appointing the Randevous if any should be severed from the Fleet to be the Island Mogadore And so sailing with favorable winds the first Land that we had sight of was Cape Cantine in Barbary December 25. Christmas day in the morning The shoare is faire white Sand and the inland country very high and mountainous it lyeth in 32. deg 30. min. North latitude and so coasting from hence Southward about 18 leagues we arrived the same day at Mogadore the Island before named This Mogadore lies under the dominion of the King of Fesse in 31. deg 40. m. about a mile of from the shoar by this means making a good harbor between the Land and it It is uninhabited of about a league in circuit not very high Land all overgrowne with a kinde of shrub Brest high not much unlike our privet very full of Doves and therefore much frequented of Gosh â—ukes and such like Birds of prey besides divers sorts of Sea-foul very plenty At the South side of this Island are three hollow Rocks under which are great store of very wholesome but very ugly fish to looke to Lying here about a mile from the mâ—ine a Boat was sent to sound the Harbor and finding it safe and in the very entrance on the north side about five or six fathome water but at the Souther side it is very dangerous we brought in our whole Fleet December 27. and continued there till the last day of the same Month imploying our leasure the meane while in setting up a Pinnace one of the foure brought from home in peeces with us Our abode here was soon perceived by the Inhabitants of the country who coming to the shoar by signes and cries made shew that they desired to be fetched a board to whom our Generall sent a Boat in which two of the chiefest of the Moores were presently received and one man of ours in exchange left a land as a pledge for their returne They that came aboard were right courteously entertained with a dainty banquet and such gifts as they seemed to be most glad of that they might thereby understand that this Fleet came in peace and friendship offering to Traffique with them for such commodities as their country yeilded to their own content This offer they seemed most gladly to accept and promised the next day to resort again with such things as they had to exchange for ours It is a law amongst them to drink no wine notwithstanding by stealth it pleaseth them well to have it abundantly as here was experience At their return ashoare they quietly restored the pledge which they had stayed and the next day at the hour appointed returning again brought with them Camels in shew loaden with wares to be exchanged for our commodities and calling for a boat in hast had one sent them according to order with our Generall being at this present absent had given before his departure to the Island Our boat coming to the place of landing which was among the rocks one of our men called John Fry mistrusting no danger nor fearing any harm pretended by them and therefore intending to become a pledge according to the order used the day before readily stept out of the boat and ran a land which opportunity being that which the Moores did look for they took the advantage of and not only they which were in sight layed hands on him to carry him away with them but a number more which lay secretly hidden did forthwith break forth from behind the rock whether they had conveyed themselves as seemeth the night before forcing our men to leave the rescuing of him that was taken as captive and with speed to shift for themselves The cause of this violence was a desire which the King of Fesse had to understand what this fleet was whether any forerunner of the Kings of Portugall or no and what newes of certainty the fleet might give him And therefore after that he was brought to the K. presence had reported that they were English men bound for the Straights under the conduct of generall Drake he was sent back again with a present to his captain and offer of great courtesie and friendship if he would use his country But in this mean time the generall being grieved with this shew of injury and intending if he might to recover or redeem his man his pinnace being ready landed his company and marched somewhat into the countrey without any resistance made against him neither would the Moores by any meanes come nigh our Men to deale with them any way wherefore having made provision of wood as also visited an old for t built sometime by the King of Portugall but now ruined by the King of Fesse we departed December 31. towards Cape Blank in such sort that when Fry returned he found to his great grief that the fleet was gone but yet by the Kings favor he was sent home into England not long after in an English Merchants ship Shortly after our putting forth of this harbor we were met with contrary winds and foule weather which continued till the fourth of January yet we still held on our course and the third day after fell with cape De Guerre in 30. deg minutes where we lighted on 3. Spanish fishermen called Caunters whom we took with our new pinnace and carried along with us till we came to Rio Del Oro just under the Tropick of Cancer where with our pinnace also we took a carvell From hence till the 15. day we sailed on towards cape Barbas where the Marigold took a carvill more and so onward to cape Blanck till the next day at night This cape lyeth in 20. deg 30. min. sheweth it self upright like the corner of a wall to them that come towards it from the North having between it and cape Barbas low sandy and very white land all the way Here we observed the south Guards called the Crosiers 9. deg 30. min. above the Horizon Wherein the cape we took one Spanish ship more riding at anchor all her men being fled ashoare in the boat save two which with all the rest we have formerly taken we carried into che harbor 3. leagues within the cape Here our Generall determined for certain dayes to make his abode both for that the place afforded plenty of fresh victuals for the present refreshing of our men for their future supply at sea by reason of the infinite store of divers sorts of good fish which are there easie to be taken even within the harbor the like whereof is hardly to be found again in any part of the world as also because it served very fitly for the dispatching of some other businesses that we had During the time of our abode in this place our generall being a shoare was visited by certain of the people of the country who brought down with them a woman a Moore with her little babe hanging upon her dry dug
others as Hargabushes of crocke and Muskets and such like which played at us on both sides most valiantly in the time of this Incounter They had planted on this plot of great Ordnance one hundred and three score besides small shott as were to be numbred This assault although it brought unto us no great profit in respect of the losse of one of our Ships called the Little Francis which was taken by them before our approach which gave them intelligence of our comming also the losse of some of our Men at that time the which was a most valiant attempt and worthy to be Chronicled There was of the Enemy burned and slaine and drowned all the men in the great Ship but some three or foure that we tooke up out of the water to the intent that they should reveale somewhat unto us they informed us that they having intelligence of our comming by our Ship that was taken by them our end and intent was frustrated This Towne was of great force to the Spaniards and had in it three millions of Treasure of the King of Spaines which those five men of War came of purpose for it and they told us also that they kept our men at Portricho the which they tooke in the Ship called the Little Francis whereupon our Generall wrote unto the chiefe Governour of the Towne â—o be good unto our men and to deale with them as he should doe the like with their men and to send them for England again in safety Also we understood that there was three hundred Souldiers in this Towne of Saint John de Portrizo This towne standeth on a very small Island and is compassed with the Sea on the one side and a great River on the other side we could not come nigh the towne to view the proportion of it because it standeth in a Valley and hath a great Fort new built betwixt us and it We could not come within the sight of the maine Island which joyneth to the Towne so farre as we could discerne it seemeth to be of a vast longitude and latitude The fifteenth of November being saturday Sir John Hawkins and Sir Nicholas Clifford were throwne over-boord the same day we espyed a Spanish Carvill coming towards Saint John de Portricho but from what place we knew not our Generall sent with all speed and imbarked some Men in Pinnaces with all haste to meet with him but when the men in the Castle of Portricho espied it they shot off a great peece of Ordnance as a warning to them not to approach any neerer the Carvill perceiving ran himselfe on the breach and ashore and saved their men which fled away into the Mountaines so that we could not come to them The sixteenth being Sunday we departed from Saint John de Portricho at which place we Mustered all our Men and every Captaine knew his Men in more ample manner then they did before The same day we imbarked our selves in our Ships againe and with all speed we sailed to a place called Saint John Jermans Bay there we landed it is distant from Portricho thirty six leagues there we landed certain of our Companies to guard our Carpenters that did build our Pinnaces not far from this place is a House called an Ingeneroide where is great store of Sugar made it is inhabited with Spaniards The same day Master Brut Browne dyed On Saturday the three and tvventieth of November our Generall held a Court Marshall to which John Standley was called to answer to some matters objected against him The two and twentieth Sir Thomas Baskerfield tooke two men of this Island a Negroe and a Clemeronne The twenty fourth day being Munday the Ship called John of Trollony of Plimmouth was burned in the same Bay of Saint John Jermans the same day we sailed to another Island called Crusao The five and twentieth being Tuesday vve sailed South and by East and South and by West on Wednesday the twentieth six vve sailed South and by West in which course standeth Hispaniola and an Island called Mono did beare from us West and by North. The twenty seven being thursday vve sailed South and by West The twenty ninth being Saturday vve came to the Island called Crusao which is distant from the Bay of Saint Jermans about one hundered and fifty leagues from Portricho we sayled South South East at this place we stayed three or foure houres because we could get no good Harbour to anchor at by reason we were constrained to depart Our Generall did suppose this Island to be another Island called Arewha The twenty ninth of November on the Larbordside it beareth South South East it is distant some eight or nine leagues the same day we espyed the maine land called the West Indies which bore from us North North East and it is a very high land vve sailed along this Coast to a certaine towne called River Della Hatch the same day at night we anchored within nine or ten leagues of the â—owne of River Della Hatch The second of December being Munday all our Soldiers being imbarked in Boats and Pinnaces we sailed to the towne all that day about one of the clocke in the night vve entred the towne the Enemy fled into the Country before leaving some of their Soldiers in the towne to the number of ten or twelve which gave us a volley of shot and two of them were taken prisoners the rest fled away We found nothing in the towne of any account they had carried all away into the Woods and hid them there neither was there any Victuals but what we went into the Country for our selves for they had droven all their Cattle away because they heard of our commming a weeke before we came thither December the third being tuesday the Spaniards came to parley with us for a certain sum of Treasure for ransome for the said towne The fourth of December they brought Pearle c. but lesse in value then was compounded for which our Generall Sir Francis Drake refused and thereupon ordered that it should be set on Fire and burned which accordingly was done at our departure The fifteenth of December being Friday the Enemy made faire promises to our Generall which was onely to have us to stay as we supposed till they had sent word to other places as afterwards the Governour confessed The sixteenth of December the Governour came to parley and to tell us his determined purpose of his delay which was as aforesaid our companies marched divers times for Victuals and so met with the Governour We tooke some more of their men prisoners and found some of their Goods afterward which we carried away But when we saw that they would not come to any faire correspondence or agreement our Generall commanded us to burne all places where ever we came The day before our departure we left the towne of a light Fire unlesse it was a new Religious house not finished and another house that they use to bring
downe and tooke some six of our Men at the watring place Certaine of our Men were sent in Boats up the South side of the River where we found some more of their Carpenters tools This Harbour is very commodious for Shipping having a good anchoring place and ten or twelve fathome deep in water we landed great store of Spaniards and Negroes at this Island giving the Enemy to understand that he would use our Men well which they tooke prisoners comming from Panama and sent a Messenger not hearing any answer again yet at our departure the Governour was come down with many Souldiers with him who wrote to our Generall The eighth of February we came away from this Harbour of Porta Vella beating up to the height of Cartagena which was ten dayes after we tooke our course for Gemico North North and by West within seventeen or eighteen leagues of Cartagena there lyeth shoales â—en or twelve fathome deepe The second of February being Thursday we descried certaine Islands called the Gourdanes which is distant from Porta Vella two hundred leagues North North East and Gemica beareth from these Islands of Gourdanes towards the East they are very high land and to the West very low even land we sailed all along to the Cape Corenthus towards the West of this low Land is shoales sometimes three fathome which one of our Ships hardly escaped The twenty seventh of this moneth we passed these shoales by reason of a great gale of wind and tooke our course North North East The saturday being the one and thirtieth of February we espyed the Islands of the Pines West North west on the starbordside these Islands are without Inhabitants The first of March we espyed twenty saile of the Kings men of Warre we chased them and about three of the clocke in the afternoone we began to fight with them and continued three hours in fight the Viseadmirall gave us a shot then the Elizabeth Boneventure gave her a shot again then the Boneventure came in and gave him â— bravadoe with all her broad side that she shot through and through then came up our Generall and gave them a brave volley of shot next came the Defiance and she laid on most bravely next the Adventure she laid on that we could see through and through it was a most brave attempt but God be thanked we had the upper hand of them we plying the Viseadmirall so fast that if she had not born up from us she had sunke and another that was near her we drove them into such a puzell that with stopping their leakes as we judged their Powder being loose fired all the Ships as we did behold within two hours after we had done the fight The next day we sailed towards Cape S. Anthony there following us but thirteen of our gallants they kept their course and would not come at us but at length they came somewhat nigh us and the Defiance and the Adventure bore up to them but they made away as soone as ever they were able and so we were rid of our gallants The fourth of March we descried the Cape of S. Anthony it is distant from Cape Corents eighty leagues from thence to the Havana eighty leagues from thence to the Gulfe The same day we descried the Cape Florida which is low Land and did beare from us North West and by North our course being North East the same day we entred the Gulfe the wind being at East South East leaving the land on the larbordside the Gulfe is in length one hundred leagues from the Havano eighty league the next night we passed the Gulfe about twelve of the clocke in the night The ninth of March we passed the Barmothies we had mighty tempestuous weather The eighth of April 1596. we came to the Islands of Flowers and Cores It is inhabited with Potugals and such like where we staied and watred and traffiqued with them for Victuals or what we vvanted using us very kindly vvith fresh Fish Hens and Bacon and such like which refreshed us vvonderfull vvell and in short time after vve gained the English Coast FINIS May 24. 1572. June 3 June 28. June 29. Iuly 1. Iuly 6. Iuly 12. Iuly 13. Iuly 20 Iuly 2â— Iuly 28. July 29 Aug. 1. Aug 7. Aug. 13. Aug. 14. Aug. 15. Aug. 16. Aug. 21. Septem 5 Septem 8 Septe 9. Sept. 10. Sept. 11. Septe 14 Septe 16 Sept. 18. Sept. 19. Sept. 22. Sept. 23. Sept. 24. Octob. 7. Octo. 8. Octo. 9. Octo. 13. Oct. 14.15 Octo. 16. Octo. 17. Octo. 18. Octo. 19. Octo. 20. Octo. 21. Octo. 22. Octo. 27. Nove. 2. Nove. 3. Nove. 5. Nove. 13. Nove. 15. Nove. 22. Nove. 27. Janu. 3. Ianu. 30. Febr. 3. Febr. 7. Febr. 11. Febr. 13. Febr. 14 Febr. 22. Febr. 23. Marc. 20. Marc. 21. Marc. 13. April 1. Apr. 2.3 15â—â— Nov. 15. Nov. 16. Nov. 17 18. Nov. 2â— Dece 13. 1577 Dece 25. Deceâ—b Dec. 31. Ian. 7. Ian. 13. Ian. 15. Ian. 16. Ian 22. Ian. 28. Ian. 29. Ian. 30. Ian. 31. Feb. 1. Feb. 2. Feb. 17. 〈◊〉 Apr. 5. 1577. 1578. April 5. April 7. April 14 Apr. 16. April 1â— April 2â— April 27. April 27. May 13. May 14 May 15. May 17. May 18. Iune 3. Iune 12. Iune 14. Iune 17. Iune 18 Iune 19. Iune 20. June 22 Sept. 6. Sept. 7. Sept. 8 Sept. 30. 〈…〉 Octob. 8. Octo 28 Octo. 30. Nove. 1. Nov. 25 Sept. 30. Octob. 7 Nov. 30 Dece 4. Dece 5. Dece 19. Dece 20. Ian. 19 Ian 22. Ian. 26. Feb â— Feb. 9. Feb. 15. Feb. 16. Feb. 20. Febr. 24. Feb 28. March 1. 1579. March 7. Marc. 16. Marc. 24. April 15 Apr. 16. Iune â— Iune 17. Iune 18. Iâ—â—â— 21. 1578. Iune 26. Iuly 24. Iuly 25. Sept. 30. October 3 Octob. 16. Octob. 21 Octob. 22. Octob. 25. Octob. 30. Novem. 1 Novem. 3 Nov. 9. Nov. 14. Dec. 12. Dec. 16. Jan. 9. Jan. 10 Jan. 12. Jan. 14. Jan. 20. Jan. 26. Feb. 1. 〈…〉 Feb. 6. Feb. 8. Feb. 10. Feb. 12. Feb. 14. Feb. 16. Feb. 18 19 Feb. 22. Mar. 9. Mar. 10. Mar. 11. Mar. 12. Mar. 13. Mar. 14. Mar. 15. 1579. Mar. 21. 1580. Mar. 26. May 21. June 15. July 15. July 22. July 24. Aug. 15. Aug. 16. Sep. 26.
to the mouth of the River where we unladed all our provisions and clensed our Pinnaces according to our Captaines custome and tooke it in againe and the same day went to the Westward In this returne we descried a Ship a Barke and a Frigate of which the Ship and Frigate went for Carthagene but the Barke was bound to the Northwards with the wind Easterly so that we imagined she had some gold or treasure going for Spaine therefore we gave her chase but taking her and finding nothing of importance in her understanding that she was bound for Sugar and Hides we let her goe and having a good gale of winde continued our former course to our Ship and Company In the way between Carthagene and Tolou we tooke five or six Frigates which were laden from Tolou with live Hogs Hens and Maiz which we call Guyâ—ny Wheat of these having gotten what intelligence they could give of their preparations for us and diverse opinions of us was dismissed all the men onely staying two Frigates with us because they were so well stored with good Victuals Within three dayes after we arrived at the place which our Captaine chose at first to leave his ship in which was called by our Company Port-Plenty by reason we brought in thither continually all manner store of good Victuals which we tooke going that way by Sea for the victualling of Carthagene and Nombre de Dios as also the Fleets going and comming out of Spaine so that if we had beene two thousand yea three thousand persons we might with our Pinnaces easily have provided them sufficient victual of Wine Meale Ruske Cassavy a kinde of Bread made of a Root called Yucca whose juyce is poyson but the substance good and wholesome dryed Beefe dryed Fish live Sheepe live Hogs aboundance of Hens besides the infinite store of dainty fresh very easily to be taken every day Insomuch that he were forced to build foure severall Magazines or Store-houses some tenne some twenty Leagues a sunder some in Ilands some in the Maine providing our selves in diverse places that though the Enemie should with force surprise any one yet we might be sufficiently furnished till we had made our Voyage as we did hope In building of these our Negroes helpe was very much as having a speciall skill in the speedy erection of such houses This our store was such as thereby we releeved not only our selves and the Symerons while they were with us but also two French Ships in extreame want For in our absence Captaine John Drake having one of our Pinnaces as was appointed went in with the maine and as he towed a loofe the shoare where he was directed by Diego the Negroe aforesaid which willingly came unto us at Nombre de dios he espyed certaine of the Symerons with whom he dealt so effectually that in conclusion he left two of our men with their Leader and brought aboard two of theirs agreeing that they should meet him againe the next Day at a River mid way betwene the Cabezas and our Ships which they named Rio Diego These two being very sensible men chosen out by their Commander did with all reverence and respect declare unto our Captaine that their Nation conceived great joy of his arrivall because they knew him to be an enemy to the Spaniards not only by his late being in Nombre de dios but also by his former Voyages and therefore were ready to assist and favour his enterprises against his and their Enemies to the uttermost and to that end their Captaine and Company did stay at this present neer the mouth of Rio Diego to attend what answer and order should be given them that they would have marched by land even to this place but that the way is very long and more troublesome by reason of many steepe Mountaines deepe Rivers and thicke brakes desiring therefore that it might please our Captaine to take some order as he thought best with all convenient speed in this behalfe Our Captaine considering the speech of these persons and weighing it with his former intelligences had not onely by Negroes but Spaniards also whereof he was alwayes very carefull as also conferring it with his Brothers informations of the great kindnesse that they shewed him being lately with them after he had heard the opinions of those of best service with him what vvere fittest to be done presently resolved himselfe with his Brother and the two Symerons in his two Pinnaces to goe toward this River as he did the same evening giving order that the Ship and the rest of his Fleet should the next morning follow him because there vvas a place of as great safety and sufficiency vvhich his Brother had found out neer the River The safety of it consisted not onely in that vvhich is common all along that Coast from Tolou to Nombre de Dios being above sixty leagues that it is a most goodly and plentifull Countrey and yet Inhabited not with one Spaniard or any for the Spaniards but especially in that it lyerh among a great many of goodly Ilands full of Trees vvhere though there be Channels yet there are such Rocks and shoales that no Man can enter by night without great danger nor by day vvithout discovery whereas our Ship might lye hidden within the Trees The next day we arrived at this River appointed vvhere we found the Symerons according to promise the rest of their number were a mile up in a Wood by the Rivers side There after vve had given them entertainment and received good testimonies of their joy and good vvill towards us vve tooke two more of them into our Pinnaces leaving our two men vvith the rest of theirs to much by land to another River called Rio Guana vvith intent there to meet vvith another Company of Symerons vvhich vvere now in the Mountains So vve departed that day from Rio Diego vvith our Pinnaces towards our Ship as marvelling that she followed us not as vvas appointed But two dayes after vve found her in the place vvhere we left her but in farre other state being much spoyled and in great danger by reason of a tempest she had in our absence As soone as we could trim our Ship being some two dayes our Captain sent away one of his Pinnaces towards the bottome of the Bay amongst the shoales and sandy Ilands to sound out the Channell for the bring in of our Ship neerer the Maine The next day we followed and were with wary Pilatage directed safely into the best Channell with much adoe to recover the Road among so many flats and shoales It was neere about five leagues from the Cativaas betwixt an Iland and the Maine where we moared our Ship The Iland was not above foure Cables length from the Maine being in quantity some three Acres of ground flat and very full of Trees and Bushes We were forced to spend the best part of three dayes after our departure from our
Rio Francisco Having thus agreed with Captaine Tetu we sent for the Symerians as before was decreed two of them were brought aboard our Ships to give the French assurance of this agreement As soone as we could furnish our selues and refresh the French Company which was within five or six dayes by bringing them to the Magazine which was the neerest where they were supplyed by us in such sort as they protested they were beholding to us for all their lives taking twenty of the French and fifteene of ours with our Symerons leaving both our Ships in safe Roade we Mand our Frigate and two Pinnaces we had formerly sunke our Lyon shortly after our returne from Panama because we had not Men sufficient to Man her and went towards Rio Francisco which because it had not water enough for our Frigate caused us to leave her at the Cabezas Mand with English and French in the charge of Robert Dohle to stay there without attempting any chase untill the returne of our Pinnaces And then beare to Rio Francisco where our Captaines landed with such Force as aforesaid and charged them that had the charge of the Pinnaces to be there the fourth day next following without any saile And thus knowing that the Cariages went now daily from Panama to Nombre de Dios we proceeded in covert through the Woods towards the High-way that leadeth betweene them It is five leagues accounted by Sea betweene Rio Francisco and Nombre de Dios but that way which we marched by land we found it above seaven league We marched as in our former journey to Panama both for order and silence to the great wonder of the French Captaine and Company who protested they knew not by any meanes how to recover the Pinnaces if the Symerons to whom what our Captaine commanded was a law though they little regarded the French as having no trust in them should leave us our Captain assured him there was no cause of doubt of them of whom he had had such former tryall When we were come vvithin an English mile of the Way vve stayed all night refreshing our selves in great stilnesse in a most convenient place vvhere vve heard the Carpenters being many in number vvorking upon their Ships as they usually doe by reason of the great heat of the day in Nombre de Dios and might heare the Moyles comming from Panama by reason of the advantage of the ground The next morning upon hearing of that great number of Bels the Symerons rejoyced exceedingly as though there could not have befallen them a more joyful accident chiefly having been disappointed before Now they all assured us vve should have more Gold and Silver then all of us could beare away as in truth it fell out For there came three Recoes one of fifty Moyles the other two of seventy each every of vvhich caryed three hundred pound vvaight of Silver vvhich in all amounted to neer thirty Tun. We putting our selus in readinesse vvent down neer the Way to hear the Bels vvhere vve stayed not long but vve saw of vvhat Mettall they vvere made and tooke such hold on the heads of the foremost and hindmost Moyles that all the rest stayed and lay down as their manner is These three Recoes were guarded with forty five Souldiers or thereabouts fifteene to each Reco which caused some exchange of Bullets and Arrowes for a time in which conflict the French Captaine was sore wounded with Hayle shot in the Belly and one Symeron slain But in the end these Souldiers thought it the best way to leave their Moyles with us and to seeke for more helpe abroad in which meane time we tooke some paine to ease some of the Moyles which were heaviest loaden of their carriages And being weary we were content with a few bars and quoits of Gold as we could well carry burying about fifteene tun of Silver partly in the Boroughs which the great Land-crabs had made in the earth and parrly under old trees which are fallen thereabout and partly in the Sand and Gravell of a River not very deepe of water Thus when about this businesse we had spent some two houres and had disposed of all our matters and were ready to March backe the very selfe same way that we came we heard both Horse and Foot comming as it seemed to the Moyles for they never followed us after we were once entred the Woods where the French Captaine by reason of his wound not able to travell farther stayed in hope that some rest would recover him better strength But after we had marched some two leagues upon the French Souldiers complaint that they missed one of their Men also examination being made whether he were slaine or no it was found that he had drunke much Wine and over-lading himselfe with Pillage and hasting to goe before us had lost himselfe in the Woods And as we afterwards knew he was taken by the Spaniards that evening and upon torture discovered unto them where we had hidden our Treasure We continued our March all that and the next day towards Rio Francisco in hope to meet our Pinnaces but when we came thither looking out to Sea we saw seven Spanish Pinnaces which had beene searching all the Coasts thereabout Whereupon we mightily suspected that they had taken or spoyled our Pinnaces for that our Captaine had given so straight charge that they should repaire to this place this after-noone from the Cabezas where they rode whence to our sight these Spaniards Pinnaces did come But the night before there had fallen very much raine with much Westerly Winde vvhich as it enforced the Spaniards to returne home the sooner by reason of the Storme so it kept our Pinnaces that they could not keepe the appointment because the Winde was contrary and blew so strong that with their Oares they could all that day get but halfe the way Notwithstanding if they had followed our Captaines direction in setting forth over night while the wind served they had arrived at the place appointed with farre lesse labour but with farre more danger because that very day at noone the Spanish Shallops mand out of purpose from Nombre de Dios were come to this place to take our Pinnaces imagining where we were after they had heard of our intercepting of the Treasure Our Captaine seeing the Shallops feared least having taken our Pinnaces they had compelled our men by torture to confesse where his Frigate and Ships were Therefore in this distresse and perplexity the Company misdoubting that all meanes of returne to their Country were cut off and that their Treasure then served them to small purpose our Captaine comforted and incouraged us all saying We should venter no farther then he did it was no time now to feare but rather to haste to prevent that which was feared if the Enemy have prevailed against our Pinnaces which God forbid yet they must have time to search them time to examine the Mariners time to
Jonas out of the Whales belly and heareth all those that call upon him faithfully in their distres looked down from heaven beheld our tears and heard our humble petitions joyned with holy vows Even God whom not the winds and seas alone but even the Divels themselves and powers of hell obey did so wonderfully free us and make our way open before us as it were by his holy Angels stil guiding and conducting us that more then the affright and amaze of this estate we received no part of damage in all the things that belonged unto us But escaping from these straites and miseries as it were through the needlesey that God might have the greater glory in our delivery by the great and effectuall care and travell of our Generall the Lords instrument therein we could now no longer forbeare but must needs find some place of refuge aswell to provide water wood and other necessaries as to comfort our men thus worn and tyred out by so many and so long intollerable toyls the like whereof it to be supposed no traveller hath felt neither hath their ever been such a tempest that any records make mention of so violent and of such continuance since Noahs flood for as hath been said it lasted from September 7. to October 28. full 52. dayes Not many leagues therefore to the southwards of our former anchoring we ran in again among these Islands where we had once more better likelihood to rest in peace and so much the rather for that we found the people of the country travelling for their living from one Island to another in their canows both men women and young infants wrapt in skins and hanging at their mothers backs with whom he had trafique for such things as they had as chains of certain shels and such other trifles here the Lord gave us three days to breath our selves and to provide such things as we wanted albeit the same was with continuall care and troubles to avoid imminent dangers which the troubled seas and blustering winds did every hour threaten unto us But when we seemed to have stayed there too two long we more rigorously assaulted by the not formerly ended but now more violently renewed storm and driven them also with no small danger leaving behind us the greater part of our cable with the anchor being chased along by the winds and buffeted incessantly in each quarter by the seas which our Generall interpreted as though God had sent them of purpose to the end which ensued till at length we fell with the uttermost part of land towards the south pole and had certainly discovered how far the same doth reach southward from the coast of America aforenamed The uttermost Cape or hedland of all these Islands stands neere in the 56. deg without which there is no main nor Iland to be seen to the southwards but that the Atlantick Ocean and the south sea meet in a most large and free scope It hath been a dreame through many ages that these Islands have been a maine and that it hath been terra incognita wherein many strange monsters lived Indeed it might truly before this time be called incognota for howsoever the maps generall descriptions of Cosmographers either upon the deceiveable reports of other men or the deceitfull imaginations of themselves supposing never herein to be corrected have set it down yet it is true that before this time it was never discovered or certainly known by any traveller that we have heard of And here as in a fit place it shall not be a misse to remove that error in opinion which hath been held by many of the impossible return out of Mar del zur into the West Ocean by reason of the supposed Eastern current and leavant winds which say they speedily carry any thither but suffer no return They are herein likewise altogether deceived for neither did we meet with any such current neither had we any such certain winds with any such speed to carry us through but at all times in our passage there we found more opportunity to return back again into the west Ocean then to goe forward into Mar del zur by meanes either of current or winds to hinder us whereof we had experience more then we wished being glad oftentimes to alter our course and to fall a stern again with francke wind without any impediment of any such surmised current farther in one afternoon then we could fetch up or recover again in a whole day with a reasonable gale And in that they allege the narrownesse of the frete and want of sea-rome to be the cause of this violent current they are herein no lesse deceived then they were in the other without reason for besides that it cannot be said that there is one only passage but rather innumerable it is most certain that a sea-board all these Islands there is one large and main sea wherein if any will not be satisfied nor believe the report of our experience and eyesight he should be advised to suspend his judgment till he hath either tryed it himself by his own travell or shall understand by other travellers more particulars to confirm his mind therein Now as we were fallen to the uttermost part of these Ilands October 28. our troubles did make an end the storm ceased and all our calamities only the absence of our friends excepted were removed as if God all this while by his secret providence had led us to make his discouery which being made according to his will he stayed his hand as pleased his majesty therein and refreshed us as his servants At these Southerly parts we found the night in the latter end of October to be but 2. houres long the Sun being yet above 7. degrees distant from the Tropick so that it seemeth being in the Tropick to leave very little or no night at all in that place There be few of all these Islands but have some inhabitants whose manners apparel houses Cannows and meanes of livings is like unto those formerly spoken of a little before our departure out of the Straight To all these Islands did our Generall give one name to wit Elizabethides After two daies stay which we made in and about these Ilands the 30. of October we set saile shaping our course right Northwest to coast along the parts of Peru for so the generall maps set out the land to lie both for that we might wiâ—h convenient speed sal with the height of 30. deg being the place appointed for the rest of our fleet to re-assemble as also that no opportunity might be lost in the mean time to finde them out if it seemed good to God to direct them to us In this course we chanced the next day with two Islands being as it were store-houses of most liberall provision of victuals for us of birds yeiding not only sufficient and plentiful store for us who were present but enough to have served all the rest also which
at what time we arrived at a little Island to the Southward of Celebes standing in 1. deg 40. min. towards the pole antarticke which being without Inhabitants gave us the better hope of quiet abode We anchored and finding the place convenient for our purposes there wanting nothing here which we stood in need of but onely water which we were faine to fetch from another Island somewhat farther to the South made our abode here for six and twenty whole dayes together The first thing we did we pitched our Tents and intrenched our selves as strongly as we could upon the shoare least at any time perhaps we might have been disturbed by the Inhabitants of the greater Island which lay not far to the Westward of us after we had provided thus for our security we landed our Goods and had a Smiths Forge set up both for the making of some necessary Shipworke and for the repairing of some Iron-hooped Caskes without which they could not long have served our use and for that our Smiths Coals were all spent long before this time there was order given and followed for the burning of Charcoale by which that want might be supplyed We trimd our Ship and performed our other businesses to our content The place affording us not onely all necessaries which we had not of our owne before thereunto but also wonderfull refreshing to our wearied bodies by the comfortable reliefe and excellent provision that here we found whereby of sickly weake and decayed as many of us seemed to be before our comming hither we in short space grew all of us to be strong lusty and healthfull persons Besides this we had rare experience of Gods wonderfull wisedome in many rare and admirable creatures which here we saw The whole Island is a through grown wood the trees for the most part are of large and high stature very straight and clean without bowes save onely in the very top The leaves whereof are not much unlike our Brooms in England Among these Trees night by night did shew themselves an infinite swarme of Firie-seeming wormes flying in the aire whose bodies no bigger then an ordinary Flye did make a shew and give such light as if every twig on every Tree had been a lighted Candle or as if that place had beene the Starry Sphear To these we may adde the relation of another almost as strange a creature which here we saw and that was an innumerable multitude of huge Bats or Reare-mice equalling or rather exceeding a good Hen in bignesse They flie with marvelous swiftnesse but their flight is very short and when they light they hang onely by the bowes with their backs downeward Neither may we without ingratitude by reason of the special use we made of them omit to speak of the huge multitude of a certaine kind of Crayfish of such a size that one was sufficient to satisfie four hungry men at a dinner being a very good and restorative meat the speciall means as we conceived it of ouâ— increase of health They are as farre as we could perceive utter strangers to the Sea living alwayes on the Land where they worke themselves earths as doe the conies or rather they dig great and huge caves under the rootes of the most huge and monstrous Trees where they lodge themselves by companies together Of the same sort and kind we found in other places about the Iland Celebes some that for want of other refuge when we came to take them did clime up into trees to hide themselves whether we were enforced to climb after them if we would have them which we would not stick to do rather then to be without them this Island we called Crab-Island All necessary causes of our staying longer in this place being at last finished our Generall prepared to be in a readinesse to take the first advantage of the comming of the brize or winde which we expected and having the day before furnished our selves with fresh water from the other Island and taken in provision of Wood and the like December 12. we put to Sea directing our course toward the West the 16. day we had sight of the Island Celebes or Silebis but having a bad wind and being intangled among many Ilands incumbred also with many other difficulties some dangers at last meeting with a deep Bay out of which we could not in three dayes turne out againe we could not by any meanes recover the North of Silebis or continue on our course farther West but were inforced to alter the same toward the South finding that course also to be both difficult and very dangerous by reason of many shoales which lay far off here and there among the Islands insomuch that in all our passages from England hitherto we had never more care to keepe our selves a float and from sticking on them thus were we forced to beat up and downe with extraordinary care and circumspection till January 9. at which time we supposed that we had at last attained a free passage the land turning evidently in our sight about to Westward and the Winde being enlarged followed us as we desired with a reasonable Gale When loe on a sudden when we least suspected no shew or suspition of danger appearing to us and we were now sailing onward with full sails in the beginning of the first watch of the said day at night even in a moment our ship was laid up fast upon a desperate shoal with no other likelihood in appearance but that we with her must there presently perish there being no probability how any thing could be saved or any Person sâ—â—pe alive The unexpectednesse of so extreame a danger presently roused us up to looke about us but the more we looked the lesse hope we had of getting clear of it againe so that nothing now presenting it selfe to our mindes but the ghastly appearance of instant death affording no respite or time pausing called upon us to turne our thoughts another way to renounce the World to deny our selves and to commend our selves into the mercifull hands of our most gracious God to this purpose we presently fell prostrate and with joyned prayers sent up unto the throne of grace humbly be sought Almighty God to extend his mercy unto us in his Son Christ Jesus and so preparing as it were our necks unto the blocke we every minute expected the finall stroke to be given unto us Notwithstanding that we expected nothing but iminent death yet that we might not seeme to tempt God by leaving any second meanes unattempted which he afforded presently as soon as prayers were ended our General exhorting us to have the especiallest care of the better part to wit the Soule and adding many comfortable speeches of the joyes of that other life which we now alone looked for incouraged us all to bestirre our selves shewing us the way thereto by his owne example and first of all the Pump being wel plyed and the ship
the Dragon the other the Swan in the year 70. the other in the Swan alone in the yeare 71. to gaine such intelligences as might further him to get some amends for his losse And having in those two Voyages gotten such certaine notice of the persons places aymed at as he thought requisite and thereupon with good deliberation resolved on a third Voyage the Description wherof we have now in hand he accordingly prepared his Ships Company and then taking the first opportunity of a good wind had such succes in his proceedings as now followes further to be declared On Whitsunday Eve being the 24. of May in the year 1572. Captain Drake in the Pascha of Plimoth of 70. tons his Admirall with the Swan of the same Port of 25 tons his Vice-Admirall in which his brother Iohn Drake was Captain having in both of them of men and boyes seventy three all voluntarily assembled of which the eldest was fifty all the rest under thirty so divided that there were forty seven in one ship twenty six in the other both richly furnished with victuals and apparell for a whole year and no lesse heedfully provided of all manner of Munition Artillery Artificers stuffe and tooles that were requisite for such a Man of war in such an attempt but especially having three dainty Pinnases made in Plimouth taken asunder all in peices and stowed aboard to be set up as occasion served set sayl from out of the Sound of Plimouth with intent to land at Nombre de dios The wind continued prosperous favorable at Northeast and gave us a very good passage without any alteration of change so that albeit we had sight of Porto Santo one of the Maderas of the Canaries also within twelve dayes of our setting forth yet we never strook sayle nor came to anchor nor made any stay for any cause neither there or else where untill 25. dayes after When we had sight of the Island of Guadalupe one of the Islands of the West Indies goodly high land The next morning we entred between Dominica Guadalupe where we descried two canoas coming from a rocky Iland three leagues off Dominica which usually repair thither to fish by reason the great plenty thereof which is there continually to be found We landed on the South side of it remaining there three days to refresh our men water our ships out of one of those goodly rivers which fall down off the mountain There we saw certain poore cottages built with Palmito boughs and branches but no inhabitants at that time civill nor savage the cottages it may be for we could know no certaine cause of the solitarinesse we found there serving not for continuall inhabitation but only for their uses that came to that place at certaine seasons to fish The third day after about three in the after-noon we set sail from thence towards the continent of Terra firma And the fifth day after we had sight of the high land of Santa Martha but came not neer the shoar by ten leagues But thence directed our course for a place called by us Port Phesant for that our Captain had so named it in his former voyage by reason of the great store of those goodly Fowls which he and his Company did then dayly kill and feed on in that place In this course notwithstanding we had two dayes calme yet within six dayes we arived at our Port Phesant which is a fine round Bay of very safe harbour for all winds lying betweene two high points not past halfe a cables length over at the mouth but within eight or ten cables length every way having ten or twelve fadome water more or lesse full of good fish the soile also very fruitfull which may appear by this that our Captain having been in this place within a year and few dayes before and having rid the place with many alleyes and paths made yet now all was so overgrowne againe as that we doubted at first whether this were the same place or no. At our entrance into this Bay our Captaine having given order to his brother what to do if any occasion shoud happen in his absence was on his way with intent to have gone a land with some few only in his company because he knew there dwelt no Spaniards within thirty five leagues of that place Tolou being the neerest to the Eastwards and Nombâ—e de dios to the westwards where any of that Nation dwelt But as we were rowing a shoar we saw a smoak in the woods even neer the place which our Captain had aforetime frequented therefore thinking it fit to take more strength with us he caused his other boat also to be manned with certain muskets and other weapons suspecting some enemy had been a shoar When we landed we found by evident markes that there had been lately there a certaine English man of Plimouth called Iohn Garret who been conducted thither by certain English Mariners which had been there with our Captain in some of his former voyages He had now left a plate of Lead nailed fast to a mighty great tree greater hen any four men joyning hands could fathom about on which were engraven these words directed to our Captaine CAptain Drake if you fortune to come to this Port make hast away For the Spanyards which you had with you here the last year have bewrayed this place and taken away all that you left here I departed from hence this present 7. of Iuly 1572. Your very loving friend IOHN GARRET The smoake which we saw was occasioned by a fire which the said Garret and his Company had made before their departure in a very great tree not farre from this which had the Lead nayled on it which had continued burning at least five dayes before our arrivall This advertisement notwithstanding our Captain ment not to depart before he had built his Pinnaces which were yet aboard in pieces for which purpose he knew this Port a most convenient place And therefore so soon as we had mored our ships our Captain commanded his Pinnaces to be brought ashore for the Carpenters to set up himself employing al his other company in fortifying a place which he had chosen out as a most fit plot of three quarters of an acre of ground to make some strength or safety for the present as sufficiently as the meanes he had would affoord which was performed by felling of great trees bowsing and haling them together with great Pulleis and halfers untill they were inclosed to the waters and then letting others fall upon them untill they had raised with trees and boughs thirty foot in height round about leaving only one gate to issue at neet the waters side which every night that we might sleepe in more safety and security was shut up with a great tree drawn a'rthwart it The whole plot was built in a Pentagonall form to wit of five equall sides
Port Plentie before we were quiet in the new-found Road which we had but newly entred when our two Men and the former Troope of Simerons with twelve other whom they had met in the Mountaines came in sight over against our Ship on the Maine whence we fet them all aboard to their great comfort and our content they rejoycing that they should have some fit opportunity to wreake their wrongs on the Spaniards we hoping that now our Voyage should be bettered At our first meeting when our Captaine had moved them to shew him the meanes which they had to furnish him with Gold and Silver they answered plainly that had they knowne Gold had been his desire they could have satisfied him with store which for the present they could not doe because the Rivers in which they had suncke great store which they had taken from the Spaniards rather to despite them then for love of Gold were now so high that they could not get it out of such depths for him and because the Spaniards in these rainy Moneth doe not use to carry their Treasure by Land This answer although it were somewhat unlooked for yet nothing discontented us but rather perswaded us farther of their honest and faithfull meaning towards us Therefore our Captaine to entertaine these five Moneths commanded all our Ordnance and Artillery a shoare with all our other Provisions sending his Pinnaces to the Maine to bring over great Trees to make a Fort upon the same Iland for the planting of all our Ordnance therein and for our safeguard if the Enemy in all this time should chance to come Our Symerons cut downe Palmito boughes and branches and with wonderfull speed raised up two large Houses for all our Company Our Fort was then made by reason of the place triangle wise with maine Timber and Earth of which the Trench yeelded us good store so that we made it thirteen foot in height But after we had continued upon this Iland fourteen dayes our Captain having determined with three Pinnaces to goe for Carthagene left his Brother John Drake to govern these who remained behinde with the Symerons to finish the Fort which he had begun for which he appointed him to fetch Boords and Plancks as many as his Pinnace would carry from the Prize which we tooke at Rio Grand and left at the Cativaas where she drave a shore and wracked in our absence but now she might serve very commodiously to supply our uses in making Platformes for our Ordnance Thus our Captaine and his Brother tooke their leave the one to the Eastward and the other to the Cativaas That night we came to an I le which hee called Spuâ—kite Iland because we found there great store of such a kinde a Bird in shape but very delicate of which we killed and rosted many staying there till the next day midnoone when we departed thence and about foure a clocke recovered a big Iland in our way where we staying all night by reason that there was great store of Fish and especially of a great kinde of Shel-fish of a foot long we called them Whelkes The next morning we were cleere of these Ilands and Shoales and haled off into the Sea About foure dayes after neere the Ilands of Saint Bernards we chased two Frigates a shore and recovering one of the Ilands made our abode there some two dayes to wash our Pinnaces and rake off the Fish Thence we went towards Tolou and that day landed neer the Town in a Garden where we found certaine Indians who delivered us their Bowes and Arrowes and gathered for us such Fruit as the Garden did veeld being many sorts of dainty Fruits and Roots still contenting them for that we received our Captains principall intent in taking this and other places by the way not being for any other cause but onely to learne true intelligences of the state of the Countrey and of the Fleets Hence we departed presently and rowed towards Charesha the Iland of Carthagene and entred in at Bocha Chica and having the winde large we sailed in towards the Citie and let fall our Grappers betwixt the Iland and the Maine right over against the goodly Garden Iland In which our Captaine would not suffer us to land notwithstanding our importunate desire because he knew it might be dangerous for that they are wont to send Souldiers thither when they know any Men of Warre upon the Coast which we found accordingly for vvithin three houres after passing by the point of the Iland vve had a volley of an hundred shot from them and yet there was but one of our men hurt This evening we departed to Sea and the day following being some two leagues off the Harbour we tooke a Barke and found that the Captaine and his wife with the better sort of the passengers had forsaken her and were gone a shoare in their Guâ—delow by occasion whereof we boorded without resistance though they were very well provided with Swords and Targets and some small shot besides foure Iron Bases She was about fifty tunne having ten Marrines five or six Negroes great store of Sope and Sweet-meates bound from Saint Domingo to Carthagene This Captaine left behind him a silke Ancient with his Armes as might be thought in hasty departing The next day we sent all the Company a shoare to seek their Masters saving a young Negrito of three or foure yeeres old which we brought away but kept the Barke and in her bore into the mouth of Carthagene Harbour where we anchored That afternoone certaine horse-men came downe to the point by the Wood side and with the Scrivano forementioned came towards our Barke with a Flag of Truce desiring of our Captaine safe conduct for his comming and going the which being granted he came aboord us giving our Captaine great thankes for his manifold favours c. promising that night before day break to bring as much victuall as they would desire what shift soever he made or what danger soever he incurred of Law and punishment But this fell out to be nothing but a device of the Governour forced upon the Scrivano to delay time til they might provide themselves of sufficient strength to entrap us for which this fellow by his smooth speech was thought a fit meane So by Sunne rising when we perceived his words but words we put to Sea to the Westward of the Iland some three Leagues off where we lay at Hull the rest of all that day and night The next day in the afternoone there came out of Carthagene two Frigates bound for Saint Domingo the one of fifty the other of twelve Tunne having nothing in them but Ballast we tooke them with in a League of the Towne and came to Anchor with them within Saker shot of the East Bulwarke there vvere in those Frigates some twelve or thirteene common Marriners which intreated to be set a shoare to them our
Captaine gave the great Frigates Guâ—delow and dismissed them The next morning when they came downe to the Wester point vvith a Flag of Truce our Captain manned one of his Pinnaces and rovved a shoare vvhen vve vvere vvithin a Cables length of the shoare the Spaniards fled hiding themselves in the Woods as being affraid of our Ordnance but indeed to dravv us on to Land confidently and to presume of our strength Our Captaine commanding the Grapnell to be cast out of the sterne veered the Pinnace a shoare and as soone as she touched the Sand he alone leapt a shoare in their sight to declare that he durst set his foot a land but stayed not among them to let them knovv that though he had not sufficient forces to conquer them yet he had sufficient judgement to take heed of them And therefore perceiving their intent as soone as our Captaine vvas aboord vve haled off upon our Grapner and rid a vvhile They presently came forth upon the Sand and sent a youth as vvith a message from the Governour to knovv vvhat our intent vvas to stay thus upon the Coast Our Captaine ansvvered he meant to traffique vvith them for he had Tin Pevvter Cloth and other Merchandise that they needed The youth svvam backe againe vvith this ansvver and was presently returned with another message that the King had forbidden to traffique with any forraigne Nation for any Commodities except Powder and Shot of which if we had any store they would be his Merchants he answered that he was come from his Country to exchange his Commodities for Gold and Silver and is not purposed to returne without his errand They are like in his opinion to have little rest if that by faire meanes they would not traffique with him He gave this Messenger a faire Shirt for a reward and so returned him who rowled his Shirt about his head and swamme very speedily We heard no answer all that day and therefore toward night we went aboord our Frigates and reposed our selves setting and keeping very orderly all that night our watch with great and small shot The next morning the winde which had beene Westerly in the evening altered to the Eastward About the dawning of the day wee espied two Sayles turning towards us whereupon our Captaine weighed with his Pinnaces leaving the two Frigates unmand But when we were come some what nigh them the winde calmed and we were faine to row towards them till that approching very nigh we saw many heads peering over boord For as we perceived these two Frigates were mand and set forth out of Carthagene to fight with us and aâ— least to impeach or busie us whiles by some meanes or other they might recover the Frigates from us but our Captaine prevented both their drifts For commanding John Oxnam to stay with the one Pinnace to entertaine these two men of warre himselfe in the other made such speed that he gate to his Frigates which he had left at Anchor and caused the Spaniards who in the meane time had gotten aboord in a small Canow thinking to have towed them within the danger of their shot to make greater haste thence then they did thither For he found that iâ— shifting thence some of them were faine to swim a land the Canow not being able to receive them and had left their apparrell some their Rapiers and Targets some their Flaskes and Callivers behind them although they were towing away of one of them therefore considering that we could not man them we suncke the one burnt the other giving them to understand by this that we perceived their secret practises This being done he returned to John Oxnam who all this while lay by the men of warre without proffering of fight And as soone as our Captaine was come up to these Frigates the wind blew much from the Sea so that we being betwixt the shoare and them were in a manner forced to beare roome into the Harbour before them to the great joy of the Spaniards who beheld it in supposing that we would still have fled before them But assoone as we were in the Harbour and felt smooth water our Pinnaces as we were assured of getting the winde we fought with them upon the advantage so that after a few shot exchanged and a storme rising they were contented to presse no neerer Therefore as they let fall their Anchors we presently let drop our Grapners in the winde of them which the Spanish Souldiers seeing considering the disadvantage of the winde the likelyhood of the storme to continue and small hope of doing any good they were glad to retire themselves to the Towne But by reason of the foule and tempestuous weather we rode there foure dayes feeling great cold by reason we had such sore raines with Westerly winde and so little succour in our Pinnaces The fift day after there came in a Frigate from the sea which seeing us make towards her ranne her selfe a shoare unhanging her Rudder and taking away her Sayles that she might not easily be carried away But when we were come up to her we perceived about a hundred Horse and Foot with their Furniture came downe to the point of the Maine where we interchanged some shot with them One of our great shot past so neere a brave Cavalier of theirs that thereby they were occasioned to advise themselves and to retreat into the Woods where they might sufficiently defend and rescue the Frigate from us and annoy us also if we stayed long about her Therefore we concluded to goe to Sea againe putting forth through Boca chica with intent to take downe our Masts upon hope of faire weather and to ride under the Rockes called Las Serenas which are two leagves off at Sea as we had usually done aforetime so that they could not discerne us from the Rocks But there the Sea was so mightily growne that we were forced to take the Harbour againe where we remained six dayes notwithstanding the Spaniards grieved greatly at our aboad there so long put an other device in practise to indanger us For they sent forth a great Shallop a fine Gundeloe and a great Canow with certaine Spaniards with shot and many Indians with poysoned Arrowes as it seemed with intent to begin some fight and then to flye For as soone as we rowed towards them and enterchanged shot they presently retyred and went a shoare into the Woods where an Ambush of some sixty shot were laid for us besides two Pinnaces and a Frigate warping towards us which were Mand as the rest They attempted us very boldly being assisted by those others which from our of the Wood had gotten aboard the Gundeloe and Canow and seeing us bearing from them which we did in respect of the Ambusâ—ado they incouraged themselves and assured their fellowes of the day But our Captaine weighing this their attempt and being out of danger of their shot from the Land commanding his other Pinnace to be
brought a head of him and to let fall their Grapners each a head the others environed both the Pinnaces with Bonnets as for a close fight and then wheaved them aboord them They kept themselves upon their Oares at Calliver shot distance spending Powder apace as we did some two or three houres We had one of our Men onely wounded in that Fight what they had is unknowne to us but we saw their Pinnaces shot thorow in divers places and the Powder of one of them tooke on fire whereupon we waighed intending to beare roome to over-runne them which they perceiving and thinking that we would have boorded them rowed away amaine to the defence vvhich they had in the Wood the rather because they vvere disappointed of their helpe that they expected from the Frigate vvhich vvas vvarping towards us but by reason of the much Winde that blew could not come to offend us or succour them Thus seeing that vve vvere still molested and no hope remaining of any Purchase to be had in this place any longer because vve vvere now so notably made knovvn in those parts and because our Victuals grevv scant as soone as the Weather vvaxed somewhat better the Winde continuing alwayes Westerly so that vve could not returne to our Ships our Captain thought best to goe to the Eastvvard tovvards Rio grand along the Coast vvhere vve had beene before and found great store of Victuals But vvhen after two dayes sayling vve vvere arrived at the Villages of store vvhere before vve had furnished our selves vvith aboundance of Hens Sheepe Calves Hogges c. Now vve found bare nothing not so much as any people left for that they by the Spaniards commandment were fled to the Mountaines and had driven away all their Cattle that we might not be releeved by them Herewith being very sorry because much of our Victuall in our Pinnaces was spoyled by the foule weather at Sea and raines in Harbour a Frigate being descried at Sea revived us and put us in some hope for the time that in her we should finde sufficient and thereupon it may easily be guessed how much we laboured to recover her but when we had boorded her and understood that she had neither Meat nor Money but that she was bound for Rio Grand to take in Provision upon Bils our great hope converted into griefe We endured with our allowance seven or eight dayes more proceeding to the Eastwards and bearing roome for Santa Martha upon hope to finde some Shipping in the Read or Limpets on the Rockes or succour against the Storme in that good Harbour Being arrived and seeing no Shipping we anchored under the Wester point where is high land and as we thought free in safety from the Towne which is in the bottome of the Bay not intending to land there because we knew that it was fortified and that they had intelligence of us But the Spaniards knowing us to be Men of Warre and misliking that we should shroud under their Rockes without their leave had conveyed some thirty or forty shot among the Cliffes which annoyed us so spitefully and so unrevengedly for that they lay hidden behinde the Rockes bur we lay open to them that we were soone weary of our Harbour and enforced for all the Storme without and want within to put to Sea which though these Enemies of ours were well contented withall yet for a farewell as we came open of the Towne they sent us a Culverin shot which made a neere escape for it fell between our Pinnaces as we were upon conference of what was best to be done The Company advised that if it pleased him they might put themselves a land some place to the East-ward to get Victuals and rather hope for courtesie of the Countrey People then continue at Sea in so long cold and great a storme in so leâ—ke a Pinnace But our Captaine would in no wise like of that advice he thought it better to beare up towards Rio de Haca or Corizao with hope there to have plenty without great resistance because he knew either the Ilands were not very populous or else it were very likely that there would be found Ships of Victuall in a readinesse The Company of the other Pinnace answered that they would willingly follow him thorow the World but in this they could not see how either their Pinnace should live in that Sea without being eaten up in that storme or they themselves able to endure so long time with so slender Provision as they had viz. onely one Gammon of Bacon and thirty pound of Bisket for eighteene Men. Our Captaine replyed that they were better provided then himselfe was who had but one Gammon of Bacon and forty pound of Bisket for his twenty foure Men and therefore He doubted not but they would take such part as He did and willingly depend upon Gods Almighty Providence which never faileth them that trust in him With that he hoysed his fore-saile and set his course for Corizao which the rest perceiving with sorrowfull hearts in respect of the weake Pinnace yet desirous to follow their Captain consented to take the same course We had not sailed past three leagues but we had espied a sayle plying to the Westward with her two courses to our great joy who vowed together that vve vvould have her or else it should cost us deare Bearing with her we found her to be a Spanish Ship of above ninety Tun vvhich being vvheaved a maine by us despised our Summons and shot off her Ordnance at us The Sea went very high so that it vvas not for us to attempt to boord her and therefore we made fit small saile to attend upon her and keepe her company to her small content till fairer vveather might lay the Sea We spent not past two houres in our attendance till it pleased God after a great shower to send us a reasonable calme so that vve might use our Peeces and approach her at pleasure in such sort that in short time vve had taken her finding her laden vvith Victuall well powdred and dryed vvhich at that present vve received as sent us of Gods great mercy After all things vvere set in order and that the winde increased toward night vve plyed off and on till day at vvhat time our Captaine sent in Edward Hixom who had then charge of his Pinnace to search out some Harbour along the Coast vvho having found out a little one some ten or twelve leagues to the East of Santa Martha vvhere in sounding he had good ground and sufficient vvater presently returned our Captain brought in his nevv Prize Then by promising liberty and all their apparrell to the Spaniards which we had taken if they vvould bring us to Water and fresh Victuals the rather by their meanes vve obtained of the Inhabitants Indians vvhat they had vvhich vvas plentiful These Indians vvere clothed and governed by a Spaniard vvhich dwelt in the nexâ— Town not past a league
In these three last dayes march in the Champion as we past over the Hils we might see Panama five or six times a day and the last day we saw the Ships riding in the road But after that we were come within a dayes journey of Panama our Captaine understanding by the Symerons that the Dames of Panama are wont to send forth Hunters and Fowlers for taking of sundry dainty Fowle which the Land yeeldeth by whom if we Marched not very heedfully we might be descryed caused all his Company to March out of all ordinary way and that with as great heed silence and secrecy as possibly they might to the Grove which was agreed on foure dayes before lying within a league of Panama where we might lye safely undiscovered near the High-way that leadeth from thence to Nombre de Dios. Thence we sent a chosen Symeron one that had served a Master in Panamah before time in such Apparell as the Negroes of Panama doe use to Warre to be our Espiall to goe into the Towne to learne the certaine night and time of the night when the Carriers laded the Treasure from the Kings Treasure-house to Nombre de Dios. For they are wont to take their journey from Panama to Venta Cruz which is six leagues ever by night because the Countrey is all Champion and consequently by dâ—y very hot but from Venta Cruz to Nombre de Dios as oft as they travell by Land with their Treasure they travell alwayes by day and not by night because all that way is full of Woods and therefore very fresh and coole unlesse the Symerons happily encounter them and make them sweat with feare as sometimes they have done whereupon they are glad to guard their Recoes with Souldiers as they passe that way This last day our Captain did behold and view the most of all that faire City discerning the large Street which lyeth directly from the Sea into the Land South and North. By three of the clocke we came into this Grove passing for the more secrecy alongst a certaine River which at that time was almost dryed up Having disposed of our selves in the Grove we dispatched our Spye an houre before night so that by the closing in of the evening he might be in the City as he was whence presently he returned unto us that which very happily he understood by Companions of his That the Teasurer of Lima intending to passe into Spaine in the first adviso which was a Ship of three hundred and fifty Tunne a very good Sayler was ready that night to take his journey towards Nombre de Dios with his Daughter and Family having fourteene Moyles in company of which eight was laden with Gold one with Jewels And farther that there were two other Recoes of fifty Moyles in each laden with Victuals for the most part with some little quantity of Silver to come forth that night after the other There are twenty eight of these Recoes the greatest of them is of seventy Moyles the lesse of fifty unlesse some particular Man hyre for himself ten twenty or thirty as he hath need Upon this notice we forthwith Marched foure leagues till we came within two leagues of Venta Cruz in which March two of our Symerons which were sent before by scent of his Match found and brought a Spaniard whom they had found a sleepe by the way by scent of the said Match and drawing neere thereby heard him taking his breath as he slept and being but one they fell upon him stopt his mouth from crying put out his Match and bound him so that they well neare strangled him by that time he was brought unto us By examining him we found all that to be true which our Spye had reported to us and that he was a Souldier entertained with others by the Treasurer for the guard and conduct of this Treasure from Venta Cruz to Nombre de Dios. This Souldier having learned who our Captaine was tooke courage and was bold to make two requests unto him the one that he would command his Symerons which hated the Spaniards especially the Souldiers extreamly to spare his life which he doubted not but they would doe at his charge the other was that seeing he was a Souldier and assured him that they should have that night more Gold besides Jewels and Pearles of great price then all they could carry if not then he was to be dealt with how they would but if they all found it so then it might please our Captaine to give unto him as much as it might suffize for him and his Mistresse to live upon as he had heard our Captaine had done to divers others for which he would make his name so famous as any of them which had received like favour Being at the place appointed our Captaine with halfe of his men lay on one side of the way about fifty paces off in the long grasse Iohn Oxnam with the Captaine of the Symerons and the other halfe lay on the other side of the way at the like distance but so farre behind that as occasion served the former Company might take the foremost Moyles by the heads and the other the hindmost because the Moyles tyed together are alwayes driven one after another and especially that if we should have need to use our weapons that night we might be sure not to endamage our fellows We had not laine thus in ambush much above an houre but we heard the Recoes comming from the City to Venta Cruz and from Venta Cruz to the City vvhich hath a very common and great trade vvhen the Fleetes are there vve heard them by reason they delight much to have deepe sounding Bels which in a still night are heard very far off Now though there vvere as great charge given as might be that none of our men should show or stirre themselves but let all that came from Venta Cruz to passe quieâ—ly yea their Recoes also because vve knew that they brought nothing but Merchandise from thence yet one of our men called Robert Pike having drunken too much Aqua vitae vvithout vvater forgat himselfe and entising a Symeron forth vvith him vvas gone hard to the way vvith intent to have shewne his forwardnesse on the foremost Moyles And when a Cavalier from Venta Cruz vvell mounted with his Page running at his stirrop past by unadvisedly he rose up to see vvhat he vvas but the Semeron of better discretion puld him dovvne and lay upon him that he might not discover them any more Yet by this the Gentleman had taken notice by seeing one all in white for that we had all put our shirts over oâ—r other apparrell that we might be sure to know our owne men in the pell mell in the night By meanes of this sight the Cavalier putting spurs to his horse râ—de a false Gallop as desirous not only himselfe to be free of this doubt which he imagined but also to give advertisement to others that they
which from this Cape of Saint Anthony we intended to finish by sayling the directest and speediest way homeward and accordingly even beyond our owne expectation most happily performed For whereas our Captaine had purposed to touch at New-found-land and there to have watred which would have been some let unto us though we stood in great want of Water yet God Almighty so provided for us by giving us good store of Raine-water that we were sufficiently furnished and within twenty three dayes we past from the Cape of Florida to the Iles of Silley and so arrived at Plimouth on Sunday about Sermon-time August the ninth 1573. at what time the newes of our Captaines return brought unto his did so speedily passe over all the Church and surpasse their minds with desire and delight to see him that very few or none remained with the Preacher all hastning to see the evidence of Gods love and blessing towards our Gracious Queene and Country by the fruit of our Captaines labour and successe Soli Deo Gloria FINIS THE WORLD ENCOMPASSED BY SIR FRANCIS DRAKE Offered now at last to Publique view both for the honour of the Actor but especially for the stirring up of heroicke Spirits to benefit their Countrey and eternize their Names by like noble attempts Collected out of the Notes of Master Francis Fletcher Preacher in this imployment and compared with divers others Notes that went in the same VOYAGE Printed at London for Nicholas Bourne dwelling at the South entrance of the royall Exchange 1652. SIR FRANCIS DRAKE his Voyage about the WORLD EVer since Almighty God commanded Adam to subdue the Earth there hath not wanted in all Ages some heroicall Spirits which in obedience to that high mandate either from manifest reason alluring them or by secret instinct inforcing them thereunto have expended their wealth imployed their times and adventured their Persons to finde out the true circuit of the World Of these some have endeavored to effect this their purpose by conclusion and consequence drawn from the proportion of the higher Circles to this nethermost Globe being the Center of the rest Others not contented with Schoole Points such demonstrations for that a small error in the beginning groweth in the progresse to a great inconvenience have added therunto their own History and experience All of them in reason have deserved great commendation of their owne Ages and purchased a just renowne with all posterity For if a Surveyor of some few Lordships wherof the bounds and limits were before known worthily deserve his reward not only for his travell but for his skill also in measuring the whol and every part thereof how much more above comparison are their famous Travels by all means possible to be eternized who have bestowed their studies and indeavour to survey measure this Globe almost unmeasurable Neither is here that difference to be objected which in private Possessions is of value Whose Land Survey you forasmuch as the main Ocean by right is the Lords alone and by nature left free for all men to deal withal as very sufficient for all mens use larg enough for al mens industry And therefore that valiant enterprise accompanied with happy successe which that right rare and thrice worthy Captain Francis Drake atchieved in first turning up a furrow about the whole world doth not onely overmatch the ancient Argonauts but also outreacheth in many respects that noble Mariner Magellanus and by far surpasseth his crowned Victory But hereof let Posterity judge It shall for the present be deemed a sufficient discharge of duty to register the true and whole history of that his Voyage with as great indifferency of affection as a history doth require and with the plain evidence of truth as it was left recorded by some of the chiefe and divers other Actors in that Action The said Captain Francis Drake having in a former voyoge in the years 72 and 73 the description whereof is already imparted to the view of the world had a sight and onely a sight of the south Atlantik and thereupon either conceiving a new or renewing a former desire of sailing on the same in an English bottom he so cherished thenceforward this his noble desire and resolution in himselfe that notwithstanding he was hindred for some years partly by secret envy at home and partly by publicke service for his Prince and Country abroad wherof Ireland under Walter Earl of Essex gives honorable testimony yet against the yeare 1577. by gracious commission from his Soveraigne and with the helpe of divers friends Adventurers he had fitted himselfe with five Ships 1. The Pellican Admirall burthen 100. tons Captaine generall Francis Drake 2. The Elizabeth Vice admirall burthen 80. tonnes Captaine Iohn Winter 3. The Marigold a Bark of 30. tons Captain Iohn Thomas 4. The Swan a Fliboat of 50. tons Captaine Iohn Chester 5. The Christopher a Pinnace of fifteene tonnes Captaine Thomas Moone These Ships he mand with 164. able and sufficient men and furnished them also with such plentifull provision of all things necessary as so long and dangerous a Voyage did seem to require and amongst the rest with certaine Pinnaces ready framed but carried aboard in peices to be new set up in smoother water when occasion served Neither had he omitted to make provision also for ornament and delight carrying to this purpose with him expert Musitians rich furniture all the vessels for his Table yea many belonging even to the Cooke-roome being of pure Silver and divers shewes of all sorts of curious Workmanship whereby the civility and magnificence of his native Country might amongst all Nations whithersoever he should come be the more admired Being thus appointed we set saile out of the sound of Plimmouth about five of the Clocke in the afternoon November 15. of the same yeare and running all that night Southwest by the morning were come as far as the Lyzard where meeting the wind at Southwest quite contrary to our intended course we were forced with our whole Fleet to put in to Falmouth The next day towards evening there arose a storme continuing all that night and the day following especially betweene ten of the Clocke in the forenoone and five in the afternoone with such violence that though it were in a very good Harbor yet two of our Ships viz. the Admirall wherein our Generall himselfe went and the Marigold were fain to cut their maine Masts by board and for the repairing of them and many other dammages in the tempest sustained as soone as the Weather would give leave to beare back to Plimmouth again where we all arrived the thirteenth day after our first departure thence Whence having in few dayes supplied all defects with happier sailes we once more put to Sea December 13. 1577. As soon as we were out of sight of Land our Generall gave us occasion to conjecture in part whither he intended both by the directing of his course and
having scarce life in her selfe much lesse milk to nourish her child to be sould as a horse or a cow and calf by her side in which sort of merchandise our generall would not deale But they had also Amber-greece with certain gums of some estimation which they brought to exchange with our men for water whereof they have great want so that coming with their Allforges they are leathern bags holding liquor to buy water they cared not at what price they bought it so they may have to quench their thirst A very heavy judgement of God upon that coast The circumstances whereof considered our generall would receive nothing of them for water but freely gave it them that came to him yea fed them also ordinarily with our victuals in eating whereof their manner was not uncivill and unsightly to us but even inhumane and loathsome in it self And having washed and trim'd our ships and discharged all our spanish prises excepting one Caunter for which we gave to the owner of our own ships viz. the Christopher and one carvell formerly bound to Saint Jago which we caused to accompany us hither where she also was discharged after six dayes abode here we departed directing our course for the Islands of cape Verde where if any were we were of necessity to store our fleet with fresh water for a long time for that our generall intended from thence to run a long couse even to the coast of Brasill without touch of land And now having the wind constant at North East E. North E. which is usuall about those parts because it bloweth almost continually from the shoare January the 27. we coasted Bonavista and the next day after we came to anchor under the Wester part towards St. Jago of the Island Maio it lyeth in 15. deg 00. high land saving that the North-west part strecheth out into the sea the space of a league very low and is inhabited by subjects to the King of Portugall Here landing in hope of traffique with the inhabitants for water we found a Town not farre from the waters side of a great number of desolate and ruinous houses with a poor naked Chappell or Oratory such as small cost and charge might serve and suffice being to small purpose and as it seemeth only to make a shew and that a false shew contrary to the nature of a scarecrow which feareth birds from coming nigh this entiseth such as passe by to hale in and look for commodity which is not at all to be found there though in the inner parts of the Island it be in great abundance For when we found the Springs and Wells which had been there as appeareth stopped up again and no other water to purpose to be had to serve our need we marched up to seek some more convenient place to supply our want or at least to see whether the people would be dealt withall to help us therein In this travelling we found the soile to be very fruitfull having every where plenty of fig trees with fruit upon most of them But in the vallies and low ground where little low cottages were built were pleasant vineyards planted bearing then ripe and most pleasant grapes There were also trees without any branch till the top which bare the Coco nuts There were also great store of certain lower trees with long and broad leaves bearing the fruit which they call Plantanes in clusters together like puddings a most dainty and wholesome fruit All of these trees were even laden with fruit some ready to be eaten others coming forward others over ripe Neither can this seem strange though about the middest of winter with us for that the Sun doth never withdraw himself farther off from them but that with his lively heat he quickneth and strengthneth the power of the soile and plant neither ever have they any such frost and cold as thereby to loose their green hâ—w and appearance We found very good water in diverse places but so far off from the road that we could not with any reasonable paines enjoy it The people would by no meanes be induced to have any conference with us but keeping in the most sweet fruitfull vallie among the hils where their Towns and places of dwelling were gave us leave without interruption to take our pleasure in survewing the Island as they had some reason not to endanger themselves where they saw they could reape nothing sooner then damage shame if they should have offer'd violence to them which came in peace to do them no wrong at all This Iland yeildeth other great commodities as wonderfull heards of goats infinite store of wilde hens salt without labour only the gathering it together excepted which continually in a marvellous quantity is increased upon the sands by the flowing of the sea and the heate of the Sunne kerning the same So that of the increase thereof they keep a continuall traffique with their neighbours in the other adjacent Islands We set saile thence the 30. day Being departed from Maio the next day we passed by the Island of Sain Jago ten leagues west of Maio in the same latitude inhabited by the Portugals and Moores together The cause whereof is said to have been in the Portugals themselves who continuing long time Lords within themselves in the said Island used that extream and unreasonable cruelty over their slaves that their bondage being intollerable they were forced to seek some means to help themselves and to lighten that so heavy a burden and thereupon chose to flie into the most mountany parts of the Island and at last by continuall escapes increasing to a great number and growing to a set strength do now live with that terror of their oppressors that they now endure no les bondage in mind then the Forcatos did before in body besides the dammage that they daily suffer at their hands in their goods and cattel together with the abridging of their liberties in the use of divers parts of the fruitfull soile of the said Island which is very large marvellous fruitfull a refuge for all such ships as are bound towards Brasill Ginny the East Indies Binny Calecut c. and a place of rare force if it were not for the cause afore-recited which hath much abated the pride and cooled the courage of that people who under pretence of trafique and friendship at first making an entrance ceased not practising upon the poore Islands the ancient remainders of the first planters thereof as it may seem from the coast of Guinea untill they had excluded them from all government and liberty yea almost life On the South-west of this Island we took a Portugall laden the best part with wine and much good cloth both linnen and woollen besides other necessaries bound for Brasill with many Gentlemen and Marchants in her As we passed by with our fleet in sight of 3. of their towns they seemed very joyfull that we touched
not with our coast and seeing us depart peaceably in honour of our fleet and Generall or rather to signifie that they were provided for an assault shot off two great peeces into the sea which were answered by one given them again from us South-west from Saint Jago in 14. deg 30. min. about twelve leagues distant yet by reason of the height seeming not above three leagues lyeth another Island called of the Portugals Fogo viz. the burning Iland or fiery furnace in which riseth a steepe upright hill by conjecture at least six leagues or eighteen English miles from the upper part of the water within the bowels whereof is a consuming fire maintained by sulphure matter seeming to be a marvellous depth and also very wide The fire sheweth it self but four times in an houre at which times it breaketh out with such violence force and in such main abundance that besides that it giveth light like the Moone a great way off it seemeth that it would not stay till it touch one heavens themselves Herein are ingendred great store of prumice stores which being in the vehement heat of the fire carried up without the mouth of that fiery body fall down with other grosse and slimy matter upon the hill to the continuall increasing of the same And many times these stones falling down into the sea are taken up and used as we our selves had experience by sight of them swimming on the water The rest of the Island is fruitfull notwithstanding and is inhabited by Portugals who live very commodiously therein as in the other Islands thereabout Upon the South side about two leagues off this Island of burning lyeth a most sweet and pleasant Island the trees thereof are alwaies green and faire to look on the soile almost full set with trees in respect whereof it s named the brave Island being a storehouse of many fruits and commodities as figs alwaies ripe cocos plantons orenges limons cotton c. from the banks into the sea do run in many places the silver streams of sweet and wholsome water which with boats or pinnaces may easily be taken in But there is no convenient place or roade for ships neither any anchroaching at all For after long triall and often casting of leads there could no ground be had at any hand neither was it ever known as is reported that any line would fetch ground in any place about that Island So that the top of Fogo burneth not so high in the aire but the root of Brava so is the Island called is buried and quenched as low in the Seas The only inhabitant of this Island is an Hermit as we suppose for we found no other houses but one built as is seemed for such a purpose and he was so delighted in his solitary living that he would by no meanes abide our coming but fled leaving behind him the relicks of his false worship to wit a cross with a crusifix an altar with his superaltar and certain other Idols of wood of rude workmanship Here we dismissed the Portugals taken neere Saint Jago and gave to them in exchange of their old ship our new pinnace built at Mogadore with wine bread and fish for their provision and so sent them away Feb. 1. Having thus visited as is declared the Island of cape Verde and provided fresh water as we could the second of Feb. we departed thence directing our course towards the Straights so to passe into the South Sea in which course we sailed 63. dayes without sight of land passing the line equinoctiall the 17. day of the same moneth till we fell with the coast of Brasill the fifth of April following During which long passage on the vast gulph where nothing but sea beneath us and aire above us was to be seen as our eyes did behold the wonderfull works of God in his creatures which he had made innumerable both small and great beasts in the great and wide Seas so did our mouthes taste and our natures fed on the goodness thereof in such fulness at all time and in every place as if he had commanded and enjoyned the most profitable and most glorious works of his hands to wait upon us not alone for the relief of our necessities but also to give us delight in the contemplation of his excellence in beholding the variety and order of his providence with a particular tast of his fatherly care over us all the while The truth is we often met with adverse winds unwelcome stormes and to us at that time less welcome calms and being as it were in the bosome of the burning zone we felt the effects of sultring heat not without the affrights of flashing lightning and terrifyings of often claps of thunder yet still with the admixture of many comforts For this we could not but take notice of that whereas we were but badly furnished our case considered of fresh water having never at all watred to any purpose or that we could say we were much the better for it from our first setting forth out of England till this time nor meeting with any place where we might conveniently water till our coming to the river of Plate long after continually after once we were come within foure degrees of the line on this side viz. after Feb. 10. and till we were past the line as many pegrees towards the South viz. till Feb. 27. there was no one day went over us but we received some raine whereby our want of water was much supplyed This also was observable that of our whole fleet being now 6. in number notwithstanding the uncouthnes of the way and what ever other difficulties by weather or otherwise we met withall not any one in all this space lost company of the rest except only our Portugall prise for one day who March 28. was severed from us but the day following March 29. she found us again to both her own and our no little comfort she had in her 28. of our men and the best part of all our provision for drink her short absence caused much doubting and sorrow in the whole company neither could she then have been finally lost without the overthrow of the whole voyage Among the many strange creatures which we saw we took heedfull notice of one as strange as any to wit the flying fish a fish of the bigness and proportion of a reasonable or middle sort of Pilchards he hath finnes of the length of his whole body from the bulk to the top of the taile bearing the forme and supplying the like use to him that wings do to other creatures By the help of those fins when he is chased of the Bonito or great mackrel whom the Aurata or dolphin likewise pursueth and hath not strength to escape by swimming any longer he lifteth up himself above the water flieth a pretty height sometimes lighting into Boats or Barks as they saile along The quils of their wings are so
were absent Thence having furnished our selves to our content we continued our course November 1. still Northwest as we had formerly done but in going on we soon espied that we might easily have been deceived and therefore casting about and steering upon another point we found that the generall maps did erre from the truth in setting down the coast of Peru for 12. deg at least to the Northward of the supposed strait no lesse then is the Northwest point of the compasse different from the Northeast perceiving hereby that no man had ever by travell discovered any part of these 12. deg and therefore the setters sorth of such descriptions are not to be trusted much lesse honored in their false and fraudulent conjectures which they use not in this alone but in divers other points of no small importance We found this part of Peru all alongst to the height of Lima which is 12. deg South of the line to be mountenous and very barren without water or wood for the most part except in certain places inhabited by the Spaniards and few others which are very fruitfull and commodious After we were once again thus fallen with the land we continually coasted along til we came to the height of 37. deg or thereabout finding no convenient place of abode nor likelihood to hear any news of our ships we ran off again with an Island which lay in sight named of the Spaniards Mucho by reason of the greatnesse and large circuit thereof At this Island coming to anchor Novem. 25. we found it to be a fruitfull place and well stored with sundry sorts of good things as sheep and other cattell maize which is a kinde of grain whereof they make bread potatoes with such other roots besides that it is thought to be wonderful rich in gold and to want no good thing for the use of mans life The inhabitants are such Indians as by the cruel most extream dealing of the Spaniards have been driven to fly from the maine here to relieve and fortifie themselves With this people our Generall thought it meet to have traffique for frew victuals water and for that cause the very same night of our arrivall there himself with divers of his company went a shoare to whom the people with great courtesie came down bringing with them such fruits and other victuals as they had and two very fat sheep which they gave our Generall for a present In recompence whereof we bestowed upon them again many good and necessary things signifying unto them that the end of his coming was for no other cause but by way of exchang to traffique with them for such things as we needed and they could spare and in particular for such as they had alreadie brought down upon us besides fresh water which we desired of them Herein they held themselves well contented and seemed to be not a little joyfull of our coming appointing where we should the next morning have fresh water at pleasure withall signifying that then also they would bring us down such other things as we desired to serve our turns The next day therefore very early in the morning all things being made ready for traffique as also vessels prepar'd to bring the water our generall taking great care for so necessary provision repaired to the shoare again and setting a land two of his men sent with them their Barâ—icoes to the watering place assigned the night before Who having peaceably past on one half of the way were then with no small violence set upon by those traitorous people and suddenly slain and to the end that our generall with the rest of his company should not only be stayed from rescuing them but also might fall if it were possible into their hands in like manner they had layed closely behind the rocks an ambushment of as we guessed about 500 mer armed and wel appointed for such a mischief Who suddenly attempting their purpose the rocks being very dangerous for the boat and the sea-gate exceeding great by shooting their arrows hurt wounded every one of our men before they could free themselves or come to the use of their weapons to do any good The generall himself was shot in the face under his right eye close by his nose the arrow piercing a marvellous way in under basis cerebri with no small danger of his life besides that he was grievously wounded in the head The rest being nine persons in the boat were deadly wounded in divers parts of their bodies if God almost miraculously had not given cure to the same For our chief Surgeon being dead and the other absent by the loss of our vice-admirall and having none left us but a boy whose good will was more then any skil he had we were little better then altogether destitute of such cunning helps as so grievous a state of so many wounded bodies did require Notwithstanding God by the good advice of our Generall and the diligent putting too of every mans help did give such speedy wonderful cure that we had all great comfort thereby and yeilded God the glory thereof The cause of this force and injury by these Ilanders was no other but the deadly hatred which they bear against their civil enemies the Spaniards for the bloudy and most tirannous oppression which they had used towards them And therefore with purpose against them suspecting us to be Spaniards indeed and that the rather by occasion that though command was given to the contrary some of our men in demanding water used the spanish word aqua sought some part of revenge against us Our generall notwithstanding he might have revenged this wrong with little hazard or danger yet more desirous to preserve one of his own men alive then to destroy 100. of his enemies committed the same to God wishing this only punishment to them that they did but know whom they had wronged and that they had done this injury not to an enemy but to a friend not to a Spaniard but to an Englishman who woud rather have been a patron to defend them then any way an instrument of the least wrong that should have beene done unto them The weapons which this people use in their wars are arrows of Reeds with heads of stone very brittle and indented but darts of a great length headed with iron or bone The same day that we receiv'd this dangerous affront in the afternoon we set saile from thence and because we were now nigh the appointed height wherein our ships were to be looked for as also the extremity and crasie state of our hurt men advising us to use expedition to finde some convenient place of repose which might afford them some rest and yeild us necessary supply of fresh victuals for their diet we bent our course as the wind would suffer us directly to run in with the main Where falling with a bay called Philips bay in 32. de or thereabout
to see them before there was any extremity of danger whereby our men being warned had reasonable time to shift themselves as they could first from the main to a Rock within the sea and from thence into their boat which being ready to receive them conveighed them with expedition out of the reach of the Spaniards fury without the hurt of any man only one Richard Minivy being over bold and careless of his own safety would not be intreated by his friends nor feared by the multitude of his enemies to take the present benefit of his own delivery but chose either to make 300. men by outbraving of them to become afraid or else himselfe to dye in the place the latter of which indeed he did whose dead body being drawn by the Indians from the Rock to the shoare was there manfully by the Spaniards beheaded the right hand cut off the heart pluct out all which they carryed away in our sight and for the rest of his carkase they caused the Indians to shoot it ful of arrows made but the same day of green wood and so left it to be devoured of the beastts and foules but that we went a shoare againe and buried it wherein as there appeareth a most extream barbarous cruelty so doth it declare to the world in what miserable feare the Spaniard holdeth the government of those parts living in continuall dread of the forreign invasion by strangers or secret cutting of throats by those whom they kept under them in so shameful slavery I mean the Innocent and harmles Indians And therefore they make sure to murther what strangers soever they can come by and suffer the Indians by no means to have any weapon longer then they be in present service as appeared by their arrows cut from the tree the same day as also by the credâ—ble report of others who knew the matter to be true Yea they suppose they shew the wretches great favor when they do not for their pleasures whip them with cords and day by day drop tkeir naked bodies with burning bacon which is one of the least cruelties amongst many which they usually use against that Nation and people This being not the place we looked for nor the entertainment such as we desired we speedily got hence again and Decem. 20. the next day fell with a more convenient harbor in a bay somewhat to the Northward of the forenamed Cyppo lying in 27. deg 55. min. South the line In this place we spent some time in trimming of our ships and building of our pinnace as we desired but still the grief for the absence of our friends remained with us for the finding of whom our Generall having now fitted all things to his mind intended leaving his ship the mean while at anchor in the bay with his pinnace and some chosen men himself to return back to the Southwards again to see if happily he might either himself meet with them or find them in some harbor or creek or hear of them by any others whom he might meet with with this resolution he set on but after one dayes sayling the wind being contrary to his purpose he was forced whether he would or no to return again Within this bay during our abode there we had such abundance of fish not much unlike our Gurnard in England as no place had ever afforded us the like Cape blank only upon the coast of Barbary excepted since our first setting forth of Plymmouth untill this time the plenty whereof in this place was such that our gentlemen sporting themselves day by day with 4. or 5. hooks and lines in 2. or 3. hours would take sometimes 400. sometimes more at one time All our businesses being thus dispatched January 19. we set saile from hence and the next place that we fel withall Jan. 22. was an Island standing in the same height with the north cape of the province of Mormorena at this Island we found 4. Indians with their canows which took upon them to bring our men to a place of fresh water on the aforesaid cape in hope whereof our generall made them great cheare as his manner was to all strangers and set his course by their direction but when we came unto the place and had travelled up along way into the land we found fresh water indeed but scarce so much as they had drunk wine in their passage thither As we sayled along continually searching for fresh water we came to a place called Tarapaca and landing there we lighted on a Spaniard who lay asleep and had lying by him 13. bars of silver weighing in all about 4000. Spanish duccats we would not could we have chosen have awaked him of his nap but seeing we against our will did him that injury we freed him of his charg which otherwise perhaps would have kept him waking and so left him to take out if it pleased him the other part of his sleep in more security Our search for water still continuing as we landed again not far from thence we met a Spaniard with an Indian boy driving 8. Lambs or Peruvian sheep each sheep bare two leathern bags and in each bag was 50. pound weight of refined silver in the whole 800. weight we could not indure to see a gentleman Spaniard turnd Carrier so and therefore without intreaty we offered our service and became drovers only his directions was not so perfect that we could keep the way which he intended for almost as soon as he was parted from us we with our new kind of carriages were come unto our boats Farther beyond this cape fore-mentioned lie certain Indian towns from whence as we passed by came many of the people in certain bawses made of Seals skins of which two being joyned together of a just length and side by side resemble in fashion or form of a boat they have in either of them a small gut or some such thing blown ful of wind by reason whereof it floateth and is rowed very swiftly carrying in it no small burthen In these upon sight of our ship they brought store of fish of divers sorts to trafique with us for any trifles we would give them as knives margarites glasses and such like whereof men of 60. and 70. years old were as glad as if they had received some exceeding rich commodity being a most simple and plain dealing people Their resort unto us was such as considering the shortnesse of the time was wonderful to us to behold Nor far from this viz. in 22. deg 30. min. lay Mormorena another great town of the same people over whom 2. Spaniards held the government with these our generall thought meet to deale or at least to try their courtesie whether they would in way of traffique give us such things as we needed â—r no and therefore Jan. the 26. we cast anchor here we found them more for fear then for love somewhat tractable and received them by exchange many good
things very necessary for our uses Amongst other things which we had of them the sheep of the country viz. such as we mentioned before bearing the leathern bags were most memorable Their height and length was equal to a pretty cow their strength fully answerable if not by much exceeding their size or stature Upon one of their backs did sit at one time three well grown and tall men and one boy no mans foot touching the ground by a large foot in length the beast nothing at all complaining of his burthen in the mean time These sheep have necks like Camels their heads bearing a reasonable resemblance of another sheep The Spaniards use them to great profit Their wool is exceeding fine their flesh good meat their increase ordinary and besides they supply the room of horses for burthen or travell yea they serve to carry over the mountains marvellous loads for 300. leagues together where no other carriage can be made but by them only Hereabout as also all along and up into the countrey throughout the Province of Cusko the common ground wheresoever it be taken up in every hundred pound weight of earth yeildeth 25. s. of pure silver after the rate of a crown an ounce The next place likely to afford us any newes of our ships for in all this way from the height where we builded our pinnace there was no bay or harbor at all for shipping was the pâ—rt of the town of Arica standing in 20 d. whether we arrived the 7. of February This town seemed to us to stand in the most fruitful soile that we saw all along these coasts both for that it is situate in the mouth of a most pleasant and fertile vally â—â—ounding with all good things as also in that it hath continuall trade of shipping as well from Lyma as from all other partâ— of Peru. It is inhabited by the Spaniards In two barks 〈…〉 of the 〈…〉 about 20. pounds of which we took the burthen on our selves to ease them and so departed towards Chowley with which we fell the second day viz. Feb. 9. and in our way to Lima we met with another Bark Ariquipa which had begun to loade some silver and gold but having had as it seemed from Aâ—ica by land some notice of our coming had unloaden the same again before our arival Yet in this our passage we met another bark loaden with linnen some of which we thought might stand us in some stead and therefore took it with us At Lima we arrived Feb. 15. and notwithstanding the Spaniards forces though they had 30. at that present in harbour there whereof 17. most of them the especiall ships in all the south sea were fully ready wen entred and anchored all night in the middest of them in the Calao and might have made more spoile amongst them in few houres if we had been affected to revenge then the Spaniards could have recovered again in many years But we had more care to get up that company which we had so long mist then to recompence their cruell and hard dealing by an evill requitall which now we might have took This Lima stands in 12. deg 30. minutes south latitude Here albeit no good news of our ships could be had yet got we the news of some things that seemed to comfort if not to countervaile our travels thither as namely that in the ship of one Migkell Angel there there were 1500. bars of plate besides some other things as silks linnen and in one a chest full of Royals of plate which might stand us in some stead in the other ships aboard whom we made somewhat bold to bid our selves welcome Here also we heard the report of some things that had befallen in neer Europe since our departure thence in particular of the death of some great personages as the K. of Portugal and both the Kings of Morocco and â—eâ—e dead all three in one day at one battel the death of the K. of France and the Pope of Rome whose abominations as they are in parâ—â—â— off from sâ—me Chriâ—tian Kingdomes 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 is manifest so do his vassals accursed instruments labour by all means possile to repaire that losse by spreading the same the further in these parts where his divelish illusions and damnable deceivings are not known And as his Doctrine takes place any where so doth the manners that necessarily accompany the same insinuate themselvs together with the doctrine For as its true that in all the parts of America where the Spaniards have any government the poysonous infection of Popery hath spread it self so on the otherside it is as true that there is no City as Lima Panama Mezico c. no Town or Village yea no house almost in all these provinces wherein amongst other the like Spanish vertues not only whordome but the filthiness of Sodom not to be named among Christians is not common without repoof the Popes pardons being more rise in these parts then they be in any part of Europe for these filthinesses whereout he sucketh no smal advantage Notwithstanding the Indians who are nothing neerer the true knowledge of God then they were before abhor this most filthy loathsome manner of living shewing themselves in respect of the Spaniards as the Scythians did in respect of the Grecians who in their barbarous ignorance yet in life and behaviour did so far excell the wise and learned Greeks as they were short of them in the gifts of learning and knowledge But as the Pope and Antichristian Bishops labour by their wicked factors with tooth and naile to deface the glory of God and to shut up in darknes the light of the gospel so God doth not suffer his name and religion to be altogether without witnes to the reproving both of his false damnable doctrine as also crying out against his unmeasurable and abominable licentiousness of the flesh even in these parts For in this City of Lima not two moneths before our coming thither there were certain persons to the number of twelve apprehended examined and condemned for the profession of the Gospel and reproâ—ing the doctrines of men with the the filthy manners used in that City of which twelve six were bound to one stake and burnt the rest remained yet in prison to drink of the same cup within few days Lastly here we had intelligence of a certain rich ship which was loaden with gold and silver for Panama that he had set forth of this haven the 2. of February The very next day therefore in the morning viz. the 16. of the said moneth we set sail as long as the wind would serve our turn and towed our ship as soon as the wind failed continuing our course toward Panama making stay no where but hastening all me might to get sight if it were possible of that gallant ship the Cacafuego the great glory of the south sea which was gone from Lima 14. dayes before us We
fell with the port of Paita in 4. de 40. in Feb. 20. with port Saint Hellen and the River and part of Guiaquil Feb. 24. we past the line the 28. and first of March we fell with cape Francisco where about midday we descried a saile a head of us with whom after once we had spoken with her we lay still in the same place about six dayes to recover our breath again which we had almost spent with hasty following and to recall to mind what advantages had past us since our late coming from Lima but especially to do John de Anton a kindnesse in freeing him of the care of those things with which his ship was loaden This ship we found to be the same of which we had heard not only in the Calao of Lima but also by divers occasions afterward which now we are at leasure to relate viz. by a ship which we took between Lima and Paita by another which we took loaden with wine in the port of Paita by a third loaden with tackling and implements for ships besides 80. pound weight in gold from Guiaquil And lastly by Gabriel Alâ—arez with whom we talked somewhat nearer the line we found her to be indeed the Catasuego though before we left her she were new named by a boy of her own the Cacaplata We found in her some Fruit conserves sugars meale other victuals that which was the especiallest cause of her heavy and slow sayling a certain quantity of jewels and precious stones 1â— chests of Ryals of plate 80. pound weight in gold 26. tunne of unâ—oyned silver two very faire guilt silver drinking-bouls and the like trifles valued in about 360000. pezoes We gave the Master a little linnen and the like for these commodities and at the end of six dayes we bad farewell and parted He hasting somewhat lighter then before to Panama we plying off to sea that we might with more leasure consider what course hence forward were fittest to be taken And considering that now we were come to the northward of the line Cape Francisco standing in the entrance of the bay Panama in 1. deg of North latitude and that there was no likelihood or hope that our ships should be before us that way by any means seeing that in running so many deg from the southermost Ilands hitherto we could not have any sign or notice of their passage that way notwithstanding that we had made so diligent search and careful enquiry after them in every harbor or creek almost as we had done and considering also that the time of the year now drew on wherein me must attempt or of necessity wholly give off that action which chiefly our General had determined namely the discovery of what passage there was to be found about the northern parts of America from the south sea into our own Ocean which being once discovered and made known to be navigable we should not only do our country good and notable service but we also our selves should have a neerer cut and passage home where otherwise we were to make a very long tedious voyage of it which would hardly agree with our good liking we having been so long from home already and so much of our strength separated from us which could not at all be done if the opportunity of time were now neglected we therefore all of us willingly hearkned and consented to our Generals advice which was first to seek out some convenient place wherein to trim our ship and store our selves with wood and water and other provisions as we could get and thenceforward to hasten on our intended journey for the discovery of the said passage through which we might with joy returne to our longed homes From this cape before we set onward March the 7. shaping our course towards the Island of Caines with which we fell March 16. setling ourselves for certain dayes in a Fresh river between the main and it for the finishing of our needfull businesse as is aforesaid While we abode in this place we felt a very terrible earthquake the force whereof was such that our ship and Pinnace riding very neere an English mile from the shoare were shaken and did quiver as if it had been laid on dry land we found here many good commodities which we wanted as Fish Fresh water Wood c. besides Alagartoes Munckeyes and the like and in our journey hither we met with one ship more the last we met with in all those coasts loaded with Linnen China-silk and China-dishes amongst which we found also a Faulcon of gold handsomely wrought with a great Emerald set in the breast of it From whence we parted the 24. day of the moneth forenamed with full purpose to run the neerest course as the wind would suffer us without touch of land along time and therefore passed by port Papagaia the port of the Vale of the most rich and most excellent balmes of Jericho Quantapico and diverse others as also certain gulphes hereabouts which without intermission send forth such continuall and violent winds that the Spaniards though their ships be good dare not venture themselves too neere the danger of them Notwithstanding having notice that we should be troubled with often calms and contrary winds if we continued neere the coast and did not run off to sea to fetch the wind and that if we did so we could not then fall with land again when we would our Generall thought it needfull that we should run in with some place or other before our departure from the coast to see if happily we could by traffique augmâ—nt our provision of victuals and other necessaries that being at sâ—a we might not be driven to any great want or necessitie albeit we had reasonable store of good things aboard us already The next harbor therefore which we chanced with on Apr. 15. in 15. de 40. min. was Guatulco so named of the Spaniards who inhabited it with whom we had some entercourse to the supply of many things which we desired and chiefly bread c. And now having reasonably as we though provided our selves we departed from the coast of America for the present but not forgetting before we gate a shipboard to take with us also a certain pot of about a bushell in bignesse full of royals of plate which we found in the town together with a chain of gold and some other jewels which we intreated a gentleman Spaniard to leave behind him as he was flying out of town From Guatulco we departed the day following viz. April 16. setting our course directly into the sea whereupon we sailed 500. leagues in longitude to get a wind and between that and June 3. 1400. leagues in all till we came into 42. deg of North latitude where in the night following we found such alteration of heat into extreame and nipping cold that our men in generall did grievously complaine thereof some of them feeling
any other in our case could be without did now seeme as things onely worthy to be despised yea we were herein so forward that neither our munition for defence nor the very meale for sustentation of our lives could find favour with us but every thing as it first came to hand went overboard assuring our selves of this that if it pleased God once to deliver us out of that most desperate strait wherein we were he would fight for us against our Enemies neither would he suffer us to perish for want of bread But when all was done it was not any of our endeavours but Gods onely hand that wrought our delivery 't was he alone that brought us even under the very stroke of death t' was he alone that said unto us Returne againe ye sons of men 't was he alone that set us at liberty again that made us safe free after that we had remained in the former miserable condition the full space of twenty hours to his glorious name be the everlasting praise The manner of our delivery for the relation of it will especially be expected was onely this The place whereon we sat so fast was a fiâ—me Rock in a cleft whereof it was we stucke on the Larboardside at low Water there was not above six foot depth in all on the Starboard within little distance as you have heard no bottome to be found the Brize during the whole time that we thus were stayed blew somewhat stiffe directly against our broad side and so perforce kept the Ship upright It pleased God in the beginning of the tide while the water was yet almost at lowest to slacke the stiffnesse of the Wind and now our Ship who required thirteene foote water to make her fleet and had not at that time on the one side above seven at most wanting her prop on the other side which had too long already kept her up fell a heeling towards the deepe Water and by that meanes freed her Keele and made us glad men This shoale is at least three or four leagues in length it lyes in two deg lacking three or foure minutes South latitude The day of this deliverance was the tenth of January Of all the dangers that in our whole Voyage we met with this was the greatest but it was not the last as may appeare by what ensueth Neither could we indeed for a long season free our selves from the continuall care and feare of them nor could we ever come to any convenient anchoring but were continually for the most part tost amongst the many Islands and shoales which lye in infinite number round about on the South parts of Celebes till the eighth day of the following Moneth Jan. 12. being not able to beare our sayles by reason of the tempest and fearing of the dangers we let fall our anchors upon a shoal in 3. deg 30. min. Ian. 14. we were gotten a little farther South whereat an Island in 4. deg 6 min. we againe cast anchor and spent a day in watering and wooding After thiâ— we met with foule weather Westerly winds and dangerous shoales for many dayes together insomuch that we were utterly weary of this coast of Sillebis and thought best to bear with Timor The Southermost cape of Sillebis stands in 5. deg that side the line But of this coast of Sillebis we could not so easily clear our selves The 20. of Janu. we were forced to run with a small Island not far from thence where having sent our Boat a good distance from us to search out a place where we might anchor we were suddenly environed with no small extremities for there arose a most violent yea an intollerable flaw â—â—d storme out of the Southwest against us making us who were on a Lee shoar amongst most dangerous and hidden shoales to feare extreamly not onely the losse of our Boâ—t and Men but the present losse of our selves our Ship and goodâ— or the casting of those men whom God should spare into the hands of Infidels Which misery could not by any Power or Industry of ours have been avoided if the mercifull goodnesse of God had not by staying the outragious extremities wherewith we were set upon wrought our present delivery by whose unspeakable mercy our men and Boat also were unexpected yet safely restored unto us We gat off from this place as well as we could and continued on our course till the 26. day when the winde tooke us very strong against us West and West Southwest so as that we could beare no more saile till the end of that Moneth was full expired February 1. we saw very high land and as it seemed well inhabited we would faine have borne with it to have got some succour but the weather was so ill that we could find no Harbour and we were very fearfull of adventuring our selves too farre amongst the many dangers which were neere the shoar The third day also we saw a little Island but being unable to bear any saile but onely to lye at Hull we were by the storme carried away and could not fetch it February 6. we saw five Islands one of them towards the East and foure towards the West of us one bigger then another at the biggest of which we cast anchor and the next day watred and wooded After we had gone hence on February 8. we descried two Canowes who having descried us as it seemes before came willingly unto us and talked with us alluring and conducting us to their Towne not far off named Barativa it stands in 7. deg 13. min. South the line The People are Gentiles of handsome body and comely stature of civill demeanour very just in dealing and courteous to strangers of all which we had evident proofe they shewing themselves most glad of our comming and cheerfully ready to relieve our wants with whatsoever their Country could afford The men goe all naked save their heads and secret parts every one having one thing or other hanging at his eares Their women are covered from the middle to the foot wearing upon their naked arms Bracelets and that in no small number some having â—iâ—e at least upon each arme made for the most part of horne or brasse whereof the lightest by our estimation would weigh two ounces With this People linnen cloth wherof they make roles for their heads and girdles to weare about their loynes is the best Merchandise and of greatest estimation They are also much delighted with Margaretas which in their language they call Saleta and such other like trifles Their Island is both rich and fruitfull rich in Gold Silver Copper Tin Sulpher c. neither are they onely expert to try those mettals but very skilfull also in working of them artificially into divers Forms and Shapes as pleaseth them best Their fruits are divers likewise and plentifull as Nutmegs Ginger long-Pepper Limons Cucumbers Cocoes Figoes Sagu with divers other sorts whereof we had one in
reasonable quantity in bignesse forme and huske much like a bay-berry hard in substance but pleasant in tast which being sod becometh soft and is a most profitable and nourishing meat of each of these we received of them whatsoever we desired for our need insomuch that such was Gods gracious goodnesse to us the old Proverbe was verified with us After a storme commeth a calme after warre peace after scarcity followeth plenty so that in all our Voyage Terenate onely excepted from our departure out of our owne Country hitherto we found not any where greater comfort and refreshing then we did it this time in this place in refreshing and furnishing our selves here we spent two dayes and departed hence February 10. When we were come into the height of 8. deg 4. min. Feb. 12. in the morning we espied a green Island to the Southward not long after two other Islands on the same side and a great one more towards the North they seemed all to be well inhabited but we had neither need nor desire to goe to visit them and so we past by them The 14. day we saw some other reasonable big Islands and February 16. we past betweene foure or five big Islands more which lay in the height 9. deg 40. min. The 18. we cast anchor under a little Island whence we departed againe the day following we wooded here but other relief except two Turtles we received none The 22. day we lost sight of three Islands on our Starboard side which lay in ten deg and some odde minutes After this we past on to the Westward without stay or any thing to be taken notice of till the ninth of March when in the morning we espyed land some part therof very high in 8. d. 20. m. South latitude here we anchored that night the next day weighed againe and bearing farther North and neerer the shoar we came to anchor the second time The eleventh of March we first tooke in water and after sent our Boat againe to shoare where we had Traffique with the people of the Country whereupon the same day we brought our Ship more neere the Towne and having setled our selves there that night the next day our General sent his man a shoar to preset the King with certain Cloth both Linnen and Woollen besides some Silkes which he gladly and thankfully received and rerurned Rice Cocoes Hennes and other Victuals in way of recompence This Island we found to be the Island Java the middle whereof stands in 7. deg and 30. min. beyond the Equator The 13 of March our General himself with many of his gentlemen and others went to shoare and presented the King of whom he was joyfully and lovingly received with his musicke and shewed him the manner of our use of Arms by training his men with their Pikes and other weapons which they had before him for the present we were entertained as we desired and at last dismissed with a promise of more Victuals to be shortly sent us In this Island there is one chiefe but many under-governors or petty kings whom they call Raias who live in great familiarity and friendship one with another The 14. day we received Victuals from two of them and the day after that to wit the 15 three of these Kings in their owne Persons came aboard to see our Generall and to view our ship and warlike munition They were well pleased with what they saw and with the entertainment which we gave them And after these had been with us and on their returne had as it seemes related what they found Raia Donan the chief King of the whole land bringing Victuals with him for our relief he also the next day after came aboard us Few were the dayes that one or more of these kings did misse to visit us insomuch that we grew acquainted with the names of many of them as of Raia Pataira Raia Cabocapalla Raia Mangbango Raia Bocabarra Raia Timbanton whom our Generall alwayes entertained with the best cheere that we could make and shewed them all the commodities of our Ship with our Ordnance and other Arms and Weapons and the severall furnitures belonging to each and the uses for which they served His musick also and all things else whereby he might doe them pleasure wherin they tooke exceeding great delight with admiration One day amongst the rest viz. March 21. Raia Donan comming aboard us in requitall of our musicke which was made to him presented our Generall with his Country musicke which though it were of a very strange kind yet the sound was pleasant and delightfull the same day he caused an Oxe also to be brought to the waters side and delivered to us for which he was to his content rewarded by our Generall with divers sorts of very costly Silkes which he held in great esteeme Though our often giving entertainment in this manner did hinder us much in the speedy dispatching of our businesses and made us spend the more dayes about them yet here we found all such convenient helpes that to our contents we at last ended them the matter of great Importance which we did besides Victualling was the new trimming and washing of our Ship which by reason of our long Voyage was so overgrowne with a kind of a shell-fish sticking fast unto her that it hindred exceedingly and was a great trouble to her sayling The People as are their Kings are a loving a very true and just dealing People We traffiqued with them for Hens Goats Cocoes Plantons and other kind of Victuals which they offered us in such plenty that we might have laden our Ship if we had needed We tooke our leaves and departed from them the 26. of March and set our course West South West directly towards the cape of good hope or Bon Esperance and continued without touch of ought but aire and water till the 21. of May when we espied land to wit a part of the maine Africa in some places very high under the latitude of 31. deg and halfe We coasted along till June 15. on which day having very faire weather and the Wind at Southeast we past the Cape it selfe so neere in sight that we had beene able with our pieces to have shot to land July 15. we fell with the land againe about Rio de sesto where we saw many Negroes in their Boats a fishing wherof two came very neer us but we cared not to stay nor had any talke or dealing with them The 22. of the same moneth we came to Sierra Leona and spent two dayes for watering in the mouth of Tagoine and then put to Sea again here also we had Oisters and plenty of Lemmons which gave us good refreshing We found our selves under the Tropick of Cancer August 15. having the winde at Northeast and we 50 leagues off from the neerest land The 22. day we were in the
height of the Canaries And the 26 of Sept. which was munday in the just and ordinary reckoning of those that had stayed at home in one place or Country but in our coÌ„putation was the Lords day or Sunday we safely with joyfull minds and thankful hearts to God arived at Plimoth the place of our first setting forth after we had spent 2. yeeres 10 moneths and some few odde dayes beside in seeing the wonders of the Lord in the deep in discovering so many admirable things in going through with so many strange adventures in escaping out of so many dangers and overcoming so many difficulties in this our encompassing of this nether Globe and passing round about the World which we have related Soli rerum maximarum Effectori Soli totius munai Gubernatori Soli suorum Conservatori Soli Deo sit semper Gloria FINIS A SUMMARIE AND TRUE DISCOURSE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKES WEST-INDIAN Voyage Accompanied with Christopher Carleill Martin Frobusher Francis Knollis with many other Captains and Gentlemen Wherein were taken the Townes of Saint Jago Sancto Domingo Cartagena and Saint Augustine Printed at London for Nicholas Bourne dwelling at the South entrance of the royall Exchange 1652. A SVMMARY AND TRVE DISCOVRSE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKES West-Indian VOYAGE Wherein were taken the Townes of Saintiago Sancto Domingo Cartagena and Saint Augustine THIS worthy Knight for the service of his Prince and Countrey having prepared his whole Fleet and gotten them down to Plimouth in Devonshire to the number of five and twenty sayle of Ships and Pinnaces and having assembled of Souldiers and Marriners to the number of two thousand and three hundred in the whole embarqued them and himselfe at Plimmouth aforesaid the twelfth day of September 1585. being accompanied with these Men of name and charge which hereafter follow Master Christopher Carleil Lievtenant Generall a man of long experience in the Warre as well by Sea as Land and had formerly carried high Offices in both kindes in many Fights which he discharged alwayes very happily and with great good reputation Anthony Powell Sergeant Major Captaine Matthew Morgan and Captain John Sampson Corporals of the Field These Officers had Command over the rest of the Land Captains whose names hereafter follow Captain Anthony Plat. Captain Edward Winter Captain John Goring Captain Robert Pew Captain George Barton Captain John Merchant Captain William Cecill Captain Walter Bigs Captain John Hannam Captain Richard Stanton Captain Martin Frobusher Vice-admirall a man of great experience in Sea-faring actions and had had chiefe command of many Ships himselfe in sundry Voyages before being now shipped in the Primrose Captain Francis Knollis Rere-admirall in the Gallion Leicester Master Thomas Venner Captain in the Elizabeth Bonadventure under the Generall Master Edward Winter Captain in the Ayde Master Christopher Carleill the Lievtenant Generall Captaine in the Tygar Henry White Captain of the Sea Dragon Thomas Drake Captain of the Thomas Thomas Seelie Captaine of the Minion Baily Captaine of the Barke Talbot Robert Crosse Captaine of the Barke Bond. George Fortescute Captaine of the Barke Bonner Edward Carelesse Captaine of the Hope James Erizo Captaine of the White Lyon Thomas Moone Captaine of the Francis John Rivers Captaine of the Vantage John Vaughan Captaine of the Drake John Varney Captaine of the George John Martin Captaine of the Benjamin Edward Gilman Captain of the Skout Richard Haukins Captain of the Galliot called the Ducke Bitfield Captain of the Swallow After our going hence which was the fourteenth of September in the yeare of our Lord one thousand five hundred eighty and five and taking our course towards Spain we had the Winde for a few dayes somewhat skant and sometimes calme And being arrived neer that part of the coast of Spaine which is called the Moores we hapned to espie divers Sayles which kept their course close by the shore the weather being faire and calme The Generall caused the Vize-admirall to goe with the Pinnaces well manned to see what they were who upon sight of the said Pinnaces approaching neer unto them abandoned for the most part all their Ships being Frenchmen laden all with Salt and bound homewards into France amongst which Ships being all of small burthen there was one so well liked which also had no man in her as being brought unto the Generall he thought good to make stay of her for the service meaning to pay for her as also accordingly performed at our return which Bark was called the Drake The rest of these Ships being eight or nine were dismissed without any thing at all taken from them Who being afterwards put somwhat farther off from the shore by the contrariety of the winde we hapned to meet with sâ—me other French Ships full laden with Newland Fish being upon their returne homeward from the said Newfound land whom the Generall after some speech had with them and seeing plainly that they were French-Men dismissed without once suffering any man to goe aboord of them The day following standing in with the shore againe we descried another tal Ship of twelve score tuns or therabouts upon whom Master Carleill the Lievtenant Generall being in the Tygar undertooke the chase whom also anon after the Admirall followed and the Tygar having caused the strange Ship to strike her sayles kept her there without suffering any body to goe aboord untill the Admirall was come up who forthwith sending for the Master and divers others of their principall Men and causing them to be severally examined found the Ship and Goods to be belonging to the Inhabitants of Saint Sebastian in Spaine but the Marriners to be for the most part belonging to Saint John de Luce and the Passage In this Ship was great store of dry Newland Fish commonly called with us Poore John whereof afterwards being thus found a lawfull Prize there was distribution made into all the Ships of the Fleet the same being so new and good as it did very greatly bestead us in the whole course of our Voyage A day or two after the taking of this Ship we put in within the Isles of Bayon for lacke of favourable winde where we had no sooner anchored some part of the Fleet but the Generall commanded all the Pinnaces with the Ship-boats to be Manned and every man to be furnished with such armes as was needfull for that present service which being done the Generall put himselfe into his Galley which was also well furnished and rowing towards the City of Bayon with intent and the favour of the Almighty to surprize it Before we had advanced one halfe league of our way there came a Messenger being an English Merchant from the Governour to see what strange Fleet we were who came to our Generall and conferred a while with him and after a small time spent our Generall called for Captaine Sampson and willed him to goe to the Governour of the City to resolve him of two point The first to know if there were
when we were all gathered together upon the Plaine some two little miles from the Towne the Lievetenant Generall thought good not to make attempt till day light because there was not one that could serve for Guide or giving knowledge at all of the place And therefore after having well rested even halfe an houre before day he commanded the Army to be divided into three speciall parts such as he appointed whereas before we had marched by severall Companies being thereunto forced by the naughtinesse of the way as is aforesaid Now by the time we were thus ranged in a very brave order daylight began to appeare and being advanced hard to the Wall we saw no Enemie to resist whereupon the Lieuetenant Generall appointed Captaine Sampson with thirty shot and Captaine Barton with other thirty to go downe into the Towne which stood in the Valley under us and might very plainly be viewed all over from that place where the whole Army was now arrived and presently after these Captaines was sent the great Ensigne which had nothing in it but the plaine English Crosse to be placed tovvards the Sea that our Fleet might see Saint Georges crosse florish in the Enemies fortresse Order was given that all the Ordinance throughout the town and upon all the Platformes which vvas above fifty Peeces all ready charged should be shot off in honour of the Queenes Majesties Coronation day being the seventeenth of November after the yeerly custome of England which was so answered againe by the Ordinance out of all the Ships in the Fleet which now was come neere as it was strange to hear such a thundering noise last so long together In this meane while the Lieutenant Generall held still the most part of his Force on the hill top till such time as the Towne was quartered out for the lodging of the whole army which being done every Captain tooke his owne quarter and in the evening was placed such sufficient guard upon every part of the Towne that we had no cause to feare any present Enemie Thus we continued in the City the space of fourteene dayes taking such spoyles as the place yeelded which were for the most part Wine Oyle Meale and some such like things for Victual as Vinegar Olives and some such other trash as Merchandise for their Indian trades But there was not found any Treasure at all or any thing else of worth besides The scituation of Saint Jago is somewhat strange in forme like to a triangle having on the East and West sides two Mountaines of Rocke and Cliffie as it were hanging over it upon the top of which two Mountaines was builded certaine fortifications to preserve the Towne from any harme that might be offered as in this Plot is plainly shewed From thence on the South side of the Towne is the maine Sea and on the North side the valley lying betweene the foresaid Mountaines wherein the Towne standeth the said Valley and Towne both doe grow very narrow insomuch that the space betweene the two cliffes of this end of the Towne is estimated not to be above â—enâ—e or twelve score over In the midst of the Valley commeth downe a riveret Rill or Brook of fresh Water which hard by the Sea side maketh a Pond or Poole whereout our Ships were watered vvith very great ease and pleasure Somewhat above the Towne on the North side betweene the two Mountaines the valley waxeth somewhat larger then at the Townes end which Valley is wholly converted into Gardens and Orchards vvell replenished with diverse sorts of Fruites Herbes and Trees as Lymons Oranges Sugar Canes Cochars or Cochos-Nuts Plantens Potato-â—oots Cocombers small and round Onyons Garlike and some other things not now remembred amongst which the Chochos-nuts and Plantens are very pleasant Fruits the said Cochos having a hard shell and a greene Huske over it as hath our Walnut but it farre exceedeth in greatnesse for this Cochos in his greene huske is bigger then any mans two Fists of the hard shell many drinking Cups are made here in England and set in Silver as I have often seen Next within this hard shell is a white rine resembling in shew very much even as any thing may doe to the white of an Egge when it is hard boyled And within this white of the Nut lyeth a water which is whitish and very cleere to the quantity of halfe a pint or there abouts which water and white rine before spoken of are both of a very coole fresh taste and as pleasing as any thing may be I have heard some hold opinion that it is very restorative The Planten groweth in Cods somewhat like to Beans but is bigger and longer and much more thicke together on the stalke and when it waxeth ripe the meate which filleth the rine of the Cod becometh yellow and is exceeding sweet and pleasant In this time of our being there hapned to come a Portugall to the Westermost Fort with a Flag of truce to whom Captaine Sampson was sent with Captain Goring who comming to the said Messenger he first asked them what Nation they were they answered Englishmen he then desired to know if Warres were betweene England and Speine to which they answered that they knew not but if he would goe to their Generall he could best resolve him of such particulars and for his assurance of passage and repasse these Captains made offer to ingage their credits which he refused for that he was not sent from his Governour Then they told him if his Governour did desire to take a course for the common benefit of the People and Countrey his best way were to come and present himselfe unto our Noble and mercifull Governour Sir Francis Drake whereby he might be assured to finde favour both for himselfe and the Inhabitants Otherwise within three dayes we should March over the Land and consume with fire all inhabited places and put to the Sword all such living soules as we should chance upon so thus much he tooke for the conclusion of his answer and departing he promised to returne the next day but we never heard more of him Upon the foure and twentieth of November the Generall accompanied with the Lievetenant Generall and six hundred men marched forth to a Village twelve Miles within the Land called Sancto Domingo where the Governour and the Bishop with all the better sort were lodged and by eight of the Clocke we came to it finding the place abandoned and the people fled into the Mountaines so we made a stand a while to ease our selves and partly to see if any would come to speake to us After we had well rested our selves the Generall commanded the Troops to match away homewards in which retreat the Enemy shewed themselves both Horse and Foot though not such Force as durst encounter us and so in passing some time at the gase with them it waxed late and towards night before we could recover home to Saint Jago On Munday the six and
28 degrees and are distant one from the other 4 or 5 leagues Inhabited only by a savage people These Islands from the Grand Canadoes are distant ten leagues The twenty sixt of September we anchored in the aforesaid port of Canadoes otherwise called S. John Decrus and about ten of the clock in the forenoone we were imbarked into Boats and Pinnaces endeavoring with the greatest celerity to attain to land but were frustrated of our intentions by the Enemies vigilancy who waiting our comming had intrenched themselves in the very place where we should have put to shore who upon our approach plyed us so fast with great and small shot both from the Castle and towne and from the other side of us that we were constrained to retire with the losse of some few men unto our Ships againe The Enemy were in number betweene three or foure hundred strong The same day being all imbarked in our Ships againe we departed to a certaine place where we watered it lyeth West and by North from the towne and was in times past a great and famous River But now it is overgrown with grasse it commeth from the Rocks and runneth to the Sea The people of this Island being a barbarous people and Mountaneers vve had slaine at this watering place by them of our men which stragled into the Countrey amongst whom vvas Captaine Grinston and foure more with him the which were wounded very sore and torne with dogges which they keepe of purpose to destroy our men when any of them come there to water This Iland yeeldeth much Wine as Canadoe Wine and divers kind of graine as Wheat and such like great store of Conies and Partredges and Tresse which have a joyce like Milk but rank poyson This Iland hath many mighty Rocks in it there is about twenty leagues distant from this Island another Island called the Tenereffe or Peak of Tenereffe It is a mighty high land Sunday the twenty eight of September a little before night we departed from the aforesaid watering place towards the Orientall Indies we tooke our course South West and by West Septemb. 29 being Michaelmas day we sayled South west and by South the thirtieth we sayled South vvest the first of October we sayled West and by South the thirteenth we sayled West in the height of sixteenth degr the fourteenth the wind was southernly the five and twentieth of this Moneth the Hope and the Adventure fell foule on one another about ten of the clocke in the night so that they of the Adventure were constrained to cut downe their Nisson Maste and to fling it overboord The night being very darke and there arising a great tempest of Haile and Raine at the same time they were in extream Jeopardy of their lives which caused in them a very great terror The twenty seventh of October we espyed the Island of Martinino which lay from us towards the West This Island is inhabited by a Barbarous people called Canibals We vvere thirty dayes sayling between the Canadoes and Martinino From this Island we sayled towards an Island called Dominica where is great store of Tobacco It is distant from Martinino about ten or twelve of our English miles and beareth West and by North. The people of this Island be not altogether so rude as other peopl are for they would traffick with us for hatched Knives such like Commodities in exchange for their Tobacco which is the chiefest commodity this Island yeeldeth The Weapons used by these people are Bowes and Arrowes made of a Reed with a sharp peece of Braseilon the end thereof they to use wear their haire very long cut round by their shoulders The thirtieth of this instant October we came to another Island called Gordelowpa which is distant from that of Dominica ten leagues we went unto a certaine River of that Island on the West side there be many Rivers issuing out of the Mountaines with great force into the Sea This Island is not inhabited but is a very Wildernesse wherein are many wilde Beasts amongst the rest there is one worthy of your observation in shape of a Serpent We continued there from the thirtieth of October to the fourth of November From thence we sayled towards the River della hatch and struke our course North West and by North. The seventh of November vve descried three Islands of the Trigonies vvhich lyeth between Gordelowpa and Saint John de Portrizo the first is called Mononalla the second Rotmido the third Savoa we sayled within three or four leagues of them vvhere vve found it in depth sometimes five otherwhiles eight fathome the shoal beareth from us North east The eight of November our Generall set on shoar all the Land-men to the end that every Captaine might know his owne men The tenth of November vve departed from that Harbour to another three or four English miles distant vvhere vve continued untill tuesday the eleventh of November and then set sayle for Saint John de Portrizo West and by North. These Islands belonging to Virginia be many in number vve cannot name them because they be without Inhabitants there are many faire Harbours in them in some whereof one thousand Ships may ride at anchor on every side the Mountaines are very high Thence we went to some passages not farre of The twelfth of November being Wednesday we anchored within three or foure English miles of the Towne of Portricho against a great Fort where was placed a great peece of Ordnance which plyed us with shot divers times The same day Sir John Hawkins dyed at the place aforesaid whose death in regard that he was one of our chiefe Commanders a wise discreet and carefull Man for his Company was no little griefâ— unto us all The same day also was Sir Nicholas Clifford Captaine Stratford Master Brutt Browne were wounded with the same peece of Ordnance from the said Fort all at one time sitting at Supper with our Generall Sir Francis Drake and Sir Thomas Baskerfield the stoole that Sir Francis Drake sat on was struke from under him as he was drinking of a cup of Beere yet by Gods providence he escaped with all the rest but onely them three before mentioned the same night Sir Nicholas Clifford dyed of the same wound and the same night we went against the Towne where we anchored The next day which was thursday the 13. of November our Generall called a Councell The night following about nine of the clocke in the night certaine shott being appointed to be imbarked in our Pinnaces and Boats with Gunners and Fire-workes there were to the number of five hundred Men which went within the Harbour to burne the five Men of Warre which rode within the Harbour one of them was of the burthen of foure hundred tunne the rest not so big in this Ship was planted great store of great Ordnance which played upon our Men exceedingly besides great store of small shott likewise great store of great shott from the shore with