to have taken the Barkes well enough at Sea which they might ful easily have done without any losse at all if they had come in time to the Harbor-mouth before the Spaniards Boats had gotten so near the shore During our abode in this place as also at S. Domingo there passed divets curtesies betweene us and the Spaniards as Feasting and using them with all kindnesse and favour so as amongst others there came to see the Generall the Governor of Cartagena with the Bishop of the same and diverse other Gentlemen of the better sort This Towne of Cartagena we touched in the out parts and consumed much with fire as we had done Saint Domingo upon discontentments and for want of agreeing with us in their first Treaties touching their Ransome which at the last was concluded betweene us should be one hundred and ten thousand Duckets for that which was yet standing the Ducket valued at five shillings six pence sterling This Towne though not halfe so big as S. Domingo gives as you see a farre greater ransome being in very deed of far more importance by reason of the excellency of the Harbor and the situation therof to serve the Trade of Nombre de Dios and other places and is Inhabited with far more richer Merchants The other is chiefly inhabited with Lawyers and brave Gentlemen being the chiefe or highest appeale of their suits in Law of all the Islands about it and of the maine Land coast next unto it And it is of no such account as Cartagena for these and some other like reasons which I could give you over long to be now written The warning which this Towne received of our comming towards them from S. Domingo by the space of twenty dayes before our arrivall hither was cause that they had both fortified and every way prepared for their best defence As also that they had carried and convayed away all their Treasure and principall substance The Ransome of one hundred and ten thousand Duckets thus concluded on as is aforesaid the same being written and expressing for nothing more then the Towne of Cartagena upon the paiment of the said Ransome we left the said Towne and drew some part of our Souldiers into the Priory or Abbey standing a quarter of one English mile below the Towne upon the Harbour water side the same being walled with a wall of stone which we told the Spaniards was yet ours and not redeemed by their Composition whereupon they finding the defect of their Contract were contented to enter into another Ransome for all places but specially for the said House as also the Blocke-house or Castle which is upon the mouth of the inner Harbour And when we asked as much for the one as for the other they yeelded to give one thousand Crownes for the Abbey leaving us to take our pleasure upon the Block-house which they said they were not able to ransome having stretched themselves to the uttermost of their powers and therefore the said Block-house was by us undermined and so wirh Gun-powder blowne up in peeces While this latter Contract was in making our whole Fleet of Ships fell downe towards the Harbour mouth where they Anchored the third time and employed their Men in fetching of fresh Water aboord the Ships for our Voyage homewards which Water was had in a great Well that is in the Island by the Harbour mouth which Island is a very pleasant place as hath been seen having in it many sorts of goodly and very pleasant Fruits as the Orange trees and others being set orderly in Walkes of great length together Insomuch as the whole Island being some two or three miles about is cast into grounds of Gardening and Orchards After six weekes abode in this place we put to Sea the last of March where after two or three dayes a great Ship which we had taken at S Domingo and thereupon was called The new years gift fell into a great leake being laden with Ordnance Hides and other Spoyles in the night she lost the company of our Fleet which being missâ—d the next morning by the Generall he cast about with the whole Fleet fearing some great mischance to be happened unto her as in very deed it so fell out for her leake was so great and her Men were all tyred with Pumping But at the last having found her and the Barke Talbot in her company which stayed by great hap with her was ready to take their Men out of her for the saving of them And so the Generall being fully advertised of their great extremity made saile directly backe againe to Cartagena with the whole Fleet where having stayed eight or ten dayes more about the unlading of this Ship and the bestowing thereof and her Men into other Ships we departed once againe to Sea directing our course towards the Cape S. Anthony being the Eastermost part of Cuba whether we arrived the seven twentieth of Apil But because fresh water could not presently be found we weyed ankor and departed thinking in few dayes to recover the Mattances a place to the East-ward of Havana After we had sailed some fourteene dayes we were brought to Cape S. Anthony againe thorough lacke of favourable winde but then our scarsity was grown such as need made us looke a little better for water which we found in sufficient quantity being indeede as I judge none other then raine water newly fallen and gathered up by making pits in a plot of marrish ground some three hundred pases from the Sea side I doe wrong if I should forget the good example of the Generall at this place who to encourage others and to hasten the getting of fresh water aboord the Ships tooke no lesse paine himselfe then the meanest as also at S. Domingo Cartagena and all other places having alwayes so vigilant a care and foresight in the good ordering of his Fleet accompanying them as it is said with such wonderfull travell of body as doubtlesse had he beene the meanest person as he was the chiefest he had yet deserved the first place of honour and no lesse happy doe we accompt him for being associated with Master Carleill his Lievtenant Generall by whose experience prudent counsell and gallant performance he atchieved so many and happy enterprises of the War by whom also he was very greatly assisted in setting downe the needfull Orders Lawes and course of Justice and for the due administration of the same upon all occasions After three dayes spent in watering our Ships we departed now the second time from this Cape of S. Anthony the thirteenth of May and proceeding about the Cape of Florida we never touched any where but coasting alongst Florida and keeping the shore still in sight the eight and twentieth of May early in the morning we descried on the shore a place built like a Beacon which was indeed a Scaffold upon foure long Mastes raised on end for men ro discover to the Seaward being in the latitude of thirty
Magellane reporteth of this passage namely that there be many faire harbours and store of fresh water but some ships had need to be fraughted with nothing else besides anchors and cables to find ground in most of them to come to anchor which when any extreame gusts or contrary winds do come whereunto the place is altogether subject is a great hindrance to the passage and carryeth with it no small danger The land on both sides is very high and mountainous having on the North and west side the continent of America and on the south and East part nothing but Islands among which lye innumerable fretes or passages into the south sea The mountains arise with such tops and spires into the aire of so rare a height as they may wel be accounted amogst the wonders of the world environed as it were with many regions of congealed clouds and frozen meteors whereby they are continually fed and increased both in the height and bigness from time to time retaining that which they have once received being little again diminished by the heat of the sun as being so farre from reflexion and so nigh the cold and frozen Region But notwithstanding all this yet are the low and plaine grounds very fruitfull the grasse green and naturall the heards that are of very strange sorts good and many the trees for the most part of them alwaies green the aire of the temperature of our countrey the water most pleasant and the soile agreeing to any grain which we have growing in our country a place no doubt that lacketh nothing but a people to use the same to the Creators glory and the encreasing of the Church the people inhabiting these parts made fires as we passed by in divers places Drawing nigh the entrance of the south sea we had such a shutting up to the northward and such large and open fretes toward the south that it was wonderful which way we should passe without further discovery for which cause our Generall having brought his fleet to anchor under an Island himself with certain of his Gentlemen rowed in a boat to descry the passage who having discovered a sufficient way towards the North in their return to their ships met a Cannow under the same Island where we rode then at anchor having in her divers persons This Cannow or Foate was made of the barke of divers trees having a prow and a stern standing up and semicirclewise yeelding inward of one form and fashion the body whereof was a most dainty mould bearing in it most comely proportion and excellent workmanship insomuch as to our Generall and us it seemed never to have been done without the cunning and expert judgment of art and that not for the use of so rude and barbarous a people but for the pleasure of some great and noble personage yea of some Prince It had no other closing up or caulking in the seames but the stichin with thongs made of Sealeskins or other such beast and yet so close that it received very little or no water at all The people are of a meane stature but well set and compact in all their parts and lims they have great pleasure in painting their faces as the others have of whom we have spoken before Within the said Island they had a house of mean building of certain poles and covered with skins of beasts having therein fire water and such meat as commonly they can come by as Seales Mussels and such like The vessels wherein they kept their water and their cups in which they drink are made of barks of trees as was their canow and that with no lesse skill for the bignesse of the thing being of a very formal shape and good fashion Their working tools which they use in cutting these things and such other are knives made of most huge and monstrous mussel shels the like whereof have not been seen or heard of lightly by any travellers the meat thereof being very savoury and good in eating which after they have broken off the thinne and brittle substance of the edge they rub and grinde them upon stones had for the purpose til they have tempered and set such an edg upon them that no wood is so hard but they will cut it at pleasure with the same whereof we our selves had experience Yea they cut therewith bones of a marvellous hardnesse making of them fisgies to kill fish wherein they have a most pleasant exercise with great dexterity The sixth of September we had left astern us all these troublesome Islands and were entred into the south sea or Mare del zur at the cape whereof our generall had determined with his whole company to have gone a shoare and there after a sermon to have left a monument of her Majesty ingraven in mettal for a perpetuall remembrance which he had in a readiness for that end prepared but neither was there any anchoring neither did the wind suffer us to make a stay Only this by all our mens observations was concluded that the entrance by which we came into this strait was in 52. deg the middest in 53. deg 15. m. and the going out in 52. d. 30. m. being 150. leagues in length at the very entry supposed also to be about 10. leagues in bredth After we were entred ten leagues within it it was found not past a league in breadth farther within in some places very large in some very narrow in the end found to be no strait at all but all Islands Now when our Generall perceived that the nipping cold under so cruel a frowning winter had impaired the health of some of his men he meant to have made the more hast again toward the line and not to sayle any farther towards the pole Antartick lest being farther from the Sun and neerer the cold we might happily be overtaken with some greater danger of sicknesse But God giving men leave to purpose reserveth to himself the disposition of all things making their intents of none effect or changing their meanings oft times clean into the contrary as may best serve for his own glory and their profit For September 7. the second day after our entrance into the South sea called by some Mare pacificum but proving to us rather to be Mare furiosum God by a contrary wind and intollerable tempest seemed to set himself against us forcing us not only to alter our course and determination but with great trouble long time many dangers hard escapes and final separating of our fleet to yeild our selves unto his will Yea such was the extremity of the tempest that it appeared to us as if he had pronounced a sentence not to stay his hand nor to withdraw his judgment till he had buried our bodies and ships also in the bottomlesse depth of the raging sea In the time of this incredible storm the 15. of September the Moon was eclipsed in Aries and darkned about three points for the space
degrees or very neare thereunto Our Pinnaces manned and comming to the shore we marehed up alongst the River side to see what place the Enemie held there for none amongst us had any knowledge thereof at all Here the Generall tooke occasion to march with the companies himselfe in Person the Lieutenant Generall having the Vantguard and going a mile up or somewhat more by the River side we might discerne on the other side of the River over against us a fort which newly had been built by the Spaniards and some mile or three about above the fort was a little Town or village without wals built of woodden houses as this Plot here doth plainly shew we forthwith prepared to have Ordnance for the battery and one Peece was a little before the evening planted and the first shot being made by the Lievtenant Generall himselfe at their Ensigne strake through the Ensigne as we afterwards understood by a Fenchman which came unto us from them One shot more was then made which strake the foot of the fort Wall which was all massive timber of great trees like Mastes The Lievtenant Generall was determined to passe the River this night with foure Companies and there to lodge himselfe intrenched as neare the Fort as that he might play with his Muskets and smallest shot upon any that should appeare and so afterward to bring and plant the battery with him but the helpe of the Marriners for that sudden to make Trenches could not be had which was the cause that this determination was remitted untill the next night In the night the Lievtenant General tooke a little rowing Skiffe and halfe a dozen well armed as Captaine Morgan and Captaine Sampson with some others besides the rowers and went to view what gard the Enemy kept as also to take knowledge of the ground And albeit he went as covertly as might be yet the Enemy taking the Alarum grew fearfull that the whole Force was approaching to the assault and therefore with all speed abandoned the place after the shooting of some of their Peeces They thus gone and he being returned unto us againe but nothing knowing of their flight from their Fort forthwith came a Frenchman being a Phipher who had been prisoner with them in a little Boat playing on his Phiph the tune of the Prince of Orange his song and being called unto by the Guard he told them before he put foot out of the Boat what he was himselfe and how the Spaniards were gone from the Fort offering either to remaine in hands there or else to return to the place with them that would goe Upon this Intelligence the Generall the Lievtenant Generall with some of the Captaines in one Shiffe and the Vice-Admiral with some others in his Skiffe and two or three Pinnaces furnished of Souldiers with them put presently over towards the Fort giving order for the rest of the Pinnaces to follow And in our approach some of the Enemy bolder then the rest having stayed behinde their company shot off two peeces of Ordnance at us but on shore we went and entred the place without finding any man there When the day appeared we found it built all of Timber the Wals being none other but whole Masts or bodies of Trees set upright and close together in manner of a Pale without any Ditch as yet made but who intended with some more time for they had not as yet finished all their work having begun the same some three or foure Moneths before so as to say the truth they had no reason to keepe it being subject both to fire and easie assault The platforme whereon the Ordnance lay was whole bodies of long Pine trees whereof there is great plenty layed a crosse one on another and some little earth amongst There was in it thirteen or fourteen great peeces of brasse Ordnance and a Chest unbroken up having in it the value of some two thousand pounds sterling by estimation of the Kings treasure to pay the Souldiers of that place who were one hundred and fifty Men. The Fort thus won which they called S. John Fort and the day opened we assayed to goe to the Towne but could not by reason of some Rivers and broken ground which was betweene the two places and therefore enforced to imbarke againe into our Pinnaces we went thither upon the great maine River which is called as also the Towne by the name of S. Augustine At our approaching to land there was some that began to shew themselves to bestow some few shot upon us but presently withdrew themselves And in their runing thus away the Serjeant Major finding one of their Horses ready sadled bridled took the same to follow the chase and so overgoing all his Company was by one layed behinde a Bush shot through the head and falling downe therewith was by the same and two or three more stabbed in three or foure places of his body with Swords and Daggers before any could come neere to his reskue His death was much lamented being in very deed an honest wise Gentleman and a Souldier of good experience and of as great courage as any man might be In this place called S. Augustine we understood the King did keepe as is before said one hundred and fifty Souldiers and at another place some dozen leagus beyond to the Northwards called S. Helena he did there likewise keepe one hundred and fifty more serving there for no other purpose then to keepe all other Nations from Inhabiting any part of all that Coast the Government wherof vvas committed to one Pedro Melendez Marquesse Nephew to that Melendez the Admitall vvho had overthrown Master John Hawkins in the Bay of Mexico some fifteen or sixteen years agoe This Governor had charge of both places but vvas at this time in this place and one of the first that left the same Here it vvas resolved in full assembly of Captaines to undertake the enterprize of S. Helena and from thence to seek out the Inhabitation of our English Country-Men in Virginia distant from thence some six degrees Northward When we came thwart of Saint Helena the shols appearing dangerous and we having no Pilot to undertake the entrie it was thought meerest to goe hence alongst For the Admiral had been the same night in four fadome and a halfe three leagues from the shore and yet we understood by the help of a known Pilot there may and doth goe in Ships of greater burthen and draught then any we had in our Fleet. We passed thus alongst the Coast hard aboord the shore which is shallow for a league or two from the shore and the same is low and broken land for the most part The ninth of June upon fight of one speciall great fire which are very ordinary all alongst this coast even from the Cape of Florida hither the Generall sent his Skiffe to the shore where they found some of our English Country men that had been sent thither the year
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
off vve stayed there all day vvatering and vvooding and providing things necessary by giving content and satisfaction to the Indians But â—owards night our Captaine called all of us aboord only leaving the Spaniards lately taken in the Prize ashoare according to our promise made them to their great content who acknowledged that our Captaine did them a farre greater favour in setting them freely at liberty then he had done them displeasure in taking their Ship and so set saile The sicknesse which had begun to kindle amongst us two or three dayes before did this day shew it selfe in Charles Gluâ— one of our Quarter-masters a very tall man and a right good Mariner taken away to the great griefe both of Captaine and Company What the cause of this malady was we knew not of certainty we imputed it to the cold which our men had taken lying without succour in the Pinnaces But howsoever it was thus it pleased God to visit us and yet in favour to restore unto health all the rest of our Company that were touched with this disease which were not a few The next morning being faire weather though the winde continued contrary our Captaine commanded the Minion his lesser Pinnace to hasten away before him towards his Ships at Fort Diego within the Cabezas to carry newes of his comming and to put all things in a readinesse for our Land journey if they heare any thing of the Fleets arrivall by the Symerons giving the Minion charge if they wanted Wine to take Saint Bernards in their way and there take in some such portion as they thought good of the Wines which we had there hidden in the sand We plyed to windwards as neere as we could so that within a seven night after the Minion departed from us we came to Saint Bernards where vve staied many houres finding but twelve Botijos of Wine of all the store we left which had escaped the curious search of the Enemy who had beene there for that they were deepe in the ground Within foure or five dayes after we came to our Ship where we found all other things in good order but received very heavie newes of the death of John Drake our Captains Brother and another young man called Richard Allen which were both slaine at one time as they attempted the boording of a Frigate within two dayes after our departing from them The manner of it a we learned by examination of the Company vvas this vvhen they saw this Frigate at Sea as they were going towards their Fort with Plancks to make the Platformes the Company were very importunate on him to give chase and set upon this Frigate which they deemed had beene a fit booty for them But he told them that they vvanted vveapons to assaile they knew not how the Frigate was provided they had their boat loaden with plancks to finish that his Broter had commanded But when this would not satisfie them but that still they urged him with vvords and supposals If you will needs said he adventure it shall never be said that I will be hindermost neither shall you report to my Brother that you lost your Voyage by any cowardise you found in me Thereupon every man shifted as they might for the time and heaving their plankes over board tooke them such poore vveapons as they had viz. a broken pointed Rapier one old Visgee and a rusty Caliver John Drake tooke the Rapier and made a Gantlet of his Pillow Richard Allen the Visegee both standing in the head of the Pinnace called the Eâ—on Roâ—ert tooke the Caliver and so boarded But they found the Frigate armed round about with a close fight of Hides full of Pikes and Calivers which vvere discharged in their faceâ— and deadly wounded those that were in the Foâ—e ship Jâ—hn Drake in the belly and Richard Allen in the head But notwithstanding their wounds they with Oares shifted off the Pinnace got cleare of the Frigate and with all haste recovered their Ship where vvithin an houre after this young man of great hope ended his dayes greatly lamented of all the Company Thus having moared our Ships fast our Captaine resolved to keepe himselfe close without being descried untill he might heare of the comming of the Spanish Fleet and therefore set no more to Sea but supplyed his vvants both for his owne Company and the Symerons out of his aforesaid Magazine besides dayly out of the woods with wild Hogges Phesants and Guanas continuing in health God be praised all the meane time which was a Moneth at least till at length about the beginning of January halfe a score of our Company fell downe sicke altogether and the most of them died within two or three dayes so long that we had thirty at a a time sicke of the Calenture which attached our men either by reason of the sudden change from cold to heat or by reason of brakish water which had beene taken in by one Pinnace through the sloth of their men in the mouth of the River not rowing further in where the water was good Among the rest Joseph Drake another of his Brethren died in our Captains Armes of the same disease of which that the cause might be the better discerned and consequently remedied to the reliefe of others by our Captaines appointment he was ript open by the Surgeon who found his liver swoln his heart as it were sodden and his guts all faire This was the first and last experiment that our Captaine made of Anatomy in this Voyage The Surgeon that cut him up over lived him not past foure dayes although he were not toucht with that sicknesse of which he had been recovered above a moneth before but onely of an over-bold practise which he would needs make upon himselfe by receiving an over-strong Purgation of his owne device after which taken he never spake nor his Boy recovered the health which he lost by tasting it till he saw England The Symerons who as is beforesaid had beene entertained by our Captaine in September last and usually repaired to our Ship during all the time of our absence ranged the Country up and downe betweene Nombre de Dios and us to learne what they might for us whereof they gave our Captaine advertisement from time to time as now particularly certaine of them let him understand that the Fleet was certainly arrived at Nombre de Dios. Therefore he sent the Lyon to the seamost Iland of the Cativaas to descry the truth of the report by reason it must needs be that if the Fleet were in Nombre de Dios all the Frigates of the Countrey would repaire thitherwards with Victuall The Lyon within few dayes descried that she was sent for espying a Frigate which she presently boorded and tooke laden with Maiz Hens and Pompions from Tolou who assured us of the whole truth of the arrivall of the Fleet in this Frigate were taken one Woman and twelve Men of whom one was
might avoid it Our Captaine who had heard and observed by reason of the hardnesse of the ground and stilnesse of the nigh the change of this Gentlemans trot to a gallop suspected that he was discovered but could not imagine by whose fault neither did the time give him leasure to search And therefore considering that it might be by reason or the danger of the place well knowne to ordinary Travellers we lay still in expectation of the Treasurers comming who was by this time within halfe a league and had come forwards to us but that this Horseman meeting him and as we afterwards learned by the other Recoes making report to him what he had seene presently that night what he heard of Captaine Drake this long time and what he conjectured to be most likely viz. that the said Captaine Drake or some for him disappointed of his expectation of getting any great Treasure both at Nombre de dios and other places was by some meanes or other come by land in covert thorow the Woods unto this place to speed for his purpose and thereupon perswaded him to turne his Reco out of the way and let the other Recoes which were comming after to passe on They vvere whole Recoes and loaden but with Victuals for the most part so that the losse of them were farre lesse if the worst befell and yet they should serve to discover them as well as the best Thus by the rechlesnesse of one of our Company and by the carefulnesse of this Traveller we were disappointed of a most rich booty which is to be thought God would not should be taken for that by all likelihood it was well gotten by that Treasurer The other two Recoes were no sooner come up to us but being stayed and seased on one of the chiefe Carriers a very sensible fellow told our Captaine by what meanes we were discovered and counselled us to shift for our selves betimes unlesse we were able to encounter the whole force of the City and Country which before day would be about us It pleased us but little that we were defeated of our Golden Recoe and that in these we could not find past some two Horse-load of Silver but it grieved our Captaine much more that he was discovered and that by one of his owne men But knowing it bootlesse to grieve at things past and having learned by experience that all safety in extremeties consisteth in taking of time after no long consultation with Pedro the chiefe of our Symerons who declared that there were but two wayes for him the one to travell back againe the same secret way they came for foure leagues space into the Woods or else to march forward by the high way to Venta Cruz being two leagues and make a way with his Sword thorow the Enemies He resolved considering the long and weary Marches that we had taken and chiefly that last evening and day before to take now the shortest and readiest way as choosing rather to encounter his Enemies while he had strength remaining then to be Encountered or chased when we should be worne out vvith vvearinesse principally now having the Moyles to ease them that vvould some part of the vvay Therefore commanding all to refresh themselves moderately with such store of Victuall as we had there in aboundance he signified his resolution and reason to them all asking Pedro by name whether he would give his hand not to forsake him because he knew that the rest of the Symerons would also then stand fast and firme so faithfull are they to their Captaine He being very glad of his resolution gave our Captaine his hand and vowed that he would rather dye at his foot then leave him to the Enemies if he held this course So having strengthned our selves for the time we tooke our journey towards Venta Cruz with helpe of the Moyles till we came within a mile of the Towne where we turned away the Recoes charging the Conducters of them not to follow us upon paine of their lives There the way is cut thorow the Woods about tenne or twelve foot broad so as two Recoes may passe one by another The fruitfulnesse of the soyle causeth that with often shredding and ridding the way those Woods grow as thicke as our thickest hedges in England that are oftnest cut To the midst of this Wood a Company of Souldiers which continually lay in that Towne to defend it against the Simerons were come forth to stop us if they might on the way if not to retrait to their strength and there to expect us A Convent of Fryers of whom one was become a Leader joyned with these Souldiers to take such part as they did Our Captaine understanding by our two Simerons which with great heeâ—fulnesse and silence marched now but above halfe a flight-shot before us that it vvas time for us to arme and take us to our weapons for they knew the Enemy was at hand by smelling of their match and hearing of a noise had given us charge that no one of us should make any shot untill the Spaniards had first spent their volley which he thought they would not doe before they had spoken as indeed fell out For as soone as we were within hearing a Spanish Captaine cried aloud Hóó our Captaine answered him likewise and being demanded Que gente replied Englishmen But when the said Commander charged him in the name of the King of Spaine his Master that we should yeeld our selves promising in the word and faith of a Gentleman Souldier that if he would so do he would use us with all courtesie our Captaine drawing somewhat neere him said That for the honour of the Queene of England his Mistresse he must have passage that way and therewithall discharged his Pistol towards him Upon this they presently shot off their whole volly which though it lightly wounded our Captaine and diverse of our men yet it caused death to one onely of our Company called John Harris who was so powdered with Haile-shot which they all used for the most part as it seemed or else quartered for that our men were hurt with that kinde that we could not recover his life though he continued all that day afterwards with us Presently as our Captaine perceived their shot to come slacking as the latter drops of a great shewer of raine with his Whistle he gave us his usuall signall to answer them with our shot and arrowes and so march onwards upon the Enemy with intent to come to handy-strokes and to have joyned with them whom when he sound retired as to a place of some better strength he encreased his pace to prevent them if he might Which the Symerons perceiving although by terror of the shot continuing they were for the time stept a side yet as soone as they discerned by hearing that we marched onward they all rusht forwards one after another traversing the way with their Arrowes ready in their Bowes and their manner of Countrey Dance or
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
in them used them as before and one Mr. Robert Winter thinking of pleasure to shoot an arrow at length as Mr. Oliver had done before that he which came last might have a sight thereof the string of his bow brake which as before it was a terror unto them so now broken it gave them great incouragement and boldness and as they thought great advantage in their treacherous intent and purpose not imagining that our callivers swords and targets were any munition or weapon of war In which perswasion as the generall with his company were puietly without any suspition of evill going down towards his boat they suddainly being prepared and gotten by stealth behind him shot their arrows and chiefly at him which had the bow not suffering him to string the same again which he was about to have done as well as he could but being wounded in the shoulder at the first shot and turning about was sped with an arrow which pierced his lungs yet 〈◊〉 fell not But the Mr. Gunner being ready to shoot of his calliver which took not fire in levelling thereof was presently slain outringht In this extremitie if our general had not been both expert in such affaires able to judge and give present direction in the danger thereof and had not valiantly thrust himself into the dance against these monsters there had not one of our men that there were landed escaped with life He therefore giving order that no man should keep any certain ground but shift from place to place encroaching still upon the enemie using their targets and other weapons for the defence of their bodies and that they should breake so many arrows as by any meanes they could come by being shot at them wherein he himself was very diligent and carefull also in calling on them knowing that their arrows being once spent they should have these enemies at their devotion and pleasure to kill or save and this order being accordingly taken himself I say with a good courage and trust in the true and living God takeing and shooting off the same piece which the same Gunner could not make to take fire dispatched the first beginner of the quarrell the same man which slew our Mr. Gunner For the piece being charged with a bullet and haile shot and well aimed tare out his belly and guts with great torment as it seemed by his cry which was so hideous and horrible a roare as if ten buls had joyned together in roaring wherewith the courage of his partners was so abated and their hearts appaled that notwithstanding divers of their fellows and countrymen appeared out of the woods on each side yet they were glad by flying away to save themselves quietly suffering our men either to depart or stay Our generall chose rather to depart then to take further revenge of them â—hich now he might by reason of his wounded man whom for many good parts he loved dearly and therefore would rather have saved him then slain an hundred enemies but being paâ—t recovery he dyed the 2. day after his being brought aboard again That night our Mr. Gunners body being left ashoare for the speedier bringing of the other aboard our generall himself the next day with his boate well appointed returned to the shore to fetch it likewise which they found lying where it was left but stript off his uppermost garment and having an English arrow struck in his right eye Both of these dead bodies were laid together in one grave with such reverence as was fit for the earthen tabernacles of immortall soules with such commendable ceremonies as belong unto souldiers of worth in time of war which they most truly and rightfully deserved Magellane was not altogether deceived in naming of them Giants for they generally differ from the common sort of men both in stature bignesse and strength of body as also in the hideousnesse of their voice but yet they are nothing so monstrous or Giantlike as they were reported there being some English men as tall as the highest of any that we could see but peradventure the Spaniards did not think that ever any English man would come thither to repove them and thereupon might presume the more boldly to lie the name Pentagones five cubits viz. 7. foot and half describing the full height if not some what more of the highest of them But this is certain that the Spanish cruelties there used have made them more monstrous in mind and manners then they are in body and more inhospitable to deale with any strangers that shal come hereafter For the loss of their friends the remembrance whereof is assigned and conveighed over from one generation to another among their posterity breedeth an old grudg which will not easily be forgotten with so quarrelsome revengefull a people Notwithstanding the terror which they had conceived of us did henceforward so quench their heat take down their edge that they both forgat revenge and seeming by their countenance to repent them of the wrong they had offered us that meant them no harm suffered us to doe what we would the whole space of two moneths after this without any interruption or molestation by them and it may perhaps be a meanes to breed a peace in that people towards all that may hereafter this come that way To this evill thus received at the hands of Infidels there was adjoyned and grew another mischief wrought and continued closely among our selves as great yea far greater and of farre more grievous consequence then the former but that it was by Gods providence detected and prevented in time which else had extended it self not only to the violent shedding of innocent bloud by murthering our generall and such others as were most firm and faithfull to him but also to the finall overthrow of the whole action intended and to divers other most dangerous effects These plots have been laid before the voyage began in England the very modell of them was shewed and declared to our Generall in his garden at Plimmouth before his setting saile which yet he either would not credit as true or likely of a person whom he loved so deerely and was perswaded of to love him likewise unfainedly or thought by love and benefits to remove and remedy it if there were any evill purposes conceived against him And therefore he did not only continue to this suspected accused person all countenance credit courtesies which he was wont to shew and give him but increased them using him in a manner as another himself and as his most inmost friend lodging him with himself giving him the second place in all companies in his presence leaving in his hand the state as it were of his own person in his absence imparting unto him all his counsells allowing him free liberty in all things that were reasonable and bearing often at his hands great infirmities yea despising that any private injury should breake so firm a friendship as he meant towards him
death being much more honorable by it then blameable for any other of his actions fully blotted out what ever stain his fault might seem to bring upon him he left unto our fleet a lamentable example of a goodly Gentleman who in seeking advancement unfit for him cast away himself and unto posterity a monument of I know not what fatal calamity incident to that port and such like actions which might happily afford a new pair of parallels to be added to Plutarchs in that the same place neere about the same time of the year witnessed the execution of 2. gentlemen suffring both for the like cause imployed both in like service entertained both in great place endued both with excellent qualities the one 58. year after the other For on the main our men found a gibbet fallen down made of a spruce mast with mens bones underneath it which they conjectured to be the same gibbet which Magellane commanded to be erected in the yeare 1520. for the execution of John Carthagene the Bishop of Burgos Cosen who by the Kings order was joyned with Magellane in commission and made his Vice-Admirall In the Island as we digged to bury this gentleman we found a great grinding-stone broken in two parts which we took and set fast in the ground the one part at the head the other at the feet building up the middle space with other stones and turfes of earth and engraved in the stones the names of the parties buried there with the time of their departure and a memoriall of our Generals name in Latine that it might the better be understood of all that should come after us These things thus ended and set in order our generall discharging the Mary viz. our Portugal prise beause she was leake and troublesome defaced her and then left her ribs and keel upon the Island where for two moneths together we had pitched our tents And so having wooded watred trimmed our ships dispatched all our other businesses and brought our fleet into the smalest number even 3. only besides our pinnaces that we might the easier keep our selves together be the better furnished with necessaries and be the stronger mand against whatsoever need should be Agust 17. we departed out of this port and being now in great hope of a happy issue to our enterprise which Almighty God hitherto had so blest prospered we set our course for the Straights southwest August 20. we fell with the Cape neere which lies the entrance into the Sraight called by the Spaniards Capo virgin Maria appearing 4. leagues before you come to it with high and steep gray cliffs full of black stars against which the sea beating sheweth as it were the spoutings of Whales having the highest of the cape like cape Vincent in Portugal at this cape our Generall caused his fleet in homage to our soveraign lady the Queens Majesty to strike their top-sailes upon the bunt as a token of his willing and glad mind to shew his dutiful obedience to her highnes whom he acknowledged to have ful interest and right in that new discovery and withall in remembrance of his most honourable friend Sir Christopher Hatton he changed the name of the ship which himself went in from the Pellican to be called the golden Hind which ceremonies being ended together with a sermon teaching true obedience with prayers and giving of thanks for her Majesty and most honorable counsel with the whole body of the commonweale and church of God we continued our course on into the said frete where passing with land in sight on both sides we shortly fell with so narrow a strait as carrying with it much wind often turnings and many dangers-requireth an expert judgment in him that shall passe the same it lyeth W.N.W. and E. south East but having left his strait a stern we seemed to become out of a river of two leagues broade into a large and main sea having the night following an Iland in sight which being in height nothing inferior to the Island â—ogo before spoken of burning like it also aloft in the aire in a wonderfull sort without intermission It hath formerly been received as an undoubted truth that the seas following the course of the first mover from the east to west have a continuall current through this straite but our experience found the contrary the ebbings and flowings here being as orderly in which the water rises and fals more then 5. fathoms upright as on other coasts The 24. of August being Bartholomew day we fell with 3. Islands bearing trianglewise one from another one of them was very faire and large and of a fruitful soile upon which being next unto us and the weather very calm our Generall with his Gentlemen and certain of his Marriners then landed taking possession thereof in her Majesties name and to her use and called the same Elizabeth Island The other two though they were not so large nor so fair to the eye yet were they to us exceeding usefull for in them we found great store of strange birds which could not fly at all nor yet run so fast as that they could escape us with their lives in body they are less then a goose and bigger then a mallard short and thick set together having no feathers but insteed thereof a certain hard and matted down their beakes are not much unlike the bils of crows they lodg and breed upon the land where making earths as the conies do in the ground they lay their egs and bring up their young their feeding and provision to live on is in the sea where they swim in such sort as nature may seem to have granted them no small prerogative in swiftness both to prey upon others and themselves to escape from any others that seek to cease upon them such was the infinite resort of these birds to these Ilands that in the space of 1. day we killed no les then 3000. if the increase be according to the number it is not to be thought that the world hath brought forth a greater blessing in one kind of creature in so small a circuit so necessarily and plentifully serving the use of man they are a very good and wholesome victuall our Generall named these Islands the one Bartholomew according to the day the other Saint Georges in honour of England according to the ancient custome there observed In the Island of Saint George we found the body of a man so long dead before that his bones would not hold together being moved out of the place whereon they lay From these Islands to the entrance into the south sea the frete is very crooked having many turnings as it were shutings up as if there were no passage at al by means whereof we were often troubled with contrary winds so that some of our ships recovering a cape of land entring another reach the rest were forced to alter their course and come to anchor where they might It is true which
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
everliving God and of Jesus Christ whom he hath sent the salvation of the Gentiles In the time of which prayers singing of psalms and reading of certain chapters in the Bible they sate very attentively and observing the end of every pause with one voyce still cryed oh greatly rejoycing in our exercises Yea they took such pleasure in our singing of psalmes that whensoever they resorted to us their first request was commonly this Gnaah by which they intreated that we should sing Our generall having now bestowed upon them divers things at their departure they restored them again none carrying with him any thing of whatsoever he had received thinking themselves sufficiently enriched and happy that they had found so free accesse to see us Against the end of three dayes more the newes having the while spread it self farther and as it seemed a great way up into the country were assembled the greatest number of people which we could reasonably imagine to dwell within any convenient distance round about Amongst the rest the King himself a man of a goodly stature and comely personage attended with his guard of about 100. tall and warlike men this day viz. June 26. came down to to see us Before his coming were sent twe Ambassadors or messengers to our generall to signifie that their Hioh that is their K. was coming and at hand They in the delivery of their message the one spake with a soft and low voyce prompting his fellow the other pronounced the same word by word after him with a voyce more audible continuing their proclimation for such it was about half an houre Which being ended they by their signs made request to our General to send something by their hands to their Hioh or King as a token that his coming might be in peace Our generall willingly satisfyed their desire and they glad men made speedy return to their hioh Neither was it long before their K making as princely a shew as possibly he could with all his train came forward In their coming forwards they cryed continually after a singing manner with a lusty courage And as they drew neerer and neerer towards us so did they more more strive to behave themselves with a certain comlinesse and gravity in all their actions In the forefront came a man of a large body and goodly aspect bearing the Septer or royall mace made of a certain kind of black wood and in length about a yard and a halfe before the King Whereupon hanged two crowns a bigger and a lesse with three chains of a mavellous length and often doubled besides a bag of the herb Tabah The crowns were made of knitwork wrought upon most curiously with Feathers of divers colours very artificiall placed and of a formal fashion The chains seemed of a bony substance every kinde or part thereof being very little thin most finely burnished with a hole pierced through the middest The number of links going to make one chain is in a manner infinite but of such estimation it is amongst them that few be the persons that are admitted to weare the same and even they to whom its lawfull to use them yet are stinted what number they shall use as some ten some twelve some 20. and as they exceed in number of chains so are they thereby known to be the more honourable personages Next unto him that bare this Scepter was the King himself with his guard about him his attire upon his head was a cawl of knitwork wrought upon somewhat like the crown but differing much both in fashion and perfectnesse of work upon his shoulders he had on a coat of the skins of conies reaching to his wast his guard also had each coats of the same shape but of other skins some having cawls likewise such with feathers or covered over with a certain down which groweth up in the country upon an herb much like our lectruce which exceeds any other down in the world for finenesse and being layed upon their cawls by no winds can be removed of such estimation is this herb amonst them that the down thereof is not lawfull to be worn but of such persons as are about the king to whom also it is permitted to weare a plume of Feathers on their heads in sign of honour and the seeâ—s are not used but only in sacrifice to their gods After these in their order did follow the naked sort of common people whose hair being long was gathered into a bunch behind in which stuck plumes of Feathes but in the forepart only single Feathers like horn ever one pleasing himself in his own device This one thing was observed to be generall amonst them all that every one had his face painted some with white some with black and some with other colors every man also bringing in his hand one thing or other for a present their train or last part of their company consisted of women and children each woman bearing against her brest a round basket or two having with them divers things as bags of Tabah a root which they call Petah whereof they make a kind of meale and either beake it into bread or eate it raw broyled fishes like a pilchard the seeed and down afore named with such like Their baskets were made in fashion like a deep boale and though the matter were rushes or such other kind of stuff yet was it so cunningly handled that the most part of them would hold water about the brims they were hanged with pieces of the shels of pearls and in some places with two or three links at a place of the chains forenamed thereby signifying that they were vessels wholly dedicated to the ontly use of the gods they worshiped and besides this they were wrought upon with the matted down of red Feathers distinguished into divers works and forms In the mean time our Generall having assembled his men together as forecasting the danger and worst that might fall out prepared himself to stand upon sure ground that we might at all times be ready in our own defence if any thing should chance otherwise then was looked for or expected Wherefore every man being in a warlike readiness he marched within his fenced place making against their approach a most warlike shew as he did also at all other times of their resort whereby if they had been desperat enemies they could not have chosen but have conceived error and feare with discouragement to attempt any thing against us in beholding of the same When they were come somewhat neere unto us trooping together they gave us a common or a generall salutation observing in the mean time a generall silence Whereupon he who bare the Scepter before the king being prompted by another whom the King assigned to that office pronounced with an audible and manly voice what the other spake to him in secret continuing whether it were his oration or proclamation at the least half an houre At the close whereof there
already begun The King being thus in musicall paradise and enjoying that wherewith he was so highly pleased his brother named Moro with no lesse bravery then any of the rest accompanied also with a great number of gallant followers made the like repair and gave us like respect and his homage done he fell a sterne of us till we came to anchor neither did our Generall leave his courtesie unrewarded but bountifully pleased him also before we parted The King as soone as we were come to anchor craved pardone to be gone and so tooke leave promising us that the next day he would come aboard and in the meane time would prepare and send such Victuals as were requisite and necessary for our provision Accordingly the same night and the morrow following we received what was there to be had by way of traffique to wit Rice in pretty quantity Hens Sugar-canes imperfect and liquid Sugar a fruit which they call Figo Magellane cals it a Fig of a span long but is no other then that which the Spaniards and Portugals have named Plantanes Cocoes and a kind of meale which they call Sago made of the tops of certaine trees tasting in the mouth like sowre curdes but melts away like Sugar whereof they make a kinde of cake which will keepe good at least ten yeers of this last we made the greatest quantity of our provision for a few Cloves we did also traffique whereof for a small matter we might have had grearer store then we could well tell where to bestow but our Generals care vvas that the Ship should not be too much pestered or anoyed therewith At the time appointed our Generall having set all things in order to receive him looked for the Kings returne who failing both in time and promise sent his Brother to make his excuse and to intreat our Generall to come on shoar his brother being the while to remain aboard as a pawne for his safe restoring our Generall could willingly have consented if the King himselfe had not first broke his word the consideration whereof bred an utter disliking in the whole company who by no meanes would give consent he should hazard himselfe especiall for that the Kings Brother had uttered certaine words in secret conference with our Generall aboard his Cabbin which bred no small suspition of ill intent our General being thus resolved not to goe a shoar at that time reserved the Viceroy for a pledge and so sent certaine of his Gentlemen to the Court both to accompany the Kings Brother and also with speciall message to the King himselfe They being come somewhat neere unto the Castle were received by another Brother of the Kings and certaine others of the greatest States and conducted with great honour towards the Castle where being brought into a large and faire house they saw gathered together a great multitude of people by supposition at least a thousand the chief whereof were placed round about the House according as it seemed to their degrees and calling the rest remained without The House was in forme four square covered all over with cloth of divers colours not much unlike our usuall Pentadoes borne upon a frame of Reeds the sides being open from the groundsell to the covering and furnished with seates round about it seemes it was there Councell house and not commonly employed to any other use At the side of this house next unto the Castle was feared the chaire of state having directly over it and extending very largly every way a very faire and rich Canopy as the ground also for some ten or twelve paces compasse was covered with cloth of Arias Whilest our Gentlemen attended in this place the comming of the King which was about the space of halfe an hour they had the better opportunity to observe these things as also that before the Kings comming there were already set threescore noble grave and ancient personages all of them reported to be of the Kings privy Councell at the the nether end of the house were placed a great company of young men of comely personage and attire Without the house on the right side stood four ancient comely hoare-headed men clothed all in red downe to the ground but attired on their heads not much unlike the Turks these they called Romans or Strangers who lay as Lidgiers there to keepe continuall traffique with this people there were also two Turks one Italian as Lidgiers and last of all one Spaniard who being freed by the Kings out of the hands of the Portugals in the recovering of the Island served him now in stead of a Souldier The King at last coming from the Castle with 8. or 10. more grave Senators following him had a very rich Canopy adorned in the middest with Embossings of Gold borne over him and was guarded with 12. Lances the points turned downward our men accompanied with Moro the Kings brother arose to meet him and he very graciously did welcome and entertain them He was for Person such as we have before described him of low voice temperate in speech of Kingly demeanour and a Moore by Nation His attire was after the fashion of the rest of his Country but far more sumptuous as his condition and state required from the Waste to the ground was all Cloth of Gold and that very rich his Legs bare but on his Feet a paire of Shooes of Cordivant died Red in the attire of his head were finely wreathed in divers rings of plated Gold of an inch or an inch and halfe in bredth which made a fair and princely shew somewhat resembling a crowne in forme about his necke he had a chaine of perfect Gold the linkes very great and one fold double on his left hand was a Diamond an Emerald a Ruby and a Turky four very fair and perfect jewels on his right hand in one Ring a big and perfect Turky and in another Ring many Diamonds of a smaller size very artificiall set and couched together As thus he sate in his Chaire of State at his right side there stood a Page with a very costly fan richly embrodered and beset with Saphires breating and gathering the aire to refresh the King the place being very hot both by reason of the Sun and the assembly of so great a multitude After a while our gentlemen having delivered their message and received answer were licenced to depart and vvere safely conducted backe againe by one of the chiefe of the Kings Councell who had charge from the King himselfe to performe the same Our Gentlemen observing the Castle as well as they could could not conceive it to be a place of any great force two onely Canons they there saw and those at that present untraversable because unmounted These with all other furniture of like sort which they have they have gotten them from the Portugals by whom the Castle it self was also builded whiles they inhabited that place and Island Who seeking to settle a tyrannous goverment as
appointed for this service Our Souldiers being thus imbarked the Generall put himselfe into the Barke Francis as Admirall and all this night we lay on the Sea bearing small sayle untill our arrivall to the Landing place which was about the breaking of the day and so we landed being New-years day nine or ten miles to the Westwards of that brave City of Saint Domingo for at that time not yet is knowne to us any landing place where the Sea surge doth not threaten to overset a Pinnace or Boat Our Generall having seene us all landed in safety returned to his Fleet bequeathing us to God and the good conduct of Mr. Carliell our Lievtenant Generall at which time being about eight of the clocke we began to March and abovt noone-time or towards one of the clocke we approached the Towne where the Gentlemen and those of the better sort being some hundred and fifty brave Horses or rather more began to present themselves but our small shot played upon them which were so sustained with good proportion of Pikes in all parts as they finding no part of our Troope unprepared to receive them for you must understand they viewed all round about they were thus driven to give us leave to proceed towards the two Gates of the Towne which were the next to the Sea-ward They had manned them both and planted their Ordnance for that present and sudden alarum without the Gate and also some Troops of small shot in Ambuscado upon the hye-way side We divided our whole Force being some thousand or twelve hundred Men into two parts to enterprize both the Gates at one instant the Lievtenant Generall having openly vowed to Captaine Powell who led the Troope that entered the other Gate that with Gods good favour he would not rest untill our meeting in the Market-place Their Ordnance had no sooner discharged upon our neere approach and made some execution amongst us though not much but the Lievtenant Generall began forthwith to advance both his voyce of encouragement and pace of Marching the first Man that was slaine with the Ordnance being very neer unto himselfe and thereupon hasted all that he might to keepe them from recharging of the Ordinance And notwithstanding their Ambuscadoes we marched or rather ran so roundly into them as pell mell we entered the Gates and gave them more care every Man to save himselfe by flight then reason to stand any longer to their broken fight we forthwith repaired to the Market-place but to be more truly understood a place of very faire spacious square ground before the great Church whether also came as had been agreed Captaine Powell with the other Troope which place with some part next unto it we strengthened with Barricadoes and there as the most convenient place assured our selves the City being farre too spacious for so small and weary a Troope to undertake to guard Somewhat after midnight they vvho had the guard of the Castle hearing us busie about the Gates of the said Castle abandoned the same some being taken prisoners and some flying away by the helpe of Boats to the other side of the Haven and so into the Country The next day we quartered a little more at large but not into the halfe part of the Town and so making substantiall trenches and planting all the Ordnance that each part was correspondent to other we held this Town the space of one Moneth In the which time happened some accidents more then are well remembred for the present but amongst other things it chanced that the Generall sent on his Message to the Spaniards a Negro Boy with a Flag of vvhite signifying truce as is the Spaniards ordinary manner to doe there vvhen they approach to speake to us vvhich Boy unhappily was first met with by some of those who had beene belonging as Officers for the King in the Spanish Galley which with the Towne was lately fallen into our hands who without all order or reason and contrary to that good usage wherewith we had entertained their Messengers furiously strooke the poore Boy through the body with one of their Horsemens staves with which wound the Boy returned to the Generall and after he had declared the manner of this wrongfull cruelty dyed forthwith in his presence wherewith the Generall being greatly passioned commanded the Provost Martiall to cause a couple of Fryers then prisoners to be carried to the same place where the Boy was stroken accompanied with sufficient guard of our Souldiers there presently to be hanged dispatching at the same instant another poore prisoner with this reason wherefore this execution was done and with this Messenger further that untill the party who had thus murthered the Generals Messenger were delivered into our hands to receive condigne punishment there should no day passe wherein there should not two prisoners be hanged untill they were all consumed which were in our hands Whereupon the day following he that had been Captaine of the Kings Galley brought the Offendor to the Towns end offring to deliver him into our hands but it was thought a more honourable revenge to make them there in our fight to performe the execution themselues which was done accordingly During our being in this Town as formerly also at S. Jago there had passed justice upon the life of one of our company for an odious matter so here likewise was there an Irish man hanged for the murthering of his Corporall In this time also passed many Treaties betweene their Commissioners and us for ransome of their Citie but upon disagreements we still spent the early mornings in firing the outmost houses but they being built very magnificently of stone with high lofts gave us no small travel to ruine them And albeit for divers dayes together we ordained each morning by day breake untill the heat began at nine of the Clocke that two hundred Marriners did nought else but labour to fier and burn the said houses vvithout our trenches whilest the Souldiers in like proportion stood forth for their Guard yet did we not or could not in this time consume so much as one third part of the Towne And so in the end what wearied with firing and what hastned by some other respects we vvere contented to accept of five and twenty thousand Duckets of five shilling six pence the peece for the ransome of the rest of the Towne Amongst other things which happened and were found at S. Domingo I may not omit to let the world know one very notable marke and token of the unsatiable ambition of the Spanish King and his Nation vvhich vvas found in the Kings house vvherein the chief Governour of that City and Countrey is appointed alwayes to lodge vvhich vvas this In the comming to the Hall or other roomes of this house you must first ascend up by a faire large paire of stairs at the head of which staires is a handsome spatious place to walk in somewhat like unto a gallery wherein upon one of the