Musket Shot from the Town the Spaniarâ—â— had very fine Docks where they build their Shipâ— It 's washed with this River and stands in a very fine Country water'd with several other Rivulets and both its Churches and Houses though then haâ—â— burnt appear'd to us to have been beautifull enough We are also farther to take notice that that River we have spoken of has eight Arms by which you may conveniently convey any thing to the Villageâ— Sugar-Plantations and Hatto's whereof this Country is full and which belongs to the Burghers as well of this Town as of the neighbouring ones of which Lâ—on that is not above four Leagues off is situated 〈◊〉 a very curious Plain On the second we went to take two of those Hatto's from whence we carrieâ— some Victuals on board for those who were carreeâ—â—ing our Ships On the â—th we departed to the number of an hundred and fifty Men to go and seize the Sentinels of the Town of Leon and having surprized them on the eighth they informed us there were two thousand men in the Place who yet not trusting to their numbers had taken all their moveables and carryed them to a place of safety We returned on Board on the ninth and next day set out to go to a great Sugar-Plantation two Leagues distant from this City where we arrived at Midnight but found no Soul living there the People being gone for their security to the Town upon the report that was spread abroad that we had taken some Sentinels But as we were upon our return from this Sugar Plantation to go on Board again our Van Guard met with a Detatchment of Horse upon whom they fired and made them fly but the Captain was made a Prisoner who upon our questioning of him told us that he had heard of us a long time since but not knowing what Language we spoke we had been taken for a Company of two 〈◊〉 and fourscore Mulatos who were looking out to fight us knowing we were ashoar and who would be at that Sugar Plantation that Evening we asked the Captain what they were he had headed and he answered they were a Troop of Horse who guarded the Embarking Place belonging to that Sugar Plantation 〈◊〉 that the Governour of the Town coming to know 〈◊〉 were come to the Port of Realeguo had given them orders to retire in such a manner as gave us to understand that our Enemies kept a very good Guard when they had nothing to be afraid of and that they would draw off as soon as ever they saw us near and in effect we found them to be exactly the very same as represented to us For surely if they had had but any thing of Resolution and Courage being as numerous as they were in respect to us they could haâ—e easily cut us off is often as we made any descent upon them and thus many times we found our Safety to proceed from their Cowardice as much as from our own Courage On the 13th the same Company of an hundred and 〈◊〉 Men left our Vessels to go take a Burrough Town three Leagues above the City of Realeguo whose Name was Pueblo Viego we passed through this Place which we found to be quite deserted by its Inhabitants because of the Excommunication they had thundered out against themselves Some perhaps will be surprized to hear of this extravagant humour but there is nothing truer then that when the Free Booters have several times taken the same place from them their Prelates after excommunicatiâ—â— and cursing the same quit it entirely and will not bury even their Dead whom we killed as supposing theâ— for the foresaid Reason unworthy of Christian Buryal On the 14th in the Morning we arrived at Pueblo Virâ—â— from whence their Sentinels had discovered us since the 13th in the Evening so that we found the Enemy â—â—trenched in the Great Church and about an hundred and fifty Horse upon the place of Arms. We presently fell to work and after some Discharges we put thâ—â— to slight but those that were within the Church held 〈◊〉 about half an hour longer and then made their 〈◊〉 through a door that was behind the Vestry which
kept from being murthered and that without recciving as much as one Wound but by a visible hand of protection from Heaven The Spaniards left thirty Moâ—â— dead upon the spot and thus we defended our selves as desperate Men and to say all in a word like Freâ—â— Booters We burnt all the Houses in the Town this day least under the Covert of them our Sentinels might be surprized and that the Enemy might come to insult us iâ— the Night when we had so done we retired into the great Church where they durst not come to attack us but contented themselves to give us some Musket shoâ— from time to time and that from a great distance Chiriquita is a small Town that stands in a Plain of Savanas from whence the sight is bounded almost every way with no other than small but very pleasant Thickets There are several Rivulets that traverse it in diverse places and afterward gently glide into these Savanâ—â— to water them It s surrounded with a great many Haâ—â—tos and they drive no other Trade but in Tallow and Leather the Port or embarking place belonging to it is on a pretty large River from whence you must ascend about a League to come at it There is but one way to come in at its Mouth and the Spaniards themselves with out a Bâ—oy will not venture to enter it there are three Leagues by Land from this embarking place to the Town and that through so pleasant a way that none but such as we were could be weary of it who had no other thoughts then to get Victuals to satisfye out hunger which bore hard upon us when we were going to take this Town having eaten nothing from the Fifth when we left our Vessels till the Ninth that we took it On the 10th we left the place taking our Prisoners along with us to wait for the ransoming of them upon an Island that is within the same River making choice rather of these places for that purpose than of the Continent and where being obliged for a long time to stay for the Money we should give the Spaniards thereby 〈◊〉 opportunity to gather all their force together and to pay us all at once by overpowering us with Numbers whereas these Islands to which they could not come any other way then in Shaloops and that openly put us out of care to reimbark according to the measures they took by Land When therefore we returned to our Canoes which waited for us at the Port of Chiriquita we found the Inhabitants of that Town had laid an Ambushcade for us but we beat them off and after the Enemy had 〈◊〉 retired they sent us a person to demand their Prisoners whom they said they would recover or perish in the attempt We told the Messenger we were very ready to give them up if they would come and meet us in the Race Savana to take them and that if they fired one single Bullet at us they should have no quarter which so humbled their Pride that we saw no more of them As soon as we were got to the forementioned Island we sent part of our Canoes to look after the Cargo of the small Frigat which the Spaniards of Chiriquita gave us information of where they found above an hundred Men intrenched but they could not hinder our Men from possessing themselves of what they went in search for Among the Baggage they found some Letters that among other things gave us to understand that the Admirâ—â— of the Peru Fleet who was returned to Lima had been bâ—rnt with all â—or Crew which was at that time four hundred Men by a Thunderbolt and this was so much the more surprising and admirable that no Man living could remember to have heard any Thunder in that Country no more then to have seen it Rain On the 16th The Ransom for our Prisoners came and after we had set them at liberty we returned aboard our Ship which rid then at Anchor at St. Iohn's Island On the 20th we concluded among our Selves it was necessary we should build large Pirogues seeing we could make no farther use of our Ship for want of Sails and we had nothing left to make them with and still were less able to take Ships from the Spaniards on this Western Coast where they had put an entire stop to their Navigation since we were come thither Oâ— the 22d we made choice of tall Trees to make our Canoes and Pirogues of upon the Banks of a curious River which we knew to be in the Island On the 27th we descry'd seven sail of Ships out a Sea which made us fit out five Canoes to go and 〈◊〉 what they were and as we doubled one of the Points of the Island we discerned twelve Pyrogues and thâ—â— long Barks who coasted it all along We took theâ—â— presently to be the Fleet of Peru that was come in quâ—â— of us we gave our Men notice of it without delay and at the same time resolved to put all we had on Board our Ship into our Bark and to go into that River where our Docks were there to wait the coming of our Enemy where they could not come to attack us without losing a great many Men. This project we put forthwiâ—â— in Execution and after we had abandoned our Ships which could not be brought into that River we ran hâ—â— ashoar least the Spaniards should have any Benefit of in and put her into a sailing Condition being very well assured of our Selves that they did not want Sails as we did for that purpose On the 28th our Sentinels came to give us Notiâ—â— that six Pirogues plyed along the Shoar which made 〈◊〉 at the same time put an hundred and fifty Men to lye iâ— Ambush on both sides the River and then we set 〈◊〉 with two of our Canoes from whence after we had seen them we feigned to run away by going back to ingage them to give us chase But they suspecting a stratagem in the case bore directly upon our Shâ—p that was run aground upon which they fired very surâ—ously though there was none left within it but only a poor Cat which they perceiving they bravely boarded and burnt her for the sake of the Iron-work that belonged to her which is a Commodity as rare as 〈◊〉 dear in some parts of Peru. On the first of February the Spanish Fleet sailed away and left us at ease to â—â—nish our Work upon which we spent the remainder 〈◊〉 the Month. We understood afterwards that the Admiral of this Fleet had orders to put some Field-pieces ashoar to demolish those Fortifications which they thought we had made upon the Island being induced to believe it was so by by the report the Prisoners which we sent them made of our Intentions We to impose upon them having asked whether there were any Masons among them that could do our Work and sometimes obliged them to give as Brick for their Ransom though we had no need
of them there were no less then fourteen of our Men dyed in the Month of February On the 14th of March we departed from the Isle of St. Iohn with our two Barks an half Gally of 40 Oars ten great Pyrogues and ten small Canoes all built of Mapou-Timber except our two Barks we gained the Windward point of the Island to take a review of our Men and found our Selves weaker by no less then thirty Persons since our separation from the English But we formed a design anew at the same time which had been put by for above four Months which was to go and take the Town of Granada distant now from us about two hundred Leagues To effect this Work it was necessary we should be furnished with Provision wherewith to subsist us during the Voyage and we having none this made us send away our half Galley and four Canoes to seek for some at Pueblo Nueoo while the rest of the Company went to â—arry for us at the Isle of St. Peter which is two Leagues to Windward of the River Chiriquita and to finish somewhat that was still wanting to the compleat Equipment of our Canoes On the 6th of April about three hours before day-light we were got near to the River of Pueblo Nuevo and by a clear light of the Moon we discerned a small Prigat at its Mouth as also a long Bark and a Pyrogue We came within Pistol shot of them as supposing them to be our English Freebooters from whom we had separated But we found our selves quickly mistaken for after we had haled them they answered us with an intire Volley of great and small shot which made us now conjecture that they were and it was too true a detachment left by the Spanish Fleet in that place when they left us at St. Iohn's Island as a guard to two small Ships which we knew they were lading with Provisions at the Port of this Town in order to transport the same to Panama Our mistake was the reason that we had twenty Men disabled to fight by this first Discharge of the Enemy before we know well where we were but after we were a little recovered out of the surprize this adventure put us to we fought them stifly for the space of two hours though we had the use of no other Arms than our Fuzees and not one Cannon to discharge upon them And they on their part defended themselves so much the more vigorously in that they believed we after such a surprize as we had been exposed to would quickly slacken our Courage and give way They did all they could to make ready during the Fight but we hinder'd them and no Man could appear in the Shroudâ— but we brought them down as well as their Granadeers from their Round Tops But finding the light of the Moon now gone we put off out of the reach of theâ—â— Cannon as well to take care of our wounded Men which amounted to thirty three besides four who were killed out right as to wait for day light in order to terminate this Affair which we were not willing to leave undecided But the Enemy did in the mean time retire under the covert of a Retrenchment which I have said already they had upon the Banks of this River where the Country People who had heard the noise of the Fight in the Night were also come which made us conclude that if we went to attack them in that place we could not have that advantage there we had resolved to take of them So upon approach of day we steered our Course to go and rejoyn our Canoes at the Isle of St. Peter where we arrived on the Eighth On the ninth we found our Selves in great want of Victuals having now nothing at all to eat and this 〈◊〉 us hard to it more especially our wounded Men whoâ— we sent by our half Gally for their better conveniency on board our two Barks whom we had appointed to Rendesvouz in the Bay of Boca-del-Toro When this was done we went ashoar to a Town ten Leagues to Leeward of Chiriquita where finding none we left it and on the Eleventh in our return to our Canoes we found in order to strengthen us under the languishmeâ—â— which Hunger had reduced us to a regale of an Ambuscade of five hundred Men laid for us against whom for all our weakness we made so good a defence that we obliged them to leave us free Passage but yet not without the loss of two of our Men. We went on Board in the Evening to go joyn our Barks in the Bay of Boca-del-Tâ—ro where we arrived the thirteenth and went ashoar spending our Time to the sixteenth in hunting more especially for the subsistance of our wounded Men and here we found the same sort of Deer and Birds as I have taken notice of in our passage over the Continent in great plenty On the same day we departed for the Bay of Caldaira after having renewed our Enterprize upon the little Town of Lesparso of which I have already spoken On the 19th being arrived in the Bay we went ashoar two hours before Day light and reached the Town About Eleven in the Morning we found the place was in a manner intirely abandoned from the time we had taken the Sentinels who as I have already observed diverted us from going thither by the account they gave of the Reinforcement that was come to them from Carthage However we took some Prisoners who told us all the People were retired to this last Town which is four and twenty Leagues off so that finding our endeavours all frustrated we returned on the 20th to the Sea side to rejoyn our Canoes Lesparso is reckoned to be three Leagues distant from the Sea-side and the way thither very bad you cannot travel the length of a Gun-shot in even Ground but the same is every where rugged and full of little Mountains and Hills though beyond them the Country appears to be very good and delightful The Town is built upon an Eminence from whence one may easily see all that comes in and goes out of the Bay This Town is in a manner encompassed with a Rivulet that runs round it Between it and Carthage are very curious Plains with royal ways made through them and that as well as any in Europe On the 21st we victuall'd our selves with the Fruit of a Bananery in this Bay wherein our two Barks came to joyn us and next day we summoned our People ashoar upon this Island as well to consult how we should attack the Town of Granada which we had a design upon as to take an account of what powder they had as fearing many of them might use it in hunting Here we enacted orders whereby those were condemned to lose their share of the Booty got in the place that should be found guilty of Cowardice Violence Drunkeness Disobedience Theft and straggling from the Main Body without orders When this was over we left
Tements as soon as we got to any Place to burn all the Provision they had which to our sorrow was but to well executed not only here but every where else and was the cause also of that Hunger and extraordinary toyl which we were forced to endure in these Seas as long as we staid there The same day about Noon came about eight hundred Men into a Savana from Leon to fight us the Sentinel which we had placed on the top of the Steeple rung the Alarum-Bell to give us notice to get together and come out of the Houses where we were dispersed Whereupon we marched in a body of an hundred and fifty Men with red Colours to fight them but as they could not endure to let us come within Musket-shot of them for they fled without any more ado we were oblig'd to retire and on the 6th went away to go on Board our Ships which we careened next day as we also cleaned our Canoes On the 9th we had a consultation together about what way we should take and here we found our selves of two Opinions one party was for going up before Panama being in hopes they had begun their Navigation again as knowing we were far enough from them But the rest represented that many times they had such Years on that Coast whereof that might be one of them that eigâ—t Months thereof was sad Weather in respect to excessive Rains and Southerly Winds which reign there and that therefore it would be more advisable to go lower Westward and winter upon some Island or other and there to wait for fair Weather Now these different Sentiments were pursued by us and every Man having made choice of his side Next day our Chirurgeons had orders to give in an account of those among the wounded who were crippled to the end we mâ—ght make them Satisfaction before we divided They told us we had four Men crippled and six hurt to which we gave six hundred pieces of Eight a Man and a thousand to those that were crippled as it was our constant custom in those Seas and it was exactly all the Money we had got together that was applyed to that use We made a Division of the Barks and Canoes on the 12th and we found our selves to be an hundred and forty eight French-Men ready to go up towards Panama without comprehending the English under Captain Townsley and the same number of French failed also to the Westward Next day our Provision was shared amongst us and now it was that we divided into two parts those who were for the Westward put themselves under the Conduct of Captain Grogniet and we that were bound for Panama were commanded by Captain Townsley And then we went to Anchor at an Island half a League distant from that we left to take in Water and Wood On the sixteenth Captain Groignet sent us his Quarter-master to desire us to put none of our Prisoners ashoar for fear they should give the Spaniards notice of our Separation for as he had a design to make a Descent upon them he was apprehensive that such a Discovery would make them more 〈◊〉 and hardy to oppose him On the 19th we made ready and sailed for Panama with Captain Townslâ—y's Ship and oâ—e Bark We steered East-South-East to South-South-East and to South-South-West till mid-night when we were overtaken with a Storm which made us lye by till the 20th at Noon when the Weather proved fair then we steered East-South-East to the 23d when we anchored in the Bay of Colebra to take in Water We spent that day there to take Tortoises which are to be found in great numbers in that little Bayâ—h They are of different sizes and we found one sort of them so large that one was enough for fifty Persons to feed upon in a day On the 24th we put an hundred and fifty Men ashoar in order to find out some Town or Burrough we having no Guide with us that knew this Country and after we had walked a League or thereabouts we alight upon three Haâ—toes very near one another where finding Edibles enough we sâ—aid till the 26th when we returned on Board Then Captain Townsley proposed we should go and take the Town of Villia which is 30 Leagues to Leeward of Panama to which all of us agreed and that Evening we weighed having a Wind blowing from the Land which served us till the 27th at Noon when it blew very hard from the South-East accompanied with Rain till the 28th in the Evening when it began to allay we were favoured all the 29th with a Westerly Wind and that Evening were brought in sight of Capâ— Blanch. On the 3â—th the Weather was fair enough but on the 31st two hours before Day light it grew very boisterous so that we were forced to put in for that Cape we had a Thunderbolt fell upon the end of ouâ— great Sail Yard which did no more then crack it Having moderate weather on the first of Iuâ—e we steered East-South-East and next day about Noon had a sight of Land but it was so hazy that we could not tell where we were however we steered East by South-East to come near The Weather being now somewhat cleared up we found we were between the Bay of Boca-del-Toro and the Point called Barica when we sailed South and by South-East to put out to Sea and then bore to the North-East that we might reach the Isle of St. Iohn de Cueblo On the 7th we put in at the Isle of Montosa six Leagues to the Southward of that of St. Iohn We set out three Canoes with which we coasted round about this last and our Ships anchored at another little Island which is half a League to the East While we were going round St. Iohn's Island with our Canoes we found nothing there but one of our Prisoners who having made his escape from us when we were there and being not able to get to the Continent returned to us On the 10th we went back to our Ships and next day took in our store of Water and Wood and cleaned our Ships There arose the succeeding Night a North Wind that tore our Cables and made us think we should be thrown ashoar But as good Luck would have it it came about and gave us an opportunity to make ready and to cast Anchor farther from the Shoar By the favour of the Lightning we discovered our Canoes and â—ound their Ropes also broken and that the Waves were throwing them ashoar also unless we had saved them though we could not hinder one of them from being sâ—aved to pieces On the 13th we made ready and sailed for La Villia with a West-South-West Wind made Land on the fifteenth and knew it to be the Cape called Morn a Puercos then we bore off to Sea with a hard Wind till the Evening when the Weather grew so very bad that we did nothing till the 18th but let our Ships drive with a South-West
Rudders and Sails of those three Barks in two of whiâ—â— we embarked our selves all together and sent out 〈◊〉 stantly fifty Men by Land before us to seek out 〈◊〉 Sails and Rudders giving them a Signal that we wouâ—â— fire off three Guns and that they should answer us 〈◊〉 as many to shew where they should find us to the 〈◊〉 they might joyn us there But at the same time that 〈◊〉 fired our three pieces we heard the report of aboâ—â— five hundred which made us immediately conclude 〈◊〉 Men were attacked wherefore we delayed not to go 〈◊〉 shoar in order to relieve them but by the time we caâ— up the Engagement was over and had not the River beâ—â— between them and us the matter had not been ended 〈◊〉 We found one of our People in this place who had 〈◊〉 ped out of our Vessels after we had brought away 〈◊〉 Ship tackle that were hid in the Woods After we were imbarked we asked the Captain 〈◊〉 Horse of Villia that was our Prisoner where it was 〈◊〉 Spaniards could lay other Ambuscades for us he answâ—â— it might be about the Rivers Mouth and not only 〈◊〉 but that we should mistrust all those places which seeâ—â—ed to give them any advantage over us and then 〈◊〉 came to an Anchor because of the coming in of thâ— Tide On the 26th we went ashoar at the place where they 〈◊〉 Killed our Men the day before we found the two â—anoes dashed to pieces and the Bodies of our Men â—hom they had wounded in several places after they 〈◊〉 dead One of them they had thrown into the Fire 〈◊〉 put the others Head upon a Pole as we have said â—â—ready These Objects so enraged our Men that they 〈◊〉 off at the same time four of their Prisoners Heads 〈◊〉 they set up also upon Poles in the same Place â—hen we took the Bodies of ours to bury them on the 〈◊〉 side and before we got thither we were forced â—â—ree times to go ashoar to break through the Ambuscades â—ll for us all along the River at the mouth whereâ—â— we found also that we were warned of by the Capâ—â—â—n of Horse aforesaid but we happily freed our selves â—â—om it though with the loss of three Men and one â—â—unded At last we rejoyned our Canoes where one 〈◊〉 our wounded Men dyed soon after The River of Villia is very large and at Low-water breaks at the mouth of it as on a flat Shoar about a â—â—ague to Windward stands a great Rock which Night 〈◊〉 Day and at all Seasons is covered with a vast numâ—er of Birds called Fregates Maubies and great Goziers 〈◊〉 live altogether by fishing Great Ships cannot enter to this River they being obliged to anchor within â—â—non shot in the Sea but for Barks of about forty 〈◊〉 they can go up a League and an half within it 〈◊〉 Port or place of Embarking belonging to Villia is 〈◊〉 a League and an half higher and the Town a quarâ—â—â— of a League distant from it it s very well scituated 〈◊〉 its Churches are almost fallen to Ruine though they 〈◊〉 very rich on the inside Its Streets are very straight 〈◊〉 the private Houses pretty well built on the out 〈◊〉 of it are a great many Hattos accompanyed with veâ—â— fine Savana's The Town of Nata which is the nighâ—â— stands seven Leagues distant from it On the 27th came a Person on Board us to redemand 〈◊〉 Prisoners with whom we agreed for ten thouâ—â— pieces of Eight ransom and threatned to cut 〈◊〉 all their Heads if they did not send us the Money by 〈◊〉 29th But instead of that he returned to tell us that 〈◊〉 Alcaide Major had seized upon those of their Peoâ—â—â— who were our Prisoners whom we had sent ashoar 〈◊〉 get wherewithall to ransom their Wives in revenge whereof we presently cut off the Heads of two Prisonerâ— and gave them the Messenger to carry to the Alcaidâ— telling him if he sent us no other answer we woâ— cut off the Heads of the rest and after having put 〈◊〉 Women upon an Island we would go to take himself 〈◊〉 same Person in the Evening returned to tell us that 〈◊〉 the Ransoms would come and that besides them thâ— would bestow upon us ten Beefs twenty Sheep anâ— two packs of Meal the least whereof usually weighâ— an hundred pound every day as long as we staid On the 30th they brought us back the Man who they had taken in Exchange for the Captain of 〈◊〉 that was our Prisoner and as they shew themselves 〈◊〉 fond of having French Arms they pretended to 〈◊〉 lost them that belonged to our Man for which we 〈◊〉 them pay four hundred pieces of Eight They proposeâ— to buy them one of the Barks we had taken from theâ— and agreed with us for six hundred pieces of Eight aâ— one hundred pound of Nails of which we stood in 〈◊〉 need whereupoon we delivered her up after we 〈◊〉 first taken out her Tackle and Anchors They also â—â—quired a Pasport from us that we would not retake 〈◊〉 Bark in case met with her out at Sea but only the 〈◊〉 wherewith she should be laden which we also gave thâ— Next day in the Evening they brought us the ten thâ—â—sand pieces of Eight as had been agreed upon then 〈◊〉 weigh'd in order to go anchor at a place that served 〈◊〉 a little Port to an Hatto where they were to give us 〈◊〉 hundred and twenty falted Beefs We departed froâ— thence on the fourth of Iuly and anchored at 〈◊〉 Isle of Iguana to see and get us some Water not 〈◊〉 ring to go and get us any on the Continent that 〈◊〉 guarded with four thousand Men But after we had â—â—â—sed in some places and found that the Water was braâ—â—ish we resolved rather than we would dye for thirst make a descent with two hundred Men on the 〈◊〉 Firma in order to procure us some in spight of the Sâ—â—niards whom we found about an hundred paces from 〈◊〉 Sea-side lying upon the Grass and after a short Figâ— put them to flight seeing we were a People would â—â—â—zard all for a small matter This being over we pâ—â—sently filled some Casks with Water and reimbarkâ—â— again On the 7th we weighed Anchor and sailed for the King's Isles and on the 9th anchored at Morne a Puerâ—â— fourteen Leagues to Leeward of the Island Iguana â—o take in more Water there being no Body there to opâ—ose us We departed on the 10th with a favourable West-Wind and that day one of our wounded Men dyed On the 13th we discovered an Island called Galera which is to Leeward of all the Kings Islands and on the fourteenth we began to perceive the Currents that reign all the year round between those Islands which made us 〈◊〉 farther off to Sea On the 15th we had a North-West Wind a fresh Gale which brought us near Land and three days after which was the 18th discovered Cape 〈◊〉 and kept
all day the at Cape for fear of being discovered by the Inhabitants of those many Islands that were round about us On the 21st in the Evening we went on Board our â—anoes and landed at Mid-night but for all the Preâ—â—tion we had taken we were discovered by the Peoâ—â—e that were fishing for Oyster Pearls which are to be and in great numbers sticking to the bottom of the â—ocks that are round about these Islands On the 22d 〈◊〉 the Evening we discovered from one of these Islands â—here we had made a descent a Ship under Sail to 〈◊〉 we gave chase and came up with her two hours before day light when without any more ado we boardâ—â— and made our selves masters of her The Men on 〈◊〉 told us the Inhabitants of Panama did not think 〈◊〉 were so near and that as we had come from the king of Villia they believed we had chose rather to 〈◊〉 gone and winter'd at St. Iohn's Island where they â—â—ought still we had built a Fort grounding their perâ—â—asions upon those shams I have before observed we 〈◊〉 formerly made and still did as we found occasion They told us also that six and Thirty English and French were come from Peru in a Bark with an intention to 〈◊〉 by the way of the River Boca-del Chica to the North 〈◊〉 but that the Spaniards having intelligence thereof from the Indians with whom they had made Peace since they had granted us passage through their Countrey by 〈◊〉 same River into the South-Sea went out to meet â—â—em in great numbers had defeated the greatest party 〈◊〉 brought one Prisoner to Panama Moreover that â—wo English Parties consisting of forty Men each having an intention to pass from the North to the South-Sea had been all of them Massacred but four who were still Prisoners at Panama and lastly that there was a Bark in the River of Boca del Chica that tarryed for eight hundred Pounds in Gold dug up in the neighbouring Mines in order to carry it to Panama On the same day we returned on Board our Ships and sound them at Anchor by the greatest of the Kingâ—s Islands and ordered our Carpenters to make an Half-Galley of the Bark we had taken on the 26th We put some Questions afresh to the Captain of the said Bark who told us they were in daily expectation at Panama of the Arrival of two Ships laden with Meal which were to carry also the Pay of their Soldiers from Limas â—upon which Information we sent out our Half-Galley which was now finished to scout without the Islands On the 30th we departed with our Canoes and went ashoar upon one of these Islands where we surprized a Person that was come from Panama whose Master was Captain of those Greek Pirogues whereof we have formerly spoken who came on purpose thither to be taken to the end he might endeavour by Artificial ways to lead us into a Snare of which I am ready to give â— an account This Man immediately pretended a great deal of sincerity in telling us several things which he knew we were not ignorant of and some others which we could not quickly and easily come to know and among the rest that there were in the River of Seppa two Merchant Barks and a Pirogue with sixty Indians â—o Board whom the Spaniards had armed since they made a Peace with them That besides the Governor of Villia had acquainted the President of Panama that one of our Men whom they had taken had assured him that thirty more of us who had not been informed of the Peace and good understanding there was between the Indians and the Spaniards were about to pass from this Sea to that of the North by the same way we all of us had come into the South-Sea And that upon this Information the President had sent an hundred Men into the River of Boca del Chica to wait for them But to compass his Design which was to draw us under the Forts of Panama he told us in the last place that they had a little Frigat which came laden into that Port and a Gaily that was sent out every Evening upon the solved to take the Advantage of this Information which we took to be candid and real and not to neglect this opportunity of getting some Vessels for our selves whereof we stood in great need On the 1st of August we sent our Galley for this purpose into the River of Seppa in order to take one of the Barks our Captain spoke of and at the same time we departed also with four Canoes to go and seize those Ships in the port of Panama being accompanyed by our Greek Intelligencer who intended to be our Guide upon this occasion He brought us two hours before day light before the Town and as the Moon shone very bright we staid for some Cloud to obscure it to facilitate our approach undiscovered to the Ships in the Port whereof we saw one already which to our thinking had her Sails loose And here was the lure and snare to which the Captain lead us but by the effect of meer chance or rather our own good Fortune we turned away to a Ship which we unexpectedly saw going out of the Port and gave her chase believing the same to be the Galley that usually went out to scout as we had been told We took her without a Gun shot and upon Examination of the Captain who commanded her he discovered unto us that the President of Panama had sent us a Greeck who was to suffer himself to be taken by us and to whom he had promised a very great Reward if he succeeded in the project he had formed of destroying us that the means that had been agreed upon to effect it were to bring us under the Forts of that Town allured with the hopes of taking those Ships there wherewith he had amused us and whereof that which seemed to us to have her Sails loose was but a sham Ship a Pistol shot from the Port which was built upon firm Land of â—orty Planks ill set together in which they had set up Masts and adorned her with some Sails And as this was the most apparent Object and the first that offered it self in sight it was not to be questioned but that we who must believe the same to have been on the Water being deceived with the darkness of the Night would not have sailed being so greedy as we were to take her to row up to her where our Canoes must infallibly run far ashoar and that in the time that must necessarily have been spent in getting them off the Spaniards would have leasure to fall upon us where they did not doubt but so great a number of Men as they had in so considerable a Town as that was would quickly overpower and destroy us This Information which came so seasonably that it saved us from the certain danger we were going to throw our selves into was not so advantagious to
our Greek Captain who being known by the Captain of the Bark for the same Person of whose treachery he had now advertised us we paid him for his Trouble by sending him to the other World where he designed to have sent us after which we went to take the Island of Tavoga which had been reinhabited since we had left the Coast of Panama From the second at Night to the third we left this Island and went to take that of Ottoqua which is two Leagues North and South from it and which we found peopled again We made ready on the fourth to go and joyn our Galley whom we had appointed to Rendesvouz at the Isle of Sipilla but we found her in our passage with a Prize she had taken being one of the Barks that were in the River of Seppa from whence in coming out she had met with an Ambuscade that killed her two Men and broke the Arm of another On the fifth we saw five Sail between Tavoga and Panama we presently bore up to them and found they were our own Ships that had given chase to a Bark come from Nata laden with Provision The Master thereof finding he could not defend it threw himself into the Water and swam ashoar after he had made some discharges with his small Arms upon them On the sixth we went with our Prizes to Anchor at Tavoga and from thence writ to the President of Panama that if he would not give up the five English and French Prisoners he had in that place we would cut off the Heads of fifty Spaniards we had in our Hands But hearing no News of him on the seventh we weighed and sailed for the king's Islands We anchored on the ninth to stop the Leaks of our Ships and while that was doing we departed with our Galley and four Canoes for the River Boca del Chica as well to be informed whether it was true that the â—â—dians of Sambe had made Peace with the Spaniards as we had been assured as to go and burn all that was built of the Town called Terrible upon this fine River that it might be a defence to a Gold Mine they had near We went also to fight the hundred Men which the Greek told us lay in wait for thirty of our Free Booters that were to pass into the North Sea On the 11th we arrived at the mouth of the River Boca del Chica We lay at Anchor there till Midnight when we weighed and as the Sea swelled we suffered our selves to be carryed up the River at the pleasure of the Current About two in the Morning our Guide still believing we were far from the place whither he was conducting us made us put on apace which did us great harm for instead of going to surprize others we were surprized our selves For about a quarter of an hour after we saw Fire but there was no going back now for the River made a Bow from whence the rapidness of the Tide coming in threw us in spight of our Teeth upon these Fires which we came quickly to know were kindled by those hundred Men we were in quest of for they presently asked us from whence our Canoes were bound and being answered by our Guide pursuant to our Order from Panama they asked again who was the Commander and we being long in pitching upon a Spanish Name they gave us a full Volley But two Petereroe-shot which we made at them having forced them to quit their Ground we passed on and Anchored out of the reach of their Arms to wait for the ebb of tide that we might get out again for as we could find no place to go ashoar above them for the Country was full of Marthes except at the place where they were we resolved to take them lower down and so an hour before day light we went back before their Entrenchment after we had put all our Men under Deck and fired four Peterero-shots wherewith we saluted them so opportunely that we wounded them a great many Men and they made no great firing upon us On the 12th we took a small Vessel upon this River wherein were three Indians then we went ashoar with an intention to attack the Spaniards from behind their Intrenchments which commanded the River only But they presently sent out their Piroguâ— to take ours which made us expeditiously return on board our Vessels to defend them and to alter the manner of our attack by resolving to go to them before their Court of Guard at the Foot whereof we went ashoar in spight of all the fire they made upon us which lasted not long For our Petereroe and Musket-shot killed them a great many Men which made them quickly fly and leave us their Intrenchment where we found a great many Dead and Wounded Men and took some Prisoners among whom there was one named Alfier He was an Indian who out of a blind Zeal he had for the Interests of the Spaniards took us for them as we were going on board our Canoes and reproached us highly but we quickly disabused my Gentleman letting the Traytor know to whom we had before been so kind in our passage by the same River that we were become his Enemies since he was become ours and then put him out of a condition ever to serve the Spaniards or to injure us Those whom we took Prisoners informed us that we were discover'd at the New Town La Terrible and confirmed the account we had before of the Massacre of the three parties already mentioned as well those who would have gone to the South-Seas as the other who were minded to return by the way of that River to the North. Within this Entrenchment we found a Letter writ by the President of Panama to a Camp-master that commanded in the Town La Terrible which is as follows When the Enemy took La Villia one of their Men was taken who gave us information that thirty Men were to set forth by the way of the River Boca del Chica to return to the North Sea as believing there was still a good understanding between them and the Indians I have sent you three hundred Men to defeat those Enemies of God and Goodness be sure to keep upon your Guard be afraid of being surprized and your Men will infallibly be gainers in defeating of them Here it may be said that the Prisoners whom we took were highly useful to us as well by giving us means to subsist in these parts as to deliver us from a great many ' Ambushes and Dangers whereinto had it not been for them we must have fallen witness this same where the Spaniards would have spared our thirty Men the pains of going to the North-Sea At last when we had burnt their Court of Guard we took their Pirogue with some pounds of Gold-dust we found there and then went down the River As for those three Indians whom we took in the Boat we sent them to tell their Comrades that
Moveables When our Canoes were come to â—â—â—chor under the Town we were not backward to 〈◊〉 Four of them away in pursuit of the Shallops that â—â—â—ried the said Riches of the Town away but then it 〈◊〉 too late They only took Two and twenty Thousand Pieces of Eight and a Vermillion Eagle gilt that bâ— served for a Tabernacle to some Church weighing Sixtâ— eight Pounds and was exceeding Rate as well for 〈◊〉 Workmanship as Two great Rocks of Emeralds where with the Eyes of it were made There were Fourteeâ— Barks in the Port with the Galleys against whom 〈◊〉 fought at Puâ—blo Nuevo and Two of the King of Spaiâ— Ships upon the Stocks almost finished We agreeâ— with the Governour in the Evening about the Price 〈◊〉 his his Families the Town Fort Cannon and Shiâ— Ransoms they being to give us a Million of Pieces 〈◊〉 Eight in Gold and Four hundred Sacks of Corn anâ— in order to forward the payment of the said Ransoâ—â— which was to be brought from the Town of Quilâ— â—ighty Leagues off he desired us to release their Vicar â—eneral who was a Man of great Authority and Credit â—mongst them We found this Governour 's House so richly furnish'd â—â—d filled with such precious Moveables that nothing in â—urope could be more Magnificent The Women of this own are very Pretty but most of the Fathers or â—â—â—ks live here at great Ease and in such Familiarity â—ith the Fair Sex that is far from being a good Pattern â—nd Example unto others The Fathers hated us to that â—gree that they perswaded the Women who had never â—en any Freebooters we were altogether unlike them â—hat we were not even of human Form and that we â—ould both eat them and their Children which made â—hem conceive so much Horror and Aversion for us that â—hey could not be dispossest thereof till they came to know â—s better But then I can boldly say they entertained â—uite different Sentiments of our Persons and have given 〈◊〉 frequent instances of so violent a Passion as proâ—eeded sometimes even to a degree of Folly It 's not from a chance Story that I came to know the â—â—pressions wrought in these Women that we were Men â—hat would eat them For the next Day after the taking of the Town a Young Gentlewoman that waited upon â—he Governess of the Place happening to fall into my Hands as I was carrying her away to the Place where the â—est of the Prisoners were kept and to that end made her walk before me she turned back and with Tears in her Eyes told me in her own Language Senior pur lâ—amor â—e dios no mi como that is Pray Sir for the Love of God 〈◊〉 not eat me whereupon I asked who had told her that we were wont to eat People she answered the Fathers who had also assured them that we had not human â—hape but that we resembled Monkeys On the 21st some of our Men who had made a Fire in the Day time in one of the Houses of the Town came to the Court of Guard in the Evening without extinguishing of it so that at Night it set the Town on Fire but the fear we were in least the same should reach our Court of Guard whereon was lodged all the Powder in the Place and part of the Merchandize and Riches of the Town we were obliged to get all carried on Board the Barks that were in the Port and to bring all our Prisoners into the Fort and when that was done we endeavoured to put a stop to the Fire which 〈◊〉 burnt down one third of the Town notwithstanding all the pains we took to put it out We returned on the 22d in the Morning to our Courâ— of Guard and fearing least the Spaniards might refuse to pay the Ransom agreed on for the Town because of this Accident we having promised by our Treaty with them not to burn it we took upon us to believe they were the cause of it and sent them a Letter wherein we gave them to understand we were much surprized at their manner of procedure That they should after our Agreement with them come with a mischievous Intention to burn the Merchandize and Corn that were of so much use to us and that we repented we had not left all the Town to be burnt That if they did not pay us what we had suffered by the Fire we should send them Fifty of the Prisoners Heads They thereupon excused the Matter to us saying they must be some rasâ—ally spightful People that had done this and they would take care to satisfie us On the 23d the Governour furnished us with a coasting Pilot whom we sent in one of our Canoes to see foe our Ships to whom we had given Orders they should lay by in the Bay to bring them to an Anchor at the Isle of Puna whither we were to go at our departure from Queaquilla to wait for the promised Ransoms On the 24th finding one of our Men was Sick with the Stench which the dead Carcasses to the number of above nine hundred lying up and down the Town occasioned We went our ways after we had first dismounted and nailed up the Cannon in the Fort and carried Five hundred Prisoners being the best of the Inhabitants along with us into our Barks wherein we arrived with them on the 25th at Puna where we found our Ships ready to cast Anchor On the 2d of May Captain Grogniet died of the Wound he had received that Day we took the Town when the Seven hundred Spaniards opposed our entering the Fort and the same Day died Four of our Men also On the 4th we sent our Galley to the Isle of Platta to see if Captain David's Frigate was come to Rendezvous there The time allowed for the payment of the Ransom of Queaquilla being expired on the Ninth we granted them Four Days longer but then we began to be weary of this delay when a Spanish Bark that was wont to carry us Provision brought an Officer in her who desired us not to be impatient for the Ransom would be quickly paid Now this Dilatoriness made us begin to susspect very much that there was some treachery in the Case and that they entertained us with hopes for no other end than to amuse us till such time as the Enemy were reinforced And our guess was right enough as will appear hereafter insomuch that we were constrained to use such severity towards our Prisoners which we knew would strike a Terror into our Enemies We made them through Dice for their Lives and the Lot falling upon the Heads of Four we cut them off presently and sent them to Queaquilla in the same Vessel that had brought the said Officer unto us by whom we let the Tenient understand that if the Ransom did not come within four Days we would send them the Heads of all the rest of the People that were in our Power Our Galley on the
time they recovered the Weather-gage of us We lay by till Two in the Afternoon and seeing we could do no good with them we put in to the Cape to wait for two of our Ships that were behind In the mean time these Armadilla's bore up to us and when they had got within a good Cannon-shot we fought till it was dark Night they very much shattered us yet wounded but one Man we anchored in the Evening as we had done the day before and they did the same also to Windward of us We remained at Anchor on the 29th as well as they till Three in the Afternoon when they weighed to go and attack the biggest of our Prizes because she had anchored only on the side of the Shallows and we made ready to defend her We came to such a close Fight with them that our Small Arms as well as Great Guns came into play on both sides yet we lost not one Man tho' they on their side had a great many killed which we knew by the Blood that ran out of their Skupper-holes and at our parting they cryed A la manana la partida that is To Morrow to it again On the 30th both they and we prepared to put out of the Bay and the Spaniards who were still to Windward did all they could to hinder us to get the Weather-gage We came to an Anchor towards Noon to disarm one of our Prizes that sailed very badly and to fit up another in the room of her which Captain David gave us as well as the Twenty Frenchmen that made part of his Crew and were minded to leave him We wrought all Night to unrigg her and when we had so done we sent her into the Bottom We put our selves under Sail on the 31st and about Two in the Afternoon came to an Anchor because of the Tyde 's being against us Presently after the two Armadilla's came up with us which made us weigh and then to put in at the Cape to wait for one of our Prizes that was far from us which not being able to joyn us as soon as the Enemy her Crew left her and went into her Pirogue wherein they came to throw themselves on board one of our Men of War They had left four Spaniards in that same Prize who by the favour of a good Wind put back into the River of Queaquilla where they made their Escape and what was worst of all took along with them almost all our Provisions that was in her When we were got within half Cannon-shot of our Enemies Ships we fired upon one another and that without intermission till an hour within Night We received several Cannon-shot in our Sides during this Engagement had almost all our Tackle spoiled and our Sails sifted because the Spaniards did all that ever they could to bring our Masts by the board and indeed the Fore-Mast of the Frigate received five Cannot-shot and the Main-Mast three but they came only slanting and as good luck would have it we had not one Man killed nor wounded We saw the Enemy on the first of Iune by break of Day a League 's distance from us we were not slow to do all we could to put out About Ten they lengthen'd their Boltspring-Sails and returned upon us but as we saw them bear up towards our Frigate we thought they intended to board her and this made us presently put into her the Crew of our long Bark by way of Reinforcement As soon as ever the Spaniards were come up they put out their Burgundian Colours having till then put out none When we were come pretty near they gave us a Volley of Musquet-shot together with a discharge of their Cannon laden with Cartouches but we got clear of them so that they could not come to grapple with us After we had left them to make all the Fire they could we gave them a Discharge of all our Cannon and a full Volley with our small Arms in our turn and then we were ready to board them but they finding themselves much damaged very readily got aloof to hinder us They took up an hour's time to refit then bore up to us again renewing the Fight which lasted till Night but they had been so well banged that they had no mind to feel us this time so near and that day we had three Men wounded On the second by break of Day they were still to Windward of us at about two Leagues distance and bore up to us We having a fresh Gale put into the Cape and when they were come within a good Cannot-shot of us they plyed us very tightly with their Great Guns and then approached within Musquet-shot of us as believing we were now out of Condition to make any longer Resistance But as we had a better Advantage of using our Fusils we made so great a fire upon them that they were forced to close up their Port-holes and bear up to the Wind. We received Sixty Cannon shot this day in our Sides whereof two Thirds were between Wind and Water besides which all our Rigging was torn and we had two Men wounded whereof my self was one About two hours within Night they made a shew of coming to board us but finding we were as well prepared to receive them by Night as by Day they bore upon the Wind We spent some part of this Night at Anchor to stop up our Cannons Mouths which otherwise might have sent us into the Deep We were astonished next Morning at break of Day that we could not set sight of the two Armadilla's with whom we had made our selves ready to renew the Fight and in all appearance they grew weary of it before us tho' they had so great an Advantage as that of the Wind which yet as we heard since could not secure them from losing a great many Men and having their Ships at least as much shattered as ours So that supposing well with our selves that they had steered their Course to Port Callaâ— we steered ours for the Isle of Plaita where we anchored in the Evening and continued there two Days to caulker our Ships We had during thâ—se several Engagements brought up upon our Decks the Governour of Queaquilla and the other chief â— Officers that were our Prisoners that they might be Witnesses of the Vigour with which ouâ— Men fought and the Cowardize of their own People who durst not enter our Ships tho they came Board and Board with us twice We weighed on the sixth and sailed along the Coast that we might find a convenient Place to take in Water This Coast is very level safe and very good to Land upon which is the reason that the same is throughout as far as Barbacoa inhabited by the Spaniards We Anchored between Cape Pastoa and that of St. Francisco On the Tenth we put our Prisoners ashoar and gave them their Liberty being not able â—o go to the Point St. Helena to see whether their Ransom was come which
into the Bay of Mapallo in quest of the French Men that were gone ashoar upon those Islands which I have already said are there and that in her return she was to carry the President of Guatimala and his Wife to Panama On the 25th we weigh'd and sailed for the Isle of Câ—cas which stands North and South of Realegâ—o an hundred Leagues distance We had a South-west Wind and sailed West North-west On the 30th we discovered Land we pinch'd upon the Wind that we might know what place it was we found towards Evening 't was the Isle of Malpalla that stands forty Leagues Southwards of that of St. Iohn's and from thence we sailed to the Bay of Mapalla instead of going to the Isle of Cocas from whence the Wind blew and consequently was contrary to us From this day forward to the 11th of Iuly we had the same Southwest Wind which allay'd not but when it blew from the East and South On the 13th we took our Latitude and found we were thirty Leagues out at Sea from Realegâ—o and steared North to get to Land On the 16th at Noon we discovered the Mountains and put into the Cape for fear of being discovered On the â—7th we sent two of our Canoes to endeavour to take some one Prisoner that so we might know how things were before we brought our Ships into the Bay In the Evening our Canoes having discovered what Coast it was returned and told it was St. Michael's Bay whether the Currents had driven us in making the Cape and which we took for that of Mapalla whither we would have gone and which stands fourteen Leagues to Windward of the former which might the more 〈◊〉 have been mistakâ—n from the Sea in that the Mountainâ—â— of these two Bayâ—â— are very like one another We lay by to Windward of iâ— in the Night and on the 18th 〈◊〉 out our Canoes and continuing at the Cape till the 20â—â— we made use of them to go and joyn our Friends at 〈◊〉 of the Islands As we entered in on the 23d we 〈◊〉 taken with a breeze of Wind that separated us from 〈◊〉 another and of five Sail whereof our Fleet consisted we had no more than two of the least and weakest of our Ships left together but we did not lose sight of the other three tho' they were got very far to Leeward and overtaken with a Calm In the mean time we Anchoâ—ed at the Isle of Tigers which is the nearest to the Mouth of it On the 24th about Eight in the Morning we discovered three Sail of Ships that doubled the Point of Harina which is to Windward of that Bay and Ten Leagues to Leeward of Realeguo we presently fired a Paterero to call in our Canoes who were ashoar to take in Water As soon as they were come on Board we made ready and bore up to those Ships with a full Wind though we had then but very little of it Those three Vessels which were a Galley and two Pirogues bore also towards us though they saw us 〈◊〉 but as soon as we were got out and discovered by them they doubled the Cape upon us with their Sails and Oaâ—â— and the two Pirogues that sailed better than the Galley got behind us and fired fifteen Cannon-shot upon us but as our Arms could reach them these Pirogues were forced to fall a Stern and to wait for their Galley When she had joyned them they held a Council and then put out to Attack us our Ships not being able to give us any Relief put to the Cape to wait for us we fought them all along till we had rejoyned our Vessels which we did about two in the Afternoon when the Spaniards left us to go bury their Dead upon the Island where we had been to take in Water when we first discovered them they did us some Damage in our main Mast and Rigging and wounded few of our Men Towards Evening a Wind arose from the Sea and we sailed in quest of them but they kept to the Shoar On the 25th we passed round the Island in search for our Canoes which the Enemy's Galley sought for also rightly imagining they were ashoar as not having seen 〈◊〉 with us during the Action About two in the Aâ—â—â—noon they discovered us and coming out from under their Covert gave us the Signal which we on our part answered they had hid themselves there for four Hours expecting our coming and had a full sight of the Engagement but could not possibly any more than the 〈◊〉 of our Ships come in to our Assistance The Spaniâ—â—ds who saw us take them with us durst not hinder it though they were at Anchor very near them then we attempted with one of our Ships to Board the Enemy's Galley but she saved her self upon the Flats where our Ships could not come near her On the 26th we Anchored at an Island in the Bay where we put two of our Vessels to Careen while the other three guarded them On the 28th we saw a Canoe under white Colours crossing from the main Land to the Islands where one of ours met and took her It was a Spanish Captain who believing us to be his own People came to congratulate the Commander upon the Victory which he from the Shoar thought they had got over us We put him upon the Wrack to know whether he came not by some wile or other to draw us into a Snare laid for us by the Galley 〈◊〉 the Greek Captain had formerly done But he solemnly protested it was not so and informed us that there 〈◊〉 a Pirogue with thirty Men in the same Bay where we were who were gone ashoar some time since and 〈◊〉 fought in the rase of Savannas against six hundred Spaniards whose Captain called don Albarado who was accounted the bravest and most valiant Man in the Province they had killed and that when we had met with their Galley and two Pirogues there had Eight â—â—ndred Armed Men come not with a design to look after us but to fight those thirty French Men who could not be conquered by his six hundred Country-men in admirable instance of the Valour of the Spaniards in those 〈◊〉 The Day of Mapalla is a very curious place and full of 〈◊〉 great Ilands not inferiour in Beauty to those of 〈◊〉 they were formerly Inhabited and there are still 〈◊〉 Burroughs there which the People have forsaken by 〈◊〉 of the Descents of the Free-booters As for Anchorage it 's very good here but no good shelter to be found in this place from any corner of the Wind great Blasts whereof come over those great Mountains that are at the bottom of it so that there are very few Cables that are proof against them On the 6th of August one of our Men who was Hunting upon the Island where we were Careening found two Men who had been there for the space of Eight Days to observe our Motions and who taking us to
we were not fully convinced of the sincerity of this Advice we sent two of our Canoes to Shear to take some other Prisoners that so we might see whether they should confirm or contradict this Information and thereby be the more fully instructed concerning those things that might be an Obstruction to our Passage and others that might facilitate the same We went a Shoar on the 18th to the number of Seventy Men and marched all day long without meeting one Soul as we did also the next day till Noon without any more discovery than in the preceding one wherewith we were so fatigu'd that we resolved to return back again And here we may add that the greatest part of our Men were not overcontent to repass by Land to the North-Sea because of the five or six thousand Men wherewith we were threaten'd wherefore we left those that were minded to return to their Canoes and Eighteen of us who found our selves less weary than the rest staid behind We followed a great Road which we met with soon after they had left us and had not walked above an hour when we took three Horse-men whom when we had asked where we were they told us that about a quarter of a League off there was a little Town called Chiloteca wherein there were four hundred white Men besides Negroes Mulaters and Indians and assured us we had not been yet discovered We had a mind to run after our Men to acquaint them with this Account and engage them to go back with us to the Town but the Apprehensions we were under of being discovered and thereby giving the Inhabitants time to put themselves into a posture of Defence hindred us to do so and made us undertake perhaps the boldest most resolute and if you will the rashest Action that could be thought of which was that being no more of us than Eighteen Men as I have said before we should adventurously enter that Town where we surpriz'd and frighten'd the Spaniards to that Degree that we took the Tenient and other Officers to the number in all of fifty Persons including the Women Prisoners They were seized with such a pannick fear supposing us to be far more numerous than we were that all the rest would doubtless have been taken and bound by us had it not been for their Horses which are always at hand which they mounted to ride away upon And so it was as we would have it for if they had had the Courage to stay behind they might have cut out Work for us whereof we had already but too much which was to watch our Prisoners We ask'd the Tenient where the Galley of Panama was who made Answer she lay at Anchor in the Embarking-place of Carthage which is Caldaira where she waited for us as hoping we would pass that way to go to the Nort-Sea and that the King of Spain's Ship the St. Lorenzo was in the Port of Realegâ—o mounted with thirty pieces of Cannon and four hundred Men on Board to hinder us to come near that place which they began to settle in again As we had a desire to lye in thâ—â— little Town where we now were we farther ask'd him what number of Men we should have occasion for to guard us if we should stay there he told us there would be six hundred Men next day there but that they had no more Fire-Arms than for two hundred The Spaniards who during this time were a little recover'd of their Astonishment being got together enter'd into the Town again and after we have several times conflicted with them we entrenched our selves in the Church where we had put our Prisoners who seeing us go in with Precipitation believed their People pursu'd us close and were just upon falling on us which made them so bold as to run to the Swords and other Arms we had got together wherewith they wounded us one Man We presently got to the Doors and from thence fired upon them so long till there were no more than four Men and their Wives left alive of them At the same time we mounted the Horses which we had taken and with our four Prisoners of each Sex went away with as little noise as we could which the other Spaniards observing they sent one to treat with us but we refused and fired upon him for fear if he came too near us he should come to know how few we went Next day which was the 20th we rejoyned our other People who had rested themselves at an Hatto they had met with in their return and who gave us Assistance against six hundred of those Spaniards who followed in the Rear of us Then we gave the Women Prisoneâ— their liberty On the 21st we went on Board our Canoes and next day reachâ—d our Ships where we interrâ—â—gated our four new Prisoners concerning the Passage wâ— had projected but they laid so many Difficulties before us that we grew almost out of conceit with it But yet when we considered we must either make our way through or end our days miserably in an horrible want of all convenient Necessaries and in an Enemâ—â— Country where we grew weaker every day by the loss 〈◊〉 our Men we resolved to hazzard all to get out of it insomuch that being no longer daunted at the dangers we were to run in this Passage and being perswaded it would be better for us to die with our Swords in our Hands than to pine away with Hunger We made all things ready for this Journey and to the end we might cut off from the most Timerous any desires they might have to return to their Ships if their Minds should alter in reference to their going along with us we ran our Vessels ashoar except our Galley and Pirogues which we reserved to carry us off the Island where we were to the Continent On the 25th we formed four Companies consisting of seventy Men each making altogether two hundred and fourscore and as for the forlorn Hope we agreed for to draw out ten Men out of each and to relieve them every Morning We also made a Contract among our selves that those who should be lamed in the Encounters we might have with the Enemy in our way should have the same Recompence as formerly that is â— thousand pieces of Eight a Man that the Horses we should take should be divided between the Companies for the ease of all our Men and for those that were incommoded above any of the rest That those that stragled and should be lamed should have no Recompence made them and that Violence Cowardice and Drunkenness should also be punish'd as formerly Before I leave these Seas I 'll spare the Reader the trouble of asking how we came to endure so much Hunger Miseries and Fatigues in these parts since I have said upon several occasions that the Country is so good and pleasant as well as fruitful in the Production of all tings necessary for the support
and confort of human Life As to this there needs no more than observing that since our separation from the English at the Isle of St. Iohn we were all along so illy accommodated with Shipping that we were forced to keep continually to the Coast and by consequence in sight of the Spaniards who discovering even the least Motions we made had almost always time to remove all their Effects out of the way before we made our Descent and left us nothing but what they could not carry away which was many times but very inconsiderable whereas had we had but one good Ship to put out far to Sea they could not have discovered us and we should have surprized them continually in our Descents where we could have wanted nothing not only that was necessary but also pleasurable besides the Wealth we must have carried away in a short time This want of Shipping under which we laboured we so advantagious to our Enemies and the consequence thereof they knew so well that the People of 〈◊〉 sent no more Ships to the Western Coast where we were for fear some of them might fall into our Hands and Traded with one another no otherwise than by Land The same Reason also hindred us to go up to 〈◊〉 Coast of Peru where we could not have failed of having Ships seeing they sailed up and down there every day and drove a great Trade with one another as knowing we were not so near unto their Country So that it is easie from what I have remarked to conjecture that for want of these helps which were of so much importance to us in these Seas we must also very often stand in need of all those things which we could not but with the greatest difficulty have without them wherefore to make any thing of it in these Climates and to raise a considerable Fortune without much danger and sufferings there needs no more than to be provided with a good Ship and for the better conveniency Victualled for some time that so there may be no necessity of going ashoar to seek it On the 27th we discovered a Ship passing along between the Islands which made us send our Galley and Pirogue to see what she was 〈…〉 but as soon as we came 〈…〉 â—hot of her she took down the white Flag and put out Spanish Colourâ— and withal gave us ten or a dozen Guns we returned to the Shoar to give our People notice of it not doubting but if that Ship came to an Anchor in the same place she would destroy our Pirogues We sent them with our Baggage and Prisoners up to the Flats that are behind the Island where we were This Vessel about Noon came in with the Tyde and Anchored within half a Cannon-shot of ours that were run ashoar under the Covert of which we fought against them with two pieces of Cannon till it was night but as the Enemy had no other aim then to ruin our Ships they put them this first day out of a condition to sail which was what our selves had a mind to and then put farther off form the Shoar On the 28th in the Morning they drew nearer again and began to fight us which made us shelter our selves behind the Points of the Rocks that run out into the Sea from whence our Arms carried aboard them upon this they were forced to send their shallop under the favour of their Cannon to take away an Anchor that was nearer to Shoar than their Ship but being prevented therein they cut off the Cable that held it and put off again At last concluding with our selves that this Ship would not leave us so hastily we sent an hundred Men in the Evening to the Continent before us that they might endeavour to take some Horses on which we might lay our disabled Men with orders afterwards to return and wait for us upon the Sea-side in the same place where they went ashoar which was a kind of a Port we had assigned them in case they had returned before our Arrival there And for fear the Spanish Ship should suspect from the running of ours a ground the design we had to go to the North-Sea and that the Men on Board her would send to the Continent to give the People notice to put themselves in a readiness to hinder us we counterfeited all night long the caulking of our Ships that so we might fully possess them with a belief that we were careening them which wrought so effectually upon them that in the Morning they failed not to come up to destroy with their Cannon the Work they fancied we had been doing during the night On the 29th their Ship took Fire which made them put farther off where they extinguish'd it On the 30th we made use of a new Stratagem to amuse our Enemies and take away all manner of suspition from them that we designed to be gone which was to charge our Guns Granadoes and four pieces of Cannon whereunto we tied lighted Matches of different lengths that so having their effect in our Absence one after another the Spanish Ship 's Crew might still believe we were upon the Island from whence we parted in the Twilight as secretly as ever we could with all our Prisoners whom we reserved for no other use than to carry our Chirurgeon's Medicines Carpenter's Tools and the wounded Men we might have in this Passage On the Ist. of Ianuary in the year 1688 we arrived on the Continent and on the Evening of the same day the Party which we had sent before to look for Horses came thither likewise They had taken Sixty Eight with several Prisoners who without any Violence offered them told us they did not think it advisable we should Travel through Segovia because the Spaniards had Intelligence we had made choice of that Province to 〈◊〉 through But as we had already resolved upon the Matter and that our Ships could be of no longer use unto us all that they could say to the contrary did not hinder us to persevere therein All our People at the same time packed up every Man his Charge and put their Silver into Bags which they thought they could carry with their Ammunition Those who had too much of the former gave it to those who had lost theirs at Play for to carry conditioning with them that they should return the one half back to the Owner in case it should please God to bring them safe to the North-Sea As for my self I must say I was none of the worst provided and though my Charge was lighter than others yet it was not for all that less considerable for the value seeing I had converted thirty thousand pieces of Eight into Gold Pearls and precious Stones But as the best part of this was the Product of Luck I had at Plâ—â— some of those who had been losers as well in playing against me as others being much discontented at theâ— Losses plotted together to the number of
to answer their firing They killed us two Men presently who were turned out of the way to pass undiscover'd of the Enemy after which we went to refresh our selves in a little Town that was in our way and lay half a League beyond it We met with another Ambuscade on the 10th wherein we were before-hand with our Enemies and made them leave us their Horses then went to bait at another Burrough and lay a little farther On the 11th as we drew near unto the Town of Segovia we met with a new Ambuscade a little on this side it and when we had forced them with our Fusils to retire we went into the said Town being resolved and disposed to Fight stoutly as believing if the Spaniards were minded to try us they would use their greatest Effort in the place but they contented themselves with firing only a few Musquet-shot at us from under the Covert of some Pine-Trees that grow upon the Ascents which encompass the Town whither they were retired We found nothing there to eat because they had burnt all the Provision in the place By good luck we took a Prisoner to conduct us to the River we sought for and which was still twenty Leagues off for as much as those who had been our Guides as far as Segovia knew not the way any farther This Town lies in a bottom and is so surrounded with Mountains that she looks as if she were laid up in Prison the Churches here are but very indifferently built and the place of Arms is both very considerable and very fine it 's an Inland place forty Leagues off from the South-Sea The way that leads to it from the place where we were is very difficult being all Mountains of a prodigious height to the tops whereof we must creep with great danger and the Valleys consequently are so very narrow here that for a League of even Ground you pass over you have six Leagues of Mountains to go When we had past these Mountains we felt a very sharp Cold and were taken with so thick a Fog that even when day appear'd we could not know one another no otherwise than by our Voices but that lasted not till above ten in the Morning when the Weither cleared up and the Fog went entirely off and the Heat which succeeds the Cold becomes there very great as well as in the Plains where none of this Cold is felt till you come directly to the Foot of the Mountains Thus were we forced to endure such contrary Seasons as well when we Travelled as when we reposed our selves that they exposed us to very great Inconveniencies But the hopes of getting once into our Native Country made us patiently to endure all these Toyâ—â— and served as so many Wings to carry us On the 12th we departed from this Town and went up other Mountains where we had incredible trouble to clear the ways of those works the Spaniards had prepared to Barricade them up with we went to lodge in an Hatto where they fired very much in the Night into our Camp On the 13th an hour before Sun-rising we mounted along an Eminence that seemed to us to be an advantagious place to Encamp on from thence we saâ— upon the edge of a Mountain from which we were separated but by a narrow Valley twelve or fifteen Horseâ— which we took for some time for Cattle that fed there whereat we much rejoyced as being in hopes we should next Morning have good Chear at the cost of those Animals and that we might be the more assured of the matter we sent forty Men thither who told us 〈◊〉 their return that what we took for Beefs were all 〈◊〉 Horses and that they had observed three Retrenchments in the same place about Pistol-shot one from another which raising by degrees towards the middle of the same side of the Mountain fully barricaded the 〈◊〉 through which we were to pass next day and commanded a small Stream that ran along the said Valley into which we must necessarily descend first there being no other way nor any likelihood of our going on one 〈◊〉 thereof They saw also a Man who as soon as he 〈◊〉 them severely threatn'd them with his Cutlass which he held naked in his Hand These sad Tydings was a mighty allay to our Joy 〈◊〉 the transformation of those pretended Beefs on whom our pineing Appetite had depended so much affected us to a great degree but these Thoughts were at 〈◊〉 to be laid aside to make room for to consider 〈◊〉 we should disentangle our selves from that place 〈◊〉 that without delay because the Spdniards who were â—â—â—ering together from all the adjacent Provinces would â—â—ckly fall upon our small Company who must of necessity be overborn by them if we staid for them The â—â—ans to effect this were not easily found and perhaps it â—â—uld have appear'd an impossible thing to any other 〈◊〉 such as we were who till then had been successful 〈◊〉 in all our Undertakings and to be plain in the 〈◊〉 we found our selves now hard put to it For as I 〈◊〉 to the rest of our People ten thousand Men â—â—ould not be able to force their way through that Inâ—â—â—â—chment without being cut to pieces as well because of the advantage of the place as the number of Spaniards that defended it which we might compute by that 〈◊〉 their Horses and seeing a single Man could hardly pass â—â—one side of it there was no likelihood we should be 〈◊〉 to do it with our Horses and Baggage so rough was 〈◊〉 Country And indeed saving the Road it self all the 〈◊〉 was no other than a thick Forest without either â—ays or Paths full of sharp Rocks in some places of Quagmires in others and embarassed with a great many Trees that had dropped down to the Ground with Age And tho' after all we should have found out a way to escape a-cross so many Obstacles there was still an indispensible necessity that we should fight with the Spaniards that we might be at quiet for the rest of our Journey This they all agreed to but as they objected unto me that it was to no purpose to represent these Difficulties which of themselves were but too apparent without proposing some Method to surmount them nor to give Counsel without facilitating the execution thereof I told them that for my part I could not see what else we could do but go cross those Woods Precipices Mountains and Rocks how unaccessible soever they appeared to be and endeavour to surprize the Enemy in the Rear and to gain the Advantage of the Ground from them by getting above them where surely we were not expected and that I would answer for the Success of the same at the Peril of my Life if they would undertake it That as for our Prisoners Horses and Baggage wherewith we were incumbred we ought not to leave them defenceless to the Discretion of those Three Hundred Men
who always kept close to us in our March and encamped every Evening about a Musquet-shot off That we ought to leave Fourscore Men to Guard them with all necessary Precaution as you 'll hear by and by and that such a Number was enough to fight with so many Spaniards four times told We took some time to deliberate hereupon and aâ— length these Expedients how hazardous soever they were being found the most suitable to the Condition we were in and I may say the only ones we had left us we resolved to lay hold of them and put the same in execution Scâ—rce had we projected the Design and considered the Ascent where we were the Situation of the opposite Mountain where the Spaniards had made their Retrenchments but that above the highest of them we saw a Road which we took to be the Continuation of that which they had shut up against us and turning to the Right went winding about the side of the same Mountain which yet we could not discover but with difficulty and by Lights peeping in between the Trees which would allow us to see but some traces at a distance from one another As we had not hitherto resolved upon which side to pitch in order to get behind those Intrenchments whether the right or left this way decided that point being well satisfied that if we could but once cross it it would 〈◊〉 us directly upon the Enemy But yet that we might not engage our selves inconsiderately in this Enterprize where all things went for us we sent Twenty 〈◊〉 while we had any Day-light left to a Place that was somewhat higher than that where we were to cover â—nother Party whom we had known by Experience to 〈◊〉 been very ingenious and expert upon several Occasions that so they might pitch upon those Places by which we might in the Night the more easily get up 〈◊〉 far as that Road thereby to go and charge the Enemy 〈◊〉 the Rear by break of Day As soon as our Men were returned and gave us an â—ccount of what they had observed we made all things 〈◊〉 for our departure but we first made that Station 〈◊〉 were leaving a Place of Arms where we left our Baggage all the Prisoners we had and Fourscore Men 〈◊〉 them and this that the Three Hundred Spaniards who continually followed us as well as those who were posted behind the Retrenchments might be 〈◊〉 we had not left our Camp and we gave the 〈◊〉 that commanded Order to make every Sentinel 〈◊〉 set or relieved in the Night-time to fire his Fusil 〈◊〉 that he should beat the Drum at the usual hour 〈◊〉 told him moreover that if God gave us the Victory 〈◊〉 should send a Party to bring him off and that if â—â—out an hour after he heard the Firing at an end he 〈◊〉 not see any Body from us he should provide for 〈◊〉 own safety as well as he could Things being thus disposed we said our Prayers as low we could that the Spaniards might not hear us from 〈◊〉 we were separated but by the Valley we have 〈◊〉 of At the same time we set forward to the â—umber of Two Hundred Men by Moon-light it beâ—â—â— now an hour within Night and about one more 〈◊〉 our departure we heard the Spaniards also at their â—â—yers who knowing we were encamped very near 〈◊〉 fired about Six Hundred Musquets into the Air to 〈◊〉 us Besides which they also made a Discharge at all the Responses of the Litany of the Saints which they sung We still pursued our March and spent the whole Night in going down and then getting up to advance half a quarter of a League which was the distance between them and us through a Country as I have already said so full of Rocks Mountains 〈◊〉 and frightful Precipices that our Posteriors 〈…〉 were of more use to us than our Legs it beinâ— impossible for us to Travel thither otherwise On the Fourteenth by break of Day as we were got 〈◊〉 the most dangerous parts of this Passage and had already seized upon a considerable Ascent of the Mountain by clambering up to it in great silence and leaving the Spaniards Retrenchments on our left we saw their Party that went the Rounds who thanks to the Foggs that are very rife in this Country as I have already said till Ten a Clock did not discover us As soon as they were gone by we went directly to the Place where we saw them and found it to be exactly the Road we were minded to seize on When we had made an Halt for about half an hour to take breath and that we had a little Day-light to facilitate our March we followed this Road by the Voice of the Spaniards who were at their Morning Prayers and we were but just beginning our March when unfortunately we met with two Out-Sentinels on whom we were forced to Fire and this gave the Spaniards notice who thought of nothing less than to see us come down from above them upon their Retrenchment since they expected us no other way than from below So that those who had the Guard thereof and were in Number about Five Hundred Men finding themselves on the outside when they thought they had been within and consequently open without any Covert took the Alarm so hot that falling all on upon them at the same time we made them quit the Place in a moment and make their Escape by the favour of the Fogg This so much unexpected Morning Musick disturbed the whole Oeconomy of their Designs and so thwarted their whole Contrivance that those of the other two Retrenchments drew all without the lowermost where they prepared to defend themselves We fought with them a whole hour from under the Covert of the first Retrenchment which we had got of them and which exactly commanded them because of its elevated Situation upon the Mountain But as they gave no Ground we began to think that the Shot we discharged did not reach them because of the Fogg which hindred us to discover them and that we could not Fire but according to the Discharges that came from them so that being resolved to lose our Aim no longer we advanced and fell directly upon the Place from whence they fired There we fought them stoutly and they did not quit the Place 'till such time as they saw the butts of our Musquets and that near them the sight whereof the Mist had till then taken from them But then being much terrified they left us all and ran that way which was before their Retrenchments which proved very incommodious for them because that being the only Place by which they thought we could come at them they had cut down all the Trees that grew there and in the adjacent Parts as well because they might obstruct their sight in this Bottom as hinder us to come on under the covert of them And thus the Precaution which they had taken against us by a quire
Solemnity where I saw nothing else but a great Concourse of People standing round the dead Corpse I was in the mean time very well fed by Prince Thomas his Orders who was gone to see his Father They did not let me want Bananiers Elephants Flesh and River Fish tho' all of it came without either Bread or Wine as you may well suppose My Men were treated in the same manner in their respective Quarters all the time we â—â—aid there At the Eight Days end Prince Thomas came in order to carry us before the King He is a large Negro well enough made and about Fifty Years old who to do â—â—e the greater Honour according to the Relation given of me to him by his Son came out of his House to reâ—â—eive me and advanced some steps to meet me He was â—pported by four or five Women which gave him a kind of an Air of Grandeur in a very cumbersom and â—antastick manner He was guarded by several Negroes who were armed with Lances and Fusils which they discharged from time to time with no great Order There were several Trumpets and Drums marched before him at the Head of which Company there were also several Standards carryed alike in colour to those used in Holland He had no other Cloaths than a piece of Cotton Stuff streaked with white and blue wherewith part of his Body was covered the same being several times folded round about him He gave me many Demonstrations of his Friendship he also stretched out his Hand to me saying it was the first time he had ever done so to any Man before me Being come to his House he sate at his Door and made me take Place on the one side of him as his Son did on the other He asked me several Questions concerning the Greatness and Power of the King my Master and when I had told him that he alone waged War against the English and Dutch whom himself knew as having seen them often at the Cape of Lopez that he also warred against the Germans and Spaniards who were more Potent Nations than the English and Dutch He told me he was pleased with my Account and that he would drink the King of France's Health Presently they brought him some Palm-Wine which is not unpleasant to drink and his Wives served him in a great Crystal Glass As soon as he began to take the Glass the Negro Men and Women lifted up the Right Arm and held the same in that posture very silently till he had done drinking But when it was over they made a great noise with their Trumpets and Drums and discharged all their Musquets or I should have rather said Fusils Prince Thomas then asked me what the King of France's Name was and having told him Lewis le Grand he said he had a mind I should hold 〈◊〉 Child of his of about Seven or Eight Months old 〈◊〉 Baptism and that I should give him the Name of Lewis le Grand which made me smile a little at the Humour He told me also that the first Voyage I should make into his Country he would give the Child to carry to France for a Present for the King to whose Service 〈◊〉 devoted him being very desirous he should be brougâ—â— up according to the Custom of the Country and Couâ—â— of so great a Prince I also promised on my part thâ— the first time I came to the Coast of Guiney I shouâ—â— not fail to come and put him in mind of his Promise that so upon my Return into France I might be capable of making the greatest Present that could be unto the King in presenting him with the Son of Prince Thomas And assure him said the same Prince that I am his Friend and that if he has occasion for my Services I 'll go my self into France with all the Lances and Fusils belonging to the King my Father which was as much as to say with all the Force of the Kingdom The King presently pursued the Discourse and assured me he would go thither in Person if there was need for it and with that all the Negro Men and Women raised such a Shout as much surprized me and this was scarce over when the Fusileers made a general Discharge of their Arms the Trumpets and Drums went to it again and those who carried the Lances set themselves a running from one side to another with such horrible Outcries as frighted me I was really ignorant of the meaning of all this and could not be satisfied till I saw the King drink the French King's Health a second time with the same Ceremonies as at first Prince Thomas drank it also and all of us were commanded to do the same This being over the King ordered Two Wax Cakes to be brought whereof he made me a Present desiring me to accept of them as a Token of his Friendship and then he went into his House The Audience being thus over Prince Thomas carried me along with him into all the Parts of the Village whither he went to visit his Friends and we went the succeeding Days to see several other Villages that are scattered up and down the Country at about Five Leagues distance from each other These People the greatest part of whom had never been at the Sea-side and consequently had not seen any White People ran from all Quarters to see us and brought us more Fruit with Bufflers and Elephants Flesh than we could eat As for the Elephants of this Country they are not altogether like unto those in the East-Indies whereof they are a different Species as are also those of Cafala near Zanguebar on the Eastern Coasts of Aethiopia The Negro's eat of their Flesh with a good Appetite and like the same better than any other hereof they provide their best Feasts and those who were minded to honour us most brought it unto us instead of that of Bufflers which I prefer much before it As they were not able to comprehend the Difference there was between the Colour of their Faces and ours they would frequently put their Hands upon our Faces to see if the white Colour would go off and it was the Fortune of many of us to meet with Hands scrubbed with Knifes so as that many times we were hurt with them which yet we durst not complain of Prince Thomas when he saw that commanded all his Attendance that they should suffer none to come to rub and scrape us with their Fingers in that manner and spoke aloud to all the People that came to see us that all Strangers were White as we were and that if the Negro's went into another Country they would seem to be as odd coloured there as we were in Guiney He laughed also from time to time to see the People run in that Fashion after us as if we had been some unknown Animal And I am not certain whether he were sorry to see us thus incommoded with the Importunities of those Negro's or that he took some
three Months Provisions began to be scarce before our Arrival at Barbadoes so that when we came there we had no more than what would have served us for three days longer insomuch that the Captain being concerned that he had taken our Men on Board ordered our Allowance to be lessened three fourths of what it should be When we were got to Port the Captain went to wait upon Colonel Russel who is General there related to him my whole Adventure with the Guardship of Angola and was much blamed for bringing me to Barbadoes When the Captain returned on board his Ship he told me what the Governour had said who had forbid him upon pain of Death to let me go ashoar However he said nothing to me of this Prohibition but contented himself with only desiring me not go ashoar that it might create no Suspicion in the Governour which I promised exactly to perform having no great Concern upon me of seeing a Place again that I had known so long ago and being unwilling to create my Captain any Trouble Next day several Iews that had been driven away from Martinico having heard of my Arrival came to see me and finding I was very crazy and much out of Order they sent some Physicians of their Nation to me who said I could not be cured if I were not carryed ashoar and thereupon offered to sollicite the Governour on my behalf for giving me leave to go lie in an House in the Town I drew up a Petition to him praying him to grant me that Liberty and promising I would not stir out of the Chamber where I was placed till I were to reimbark to go for Martinico The Physicians themselves were obliged to be my Securities and I was at length carryed to Mr. Iacob Lewis his House where I was very well looked after all the time I staid there Three days after I was brought thither the Major-General came to see me from Colonel Russel the Governour he very civilly offered me his Protection and all those things that could be conducive for the recovery of my Health The same Major as also the Captain of the Garrison came also to Visit me from time to time tho' I apprehended they came not so much to inspect into the state of my health as to see if I were in a Condition to be transported out of that Island Colonel Russel also himself about ten or twelve days after my Arrival came to see if I was so bad as they said I was He came again about seven or eight days after in the Evening and caused me to be carryed out of the Iew 's House where I was to an English Merchant's He told me I should be better accommodated there than at Iacob Lewis's but I thought it was to the intent I might be watched more narrowly and not converse with so many People He came to see me next day and asked how I liked my new Lodging I rendred him many Thanks for the Civilities and Kindnesses he shewed me and that he might have no occasion to suspect my Men I prayed him to shut them up in the Cittadel that they might not run about the Island and to prevent their making of their Escape He said he would take care of it but that I was to understand they were Prisoners of War as well as my self I made answer I knew that and that I thought my self an happy Man to have fallen into his hands But that the English Captain who had brought me to Barbadoes had given me his Word I should not be detained nor any of my Men That it was upon his Faith given me and the tenders of Service he made me that I had embarked as firmly relying upon those Testimonies of his Friendship he had given me Then I desired him to grant me and my Men our Liberty promising I should ever be mindful of the Favour done me whether it were by restoring of the Prisoners I might take belonging to the Islands or paying him such a Ransom as he required No said the Governour I will have neither your Ransom nor your Prisoners and you are too brave a Man for me to have no Compassion upon your many Misfortunes I desire on the contrary that you would accept of these Forty Pistoles which I present you with to supply your present occasion He gave them me in a Purse which he had doubtless brought along with him for that purpose and when he left me he said he went to give Orders for to bring my Men together Next day he sent me two of them who said they knew not what was become of the rest and that they had Orders from the Governour to stay with me I had the Liberty to send them abroad to get me Necessaries and at last finding my self somewhat recovered by the care my Landlord took of me I told the Officer that came daily to see me that I desired the Governour to let me go on board the first Vessel that was bound to Martinico Three days after came a Bark which the Count de Blenac General of the French Islands had sent thither about the exchange of Prisoners Colonel Russel sent me word she was come and that I should prepare to be gone Then it was I had the Liberty to go to his House to render him Thanks for all the Civilities he had shewed me He told me he was sorry that by the Laws of War he was bound to allow me no more Liberty than I had and that he pray'd me to use the English kindly then should happen to fall into my Hands This being done I went on board the French Bark which was commanded by the Sieur Courpon formerly an Inhabitant of St. Christophers and I could never find any more of my Freebooters than those two I have spoken of whom the Governour sent me We went ashoar at Port Royal in Martinico and I went with my Men to the Town to wait upon Monsieur de Blenac who was then sick of that Distemper he died of I gave him a Relation of all my Adventures and I am sure he was surprized to hear the Particulars of so many Misfortunes As he would have me stay at his House all the time I tarryed in Martinico he made me every day repeat unto him the manner of my Fight with the English Man of War and at last finding an Opportunity of getting me transported into France he sent for the Captain of the Ship who was bound thither and recommended me to him He would also have writ Letters by me to Monsieur Phelipeaux to recommend me to some Employ but the day before my departure he was taken so very ill that he could not write and that day which was the Tenth of Iune in the Evening he died I was mightily troubled at his Death for several Reasons He was a Person that took delight in serving every body who had great Compassion on such as had been persecuted by an Evil Fate as was my Case who
But finding the Spaniards stood to it more tightly than ordinary they threw themselves into their Retrenchment where killing all about them that made any resistance they wrought a great Slaughter amongst them That one part of them continued Prisoners while the other fled without any more ado and forsook their Retrenchment as well as the three Colours they had set up there That the Freeâ—â—â—ters had lost no more than three Men but that the Spaniards in the heat of the Action killed several Prisoners of the one and the other Sex which the other had brought away from the Town who after this went on board their Vessels That some Months after not concurring with a Design which Fourscore and five of his Men had taken of going down towards the Isles of Calyâ—fornia he had resolved with the Sixty that remained with him to go up towards Panama where happening 〈◊〉 I have told you to meet us we gave both him and his Men room in our Ships where we learnt this whole Relation from them On the 30th we quitted our Ships and went in our Canoes into several Rivers which discharge themselves into this Bay of Caldaira and amongst the rest into a â—ery fine one whereon we went up Ten Leagues in â—ll which space we always found her of the same depth â—â—d breadth Several Spaniards told us that a matter of Forty or Fifty Leagues higher there was a Mountain â—â—om whence arises the Spring of this River and on the â—ther side of the same Mountain arises also a Spring â—om which runs the River St. Iohn that discharges its if into the North Sea at the White Point We took a large Canoe laden with Tallow in this â—iver which some time after was of great use to us by â—ay of Food as we went to Queaquilla We also found the Hatto's on this River's side where we refreshed 〈◊〉 selves till the 6th of February when we returned a board our Ships On the 12th we departed in 〈◊〉 to go the third-time and visit Nicoya We arrived â—â—re next day in the Evening and presently detatched 〈◊〉 Parties to get us Intelligence concerning the Spaâ—â—ards who never appeared since they had threatned us 〈◊〉 their Succours instead of the Ransom we required of them for saving their Town which they still refusing to satisfie us for we burnt it this Third time and on the 17th went our ways But though we were forced to chastise the Spaniards in this manner we shewed our selves very exact in the Preservation of the Churches into which we carried the Pictures and Images of the Saints which we found in particular Houses that they might not be exposed to the rage and burning of the English who were not much pleased with these sorts of Precautions they being Men that took more satisfaction and pleasure to see one Church burnt than all the Houses of America put together But as it was our turn now to be the stronger Party they durst do nothing that derogated from that respect we bore to all those things Nicoya was a small Town Pleasant enough taken altogether Its Churches are very fine and the Houses as ill built they have a pretty River there that runs about one half of the Town round but when one is within you cannot know which way it is you have entered nor how to go out because of the height of the Mountains wherewith it is surrounded every way We were no sooner gone from this Town but the Spaniards sent to set Fire to the Roads through which we were to pass which yet we happily escaped because they had but just begun to do it We took one of this Men who was hemmed in between us and the Fire and who conducted us to several Estancia's from which we did not return before the 20th And on the 22d wepâ— Forty Prisoners a Shoar who were too chargeable to be kept on Board with us Some Men perhaps may be amazed at what I have said concerning the burning of the Roads but they would be much more so had they seen it as we have done there were two sorts of Places where this burning was wont to be practised to wit in the Savana's and Woodsâ— when the former were set on Fire whose Grass was almost as high as our Heads and also as dry in a manner as Powder we found our selves so besieged on the right and left side of the Road with the Flame that it made 〈◊〉 feel it to some purpose tho' the same were of no long duration But when these Roads lead through Convert and woody Countries as in the present Occasion whereof am speaking and that once fire be fet thereunto 〈◊〉 may see according to the course of the Wind the Country for several Leagues burnt in a little time to which the dryness of things doth very much contribute the Sun being exceeding hot at that Season On the Twenty third we sent our Quarter-Master on Board the English to make an agreement with them we proposed to go in Conjunction with them to take Queaquilla where the Spaniards drove a great Trade by Sea upon Condition that if we took Two Ships we should cast Lots who should chose and that in case there were but one taken that then we would put Fifty Men of each Nation on board her till such time as we could take another which they would not agree to as insisting upon the First choice So that seeing we could not bring them to comply we parted as well from them as from Captain Grogniet and Fifty of our Men who staid on board him so that they had an Hundred and forty two Men in their Ship and we an Hundred and Sixty two in our Frigate and long Bark On the Twenty fourth we weighed and set fail for Queaquilla which is the First maritime Town on the South Coast as you go thither from Panama we made all the sail we could to get thither before the English who had formed the same Design as we had done we lay by till the 25th to get out of the Bay and in passing from the White Cape we steered South South-West South and by South-West and directly South to the 28th in the Evening that we had on our Starboard side a West North-West Wind bearing us to the South which lasted till the 29th when we were becalmed in the Night On the First of March towards Noon arose a pretty fresh Gale from the North which made us bear South South-West and South South-East till the 4th in the Morning when an Easterly Breeze took us and made us bear South on the Fifth arose a North-West Wind and on the Eighth at Noon we passed the Equinoctial Line leaving the Isles of Galapa which are below to the West a douzen Leagues to Leeward These are Eight Islands that stand North and South of the Whihe Cape and East and West from Queaquilla they are full of Sea Tortoises that land there every Hour of the Day and you
cannot find a Place to tread on or walk along in the Woods for the great numbers of land Tortoises Lizards and Agoutils that retire thither The Sea thereabouts is also so fruitful in the production of Fish that they come to the very Sands to die there but these advantages on the other hand are encountred with the want of Water whereof these Islands are entirely destitute The Wind towards Evening came to North North-East and made us bear East and by South-East to keep to the Continent the Weather on the Tenth in the Morning grew very dark and we having a Southerly Blast we bore East and East and by South-East till the Eleventh when we were becalmed on the Thirteenth arose an East Wind and we bore to the South South-East upon a tack and North North-East and then lay by for some time because we did not know the Currents On the 14th having a North East Wind we bore East South-East and accordingly as it blew fresh we steered East and by South-East and East on the Fifteenth Two Hours before Day-light we had a Storm and then a South Wind we steered East all that Day but we had such bad Weather the following Night that we could not carry our Sails next Day about Noon the Weather grew better and an Easterly Breeze presented we lay by till the Eighteenth at Noon when we discovered a Ship to Windward of us to whom we gave chase till the Evening she proved to be the English Ship that had parted from us when we came out of the Bay of Caldaira who knowing who we were put into the Cape we came to Leeward of her but she spread out her Sails and got to Leeward of us after we had given one another this salutation we put out for Two Hours to see which sailed best but knowing at last they were the better Sailors and fearing they might reach Queaquilla before us we desired them to joyn with us in our Design to which when they agreed we set fail together we found our selves much perplext to know what Latitude we might be in since we had not seen the Sun for Ten Days together But it happily fell out that it appeared on the Nineteenth our Pilots computed we might be about Five and twenty Leagues to Windward of Queaquilla and Sixty Leagues from Land but the Winds varied to that degree that we could make no way and many times went contrary On the 20th we had a West Wind and steered East and by South-East till the 21st when we were becalmed On the 24th arose a South Wind and on the 26th an Easterly Breeze at last the Wind persisting to be contrary we were reduced to great want of Victuals for we had already been upon our passage longer than our Provision would allow us to which we may add that Fish had till now been so scarce and hard to catch that we had but little support from them So that having on the 28th taken an Accompt of the remainder of our Victualling we were forced to retrench our selves so far as to eat but once in Forty eight Hours we also wanted Water and had it not been for the help of Rain we had certainly died of thirst but what made us amends for one part of our wants was that we found our selves all of a sudden in a Kingdom of large Fishes such as Emperors Tunnies Germons Galdenies Negros Bonitoes and several others to whom we gave no quarter no more that to the Sea Wolfs who for all their ill smell could not escape us During that time we bore to the North-East the Wind not allowing us to keep on our designed Course that if the worst came to the worst we might by this course reach the Isle of St. Iohn pursuant to the Design we had formed upon meeting with this contrary Wind of putting in there in case the same continued all the way On the 29th after we had taken the Latitude our Pilots computed us to be opposite to the Isle of Platta Thirty Leagues to Leeward of Queaquilla on the 30th being Easter-Day we were but one degree North Latitude in the Twi light the Wind began to blow fresh and bore us East North-East next Day the Wind came South South-West we steering East East and by South-East and East South-East On the 3d. of April we were becalmed and as we had for the space of Two Days by the computation of our Pilots sailed towards Land they were of Opinion that the Currents deceived them of which we made our selves satisfied by the following manner On the Fourth the Weather being very calm we furled our Sails and put out one of our Pirogues about whose Fore-Castle we spun Sixty Fathom of our smallest Rope made fast unto a Grapling Iron and from that Coast she made from the Tide ran along her side with as much swiftness as the Current of a River and bore to the North-East on the Fifth we caulked our Ships towards Midnight a South-West Wind presented it self and we bore South-East On the 6th in the Morning we discovered Land both to Windward and Leeward of us we veered to least we should be brought too near and steered South On the 8th we were about Four or Five Leagues off and our coasting Pilots knew the Place to be Cape Pastao which is under the Line Thirty Leagues to Leeward of the Isle of Platta we had all hands aloft and steered South On the 9th we bore to the South South-East till the Evening and to the South-West till Ten at Night when we steered to the South South-East and on the IIth we were got to the heighth of the Isle of Platta Eighteen Leagues out at Sea On the 12th at Noon we saw the Point of Sancta Helena which is Fifteen Leagues to Leeward of Queaquilla and forms the beginning of the Bay that bears the Name of that Town On the 12th at Night we saw Fire to Windward of us we lay by till break of Day when we discovered a Ship Three Leagues to Windward of us and as we were becalmed we sent Three Pirogues to know what she was they found her to be a Prize laden with Wine and Corn which Captain David had taken as she came out of Nasca and which was separated from him he had put Eight English Men on Board to Conduct her who were to have their Rendezvous in case of a separation at the Isle of Platta These Men told us that after they had left St Iohn's Island they made several Descents and in several Parts of that Country among others at Sagua Arrica and Pisca that in the last of these Places a Relation of the Vice-Roy of Lima came at the Head of Eight hundred Men to attack them with Sword in hand but that they were vigorously repulsed that they had also taken a great many Ships which when they pillaged they let go again so that finding they had got to the value of Five thousand pieces of Eight a Man they