told by one of the Engineers on board her that she belonged to his Royal Highness the Duke of York and that under pretence of coming to treat with the Spaniards she was sent upon no other account than to take a Plan of those parts the Situation of the Cities and Sea-Ports Now Captain David meeting with her made Captain Suams come on board him and threatned to take him unless he would go and make Waâ— with him so that finding himself too weak to resist he chose rather to comply with the Pyrate than be taken and these two together took a great many Prizes which after they had taken out what was for their turn they burnt About a Year after Captain Townsley came over Land with an hundred and fifteen English into these Seas and at the Kings Islands took two Ships laden with Provision and other Refreshments whereof I have already spoken coming from Peru. About a Month after the Captains Groigniet and l' Escuier went also thither over Land with two hundred and seventy Men and who being informed that the English Fleet was before Panama put ashore one night at Tavoga an Island two Leagues off from whence they discerned a Ship on Fire and by break of day they saw the English under fail They went on board them and came to understand that Captain David had taken a Ship called the Saint Rose laded with Corn and Wine bound from Truxillo for Panama the President of which last place had sent to him for to buy her and in order thereunto gave him the meeting at the Isles of Pericos that are a League 's distance from the Port. But instead of sending him the Money they had agreed upon for the Ship he sent a Fire-Ship to burn him but the same through the Cowardice and Ignorance of the Commander spent herself without doing the other any hurt and this made Captain David give the Saint Rose to Groignie and to l' Escuier's Ships Crew who had already lost their Captain As for the other five Ships commanded by Brands Samely Peter Henry and two Quarter-Masters they had been also taken from the Spaniards iâ— these Seas by the two first Frigates who reserved them for those who came thither over Land 〈◊〉 of all our Ships there were none but the first two that had Guns the other eight had none they hâ—ving been Merchant Ships that made use of noâ—â— in the South-Sea where no body but themselves had sailed a long time And now having told you what passed before this Fleet came together we shall now proceed to give an Account of our Adventures since our Junction On the twenty fifth of April we took an Advice-Boat going to the Fleet of Peru which was then 〈◊〉 Anchor in the Port of Callao that was carrying some Packets from Madrid to Panama and Letters from the Vice-Roy of Lima wherein there was an account given how many Men of War Fire-Ships and Merchant-men the Fleet consisted of and about what time the same might arrive at Panama Next day we examined the Commander of the Advice-Boat but we could get no particulars out of him saving that when he saw himself like to be taken he had thrown the King of Spain's Packets and a Cascet of Jewels over-board On the twenty seventh we put the same Questions to the Pilot who according to the Example of his Commander would make no Discovery because they had taken an Oath together rather to lose their Lives than to divulge any secret or to let the said Packet fall into the hands of the Free-Booters On the 28th two of our Men died On the Evening of the same day we departed with two and twenty Canoes manned with five hundred men in order to go and take la Seppa which is a small Town seven Leagues to windward of Panama and on the twenty ninth about ten in the Morning we discovered two Ships bearing up to us which when they came near we found to be two Pirogues mann'd with Greeks which are a People composed of divers Nations to whom the Spaniards gave this Name and who serve them in their Wars These they brought some time before from the North Sea to this Coast to defend them against us because they look upon them to be better Soldiers than themselves We presently sent out two of our best sailing Canoes manned with twenty Men each to attack them These Greeks who quickly took us to be really what we were i. e. Free-Booters made no delay to save themselves upon one of the Islands that stands in the Bay of Panama but upon their going a-shore they lost one of their Pirogues that split in Pieces and left us the other then they got upon a rising Ground with their Arms and as much Ammunition as they could save and fought stifly against us under a Flag of Defiance And as the place where we landed was exposed to their Fire from the Ground where they had posted themselves and that the Ascent on that side where we stood was very difficult we were forced to take a great round to come at them another way where we found our Passage much easier At 〈◊〉 after we had fought at least for the space of an 〈◊〉 we constrained them to flee for shelter into the Wooâ—â— took two of them Prisoners besides their Colour and found between five and twenty and thirty slaâ—â— upon the Spot We were informed by the two Prisoners thâ—â— those who had escaped could not be above an hundred men at most that we might easily masteâ— them if we pleased there being many wounded amongst them They also told us that they hiâ— an Account at Panama of a Re-inforcement thâ— was come from the North-Sea to the Fleet of Free-Booters That the President of the Town had there upon sent an Advice-Boat to Lima to engage the Vice-Roy to detain the Merchant Ships in Port 〈◊〉 further order and with all speed to send a Fleet 〈◊〉 Men of War to fight ours and drive us out of those Seas But the relation given by these two Prisoner we could not rely upon since their Party had put 〈◊〉 a Flag of Defyance they being three times the number of us After this Advantage and our rejoyning the rest 〈◊〉 our Canoes we continued to prosecute our design upon la Seppa But as we were obliged before we could come at it to go about two Leagues up a very fine and large River of the same Name and on whoâ—e Banks they have Vigies or Sentinels always set we could not chuse but be discovered and find the Town allarmed and ready to defend it self Yet for all that we fell furiously on and tooâ—â— it with the loss only of one Man but finding no great matter of Booty there because they had saved most of their Effects we returned to our Canoes again As I shall have frequent occasion to make mention of the Word Vigie it will not be improper in this place to take notice that by
cannot find a Place to tread on or walk along in the Woods for the great numbers of land Tortoises Lizards and Agoutils that retire thither The Sea thereabouts is also so fruitful in the production of Fish that they come to the very Sands to die there but these advantages on the other hand are encountred with the want of Water whereof these Islands are entirely destitute The Wind towards Evening came to North North-East and made us bear East and by South-East to keep to the Continent the Weather on the Tenth in the Morning grew very dark and we having a Southerly Blast we bore East and East and by South-East till the Eleventh when we were becalmed on the Thirteenth arose an East Wind and we bore to the South South-East upon a tack and North North-East and then lay by for some time because we did not know the Currents On the 14th having a North East Wind we bore East South-East and accordingly as it blew fresh we steered East and by South-East and East on the Fifteenth Two Hours before Day-light we had a Storm and then a South Wind we steered East all that Day but we had such bad Weather the following Night that we could not carry our Sails next Day about Noon the Weather grew better and an Easterly Breeze presented we lay by till the Eighteenth at Noon when we discovered a Ship to Windward of us to whom we gave chase till the Evening she proved to be the English Ship that had parted from us when we came out of the Bay of Caldaira who knowing who we were put into the Cape we came to Leeward of her but she spread out her Sails and got to Leeward of us after we had given one another this salutation we put out for Two Hours to see which sailed best but knowing at last they were the better Sailors and fearing they might reach Queaquilla before us we desired them to joyn with us in our Design to which when they agreed we set fail together we found our selves much perplext to know what Latitude we might be in since we had not seen the Sun for Ten Days together But it happily fell out that it appeared on the Nineteenth our Pilots computed we might be about Five and twenty Leagues to Windward of Queaquilla and Sixty Leagues from Land but the Winds varied to that degree that we could make no way and many times went contrary On the 20th we had a West Wind and steered East and by South-East till the 21st when we were becalmed On the 24th arose a South Wind and on the 26th an Easterly Breeze at last the Wind persisting to be contrary we were reduced to great want of Victuals for we had already been upon our passage longer than our Provision would allow us to which we may add that Fish had till now been so scarce and hard to catch that we had but little support from them So that having on the 28th taken an Accompt of the remainder of our Victualling we were forced to retrench our selves so far as to eat but once in Forty eight Hours we also wanted Water and had it not been for the help of Rain we had certainly died of thirst but what made us amends for one part of our wants was that we found our selves all of a sudden in a Kingdom of large Fishes such as Emperors Tunnies Germons Galdenies Negros Bonitoes and several others to whom we gave no quarter no more that to the Sea Wolfs who for all their ill smell could not escape us During that time we bore to the North-East the Wind not allowing us to keep on our designed Course that if the worst came to the worst we might by this course reach the Isle of St. Iohn pursuant to the Design we had formed upon meeting with this contrary Wind of putting in there in case the same continued all the way On the 29th after we had taken the Latitude our Pilots computed us to be opposite to the Isle of Platta Thirty Leagues to Leeward of Queaquilla on the 30th being Easter-Day we were but one degree North Latitude in the Twi light the Wind began to blow fresh and bore us East North-East next Day the Wind came South South-West we steering East East and by South-East and East South-East On the 3d. of April we were becalmed and as we had for the space of Two Days by the computation of our Pilots sailed towards Land they were of Opinion that the Currents deceived them of which we made our selves satisfied by the following manner On the Fourth the Weather being very calm we furled our Sails and put out one of our Pirogues about whose Fore-Castle we spun Sixty Fathom of our smallest Rope made fast unto a Grapling Iron and from that Coast she made from the Tide ran along her side with as much swiftness as the Current of a River and bore to the North-East on the Fifth we caulked our Ships towards Midnight a South-West Wind presented it self and we bore South-East On the 6th in the Morning we discovered Land both to Windward and Leeward of us we veered to least we should be brought too near and steered South On the 8th we were about Four or Five Leagues off and our coasting Pilots knew the Place to be Cape Pastao which is under the Line Thirty Leagues to Leeward of the Isle of Platta we had all hands aloft and steered South On the 9th we bore to the South South-East till the Evening and to the South-West till Ten at Night when we steered to the South South-East and on the IIth we were got to the heighth of the Isle of Platta Eighteen Leagues out at Sea On the 12th at Noon we saw the Point of Sancta Helena which is Fifteen Leagues to Leeward of Queaquilla and forms the beginning of the Bay that bears the Name of that Town On the 12th at Night we saw Fire to Windward of us we lay by till break of Day when we discovered a Ship Three Leagues to Windward of us and as we were becalmed we sent Three Pirogues to know what she was they found her to be a Prize laden with Wine and Corn which Captain David had taken as she came out of Nasca and which was separated from him he had put Eight English Men on Board to Conduct her who were to have their Rendezvous in case of a separation at the Isle of Platta These Men told us that after they had left St Iohn's Island they made several Descents and in several Parts of that Country among others at Sagua Arrica and Pisca that in the last of these Places a Relation of the Vice-Roy of Lima came at the Head of Eight hundred Men to attack them with Sword in hand but that they were vigorously repulsed that they had also taken a great many Ships which when they pillaged they let go again so that finding they had got to the value of Five thousand pieces of Eight a Man they
went forwards with what he knew who of himself made an offer of those Favours he was minded to bestow before they were asked of him and who in short was brave as to his Person Skilful in Maritine Affairs a good Sea-man knew all the Coasts and heights of Lands in America was in great Esteem with the King for his Integrity Wisdom Justice and for all his great Services he had done the Government in the way of Commerce and Discovery of Islands The day after his Death I embarked on board the Virgin a Ship belonging to Bourdeaux and which had been built there in which Port after a Passage of â—ot many days I arrived at last with many different Thoughts and contrary Sentiments within me I do not know whether I have bid the Sea adieu so much has my last Misfortune terrified me or whether I shall go out again to be revenged on the English who have done me so much Mischief or go and traverse the Seas with a Design to get me a little Wealth or rest quiet and eat up what my Relations have left me There is a strange Inclination in Men to undertake Voyages as there is to Gaming whatever Misfortunes befal them they do not believe they will be always unhappy and therefore they will play on Thus it is as to the Sea whatever Accidents befal us we are in hopes to find a favourable Opportunity to make us amends for all our Losses I believe whoever reads this Account will find it an hard Task to give me Counsel thereupon or to take the same himself FINIS The Authors first Adventures and Disposition Embarks at Diep for America Resolvests turn Free-Booter A Description of the Isle of Curassol A strange Story of the Savages The Free-Booters disagree and part They take some Prizes A strange story of a Spanish Soldier The Buccaneers pass over Land to the South-Sea and other Observations Good news of Provision sent them by the other Free-Booters They escape the Spaniards Arrive in the South-Sea The South Sea described A List of the Buccaneers Fleet and Commanders A brief account of the English Adventures in these Seas hitherto Geeeks here who they are Beaten by the Free-Booters The Buccaneers take Seppa A Description of the Islands in the Bay of Panama The Fruits growing there desâ—ribed They fight the Spanish Fleet. The English and French fall out and part A Description of St. John Cueblo c. One of the Buccaneers Quarter-Masters deserts to the Spaniards An odd way of Excommunication among the Spaniards of America The Free-booters take Pueblo Viejo An amuseâ—ent of the Spaniards A Remarkable difference between the North and South Seaâ— A description of the Bay of Caldâ—ira The Buccaneers take Chiriquita They burnt it Chiriquita described They fight the Spaniards by Sea The French oppress the English in their turn but agree again They fire Granada Granadâ— described The misery of the Indians 〈…〉 They disagree and steer different Course â— The Buccaneers take La Villia and a very great Booty The Spaniards surprize and retake the Booty La Villia River described They receive the Ransom of the Prisoners The Greek Captains Stratagem discovered and he killed The Buccaneers beat the Spaniards out of their intrenchments at Boca del Chica The President of Panama's Letter to a Camp Master They took two Spanish Ships They decoy two Spanish Ships more The President of Panama's Letter to the Free-Booters The Bishop of Panama 's Letter to the Free-Booters Another Letter of the President 's The Buscaneers Letter to the President of Panama They beat the Spaniards The Free-booters take St. Lorenzo A Description of St. Lorenzo The Tenient of Chiriquita's Letter to the Commander of St. Lorenzo The Bucaniers in great danger of being Ship-wracked A pretty adventure of the Free-booters They take Sancta Catalina the Town of Nicoya and a good Booty The Governour of Costa Rica his Letter to the President of Panama The President 's Letter to the Governour The Tenient of Sansonat's Letter to the President of Panama The Spaniards pay the Ransom of the Inhabitants of Nicoya Captain Grogniet rejoyns the other Free-booters Grogniet's Adventures The Free-booters burn Nicoya A Description of Nicoya How the Spaniards burn the Roads They part from the English and Grogniet again An Account of the English Adventures A Description of the Isle of Puna They attack and take Queaquilla A Description of Queaquilla They got a â—â—st Bâ—oty in Queaquilla An odd Story of a Spanish Woman Queaquilla fired by accident The death of Captain Grogniet The Spaniards treacherous Captain David worsts the the Spaniards at Sea The Tenient of Queaquilla's Letter to the Viceroy of Lima. la Puna their best Winter Quarters An Adventure of the Author's with a Spanish Woman They joyn the English and fight the Spanish Armadilla's They divided their Booty Captain David sails for the North Sea An Acount of Peru. The Free-booter's Fight with some Spanish Vessels A Description of the Bay of Mapalla Other Adventures Their Adventures iâ— their march to Tecoantepequa which they take A Description of Tecoantepequa An Account of the Hourqua A Description of the Port of Vatulco The Free-booters take the Town of Muemeluna They arrive at Mapalla Some account of the Winds in these parts Consultation about returning to the North-Sea A handful of Free-booters take Chiloteca Being attackt by the Spaniards they kill their Prisoners They resolve to return to the North Sea by Land The reason of their Necessities A notable amusement to facilitate their â—cape They Provide for their Iourney The Author's Device to save his Treasure A Letter writ to the Freebooters The Spaniards burn the Road. The Freebooters enter Segovia Segovia described They continue their Iourney The Spaniards intrenched in a most advantageous Post to obstruct their Passage The Author's Advice about forcing them They 〈◊〉 over 〈◊〉 difficult ways to fall on their Rear They prevail against the Spaniards The strange 〈◊〉 of the Spaniards The General of Costa Rica his Letter to the Chief Officer A Spanish Officer's Spâ—â—ch to a part of the Free booters Their bold Answer They defeat the Spaniards They get to a River and build Piperies A strange way of floating down the River Their Food Of the Indians in these Parts The Freebooters Murder one another for their Money The River proving good they build Canoes The English get first to the Sea-side The length of the River A Description of Cape Gracia de Dios. Of the Indians of these Parts and their manner of Living Fifty of the Freebooters get on Board the English Vessel Their arrival at Petit Guavis
Vigier is no other thing meant than to set a Sentinel upon Land or Sea and those who are thus set they call Vigies The Spaniards maintain a great number of them for all their Cities Towns and Villages and even single Houses have Persons on purpose whom they send to all the rising ground round about and River-sides where they have their Horses ready Night and Day so that as soon as they discover an Enemy they hasten to give the Spaniards notice of it who forthwith prepare themselves not to fight but to save their Effects On the first of May we rejoyned our Ships who â—aited for us at a very pretty Island called Sippilla about a League distant from the Mouth of the River la Seppa which makes up a kind of Canal that forms the Bay of Panama and do as it were make a Bar all along that divides the Channel into two parts one to the East and the other to the West Those Pleasures we met with â—n these parts justly deserve a Remembrance whereof I shall give a little Description in this place I say then that all these Islands are so curious and delightfull that they are usually called the Gardens of Panama and with very good reason seeing all People of Note in that City have each of them one of these Islands for themselves and their Houses of Pleasure there also with curious Orchards watered with a great many Springs of running Waters adorned and imbelished with a wonderfull Variety of Flowers and Arbours of Jessamine up and down and full almost of an infinite number of all sorts of the Fruits of the Country among whom I have taken particular notice of four of them which are called Sappota Sappotilla Avocata and las Cayemites The first is a Fruit almost like unto our Pears of a different Size whose Rine is Greenish and contains in the midst thereof two Kernels of an oval Form appearing pretty pollished and sleek and are each of them in the largest of these Fruits somewhat bigger than an ordinary Nut When this Fruit â—t ripe it is very soft and when the Paring is taken off the Pulp is of a pure red Colour very sweet and of an admirable Tast. The second is of the same form as the other but no bigger than a Russet Pear It has an admirable tast and under the Rind is of a whitish Colour The third is of the same form as our Quincâ—â— saving that the Riâ—d is greener This fruit must be fully ripe and very soft before it becomes good Food and then it is that you find the Pulp of 〈◊〉 as white as Snow The Spaniards eat it with Spoon as we do Cream and indeed the tast thereof is mostly the same The fourth is like a large Damason and very â—â—voury Besides these and a great many more when with this Country is peculiarly blessed it producâ—â— also a great many of those Fruits that are commoâ— to Europe as Apricocks Pomegranates Goyavâ— Juniper Cocoe Bananes Figs of Provence French and Spanish Melons all sorts of Oranges Citroâ—â— and Lemmons of which I shall give no Description no more than of the Trees that bear them But those who would satisfie their Curiosity herein may 〈◊〉 it in reading the History of the Antilles writâ—â— by Monsieur de Rochefort in the Year 1668 〈◊〉 was skilled therein and gives a very good Account of them All these rich Presents of Fruits and pure Water of which Nature made us an offer in theâ—â— Islands were a wonderfull Relief to us after those Fatigues we had undergone in our Passage over thâ—â— Continent To say nothing of the plentifull Harveâ—â— we had of Maes and Rice wherewith we found these Islands covered and which the Spaniards I believe did not sow with an intention we should enjoy them But these same Islands that afforded us so many delights wrought also afterwards some sorrow in us 〈◊〉 which by and by On the eighth of May in the Morning we sailed away and passed by the old and new City of Panama the old one was that taken by General Morgaâ— in the Year 1670 whose Churches and Houses seemed to us to be finely built as far as we could judge of them at such a Distance there is none but theâ— new Town that is fortified being defended with 〈◊〉 good Wall and several other Works but that is only to the Sea-ward This City is attended with an Inconveniency that as it is situated at the bottom 〈◊〉 a Bay and that the Sea ebbs very much in thâ—â— Country great Ships are left dry there if they anchor nearer than a League to the place We got as â—igh it as we could with our Colours and Streamers loose and from thence went to anchor at Tavoga which appeared to us as if it were a little enchanted Island so agreeable and delightfull are those Houses and Gardens that are upon it On the ninth we caâ—lked all our Ships and next day sent out our long Bark to cruise in order to give us notice when the Spanish Fleet appear'd in sight of us and on the thirteenth we made choice of these Ships that should engage it Captain David and Captain Grogniet were to board the Spanish Admiral Captain Suam and Captain Townsley the Vice-Admiral Captain Peter Henry and one of Townsley's Prizes â—he Patach our Fire-ship was to keep herself under the Quarter of our Admiral Our other Ships were to attack the rest of their Fleet according to their Strength and our armed Pirogues were to keep off the Enemies Fire-ships We heard this day a great many Cannon fired at Panama the cause whereof we could not guess at â—nd on the fourteenth we put a-shore upon this Iâ—â—and of Tavoga forty Prisoners who were very cumâ—â—ersom to us and then weighed to go wait for the 〈◊〉 at Cape Pin But this was much out of Seaâ—â— since the Fleet who was willing to spare us this Trouble as well as that of attacking her was alâ—eady without our knowing of it arrived at Panama having got in under the Covert of one of those â—leasant Islands through one of the two Channels which I said was formed by them and which hid â—hem from us while we cruised in the other Chanâ—el through which we thought they would have â—â—iled As we knew nothing hitherto of this matter 〈◊〉 that upon the return of our long Bark she told 〈◊〉 she had discover'd no Ships pass we went and â—â—hor'd at Kings-Islands where the whole Fleet 〈◊〉 the usual Oath that we would not wrong one â—â—other to the value of a Piece of Eight in case God 〈◊〉 pleased to give us the Victory over the Spaniards 〈◊〉 the seventeenth one of our Men died On the nineteenth we weighed and anchored between the great Island and those in the East Channel through which we thought the Fleet we expected would pass On the twenty eighth another 〈◊〉 our Men died Next day we made ready aâ—â— sailed for Cape Pin. On the thirty
Tements as soon as we got to any Place to burn all the Provision they had which to our sorrow was but to well executed not only here but every where else and was the cause also of that Hunger and extraordinary toyl which we were forced to endure in these Seas as long as we staid there The same day about Noon came about eight hundred Men into a Savana from Leon to fight us the Sentinel which we had placed on the top of the Steeple rung the Alarum-Bell to give us notice to get together and come out of the Houses where we were dispersed Whereupon we marched in a body of an hundred and fifty Men with red Colours to fight them but as they could not endure to let us come within Musket-shot of them for they fled without any more ado we were oblig'd to retire and on the 6th went away to go on Board our Ships which we careened next day as we also cleaned our Canoes On the 9th we had a consultation together about what way we should take and here we found our selves of two Opinions one party was for going up before Panama being in hopes they had begun their Navigation again as knowing we were far enough from them But the rest represented that many times they had such Years on that Coast whereof that might be one of them that eigâ—t Months thereof was sad Weather in respect to excessive Rains and Southerly Winds which reign there and that therefore it would be more advisable to go lower Westward and winter upon some Island or other and there to wait for fair Weather Now these different Sentiments were pursued by us and every Man having made choice of his side Next day our Chirurgeons had orders to give in an account of those among the wounded who were crippled to the end we mâ—ght make them Satisfaction before we divided They told us we had four Men crippled and six hurt to which we gave six hundred pieces of Eight a Man and a thousand to those that were crippled as it was our constant custom in those Seas and it was exactly all the Money we had got together that was applyed to that use We made a Division of the Barks and Canoes on the 12th and we found our selves to be an hundred and forty eight French-Men ready to go up towards Panama without comprehending the English under Captain Townsley and the same number of French failed also to the Westward Next day our Provision was shared amongst us and now it was that we divided into two parts those who were for the Westward put themselves under the Conduct of Captain Grogniet and we that were bound for Panama were commanded by Captain Townsley And then we went to Anchor at an Island half a League distant from that we left to take in Water and Wood On the sixteenth Captain Groignet sent us his Quarter-master to desire us to put none of our Prisoners ashoar for fear they should give the Spaniards notice of our Separation for as he had a design to make a Descent upon them he was apprehensive that such a Discovery would make them more 〈◊〉 and hardy to oppose him On the 19th we made ready and sailed for Panama with Captain Townslâ—y's Ship and oâ—e Bark We steered East-South-East to South-South-East and to South-South-West till mid-night when we were overtaken with a Storm which made us lye by till the 20th at Noon when the Weather proved fair then we steered East-South-East to the 23d when we anchored in the Bay of Colebra to take in Water We spent that day there to take Tortoises which are to be found in great numbers in that little Bayâ—h They are of different sizes and we found one sort of them so large that one was enough for fifty Persons to feed upon in a day On the 24th we put an hundred and fifty Men ashoar in order to find out some Town or Burrough we having no Guide with us that knew this Country and after we had walked a League or thereabouts we alight upon three Haâ—toes very near one another where finding Edibles enough we sâ—aid till the 26th when we returned on Board Then Captain Townsley proposed we should go and take the Town of Villia which is 30 Leagues to Leeward of Panama to which all of us agreed and that Evening we weighed having a Wind blowing from the Land which served us till the 27th at Noon when it blew very hard from the South-East accompanied with Rain till the 28th in the Evening when it began to allay we were favoured all the 29th with a Westerly Wind and that Evening were brought in sight of Capâ— Blanch. On the 3â—th the Weather was fair enough but on the 31st two hours before Day light it grew very boisterous so that we were forced to put in for that Cape we had a Thunderbolt fell upon the end of ouâ— great Sail Yard which did no more then crack it Having moderate weather on the first of Iuâ—e we steered East-South-East and next day about Noon had a sight of Land but it was so hazy that we could not tell where we were however we steered East by South-East to come near The Weather being now somewhat cleared up we found we were between the Bay of Boca-del-Toro and the Point called Barica when we sailed South and by South-East to put out to Sea and then bore to the North-East that we might reach the Isle of St. Iohn de Cueblo On the 7th we put in at the Isle of Montosa six Leagues to the Southward of that of St. Iohn We set out three Canoes with which we coasted round about this last and our Ships anchored at another little Island which is half a League to the East While we were going round St. Iohn's Island with our Canoes we found nothing there but one of our Prisoners who having made his escape from us when we were there and being not able to get to the Continent returned to us On the 10th we went back to our Ships and next day took in our store of Water and Wood and cleaned our Ships There arose the succeeding Night a North Wind that tore our Cables and made us think we should be thrown ashoar But as good Luck would have it it came about and gave us an opportunity to make ready and to cast Anchor farther from the Shoar By the favour of the Lightning we discovered our Canoes and â—ound their Ropes also broken and that the Waves were throwing them ashoar also unless we had saved them though we could not hinder one of them from being sâ—aved to pieces On the 13th we made ready and sailed for La Villia with a West-South-West Wind made Land on the fifteenth and knew it to be the Cape called Morn a Puercos then we bore off to Sea with a hard Wind till the Evening when the Weather grew so very bad that we did nothing till the 18th but let our Ships drive with a South-West
we had killed him who was with the Spaniards but that we had given them quarter because they were not amongst them and this we did to endeavour to make them kind to us and so disunite and separate them from the Spaniards Being got down on the 13th at Noon to the mouth of the River we met with one of our Barks whom we had ordered to come and attend us thither Those within her told us that while they waited there two Indian Pirogues being deceived with the sight of three or four Spanish Prisoners whom they had put upon the Deck for that purpose came of their own accord and delivered themselves up into their Hands with some Pounds of Gold they had found there and that one of those Indians who bore great sway amongst his own Nation had a Commission from the President of Panama to arm several Pirogues and to make War upon us We weigh'd that Evening to go and joyn our Ships that were cruising between Cape Pin and Kings Islands and there we waited for those of the Spaniards who we were told were to come from Lima. We got on Board our Ships on the 17th in the Morning and that Evening in our Passage by the Kings Islands anchored to leave our Bark there to be Carâ—enâ—d Our people during our Absence had pâ—t forty Prisoners ashoar upon one of these Islands who accidentally happening to meet with 〈◊〉 Canoes which the Spaniards had hid thereabouts they made use of them to get off and to go to Panama to inform the Governor of the course we were to take and that the Ships we had left there were but weakly manned which induced the President to send some force to attack them But God was pleased so to order it that we were returned with them to the rest of our Company On the 20th we made ready to go to cruise about Tavoga and that Evening anchored before the Port of Panama in order to learn some News We saw two Ships in the Road whither the Town Canoes went and came all along without Intermission but not dreaming they armed them against us we anchored on the 21st at Tavoga On the 21st by break of day we descry'd three Sail just upon us which we could not discover before because of one of the Points of the Island which kept them out of our Sight insomuch that one of our Ships that had not time to weigh Anchor slipped her Cable As soon as they saw us make ready they gave us some Guns and as they had the Weather-gâ—ge they did not spare to make use of the advantaâ—â— they had over us We made five racks to get to Windward of them and they could not hinder us but they lost the wind for want of Resolution not daring to pass between the Island of Tavaguilla and a Rock where there was indeed passage for no more than one Ship but we ventured it and at last got the Weather-gage We fought them till Noon and knew not on which side the advantage lay and though they plyed our Decks very close we still persisted to keep them clear of them which was the occasion that they lost a grand opportunity of mending their tackling We threw a great many Granadoes into their biggest Ship one of which had so good an effect as to set fire to some loose Powder they had which burnt a great many Men and this brought the Fight to end sooner then otherwise could have been expected For we came up at the same time with the said Ship now all on Fire and boldly boarded her where notwithstanding the vigorous resistance they made from the Stern whither they had all retired we at last forced them to beg for quarter and made our selves master of the Ship At the same time one of our Barks boarded one of theirs and took it The third that was a kind of a Galley who staid to the last before she began to make her escape as trusting to her good Sailing soeing her self now pursued by our Galley and two Pirogues ran her self ashoar where she presently staved to pieces and but very few of her crew were saved They had in their little Frigat fourscore Men killed and wounded out of an hundred and twenty that were on Board As for the Bark there were no more out of seventy then eighteen unhurt Neither could we see above ten or a dozen in all that swam ashoar from the other Vessel that was staved All their Officers were either killed or wounded and among others the Captain who received five Musquet-shot He was the same Person that fought so stoutly at Pueblo Nuevo where he had received five more and that had also laid an Ambuscade for us at La Villia But this last engagement rid us of him for he dyed some time after While we were busie in mending the rigging of those Ships we had taken and throwing the Dead over-board we discovered two Sail more come from Panama which bore up towards us whereupon we interrogated our Prisoners in order to know what they should be They said they did not question but this was the relief they sent them At the same time we bethought our selves of a stratagem to amuse and make them believe we were taken which was by putting up Spanish Colours in our own Ships and in the Prizes with English and French ones under them As soon as these two Ships approached they came up to our Ship who received them quite after another manner then they expected Being thus surprized they fired upon us with precipitation and made off towards the little Frigat which they supposed still to be theirs who calling to them to lye by and the others not doing it they threw some Granadoes into one of their Barks which sent her to the bottom while one of our Pirogues boarded the other wherein they found four packs of Cords but all of the same length which they had made ready to eye us up with But they reckoned their Chickens before they were well hatched and these Ropes was the occasion that no quarter was given to those in the Bark where they were found We afterwards read the Commission of the Captain of the little Frigat which imported he should chase us as far as St. Iohns Island and that when they boarded us they should spare none they found upon Deck but only our Chirurgions whom they were willing to save and that Troops of Horse should march along the shoar to take care that none of us made our escape to land in any Canoe On the 23d as we sailed away to go Anchor at Tavoga we discovered another Sail going back to Panama whom we chased and took She was a Shalloop whom the President had sent to fetch off our Anchor which we had not time to haleâ— up the day before which he came to know by the means of a Canoe who passing that way saw the Buoy But for all the fatigues we had undergone in these Adventures we
time they recovered the Weather-gage of us We lay by till Two in the Afternoon and seeing we could do no good with them we put in to the Cape to wait for two of our Ships that were behind In the mean time these Armadilla's bore up to us and when they had got within a good Cannon-shot we fought till it was dark Night they very much shattered us yet wounded but one Man we anchored in the Evening as we had done the day before and they did the same also to Windward of us We remained at Anchor on the 29th as well as they till Three in the Afternoon when they weighed to go and attack the biggest of our Prizes because she had anchored only on the side of the Shallows and we made ready to defend her We came to such a close Fight with them that our Small Arms as well as Great Guns came into play on both sides yet we lost not one Man tho' they on their side had a great many killed which we knew by the Blood that ran out of their Skupper-holes and at our parting they cryed A la manana la partida that is To Morrow to it again On the 30th both they and we prepared to put out of the Bay and the Spaniards who were still to Windward did all they could to hinder us to get the Weather-gage We came to an Anchor towards Noon to disarm one of our Prizes that sailed very badly and to fit up another in the room of her which Captain David gave us as well as the Twenty Frenchmen that made part of his Crew and were minded to leave him We wrought all Night to unrigg her and when we had so done we sent her into the Bottom We put our selves under Sail on the 31st and about Two in the Afternoon came to an Anchor because of the Tyde 's being against us Presently after the two Armadilla's came up with us which made us weigh and then to put in at the Cape to wait for one of our Prizes that was far from us which not being able to joyn us as soon as the Enemy her Crew left her and went into her Pirogue wherein they came to throw themselves on board one of our Men of War They had left four Spaniards in that same Prize who by the favour of a good Wind put back into the River of Queaquilla where they made their Escape and what was worst of all took along with them almost all our Provisions that was in her When we were got within half Cannon-shot of our Enemies Ships we fired upon one another and that without intermission till an hour within Night We received several Cannon-shot in our Sides during this Engagement had almost all our Tackle spoiled and our Sails sifted because the Spaniards did all that ever they could to bring our Masts by the board and indeed the Fore-Mast of the Frigate received five Cannot-shot and the Main-Mast three but they came only slanting and as good luck would have it we had not one Man killed nor wounded We saw the Enemy on the first of Iune by break of Day a League 's distance from us we were not slow to do all we could to put out About Ten they lengthen'd their Boltspring-Sails and returned upon us but as we saw them bear up towards our Frigate we thought they intended to board her and this made us presently put into her the Crew of our long Bark by way of Reinforcement As soon as ever the Spaniards were come up they put out their Burgundian Colours having till then put out none When we were come pretty near they gave us a Volley of Musquet-shot together with a discharge of their Cannon laden with Cartouches but we got clear of them so that they could not come to grapple with us After we had left them to make all the Fire they could we gave them a Discharge of all our Cannon and a full Volley with our small Arms in our turn and then we were ready to board them but they finding themselves much damaged very readily got aloof to hinder us They took up an hour's time to refit then bore up to us again renewing the Fight which lasted till Night but they had been so well banged that they had no mind to feel us this time so near and that day we had three Men wounded On the second by break of Day they were still to Windward of us at about two Leagues distance and bore up to us We having a fresh Gale put into the Cape and when they were come within a good Cannot-shot of us they plyed us very tightly with their Great Guns and then approached within Musquet-shot of us as believing we were now out of Condition to make any longer Resistance But as we had a better Advantage of using our Fusils we made so great a fire upon them that they were forced to close up their Port-holes and bear up to the Wind. We received Sixty Cannon shot this day in our Sides whereof two Thirds were between Wind and Water besides which all our Rigging was torn and we had two Men wounded whereof my self was one About two hours within Night they made a shew of coming to board us but finding we were as well prepared to receive them by Night as by Day they bore upon the Wind We spent some part of this Night at Anchor to stop up our Cannons Mouths which otherwise might have sent us into the Deep We were astonished next Morning at break of Day that we could not set sight of the two Armadilla's with whom we had made our selves ready to renew the Fight and in all appearance they grew weary of it before us tho' they had so great an Advantage as that of the Wind which yet as we heard since could not secure them from losing a great many Men and having their Ships at least as much shattered as ours So that supposing well with our selves that they had steered their Course to Port Callaâ— we steered ours for the Isle of Plaita where we anchored in the Evening and continued there two Days to caulker our Ships We had during thâ—se several Engagements brought up upon our Decks the Governour of Queaquilla and the other chief â— Officers that were our Prisoners that they might be Witnesses of the Vigour with which ouâ— Men fought and the Cowardize of their own People who durst not enter our Ships tho they came Board and Board with us twice We weighed on the sixth and sailed along the Coast that we might find a convenient Place to take in Water This Coast is very level safe and very good to Land upon which is the reason that the same is throughout as far as Barbacoa inhabited by the Spaniards We Anchored between Cape Pastoa and that of St. Francisco On the Tenth we put our Prisoners ashoar and gave them their Liberty being not able â—o go to the Point St. Helena to see whether their Ransom was come which
I suppose would have been to little purpose for those two Armadilla's had been sent to pay us with Cannon-Ball On the 11th we went about dividing the Gold precious Stones and Pearls we had found in Queaquilla but as these things could not be divided nor easily valued the Gold not being Coyned and the Stones of different value we put up all by way of Auction that those who had Silver might bid for them and so every Man have his part according as he bad and as there were several among us who having got considerable sums of Money at Play were sure that if it pleased God they should once get safe out of these Seas their way must be no other than over Land where the weight of their Silver must hinder or retard their going they bid for those lewels that kept but little Room and weigh'd not much so excessive a Price that the Gold alone that was Coyned was worth Eighty and an hundred Pieces of Eight an Ounce and each Pistol Fifteen of the said Pieces But though these things were sold so dear we made no more a Division of the Booty of that Town than what came to Four hundred Pieces of Eight a Man the whole might amount to about Five hundred thousand Pieces of Eight or Fifteen hundred thousand Livers which Money as we were out of hopes to carry along with us served us to play for on Board our Ships for our Diversion So that in the Descents we made we sought now for nothing but Gold and precious Stones which we did not find so plentiful as Silver of which I must be plain we made so little account that we thought it not worth our while to take along with us a great quantity of Plate and other things whereof the Town of Queaquilla was full We also neglected to send a Canoe after the hundred Caons of Coyned Silver each consisting of Eleven thousand Pieces of Eight which the Spaniards had sent away to the other side of the River when we were engaged with them and which were yet in sight of us when the Fight was over There is such a vast quantity of that rich Mettal in this Country that most of those things we make in France out of Steel Copper and Iron are made by them in Silver This indifference in us gave some of their People many times occasion to intermix with us to Pillage from their own fellow Citizens what we neglected and of which they were not so squeamish as we or rather so put to it for the Carriage of them they being in their own Country and we far from ours On the 12th Captain Davids's Frigate left us he designing to go and Careen at the Isles of Galapas and then to sail away for the Streight of Magellan in order to return for the North Sea But as for us our Vessels were so small and withal so bad that it was impossible we should get up higher than the Coast of Peru neither could they also contain such a quantity of Water as we had occasion for which is very hard to come by on that Coast where you must go two or three Leagues up the Country before you can meet with any These Difficulties made us resolve to return to the Western Coast that so we might endeavour to find out a way also to return to the North Sea but that must be no other than over Land Before I leave this Coast I cannot but take Notice that Peru is one of the richest Countries in the World not only in respect to the great quantity of Gold and Silver which the Spaniards dig out of the Mines they possess there but also upon account of the great Fertility of the Earth that produceth to the Tillers of it three Crops every Year as well of Corn as Wine and that besides those Fruits that are peculiar to all America you have also many of those here which grow in France in so much that this great Diversity of Species's is the occasion that you have continual Supplies of fresh Fruits in all the Seasons of the Year The Inhabitants of this Country reckon but two Seasons which divide the whole Year into a Summer of Nine Months and a Winter of three during which it freezes oftentimes very hard on the Mountains though the same is hardly discernable in the Plains Amongst their other Cattle they breed Sheep that weigh two hundred and fifty or three hundred Pound-weight These Animals are of great use to them having the very same Instinct as Camels They make them carry Jarrs of Water Oyl or Wine which are a sort of Earthen-ware made like Sugar-pans two of which holds about five and thirty Quarts and when empty weigh as much as the Liquor that fills them When they are minded to fill them these Sheep will kneel down and as soon as they are full get up very gently when they are come to the place whither they are to carry them they lay them down in the same manner and so continue till they are discharged of their Burthen We weigh'd on the 13th and on the 15th Anchored twenty Leagues to Windward of Point Mangla we put ashoar in a Canoe where we surprized a Watch of fifteen Spanish Soldiers who were set upon the side of a curious River the Entertainment we gave them forced them to own unto us that they were to guard the River which they called Elmeralda because of the many Rocks or great pieces of Emeralds which their Country-men take up there and that we might in the space of Eight Hours go very easily from the Mouth of it in our Canoes to surprize the Town of Quitto but not so by Land because then we must fetch a Compass of Fourscore Leagues through a Country full of Inhabitants who would not fail to oppose us and for these Reasons it was that they endeavoured all they could to keep from Strangers the Knowledge of these Advantages This Town of Quitto is well Peopled and was formerly the Capital of the Kingdom that bears its Name but now it depends upon the Government of the Vice-Roy of â—ima On the 17th we got ready and sailed away for the 〈◊〉 del Gallo which stands at the Mouth of the little Bay of Barbacoa an hundred Leagues to Leeward of Queaquilla On the 19th we discovâ—â—ed by break of Day a Ship whom we chased and towards Ten in the Forenoon took her she was a Bark come from Panama â—o go and buy Negroes which the English in Iamaica 〈◊〉 them by the way of Puerto Bello and which they were going to Trade with at Paitas they get very considerably by these Blacks for the English sell them to the Spaniards for four and five hundred Pieces of Eight a Man and are worth three and four hundred with them We Anchor'd on the 20th at the Isle of Gallapo where we examined the Prisoners we had taken in the said Bark who told us that the Galley of Panama was gone
into the Bay of Mapallo in quest of the French Men that were gone ashoar upon those Islands which I have already said are there and that in her return she was to carry the President of Guatimala and his Wife to Panama On the 25th we weigh'd and sailed for the Isle of Câ—cas which stands North and South of Realegâ—o an hundred Leagues distance We had a South-west Wind and sailed West North-west On the 30th we discovered Land we pinch'd upon the Wind that we might know what place it was we found towards Evening 't was the Isle of Malpalla that stands forty Leagues Southwards of that of St. Iohn's and from thence we sailed to the Bay of Mapalla instead of going to the Isle of Cocas from whence the Wind blew and consequently was contrary to us From this day forward to the 11th of Iuly we had the same Southwest Wind which allay'd not but when it blew from the East and South On the 13th we took our Latitude and found we were thirty Leagues out at Sea from Realegâ—o and steared North to get to Land On the 16th at Noon we discovered the Mountains and put into the Cape for fear of being discovered On the â—7th we sent two of our Canoes to endeavour to take some one Prisoner that so we might know how things were before we brought our Ships into the Bay In the Evening our Canoes having discovered what Coast it was returned and told it was St. Michael's Bay whether the Currents had driven us in making the Cape and which we took for that of Mapalla whither we would have gone and which stands fourteen Leagues to Windward of the former which might the more 〈◊〉 have been mistakâ—n from the Sea in that the Mountainâ—â— of these two Bayâ—â— are very like one another We lay by to Windward of iâ— in the Night and on the 18th 〈◊〉 out our Canoes and continuing at the Cape till the 20â—â— we made use of them to go and joyn our Friends at 〈◊〉 of the Islands As we entered in on the 23d we 〈◊〉 taken with a breeze of Wind that separated us from 〈◊〉 another and of five Sail whereof our Fleet consisted we had no more than two of the least and weakest of our Ships left together but we did not lose sight of the other three tho' they were got very far to Leeward and overtaken with a Calm In the mean time we Anchoâ—ed at the Isle of Tigers which is the nearest to the Mouth of it On the 24th about Eight in the Morning we discovered three Sail of Ships that doubled the Point of Harina which is to Windward of that Bay and Ten Leagues to Leeward of Realeguo we presently fired a Paterero to call in our Canoes who were ashoar to take in Water As soon as they were come on Board we made ready and bore up to those Ships with a full Wind though we had then but very little of it Those three Vessels which were a Galley and two Pirogues bore also towards us though they saw us 〈◊〉 but as soon as we were got out and discovered by them they doubled the Cape upon us with their Sails and Oaâ—â— and the two Pirogues that sailed better than the Galley got behind us and fired fifteen Cannon-shot upon us but as our Arms could reach them these Pirogues were forced to fall a Stern and to wait for their Galley When she had joyned them they held a Council and then put out to Attack us our Ships not being able to give us any Relief put to the Cape to wait for us we fought them all along till we had rejoyned our Vessels which we did about two in the Afternoon when the Spaniards left us to go bury their Dead upon the Island where we had been to take in Water when we first discovered them they did us some Damage in our main Mast and Rigging and wounded few of our Men Towards Evening a Wind arose from the Sea and we sailed in quest of them but they kept to the Shoar On the 25th we passed round the Island in search for our Canoes which the Enemy's Galley sought for also rightly imagining they were ashoar as not having seen 〈◊〉 with us during the Action About two in the Aâ—â—â—noon they discovered us and coming out from under their Covert gave us the Signal which we on our part answered they had hid themselves there for four Hours expecting our coming and had a full sight of the Engagement but could not possibly any more than the 〈◊〉 of our Ships come in to our Assistance The Spaniâ—â—ds who saw us take them with us durst not hinder it though they were at Anchor very near them then we attempted with one of our Ships to Board the Enemy's Galley but she saved her self upon the Flats where our Ships could not come near her On the 26th we Anchored at an Island in the Bay where we put two of our Vessels to Careen while the other three guarded them On the 28th we saw a Canoe under white Colours crossing from the main Land to the Islands where one of ours met and took her It was a Spanish Captain who believing us to be his own People came to congratulate the Commander upon the Victory which he from the Shoar thought they had got over us We put him upon the Wrack to know whether he came not by some wile or other to draw us into a Snare laid for us by the Galley 〈◊〉 the Greek Captain had formerly done But he solemnly protested it was not so and informed us that there 〈◊〉 a Pirogue with thirty Men in the same Bay where we were who were gone ashoar some time since and 〈◊〉 fought in the rase of Savannas against six hundred Spaniards whose Captain called don Albarado who was accounted the bravest and most valiant Man in the Province they had killed and that when we had met with their Galley and two Pirogues there had Eight â—â—ndred Armed Men come not with a design to look after us but to fight those thirty French Men who could not be conquered by his six hundred Country-men in admirable instance of the Valour of the Spaniards in those 〈◊〉 The Day of Mapalla is a very curious place and full of 〈◊〉 great Ilands not inferiour in Beauty to those of 〈◊〉 they were formerly Inhabited and there are still 〈◊〉 Burroughs there which the People have forsaken by 〈◊〉 of the Descents of the Free-booters As for Anchorage it 's very good here but no good shelter to be found in this place from any corner of the Wind great Blasts whereof come over those great Mountains that are at the bottom of it so that there are very few Cables that are proof against them On the 6th of August one of our Men who was Hunting upon the Island where we were Careening found two Men who had been there for the space of Eight Days to observe our Motions and who taking us to
be Spaniards durst not come near us They were two French Men belonging to the Pirogue of which the forementioned Officer spoke to us and who had defended themselves so valiantly against the six hundred Spaniards we found them to be of the number of Fourscore and five who had separated themselves under Captain Grogniet to go to Callinfornia they presently gave Notice to the other Eight and twenty who came and joyned us and of whom we learnt that they had saved themselves upon this Island after they had been chased a whole Night by the Spanish Galley that did not sail so well as their Pirogue They told us also they had gone down a matter of forty Leagues to Windward of Acapulto without being able any more than once to go ashoar and that then they ran a great risque so boisterous is the Sea in those Parts wherewith they were so discouraged that they had forsaken fifty five of their Companions in order to come and find us out and left them to continue their Course for Callinfornia Having made an end of our Careening on the 10th we made every thing ready for our Departure after we had given those thirty Men room in our Ships We sailed from the Coast of Acapulto with a design to find out the other fifty five Men spoken of who were to make a Descent there and to rid them from a miserable state whereunto in all appearance they had gone to plunge themselves without any hopes of Retrieve being too small a Company to find out Provisions whereof they stood in great need in the best Peopl'd Country upon the Continent where also it could not be believed they should arrive having but a little sorry Bark under them that could not carry them far without splitting in two We had at our Departure an Easterly breeze wherewith we were favoured till we came to the height of Sansonnat from the Fifteenth to the One and twentieth we were be calmed all along in the Day-time and the Winds were so high in the Nights that we could not carry our Sails on the 22d we had a pretty good Gale from the South-East and on the 27th we drew near Land to know where we were We found our selves to Windward of the Bay of Tecoantepequa and put out our Canoes to go in thither while at the same time we appointed our Ships to Rendezvouz in the Port of Vatulco which is twenty Leagues to Leeward We came very near Land in the Evening but the Sea runs so high along that Coast that it was impossible to go ashoar On the 29th we found an Embarking-place where there was a very strong Entrenchment guarded by a considerable number of Spaniards and supposing it would cost us dear to go ashoar in that place we sailed two Leagues to Leeward where the Sea was somewhat more paciâ—ick but found here also about three hundred Men upon an Eminence waiting for us We detached fifty of ours to go and meet them but the Spaniards after having made a foolish Discharge fled However we took two of their Number and asked them whither that way led upon which we were they told us it would bring us to the Town of Tecoantepequa according to whose Name that Bay was called and that we had but four Leagues to it We lay next Night upon the Road under the Canopy of Heaven according to our usual Custom next day which was the thirtieth we resolved to go to the said Town and directed our Course that way in such a manner that about two in the Afternoon we had a sight of the place from an Ascent which is about half a League off As it is encompassed and beset every way with Eight Suburbs it seemed to be so large that we were a long time deliberating with our selves whether so small a number as we were ought to go thither as being no more than an hundred and fourscore Men whereas there was three thousand of the Enemy in the place In the mean time the extream necessity we were reduced to for want of Provisions pressed us to advance and would not let us deliberate long upon the Danger that lay before us so that all our Apprehensions being reduced to the fear we had of starving to Death we pursued our March to go and confront our Enemies When we had marched about half an hour we found our selves near the Town and upon the brink of a great and very rapid River which separates it from four of the Suburbs that adjoyn to it this River we crost over being up in the Water to the middle in spight of the Spaniards who were intrenched on the other side to dispute the Passage with us which they were forced to leave open for us after a good hours sharp Dispute As soon as we were Masters of the Intrenchment we entered the Town where after we had fought hand in hand with the Enemy like Men enraged with Hunger we became Masters of the place of Arms about four in the Afternoon But our Work was not yet done for the Enemy having again entrenched themselves in a very fine Abbey built in the manner of a Platform that commanded the Town we went to the number of Fourscore Men to dislodge them which was so readily executed that having chased them thence we made our Court of Guard of it and then every one endeavour'd to satisfie that Hunger wherewith we were extreamly pinched When we were got into this Town we found it yet much more spacious and larger than it appeared to be unto us from the forementioned Ascent its Houses are well built the Streets very strait and the Churches exceeding stately and Ornamental The Abbey of St. Francis from whence we drove the Enemy appear'd more like unto a Fort than a Religious Convent and it was built to serve for that use in case of need On the 31st we sent to require them to Ransom their Town or else we would burn it we had no Answer return'd which made us conjecture they had a mind to come and Attack us for which they had so much the more Advantage in that the River which began from the time that we passed it to overflow was about to 〈◊〉 us in wherefore we decamped and lay in one of the Suburbs that stands on the other side where we continued to the third of September when we departed to return to our Canoes without reaping any Advantage by the taking of this Town We reimbarked on the fifth and went to joyn our Ships in the Port of Vatulco where we arrived the Ninth On the 15th we went off again in our Canoes without a Guide and having landed marched ten or a dozen Leagues up the Country where we took divers Villages and in one of them the old Governour of Merida with his Family who was retired to this place and who promised us a quantity of Provision for his Ransom in expectation whereof we carried him on Shipboard where we arrived on
this Name only upon a small part of this vast Tract of Land On the 7th we went to make a Descent upon a little Town called Muemeluna which is Eight Leagues to Windward of Vatulco and Six up the Country about four Leagues from the Sea side and two from the Town we found a very strong Entrenchment made upon a Rock that stands upon the River but the Spaniards therein made no great Resistance no more than in the Town where we compleated our Victualling The Prisoners we took told us that about a Month before they had seen a Frigate pass by that sent a small Canoe with seven or eight Men in it to their Embarking-place where they found some Spaniards who made them Embark again with so much Precipitation that one of their Men was drowned and whom indeed we found dead upon the Shoar whither the Sea had thrown him with his 〈◊〉 lying some paces from him which should not have 〈◊〉 so long there no more than the dead Carcass if the Spaniards had espied it For they believe themselves revenged when they cut into pieces or burn the dead Body of an Enemy and we were assured that when we buried any of our Men in their Country they dig them up when we were gone if they knew the place for to exercise their Cruelty upon those Carcasses which when alive they could not make us feel We returned on the 16th aboard our Ships and on the 20th being not able all along the Coast to hear any News of the Five and Fifty Men we were in quest of we weigh'd Anchor and directed our Course for the Bay of Mapalla where we were minded to agree upon the place by which we were to repass to the North-Sea On the 21st we had a North-wind that carried us to 〈◊〉 Latitude where the West Winds Reign and this continued to the 23d when we were becalmed On the first of December at Night we had a Storm which separated us one from another and thus we continued alone and without any Water for all our Casks were run out whereby we were reduced to the greatest Extremeity â— though we were but two Leagues from the Shoar But 〈◊〉 was impossible for us to go ashoar for it 's a Bank of Sand that reaches from the Bar of St. Mark as far aâ— Sansonnat for the space of about Fourscore Leagues where the Sea breaks with great violence Believing ourselves on the Sixth to be to Windward of this Bank Armâ—d our Pirogue to go near the Shoar and look ouâ— for a place where the Sea was Calmer next day one of our Men being more in patient than the rest and egged on with Drought that tormented him four days swam to Land but thinking to return in the same manner he was drowned without our being able to succour him notwithstanding all the cry he made unto us to save him On the 9th in the beginning of the Night we thought to have seen a little Bay before which we Anchored that we might know in the Morning what it was during which time we heard the firing of about six hundred Mosquets on the Land As soon as Dayâ—light appeared on the 10th we saw that what we took for a Bay was a kind of a Covert that stands Fifteenâ—Leagues to Leeward of Sansonnat where we could see no likelihood of entring in In the mean time we saw a very pretty Ship upon the Stocks in that place which made us conclude there must of necessity be a Passage for her to come out we Anchored pretty near the Rock to wait for a Tyde during which time a Wind blew from the Sea and we adventur'd with the help of our Sails and Oars to get in where we were saluted with three Waves that half filled our Pirogue in the very sight of the Spaniards who watched our entring in We put up to one side of the said Covert and fired for the space of half an hour upon their Magazines built by the side thereof without their returning us one single shot But at last we being tormented with violent Drought which we were desirous to allay what ever it cost us we hois'd up our Sail and run up our Pirogue before them who believing we were going to their Town that was but half a League off they went off But as we were no more than two and twenty Men instead of running after them we improved their Flight in filling our Casks with Water and to furnish our selves with what Provision we found in the Magazines and some of that Ship 's Rigging which were more necessary for ours but not daring all at once to lade our Pirogue with them for fear of sinking in her Passage out we spent the Night on the other side of those Magazines that we might be under Covert from the Surprizes of our Enemies for we computed very well by the six hundred Musquet shot we had heard that there was a great many Armed Men in that place On the 11th we departed from under the Covert to go and â—oyn our Ship which we found on the 12th in the Morning lying at Anchor Eight Leagues to Windword of 〈◊〉 where she had found the Sea somewhat more favourable We spent that day to take in Water and sent twenty Men to take a Village that was about half a League from the Sea-side from whence we returned the sanie day with some Refreshments that put 〈◊〉 into our Ship 's Crew now much weakned with the Thirst they endur'd as well as we who were in the Pirogue as also with Hunger which failed not to wast us away though we had Victuals to satisfie the same but we durst not eat for fear of being made dry We weighâ—d Anchor in the Evening with a West Wind and on the Fifteenth arrived in the Bay of Mapalla where we found the rest of our Vessels at Anchor near one of those Islands that lye within it I am to observe that as long as we were going up this Coast that continually in the Night-time there blew Winds from the Land which were very favourable to Sailors provided they were not far out at Sea for Ten Leagues off there could be but very little of it felt and there are certain Seasons when it blows so violently that they are obliged to lower their Sails and even to furle On the 17th we had a Consultation together about what Passage according to the Prisoner's Relations was less dangerous for us to return to the North-Sea over Land it was thought our best way was by Segovid seeing we had no more than sixty Leagues to go before we came to the head of a River upon which they told us we might go down to the North-Sea whereunto it discharged it self and that in the way we were to take by Land we could have no more than five or six thousand Men to deal with and that the way was very good to carry our wounded and sick Men along with us But
of the Veins open and let it out or that the great noise and violent motion that is wrought in those Organs makes the same happen But let it come which way it will since there is no room here for a Consultation of Physicians as long as we were dying of Hunger nor to enquire what became of the English when we had so much difficulty and hardly could save our selves we continued our Course up the Current with the help of our Oars because we knew the same came from the Port of Cabinda But as the Wind was against us we could never get thither and were forced to be satisfied to get to the Cape of Corsa if we could which stands a dozen Leagues from that of Cathersna where we could not Land because of a Bar that renders the Coast unaccessible That was our Design but Hunger hindred us to put the same in Execution and we were forced even to overcome the Obstacles which Nature laid in our way by running ashoar in spight of the Bar This we performed at last after much difficulty being in hopes to find there some Negroes that might furnish us with Victuals One of our Company presently landed in order to go and seek out somewhat to satisfie our Hunger and by good Fortune found in a Pond sticking to the Branches of Trees some Oysters whereof he came presently to give us notice We went all up to the very Pond along a Channel of the Sea where we were no sooner come but we eat lustily of the Oysters with a very good Appetite We opened them with the few Knives we found in our Pockets lending the same from one to another very charitably and readily When we had spent two days in that Place I divided my Men into three small Companies and sent them up into the Country to seek for Victuals and Houses with Orders to return again in the Evening to the Shalloop I went out my self also as the rest did but we could find neither any House nor the least sign of any Men in those Parts All that we could see were great Herds of Bufflers as large as Oxen who fled so fast from us that we could not possibly come near them Wherefore having spent all the Day in this manner and got nothing we returned to our Shalloop to eat Oysters again and resolved next day to leave this Place and go to Cape Corsa to Leeward of which there is a large Port where Ships that sail that way put in to furnish themselves with Water and Wood. The Negroes that live in the Country having notice of the coming in of Ships by the firing of Cannon come thither also with Provisions and Barter the same for Brandy Knives and Hatchets They are forced to live remote from the Sea â—ecause all that Coast is very Marshy As soon as we were got to the said Cape we heard a great noise made 〈◊〉 the Negroes who came thither to sell Wood to the â—hips that lay at Anchor in the Port I looked amongst â—hem to see if I could find any one whom I knew for 〈◊〉 they had often brought me some Wood and other Refreshments in the course of my former Voyages I was in hopes to find some or other that would know me again But tho' I knew several of them it was impossible for me to perswade any of them that I was Captain Montauban so much was I disfigured with my late Misfortune and all of them took me for a Man that would impose the belief of it upon them I thought fit to tell them in their own Language whereof I understood a little that I was ready to die with Famine and prayed them to give me somewhat to eat but it signified nothing so I desired them to carry me to Prince Thomas who is Son to the King of that Country as hoping he might call to mind the favours I had formerly shewed him I carryed all my Company with me to that Prince we were first brought to the Dwellings of those Negroes where they began to be a little more tractable and gave us some Bananiers to eat which are a sort of Figs longer than a Man's Hand Next day we got to the Princes Habitation but I was in so pitiful a Condition that I could never by the signs I gave make him know me tho' I spoke to him in his own Language as also in the Portuguese Tongue which he understood very well It fortuned one day that going together to bath our selves he saw a Scar upon my Thigh that was the effect of a Wound I had received with a Musquet-ball he told me that he must immediately know whether I was Captain Montauban or no and that if I were not the Man he would cut off my Head He asked if everâ— I had a Scar with a Musquet-shot in my Thigh which when I had shewed him he presently embraced me and said he was exceeding sorry to see me in that Condition and immediately caused Victuals to be distributed among my Men and divided them into several Habitations with strict Orders to the Negroes with whom they were quartered to take the greatest care they could of them As for me he kept me with himself and made me always eat at his own Table When I was a little brought into Order he said he would carry me to see the King his Father who lived five or six Leagues off that is about ten or a dozen from the Sea-side I let him know how great the Favour and Honour was he did me and prayed him at the same time that I might have the Liberty to let my Freebooters go along with me and grant us some Pieces of Stuffs to put our selves in as good Equipage as we could in order to appear before so great a Prince all which he allowed me and three days after we went all together in a great Canoe and passed up the River of Cape Lopez because the Country is so full of Marshes that you cannot go by Land Being arrived at the King's Habitation which is a Village consisting of Three Hundred Booths covered with Palm-leaves wherein the King keeps his Wives Family Relations and some other Negro Families whom he loves best I was lodged in Prince Thomas his House and all my Men were distributed into other Habitations We found all the People in great Lamentation because the Chief of their Religion whom they call Papa had died that day when they were to begin the Funeral Obsequies which were usually to last for seven days for Priests of that Quality This same Person was had in great Esteem and Veneration by all the People they looking upon him to be an Holy Man As the King is in Mourning and sees no body all the While that this Funeral Ceremony lasts Prince Thomas bid me have patience and not to go out of my Lodgings for to see the King because that was the Custom of his Nation However I could not forbear going to see the Funeral
Wind having terrible Rain all the while till Noon when the Weather grew better and being cleared up we dicserned three Rocks which are called the Three Brothers standing three Leagues to Leeward of the Bay of Villia whither we were going On the 19th we saw the Point Mâ—â—a which is Leeward of that Bay We sailed all Night Northward to get to the Shoar and next Morning at break of day we found our Selves within five or 〈◊〉 Leagues of it when we furled all our Sails except our Sprit-Sail Next Evening we went on Board our Canoes and put on all Night after we had given our Ships orders to lye by and wait for us at the mouth of the Bay where we were On the 21st in the Morning we discovered the place where we were to go ashoar and cast Anchor till Night came as we also took down our Masts for fear they should be discovered from the Shoar and then made our selves ready to Land which we did on the 22d 〈◊〉 hour before day But Experience telling us we had 〈◊〉 time enough before us to get to the place before day light appeared we put three Leagues off where we anchored having no where in this Bay above fifteen Fathom Water That Evening we made for the shoarâ— again which we could not recover before Midnight because the Currents were against us After we had 〈◊〉 Footing we marched to the number of an hundred and sixty Men directly to the Town and took one 〈◊〉 two Spaniards whom we found on the way who told us that he was sent by the Alcaide Major to watch 〈◊〉 the Sea-side because they had seen a Ship and a Bark aloof off which yet they were so little alarmed with 〈◊〉 they had increased their Guard with no more then twenty Men We continued our march and for all the Expedition we were able to use it was an hour after Sun-rising before we could get to the Town where we sound no resistance half of the Peopleâ—being then at Mass 〈◊〉 Men and Women we took three hundred Prisoners 〈◊〉 whom we understood there were three Barkâ— in the River on which the Town was scituated We sent presently out a party to take them but the Spaniards having loâ—â— no time sunk one of them hid the Sails and Rudder â— the other two and cut down their Masts by the middle so that the Party going on further gave notice to 〈◊〉 of us whom we had left to take care of our Canoeâ— which they found at Anchor at the Rivers Mouth 〈◊〉 we had taken Villia We gathered together that day 〈◊〉 Merchandize which the Fleet had left in this Town computed by the Spaniarâ— to be worth a Million and 〈◊〉 half and to the value of fifteen Thousand pieces 〈◊〉 Eight in good Silver which was an inconsiderable 〈◊〉 to what we should have found there if the Spaniards in all these Countreys who are always apprehensive 〈◊〉 of the visits of the Free-Booters had not hid their Treasures out of our sight many of whom chose rather 〈◊〉 be killed then to discover the places where they 〈◊〉 buryed them On the 24th we sent a party of fourscore Men 〈◊〉 conduct a like number of Horses laden with Bales 〈◊〉 Goods to the River side where we knew there were 〈◊〉 Canoes belonging to the Spaniards on Board of which after they had put them they were to bring them to the Rivers Mouth where ours were but one of our Men sent upon this occasion was taken by the Enemy The same day we sent a Letter to the Alcaide Major as they call him in order to know whether he would â—ansom the Town and buy the effects we had seized He sent us Answer that all the Ransom that he took upâ—â— him to give us was Powder and Ball whereof he had a great deal at our Service That as to the Prisoners we had taken he committed them to the hands of God â—â—d moreover that his People were getting together as 〈◊〉 as they could to get the honour to see us Upon the receiving this Answer which angered all our Men 〈◊〉 fired the Town and went our ways to lye in a place where our Booty was kept by our fourscore Men which was about a quarter of a League off We were allarmed several times that Night and on the 25th put the best and finest effects on Board the two Spanish Caâ—oes because we could not carry off all For our own Canoes as we have said were at the mouth of the River on Board of which we could have laden 〈◊〉 rest but they durst not come up thither because of the Ambuscades of the Spaniards who had already killed them a Man as they were endeavouring to come up to 〈◊〉 pursuant to the orders we had before left with them Wherefore having laden the two Spanish Canoes we 〈◊〉 nine Men on Board them and the rest guarded them by Land all along the River side while six hundred Spanish did the same on the other side without being discoâ—ered by us because of a great many Trees Bushes and Thickets that grow along the Banks thereof When we had marched on about a League we came to a 〈◊〉 so full of these Trees and Thickets that we could 〈◊〉 pass it so that we were obliged to take a turn about which brought us off from the River side about two hundred Paces which was the occasion as you will hear of the loss of all our Booty and the Death of some of our Men. As we quitted the place where we lay we ordered those who had the charge of our Canoes to stop in this River at a place where there were three Spanish Barks to the end we might endeavour to bring them away but when they came there they were suddenly surprized with 〈◊〉 Ambuscade of which the Spaniards were never nigard to us and as they defended themselves against them the Current of the River drove them beyond the three 〈◊〉 and consequently far from us which was exactly 〈◊〉 they would have for as soon as they saw them in a 〈◊〉 where we could not relieve them they discharged 〈◊〉 Musket shot at them with which they killed four 〈◊〉 wounded one The rest made their escape to the 〈◊〉 side of the River and abandoned their Canoes which dozen Indians who swam the River carryed to the 〈◊〉 niards who cut off the Head of one of our Men 〈◊〉 was only wounded and set it on the top of a Pole 〈◊〉 we might see it as we came down the River After we had finished the Tour we had taken 〈◊〉 drew near the River again and being to come to 〈◊〉 place where the three Barks were and not finding 〈◊〉 Canoes we thought they were still behind but aboâ—â— an hour after we saw three of those who had the 〈◊〉 of them coming through the Thickers towards us 〈◊〉 gave us a Relation of the Disaster that befell them 〈◊〉 said that as they passed the Woods they found 〈◊〉
Rudders and Sails of those three Barks in two of whiâ—â— we embarked our selves all together and sent out 〈◊〉 stantly fifty Men by Land before us to seek out 〈◊〉 Sails and Rudders giving them a Signal that we wouâ—â— fire off three Guns and that they should answer us 〈◊〉 as many to shew where they should find us to the 〈◊〉 they might joyn us there But at the same time that 〈◊〉 fired our three pieces we heard the report of aboâ—â— five hundred which made us immediately conclude 〈◊〉 Men were attacked wherefore we delayed not to go 〈◊〉 shoar in order to relieve them but by the time we caâ— up the Engagement was over and had not the River beâ—â— between them and us the matter had not been ended 〈◊〉 We found one of our People in this place who had 〈◊〉 ped out of our Vessels after we had brought away 〈◊〉 Ship tackle that were hid in the Woods After we were imbarked we asked the Captain 〈◊〉 Horse of Villia that was our Prisoner where it was 〈◊〉 Spaniards could lay other Ambuscades for us he answâ—â— it might be about the Rivers Mouth and not only 〈◊〉 but that we should mistrust all those places which seeâ—â—ed to give them any advantage over us and then 〈◊〉 came to an Anchor because of the coming in of thâ— Tide On the 26th we went ashoar at the place where they 〈◊〉 Killed our Men the day before we found the two â—anoes dashed to pieces and the Bodies of our Men â—hom they had wounded in several places after they 〈◊〉 dead One of them they had thrown into the Fire 〈◊〉 put the others Head upon a Pole as we have said â—â—ready These Objects so enraged our Men that they 〈◊〉 off at the same time four of their Prisoners Heads 〈◊〉 they set up also upon Poles in the same Place â—hen we took the Bodies of ours to bury them on the 〈◊〉 side and before we got thither we were forced â—â—ree times to go ashoar to break through the Ambuscades â—ll for us all along the River at the mouth whereâ—â— we found also that we were warned of by the Capâ—â—â—n of Horse aforesaid but we happily freed our selves â—â—om it though with the loss of three Men and one â—â—unded At last we rejoyned our Canoes where one 〈◊〉 our wounded Men dyed soon after The River of Villia is very large and at Low-water breaks at the mouth of it as on a flat Shoar about a â—â—ague to Windward stands a great Rock which Night 〈◊〉 Day and at all Seasons is covered with a vast numâ—er of Birds called Fregates Maubies and great Goziers 〈◊〉 live altogether by fishing Great Ships cannot enter to this River they being obliged to anchor within â—â—non shot in the Sea but for Barks of about forty 〈◊〉 they can go up a League and an half within it 〈◊〉 Port or place of Embarking belonging to Villia is 〈◊〉 a League and an half higher and the Town a quarâ—â—â— of a League distant from it it s very well scituated 〈◊〉 its Churches are almost fallen to Ruine though they 〈◊〉 very rich on the inside Its Streets are very straight 〈◊〉 the private Houses pretty well built on the out 〈◊〉 of it are a great many Hattos accompanyed with veâ—â— fine Savana's The Town of Nata which is the nighâ—â— stands seven Leagues distant from it On the 27th came a Person on Board us to redemand 〈◊〉 Prisoners with whom we agreed for ten thouâ—â— pieces of Eight ransom and threatned to cut 〈◊〉 all their Heads if they did not send us the Money by 〈◊〉 29th But instead of that he returned to tell us that 〈◊〉 Alcaide Major had seized upon those of their Peoâ—â—â— who were our Prisoners whom we had sent ashoar 〈◊〉 get wherewithall to ransom their Wives in revenge whereof we presently cut off the Heads of two Prisonerâ— and gave them the Messenger to carry to the Alcaidâ— telling him if he sent us no other answer we woâ— cut off the Heads of the rest and after having put 〈◊〉 Women upon an Island we would go to take himself 〈◊〉 same Person in the Evening returned to tell us that 〈◊〉 the Ransoms would come and that besides them thâ— would bestow upon us ten Beefs twenty Sheep anâ— two packs of Meal the least whereof usually weighâ— an hundred pound every day as long as we staid On the 30th they brought us back the Man who they had taken in Exchange for the Captain of 〈◊〉 that was our Prisoner and as they shew themselves 〈◊〉 fond of having French Arms they pretended to 〈◊〉 lost them that belonged to our Man for which we 〈◊〉 them pay four hundred pieces of Eight They proposeâ— to buy them one of the Barks we had taken from theâ— and agreed with us for six hundred pieces of Eight aâ— one hundred pound of Nails of which we stood in 〈◊〉 need whereupoon we delivered her up after we 〈◊〉 first taken out her Tackle and Anchors They also â—â—quired a Pasport from us that we would not retake 〈◊〉 Bark in case met with her out at Sea but only the 〈◊〉 wherewith she should be laden which we also gave thâ— Next day in the Evening they brought us the ten thâ—â—sand pieces of Eight as had been agreed upon then 〈◊〉 weigh'd in order to go anchor at a place that served 〈◊〉 a little Port to an Hatto where they were to give us 〈◊〉 hundred and twenty falted Beefs We departed froâ— thence on the fourth of Iuly and anchored at 〈◊〉 Isle of Iguana to see and get us some Water not 〈◊〉 ring to go and get us any on the Continent that 〈◊〉 guarded with four thousand Men But after we had â—â—â—sed in some places and found that the Water was braâ—â—ish we resolved rather than we would dye for thirst make a descent with two hundred Men on the 〈◊〉 Firma in order to procure us some in spight of the Sâ—â—niards whom we found about an hundred paces from 〈◊〉 Sea-side lying upon the Grass and after a short Figâ— put them to flight seeing we were a People would â—â—â—zard all for a small matter This being over we pâ—â—sently filled some Casks with Water and reimbarkâ—â— again On the 7th we weighed Anchor and sailed for the King's Isles and on the 9th anchored at Morne a Puerâ—â— fourteen Leagues to Leeward of the Island Iguana â—o take in more Water there being no Body there to opâ—ose us We departed on the 10th with a favourable West-Wind and that day one of our wounded Men dyed On the 13th we discovered an Island called Galera which is to Leeward of all the Kings Islands and on the fourteenth we began to perceive the Currents that reign all the year round between those Islands which made us 〈◊〉 farther off to Sea On the 15th we had a North-West Wind a fresh Gale which brought us near Land and three days after which was the 18th discovered Cape 〈◊〉 and kept